NOTE: This guest post was written by Morgan McMichen. Morgan is a graduate student at the Seton Hall School of Diplomacy and International Relations. Her specializations are in International Organizations and Global Negotiations and Conflict Management. Morgan’s interests are the function of international institutions in a global society and negotiation as a means of deterring conflict among multinational actors.
On October 24, 2017, the Slovak National Folklore Ballet, Lúčnica, performed at the General Assembly on the occasion of the 72nd UN Day. The concert was sponsored by the Permanent Mission of the Slovak Republic to the United Nations and theme was “Potential in Diversity.” Both Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed and President of the General Assembly Miroslav Lajčák spoke about the accomplishments of the UN over the past 72 years with special attention paid to the richness of diversity in multi-lateral cooperation. In the same tone, Michal Mlynár, Permanent Representative of the Slovak Republic and Alison Smale, Under-Secretary-General for Communication welcomed the Slovak artistic ensemble in what amounted to an evening of vibrant color, high endurance, and pure amazement.
Though there was no need of convincing spectators of its grandeur, this event was especially important to me…not only for my admiration of the UN, but because I had the honor of carrying out the national reign as Miss Czech-Slovak US Queen from 2014-2015. The Miss Czech-Slovak US pageant is a heritage-based pageant that was created in the 80’s and designed for American women aged 16-26 of Czechoslovakian (now Czech or Slovak) decent to serve as “cultural ambassadors” and showcase their love for their heritage and ancestral homeland. The pageant is structured much like any other pageant with interview questions and a talent representation, though these categories are centered around the Czech and Slovak Republics, the contestant’s personal lineage, and their personality. In place of a swimsuit, contestants model their “kroj” or ethnic dress that can be based on that of their ancestral village as each village in both Republics have a distinct costume.
Morgan McMichen as Miss Czech-Slovak US
My ancestors came to the United States at a time when the two Republics were united as one and known as Czechoslovakia. In fact, Czechoslovakia existed for almost 100 years and fell under communist rule from 1948 until the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, which coincidentally was the day I was born. Czechoslovakia peacefully dissolved into two republics formally in 1993, and although my family is from the Czech side, I support my Slovak brothers and sisters as we share a plethora of history, customs and traditions, and furthermore, the two countries are still considered “best friends.” Though, as National Queen, I had a chance to visit both Republics in 2015 and attend the largest folk festival in all of Slovakia, I had never seen Lúčnica, so this was a dream come true! The evening was filled with world renowned folk dancing, a true treasure of the “Czechoslovak” culture, with beautiful kroje from villages all the way in the High Tatras to the central lowlands and out to the borders. The dances echoed the daily life of hunting, farming, textile making, and even courtship and marriage. It was undoubtedly a “sight to see” for all in attendance and was a true cultural representation that could reach everyone with no need for translation.
The performance inspired me to reflect on the contributions of the Czechs and Slovaks in my home country, the United States. Diverse contributions from all immigrants, refugees, and expats are truly what makes the US great-just as all diverse groups globally make the world great. That is why I believe the theme for the evening’s event, “Potential in Diversity” could not have been any more appropriate. In reality, we are all much more alike than we are different. It is our differences that make us beautiful, strong, and balanced. Thank you, Lúčnica for showcasing the beautiful culture of my ancestral “brother country”, Slovakia, and a big THANK YOU to the United Nations for serving the world for 72 years. Cheers to many more!
Morgan McMichen with Seton Hall Alum Sabina Sabados-UNICEF, Office of the Executive Director
To watch the performance by Lúčnica at the General Assembly, click here.