Slovaks with Righteous among Nations Award

Another 17 Slovaks will be awarded with the title 'Righteous among the Nations', which is given to non-Jews who helped save the lives of Jewish people during WWII, the Israeli Embassy informed media.

The ceremonial award-giving organised by the State of Israel and Jerusalem-based memorial to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust Yad Vashem will take place on February 1 in the historical building of the Slovak Parliament and will be attended by Slovakia's top constitutional representatives. Relatives of the awardees will receive a medal and a honorary diploma from Israeli Ambassador to Slovakia Alexander Ben-Zvi.

"While others were watching with fear or disregard how their Jewish neighbours were disappearing from the houses next to theirs, these [people to be awarded] were building hiding places for them [the Jewish], sharing food with them and bringing them solace every day. While the majority would be silent and avert their eyes, these people were active and saving lives," said Ben-Zvi.

According to him, the acts of the 'Righteous among the Nations' are part of the cultural heritage. "We have to cherish it ... it not only has an immense importance for the people who were saved. To all of us, it sends a message of goodness, humanity and bravery. Righteous among the Nations shows us that salvation is possible even in the worst times," he added.

The awarded Slovaks will have their names inscribed on the Wall of Honour in the Garden of the Righteous at Yad Vashem. So far, over 540 Slovak citizens have received the Righteous Among The Nations accolade, which makes Slovakia a country with one of the highest number per capita to receive the award.