The anniversary of Independence of the Slovak Republic on January 1st determines the New Year's day routine for some Slovaks in Calgary. The local Branch of the Canadian Slovak League obtains the necessary permit to raise the Slovak flag in front of the City Hall in Calgary every New Year.
City Hall requires that we fly the flag at sunrise and then it flies on the flagpole of honor until sunset. Slovaks in Calgary have been doing it for 30 years, even though many people don't want to get up so early after partying on New Year's Eve. After the ceremony, we go for coffee and donuts to Tim Hortons across the street from the City hall and only then can the New Year succesfully begin.
Photos: Jake Ryan Archie
