Šaľa launched the “Šaľa – Healthy City” project with an Opening Conference and a Healthy Lifestyle Festival

On Friday, September 25, 2026, the city of Šaľa officially launched the “Šaľa – Healthy City” project, which is being implemented as part of the Swiss-Slovak Health Program.

The event began with a professional conference, which was opened at 2:00 p.m. by the mayor of Šaľa, Mgr. Jozef Belický. The mayor praised the work of everyone who contributed to the project’s preparation and emphasized that the city has high hopes for this educational initiative that brings together multiple sectors.

The presentation of the project’s pillars was followed by a series of expert lectures featuring Doc. MUDr. Adela Penesová, PhD., Doc. Mgr. PaedDr. Erika Jurišová, PhD., and Mgr. Monika Budaiová. Representatives from the Embassy of the Swiss Confederation in the Slovak Republic, the Permanent Mission of the Slovak Republic to the United Nations in Geneva, and the Ministry of Investment, Regional Development, and Informatization of the Slovak Republic also accepted the invitation to the conference.

At 4:00 p.m., the Health Festival in the pedestrian zone followed the professional conference; which was opened to the public by Ing. Jana Nitrayová, head of the Šaľa City Office. Children took part in a festival scavenger hunt, firefighters and the city police showcased their equipment, and a police academy was organized for the youngest visitors. Visitors could try their hand at first aid training, test their balance, undergo health screenings, participate in activities organized by local sports clubs, or vote for an exclusive healthy beverage from Šaľa’s cafés. The festival was organized in collaboration with the Regional Public Health Authority in Nitra, the National Screening Center, SKLON—Slovak Coalition of People with Obesity and Overweight, the Local Red Cross Society, the Šaľa Counseling and Prevention Center, the Šaľa Leisure Center, the Šaľa Youth Parliament, the Šaľa–Veča Volunteer Fire Department, the Šaľa Municipal Police, the District Police Department, FK Slovan Duslo Šaľa, the Taekwon Martial Arts Club – I.T.F. Šaľa, HŠK Legends Šaľa, City Beer, and City Cafe.

The city is implementing the project in collaboration with the Regional Public Health Authority, elementary schools, sports clubs, senior centers, and other local partners. A running track with a landing area will be built on the grounds of the Ľudovít Štúr Elementary School, which will also be open to the public, and a modular pump track will be added to the forest park. These investments will be complemented by community activities, such as “Sports Thursdays,” “Healthy Back” exercise sessions, the “Healthy Snack” program, school garden plots, and a campaign to promote drinking tap water.