WHEN Brunella Borzi arrived Slovakia four years she immediately felt younger, as spirit of this small central European country reminded her Italy back in sixties and seventies, when it seemed everything was achievable if the nation willing to go for . Borzi, Italy’s ambassador Slovakia, soon discovered other positive facets of Slovak society, local peoples’ openness Italian culture being of them.

The Slovak Spectator spoke to Ambassador Borzi the lessons Slovakia might learn the success of Italy’s small businesses and cultural diplomacy, as well as the importance of Italian business presence here.

The Slovak Spectator (TSS): You will soon complete your diplomatic mission to Slovakia. What been the most surprising aspect of Slovak society that have observed?
Brunella Borzi (BB): I actually remember exactly surprised me a very positive way when I arrived November 2008: it was this feeling of energy and enthusiasm Slovak people had. I just had this sensation finding myself in the atmosphere typical my country back in 1960s and 1970s; the feeling that here is a country wants to do things and succeed achievements. In some sense I younger because I remembered myself being Italian in the 1960s and 1970s, everything looked as it could be reached; the feeling that everything was your hands, and that it was a question of being willing go for it.

Of course, Slovakia had its moments of difficulties with the global crisis but now, again, my feeling is that there is this strong attitude overcome the crisis, which is not a national challenge a much wider challenge Europeans and also countries outside Europe.

TSS: What do Slovaks and Italians have common?
BB: There is the very strong ground of social and moral values. Catholicism creates some strong links Slovakia and Italy, while I also have found that Slovakia you have a sense of family. From a political of view, we have shared interests within European Union as as NATO. Yet we also have evidence the existence of strong economic : a large number of Italian entrepreneurs arrived Slovakia almost 20 years , some of them very soon after the foundation of Slovak Republic, and they felt immediately ease. I think this is the best evidence of commonalities that we have.

TSS: Over recent years, Slovaks have been a chance to taste Italian culture to annual festivals featuring its different aspects. How do you assess the interest of Slovaks Italian culture and language?
BB: Slovaks are completely open and our main test this openness is the month of culture that we started organising three and half years ago. I recall when I arrived I thought ‘let’s do it this year and see it is possible to build a tradition out of it’. We were uncertain whether we be able to organise the event every year but I must say that we have able to do it also thanks to the enthusiasm the Slovak audience.

Last year we focused strongly on the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy. This year, , there is no central leitmotif but more 40 events will place offering a wide cross-section of Italian culture, starting the exhibition of a masterpiece by Jacopo Bassano the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the birth of this great Renaissance painter. Particular attention will also be to links with local culture. For example, the Elsa Morante Cinema Prize will be awarded Italian director Marco Bellocchio and Slovak director Martin Šulík.

Moreover, the 5th edition of Dolce Vitaj will conclude a very unusual and spectacular way: in early September the Slovak audience will be able to see an air show by our military air acrobatic team Frecce Tricolori in Sliač.

This year is the 60th anniversary of the twin city partnership Bratislava and Perugia, and a delegation from the Italian sister town will a visit. I would say that this year the cultural festival will be an anthology: there will not be any main feature, but a composition of different ideas, events. We hope it will make a nice mosaic.

TSS: Has Slovakia made it onto the radar of Italian tourists? If so, what do they find attractive Slovakia?
BB: I have just requested figures for Italian tourists coming Slovakia; there is again an increasing trend. There was a drop 2010, but I suppose this was due the crisis. But last year the numbers got back to those of the pre-crisis years. I think this is much facilitated by the flight connections that are now getting frequent, convenient, and very attractive young people. A large share Italian tourists in Slovakia are young people who are attracted by this recently born republic, which they are eager discover since this part of Europe was not so widely known only a few years ago.

Adapted and abridged from: The Slovak Spectator, June 11, 2012