Interview with H.E. Mr Juraj Chmiel Ambassador of Czech Republic to Slovenia Throughout your career, you have lived and Hungarian (my mother was Hungarian and I worked in many countries with various was born in Budapest), I feel in Slovenia like at cultures and locations. What is different home which is also thanks to closer history about Slovenia to other places you have among our two countries. been to so far? And what do you think the Czech Republic For the first time, I am serving in the country have most in common? Obviously, there is a which shares with Czechia close common strong economic, social and political history. Hungary, where I served before association between the countries, but have coming here, was also part of the Austro- you noticed any non-obvious similarities in Hungarian monarchy, however with a different your experience? background in all aspects. Despite being half In my opinion, the Czech Republic and America as well as plenty of European Slovenia have a lot in common, even though countries. I was very close also to visit that last neither Czechs nor Slovenians realize how continent missing in my itinerary, but had to similar our nations are. It is important to bear in postpone the visit. Only the time will show if it mind that the Czech Republic and Slovenia, w a s a t e m p o r a r y o r a p e r m a n e n t both small states located in Central Europe, postponement. But never ever I have face many similar challenges. The linkages encountered so many beauties in one place as stem also from the fact that our countries share in Slovenia. On the small territory there is common history under the Habsburg everything – from mountains to sea coast with m o n a rc h y a n d h a v e b e e n c u l t u ra l l y beaches. Magnificent rivers and streams with interconnected for many centuries, including spectacular canyons. Dense forests, skiing linguistically. The Czech culture had a great slopes, hiking trails, beautiful lakes, caves, influence in Slovenia in the past and our thermal springs. Each region, even valley, has ancestors shared common cultural goals and its spectacular places, including unique castles, kept exchanging experience. Interestingly, chateaux, towns and villages. Cuisine is also an despite the fact that we are not neighbouring excellent mixture of central-European (with countries the Czech and Slovenian language Hungarian flavour), Mediterranean and Balkan are very similar to each other. For example the origin. I like the sea-food, especially those words „pes“, „město“, „mléko“, „máslo“ have served in the cosy restaurants in the seaside almost the same equivalents in Slovenian. The cities, but also čevapčiči, kraški pršut, žganci, word „pivo“ supposedly comes from Czech. Of jota, various soups, kranjska klobasa and course, there are also many so-called false excellent deserts – potica, gibanica (the friends. Probably one of the best-known in the prekmurska one), crème cakes (the one from Czech Republic is the word „otrok“, which in Bled) and not to forget the roasted chestnuts. Czech means suženj. Thinking about any non- However, there is not enough space to obvious similarities I would point out the fact mention all the very good types of food that Czech Republic as well as Slovenia made available in this country. And the Czech food is their own national „remake“ of Western Coca- also excellent. Cola during the socialist era. In Czechia it is Last but not least – the people. I have heard called Kofola (with cofeine), while you have that around four dozens of Slovenian dialects Cockta (however without cofeine). Both taste are spoken in the great. country, or that even Ambassador Chmiel, Spring 2020 We would love to find out what are your favourite things about Slovenia? From food to places to visit, what do you enjoy the most? Till now I have visited all the continents but one – Antarctica. I have lived in Africa, Australia, visited Asia, North and South each valley has its specific form of the ignorance of somebody else is one of the language. Most of the people I have worst nightmares. encountered are very nice, open and easy- I understand the concerns especially of the going. Of course, this is my private business community, I am also aware of the observation, maybe I was only lucky till now. secondary impacts because of the restrictive But to be honest, I am quite sad about the measures, especially lockdowns (psychological deep division among the population, which impact, impact on the education etc.). One of has, as I understood, the roots in the World war the worst is the one, which affects the overall 2, even maybe from earlier times. medical care. These are, among others, the The year 2020 has been tough for many. reasons why we should and must respect the Although we’re sure it was nothing in measures adopted by the respective comparison to your time in Somalia, we Governments to achieve the goal – to were wondering how did the time of overcome the situation as fast as possible with pandemic impact your professional and as less as possible loses of lives. All private life? How did you adapt to the Governments are acting in good faith, facing restrictions and the new reality? unprecedented situation and challenges, certainly doing mistakes, but following one Indeed, there is nothing in comparison to the goal – to protect the people of their countries, time I experienced in Somalia. Beauty of the inhabitants of our planet, called Earth. country and behaviour of the ordinary people Hopefully, the vaccines which are being was in sharp contrast with the cruelty of the urgently developed will be effective without warlords and their soldiers. Frankly, especially significant side effects and we will be able to because of my experience in Somalia, but also return us to the normal life. Till then, we must, more than seven years spent in West Africa in our own interest, obey the restrictive and nearly 11 years altogether in the sub- measures. Saharan Africa prepared me quite well for this unfortunate situation. I was used to operate In Embassy, we are working shifts in 2 teams under martial-laws, restrictions, curfews – and always only 1 person in a room. With this however certainly not because of the we can avoid closing down the entire Embassy pandemic. in case of Covid-19 infection. Most of the local staff have home-office. Consular services are This experience is an advantage for the operating on the basis appointment only, with adjustment to the current situation, both in my exception of emergencies. professional, as well as in private life. Personally, I understand the restrictive We had to adapt to the social distancing. measures of the governments all over the Unfortunately, we had to cancel or postponed world and I am quite upset, when people, a lot of cultural events, the meetings are mostly including some here in Slovenia, are held via videoconferences, even the ones disobeying the rules. Lives of the people are within the Embassy itself. However we have very precious ones and to die because of the been able to organize one outdoor event during recent lockdown - Open air large- format exhibition of Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik, born in Ljubljana, dedicated to his work in Prague and other parts of the Czech Republic, took place in Ljubljana from October 26 till November 26, 2020 ( for more information please visit https://www.mzv.cz/ Somalia, Jubba valley, 1993, with Belgian Army ljubljana/en/education/ open_air_exhibition_joze_plecnik_and.html ). And from Monday, December 21, you will be able to access Embassy's on-line Christmas/ New Year Concert on our web page https:// www.mzv.cz/ljubljana/en/index.html This challenging time has also been the time of reflection and experimenting. Did the time of lockdown help you discover anything new? Are there any personal experiences you would like to share with us or anything that you think our members would find helpful in adapting to the new reality? I am not a psychologist, but from my personal experience, try to avoid negative thoughts. I know that it is difficult and much easier to say, then to execute. But it is one way of not to slip into depression, consumption of alcohol etc. I myself have gone through some very difficult life periods, including ones already mentioned, but also e.g. thanks to the criminal Somalia, Jubba valley, 1993, the usual field trip prosecution several years ago, which was at the end declared by the court of justice as unlawful. I also tried to think positive, tried to focus on the nicer and more cheerful side of the life. Important is also to pass over the positive thinking, the positive energy to the people who are surrounding you – family, relatives, friends. Fortunately, we are living in 21st century and can utilise the technical Somalia, Jubba valley, 1993. Ambassador Chmiel (right) with Belgian liaison officer progress – with the Internet is life much easier express solidarity with each other. For even when you are due to the lockdown alone. example, we have a nice initiative in the Czech But even without the Internet, or phone, try to Republic named Ježíškova vnoučata, which can focus on positive things. be translated into Slovenian as Božičkovi vnuki, aimed at helping the seniors in the retirement Here in SILA, we are passionate about houses. Basically, the seniors make a list of helping those in need through our charity their Christmas wishes, which are displayed initiatives.