Opening Gala Concert of the Slovak Presidency

Opening Gala Concert of the Slovak Presidency

1st July 2016 – in the 1st day of the Slovak Presidency in the Council of the European Union was held solemn gala concert in the Slovak National Theatre. The General Bishop Miloš Klátik also took part in the concert.
Invited guests from the whole European Union were greeted by the President of the Slovak Republic Andrej Kiska and by the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Róbert Fico. EU Council President Donald Tusk made a pleasant surprise when he addressed his speech in Slovak language.

The gala concert to mark the beginning of the Slovak Presidency of the Council of the European Union gave guests in the Slovak National Theatre Opera and Ballet Hall, as well as TV viewers, a glimpse of Slovakia’s beauty and wealth. This event showcased not only the country's top artists but also its natural beauty, national heritage, sporting achievements, scientific discoveries and industrial technologies. Short films depicted Slovakia as a modern and dynamic country. Particular Slovak regions were presented by prominent Slovak actors from those regions.

The concert continued with performances by top Slovak opera soloists Adriana Kučerová, Jana Kurucová, Miroslav Dvorský and Štefan Kocán, accompanied by the choir and orchestra of the Slovak National Theatre Opera conducted by Rastislav Štúr. Vocal music group Fragile sang the European Union anthem. Outstanding instrumentalists also performed. The rock band IMT Smile, in an unusual twist, winded up the concert by playing along to a dance performance by the Lúčnica folk dance ensemble.