Ladies and gentlemen, dear guests, dear members of the international jury,

I am pleased that we have the opportunity to meet again in the premises of Radio and Television Slovakia – the Slovak Radio building to share our experience as well as the joy of our work that we are passionately devoted to in our home radio broadcasting institutions. The period of the pandemic is over and we can finally shake hands in person and inspire one another. This year’s edition of the international competition of folk music recordings SVETOZÁR STRAČINA GRAND PRIX is even more special for us working in the Slovak Radio as we commemorate the 115 th birth anniversary and the 30 th death anniversary of a prominent Slovak composer Eugen Suchoň. His close relation to the Slovak musical tradition and Slovak folk music significantly shaped his compositional creations.

Me and my colleagues at RTVS are honoured that you accepted our invitation to come to Bratislava for the competition and look forward to meeting you in the Slovak Radio building. We would like to wish you a pleasant stay full of valuable musical as well as personal encounters. We are happy that our folklore family knows no boundaries and we are keen to support each other.

The SVETOZÁR STRAČINA GRAND PRIX 2023 competition is opening its gates. Please, do come in!

Ľuboš Černák
Director of RTVS Radio Programme Services Section
Chair of Festival´s Committee