Slovak citizens and potential applicants for Slovak citizenship were very pleased that the Slovak Embassy in Canada visited western Canada again, and advised and enabled many individuals and families to process official documents and applications directly in Calgary, and later also in Vancouver. Two whole days were fully booked as applicants could reserve their 20 to 30 minute slot ahead of time, so the whole process was smooth and seamless.
Besides the Ambassador, H.E. Andrej Droba, set-up their "field office" also Consul Milan Vrbovský and embassy staffer Andrea Dankaninová, thus the schedule was maintained and they even managed to process few who walked-in without a reservation. Consular days save considerable expenses for travel and stay in Ottawa especially for families with children, because many biometric documents require physical presence of the applicant. To paraphrase a famous saying, it is better when the forms come to the applicants than in reverse, has proven true in Calgary.
Branch 65 of the Canadian Slovak League reserved the hall in St. Joseph's Church, and Frank and Mary Kilo prepared excellent food, a tasty Liptovský goulash on Tuesday, and a beautiful garnished platter on Wednesday. Also, mothers of children from the Slovak schools in Calgary baked some delicious cakes and pastries, which the visitors could purchase as a fundraiser for the school.
On Wednesday, Ambassador Droba gave a lecture to students at the University of Calgary about the developmens in Slovakia.
Many thanks to the embassy staff and Ambassador Droba for taking such great care of expatriates in the provinces far from Ottawa. There will be definitely a great demand for these services again next year.
Paul Carnogursky
