The Israeli embassy in Slovakia celebrated Israel Independence Day at the Slovak Radio Building, one of Bratislava’s national landmarks, with hundreds in attendance, including ministers, deputies, the speaker and high-ranking members of the Slovakian parliament and the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
The highlight of the event was a classical concert given by two virtuosos – Israeli pianist Vag Papian and Slovakian violinist Dalibor Karvay, whose joint performance brought the crowd to a standing ovation. Slovakian National Radio RTVS streamed the concert throughout the country.
Vag Papian, who made aliyah in 1990, is well-known in Slovakia due to his previous performances there. Dalibor Karvay expressed his interest in performing with Papian during Papian’s last tour in Slovakia. After a long period of lockdowns and uncertainty, their wishes were finally fulfilled. Israeli Ambassador to Slovakia Eitan Levon cited this cooperation in his opening speech at the event: “Of course, I had known how beautiful Slovakia was, but I came for the people of Slovakia, people whom I remembered so fondly.”