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Bonfire of Friendship and Beverages Seals Brotherhood of Both Nations
Thursday 31 December 2009 Zoom in | Print page
Velka Javorina, December 31 (TASR) - Slovaks and Czechs met on Thursday for a traditional get-together known as the Festivities of Brotherhood of Both Nations on the border mountain of Velka Javorina, lighting a bonfire of Czecho-Slovak Friendship.
The event is hosted by a preparatory committee whose members are drawn from municipalities along both sides of the shared border. Committee chairman and mayor of Moravske Lieskove Lubomir Miklanek said that the tradition dates back to the early years of last century. "They are completely natural meetings, no one is forced to come. Nonetheless, the ridge fills up with thousands of people under any weather. They are people bound by kin relationships or friendships, all having something that cannot be bought," he told TASR.
"All of us living in the borderland between the Czech Republic and Slovakia feel the need to say thanks for this year and wish ourselves good health, happiness and much success in the New Year," said Zlin Region vice-governor Libor Lukas.
Thousands of supporters of Czecho-Slovak togetherness attended a laying of bouquets and wreaths at the monument on Velka Javorina and toasted friendships with beverages brought by border local councils after male choirs from Kunovice in Moravia sang the two anthems.
According to Miklanek, the preparatory committee organises three events a year including this one.
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