Hotel Carlton was green in 2014 for the first time. (source: Archive of Sme)
Important buildings in Slovakia, including UNESCO buildings, will turn green on March 17, the occasion of St Patrick’s Day.
Because of the pandemic, there will be no traditional celebrations of the holiday or gatherings. But the embassy is organising the Greening campaign, with more than 300 buildings around the world lit green. This includes more than 15 buildings in Slovakia.
Greening is a symbol of friendship and by participating, Slovakia demonstrates its good relationship with Ireland, according to the embassy. It also highlights the Irish diaspora, which has a significant place in Slovakia. In the Spiš region, for example, there are Irish nuns in the Nano Nagle Centre in Spišské Podhradie.
“In addition, it points to good Irish-Slovak relations, which arose from the various work and study stays of Slovaks in Ireland, who have returned in the meantime,” the embassy wrote. “Today, they establish branches of Irish companies in Slovakia, transport Irish goods to Slovakia, play Irish music for Slovak audiences or translate Irish books. There is also a symbolic greening about them.”
Which Slovak buildings will turn green on March 17?
Banská Bystrica: State Opera
Bardejov: Church of St Egidius, the historical building of townhall
Bratislava: New building of the Slovak National Theatre, hotel Radisson Blu Carlton, Kunsthalle Bratislava, Nová Scéna theatre
Košice: State Philharmonic Košice, State Theatre Košice (Historic building)
Martin: Slovak Chamber Theatre
Pezinok: ecorec – a CRH company
Spiš: Spiš Castle (Upper Castle)
Trnava: townhall
Žilina: Žilina bank, Budatín castle, State Chamber Orchestra Žilina (Fatra house)
