Spolok rusínskej mládeže Slovenska (Založený v roku 2001 v Prešove)
The Association of Rusyn Youth of Slovakia (Founded in 2001 in Prešov)

Summary/Abstract: The Association of Rusyn Youth of Slovakia, based in Prešov, was founded in 2001 as the very first youth association of Rusyns within the Third Rusyn National Revival on the territory of Slovakia. Its establishment in Prešov was not accidental, as several hundred Rusyns live in the city, and many young people of Rusyn origin have always studied and still study at the faculties of Prešov University in Prešov. The question of establishing an association bringing together Rusyn youth had been discussed for several years, but it only began to take real shape during the 6th World Congress of Rusyns in Prague in 2001. The article describes the activities of the Association of Rusyn Youth of Slovakia, including its involvement in the 2001 census campaign to restore the lost identity of Rusyns in Slovakia. It details the association's early operations from its headquarters in Prešov, its strong membership base in various Rusyn municipalities, and its participation in cultural and national events. Key projects included organizing a "Festival Rusyn Fun" event and actively advocating for the preservation of the Byzantine rite and the use of Old Slavonic in Greek Catholic liturgies, with sermons in codified Rusyn. The association also contributed to youth supplements in Rusyn newspapers, organized summer youth camps and sports activities, and assisted in meetings of the Rusyn Revival. A significant milestone was the establishment of the World Forum of Rusyn Youth during the 7th World Congress of Rusyns in Prešov in 2003, with the Association's chairman, Marek Gaj, elected as its first president. The article concludes by noting that the leadership of the Rusyn youth movement in Slovakia has since been taken over by the civic association Molody Rusiny, formed in Bratislava with the support of the Association of Rusyn Intelligentsia of Slovakia.

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