Slovak Centre Ireland

Its main activities consist in three projects: 

• The Educational Centre for Slovak Children in Dublin
• The folklore group Ostroha
• Legal Support services.

Beside these projects, the SKC-IRL regularly attends various presentations, exhibitions and official meetings often dealing with the basic issues of Slovaks living in Ireland.

The Educational Centre for Slovak Children in Dublin functions as a weekend school for children who meet their peers in classes and get the individual attention of Slovak teachers. In the words of project manager Mrs. Mária Pacherová, “We are planning a holiday trip to Slovakia this year, which will be organised as a school in nature. We will combine the pleasant with the useful. We are hoping that we will manage to find sponsors in these difficult times.“ SKC-IRL volunteers organise a regular celebration of   International Children’s day, a St. Nicholas party for the children from the centre and others and this year they have already celebrated Shrovetide  (the period known as Fasching between 6 January and Ash Wednesday typified by carnivals followed by 40 days of fasting).

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Slovak Centre Ireland also represents the community and the country in the area of culture. Their folklore group Ostroha consists of dancers, singers and musicians who rehearse several times a week. There are two bands of singers – a male and a female band, which is a rare find even in Slovakia. Ostroha plans to perform at festivals in Slovakia this year. Their performance last year at the Festival of World Cultures in the Irish town of Dun Laoghaire was a great success.

While  Slovaks in Ireland present themselves through their culture and education, the need to solve everyday issues gave rise to the so-called Legal Support services. Since November 2008 this still very young project has managed to solve over 50 cases of unfair treatment and discrimination against Slovaks living in Ireland.  These mainly included industrial relations and tenancy issues. Rastislav Blažek, the project manager, volunteers his services in these areas in his free time and opportunities for better cooperation with Irish organisations are sought in this area.

Slovak Centre Ireland currently plays an important role in supporting the Slovak community and in the future they would like to achieve closer cooperation with the governing bodies of cities where greater numbers of Slovaks live.

More info: www.slovakcentre.ie

By Maroš Karabinoš
Photo: iStockPhoto, Archive SKC-IRL

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