The Visegrad Youth Forum 2017 began with the official opening reception, which was held at the town hall in Banská Bystrica. The reception began with a cultural programme, which included a vocal performance by the participants coordinator Timea Ivanová, a traditional folk dance performance by the folk ensemble Urpín and a violin performance by Patrik Červený, the speakers coordinator of last year’s Visegrad Youth Forum.
Following the cultural programme, Július Tomka, the Governor of the Rotary International District 2240, and Branislav Kováčik, the Dean of the Faculty of Political Science and International Relations of the Matej Bel University both gave their opening speeches. Afterwards, Lucia Kaščáková, the President of the Euro-Atlantic Center gave her opening speech and gave a celebratory toast to officially get this year’s Visegrad Youth Forum underway.
After the reception, the participants had the opportunity to get to know each other during the ice-breaking night.