Hudson Institute is pleased to host the 2026 annual Czech and Slovak Freedom Lecture.  Established in 2000 as a joint activity of the Czech and Slovak Embassies, the American Friends of the Czech Republic, and Friends of Slovakia to commemorate the Velvet Revolution, the choice of speaker and topic alternates annually between the Czech and Slovak groups. Click here for a list of all previous lectures.   

This year’s speaker is H.E. Andrej Droba, Slovak ambassador to the United States, in one of his first major addresses since assuming his position in November 2025.  In his lecture, "America250 and Slovak–US Relations," Ambassador Droba will celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence and reflect on the enduring partnership between Slovakia and the United States as he looks for opportunities to increase transatlantic cooperation.  

The lecture will be followed by a fireside chat with Matt Boyse, senior fellow, Center on Europe and Eurasia.