I lived in Snina for almost two years working in a non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to developing tourism in the region. The article does ring true. It [Ulič region]is an extremely poor and neglected area (hence the big vote for KSS and HZDS in the last election).
We tried to work on development projects, to attract visitors, and to soften attitudes, all to no avail.
However, I would like to point out that it is a beautiful area, "krajina môjho srdca" (country of my heart) to coin a popular phrase. The people [there] are "the real Slovaks" for me - friendly, outgoing (once you get to know them a bit), and hard-working. Without hope of a future, it is a tough place to live. Things will change for the Snina region I am sure, but how long it will take, and how drastic the changes will be will determine how many of these dying villages survive.
Akolaja,
Ukraine
