This significant anniversary has been commemorated throughout the year by Slovak gardeners at all levels, and at the highest level during a ceremonial meeting in Banská Bystrica with the participation of distinguished guests – Assoc. Prof. JUDr. Ivan Gašparovič, CSc., Dr.h.c. - former president of the Slovak Republic, Ing. Eduard Jakúbek - chairman of the Republic Committee /RC/ of SZZ, Prof. Ing. Ivan Hričovský, DrSc. Dr.h.c. - honorary chairman of the RC SZZ, Juraj Korček – secretary of the RC SZZ and others. Our company also accepted the invitation to this important event through manager Marek Szöke, who as a long-time and traditional supporter of SZZ activities received a commemorative certificate from the RC SZZ for his active and dedicated work in favor of SZZ.
After the ceremonial opening, Mr. Juraj Korček, secretary of the RC SZZ, took the floor and presented the past 60 years as a period of building, gaining experience, and above all, diligent work through the widely branched membership base of SZZ, currently over 55,000 members. The organization's task is to defend the interests of its members, create conditions for gardening and meaningful leisure activities. It also provides its members with professional and legal assistance through lectures, training, and instructions. On the other hand, gardeners themselves beautify villages, towns, and the countryside by planting and ecologically growing fruits and vegetables under the motto: “We know what we eat,” and last but not least, by educating an environmentally sensitive, responsible, and hardworking population. Gardening has deep roots, and considering the aging population, an increase in interest in this meaningful activity can be expected. It is necessary to seize the opportunity, capture the enthusiasm for work, willingness to learn new things, be open to new ideas and innovations, and above all, grow in all aspects.
The speech of former Slovak president Mr. Ivan Gašparovič was also met with great interest, who expressed admiration for gardeners with words recognizing their work and respect for people who often received inhospitable land to transform it into “paradise gardens” for their own and others' pleasure, even for those who do not like gardening. With words about the “joy of home-grown produce for oneself and friends,” he expressed his conviction that he will sincerely accept the invitation to the gardeners' family, which he always gladly helped as head of state in the past and currently wishes all the best for the future.
Activity, engagement, and work are the leitmotifs of the speech by Mr. Eduard Jakúbek, current chairman of the RC SZZ, who also emphasized the importance of learning through gardening work communication among people and neighbors, self-discovery, extending active age, feeling useful and self-realization not only for seniors, who make up the vast majority of gardeners, but also attracting young people to their ranks. Working with children, youth, enjoying garden work, and more.
The chairman of the Czech Gardeners' Association /ČZS/, Mr. Stanislav Kozlík, in his brief speech, praised the brilliant cooperation between ČZS and SZZ, which continues to deepen over the years, and highlighted the work of the associations in current market conditions, where the issue of ecological practices and food self-sufficiency of the population again comes to the forefront.
Honorary chairman of SZZ Mr. Ivan Hričovský, even at his advanced age, is a living example of how to pass on the experiences and wisdom of our ancestors to future generations. He did not forget to add that there are still over 800 thousand gardens in Slovakia, so there are great reserves and potential for the future, and with words wishing all the best, he invited those present to toast the jubilee – the Slovak Gardeners' Association. So, “Long live, many years, gardeners...!”
