The XI. NAPS International Ecumenical Concert 2015

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Welcome of HE Mons. František Rábek, Roman Catholic Bishop and Chair of the Council of the Slovak Bishops´ Conference for Science, Education and Culture.

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The event has been endorsed by the President of the Supreme Court of the Slovak Republic, Mrs. Daniela Švecová with husband.

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Organizers welcoming the Rector of the Comenius University in Bratislava, HM prof. Karol Mičieta and the Head of the Office of the President of the Slovak Republic, Mr. Štefan Rozkopál with spouse.

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Christian and Jewish chants at the concert hall of Slovak Philharmonic enjoyed by the Director General of TV TA3 Mr. Martin Ilavský – media partner of the concert.

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Popular dancer Tomáš Surovec a regular fan of NAPS international ecumenical activities.

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Welcome of Mrs. Regina Ovesny-Straka, Director General of insurance company Kooperativa and President of Slovak Insurance Association with husband.

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Ambassador of Hungary HE Mrs. Éva Czimbalmosné Molnár, supporting the event since acting as Consul General of Hungary in Košice.

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Welcome of HE Mr. Felix Valdés, Royal Spanish Ambassador to Slovakia.

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11th NAPS International Ecumenical Concert attended also by the Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to Slovakia, HE Mrs. Minh Nguyet Ho Dac.

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Traditionally opening of the concert in tribute with Slovak and EU anthems.

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The gala evening has been hosted by the popular Slovak MC Jarmila Lajčáková Hargašová.

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The concert, the closing event of the jubilee 40th Cultural Summer and Castle Festivals Bratislava 2015, opened by Mr. Ivo Nesrovnal, Mayor of the Slovak Capital City of Bratislava.

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Metropolitan of the Slovak Greek Catholic Church, Archbishop Ján Babjak giving his spiritual speech.

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The President of Slovakia, HE Mr. Andrej Kiska appreciates the message of the event and send a greeting letter to the audience. Red by the Head of the Office of the Slovak President, Mr. Štefan Rozkopál.

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Jewish chants performed by singer Jana Orlická, contrabass player and composer Peter Kořínek and accordion player Peter Pobořil. Traditional liturgy Hanukkah poem was accompanied by a youth orchestra from Košice, Musica Iuvenalis under the baton of Mr. Igor Dohovič.

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The atmosphere of Christian chants of the eastern liturgy was created by the the first performer the Metropolitan Education Choir of the Orthodox Church in Slovakia. They were singing in Greek, Latin and Old Slavonic languages under the baton of Mrs. Nadežda Sičáková, graduate of the Moscow Spiritual Academy.

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Cantate Domino. Sing the Lord. This is the name of the youth choir of the Reformed Christian Church in Slovakia, whose members come both from Slovakia and Hungary. The mission of this group of singers, with 20 years history, is to spread the incomprehensible Mercy of God, Kindness and Love through sacral chants.

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Young reformed singers under the baton of Mr. Csongor Szabó.

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The Ambassador of Brazil to Slovakia, HE Mrs. Susan Kleebank during the break meeting representatives of Christian Churches and Honorary President of the Central Association of Jewish Religious Communities in Slovakia, prof. Pavol Traubner and spouse.

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During the break there is also time for the media.

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The Auxiliary Bishop of Prešov Greek Catholic Archieparchy, The Right Reverend Milan Lach talking to his countrymen.

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Orthodox Church representatives talking to the MC of the gala evening Mrs. Jarmila Lajčáková Hargašová.

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Sacral Christian chants of the East performed by the Greek Catholic choir Kyrillomethodeon from Bratislava, established as early as in 1936. Their rich CV ranking from premier chants, accompanying of opera singers to the concert for the Pope John Paul II all under the baton of Mr. Ladislav Sabolčák.

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The Choir Laudate has been celebrates the Holy Trinity for 30 years, and originated in Bratislava, Petržalka. They performed chants of Evangelic Church of Augsburg Confession. The group of singers can boast with more than 300 concerts both home and abroad.

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Numerous European Cities as well as Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and other cities in Israel, Canada, Japan or Taiwan have hosted the popular Bratislava Boys Choir. Many Slovak composers composed songs for this group of singers. They performed Catholic chants of Western liturgy. The choir is under the baton of Mrs. Magdaléna Rovňáková and Mr. Gabriel Rovňák jr., and were accompanied by the orchestra Musica Iuvenalis.

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Special guest of the Bratislava Boys Choir was also the Slovak National Theater Opera soloist singer Mr. Pavol Remenár.

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“Slovakia is the heart of Europe. Todays concert wishes to touch the hearts of all of you who came to the capital city of Slovakia to enjoy art connecting people and deepening the dialog and tolerance among nations and religions…,“ said in his speech the NAPS founder Mr. Peter Solej.

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Blessing of the Roman Catholic Bishop HE Mons. František Rábek in Latin.

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Blessing in Slovak by the Bishop of the Western District of Evangelic Church of a.c. in Slovakia, The Reverend Milan Krivda.

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Blessing by HE the Most Reverend Despotis Ján Babjak, Archbishop of Prešov and Metropolitan of the Greek Catholic Church in Slovakia in Old Slavonic language.

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Blessing by Reverend László Fazekas, Bishop of Reformed Church in Slovakia in Hungarian.

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Blessing by The Very Reverend Father Milan Gerka, Secretary of Holy Synod of Orthodox Church in Czech and Slovakia in Greek language.

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Prayer by Rabbi Baruch Myers from Bratislava Jewish Community in Hebrew.

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The very end of the concert – Ave Maria performed by the Slovak National Theater Opera soloist singer Mr. Pavol Remenár.

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Archbishop Ján Babjak talking to concert organizers and President of the Slovak Supreme Court Mrs. Daniela Švecová and her husband shortly after the end of the concert.

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With Deputy Speaker of the Slovak Parliament Mr. Ján Figeľ and Church representatives at the end of the gala evening.

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The Greek Catholic Eparch, The Most Reverend Milan Chautur has also supported the message of the event.

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HE Mr. Alexander Wittwer, the Ambassador of Switzerland to Slovakia: “Thank you for inviting me to this beautiful and unique concert. I look forward to further cooperation.“

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The event has also been endorsed by the Ambassador of Bulgaria to Slovakia Mrs. Margarita Ganeva and Honorary Member of NAPS Mr. Ján Mathes.