​The Unbroken Spirit of 9/11

​An evening of remembrance, testimony, and music honoring the victims, survivors, and first responders of September 11, and the enduring bond between Slovakia and the United States.

​Twenty-five years after September 11, New York continues to embody courage, unity, and resilience. The Unbroken Spirit of 9/11 brings together the Slovak and American communities for an evening of remembrance, reflection, photography, and music honoring those whose lives were forever changed and celebrating the spirit that carried New York forward.

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Program

​6:30 PM | Doors Open

​7:00 PM | Welcome and Opening Remarks
Beatrice Szabóová, Consul General of Slovakia in New York

​Moderated Discussion: Personal Reflections on September 11
A conversation about resilience, unity, and witnessing one of New York City’s defining moments.

• ​Ambassador Andrej Droba — Slovak diplomat serving in New York at the time of the attacks and current Ambassador of Slovakia to the United States

• ​Chief Joe Fox (Ret., NYPD) — 37-year NYPD veteran and former Chief of Brooklyn South and the NYPD Transit Bureau

• ​Paul Martinka — award-winning New York City photojournalist who documented September 11 and its aftermath

• ​Moderator: Lucia Kapogiannopoulos, Slovak PRO

​Musical Remembrance

​Excerpts from Juraj Filas (1955–2021) Requiem: Oratio Spei (Prayer of Hope) dedicated to the victims of terrorism was arranged for soprano, violin and harp, by Jacob Beranek.

​Featuring:

• ​Dr. Marisa Karchin, soprano

• ​Lydia Becker, violin

• ​Amanda Beranek, harp

• ​Jacob Beranek, composer

​Opening of Paul Martinka’s Photography Exhibition

​7:40 PM | Exhibition Viewing & Reception
Slovak wine, light refreshments, and an opportunity to meet the speakers, photographer, and musicians.

​RSVP

​Advance RSVP is required as space is limited.

​Advance registration is required, as space is limited. A $30 suggested contribution serves as your RSVP and supports Slovak PRO Inc. and its work within the Slovak professional community in New York and across North America.

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​About the Photography Exhibition

​Slovakia-born photographer Paul Martinka has spent more than three decades documenting New York City. A New York Post contributor since 2001, he captured the tragedy, courage, solidarity, and resilience of New Yorkers on September 11 and in its aftermath.

​His photography has also appeared in Rolling Stone, People, Vanity Fair, Elle, Time, and Der Spiegel.

​About the Musical Remembrance

​Born in Košice, Slovakia, Juraj Filas composed more than 120 works and received international recognition for his distinctive musical voice. His Requiem Oratio Spei (Prayer of Hope), dedicated to the victims of terrorism, was performed at Carnegie Hall by the Oratorio Society of New York under Kent Tritle. For this September 9, 2026 program, excerpts from Oratio Spei have been arranged by Jacob Beranek for soprano, violin, and harp.

​Special thanks to the Kotyza family and Harmony Foundation for making this musical remembrance possible.

​Organized by the Consulate General of the Slovak Republic in New York in partnership with Slovak PRO.