Children’s Day in Orava

Helicopter flypast, military paratroopers’ drop into water, military equipment, demonstration of activities by cynologists, demonstrations of combat in a built-up area and close combat, military music band, Komajota music band, creative workshops and a variety of other spectacular shows were prepared by soldiers for children in Námestovo on the occasion of the Children’s Day to be spent with the SVK Armed Forces. Among those who came to welcome the children were also SVK Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš and Chief of the General Staff of the SVK Armed Forces Gen Milan Maxim. Peter Gajdoš reminded that this was already the 19th edition of the event to mark the International Children’s Day, which will be on 1 June. He emphasized he would be glad to see the increasing interest among the wide public in the issues like defence, security and safety of our country and willingness to contribute to the same. “Today, we have prepared an attractive programme for you on this site, but I will be most glad if you, together with your parents or teachers, would evince interest in the future in visiting the units where our soldiers prepare and work. And, who knows, perhaps one day you will put on a military uniform, wear military boots, and the safeguarding of our country will, maybe, become a matter of professional honour for you,” said the Minister.

Part of the Children’s Day with the Armed Forces was announcing the results of a drawing competition Soldiers as seen through the eyes of children. The jury had to evaluate 850 drawings and paintings made by pupils of the Slovak elementary schools. It was Klára Mráziková, the second-class student from the Elementary School at Jarná ulica in Žilina, who became the winner in the category of younger students. The work by Matúš Tomovčík, the sixth-class student from the J. Šverma Elementary School in Michalovce, attracted most interest in the category of older students. The jury presented special awards also to Dominik Kotlár from the Associated School - Special Elementary Boarding School in Topoľčany and to Šimon Hacaj from the Kindergarten at Bancíkovej street in Bratislava.