- The light of Bethlehem symbolizes peace, peace and reconciliation, the president said.
- The President praised Slovak Scouting for spreading light and meritorious activity.
- Scouts will spread the Bethlehem light across Slovakia and neighboring countries.
- The flame from Bethlehem is meant to remind Christmas traditions and values.
- The light will reach more than 300 Slovak municipalities.
The light of Bethlehem carries a message of peace, peace and reconciliation, we need it like salt. He stated this while receiving the light from the Slovak scouts in the Presidential Palace SR president Peter Pellegrini. According to him, these days are marked by “great tension in society”.
“I firmly believe that this very lamp, which you will gradually distribute to all corners of Slovakia, will remind people that life is also about something other than political bickering or mutual hostility, but that we should enjoy the little things (…), spend as much time as possible with our loved ones, do not turn our backs on them, help the needy, help those who may not have Christmas as happy as others.” said the president.
He thinks that the last days are marked by “a great tension of society”. “We have let too much politics and daily competition into our families and into our hearts. And we forget the beautiful things that are around us.” he added. He believes that the clematis of Bethlehem will remind people to “keep quiet, calm down and look for the good in everything, not the bad.”
At the same time, Pellegrini praised the work of Slovak Scouting, which, according to him, not only spreads the symbol of peace, but also carries out meritorious activities during the year and devotes itself to young people. He also highlighted the fact that the light travels not only throughout Slovakia, but also to its neighbors – to Poland and Ukraine. “The Bethlehem light from your hands will shine permanently in our palace until Christmas, so that it will be available to everyone,” he added.
Head of Slovak Scouting Marián Lezo confirmed that the light will once again travel throughout Slovakia. They will distribute it even during the pre-Christmas weekend. “Our ambition is for it to reach every Christmas table. We will deliver it by train all over the country and we want to get it to every corner of Slovakia. We are also spreading it beyond the borders, we launched it with the Polish scouts in Zakopane and we are also planning a meeting with the Ukrainian scouts in Uzhgorod.” added Lezo.
Slovak scouts will bring the light to Uzhgorod on December 14, where it will be taken over by Ukrainian scouts at a ceremony. On Saturday, December 20, from early in the morning, scout crews will spread light by train throughout Slovakia and will deliver it to more than 300 municipalities.
