27 true Europeans
During the EU’s 50th Anniversary in Berlin in March 2007, Martin was selected into the EU-Panorama of “27 true Europeans“ representing Slovakia.
From March 22 through June 30, 2007, when Germany’s EU Council presidency ends, the EU Panorama “27 True Europeans” will be on view in the civic plaza in front of the Paul Loebe House (opposite the Federal Chancellery). On its outside, the “27 True Europeans” installation conveys the development of the European Union (EU) in historical and contemporary quotes by public figures in politics, business and the arts. On the inside, the portraits and biographies of 27 Europeans from all EU member states give the political union a human face.
A young Slovakian entrepreneur is using tourism to build his business
Martin Sloboda was always passionate about showing his home country of Slovakia to visitors
from elsewhere in Europe. Now he has turned his passion into a business and has set up a tourism firm.
Martin Sloboda knows what it takes to impress people when showing them his native city and country.
It began when he took a part-time job as a tour guide while studying German and English.
However, this dynamic young man quickly realised that Bratislava and Slovakia needed to be presented in
a much more targeted manner than was previously the case if they were to be taken seriously as a European tourist destination. So he combined his communication skills, linguistic talent, an obvious assion
for photography and organizational ability by forming his own firm called MS Agency. "I introduce Slovakia to other Europeans" says the fashion- conscious Sloboda (born March 14, 1974)."In practice, my company is both a publisher of travel and guide books as well as a tour-guide company and events agency."Sloboda's firm offers everything from picture postcards to convenient pocket city and travel guides as well as organizing all kinds of events for firms - basically, anything that brings the visitor closer
to Slovakia.
For quite a while, Sloboda has been the first port of call for the German embassy and other countries when it comes to guiding presidents, prime ministers and other dignitaries around the Slovakian capital and country.However, he still finds time to take most of the photographs that are used in his books on Slovakia.The fact that he is constantly showing journalists around his country has made Sloboda quite well known in his own right. After a programme about him was shown on German television, a steady flow
of tourists made their way to Slovakia to enjoy the tours with the "nice man from the television."
The 33-year-old, who speaks fluent German and English, is always passionate and optimistic when talking about his plans and future and he regards the opening up of Europe as a huge opportunity."In my view,
the borders have practically disappeared" he says. "I can travel everywhere with my passport."Sloboda
is old enough to remember that when he was a youth the Iron Curtain was still in place and located not far from Bratislava. His tourism business is only possible because of the opening up of Europe's borders.
"Even the travelling times have got much, much shorter," he says happily. "The actual distance has remained the same but it's easier and quicker to cross borders."
