Slovaks celebrate the feast of Constantine and Methodius

Tuesday's programme of national celebrations to mark the Feast of St. Constantine and St. Methodius began with a colloquium led by historians on the theme 'The Origin of Slovak History', in the Bratislava suburb of Devin. After a ceremonial mass, a religious procession moved on to Devin Castle, where passages were read from 'Proglas', an Old-Slavonic religious text. This was followed by speeches given by the guests of honour. The celebrations continued with a cultural programme beneath Devin Castle. There were performances by a Slovak opera singer, a music ensemble, a childrens folk group, and folk musicians.

One of the aims of the celebrations held at Devin Castle on Tuesday was to commemorate the missionary journey made by Constantine and Methodius to the territory of modern-day Slovakia over a thousand years ago. However, the organisers also wanted to revive the idea of Slav solidarity. Around 200 people gathered at Devin Castle complex to approve the adoption of the so-called Magna Carta of Slavic Nations. Its aims are mutual conciliation, under-standing and cooperation among Slavic nations based on equal partnerships and mutual benefit. Nation-wide celebrations of the Feast Day were poorly attended due to the rainy weather.

Last Saturday Slovakia's National Heritage Institute organised the tenth annual boating event on the Zemplin rivers in the Kosice region, to mark the national celebration of the Feast of Constantine and Methodius. The event meant a symbolic return to places where, according to historians, Constantine and Methodius crossed the borders of Great Moravia, which included the territory of modern-day Slovakia.