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ZA BOHA, NÁROD A SLOVENSKO FOR GOD, NATION AND SLOVAKIA

Volume - ročník 72 čislo 13 29. marec 2014 Cena / Price: $1.75

We acknowledge the financial supportof the Government of Canada throughthe Canada Periodical Fund oftheDepartment of CanadianHeritage. PM# 40026440

Pred tým než sa rozospieval,povedal pekné slová o tom, že nássíce nevidí očami, ale vidí nássvojím srdcom. Za krátku chvíľusme mu mohli odpovedať aj my, žeho síce vidíme očami, alepočujeme a vnímame srdcom.Marián Bango spievalpodmanivým hlasom, vtipkoval aihneď zapadol medzi tých, ktorí siho 23. marca prišli vypočuť dopreplnenej spoločenskej haly kos-tola sv. Cyrila a Metoda vMississauge (Ontário).

Bango bol otáznik, veď málokto oňom vedel niečo bližšie. Snáď ibato, že je nevidiaci a že má rovnakonevidiacu manželku. No s jejčarovným zamatovým hlasom smesa zoznámili krátko po otvoreníkoncertu. Nespievala, alerozprávala tak pokojne apríťažlivo, že spolu s ňou sme

spoznávali ich spoločnú cestuneľahkým, ale láskyplnýmosudom. Nebolo treba vidieťpriveľa, pretože ich dotyk rúk boldostatočnou pečaťou pravdivosti.Marián Bango pôsobil pochvíľkach ako mladý chalan, ktorýs úsmevom zaspieval tónyzahrievajúce srdce. Keď v duetespieval s mladou šarmantnouspeváčkou Anne Morrone, nanávštevníkov akoby zosadol oparsladkého Talianska. Jej strhujúciprofesionálny prejav stmelený sBangovým prirodzeným hlasomupútal do posledného miestaobsadenú kostolnú halu a všetkypohľady sústredil na javisko, kdespoločne ponúkli jeden znajkrajších zážitkov nedeľnéhopopoludnia. Bango svojímvýberom piesní a ich prednesomulahodil obecenstvu, ktoré musvoje pocity opätovalo aplauzom.

Prednedávnom sme na tomtomieste písali o misionárovi, fran-tiškánovi, ktorý svoj pokoj dušenachádza v džungli, medzidomorodými Indiánmi. A kdenachádza pokoj duše či pocitzadosťučinenia Marián Bango?Možno v takom dni ako boldnešný, keď jeho citlivá dušazachytila ozvenu našich pocitov,vnútorného napätia, ktoré nás sním pevne spojilo.

Bango je “veľký chlapec” súsmevom a bezstarostným vys-tupovaním. Po vystúpení podávalspolu so svojou manželkou rukypriateľom - tým novým i úplnenajnovším. Tým, ktorých spoznaliba teraz, ale možno mal pocit, žeich pozná už dlho - snáď aj celýsvoj život. Rovnako ako aj oni poz-nali jeho.

Julo Behul

Videl nás svojím srdcom

He Saw Us With His HeartEven before he began to sing, he announcedthat although he does not see us with his eyes, hedoes see us with his heart. For a short while, wewere also able to respond that although we couldsee him with our eyes, we also able to hear andsense him with our hearts.

Marián Bango possesses a compelling voice anda delightful sense of humour; he quickly won thehearts of those present in the crowded hallbeneath the church of St.Cyril and Methodius inMissississagua on March 23. To most people whoattended the performance, he was relataivelyunknown. His wife, also visually impaired, did notsing but mesmerized the audience with her gentlevoice as she narrated anecdotes of their life’sjourney together, challinging yet full of love.

At times Marián Bango resembled a young gentle-man as he delivered passionate love songs thatwarmed the heart. When he sang duets with theyoung charming Anna Morrone, the audience wastransported to the shores of sunny, romantic Italy.Ms. Morrone’s trained operatic voice blendedbeautifully with Marian’s natural tones. His cleverselection of songs and their execution more thanwon over the feelings and emotions of the audi-ence who kept expressing their apreciation withthunderous applause.Recently we wrote about a Franciscan missionarywho finds peace and solace in the jungles amongnative peoples. Where does Marian Bango findpeace and solace? Perhaps in experiences likethis, where his sensitive soul touches our soulsand unites us all emotionally.

Bango is a large man with a smile and relaxedattitude. After the performance he and his wifeeagerly shook hands with friends: old friends andnew friends the had just made. It seemed that hehad known these people all his life – just as theaudience, after hearing him sing, felt they too hadknown him all along.

Julo Behul

KuzminováShoots toVictoryAnastasia Kuzminová, Slovakia’sOlympic gold medalist had the bestweekend of her career at the lastBiathlon World Cup meet of the sea-son in Holmenkollen, Norway onMarch 22-23. She captured gold inthe 10km pursuit on Saturday, fol-

lowed by another gold in the 12.5km Mass Start on Sunday; the massstart was the last race of the sea-son. Finland’s Kaisa Makarainensecured her second career biathlonWorld Cup overall title.

“I am thrilled that I was able tofinish the season on such a noteand able to provide a victoriousexperience for all of Slovakia,” saidthe Russian-born Slovak athlete inan interview with Rádio Slovenskoafter the race. She humbly added,

“There was some luck involved; myopponents were not on target todaywith their shooting and I was able totake advantage of their mistakes.The racing itself was very demand-ing because of the changing condi-tions but it was the shooting thatallowed me to win today. My oppo-nents did not hit all their targetswhile I was able to shot them allfrom standing position at the lastrange.

Tichomir Miko

Photo: Palo Stacho

KTO A KDE

Sts. Cyril and Methodius Parish5255 Thornwood Dr., Mississauga, ON L4Z 3J3 905-712-1200 Fax: 905-712-0974e-mail: [email protected] web site: www.slovakparish.ca

Slovenský evanjelický kostolaugsburgského vyznania sv. Pavla (Slovak EvangelicalLutheran Church of St. Paul) l424 Davenport Rd., Toronto,Ont. M6H 2H8 Ont. Tel.: (4l6) 658-9793

Gréckokatolícka katedrála Narodenia Presv.Bohorodičky257 Shaw St., Toronto, Ont. M6J 2W7Tel.: /416/ 531-4836web site: www.chramsk.slovak-net.comBishop John Pazak

Assumption Slovak Catholic Byzantine Church1406 Barton St. East, Hamilton, On., L8H 2W5Tel. 905 544-9166, www.church.assumptionslovakhall.ca

Rímsko-katolícky kostol sv.Cyrila a Metoda, 1532Alexeis Rd.Windsor, Ontario. N8Y 4P2,tel: (519) 945-7063, Fax: (519) 945-0866

Slovenské evanjelické služby Božie v kostole Sv. Lukáša,3200 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, M2M 3R7. Rev. Dusan Toth, D.D. Tel.:416-2218900, e-mail [email protected]

St. Michael´s Slovak Byzantine Catholic Church 2120 Byng Rd. (Walker/Tecumseh) Windsor’ Ontario’ N8W 3E2

Phone/Fax: (519) 258-4829

Rímsko-katolícky kostol sv. Cyrila a Metoda204 Park St. North Hamilton, Ont.(905) 529-6674 www.slovakchurch.com

Cathedral Mission of the Transfiguration15 Church Lane Thornhill, ON L3T 2G4 - 905-477-4867Divine Liturgy 8:45 am Sunday

Rímsko-katolícky kostol sv. Cyrila a Metoda 7187 2nd Ave. Montreal,QC H2A 3G8 (514) 721-1551

Catholic Church Protection of the Mother of God 464Ritson Rd.S. Oshawa, Ont. L1H 5J9Tel: 905-245-0629 Fr. Stephen Williams Adm.email: [email protected]

Slovenské veľvyslanectvo Slovak Embassy50 Rideau Terrace, Ottawa, Ont. K1M 2A1Tel.: (613) 749 4442 www.ottawa.mfa.sk

Honorary Consultate of the Slovak Republik Montreal22, Place de la MadeleineDollard des Ormeaux Quebec, H9B 1W3T: 514 585 2496 F: 514 421 1583E: [email protected] Consul Mr. Dezider Michaletz

Honorary Consulate of the Slovak Republic 2nd Floor - 247 Abbot Street

Vancouver, B.C. V6B 2K7 Tel.(604) 682-0991 Fax: (604)- 904-0301

Honorary Consul Mr. Stanislav Lisiak

Honorary Consulate of the Slovak Republic 649 Brooker RidgeNewmarket, OntarioL3X 1V7 CanadaTel.: 647 290 - 9304Fax: (905) 898 - 0166Honorary Consul Mr. Michael MartincekE-mail :[email protected]

Centrum kultúry a dedičstva kanadských slovákov 12 Birch Ave. Toronto, Ont.(416) 939 3111 http://www.slovak.com

Slovenská Kanadská Národná RadaSlovak Canadian National Council135 West Beaver CreekP.O. Box 1008, Richmond Hill, ON, Canada L4B 4R9 tel. (905)771 – 9748 [email protected]

Slovak Canadian Heritage MuseumMúzeum Slovenského Kanadského kulturného dedičstva5255 Thornwood Dr., Mississauga, ON L4Z 3J3416-721-7652 [email protected]

Torontské slovenské divadlowww.torontskeslovenkskedivadlo.comdivadlo@torontskeslovenkskedivadlo.com

Vychodna Slovak Dancers TorontoMario Hrapko 416 845 5836Dusan Dorich 416 806 4420

Slovak Domovina Dancers, Windsor, Ont. Irene Timko Director, 519-969-2899 e-mail: [email protected]

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Kanadský Slovák — 29. marec 2014 — strana 2

Slovenská zdravotná sestra plánuje otvoriť svoj dom vmalebnej rybárskej dedinke na Novej Scotii staršiemu

manželskému páru alebo 2 seniorom s plnoustarostlivosťou (domáca strava, pranie, upratovanie,

malý psík alebo mačka vítaná).Mám organickú zeleninovú záhradu, chovám sliepky a

zajace. Ďalšie informácie na tel. čísle 902 645 3970 aleboe-mailom: [email protected]

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The Slovak Consulate in TorontoHonorary Consul Michael Martincek

Cordially invites you to attend 14th Annual

BALL POLOGNEWe have helped children in Slovakia with $40,000

at King Edward Hotel,37 King Street, Toronto, Ontarioon

Saturday, April 26th 2014

Champagne Reception at six o’clock - Dinner at seven o’clock

FeaturingGRAND SALON ORCHESTRA Conducted by Music

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FOR RESERVATION PLEASE CALL 416 921 4016Individual Tickets $275

Rusko v pondelok zaviedlovízové a finančné sankcie protitrinástim kanadským diplo-matom a politikom ako odvetuza protiruské sankcie Kanadyvyhlásené minulý týždeň preokupáciu Krymu.

Vytlačiť V ruskom sankčnýmzozname sú napríklad šéf dol-nej komory kanadského parla-mentu Andrew Scheer, vedúcikancelárie predsedu vládyWayne Wouters, poslanci avládni poradcovia.Kanada vyhlásila minulýutorok sankcie proti skupineukrajinských a ruských

politikov, ktorí sa podieľali naanexii Krymu.Trest stihol okrem inéhoruského vicepremiéra DmitrijaRogozina, predsedu krymskejvlády Sergeja Aksjonova alebopredsedníčku hornej parla-mentnej komory ValentínuMatvijenkovú.Rusko kanadské sankcieoznačilo za „neprijateľnýútok“, ktorý vážne poškodíúroveň rusko-kanadskýchvzťahov.

Sankcie proti Rusku vyhlásilipo okupácii Krymu aj Spojenéštáty a Európska únia.Niekoľko desiatok ruskýchverejných činiteľov a vojakovzaradených na zoznam nesmiecestovať do USA a západnejEurópy a ich účty v západnýchbankách boli zablokované.Aj v tomto prípade si Moskvauplatnila právo odvety.

Rusko vyhlásilo sankcieproti

13 kanadským politikom

Máte záujem

o pekný dom?

str. 12

Kanadský Slovák - 29. marec 2014— strana 3

M. Mark Stolarik, Where is myHome? Slovak Immigration toNorth America (1870-2010),Bern: Peter Lang, 2012, 392 p.ISBN: 978-3-0343-1169-4 pb /ISBN 978-3-0351-0485-1 eBook.

The back cover of this paperbackpublication indicates that this book

tells “the epic story of Slovakimmigration to North America”and that it also offers “a compre-hensive history of this significantmember of the family of Slavicnations.” Such a description begsthe following question: what is thisbook about? The reader quicklydiscovers that there are, in fact,three stories interwoven in the nar-rative: a history of Slovakia,Slovak emigration to NorthAmerica, and the Stolarik familysaga.

The first story is meant to give an

overview of Slovak history; it is,however, very brief and incom-plete, serving primarily as a back-drop to explain why so manySlovaks left their homeland in thenineteenth and twentieth centuries,traveled to distant shores, and whatthey did upon arrival. It is also thebackground to the Stolarik familystory, which, according to theauthor was representative of thehistory of the Slovaks both inEurope and in North America in thetwentieth century. There is no ded-icated chapter that gives the readeran overview, however short butcomprehensive, of Slovak history;rather this history narrative appearsbriefly and in sections throughoutthe chapters to support the twoother stories of Slovak immigrationand the Stolarik family. This leavesthe reader unfamiliar with CentralEuropean history with a very limit-ed if not confused understanding ofthe social, political, and economicfactors and events that drove somany Slovaks to emigrate. It alsomakes it difficult for the reader toappreciate fully the divisions thatarose within the American andCanadian Slovak communities andthe role and importance of themany organisations and publica-tions they created. In other words,the history of Slovakia that isoffered in this book does not pro-vide a sufficient and understand-able context for the other two sto-ries.

The second story, the story ofSlovak immigration to NorthAmerica, is far more complete andwell documented, but lacks con-ceptual coherence. The Slovaks

who immigrated to North Americadid so for a number of reasons:economic, political, and/or person-al. Once on this continent, theyfaced many issues related to theirneed not only to survive but also todefine themselves in a new envi-ronment that demanded their workand allegiance but that also allowedthem to create communities ofcompatriots. The tension thatdeveloped between these twoprocesses is what makes the historyof Slovak immigration to NorthAmerica interesting not only on itsown merit, but also because of thelink to what was happening inSlovakia. Stolarik describes themajor moments that markedAmerican and Canadian Slovakcommunities, moments often con-nected to political developments inSlovakia. He chronicles the estab-lishment of the organisations in theUnited States and Canada and theevents that had an impact like thesigning of the Cleveland andPittsburgh Agreements, documentsthat later played an important rolein Slovak politics. A major contri-bution to the history of the Slovakdiaspora is his description of thecreation of the Slovak WorldCongress as well as of the estab-lishment of the Chair of SlovakCulture and History at theUniversity of Ottawa (which theauthor currently occupies).But this is only part of the immi-

gration story. Not all immigrantswere politically involved or wantedto be. Absent is an analysis of theimportance of the assimilatoryprocess, of the impact of the Slovakbackground on the next generation,and of the degree to which this

background defined their identityand was carried forward. Waves ofimmigrants sustained many Slovakcommunities over the years but notall communities survived. The rea-sons why some failed and disap-peared are of interest because theyexplain the challenges these new-comers faced. Stolarik’s failure toinclude the story of the farmingcommunity of Bradlo in NorthernOntario, whose past existence isnow marked only by a plaque,although it is probably one of thebetter documented accounts, wascriticised by many SlovakCanadians. To the extent thatStolarik’s book purports not just todescribe but also to analyse andexplain the phenomenon of immi-gration, this omission is notable. Itis indicative of the fact that there islittle analysis in this book and thisis a major deficiency. From anauthor who has been involved withand studying the American andCanadian Slovak communities formost of his professional life, onewould have expected not just adescriptive, but an analytical, histo-ry of Slovak immigration. It will beup to future historians to write it.

The Stolarik family story, the thirdstory, makes up a good portion ofthe narrative and of many photos inthe book. Unfortunately, the way itis told may leave the impression forsome readers that the author feelsthat this story is more representa-tive than any other immigrantexperience. This is not to say that itis not an interesting story. Had thisstudy of Slovak immigration toNorth America been organized dif-ferently and focused on an analysis

of its history, the Stolarik familysaga, on its own as an addendum orpostscript, would have served wellas an interesting example of oneimmigrant story. When Joseph M. Kirschbaum,founder of the Chair of SlovakCulture and History, publishedSlovaks in Canada in 1967, he paidparticular attention to SlovakCanadians who achieved personalsuccess in their adopted country.His book was more descriptivethan analytical of Slovak immigra-tion to Canada, yet by these exam-ples, he was emphasizing a basicpoint, namely that immigration isan experience that combines back-ground, opportunity, and environ-ment. How the immigrant experi-ence turned out depends as muchon how individuals dealt with thesethree factors as on the communitiesin which they found themselves.For some, the question of immigra-tion was indeed the question“Where is my home?” (the title ofthe Czech national anthem); forothers, immigration was an oppor-tunity for a new beginning. Thesetwo approaches defined the firstgeneration immigrant experience;for the next, it was already differ-ent. This is the story of Slovakimmigration to the United Statesand Canada that this book shouldhave told.

Stanislav J. Kirschbaum,York University, Glendon CollegePublished in Canadian SlavonicPapers/Revue canadienne des slav-istes, vol. LV, nos. 3-4, September-December 2013, pp. 553-554.

Book ReviewM. Mark Stolarik, Where is my Home? Slovak Immigration to North America (1870-2010)

Nájsť v tomto chaotickom svetepevný bod, o ktorý sa dávnútorne oprieť, môžu Slovácicez hlaholiku. Myslí si to Maticaslovenská, ktorá pre záujemcovotvorila v Bratislave Hlaholskúakadémiu. Podľa jej signatárovsa na kurzoch záujemcovianenaučia len čítať a písať prvépísmo našich predkov, alezískajú aj cenné poznatky znašej národnej histórie. Prihlásiťsa dá aj na jednorazové pred-nášky po celom Slovensku.

Hlaholika, dnes už nepoužívanéprvé písmo Slovanov, tvorízáklad kultúry a vzdelanostiVeľkej Moravy. Pred 1 150rokmi ho zostavil Konštantín zoSolúna ako podklad pre najs-tarší spisovný slovanský jazyk,staroslovienčinu. Tá sa neza-písala len do našich dejín, pre-tože v roku 868 bola povolenáako štvrtý liturgický jazyk rím-skokatolíckej cirkvi. Konštantínso svojím bratom Metodomhlaholiku na veľkomoravskomúzemí ďalej rozvíjali, čímpoložili základy slovenskejpísomnej vzdelanosti. Neskôrsa z nej vyvinuli cyrilika aazbuka.

Možnosť prihlásiť sa bezplatnena kurzy hlaholiky ponúka DomMatice slovenskej v Bratislaveod polovice februára. Vyučovaťsa začne od apríla do koncamája, dvojhodinové kurzy sabudú konať dvakrát do mesiaca.Podľa Matice slovenskej súurčené pre všetkých, ktorýchoslovuje cyrilometodský odkaza chcú ho ďalej rozvíjať.Študenti sa budú oboznamovaťnielen so starobylými písomný-mi hlaholskými pamiatkami anaučia sa používať aj hlaholikuupravenú na písanie textov vdnešnom slovenskom jazyku. Vrámci akadémie majú možnosťísť aj na exkurziu do Martina,Devína či Nitry.

Historik Ján Steinhübel zoSlovenskej akadémie vied hov-orí, že kníh písaných hlaholikousa zachovalo málo. „Na vteda-jšiu dobu boli písomnosti vhlaholike dosť početné. No ichprevažná väčšina sa zachovalalen v neskorších prepisochnajmä v cyrilike. Možno sa dajúprečítať Kyjevské listy alebonejaké chorvátske texty, ale toje všetko aj v slovenských ačeských prekladoch,“

vysvetľuje. Učiť písmo sa dá ztabuľky a podľa historka to nieje ani príliš náročné. NaSlovensku ho však podľa nehona odbornej úrovni ovláda lenpár ľudí, ktorí sa zaoberajúslavistikou.Podľa Steinhübela Matica toutoaktivitou skúša, čím ľudí zaujať.„Asi je to zasa extravagantnýnápad. Je to však na úrovnifolklóru. Niekto sa naučí hlaho-liku, je tomu rád a môže sa týmpochváliť,“ konštatuje.

Historička práva KatarínaZavacká sa pýta, z čoho kurzyMatica financuje, keďže jejaktivity sú platené aj zoštátneho rozpočtu. „Otázkou je,odkiaľ berie Matica peniaze naniečo, čo nikto nebudepotrebovať? Pretože to nie jepoužiteľné a vonkoncom nie prezvyšovanie národnej hrdosti. Táhrdosť sa dá podnecovať ajinak,“ vraví.Daniela Suchá z Domu Matice

slovenskej tvrdí, že žiadne peni-aze na rozbehnutie akadémienepotrebovali. „Hlaholskáakadémia je bez finančnéhorozpočtu, prednášajú tudobrovoľníci. Rovnako bezplat-ný je kurz aj pre záujemcov,“hovorí. Prihlášky môžuzáujemcovia posielať do koncamarca, zatiaľ sa podľa nejhlásia jednotlivci z celéhoSlovenska, dostali však užprihlášku aj od celej školy. Čimedzi záujemcami prevažujúodborníci, alebo bežní ľudia,bude môcť zhodnotiť až pouzávierke prihlášok. Na kurzochbudú prednášať signatáriakadémie napríklad autorkaknihy o hlaholike ElenaŠubjaková či teológ DušanSlivka. Členom akadémie je ajMartin Slaninka, ktorý sa venujeodborným prepisom najstaršíchhlaholických dokumentov.V tom, ako môže účastník kurzuvyužiť znalosť hlaholiky, máSuchá jasno. „Účastník kurzunadobudne znalosť histórievlastného národa, čo samoosebe je veľká devíza,“ dodala.

Lucia Krbatová, Pravda

Matica chce ľudí učiť hlaholiku

Slovákom sa zaprácou cestovaťnechcePodľa Stredoeurópskeho inštitútu prevýskum práce Slováci nepreferujúdochádzanie za prácou niekoľko desia-tok kilometrov denne. Iba sedem percentľudí dochádza viac ako hodinu. Naporovnanie napríklad vo Veľkej Británii jeto približne 14 percent zamestnaných.Dôvod je jednoduchý. Vysoké cestovné

náklady v porovnaní so slovenskýmiplatmi. „Mzdy nie sú adekvátne produk-tivite práce,“ tvrdí personalista PeterPaška z Proact People. Pracovnéagentúry alebo zahraniční investoripreto riešia dopravu svojich zamestnan-cov vlastnými dopravnými prostriedkami.Paška hovorí, že do práce vozia ľudí dovzdialenosti 80 kilometrov. Podobne jena tom Kia Motors Slovakia v Žiline.Pracuje tu 3800 ľudí. „Na zvoz zamest-nancov využívame 32 priamych auto-busových spojov,“ povedal hovorcaspoločnosti Jozef Bačé.

Kanadský Slovák —29. marec 2014 — strana 4

Jazdu na pravej strane cestypovažujeme v našich končináchza samozrejmosť a na spôsobjazdy v krajinách, ako je VeľkáBritánia, nazeráme skôr ako naextravaganciu. Málokto však vie,že aj v našich končinách satradične jazdilo vľavo aČeskoslovensko veľmi dlhoodolávalo zmenám. A práve dnesje tomu presne 75 rokov, čo sa unás oficiálne jazdí vpravo.

Pravostrannú jazdu priniesolWehrmachtPrechod z ľavej strany na pravúsa začal rozbitímČeskoslovenska na ProtektorátČechy a Morava a samostatnýSlovenský štát. Vrchný veliteľ nemeckej armádyWalther von Brauchitsch vydalvýnos, ktorým nariadil okamžitýprechod na pravostrannúorganizáciu premávky. Výnoszačal platiť u našich západnýchsusedov 17. marca 1939.Slovenský štát štyri dni po svo-jom vzniku schválil podobnénariadenie a do platnosti vstúpilopresne pred 75 rokmi, 18. marca1939.

História s otáznikmiNa historické dôvody pre jazduči vľavo neexistuje jednoznačnáodpoveď, i keď nájdeme aj„zaručené“ vysvetlenia.Zoberme si drsný stredovek, keďk výbave bojovníka patril kôň ameč. Väčšinou sa zbraň nosila naľavom boku, tasila sa pravourukou a v nej až do konca bojaobyčajne zostala. V dedinách čimestách tak bolo pohodlnejšiejazdiť vľavo, nakoľko sa znižo-valo riziko zraneniaokoloidúcich. I keď šľachticasíce zranenie poddanéhozaujímať nemuselo, zachyteniezbrane o odev chodca určite

nepatrilo medzi ideálne situácie.

Značný vplyv na prechod zľavostrannej na pravostrannúpremávku mala údajne aj Veľkáfrancúzska revolúcia. Pred ňoubola ľavá strana vozovkyvyhradená šľachte a pravá pleb-su. No po revolúcii nemalaaristokracia odvahu provokovaťľud výsadnou jazdou vľavo, atak sa presunula doprava. V

Európe prvé pravidlo hovoriaceo nutnosti jazdy vpravo zaviedloDánsko v roku 1793, o rokneskôr podobné nariadenie vošlodo platnosti v Paríži.V Severnej Amerike, ktorá bolakolóniou Veľkej Británie, sataktiež jazdilo vľavo. Poosamostatnení však chceli daťnoví Američania jasne najavosvoju nezávislosť, a takpremávku presunuli z ľavej napravú stranu. Prvým uzákonenímz roku 1792 sa môže pochváliťštát Pennsylvania.

Rozdiely medzi ľavo- a pravos-tranným riadenímAutomobily spravostranným riadením mávajúzrkadlovo otočený prístrojový

panel, ale ovládače na pákach zavolantom aj pedále sú všakzväčša vo verziách pre trhy sľavostrannou premávkouidentické s „našimi“. Vľavo sateda väčšinou nachádza páčkasmeroviek, vpravo stierače apedále začínajú vľavo spojkou,končia vpravo akcelerátorom. Primanuálnej prevodovke jezachovaná aj schéma radeniarýchlostných stupňov.

Jazdou po tej ktorej strane jeprispôsobené aj osvetlenievozidla. Stretávacie svetlá súnastavené tak, aby viacosvetľovali okraj cesty. Preto akjazdíte napríklad na Slovensku sautom z Veľkej Británie, jemožné, že na vás protiidúcivodiči budú hromžiť. V takomtoprípade sa zvyknú svetlometyprelepovať špeciálnou páskou,ktorá oslňovanie vozidiel v pro-tismere eliminuje. Niektoré mod-erné vozidlá majú v nastaveniachmožnosť prispôsobiť svetlápravidlám danej krajiny.(krátené)Soňa ZverkováAUTO MOTO

Slová sú mnohokrát akokladivo, ktorým sa masámudiera po hlave. Tie “vybrané”sa tvoria v hlaváchpropagandistov zvyčajne podľapotreby niečo zamaskovať. Vprípade vojny obe protiľahléstrany ešte pred začiatkombojov, ale hlavne po ichrozbehnutí, pripravujú drastickýpríbeh, ktorý má svojoubrutalitou vykresliť nepriateľa vnajčernejších farbách. K nim sapridávajú hororové ilustrácie zjeho minulosti a na každejstrane tento obraz dopĺňajúsrdcervúce zábery plačúcichpozostalých. Potiaľto by sa tomožno ešte dalo chápať. Vojnaje vojna a jej boje automatickysprevádza, alebo aj predbiehapropaganda namierená nielenna mysle civilnéhoobyvateľstva, ale rovnako aj navojakov - bojovníkov.

Čo sa však zmení v čase, ktorýnazývame mierový? V podstatesa vymenia karty, ale princípzostáva rovnaký. V európskychpovojnových krajinách, ktorépripadli pod moskovskúdiktatúru, sa začalo sdosadzovaním do výroby apoľnohospodárstva iba politickyvhodných kandidátov, ktorímnohokrát nespĺňali ani základ-né odborné požiadavky.Následkom tejto politickej

komédie bolo rúcanie sahospodárstva. Každý sa všakbál vyrieknuť slová pravdy.Zaúčinkovala propaganda,ktorá v rôznych jazykoch v kra-jinách podriadených sovietske-mu Rusku s maximálnymtlakom vytrubovala slová akokulak, imperialista, špión,nacionalista či zradca. Podľamediálneho masírovaniamozgov práve títo ľudia zaviniliúpadok, nedostatok tovaru apadajúcu životnú úroveň.Naivnejší uverili a tí ďalší sostrachom sklonili hlavu a zdvih-li svoj hlas k súhlasu. Je mnohotých, ktorí si túto dobu pamäta-jú a osobne okúsili tvrdénásledky aj minimálnehoodporu.Dajme za týmito časmi bodku.Slovensko - i ďalšie štátypatriace do sféry vplyvučervených zástav - vstúpili nacestu demokracie, lepšiepovedané - na poznávaniedemokracie. Akési oddeleniapropagandy sa však pokrátkom čase vynorili v zákulisítých, ktorí patrili k vyvoleným aždo pádu totalitného komuni-stického systému. Zrazu saobjavilo slovo “neofašisti”. Akby sa doň zahrňovali niektorímladí ľudia hailujúci na akýchsizrazoch, tak by to boloopodstatnené, hoci dá sapovedať, že asi máloktorý znich pozná význam slova fašiz-

mus. Vždy a všade sa našlimenšie skupiny zvyčajnemladých ľudí, ktorí časom“vyrástli”, založili si rodiny anemali už viac čas na svojevýstrelky. Nie je však namieste,keď celá informačná snahahádže do jedného vrecakaždého, koho

propagandistická mašinériaoznačí za neofašistu.

Nedávno, na výročie vznikuprvého Slovenského štátu, sapri tejto príležitosti konali ispomienkové podujatia.Najväčšou odlišnosťou oprotipredchádzajúcim rokom bolo,že viac-menej všetkyinformácie, či už tlačové,televízne alebo rozhlasové, sasnáď po prvý krát zhodli v tom,že vznik štátu bol jedinouzáchranou nášho národa predjeho rozkúskovaním, zničenímči skoro istou okupáciou, ktorú,žiaľ, okúsili na vlastnej kožizápadní susedia Slovenska.Napokon aj proľavičiarski his-torici uznali tento akt, ako i to,že v podstate nebolo inéhovýchodiska. Paradoxne všakvyznieva, že každému, kto sichcel uctiť vznik štátu, ktorý,ako uviedol nedávno KanadskýSlovák, nebol ideálny, rovnakoako žiaden iný štát, sa na čeloakoby vypálilo slovo neofašista.Kto sú potom tí, ktorí taktickyvtláčajú toto označenie dovšetkých možných priamych činepriamych informácií?

Pred tým, než sa na niekohoukáže prstom, by sa vždy malozdôrazniť, že tak ako fašizmusrovnako i komunizmus najviacochromili ľudstvo a dali munajkrutejšiu ranu.

Vlády oboch systémov padli. Ako je však potom možné, že tí,čo vykrikujú slovo “neofašisti”,nie sú oficiálne označovaní ako“neokomunisti”. Veď sú to tí,ktorí otvorene propagujú komu-nistickú doktrínu postavenú napilieroch vrážd, masovéholikvidovania a koncentračnýchtáborov - gulagov. Všetkymédiá pritom akoby sklopili očia merajú dvojitým metrom.V Bratislave počas spomienkyna vznik Slovenského štátuprotestovali novokomunisti.Prevažne tí, ktorých otcovia adedovia budovali vraždiacimlyn, mnohokrát sineuvedomiac, že môže zomlieťaj ich samých. Aby tomupredišli, udávali a podkopávalistoličku na šibenici aj tým,ktorých považovali za blízkych.Na zlo aj na jeho propagáciutreba poukázať. Ale nie je načase, aby vedľa vtlačenéhoslova neofašista bolo aj slovoneokomunista? Pamätnícičerveného teroru iba neveriackrútia hlavou. Veď každý, kto potzv. páde totality moholotvorene spoznávať pred-chádzajúcu hrôzovládu, si musínad dnešným konaním naSlovensku poklepať na čelo,lebo medzi volebnými kandidát-mi bol aj reprezentant komuni-stickej strany Slovenska.

Ján Uher

Neonacisti verzus neokomunistiPred tým, než sa na niekohoukáže prstom,

by sa vždymalo zdôrazniť,

že tak akofašizmus rovnako

i komunizmusnajviac

ochromiliľudstvo

a dali munajkrutejšiu

ranu.

Do Bratislavyprivezú časť

Berlínskeho múru

Udalosť sa uskutoční pri príležitosti spomienky naNovember '89.Foto: TASR/APBratislava 24. marca (TASR) - Dohlavného mesta SR privezú pri príležitostispomienky na November '89 časť Berlínskeho múru.TASR o tom informoval dnes zakladateľbratislavského Múzea zločinov a obetí komunizmuFrantišek Neupauer. Múr by mal ostať na Slovenskunatrvalo."Múr by sme chceli na výročie Novembra '89slávnostne odhaliť," uviedol Neupauer s tým, že vtomto smere sa už uskutočnili rokovania s riaditeľommúzea v Berlíne a so slovenským veľvyslanectvom vNemecku. Ako dodal, ešte ich čakajú rozhovory smestom o umiestnení múru. Jednou z alternatív jemiesto vedľa múru Nenápadných hrdinov v rámcimúzea. Ďalšou možnosťou je Námestie slobody.Múr, ktorý privezú na Slovensko, bude asi štyrimetre vysoký a približne dva metre široký.

Múzeum otvorilo Občianske združenie Nenápadníhrdinovia v budove Vysokej školy sv. Alžbety naNámestí slobody v Bratislave pred rokom. Akouviedol Neupauer, hlavnou náplňou nie je zbieraťarchiválie, ale sprostredkovať mladej generácií stret-nutie s tými, ktorí nám prinavrátili slobodu. "Cieľomnášho združenia a múzea je zaznamenať každú jednuobeť totalitného režimu," dodal Neupauer. Vsúčasnosti je v múzeu výstava o Sviečkovej mani-festácii. V utorok 25. marca sprístupnia ďalšípriestor a otvoria VI. ročník projektu Nenápadníhrdinovia v zápase s komunizmom.

Vpravo jazdíme presne 75 rokov

Záber na fotografii zo starej Bratislavy jasne ukazuje vozyjazdiace po ľavej strane.

Kanadský Slovák - 29. marec 2014— strana 5

Mama máEmu

a Ema mámamu

Pre prváčikov prečítať a pochopiťtieto slová zo šlabikára býva v ichškolských začiatkoch krkolomná práca.Pre dospelých to znie jednoducho adiskutovať o tom im môže pripadať ajdosť naivné.Ak sa však pozrieme dozadu, môžemespozorovať, že viackrát sa nám na prvýpohľad zdalo niečo inak, ako tomu vskutočnosti bolo.Pred niekoľkými rokmi som svojejctenej priateľke ťažko dokazoval, ževianočné vydanie Kanadského Slovákanezmenilo svoju formu a že je to ibaoptický klam. Prvá strana mala zvisléčlánky a to budilo dojem zmenyveľkosti strany.Podobná situácia nastala, keď boluverejnený článok o zlobe Stalina.Bola k nemu publikovaná aj klasickáilustračná fotografia zobrazujúcakrutovládcu v uniforme.Prváčik nad mamou a jej Emourozmýšľa. Niektorí čitatelia si bez naj-menšieho uváženia, alebo dokonca iprečítania článku, spravili radikálnyzáver. Zmraštili čelá a napadli ma akoprívrženca Stalina... Veď som uverejniljeho fotografiu... Pomyslel som sisvoje a mnohí spolu so mnou nad týmkrútili hlavami.Nemusíme všetkému rozumieť, ani sanám nemusí páčiť všetko, čo jenapísané. Ale vždy je lepšie nerobiťpredčasné úsudky. Neznamená tosamozrejme, že by sme mali maťrovnaké názory a jednostranne kývaťhlavou. Ale ak napríklad niekto nerozu-mie maliarskemu smeru kubizmus,nemal by o ňom tvrdiť, že nejestvujealebo že je to vyložená hlúposť. Kanadský Slovák sú malé noviny. Vniečom dokonca až “rodinné”, leboinformačne spájajú našu pospolitosť.Ak spravia chybu, alebo sa niekomunezapáči ten či onen článok, ihneďhromžia na redaktora. Tí, ktorí čítajúrozsiahle denníky, ako je napríkladToronto Star či Globe, ak s niečímnesúhlasia, iba otočia stranu, prípadnenapíšu redakcii svoj názor. A život ideďalej, čitatelia pokračujú v ichodoberaní a čítajú tú sekciu, ktorá imvyhovuje.Prváčikom sa pekne a pomalyvysvetľuje, že ak má mama Emu, musímať aj Ema mamu. Nakoniec topochopia a skáču od radosti nad svojouchytrosťou. No a pre starších by možno mohloplatiť: „Dvakrát meraj a raz strihaj“.Lebo tvrdé neuvážené slovo častozabolí viac ako priama rana.

Julo Behul

„Box je najjemnejší šport. Ako jediný sarobí v rukavičkách,“ hovorí boxer JánZachara, víťaz olympiády v Helsinkáchv roku 1952. Hoci mal už jeden infarkt,naďalej športuje.

Rok som sa ich nedotkol. Bál som sa,že si po ne prídu z daňového úradu. Aja dlžoby nemám rád. Keď dostanemnejaký šek, hneď to utekám zaplatiť napoštu. Som však rád, že si na mňaspomenuli, - odvetil bývalý boxer JánZachara na otázku, čo spravil sfinančnou pomocou od nadácie Abyhviezdy nehasli.

Olympijský víťaz z Helsínk 1952 mádnes osemdesiatpäť rokov. Žijeskromne s dcérou v útulnom dome vNovej Dubnici. On na prízemí, dcéra naposchodí. Peniaze z nadácie, ktorúzaložila tenistka Dominika Cibulková amá za cieľ podporovať bývalýchúspešných športovcov, boli pre nehoveľkým prekvapením.Žiadne veľké nákupy však za nenechystal. „Čo mne už v mojom vekumôže chýbať? Len aby mi zdravievydržalo,“ vraví skromne legendaslovenského športu.

Bicykluje každé ránoMal už jeden infarkt, naďalej však špor-tuje. Samozrejme, v rámci možností.„Každé ráno jazdím pätnásť minút nastacionárnom bicykli, dole do Dubnicechodím trénovať, ba aj si zacvičím stamojšími dôchodkyňami. Ony mávajúbesedy alebo niečo varia, no vždy nazačiatku desať-pätnásť minút cvičia.Tak sa k nim pridám. Som tam najs-tarší, ale som s nimi rád,“ vravíZachara a ponúka nás ovocným čajom.Nie sme v obyčajnom príbytku dôchod-cu. Poháre, taniere a iné trofeje vsekretári či na poličke pripomínajú,akým veľkým pästiarom Zachara bol.Výsledkami, nie postavou.„Nikdy som neoplýval silou, vždy somstaval na ľahkosti nôh, technike. Premňa je box dodnes šport blízky tenisu.Až na to, že tam sa bije len do loptičky,“smeje sa deviaty najlepší športovecSlovenska v dvadsiatom storočí.

Aj farár v Kubrej, dedine, ktorá splynulas Trenčínom, sa vraj čudoval, keď sosvojou celoživotnou láskou AnnouDurasovou za ním Zachara prišielvybavovať sobáš. „Vedel, že má za nímprísť boxer, tak čakal, že ma budú plnédvere. A potom zbadal mňa,“ smeje saZachara, no vzápätí zvážnie. Už je nasvete sám, manželka na neho vyšeroka dáva pozor len „zhora“.„Chýba mi, nemôžem si zvyknúť. Žilisme spolu šesťdesiattri rokov. Už jej

nikdy nevrátim to, čo mi v živote dala,“smúti. „Ochorela v sedemdesiatomprvom.Štyridsaťjeden rokov som sa jej snažilpomáhať. Najskôr mala nádor mamozgu a hoci nebol zhubný, pooperácii jej narušili stabilitu. Neskôr jejzistili leukémiu. Už sa jej nedalopomôcť,“ vylieva si boxer ubolenésrdce.

Najskôr miery, potom letenkuSlovenský šport má málo takýchdžentlmenov ako on. A to mu osud klá-dol pod nohy neustále prekážky. Vštyridsiatom ôsmom bol ako člendružstva ŠK Baťovany - dnešnéPartizánske - hviezdoučeskoslovenského ringu. Namiestoneho však na olympiádu do Londýnaposlali funkcionára, ktorý neskôr emi-groval. Sklamanie už Zacharu prebole-lo, no dodnes s trpkým úsmevom dodá-va: „Najskôr mi vzali miery, potomletenku.“ O štyri roky neskôr na hry doHelsínk už ako vojak a člen ATK Prahaletel. No len vďaka pomoci JúliusaTormu, slovenského boxera naro-deného v Budapešti, olympijskéhovíťaza z Londýna 1948. „Ak nepôjdeJano, nepôjdem ani ja,“ povedal Torma.Tak funkcionári sklopili hlavy a Zacharuposlali súťažiť. „Na pokriky na zväze,že na to nemám, si stále pamätám.Keď som vyhral, tak sa tí istí ľudianehanbili povedať - ‚my jsme věděli, že

to ten kluk umí‘,“ krúti hlavou.So svätým Antonkom zašitým dotrenírok, ktorého mu z pútnickéhomiesta Skalka pri Trenčíne donieslasestra rok pred hrami, bil predšesťdesiatimi dvoma rokmi vo Fínskusúpera za súperom. To už súťažil v per-ovej váhe do 57 kilogramov a navyšeako čerstvý otec. Pár mesiacov predhrami sa mu narodila dcéra Marianna.„Na popularitu si nepotrpím, ja mám lenjedno krédo - svetská sláva, poľnátráva. Nikdy som od nikoho nechcel,aby okolo mňa skákal.“ Zachara stiholaj olympiádu v Melbourne 1956, no tamho vo štvrťfinále poslal domov FínHämäläinen.„Chodili sme do tehelne pomáhaťtehliarskym deťom miesiť blato nohami.Vyhrnuli sme si trenírky a šliapali.Vtedy ešte žiadne stroje neboli. A zaodmenu sme si potom mohli zahraťfutbal s tenisovou loptičkou. Ale tú smesi museli ukradnúť. Počkať, kýmnepriletí nejaká z neďalekýchtenisových dvorcov,“ vraví dubnickýdôchodca.Ešte aj dnes si navlieka na ruky päs-tiarske rukavice. Hoci už, prirodzene,neboxuje. Zahrešíš, drepuješ: Pre dub-nický dorast je stále autoritou, predktorou sa v tamojšej telocvični bojazahrešiť.(krátené)Pluska.Rastislav HríbikFoto: Tony Štefunko

Olympijský víťaz v boxe JánZachara: Čím šokoval farára?

Kultový model od Škody1000 MB bol prvýmčeskoslovenským autom,ktoré sa v roku 1964 začalosériovo vyrábať vobrovských závodoch s viacako 40 halami. Vspoľahlivom autíčku sanavyše učilo jazdiť niekoľkogenerácií Slovákov, ktorýmsa embéčka vryla hlboko dopamäti. Ladné línie legendárnehomodelu však mohliobdivovať napríklad aj naNovom Zélande a v Austrálii,kam sa embéčka masovovyvážala. Milovníkovmotorov v roku 1964 poteši-la pokroková technológiatlakového liatia hliníka.

Odvaha vtedajšíchtechnikov zariskovať smotorom vzadu, pohonomzadných kolies, nezávislýmzavesením všetkých kolies asamonosnou karosériou sa

vyplatila. Zo Škody 1000 MBsa stal bestseller a automo-bilka vyrobila od apríla 1964do augusta 1969 viac ako443-tisíc týchto vozidiel.Viac ako polovicu z nich

pritom vyviezli do zahraničia.Spoľahlivosť a sebavedomiena cestách získala embéčkavďaka intenzívnemu testo-vaniu pred spustením výro-by, pri ktorom 50 áut najazdi-lo viac ako 1,6 milióna kilo-metrov. Okrem klasickéhosedanu vznikla aj športováverzia a kupé MBX, ktoré jednes ceneným zberateľskýmkúskom.Technické parametreVýkon: 27 kW (37 k)* Objem motora: 988 cm3 Objem batožinového priestoru:220 litrov Rozmery: dĺžka 4,17 m, šírka 1,62m, výška 1,39 m Hmotnosť: 755 kg Spotreba: 7 – 8litrov/100 km Maximálna rýchlosť: 120 km/h Cena: 44-tisíc Kčs

Čože je to päťdesiatka! Prvá Škoda1000MB oslavuje jubileum

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When strolling throughHviezdoslavovo Námestie, it iseasy to be swept away in thesquare’s tranquil atmosphereand lovely historical buildings.The tree-lined, cobblestonedpromenade is irresistible, whilethe castle in the distance beck-ons from its majestic hilltop set-ting. But suddenly, the squareends and you are standing atthe side of a busy freeway. Tothe left, a suspension bridgecrossing the Danube is cappedby something resembling a fly-ing saucer from a 1950s sci-fifilm. Directly below the road is anoisy, graffiti-encrusted busdepot. Looking over the traffic tothe right, you start wonderinghow you’re supposed to reachthe castle on the other side. Youwouldn’t be the first to stand atthis odd collision of old and new,and wonder, “What the hell hap-pened here?”

It is clear to anyone who hasspent time in Bratislava that theancient city straddling theDanube possesses manycharms. Yet Bratislava some-times gets brief and ambivalentwrite-ups in major travel guides,and tourists visit the city formore than a day. One explana-tion for this apparent neglect isthat the communists reallyworked Bratislava over, using itas a testing-ground for creatinga model, modernised commu-nist city. Unfortunately, this wasdone with a pathological disre-gard for the city’s rich history,and large swaths of Bratislava’shistorical sections were demol-ished and redeveloped as thecommunists saw fit.It has been said that Bratislavasuffered more damage undercommunism than duringSecond World War, and that athird of its historical centre wasdestroyed. Many travellerscome to Europe to revel in itsstunning old world charm, butsadly find much of Bratislavaeither ruined or absent entirely.Roughly a quarter ofBratislava’s Staré Mesto (OldTown) was bulldozed in the late1960s for a single project: theMost SNP (SNP Bridge knownalso as the Nový Most – New –Bridge), and the short stretch offreeway connected to it, calledStaromestská. Dubbed the“UFO Bridge” for its obvious sci-fi aesthetic, it is a major artery,bringing traffic across theDanube, in and out of the StaréMesto, while Staromestská linksthe bridge with the busy inter-section just north of the histori-cal centre. To make space for this develop-ment, much of the city’s cen-turies-old, historical Jewishquarter was razed, including the19th-century Moorish-styledNeolog Synagogue. The free-way itself ploughed a deep scarthrough the western edge of thehistorical centre, and now runsless than four metres from thefaçade of St Martin’s Cathedral,Bratislava’s largest, most histor-

ically significant church. “If [thefreeway] were any closer, itwould go through the nave,”noted the travel writer RickSteves.Although the Most SNP couldbe seen as practical planning, itis difficult to deny the devastat-ing effect it had on the StaréMesto’s history and urban fab-ric. The bridge and freewayclash with their centuries oldhistorical surroundings, and anestimated 230 buildings weredemolished. The freeway iso-lates Bratislava Castle from theoriginal medieval centre, and itclaimed half of the once bustlingRybné Námestie and nearly allof its buildings, which were asstriking as any in the StaréMesto today. Adding insult toinjury, the cathedral’s founda-tions had to be restored to pro-tect them from the vibrations ofthe traffic that rumbles constant-ly by. From its inception in 1599, theJewish quarter evolved aroundŽidovská Street. This strip ofland between the castle and thewalled medieval centre was theonly place Jews in Bratislavacould legally live until 1848. Allof the buildings alongŽidovská’s eastern side weredemolished to make room forthe freeway, while most of thebuildings along its western sidewere replaced by modern resi-dential structures. One of theneighbourhood’s few survivinghistorical buildings currentlyhouses the Museum of JewishCulture.

Aside from the museum, theonly thing to indicate that aJewish neighbourhood thrivedhere for centuries is a monu-ment to Jews who perished inthe holocaust, erected in whatremains of Rybné Námestiewhere the synagogue stood,along with an engraving of thesynagogue on an adjacentblack marble slab.

So, how did the communistsjustify demolishing a historicallysignificant Jewish quarter? As inmuch of central Europe,Slovakia was a dreadful placefor Jews during the SecondWorld War. Roughly three quar-ters of the pre-war Jewish popu-lation were killed, and many ofthe 30,000 who survived emi-grated to the US, Israel, andelsewhere. By the war’s end,Jewish boroughs throughoutSlovakia were largely deserted.When the communists seizedpower in 1948, the regime’shostility towards Jews dealt afurther blow to the dwindlingpopulation. Many of the desert-ed Jewish neighbourhoods fellinto disrepair. In some townsone can still see old abandonedsynagogues, either boarded upand languishing or re-purposedinto storerooms, workshops oreven art galleries. Bratislava’sJewish quarter was similarlyderelict, leaving it more vulnera-ble to the wrecking ball.

While many locals were notkeen on flattening the Jewishquarter, the repressive regimechoked off any dissent. “Peoplewere unable to protest,” saysViera Kamenická from theMuseum of Jewish Culture.“Their hands were tied.”Besides, the communists pre-ferred creating their own monu-ments over saving older onesthat conflicted with their ideolo-gy, Kamenická added.

The communists didn’t stop withŽidovská. In 1961, a toweringorthodox synagogue behind thecastle on Zámocká Street waslevelled and replaced by nonde-script retail and office spaces. Ahulking, aesthetically incongru-ous extension was erected overthe front of the Slovak NationalGallery’s Water Barracks build-ing, masking its arcaded 19thcentury façade and tree-linedcourtyard. Bratislava’s maintrain station was hidden behinda characterless 1980s add-on.The list goes on. Even in the pre-communist1940s, the city flirted with a planto demolish the castle,Bratislava’s most iconic histori-cal landmark. A fire in 1811 hadleft it a hollowed out ruin formore than a century, but even-tually planners opted for recon-struction instead.However, maintaining old struc-tures requires active preserva-tion and money. Severalchurch-owned buildings at oneend of historical KapitulskáStreet appear on the verge ofcollapse, with sagging roofs andcrumbling, graffiti-coveredfasçades. These buildings, likemost church-owned property,were seized by the state during

communism, and neglected for40 years. Although the buildingsbarely survived the regime, theymay not survive the elements ifthe neglect continues. Thechurch reportedly lacks themoney to restore them, butseems reluctant to sell the prop-erty to developers. While savingthese buildings could prove pro-hibitively costly, is it right to letthem deteriorate? One suspectsthere would be no shortage ofbids for this prime real estate.Obviously, urban renewal is notexclusive to Bratislava. FromBaron Haussmann carvinggrand boulevards out of Paris’narrow mediaeval lanes, toAmerican cities demolishingcountless beaux-arts and artdeco cinemas to make way forparking garages and strip malls,urban areas have always beenreshaped and updated to servethe needs of growing popula-tions. Unfortunately, this hasoften come at the expense ofunique and irreplaceable histor-ical structures. In Europe, how-ever, there is growing interest inpreserving historical areas,partly because they attractdroves of money-spendingtourists, eager to step back intime and escape the mundanesettings of their own lives. Anever-growing list of protectedUNESCO world heritage sites isproof of this.But while today many peopleagree on the importance of pre-serving what remains ofBratislava’s historical centre,battles are currently beingwaged to prevent post-war com-munist-era landmarks, onceobjects of ridicule, from beingtorn down. One such landmark,the 1970s-era Hotel Kyjev and

Tesco’s My Bratislava (formerlyPrior) complex, is now consid-ered a jewel of modern commu-nist architecture, with its sleek,travertine marble exterior andstylish, retro-modern interior.However, when the UK-basedLordship Developers purchasedthe complex in 2006, theyunveiled plans to demolish thehotel and adjacent buildings tomake way for a vast complex ofhotels, offices and retail shops.The plans were met withprotests from the architecturalcommunity and general public,who pleaded with the city to pre-serve the hotel. But firm planshave still not been released.The hotel closed in November2011 and the developers areapparently still locked in discus-sions with the city and monu-ments board over zoning regu-lations.

When contacted by SpectacularSlovakia in 2012, Lordshipreleased a statement that read:“In our optimal vision the newsite should unify all buildings atthe Kamenné Námestie – theKyjev Hotel, the shopping cen-tre as well as new buildings.The revitalised square... mustoffer a mix of entertainment,services, gastronomy, officesand residential areas; each ofthese components is equallyimportant in reviving the centre.”Whether the company’s “opti-mal vision” will preserve thehotel’s retro-futuristic aestheticremains to be seen, but any uni-fication with the existing Tescostore could result in a modernEurovea-style shopping centrein this area. It is difficult to deter-mine where Hotel Kyjev will fit,particularly in its current form.Maik Novotny, a Vienna-basedarchitect and co-author ofEastmodern, maintains thereare “several other buildings thathave been and still are at risk ofdemolition or insensitive recon-struction. In some cases, [they]are difficult to adapt and expen-sive to maintain”. And although“appreciation of these buildingsseems to have improved slight-ly,” given Slovakia’s economicclimate, the risk still persists.

In light of this, one has to won-der whether anyone haslearned from the mistakes thatscarred the city in the past. Withnew office high rises and shop-ping centres sprouting likeweeds, this remains a valid con-cern. It would be a shame forHotel Kyjev to exist only as anengraving on a plaque nearwhere it used to stand. Unlessthe city can welcome newdevelopment without sacrificingthe old, the cycle of destructionwill continue.

Jeff Whiteaker Regional News This article was published in thelatest edition of Bratislava CityGuide

The changing face of Bratislava

Kanadský Slovák -29. marec 2014— strana 7

Zlatý Bažantv predajniach LCBO


by Ernie Bies

A friend sent me a link to a photo thatshowed a large contingent of soldierson a railway station platform. Someonehad hand-written “Slovak TroopsPassing Cochrane Ont.” on the face ofthe card. Being familiar with the history ofSlovaks in Northern Ontario, I was notaware of any circumstances that couldexplain this scene. Friends pointed mein the direction of the Czecho-SlovakLegion, a volunteer army fighting forthe Allied cause in Russia, and theirrepatriation from Vladivostok, Siberiain 1920. Some of these Legionnairescrossed Canada on their way home totheir newly formed country ofCzechoslovakia. Although my parentshad come to Canada fromCzechoslovakia in the 1930s and set-tled in Bradlo, a Slovak communitynear Hearst, the history of the Czecho-Slovak Legion was new to me, but notfor long

THE CZECHO-SLOVAK LEGIONDuring World War I, Tomáš Masaryk,Eduard Beneš and Milan Rastislav Šte-fánik, the founding fathers of Czecho-Slovakia, formed a government in exile.They lobbied Britain, France, America andRussia for recognition and for funding fortheir cause. Masaryk and Štefánik trav-elled to Russia to convince the govern-ment to release Czech and Slovak POWswho had fought on the Austrian side and

allow them to join the fight on the side ofthe Allies. The long term goal was to gainsupport from the Allies for their new coun-try and to develop an army to protect it.Štefánik, a world renowned astronomerwho became an aviator in the FrenchArmy and quickly rose to the rank of gen-eral, was instrumental in convincingFrance to support fighting units in bothFrance and Italy. Since non citizens couldnot join the French army, these unitsbecame part of the French ForeignLegion. Their uniforms were distinguishedby their caps and ultimately the unitsbecame known as Legionnaires.

Early in 1917 Russia agreed to releasethe POWs to join the rapidly expandingCzecho-Slovak Legion and soon it boast-ed a fighting force of 70,000 battle-hard-ened men under the command of FrenchGeneral Maurice Janin. France and theAllies provided financial support and mili-tary equipment. The Legion soon securedthe entire 8,000 mile length of Trans-Siberian railway but at the cost of doing

constant battle with the Red Army.With the end of the war on November 11,1918, the Legion thought they werehomeward bound but, because of theunsettled state of the Russian govern-ment, the Allies requested that they main-tain order over the Trans-Siberian railway.In the meantime the Red Army was gain-ing in strength and numbers and winningback some of the key positions.Continued on page 11

THE CZECHO-SLO-VAK LEGION INCANADA, 1920


Objednávka na predplatné/Subscription Form1 rok $75.00 do Kanady/1 Year $75.00 in Canada

($100.00 do Spojených štátov/United States - $100.00 ~ $140.00 do iných krajín/Other countries - $140.00)

Osobné predplatné na/Personal Subscription • 1 rok/1 year • 2 roky/ 2 years • 3 roky/3 yearsMeno/Name ______________________________________________________________

Adresa/Address ____________________________________________________________

Mesto/City _____________________ Provincia/Province _______ Poštový kód/Postal Code ____________ Štát/Country ____________

Telefón/Telephone _______________________________ E-mail __________________________________________________________(Pre vnútornú korešpondenciu / For internal correspondence only)

Predplatné ako dar na/Gift Subscription • 1 rok/1 year • 2 roky/ 2 years • 3 roky/3 years Meno/Name ______________________________________________________________

Adresa/Address ____________________________________________________________

Mesto/City _____________________ Provincia/Province _______ Poštový kód/Postal Code ____________ Štát/Country ____________

Prikladám sumu/ Enclosed is the sum of $_______________ (Vystavte šek na Kanadský Slovák)/ (Cheque payable to The Canadian Slovak)Pošlite na adresu/Mail to Kanadský Slovák, 259 Traders Blvd. East, Suite 6, Mississauga ON L4Z 2E5

Od roku 1983SLOVAK TRANSLATIONS

Mgr. Eva Brejová Oficiálne preklady, tlmočenie, sekretárske služby Translator-Interpreter-Secretary www.evabeva.com [email protected] (416) 762 8223

Prevoz na

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20 ROKOV SKúSENOSTí

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Príde Indián na matriku:- Chcel by som si zmeniť meno.- A ako sa voláte?- Dlhý nákladný vlak, ktorý nakaždej stanici zatrúbi trikrát.- A ako sa chcete volať?- Tutúút.

Farár v kostole oddáva cigán-sky pár. Farár hovorí:- Opakuj po mne. Beriem si ťa,Araňa, za svoju manželku.A Deži hovorí: - Aj ja.

Medzi známymi: -Predstav siJano, včera mi ukradli úplnenové auto aj s manželkou. Aaby neštastia nebolo dosť,manželka sa už dnes vrátila.

Chlapec s oteckom stoja predhoriacim domom a po chvíli sasynček spýta otecka: - Ocko,nebude tá praženica už hotová?

Suseda hovorí susede:– Je to smutné, že váš prvýmanžel, tak skoro zomrel. – Áno, áno, to hovorí aj môjdruhý manžel.

Pred saunou sú na vešiakochzavesené šaty a niekoľko

mobilov. Zrazu jeden z nichzazvoní. Zodvihne ho staršípán, ktorý práve vychádzal zosauny: - Áno, to som ja miláčik. Po chvílke odpovedá: - A koľko stojí ten kožuch?10.000 tisíc? Môžeš si ho kúpiť,samozrejme. Čo? Za 3.000náušnice pre mamu? Pravdažeich môžeš kúpiť! To je vporiadku! Po ukončení rozhovoru vojde smobilom do sauny s otázkou: - Chlapi, koho je tento mobil?

Žena kričí na muža: - Dušan, koľkokrát som ťaprosila, aby si v posteli nefajčil!Nie že prepáliš plachtu! - Plachta, plachta - uľaví si muž.Ale že ja si ničím zdravie, to ti jejedno!

Ide misionár po púšti a oprotinemu lev. Misionár: - Ó Pane, daj tomuto levovikresťanské cítenie. Lev zrazu zdvihne laby k nebu ahovorí: - Ďakujem ti Pane, zatoto jedlo, ktoré teraz požívaťbudem.

Všetci policajti dostali nové

digitálne hodinky. A chodec sapýta policajta: - Pán policajt,koľko je hodín? - Jedenásť deleno dvatsať tri.Ale nemám čas, tak si tovypočítaj sám.

Počul som, že keď si boldieťaťom, bol si veľmi pekný! - To áno. - A čo sa ti stalo?

Na hraničnom priechode sapýta muž colníka: - Pane, je možné vyvážať zlatodo Francúzska? - Samozrejme. No v primera-nom množstve, - odpoviecolník. - A stodesať kilogramov jeprimerané množstvo? - Tak to určite nie! - V tom prípade, - obráti sa mužk manželke, - zlato moje, zostá-vaš doma.

- Pán doktor je to pravda, žeuž nemám tuberkulózu? Je topravda, že ste ma úplnevyliečili? - Je to pravda. Ste absolútnezdravá milá slečna. Ab-so-lút-ne!

- Pán doktor, dovoľte, nech vásza to pobozkám. - Noo... ehm... nie, netreba...

Jožo hovorí: - Hovorili ste, žesvadobná noc bude krásna, alecelú noc som sa pozeral z okna,ale nič zaujímavé som tam nevidel.

Počas protialkoholickejkampane Gorbačova lekár naosvetovej besede demonštruješkodlivosť alkoholu: - Všimnite si, prosím, v tomtopohári je čistá voda, hodím donej červíka a on sa čulo pohy-buje. Teraz ho vyberiem avložím do pohára s alkoholom.Červík sa pohybuje pomaly, ažnapokon zdochne. Čo to zna-mená? Prihlási sa dedko: - Máte prav-du, pán doktor, ja už 60 rokovpijem alkohol a červíkov somešte nemal.

V lietadle sa rozprávajú dvajapáni: - Viete, vždy keď letímlietadlom, tak sa stane niečozlé! Zrazu príde letuška a hov-orí: - Milí cestujúci, lietadlopadá do mora, ale nebojte sa,

každý z vás dostane píšťalu atou odoženiete žralokov! A ten pán: - No, nehovoril som?A buď dostanem zlú píšťalku,alebo natrafím na hluchéhožraloka!

Na policajnej akadémii sarobia ústne skúšky. Prvý náde-jný policajt ide dnu a o hodiduvyjde von celkom zničený.Všetci sa okolo neho nahrnú auž sa ho pýtajú: - Tak čo, boloto ťažké? - Veľmi. Také otázky sa mapýtali, o ktorých som nikdynepočul. - Povedz aspoň jednu! - Nuž, pýtali sa na hlavné mestoRuska. - A čo, vedel si? - Áno, Moskva! Ten, čo ide hneď po ňom si tútoodpoveď napíše na kúsokpapiera, a papierik vloží nená-padne do topánok. Vojde dnu auž ho aj zahrňujú otázkami. Asipo pol hodine sa ho opýtajú,ako sa volá hlavné mestoRuska. Nenápadne si vloží rukudo topánok, pozrie sa a zosebaistým úsmevom povie: - Partizánske!

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Kanadský Slovák - 29. marec 2014 — strana 9

Iba za

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Špeciality domácej kuchyne


A regulation that went into affect July19, 2013 requires non-EU nationals topresent travel documents that are validfor at least three months after thedeparture date rom the European coun-try. That means that if you’re planningto return from your trip on September1st, your passport needs to be validuntil at least December 1st.If this is the first time you are hearingabout this policy, you are not alone.However, this lack of information isbound to impact people’s travel plans.And there really is no faster way toruin a vacation than to be denied entryinto a country.

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech

Republic, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark,Estonia, Finland, France, Norway,Romania, Slovakia, Sweden,Switzerland have implemented theregulation. However, it does not applyto the United Kingdom or Ireland, asthey are not part of the SchengenAgreement.

Citizens of Canada can refer to:www.passport.gc.ca for forms andinstructions for new passport applica-tions and Canadian passport renewal.Travel outside the EU: The EU isn’tthe only area to place entry and exitrestrictions on its visitors.While Canadians going to Cuba need apassport valid on arrival, visitors head-

ed to different countries must hold apassport valid for at least three or sixmonths after their intended stay.

If you are not sure about your destina-tion’s entry and exit regulation, logonto the Government of Canada’sTravel website and simply type in thename of the country you are headed to.You will find a wealth of informationincluding visa and passport regulationsand travel advisories. Being prepared ahead of time willensure smooth, worry-free travel.

Prepared by: Agatha Rondzik, International Travel

Planning a trip to Europe? Better make sure your passport is valid at least three months past your return

date to Canada. If it isn’t, you could get turned away.


Our Boys in the NHLTeam pos GP G A Pts

Marian Hossa CHI R 61 25 29 54Paul Stastny * COL C 60 20 28 48Andrej Sekera CAR D 69 11 33 44Zdeno Chara BOS D 68 16 19 35 Tomáš Tatar DET L 61 15 13 28Andrej Meszároš BOS D 45 6 15 21Marian Gaborik LA R 30 8 10 18Tomáš Kopecky FLA R 49 4 8 12 Michal Handzus CHI C 51 4 10 12Ľubo Višňovský NYI D 28 3 8 11Richard Panik TBL R 45 2 9 11 Tomáš Jurčo DET R 26 5 5 10Martin Marinčin EDM D 34 0 3 3

Goalies GP Sav.% GAAJaroslav Halak WAS 47 .920 2.21 Peter Budaj MTL 21 .907 2.50*Canadian-born, USA citizen of Slovak origin

NotesTomáš Jurčo of the Detroit Red Wings is still out ofaction with a broken rib.Tomáš Kopecký of the Florida Panthers is out indefi-nitely and will probably miss the rest of the seasonwith a concussion. Florida’s chances of making theplayoffs are virtually nil.Ľubomir Višňovský of the New York Islanders is outindefinitely with an upper body injury.

Handzuš Reaches MilestoneMichal Handzuš played his1000th game in the NHL onThursday, March 20th, as theChicago Blackhawks took onthe St. Louis Blues, the teamwith which he began his NHLcareer in 1998. Before thegame, the packed UnitedCentre Arena showed theirappreciation with greatapplause as the 37 year oldveteran from Banska Bytrica

was awarded a silver hockey stick, a plaque, and aportrait created by local artist Jerry Tibstra. For thepresentation, the quiet, humble Handzuš was joinedby his wife Zusana, son Tomáš, mother Elena, andsister Dagmar. The Slovak defenseman wasacquired by Chicago in April of 2013, just in time forthe playoffs. He was instrumental in their capture ofthe Stanley Cup, proving himself indispensable forhis prowess in winning face-offs.

Slovak vs SlovakOn Friday, March 21st Slovak skater Marián Gáboríktook his place at centre ice in the post-overtimeshootout to decide the match between the LosAngeles Kings and the Washington Capitals.Determined to keep him from scoring was his SlovakNational Team mate Jaroslav Halák, wearing the jer-sey of the Capitals. The speedy Slovak wingerslipped the puck past the Slovak goalie to win thegame for Los Angeles. Both Gáborík and Halák wereacquired by their new teams just hours before theNHL trading deadline on March 4th; Gaborik wastraded from the Columbus Blue Jackets and Halakfrom St. Louis by way of Buffalo. The duo havebecome a vital part of their new teams as the battlesto qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs intensify.

New Team New MaskThe first masks worn my NHL netminders weredesigned exclusively for protection from the blister-ing slapshots of opposing forwards. Canadian goalieof Ukrainian descent Terry Sawchuk received morethan 600 stitches in his face after 14 seasons in theNHL before he started wearing a mask. The firstgoalie masks have evolved into today’s works of art,and some are even adorned with images intended tointimidate the opponent.

Recently Slovak Jaroslav Halák had to come upwith a new mask design as he took up duties with hisnew NHL team, the Washington Capitals. In thedesign, he opted for simplicity and elegance, portray-ing his team identity and as well as his own. Thesides of the mask depict a bald-headed eagle andthree stars, the logo of the Washington Capital NHLteam. The chin features three big stars on either sideof the Capitol building. Really, a very American maskfor a team in America's headquarters, if you will. Onthe back of the mask Halak pays tribute to his homenation of Slovakia with the Slovak coat of arms andthe Slovak colours. He also has inscribed the initialsof his wife and son. The red, white, and blue coloursof the USA blend in beautifully with the “biela, modra,a cervena” of Slovakia to create an very pleasingwork of art. The mask was created by David Lerouxof Diel Airbrush in Montreal. Leroux had alsodesigned Halak’s previous mask as well as the maskhe wore at the Olympics.

Tichomir Miko

Sport ShortsThe Good Angels will not be join-ing the Final Eight of the WomensBasketball EuroLeague inEkatarinaburg in April. TheKosice Basketball team lost theirthird match of the best of threeseries 67 – 57 against TangoBourges in Bourges France. TheAngels were hoping to repeat andimprove on last year’s successwhen they made the final eightand finished an impressive fourthoverall.

Martin Škrtel, captain of theSlovak National team scored twogoals in one game for the secondtime this season as FC Liverpoolwon 6-3 in Cardiff City in theBritish Premier League. InFebruary the 29 year oldHandlova native scored two goalsin Liverpool’s win over Arsenal.

Peter Sagan won the pointsclassification trophy at the Tirreno– Adriatico races in Italy. Theoverall winner was MarkCavendish of Great Britain, racingfor the Omega Pharma-Quick

Step team. Meanwhile, PeterVelits, the other Slovak cyclingstar, finished an impressive ninthat the Paris-Nice races in France.

Days later, at the Milan – SanRemo "Spring Classic", Saganwas in the lead group for theentire race but could not hang onfor the final sprint and placedtenth. The annual cycle racebetween Milan and Sanremo is thelongest professional one-day raceat 298 km. Last year, the 24 yearold from Zilina finished second.

Volkswagen WorkersBrace for Strike OverPay

The 9,400-strong labour force atthe massive Volkswagen plant inBratislava are getting ready to goon strike alert over a lack of agree-ment on wage conditions that sawnegotiations break down last week.The trade unions have been goinghead to head with the managementover wage conditions, and althoughstill open to negotiations, they look70% certain to call a strike, accord-ing to trade union leader ZoroslavSmolinsky, as cited by SITAnewswire.Volkswagen, which is not comment-ing on the dispute, wants to cutsalaries by about 4%, while alsoreducing the work time. The unions,on the other hand, are hoping for awage hike of around 6%.

Commemorating theStruggle for HumanRights Day inSlovakiaTopical Issue

On 25th March, 1988, five thousandpeople gathered on Hviezdoslavovosquare in Bratislava to show theirpeaceful resent, holding candles intheir hands, to the ruling communistregime in Czechoslovakia.This historical event became knownas the Candle demonstration. It wasthe first mass demonstrationagainst the communist regime inCzechoslovakia since 1969. TheDemonstration was organized byRoman Catholic dissent groupsasking for religious freedom inCzechoslovakia. The peacefuldemonstration was suppressed bythe police. Slovakia commemoratesthis event as the Struggle forHuman Rights Day.The historian Frantisek Neupauersays that the Candle demonstrationof 1988 is an important event inSlovak history, though not manypeople understand its value.According to Neupauer, the Candle

demonstration in Slovakia was of asimilar importance as the Palachweek in the Czech Republic inJanuary 1989, the unsuccessfuldemonstration in China in the springof 1989 or the march in the Germancity of Leipzig in the autumn of1989. “All these events lead to thefall of the Berlin wall and to our free-dom”, says Neupauer.

Miroslav Lajčák andKerry discuss situa-tion in Ukraine, U.S.sanctions on Russia

Slovak Foreign and EuropeanAffairs Minister Miroslav Lajčák metU.S. Secretary of State John Kerryin Washington, D.C. on Thursday todiscuss the situation in Ukraine inparticular. Kerry also briefed Lajčákon fresh U.S. sanctions againstRussia, which were approved notlong after the two officials met.“They informed me about them (thesanctions),” said Lajčák, but he wasreluctant to shed more light on themeasures. He noted that the U.S.will announce them shortly. In theinterim, 20 more individuals and aRussian bank became the target ofa new round of U.S. sanctions asunveiled by President BarackObama on Thursday. Lajčák andKerry also discussed the need tosend an OSCE mission to Ukrainein order to make sure the informa-tion on whatever is going on in thecountry is objective. Kerry alsoenquired about the issue of areverse gas flow through Slovakiato Ukraine. EU leaders are set todiscuss at their summit starting inBrussels on Thursday an extensionof the list of individuals linked to theunrest in Crimea who are facing afreeze on bank accounts and a trav-el ban to the EU. Economic sanc-tions against Russia are unlikely,however, as European leaders areaware of a possible damage to theinterests of EU member countriesshould such measures - andRussia's countermeasures - beadopted. “Sanctions are a way to

get the situation back to normal;hence I consider the approach oftheir intensification to be correct.We can't turn a blind eye to theredrawing of maps in Europe with-out approval from the countries con-cerned ... that warrants a response.It's our priority to respond diplomat-ically and through political talks,”said Lajčák.

Second round of pres-idential election ismore “dirty“

Two most successful candidatesfrom last week’s first round of thePresidential election are now run-ning in the second round of theelection - current Prime MinisterRobert Fico and businessman andphilanthropist Andrej Kiska. Thecampaign for the second roundstarted as soon as the results of thefirst round were announced.Analysts claim the campaign has sofar been lacking in content and isbecoming more ‘dirty’. Scientologybecame a topic of the campaign, asPM Fico called his opponent a sci-entologist, supporting it with proofthat Kiska has a book published bya publishing house owned by a manwho is a scientologist. Kiska reject-ed these allegations turning againstFico the fact that it was his govern-ment that approved subsidies for acompany which is lead by a manwho openly admits he is a scientol-ogist. Prime Minister Robert Ficocalled his opponent a usurer and forthat Andrej Kiska filed a criminalcomplaint against him. Other politi-cians entered the campaign sup-porting one of the two candidates.President Ivan Gasparovic and ex-heads of state Rudolf Schuster andMichal Kovac believe that Slovakianeeds in this period an experiencedand internationally accepted politi-cian at its helm. According to ana-lyst Juraj Marusiak, this statementmay be viewed as indirect supportfor Robert Fico. The CzechPresident Milos Zeman also statedthat he hopes Robert Fico will beelected President. Most right-wingparties on the Slovak scene gavetheir support to Andrej Kiska andindependent MP RadoslavProchazka, who in the first round ofthe presidential election ended up inthird place – with a little over 21 per-cent of the vote, will also vote forKiska. The presidential election run-off is scheduled for March 29.

NEWS

Ruthenian-Ukrainiansin Slovakia call foraction against RussiaThe Central Council of theAssociation of Ruthenian-Ukrainiansin Slovakia condemned at its March21 session the referendum in Crimeaas "unlawful" and protested Russia’suse of force in order to carry out thereferendum, the Council’s vice-chair-man Pavol Bogdan told TASR thesame day. The council described the

referendum as being at odds with theUN Charter and other norms andprinciples of international law. At thesame time, the association calls onSlovakia's top bodies, the EU and theinternational community to take deci-sive steps against Russia's invasionof Ukraine, including enacting eco-nomic sanctions in order to forceRussia to withdraw its troops fromUkraine. Bogdan also pointed todevelopments in eastern and south-ern Ukraine, which he claims aredirected toward secession from

Ukraine. "We're concerned about themeddling of Russia into the internalaffairs of Ukraine, which has nega-tive effects on the consolidation ofthe situation in this country. TheAssociation of Ruthenian-Ukrainiansin Slovakia supports the state bodiesand people of Ukraine in their strug-gle for the independence, sovereign-ty and the territorial integrity ofUkraine," reads the official statementof the association, as quoted byTASR.

Kanadský Slovák -29. marec 2014— strana 11

THE CZECHO-SLOVAK LEGION INCANADA, 1920

Continued from page 7

Finally an agreement was madebetween General Janin and theBolsheviks whereby the Legionwould be allowed to leaveRussia but not with the gold ofthe Tsarist government that itwas protecting. Rumours per-sist that not all of the gold wasturned over and some becamepart of the CzechoslovakTreasury.The original repatriation planwas that the Allies would ship72,000 troops, splitting thenevenly between Canadian andAmerican Pacific Ocean ports,then overland by rail and acrossthe Atlantic home. However, thediscussions of logistics weretaking too long and no shipswere waiting in Vladivostok.

VLADIVOSTOK TO VANCOU-VERRepatriation turned out to bemore complex than anticipated.What interests us here is thosewho came through Canada. ByApril 1920, the numbers in theCanadian component had beenreduced to 9,000 as it provedmore practical to ship most ofthe men home via the IndianOcean and the Mediterraneanthrough Italy using direct steam-ers. Only three ships were bound forCanada, the Ixion, theProtesilaus and the M.S. Dollar. The Blue Funnel Liner Ixion leftVladivostok on May 23, 1920with 131 officers, 2,774 menand four Russian bears onboard. It arrived in Vancouveron June 6. The Bears, mascotsof the different regiments, werevery tame and playful, one evengetting its fifteen minutes offame with a picture in theVancouver Sun on June 8. Themen were entertained aboardship by the bears, supplement-ing the formal lectures by theofficers and impromptu regi-mental band concerts and pro-grams coordinated by Y.M.C.A.volunteers.Under the command of 28 yearold Colonel B.P. Vuchterle, thetroops consisted of a detach-ment of Engineers, a horseBattery, the 7th Regiment andthe Storming (Assault)Battalion. The 7th Regimentwas composed mostly of Slovaksoldiers and presumably thesewere the soldiers pictured in theoriginal postcard showingSlovak troops passingCochrane, Ontario. Only a fewdignitaries and local Bohemiansgreeted the ship as the date ofarrival was uncertain and notwell publicized but the RedCross and other charitableorganizations were on handwith cigarettes, chocolates,oranges and other refreshmentsfor the visitors. On June 7,1920, the headline in theVancouver Sun had read:“Vancouver People See Khaki-Clad Men Who Fought WithKolchak. First Contingent ofCzechoslovak Troops PassThrough the City. ThreeThousand Warriors From battle-fields of Asia Come and Go.” The June 22 edition of theVancouver Sun announced:“Second Contingent of CzechsArrive. Nearly Three ThousandPass Through City on Long TripHome” They were delivered tothe Great Northern Dock aboardanother Blue Funnel Liner, theProtesilaus, which departedVladivostok on June 8 andarrived in Vancouver on June

21. Commanded by ColonelVaclav Petřík, it carried 159 offi-cers and 2,569 members of the9th Infantry Regiment, 3rdArtillery Regiment and 3rdHeavy Artillery Division. Theywere greeted by about fortymembers of the BohemianNational Alliance and othermembers of the public, as wellas the Red Cross with theirusual refreshments. The troopsagain marched through the cityto the CNR station and boardedtrains for their trip east. The firsttrain left shortly before 8 PM.with three more at one hourintervals. The final contingent, largest of

the three, had departedVladivostok on June 6 aboardthe steamer M.S. Dollar, andarrived at the Great Northerndock in Vancouver on June 22.The 3,429 passengers on boardwere composed of 137 officers,3,154 troops, 2 women, 2 chil-dren, 134 mobilized labourers,as well as a Russian bear and aSiberian pony. The two childrenwere orphaned Russian boyswho had been adopted by fami-ly men. The majority of thetroops were members of the 8thCavalry Regiment, First InfantryRegiment and the EngineeringCompany under the commandof Colonel Novák. As reportedon June 23 by the VancouverSun under the heading: “FineDisplay by Czech Rearguard”they proceeded North onHastings, along Granville, downGeorgia, across the viaduct toMain, then on to the CN station.Four regimental bands, one ledby a huge Russian bear pullinga drum on a cart and anotherled by a Siberian ponyenhanced the scene. Four bat-talions of infantry were com-manded by Colonel Nošal, a for-mer private in the Austrian army,while Major Kraichirik, a formerprivate in the Russian army, ledthe cavalry. Though not mount-ed, the cavalry presented asplendid image in their redtrousers and fur lined caps.They marched through the cityand boarded six east boundtrains, the first leaving at 5 PM,the rest on hourly intervals.

ACROSS CANADA BY RAILWith reimbursement promisedby Britain, the Canadian gov-ernment facilitated the move-ment and accommodation of theLegionnaires across Canada.The original plan to temporarilyhouse them in an old army bar-racks at Williamshead, BC wasabandoned as it had previouslybeen used as a hostel forChinese Coolies employed onthe railroad and was in need of

major upgrade and mainte-nance. It was then decided totransfer them immediately fromship to train and move themacross Canada to the WW Itraining camp at Valcartier,twenty minutes north of QuebecCity. Arrangements were thenmade to ship them home fromeither Quebec City or Halifax,through Cuxhaven, Germany,after a few weeks of rest andrecuperation. . About 140Czechs and Slovaks requiredhospital care in Valcartier withstays from a few days to sever-al weeks for various ailmentsand war wounds. An undertaking of this magni-

tude was not without a few wrin-kles. Colonel Vuchterle arrivedwith the first contingent of bat-tle-weary veterans. They hadsurvived six years in the battle-fields of Siberia and landed pen-niless in Vancouver on June 6.They had to travel right acrossCanada with only a $5 advance,unable to buy gifts for their fam-ilies that they had not seen forsix years, until they got toValcartier. Colonel Vuchterlewent to Ottawa on June 16 tomeet with the Minister ofFinance to sort it out. Fundingwas finally approved on June 19and a few days later the mengot their first pay. The CNR mobilized fifteen spe-cial trains, each composed of 1baggage car, 1 commissary(kitchen) car, 1 table (dining)car, 1 tourist (Smoking) car and9 to 11 Colonist passenger cars.Each train carried an average of600 passengers with the luxuryof individual berths for sleeping.The Czechs and Slovaks trav-elled with their own cooks andthe railway supplied the neces-sary provisions. Their com-manding officer reported thatthe feeding arrangements andquality of food was entirely sat-isfactory but requested anincrease in bread rations. The first train, Special W6, leftat 23:00 on June 6, 1920, carry-ing thirty three officers and fivehundred and ninety- two troopsunder the command of MajorRudolf Hásek. The route wasVancouver to Quebec City withone hour plus stops atKamloops, Lucerne, Edmonton,North Battleford, Kamsack,Winnipeg, Sioux Lookout,Grant, Cochrane, and Parentand with twenty minute breaksat about a dozen points inbetween, including HearstOntario. Valcartier was then justa short jaunt 20 minutes north ofQuebec City. There were alsofive special trains for excessbaggage; one alone carriedalmost 400,000 pounds of mili-

tary equipment and perhapssome of the gold from theRussian treasury?

THE VALCARTIER CAMPThe Legionnaires finally had afew weeks to rest after theirconstant travel over the pastfew months. They still main-tained their discipline with themornings dedicated to militarydrills and camp maintenanceand the afternoons free forwalks to explore the area orattend civic functions. Thegrounds around their tents weredecorated with intricate designsmade with coloured rocks, sandand flowers as they hosted vis-

its from dignitaries, civic offi-cials, the media and the public.They presented band concertsand gymnastic demonstrationsthat were enjoyed by the citi-zens and they were able todemonstrate their superb mili-tary discipline and marchingskills on many occasions.On June 18, Governor GeneralLord Devonshire personallywelcomed them to Canada.Then, on July 3, QuebecLieutenant Governor CharlesFitzpatrick carried out an officialinspection and presented thenew colours that had just beenreceived from Czechoslovakiato the regiment. The bandplayed their new nationalanthem. Many different gifts andtributes were exchanged as theLegion thanked Canadians fortheir hospitality and Canadiansthanked the Czechs andSlovaks for their contributionand sacrifice in the war effort.

HOMEWARD BOUNDThe Czaritza departed Quebecfor Europe on July 9 with 186officers, 1,824 troops, 7 women,2 children and 2 Russian bearson board. They reachedCuxhaven Germany where theyboarded trains on July 19.Travelling through Germanythey faced protesting locals butwere greeted enthusiastically byfellow countrymen in Podmokly,Czechoslovakia. The Valenciafollowed from Quebec, carrying52 officers, 628 troops and apony. The Minnekahda sailedfrom Halifax with the bulk of thefreight, 100 officers and 3,570men and the Belgic completedthe troop movement leavingHalifax in mid July, carrying 93officers and 2,604 men. The last of the 7th Regimentmade it home to Nitra on July31, 1920, and were given a welldeserved three-month vacation.After concluding some businessin New York on July 31, 1920,Colonel Vuchterle steamed toEngland aboard the White Star

Liner Baltic completing therepatriation exercise and theCzecho-Slovak Legion’s aroundthe world odyssey. A total of fifteen trains sped eastfrom Vancouver in June 1920with 9,000 strangers absorbingthe beauty of the RockyMountains, the prairies, farm-lands and the forests of Canadafrom coast to coast. One won-ders how many responded tothe posters recruiting settlers forthe Canadian West and forNorthern Ontario a few yearslater. AFTERWARDMany of the Legionnairesreturned to Czechoslovakia and

assumed senior roles in thegovernment and in the army.Fortunes changed in 1939 whenmany Czechs suffered duringthe German occupation ofBohemia-Moravia, facingimprisonment or execution foractions taken against Germanytwenty years earlier. Those whosurvived then faced the wrath ofthe Communists who deniedthem their heroic place in histo-ry, denouncing them for fightingagainst the Bolsheviks. Someended their days in Siberianprison camps. A bridge honour-ing the Legion was renamedand statues and tributesremoved. The Legionnaires andtheir families had to hide theirhistory for another 40 years untilthe Iron Curtain fell and theycould again display their memo-ries with pride. The LegionBridge got its name back. After the Communist takeoverof Czechoslovakia in 1948,Major Rudolf Hásek, who was incommand of the first specialtrain across Canada in 1920,immigrated to Canada. Fortyyears later, at the ripe age ofninety-eight, he participated inthe 70th anniversary celebra-tions of the founding ofCzechoslovakia in Toronto.Another of the Legionnaireswho crossed Canada was thefather of Dr. JosephKirschbaum, Josef Kirschbaum,who passed away shortly afterreturning to Slovakia .

Some Legionnaires returnedmany years later to Canada andthe U.S. where they had beentreated with such kindness dur-ing the evacuation from Siberia.It would be interesting to know ifany of them found their wayback to the Northern OntarioSlovak communities of Tabor(Opasatika), Hunta (Cochrane)or Bradlo (Hearst) where some130 families settled and rodeout the depression.

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