On Tuesday, 5 August 2025, we gathered in the garden of the Albrecht House in Bratislava with friends, partners and supporters to celebrate 26 years of our work. An evening filled with discussion, music and friendly encounters once again confirmed that our mission matters – and that there are people for and with whom it is worth pursuing.
The garden of the Albrecht House welcomed our friends, partners, supporters and guests as we marked the 26th anniversary of the founding of the Association for Culture, Education and Communication (ACEC). We celebrated in the way we love most: with discussion, music, meaningful conversations and an atmosphere that brings people together and opens space for important topics.
“This evening is not about reviewing figures or impressing with statistics. We believe that 26 years of dedication and achievement simply deserve to be celebrated,” said ACEC Director Magdaléna Rothová in her address. “And this is not just the work of our team at the Association – it is the work of all of you who help us: our friends and partners, as well as our clients, who trust us and allow us to guide them,” she added.
The evening was opened by host Karin Hajdu, who welcomed the guests and partners. The main programme featured the discussion “Mušinka vs. Vašečka: Checkmate to Stereotypes”, in which sociologist Michal Vašečka and anthropologist Alexander Mušinka shared their insights into how stereotypes shape our society and how we can address them openly, strategically and with an emphasis on fostering cohesion and fairness. The musical guest of the evening, Teri Čikoš, enriched the celebratory yet friendly atmosphere with her voice and energy.
Throughout the evening, we expressed our heartfelt thanks to the partners, supporters and colleagues without whom this event would not have been possible. A special word of thanks goes to everyone who stands with ACEC – whether through financial contributions, practical help or the simple but precious gift of kind words.
ACEC was founded on 3 August 1999 by Ľubomíra Slušná Franz with a vision to create a space where culture, education, understanding and respect for diversity meet. More than a quarter of a century later, we are proud to be one of Slovakia’s established non-governmental organisations, connecting education, health, dignified work opportunities and community development – always with respect for human dignity, cultural context and long-term impact. Among our best-known programmes are Roma Spirit, Mission 1000 – Babice, and projects in culture and awareness-raising such as Healthy Communities and Fragile Memories.
“This evening was a celebration, but not a full stop – rather, one of the important milestones on the journey we wish to continue, together with you. Thank you for coming, for supporting us, and for believing in us,” concluded Magdaléna Rothová.
