Van Damme (source: TASR)
THE OPENING of a distillery exposition called Nestville Park in the municipality of Hniezdne included an appearance by action-movie star Jean-Claude Van Damme.
It was recently announced that a castle near Hniezdne is the oldest known distillery in Slovakia so promoters came up with the idea of creating a permanent distillery exposition to attract tourists. The exposition officially opened on June 30 with Van Damme, who travelled from Hong Kong where he had been shooting a movie, as its main attraction.
Van Damme told the Korzár daily that before this appearance he did not know much about Slovakia and needed to find it on a map. Nonetheless, he made a big impression on the crowds attending the opening.
Van Damme visited the distillery and the crafts’ exposition and also watched a karate exhibition by young people. Van Damme found acting fame based on his skills in martial arts.
When Van Damme addressed the crowd for a few minutes it caused a near riot as the iron barriers separating van Damme from the crowd were jostled and one man managed to hug the actor before security guards intervened.
The organisers estimated that more than 10,000 visitors attended the show, including several Slovak celebrities such as TV host Michal Hudák and performers Desmod, Vidiek, Nedvědovci, Gladiátor and Zuzana Smatanová.
