What are the new EU states really like? Ten representatives, now living in Ireland, tell Rosita Boland about the good and bad things, and give a flavour of their national passions
Slovenia
Name: Duan Doljak
Best thing about your country: We are very proud of our language. In the thousands of years, nobody took it away from us and we are very protective of it
What you don't like about your country: Nothing
National dish: A special cake made with sour cream, that you usually find only in people's houses; you can't buy it
National passion: Skiing and ice-hockey
Your country summed up: Forward-looking
Slovakia
Name: Ján Galbavý
Best thing about your country: The people. They are simple and open
What you don't like about your country: Our people are missing courage. The younger people maybe have enough, but the middle-aged and older do not have enough courage
National dish: A very special sheep's cheese, prepared with noodles and bacon
National passion: Ice-hockey. We won the 2002 World Championships
Your country summed up: Cultural and historical
Estonia
Name: Karmen Laus
Best thing about your country: The people, because they are open to new challenges
What you don't like about your country: The weather. In winter, it's very snowy, very cold and very dark
National dish: For Christmas, black blood sausages. And potatoes with pork and sour cabbage
National passion: Singing. We have big singing folk festivals with up to 30,000 people taking part
Your country summed up: Good-humoured
Cyprus
Name: Toulla Efthymiou
Best thing about your country: Joining the EU, because it will make people more aware of the problems we have been having for the last 30 years
What you don't like about your country: The conflict with Turkey, but hopefully now people will go back to their homes and live happily as before
National dish: Moussaka
National passion: Being Greek. Our flag and our language
Your country summed up: Welcoming
Lithuania
Name: Dima Kopilevic
Best thing about your country: Swimming in the lakes in summer and taking the berries from the wild
What you don't like about your country: Long winters starting in November
National dish: Cold beetroot soup with sour cream. And mashed potatoes with dumplings stuffed with pork or beef
National passion: If you ask a man - basketball. If you ask a woman - clothes
Your country summed up: Independent
Hungary
Name: Maria Kelemen
Best thing about your country: The people. They have a fantastic sense of humour. Even though they were occupied, they have survived and made the best in every situation; they have kept their identity and it wasn't easy
What you don't like about your country: The snobbery of the nouveau riche
National dish: Gulyás, a beef stew with paprika. Every family makes it in a different way
National passion: At the moment - money. Before - new books, new theatre, and being excited about ideas and politics
Your country summed up: The most lovely country but I couldn't live there again
Latvia
Name: Egita Feldberga
Best thing about your country: The beautiful beaches and the amber that we call 'tears of the pine tree'
What you don't like about your country: At the moment, in the countryside, people are depressed because of the lack of work. Most of the work is in Riga
National dish: A sweet and sour bread, between black and white, that you can't get here. And potatoes, pork and sauerkraut
National passion: Dance and singing. Every year, there is a national song and dance competition for a week in Riga
Your country summed up: Developing
Malta
Name: Richard Muscat
Best thing about your country: The historic temples, such as Hagar Qim, which date back 7,000 years and are our real pride. And the sunshine
What you don't like about your country: We don't like discipline too much; we like to stay easy and be free
National dish: Stewed rabbit in sauce in winter, served with pasta, usually spaghetti. Lambuku, a white fish, in summer
National passion: Fiestas - festivals: every town and village makes a week-long festival every year. And hunting for ducks is also a national passion
Your country summed up: A gem
Czech Republic
Name: Miroslav Vilímek
Best thing about your country: The price of beer, because you can have two beers for €1. And that our revolution was peaceful: we found a solution without violence
What you don't like about your country: We don't know how to enjoy life. All the time we are in stress and want to fix things today, right this minute. In Ireland, I learn the meaning of tomorrow
National dish: Nedlo-vepro-zelo - a bread boiled in water and served with sauerkraut and pork. Potato salad and carp at Christmas
National passion: Music. There is a saying that every Czech person is a musician
Your country summed up: Smiling
Poland
Name: Krystyna Pycinska-Taylor
Best thing about your country: Patriotism
What you don't like about your country: The lack of tolerance in general. And Radio Maryja, a radio station run by a priest that is very right-wing, very anti-European, and about which there is something sinister
National dish: Stew based on sauerkraut with pork and sausage, and beetroot soup made with extract of dried mushroom
National passion: In the past, we all liked talking about dollars. Now we are passionate about trying to get a better future. And when the Pope comes to Poland, for those blessed days, we have a big passion for him
Your country summed up: Hopeful