The city of Zilina paid tribute and honored nine extraordinary people, Zilina natives, that have contributed to development of the city and represented Zilina in many different ways. The celebration, held on January 16, 2009 in the city concert hall Fatra, completed historical year 2008, the year of 800th anniversary of the first written record about Zilina.
Nine personalities were chosen by the cultural-educational board of the city, based on nominations by Zilina citizens, members of the city parliament or institutions. Three persons received Honor Citizenship and six public appreciations were given to other honored persons.
It was a great pleasure for us that three of the honored people had their origin in our community. Two of them received Honor citizenship and one was honored with public appreciation.
1. Art photographer Magdalena Rozsivalova b. Robinsonova in memoriam.
2. Actress and singer Hana Hegerova
The photographer Mrs. Rosivalova, more known as Robinsonova, survived shoa and became one of the founders of modern Slovak photography in after war period. Her works are a part of the New York Museum of Modern Art exhibitions. Mr. Pavel Frankl, the head of the Jewish religious community in Zilina, received the certificate of the Honor citizenship on her behalf.
Well known singer of chansons Hana Hegerova was also honored with the Honor Citizenship but due to the health problems could not participate in the celebration. An audio message from her was played to thank and greet all people present in the concert hall. Her voice took us symbolically back to time the time when she performed at Jilemnicky Theatre in Zilina.
Vojtech Spanyol, a doctor and an ophthalmologist, was honored, among others, with the Public appreciation for his contribution to the city development. He was a founder of an eye clinic in Zilina shortly before WWI and successfully worked as a chief of the clinic almost for four decades. MUDr. Michal Stubna, today’s chief of the ophthalmology, in Zilina received the certificate of the Public appreciation on his behalf.
Jewish religious community Zilina
