Bratislava

I. Intro

Good morning ladies and gentleman.
I have been asked by management of your agency to brief you the Capital city of the Slovak republic – the place, where you will spend next few days. The first at all, I would like to introduce myself. My name is xxx YYY and I work for Eizo travel agency, which is specialized for visitors from foreign country like you. I will talk approximately 20 minutes and if you will want to interrupt me, please don’t do it during my speech. If you have some question, it will be answered in special part of presentation at the end after the presentation. Please feel free here.

II. Brief my presentation

Now, I would like to begin presenting my presentation. I am great pleasured to brief you about our capital city of Slovakia. My presentation consists of these main points.
Firstly I will focus on place, where you are and I will talk about history od the city and also I will show you some picture from past time of Bratislava. Next point of my presentation will dedicate the present plans and present life in our town and where you may spend your pleasure time. In another part of presentation I will talk about near future plans of the city and city development to one of the most develop town in the central Europe. Finally I will not have to forget recommend you some the most famous places to shop, and of course where you can spend your money, if you will want to buy some presents for your family members. At the tail end of my presentation I will show you the most recommended historical monument, which you have to definitely visit, which I definitely recommend it to you.
I think, that’s all what I have to say about my brief presentation, now let’s talk a few words about history of the capital city of Slovakia.

III. History of the city

You certainly know, that it is the capital city of the Slovak republic. It is estimate distant about 50 km northeast from Vienna. It is the largest town in Slovakia with approximately 500.000 million of inhabitants. It is situated on the banks of river Danube, in the heart of the central Europe, on the borders of three states, Hungarian, Austrian and of course Slovak republic. It also lies at the foothills of the Little Carpathian Mounties. It covers an area of 370 km2
Now let’s talk a few words about history.

The history of our city is very rich. The first settlers were the Celts in the area 2000 years ago. After 1st century the Romans settled Posonium – Pozsony, Hungarian name for Bratislava. During 5th and 6th centuries Slavs moved in Slovakia, they revolting against Avarians and built own state The Great Moravia Empire. Since 895 until 1918 Slavs lived under pressure a foreign power – Hungarian. Turkish invasion changed the capital to Bratislava. Nineteen kings and queens were crowned head in St. Martin Cathedral. In 19th century was the era of Magyarization. After WW I. the Austro-Hungarian empire fell into ruin. Bratislava became a part of Czechoslovakia. Between years 1939 – 1945 was Bratislava a capital of Slovak fascist state. In 1968 Bratislava was become the capital of the Slovak Socialist Federal Republic and since 1st January 1993, when the sovereign Slovak Republic appeared in the map of Europe, Bratislava is its capital as well a young European country. Today it is a big industrial, social, business and political center.

Present time in Bratislava
Bratislava is also an important crossroad of transport. The Danube connects Slovakia with the Black Sea. It is important trunk road from east to west Europe. It has chemical, petrochemical (Slovnaft), engineering, clothing, food industries (Figaro).
Bratislava has an airport with international terminal, railway station and also bus station for international bus links.
If you know Bratislava more, you can also say: „Bratislava is the student's city." Many universities are in Bratislava, for example Academy of Drama and Music, Slovak Technical University, Slovak Chemical University, Slovak Economical University, Comenius University. There are large, modern housing estates with horrible architecture on their places. The best - sadly -known one is Petržalka. It's a concrete jungle but a lot of young couples found their place for living there. So walking around you can see nothing but only tons of concrete. But now Bratislava is changing, almost everywhere grow up new monuments like Slovak’s skyscrapers NBS , VUB etc.
Bratislava has good opportunities for accommodations; there is famous hotel Carlton, which was renovated only a few months ago. If you prefer some special food from foreign kitchens, the most famous restaurants are in downtown, but there are so reach for ordinary Slovaks. In your free time you can visit some very interesting museums. Museums are opened everyday except Monday. Of course you can visit new centers of entertainment, which are situated in big shopping centers on Vajnorska street and Einteinova street. Everyone in Bratislava know them.

Future plans
Let me proceed to the next stage of my presentation. Significant future plan in Bratislava is building the new bridge Kosická across the Danube. This bridge will a part of new promenade on the left bank of river and near by this bridge General Invest of Bratislava is going to build new administrative building and hotels with the highest standard. The erection is financed by Slovak government and European Investment Bank.
Another huge investment is also new highway, which will join highways from Brno and Trenčín. Both building improve traffic safety in the city and give new possibility to built new monuments and new centers in town.
I would like to present you a big monument, which is the oldest building in Slovakia. It is so debating SND building. We have a never-ending problem about financial this project, which had start in 1970’s. The state has spent about Sk3.5 billion (€90 million) trying to complete the SND building.

But there are also any else challenges, which we have to settle up in the near future. We have to solve relevant problem with public mass transportation, where we have spent lot of money to design new systems of traffic. The future public traffic system will consist of high speed tram and so-called duo buses.
Bratislava and also Slovakia has to draw into new investment from abroad. We have competent engineers, which are preparing great projects to invest here.

Shops, culture and free time
Second part of my presentation is devoted to shops, culture and free time. I’m going to inform you on shopping opportunities and culture.
I ´d like to inform you about shopping opportunities, culture events and festivals and give you some useful tips on where to spend time in the evening and several advice on how not to get in trouble.
First – shopping. Bratislava has several large shopping malls, all located near the center and accessible by car or public transport – AUPARK across the river from the Old Town and POLUS on Vajnorska Street, or AVION shopping park near the airport. They all have a variety of shops of all kinds, restaurants and multiplex cinemas. For Slovak wines, try the wine shop TRUNK on Zupne Square (near Michael’s Gate

One of the reasons, why Bratislava is dreamt town for so many young people, is the opportunity for entertainment. Except a number of disco or
cinemas (Tatra, Hviezda, I-Max, Istropolis etc.) you can go to visit some
theatre e.g. SND containing The Small Stage, The New Stage, The Studio of the New Stage, The Studio S and The Slovak Philharmonic. Another theatres are The Small Stage, The Studio S, Astorka, The Studio L+S, West. Reduta is home the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, it’s situated near the Danube. Not far is Slovak National Gallery. Bratislava has some traditions in trade, the best known are : Incheba of chemical industry, Coneco, Flora. Also the following cultural events are Bratislava’s Biennale and Bratislava Music Festival.
For better orientation in the center you can ask some information in our Bratislava Information Center on Klobucnicka street near the Main Square..
Recommended see sights

Slovakia is a beautiful country with many interests and rarities situated on the relatively small place. And that’s the reason why is Slovakia interesting for many foreign tourists. According to my opinion the most interesting places in Slovakia are for example Bratislava castle, Old Town Hall (this building belongs to the oldest buildings in Slovakia), Cathedral of St. Martin (place where Maria Theresa was crowned) and many many more. The only thing that stayed as a memory of large walls around the town is Michael's gate. Michael´s gate is the recognizable symbol Old Tower. Another historical monuments are Námestie SNP – Slovak National Uprising Square, there were a trio of giant bronze statues from communism area, Grassalkovich palace – the residence our president. One of the greatest monument of city is certainly Bratislava castle with well-known four towers and huge eventful history. It was built in 15th century, Bratislava castle has towers 885 meters over the river Danube, and in each century it was rebuilt. In 18 century the castle was changed to representative royal residence. Later there were casern and in year 1811 the castle burnt out.

Until the year 1953 castle run riot, when the renovation was started. Now there is residence Slovak National Council and Government and in 1960 was there installed National Museum in Bratislava, exponents in cover the history of the castle and early Slovak history. National Theatre was built in 1884-1886. Near the Danube is Jewish Museum, founded in 1991, there is five rooms inside. In rooms are documents the history of Jews of Slovakia. The dominant of Bratislava is also Slavín- military cementery of soldiers, who died in WW II. Devín Castle is the neighbors Bratislava’s castle. Its site was already inhabited in prehistoric times. At the time of Great Moravia Empire, it was called Downia. Devín is a symbol of Slavic brotherhood and the struggle of the Slovaks for freedom national independence in the first half of the 19th century. It is the remains of an ancient castle overlooking the point where the River Morava flows into the Danube. Devín Castle was destroyed in 1809 by Napoleon´s army. Today the Castle is renovated.

Conclusion
Summing up
Finally, may I remind you of some of the main points we are considered.
Bratislava is also called the Belle of the Danube. It is the one of the most up-grade city in the middle Europe. It is an ancient city with old roots in its old history, which is reaching more than 2000 years ago. It is the seat of the Slovak President and government institutions, such as the National Council of the Slovak republic of Parliament, the Government of the Slovak Republic, ministries, embassies and other important offices. There are many various resources for cultural life. Bratislava has emerged to become one of the most dynamic cities of central Europe. Bratislava is preparing business climate for invest money for home companies.

Finally, I’d like to draw your attention to guided tours and guidebooks, which might help you to gain deeper knowledge about our Capital city. You can also visit our web site on Internet, URL is www.bratislava.sk.

Now, you have good opportunity to ask me for answer for your questions. I try to be helpful for your question prepared during my speech, during my presentation. I hope, that my answers will help you with your orientation in our capital city. Do you have any final question?
If no, I would like to thank you all for being such an attentive audience. You were very polite audience and I trust, that your staying here and your feeling will enjoyable and full of new experience. I wish you a nice day according your special program there.
Good-bye. Lenin.