The XIII. NAPS International Ecumenical Concert 2017

Welcoming of His Magnificence prof. Juraj Stern, rector of Pan-European University in Bratislava with spouse.

Mr. Marian Chudovský, Director General of the Slovak National Theater has supported this year NAPS Concert, too.

Mrs. Gabriela Matečná, Minister of the Agriculture and Regional Development of the Slovak Republic has endorsed this event by her presence, too.

His Excellency Mr. Peter Sopko, Slovak Ambassador to the Holy See and Sovereign Military Hospitaler Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta has been endorsing NAPS activities for a long time.

Welcoming of His Excellency Bishop František Rábek, Chairman of the Council of the Slovak Bishops Conference for Science, Education and Culture.

Swiss Ambassador to Slovakia, His Excellency Mr. Alexander Wittwer with spouse belong to regular guests of NAPS Concert.

Welcome of His Eminence Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council For Promoting Christian Unity and closest co-worker of Pope Francis for Ecumenism.

The gala evening has been honored also by the presence of His Excellency Archbishop Giacomo G. Ottonello, Apostolic Nuncio and doyen of the diplomatic corps accredited to Slovakia.

The introduction of the event – flag ceremony presenting Holy See, Slovak and EU flags.

Soldiers of Honorary Guard of the President of the Slovak Republic paying tribute to late first President of modern Slovak Republic and Honorary Member of NAPS Institute, His Excellency Mr. Michal Kováč.

The late president symbolically entering the auditorium.

After short speech recording of the late President Michal Kováč, all in tribute to Slovak national anthem.

The gala evening has been hosted again by the MC Mr. Ľubomír Bajaník.

„…This concert is a fine example of the type of ecumenism that can be called “cultural ecumenism“…. The Christian experience has translated itself particularly in sacred music. Sacred music, in fact, is one of the most evident contributors of Christianity to European Culture, of both the East and the West. … Dear friends, during tonight´s concert let us listen to these sacred songs with the “ears of the heart” so that in bringing us closer to the Creator,” said His Eminence Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity in his speech, visiting Slovakia for the first time in history.

„It is a great honor and pleasure for me to greet and bless you all on behalf of His All Holiness, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople. His All Holiness greets, in particular, all NAPS Institute representatives, who have been organizing ecumenical concerts since 2005 with the aim to deepen the dialog and cooperation among different denominations and nations. Music has always been the main tool for communication…. Cooperation and understanding, once achieved, are not of permanent nature. They have to be pursued by all religious and political leaders and can not stay idle,“ said His Eminence Metropolitan Arsenios, Personal Legate of His All Holiness Bartholomew I of Constantinople in his message.

Songs of Latin liturgy presented by the popular Bratislava Boys Choir.

Conductor of the choir – Mr. Gabriel Rovňák jr.

The choir is led by Mrs. Magdaléna Rovňáková. Soloist singers Alen Imamovič and Miriam Garajová.

Slovak composer, Mr. Víťazoslav Kubička, composed new spiritual opera at the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the reformation. It is dedicated to Martin Luther and promotes Christ message to people. Listeners could hear selection of opera parts sung by the soloist singer Roman Krško, Girl Choir of the Slovak Radio and mixed choir ANIMA CANTANDA.

All artists were accompanied by the Bratislava Sinfonietta Orchestra under the baton of Adrian Kokoš.

The atmosphere of the Christian chants of the East were performed by the Choir St. Roman the Melodist from Prešov. Choir members belong to the Greek Catholic Seminary of Blessed Bishop Pavol Peter Gojdič and will become future Greek Catholic priests.

Concert break is usually busy time for the media.

Gala evening organizer talking to the Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, HE Mr. Hussam Al Husseini, Slovak Minister of Agriculture and Regional Development, Mrs. Gabriela Matečná and Head of the Slovak President Office Amb. Štefan Rozkopál and his spouse.

Socializing during the break.

Ecumenical choir from Hungarian Szeged originated five years ago and its members come from different Christian denominations. Ecumenism rests deep in the core of this choir presenting typical chants of reformed Christian Churches.

The Metropolitan Education Choir of Slovak Orthodox Church created a unique contemplation atmosphere while singing chants of Christians from the East led by Mrs. Nadežda Sičáková, Moscow Spiritual Academy graduate.

Jewish singing mastery was demonstrated by the famous Bratislava formation the Pressburger Klezmer Band, established in 1995. Their energetic cocktail was a mix of Jewish, Balkan and Oriental music as well as Slovak and Gypsy folklore.

NAPS founder Peter Solej also mentioned the words of the late Slovak President Michal Kováč emphasizing personal commitment to live and stick to the values, even if it means to scarify and go through personal hardship, which is considered “old-fashioned“ today. In this sense, Peter Solej, highlighted the message of the event, which is to look for unity by means of the dialog based on mutual respect.

The climax of the gala evening were the final blessings by Christian hierarchs and prayer by Jewish Rabbi. Blessings were given by Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity in Latin, Reverend Milan Krivda, Deputy of General Bishop and Bishop of the Western District of Evangelic Church of a. c. in Slovakia in Slovak, Metropolitan of the Slovak Greek Catholic Church, Archbishop Ján Babjak in Old Slavonic, Reverend Róbert Géreši, Vice-President of Synod and Deputy Bishop of Reformed Church in Slovakia in Hungarian language, and Metropolitan Arsenios, Personal Legate of His All Holiness Bartholomew I of Constantinople in Greek. The prayer was presented by Rabbi Baruch Myers from Bratislava Jewish Community.

NAPS ecumenical concerts have been endorsed by popular dancer and ball room dancing judge and NAPS Friend Tomáš Surovec accompanied by his partner.

The finale of the concert belonged to the Ave Maria sung by soloist Roman Krško.

Soldiers of Honor Guard of the President of the Slovak Republic taking away the flags.

„Thank you Mr. President…“

NAPS founder Peter Solej accompanying the distinguished guests of the event from the auditorium of the new building of Slovak National Theater while the fanfare playing.

Swiss Ambassador with spouse meeting his countryman Cardinal Kurt Koch.

XIII. NAPS International Ecumenical Concert supported also by Ambassador of Brazil to Slovakia, HE Mr. Luis Balduino with spouse.

Joint prayer „Our Father in Heaven“ at the beginning of the reception hosted by NAPS founder Peter Solej after the concert.

Rector of Comenius University in Bratislava, His Magnificence prof. Karol Mičieta talking to Archbishop and Chairman of the Council of the Episcopal Conference of Slovakia for Ecumenism, HE Mons. Ján Orosch.