Foreign Slovaks Day in Slovakia ― Date, History, and Details
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History of Foreign Slovaks Day in Slovakia and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
Slovakia celebrates Foreign Slovaks Day on October 7th. The holiday commemorates the day in 1944 when the first group of Slovak exiles returned home from abroad. It is a day to celebrate the contributions of Slovaks who have left their homeland to live and work in other countries.
The Slovak diaspora is estimated to be around 3 million people. Many Slovaks emigrated to the United States and Canada in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in search of economic opportunity. Others were forced to leave during World War II or the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968. Today, there are sizable Slovak communities in Australia, New Zealand, and several European countries.
Foreign Slovaks Day was established in 2001. The holiday is marked with events and activities across Slovakia. In the capital city of Bratislava, there is usually a large parade and concert featuring Slovak musicians from around the world. The day is also an opportunity for Slovaks living abroad to reconnect with their roots and learn more about their culture.