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The Slovak Institute, headquartered at St. Andrew Abbey in Cleveland, Ohio, was founded by Abbot Theodore Kojis, OSB, in 1952, shortly after he returned from a visit to Czecho-Slovakia. His intention was to provide a facility in which the oppressed Slovak nation, then under communist rule, could fight for its freedom and independence.

Fr. Andrew Pier, OSB, a young, energetic Slovak Benedictine monk, was one of the founders of the Slovak Institute and was its director for more than 50 years. This Slovak patriot dedicated his life to fighting for the freedom of Slovaks living under communist tyranny.

Abbot Kojis and Fr. Andrew welcomed the Slovak intelligentsia in the free world to make use of the Slovak Institute’s museum and library in various ways: for writing books in the Slovak language, which at that time would have been banned in Slovakia; publishing books and magazines and, most significantly, providing Slovaks in the free world an outlet for their fight to gain independence of the Slovak Republic from the communists who were forcing Slovaks to give up their faith and not assert their Slovak identity in their quest for freedom.

While the Slovak people were under communist oppression, the Slovak Institute took on a major responsibility. It served as a gathering place for what was referred to as "the Slovak government in exile," and Abbot Kojis regularly sat in on these meetings. As its fame spread the Slovak Institute began to attract Slovak writers, poets, and artists as well as many freedom fighters who had fled Slovakia. Among them were Dr. Francis Hrusovsky, Dr. Joseph Cincik, Dr. Joseph Mikus, Constantine Culen, Dr. Joseph Kirschbaum, Karol Sidor, Fr. Mikulas Sprinc and Dr. Karol Strmen.

Soon Slovak writers began publishing their bocks with the cooperation of the Slovak Institute of Sts. Cyril & Methodius in Rome. These books were then shipped to Slovakia in various ways through the Slovak underground.

The Slovak Institute began to disseminate its message which was consistent with the credo of the Slovak government in exile. Its authors were writing about Slovak heritage, Slovak independence and the rights of the Slovak nation.

Regrettably because of age and declining health, Fr. Andrew had to relinquish his involvement as the Slovak Institute’s director in 2000. The institute’s president Abbot Clement Zeleznik, OSB, a 100% Slovak, is hoping to restore the Cleveland landmark to the status it enjoyed in its early years, and improve some services by adding state-oft-the art equipment.

Now that Slovakia is enjoying freedom, Americans of Slovak descent can once again learn about Slovak life, history, heritage, culture, music and dance and discover the beauty of Slovakia. The Slovak Institute will be the information center between Slovakia and Slovaks residing in America and in the free world.

Because younger Slovaks are increasingly trying to trace their genealogical roots, the Slovak Institute will provide them a resource to help trace their ancestry. Another objective will be to establish a student exchange program between Slovakia and Cleveland, Ohio, so that young Slovaks can learn about life in America and improve their use of the English language. In return American Slovaks will visit Slovakia to share in its beauty, music and dance while learning the Slovak language.

To put these proposals into action, Abbot Clement has appointed Andrew Hudak as the new director, a man with more than 50 years of experience in dealing with Slovak organizations and individuals here and abroad. One of his major successes was revitalizing and directing the Slovak Gardens in Florida when it ran into hard times and was about to close its doors. There he established a Slovak museum and library and made it a place Slovaks could be proud of.

He said that as of July 1, 2002, the institute was once again open to the public, Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and at other times by appointment.

He said that the Slovak Institute would retain its identity as a cultural arts organization and not delve into politics. "Our focus will be to strive for unity and understanding between American Slovaks locally and across the country with Slovaks living throughout the world."

Persons who wish to contact the Slovak Institute should call (216) 721-5300 x 294.