Slovenian minority member receives Hungarian state decoration
Szentgotthard, 10 January - Ilona Bartakovič, an active member of the Slovenian minority in Hungary, has received the Hungarian state decoration for years of effort in preserving Slovenian culture and language in Hungary.
Szentgotthard, Hungary
Retired kindergarten teacher Ilona Bartakovič received Hungarian state decoration.
Photo: Ferenc Suto
The long-serving kindergarten teacher from Szentgotthard was honoured for her dedicated and selfless participation in the Slovenian community. She received the award at a ceremony in Budapest in December.
Bartakovič dedicated her career to Slovenian kindergarten children in Szentgotthard and remains active at the kindergarten even after retiring in 2019 following 40 years of service.
"When I come to the kindergarten, I forget about everything else. I love to play with children, I love to learn Slovenian with them and I love to find new tasks that bring new knowledge," she told the STA.
Bartakovič said she was happy to receive the award. "It feels good because I believe this is what we should be doing, being an example to others .... I am happy to be a part of the Slovenian community and that we get along well."
She also serves as the president of the Slovenian National Self-Government and sings in the community's chamber choir.