International Slovak Prize Awarded

   The Honorable Iveta Radičová, Prime Minister of Slovakia has awarded the Prize of Milan Hodža to the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library (NCSML) in Cedar Rapids, IA.  This recognition was presented to the museum for activities in the public arena increasing the visibility of Slovakia on the international stage. NCSML is the first winner of this prize, named after Milan Hodža who was the prime minister of Czechoslovakia during the First Republic. Committee members who awarded the prize are from Slovakia; the nomination was made by John Palka, Hodža’s grandson.
   “We are grateful to John Palka and the Milan Hodža committee for recognizing this museum, which for the last 37 years, has celebrated the rich historical and cultural heritage of the Slovaks and Czechs, bringing to life the commonalities and differences that make it such a valuable resource for people of all backgrounds around the world,” said President/CEO Gail Naughton.
   Milan Hodža served as the Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia from 1935 to 1938 and in December 1935 as the acting President of Czechoslovakia. During World War I, Milan Hodža was involved in the preparations for the creation of Czecho-Slovakia. As a proponent of regional integration, he was famous for his attempts to establish a democratic federation of Central European states. He was a highly revered journalist and politician. Slovakia annually celebrates Days of Milan Hodža in his honor.