Members of Rotary club Košice Country had the unique opportunity to meet with the former Slovak President Rudolf Schuster in his hometown of Medzev. The event offered insight into the cultural and historical legacy of his family, highlighting his lifelong dedication to preserving these values.

On July 17, 2024, members of Rotary club Košice Country gathered with the former Slovak President Rudolf Schuster in Medzev, the town of his birth. The meeting took place at his family home, which today houses the Schuster Family Cinematography Museum.

During the gathering, Ex-president Schuster warmly welcomed the Rotary members and guests into his home. He took the opportunity to emphasize the importance of family values and reflected on the rich history of his family, which is deeply intertwined with Medzev.

A guided tour of the Cinematography Museum followed, showcasing rare film equipment, documents, and footage that had been captured by both his grandfather and father during their expeditions to Brazil. Ex-president Schuster himself had taken part in many of these journeys and has authored several travel books that document his experiences, some of which have been made into films. The group also had the chance to view his works in a dedicated room within the family home.

Ex-president Schuster introduced his latest book on Brazil, which earned him the highest Brazilian honor from the current President of Brazil on the occasion of his birthday. Brazil plans to distribute the book across all its embassies worldwide.

During the visit, ex-president Schuster spoke passionately about the importance of culture, history, and education for future generations, reiterating his commitment to preserving these values and making them accessible to the public.

After the museum tour, a discussion took place in the garden near the gazebo, where Rotary members and guests expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to visit this significant location and for ex-president Schuster's personal engagement throughout the museum tour. On behalf of Rotary club Košice Country, current President František Vindt presented a thank-you letter and the club's flag to ex-president Schuster in recognition of his long-standing support and collaboration with the Rotary club.

The meeting with ex-president Rudolf Schuster was a profoundly enriching experience for all who attended.

Beata Murková

RC Košice Country