Outstanding personalities of Bratislava received the Mayor’s Award for 2026

Said the mayor of the capital, Matúš Vallo, who opened the presentation of this year’s awards:

“For me, Bratislava has a personality. The ability to handle today’s challenges and its old traumas. Over the years of living in the city as well as all the years working for it, we have gotten to know each other well. I admire the fact that it is able to be malleable, always ready to rise from the ashes, to change and improve. And I feel even more honoured that I can help with this as mayor and that each year I can also recognise the exceptional personalities of our city. People who contribute to the strength of communities and move us all towards a more tolerant, healthier and more cultured democratic society, towards a society that is no stranger to empathy, solidarity and help, and which is capable of delivering outputs that the whole world looks up to with appreciation."

The award candidates are selected by the mayor of Bratislava together with his advisory board. The individual nominations take into consideration the exceptional contribution of individuals or collectives that shape the capital city and are deserving of attention and, in particular, represent a special thanks for the city’s cultural or social development. The event is organised by the Bratislava Cultural and Information Centre, a city organisation.

List of laureates of the Bratislava Mayor’s Award for 2026:

František Mikloško, for his long-standing battle for religious and civil liberties and for his important contribution to the protection of democracy in Slovakia. His life and work are a rare example of civic engagement, bravery and public service based on respect for humanity.

Peter Lipa and Pavel Daněk, for more than 50 successful years of the Jazz Days festival, which has shaped the Bratislava music scene and has forever linked Bratislava with jazz on a worldwide scale.

Ľubo Šoška, for building an independent cultural space, which has gained an integral place on the Bratislava concert map and for supporting a community of young people united by a love of music, freedom and respect for minorities.

Viliam Dobiáš, for his long years of rescue work and popularising the importance of first aid. As an anaesthesiologist and later a specialist in the field of emergency care, he has saved many lives, despite the difficult conditions of the Slovak healthcare system.

Blanka Lehotská, for protecting the environment and building a relationship with nature through a community event that has been protecting frogs during their spring migration at Železná studienka for 40 years and where generations of Bratislava residents selflessly meet.

Veronika Zuzulová, for representing Slovakia at four Winter Olympics as well as at World Cup races and for her dedication to sport. With the help of her family, she has pushed the boundaries of what we in Slovakia think is possible and showed that even a native of Kamzík can become an alpine skiing legend.

Myroslav Kastran, Ambassador of Ukraine to Slovakia, for building friendly, constructive and partnership relations between Ukraine and Slovakia and for his dedicated service to his homeland, which has been facing brutal Russian military aggression for more than four years with unimaginable human and material losses.

Concluded the mayor of the capital, Matúš Vallo:

“I‘m proud that at a time when the international order based on rules and values is facing a crisis, we in Bratislava have preserved our values and can express them annually through the personalities awarded the Bratislava Mayor’s Award. This year, the list of them has been expanded by eight more exceptional personalities. I thank the Bratislava Cultural and Information Centre for a beautiful and powerful evening at our beloved P. O. Hviezdoslav Theatre."