Nashville might one day have a sister village in Eastern Europe. But for now, it has a new acquaintance, at least.
Four visitors from Slovakia attended the Nov. 16 Nashville Town Council meeting. The visit was arranged by Lt. Col. Bradley Compton, director of international programs for the Indiana National Guard.
Over the past 25 years, after the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, the U.S. Department of Defense has developed a working relationship with the militaries of former communist nations, Compton said.
The partnership between Indiana and Slovakia is one of the oldest ones, begun in 1994, he said. It started as a military-to-military partnership but has branched off into civilian areas as well. For instance, Indiana University’s School of Education is conducting visits with the Slovak Ministry of Education, he said.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]A connection between Indiana and Slovakia already existed in Nashville. About nine years ago, Tim Conboy of New Life Community Church hosted a Slovakian exchange student who now works for the country’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Conboy said.
Balazs Grman; Jozef Grman, the major of Kamenin, Slovakia; his wife, Tereza; and family friend, Bence, brought flags as well as a bronze sculpture to give to the town council. Balazs Grman translated a message to the council from his father.
Slovakia was once part of Czechoslovakia before the Slovakia seceded in 1993. Kamenin, Slovakia is about 40 miles north of Budapest, Hungary.
Grman pointed out similarities between Kamenin and Nashville: Both have a population of about 1,500 (Nashville’s is about 1,000), a preserved natural area and artisans, and Kamenin is “very much into keeping traditions we have in our small town.”
Grman said he was “taken away by the beauty” of Nashville.
“We would like to deepen our cooperation, and, too, maybe, I am sure, our citizens would be very glad to come and visit the city of Nashville. And, of course, we would be very happy if you would also come and see our town and to build some relationships in the future,” Grman translated for his father.
Council President “Buzz” King presented the mayor with a paintbrush made of glass and posed for photos with the visitors.
“We are very honored and proud that you’re here,” King said.
Nashville currently has no sister cities, Town Manager Scott Rudd said.
He said it’s undetermined right now what kind of relationship could blossom here, but the idea is to “help the state and our community.”
