The Slovak National Theatre Welcomes the UPF Founders

Barbara and Milos Klas
October 31, 2005
Bratislava, Slovakia

Slovakia offered the best it had, the Slovak National Theatre, the most beautiful and historic building in Bratislava, for the inauguration of the Universal Peace Federation. The venue enjoys an international reputation and is the home of the famous opera singers Lucia Popp, Edita Gruberova, and Peter Dvorsky.

Since Bratislava and Vienna are only 60 km distant, the performances of the Slovak National Theatre regularly attract many Austrian guests every week, and more than 200 Austrian guests were very pleased to come our event at such a famous venue. In fact fame of the theatre was also helpful to bring guests from all corners of Slovakia. To no ones surprise, a large crowd formed in front of the gates more than an hour before the official start.

As soon as the doors opened people rushed in and battled through the formal registration process. The hall with seats for 600 was soon filled with more than 800 people sitting and standing at every possible place. The atmosphere was filled with great excitement.

The lounge accommodating the VIP reception was bursting with guests too - among them the Ambassador of Cuba, a representative of Embassy of Angola, and many prominent leaders of Slovak society. "This is the most beautiful venue on the tour so far," said Mother Moon, "Wouldn't it be great if we were in the National Theatre buildings in other countries too!"

The introduction was held by the IIFWP president Ambassador Robert Harencar, a former Ambassador of Slovakia to Ukraine and deputy foreign minister of the Czechoslovak federal government. When Dr. Moon came to the stage, he gave a big smile and one could see he felt a warm welcome to Slovakia. After the speech Mother Moon joined Father Moon at the stage, and they received the plaques of appreciation both from the Slovak Ambassadors for Peace represented by Rev. Bartolomej Gö?z, and from the Austrian Ambassadors for Peace represented by Dr. Amir Bayati, a Moslem, and Mr. Peter Jurkowitsch, a Buddhist.

Among those receiving Ambassador for Peace certificates during the evening was Mrs. Alzbeta Daniskova, the first member of the Unification Movement in Slovakia who spent more than 4 years in prison for her faith during the communist era. Ambassador Harencar and Prof. Nohel from Slovak University of Technology received the Leadership and Good Governance Award.

Another highlight of the evening was Beethoven's Song of Joy, the European Anthem, performed by the Vienna Choir. The classical song was perfectly in line with the surroundings and gave the audience new hope for a united Europe, especially for the many religious leaders in attendance who found the event deeply meaningful. A Lutheran minister and long-time friend said he understood Dr. Moon's vision on a whole new level, and the President of New Apostolic Church said he was very thankful for the possibility to be there. More than 200 new Ambassadors for Peace were assigned, and all the other participants received an application form and an invitation to become Ambassadors for Peace themselves.

A happy celebration was held the following morning in the nearby Devin Hotel, on the banks of the Danube River. The Devin Hotel was the most famous hotel during the Communist area, where top Communist leaders like Leonid Brezhnev stayed. In August 2002, it was also the site of an international IIFWP conference attended by Rev. Kwak, but perhaps this visit will be counted as the most historic of all.

Unfortunately all good things have to end, and after Father and Mother Moon sang a few short songs they had to leave quickly to get to the airport to fly to Geneva.

Barbara and Milos Klas