The Crystal Wing award for the year 2025 was awarded on Saturday evening at the Slovak National Theater (SND) in Bratislava to personalities from the economic, scientific, cultural, sports and social spheres for exceptional achievements or long-term contribution to society. The laureates in ten categories and the special prize in the 29th edition were decided by expert juries and the Grand Jury. The event was held in the presence of the President of the Slovak Republic, Peter Pellegrini, who took over the patronage of the award.
Pre President Pellegrini himself spoke with the musician Teri Čikoš at the gala dinner. Which category was closest to him? “They were all for me. I respect each one and I think that they are also very well chosen, that it really penetrates the whole society and no area of our life has to feel shortchanged. So I think they are all equal and I congratulate them all equally. All victories are equally precious to me, and for our society, every single nominee has the same weight and the same great contribution,” said the head of state.
What would he say to Slovaks in today’s tense situation? “So that we can be inspired by these successful people. To take them as our example – that when a person sets his mind to something and has his dream, but he will work honestly and hard for it, that he will sacrifice his free time for it, that he will be disciplined and work hard for it, that success will always come. And that even in such a small Slovakia, such as our beautiful country, great things can be achieved, which really resonate not only at home, but also in the world.” said Pellegrini.
“And so that, even if they feel that they want to experience the world – let them fly away, let them go to the world, let them gain experience, let them see what works better there, and maybe then they would come to help improve things here at home. But that they never, never resent their native land and that, as Alenka Heribanová said beautifully in her speech, they always return to their strong roots, which are rooted in the Slovak land.” he added.
He also had favorites among the nominees. He indirectly admitted that among them was the actor Milan Ondrík, whose acceptance speech and message became viral in Slovakia. He received an award in the theater and audiovisual arts category. “We love each other because after every storm the sun rises, after every storm the rivers calm down, after every storm the hands blossom, the thistles wither and the wind blows them into oblivion. Good evening” the actor added with a smile. Ondrík was probably alluding to the current tense situation in society and culture.
In the interview with Koktajlo, the president seemed to refer to Ondrík as well. “I had in some categories, or I expected… my nominations were also confirmed in my head. At least I assumed in the acting category, I probably expected the victory in the male and female singers as well. But everyone – not only the one who won, but everyone who was nominated – really belongs to the top not only in Slovakia, but also abroad and in the world. And we all need to keep our fingers crossed that they will be successful for many years to come,” said Pellegrini.
He also spoke about the performances. “All of them were great, because it was so varied. Of course, I was very pleasantly surprised by the entrance and the opening number – Martin Valihora together with an amazing singer who performed a great number by Tina Turner. So from the beginning it gave it that high level, and I must say that all the others never reached that bar. The whole evening, whether it was Emma Drobná together with a Czech colleague, or Tina, or at the end Fragile… everything really belonged to such a crème de la crème and it enlivened and even more embellished that beautiful evening, in which the main stars were anyway the awardees and laureates.” concluded the president.
