SLOVENSKO 2002, the first international stamp exhibit in the Slovak Republic (Slovakia) since 1937, was held on July 4 - 10th at the Slovak National Museum in Bratislava Slovakia the same location as the last International exhibit. It was most appropriate to be held at this facility, within this struggling country seeking it's place both in the European Union and with NATO, for the bronze plaque outside the museum reads "30 October 1918, where brothers of Czech and Slovak joined together in union", seemed to be the sentiment of many at the show and within society for Slovaks to be joined together with the rest of Europe and be recognized.

One of the invited exhibits from Stephen Luster of the USA was titled "Towards a United Europe" and became the theme for the entire stamp exhibit, where this small European country tried to put on both a combined national and international quality show. Only a limited number of countries were invited and because of only limited FEPA sponsorship, and limited external financial sponsorship, arrangements had to be curtailed to be within the budget.

Although the facility was provided free of charge and portrayed a historical significance in being at the identical location as the last International exhibit, I especially disliked the exhibit hall where the frames did not permit sufficient room to view the noted exhibits and lighting was terrible in the long narrow halls that encased 2/3 of the exhibits. Only the main hall where the court of honor exhibits, literature exhibits and the start of traditional philately class exhibits seemed adequate with lighting, room and free space.

Recall this was an exhibit, not a show. No bourse existed. Only one supply dealer booth existed on the mezzanine. The lower entry hall included a booth for the local Bratislava #1 post office, POFIS marketing occupied another booth, the Slovak mint occupied booth #3, The Czech Philatelic Society occupied #4 only over the weekend and the personalized stamp label booth was #5.

As with any show, problems arise, and this exhibit was no exception. The temperature in Europe at this time was exceptionally hot making it uncomfortable for guests during the exhibit. The Slovak National Museum is not air-conditioned. As a result of the heat and the tight confines, occasional windows were opened for ventilation, not good for philatelic material on display within the museum. But what alternative did they have but to open them?

Overheard conversations indicated that participation from some countries was limited to less quality exhibits (or no exhibits at all from some) because of the uncertainty of whether this show would become a reality or not over the past year. It was virtually cancelled 3 different times for numerous reasons including financial sponsorship. On the other side of the coin, some countries provided powerful exhibits; especially strong were the exhibits from Hungary and one from the UK on Carpatho Ukraine.

Although a SLOVENSKO organizing committee existed, many of the details continually changed. Whether this was due to poor or no initial planning, it left a poor taste in everyone's mouth. Fair treatment of all guests was attempted but fell short in many cases. Distribution of catalogs to exhibitors was scheduled for only distribution at the Pal mares. This is way too late to have a catalog! Give me one at the beginning so I can find the lay of the exhibit and determine what I want to see! Judging results of many of the International exhibits seemed unbalanced to some of the country commissioners.

As an international show, one would have thought that appropriate new stamp or postal stationary to meet the international franking requirement would have been issued. International postcard rate for 1st class is 18 Sk, and the big push was the 6 Sk peace stamp, too big to put 3 of these on 1 postcard! Envelopes issued at the show were either 8 Sk or 10 Sk, again insufficient to send anywhere outside of Slovakia.

The Pal mares too seemed way short of an organized affair. In an attempt to meet budget, initial plans were changed and a lower key buffet was held. The facility offered little seating opportunities to eat, the facility was not air-conditioned and the distribution of all awards and prizes got confused beyond all professionalism. Some guests were so appalled at the affair; they politely excused themselves for the evening.

Not everything was negative with SLOVENSKO 2002. The show catalog was wonderfully done under the direction of Jozef Tekel, and included some excellent, detailed historical articles. This was well orchestrated and my compliments on a job well done! Some of the exhibits were outstanding and when explained by some of the other members more familiar with the material, I was flabbergasted at the importance of some of the m ial.

On the social scene, Bratislava itself was an interesting city along the Danube. Noted as the Coronation city for Hungary for over 250 years, the city has made significant improvements over just the past 4 years, it had the European Charm in the old town venue. Many challenges still exist for making the city one of the beauties of Europe, of these I note to remove graffiti off many of the buildings, beautification of even common areas are of low or no priority and would make a world of difference if people paid attention to it, and improvements to mass housing complexes by simply cleaning off the years of grime would improve both social stigmas and attitudes of the 20% unemployed. Food itself was plentiful, good and very inexpensive. Us Americans found some challenges, including the lack of any smoking policies even within hotels and restaurants and the lack of ice and "sweet tea" for us southerners!

The Hotel Danube was a great location, (i.e., close to shopping for the women!!) close to the exhibit hall and was a first class hotel. It was fortunately air-conditioned and a 4 star rated hotel. We found the staff, and especially the reception desk, extremely helpful in anything we could come up with. They spoke fluent English and went way beyond the normal call of duty to assist everyone I saw. Hats off to the hotel staff!

There were some slight language issues for us that spoke no Slovak, but many locals went out of their way to assist. One experience that my wife personally had was of a doctor she met on the train making a 'house call' to her at the hotel for an injury and asking nothing for payment. What wonderful people! We can't even find anyone to make a house call in the USA!

Overall the SLOVENSKO 2002 was good in some respects and bad in other areas just like other shows. I write many of the shortcomings off as inexperience in orchestrating such an exhibit across international boundaries. The Slovak Organizing Committee worked hard in putting it together and this experience will hopefully not discourage them from trying to hold additional future shows on improved stature. The Czech Republic Commissioner stated it well at one of the functions "Here's to the hope that a future show might again be Czechoslovak".