Outstanding personalities of Bratislava received the Mayor’s Award for 2025

As the Mayor of Bratislava, Matúš Vallo, said, “Handing out the Mayor’s Award is a rare opportunity to experience a feeling of unconditional goodwill and appreciation, something that should be a regular part of our daily lives, but something we get less and less often. To recognise outstanding people who contribute to the strength of communities, moving us all forwards to a better, more tolerant, healthier and more cultured society. People without whom our city might not be what it is.”

The candidates for the award are selected by the Mayor of Bratislava together with his advisory board. Individual nominations take into consideration the exceptional contribution individuals or collectives make that shape the capital city and are worthy of attention and, in particular, exceptional thanks for the cultural or social development of the city. The event is organised by the Bratislava Cultural and Information Centre, a city organisation.

List of laureates of the Bratislava Mayor’s Award for 2025:

** Zuzana Kronerová**, for long years of social contribution in the field of culture and exceptional acting performances, and not only in Bratislava theatres.

Jana Žemličková, for many years of professional assistance in the fight against addiction and in managing the AT Sanatorium, which was built by her father, MUDr. Ivan Novotný, a leading world expert in the treatment of addiction.

Ladislav Odstrčil (in memoriam), for building community, a love of nature and the meaningful spending of children’s free time through the “Wolf Pack” lay scouting unit, which has been operating continuously in Bratislava since 1984.

Vladimír Michal and Jana Michalová, for popularising books, literature and reading. For 35 years now, the Artforum bookstore has had an irreplaceable place on the cultural map of Bratislava, becoming a cultural centre, a strong community and a place for free thinking, exceptional authors and major works.

Otto Šimko, for his inspiring life story and support for democracy and for conveying important historical messages to generations that strive to protect democracy today.

František Kubovič, for community development and working with youth at the Bratislava Salesians, who help raise young people to be mature and free personalities, build friendships, instil the right values and encourage mutual respect.

Handing out the Mayor’s Award is a rare opportunity to experience a feeling of unconditional goodwill and appreciation, something that should be a regular part of our daily lives, but something we get less and less often. It again brings one dream back to me, and when I see so many precious and wonderful people around me, I believe that this dream can also one day become a reality. In the dream, I imagine Bratislava as a pillar of stability in times of uncertainty. An island of freedom in a sea of populism. A cohesive city full of goodwill, whose citizens realise that the prerequisite for their own satisfaction is that others around them are also satisfied. Who are able stand up for each other, even if freedom and democracy are not exactly what is at stake. Who do not allow intolerance to poison their wells, and who develop their communities with the knowledge that each of them is irreplaceable for the functioning and very fragile ecosystem of the city. When you walk around the city this evening, you’ll see people sitting at coffee, over a drink, and you’ll see children playing carefree on the street or in the square. I love these Bratislava evening moods, and I am aware in them that many people in the world, not even our close neighbours in Ukraine, have them. Let’s protect this!” said the mayor of the capital, Matúš Vallo, on the occasion of the award ceremony.