worlddogshow2009

DEAR CANINE FRIENDS,

On behalf of the Slovak Kennel Club I would like to invite you to the FCI World Dog Show 2009 to Bratislava. It is a great honor that after FCI European Dog Show 2003 FCI General Assembly has assigned us to organize year 2009’s most important canine event, right in the heart of Europe - Slovakia. We believe that the organizers will succeed in creating the most pleasant friendly cynological environment not only within EXPO INCHEBA Exhibition grounds but in a wider historical centre of Bratislava as well, so that every participant – exhibitor, judge or visitor will carry the nicest memories, so our slogan

HEART OF EUROPE – TOP OF THE DOGWORLD
can come true.
See you soon in Bratislava!
Štefan Štefík
Slovak Kennel Club, President

WORLD DOG SHOW 2009

Invitation
Granting the WORLD DOG SHOW 2009 organization to our hands is a great honor and wonderful pleasure, yet also an enormous responsibility for the whole course of this significant world-wide event that for the first time is being held in Bratislava, capital of the Slovak republic.
Let me cordially invite all of you – friends, fans, dog lovers, breeders and especially exhibitors – to Bratislava and feel assured that the organizing committee will do everythingto run the show in the competitive atmosphere and according to rules. We will do the best, so that after the show you can leave our city on Danube full of beautiful memories, wonderful experience and especially with your competitive ambitions fulfilled.

I am looking forward to you.

Ľubomír Čechovič
Show Director

vystavny vybor

Slovakia/travel

Official name: the Slovak Republic
Date of establishment: 1 January 1993
Form of government: republic
Political system: parliamentary democracy
Constitutional system: constitutional and legislative power (the National Council of the Slovak Republic), executive power (the President of the Slovak Republic and the Government of the Slovak Republic), judicial power (constitutional court and courts)
Administrative organisation: 8 higher territorial units, 8 regions, 79 districts, 138 cities and towns, 2,883 villages
Regional capitals: Bratislava, Trnava, Nitra, Trenčín, Žilina,Banská Bystrica, Prešov, Košice
Official language: Slovak
Capital: Bratislava (428,672 inhabitants)
Neighbouring countries: Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, Hungary, Austria
Area: 49,035 sq. km
Population: 5,379,455 (out of them 51.4 % of women)
Density of population: 109 sq. km
Large cities and towns: Košice (240,915), Prešov (92,687), Nitra (87,357), Žilina (86,685) Banská Bystrica (84,919), Trnava (70,191), Martin (60,772), Trenčín (58,872), Poprad (55,037), Prievidza (54,405), Zvolen (44,328).
Ethnic mix of the population: Slovaks (85.8 %), Hungarians (9.7 %), Roma (1.7 %), Czechs (0.8 %), Ruthenians, Ukrainians, Russians, Germans, Poles and others (2 %)
Population and their denominations: believers (84.1 %) out of them:Roman Catholic Church (68.9 %), Evangelic Church of Augsburg Confession (6.9 %), Greek Catholic Church (4.1 %), Reformed Christian Church (2 %), unknown (2.2 %), without religious affiliation (13.7 %)

Currency: Slovak crown (koruna), 1 SKK = 100 hellers (halier) from january 1st, 2009: EUR
Membership in international organisations: EU, NATO, OSN, OECD, OSCE, WHO, INTEPOL etc.

Slovakia/travel

www.bratislava.sk

Bratislava Culture and Information Centre
www.bkis.sk

In the 20th century, Bratislava quickly developed into a metropolis with about half a million inhabitants and a leading centre of the economy. Today, Bratislava is one of the most rapidly growing urban regions of Europe.

Bratislava is one of the youngest capitals in Europe and few people know that during the time it was called Pressburg or Pozsony it was one of the most important cities in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It was a mixing pot of various nations and nationalities who lived together in peace and harmony. There is a saying that a true "Pressburgian˝ speaks four languages: Slovak, German, Hungarian and Mishmash. Even as recently as the 1980s you might hear how older Pressburgians in the street would say two words in German, two in Hungarian and two in Slovak all in the space of one sentence. That is what we mean by "mishmash".

Bratislavas location on the banks of the River Danube and at the crossroads of ancient trading routes right at the heart of Europe predestined it to become a meeting point of various cultures. It was the home of the Celts, the Romans, and the Slavs ... The reign of Maria Theresa is regarded as a golden era in the city's history. She was crowned Queen of Hungary in St. Martin's cathedral in Pressburg, just like the 10 other kings and 8 royal partners over the course of 300 years when Pressburg was in fact the capital of the Kingdom of Hungary.

The rich mix of cultures and nations not only left its mark in the language spoken here, but also in the customs, cuisine and lifestyle. Just like the Viennese, the people of Bratislava also enjoy promenading through the streets of the city centre, taking time out for a coffee in any of the many cafes. This part of the city is referred to as the Korzo and combines elegance with charm. Visitors say that the city has a relaxed Mediterranean type atmosphere. Bratislava is a seaside city without the sea.

Nowadays Bratislava is experiencing a boom once more. Buildings are popping up, deals being made, people studying, and everything is on the move. Experts regard it as one of the most dynamically developing and most prospective regions in Europe. It welcomes tourists, business people, and investors, who are attracted to this blooming city and its lively atmosphere. There are many cities in Europe that can boast their own special unique charm, and Bratislava is definitely one of them.