| Volume VIII |
|
September 2000
|
Message from The Ambassador
Dear readers,
Upon my arrival in Washington three years ago, one of my main goals included improving the relationship between our Embassy and the community of Czechs residing in America. This summer I had two unique opportunities to observe that the Czech community in the United States is alive and well.
This past July, I attended a festival in Wilber, Nebraska. There, twenty thousand young people (both Czechs and Americans) gathered to elect Miss Czech-America. The town danced to both rock-and-roll and polka rhythms in the evening, and many gathered for mass at St. Wenceslas church in the morning. Clearly, Czech presence in America is not a thing of the past. An increasing number of young Czechs come to the U.S. to study and to work. They are capable, learn fast, and are unburdened by the past. There is also a large number of young Americans who are interested in our country. Some of them are embracing their Czech heritage, while others spent time in Prague and want to stay in touch with the Czech community and its culture. The dialogue of these young people represents the future of Czech-American relations.
At the beginning of August, I had the opportunity to address the 20th congress of The Society of Arts and Sciences (SVU), the organization representing the living tradition of Czechs abroad. This high-powered gathering in Washington, DC was the host to many erudite presentations by both established personalities and promising young scholars, including distinguished guests from the Czech Republic. I do not see SVU running out of objectives any time soon. For example, there is a great need for a fund that would provide systematic support for Czech students and academic exchanges. Another major challenge is to promote greater awareness of Czech history and presence among the American public. I was also pleased that the idea of erecting a statue of the founder of Czechoslovakia, T. G. Masaryk, in Washington, DC was taking hold in the discussions in the Congress’ corridors.
SVU Congress in Washington a Success
The Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences held its 20th Congress August 9-13 on the campus of The American University, who co-organized the event. An estimated four hundred scholars and guests from the United States and abroad convened to discuss a vast array of issues, dominated by the central theme of the Congress, “Civil Society and democracy into the New Millennium.”
In his highly anticipated lecture, Speaker of the House of the Parliament of the Czech Republic and former Prime Minister, Vaclav Klaus presented an in-depth analysis of the economic transformation of the Czech Republic over the last ten years. He found the Central Bank policy to be a main factor for recent failures in the Czech economy. Vice Chairman of the Czech Senate Petr Pithart focused on human rights, while the second representative of the Czech Senate, Ms. Jaroslava Moserova discussed sensitive issues of relations between the Czech Republic and Czechs abroad. Slovakia’s Deputy Minister Pal Csaky also addressed the audience during the opening ceremony. Cultural cooperation with Czechs abroad was also touched upon by Martin Vavra, Chief of Staff of the Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic, who relayed Foreign Minister Jan Kavan’s greetings as well. Other outstanding dignitaries and active participants included Ambassador of the Czech Republic Alexandr Vondra, and Ambassador of the Slovak Republic Martin Butora. Revitalization and the role of the Consolidation Bank in the Czech Republic was discussed by Petr Gandalovic, Consul General from New York.
According to SVU President Mila Rechcigl, the Congress was far from being merely an exchange of opinion between different “schools of thought.” A panel on environmental issues, for example, immediately launched the efforts of establishing partnerships between Czech and American scholars. Rechcigl commended both the surprisingly high number of young participants, as well as the mutual tolerance and respect amongst the speakers. Complemented by an exciting and culturally rich agenda, the 20th Congress of the Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences can be recognized as one of the most successful of its type for its scholastic results and effective programming.
SVU has been in existence for over forty years. Since its inception in 1958, the Society has grown into a respected international organization. Although the Society initially functioned almost exclusively in the West, ever since the 1989 Velvet Revolution, it has expanded its activities to the Czech and the Slovak Republics. The Society was organized at the initiative of Czech and Slovak intellectuals living abroad, at a time when the communist regime in Czechoslovakia had repudiated the country's historical traditions and suppressed free expression. The SVU wants to provide a forum for free development of Czech and Slovak culture in exile, while making the world aware of the cultural traditions of these nations.
Jumpstarting Czech NGOs
Philanthropy and other non-profit activities have a long tradition in the Czech Republic that was stifled during the decades of communist rule. Even if the tradition survived, sources of funding were not readily available in the impoverished economy. Recently the participants of the 20th SVU Congress in Washington heard that the Czech Republic broke new ground in solving this problem. The paper by Steven Boyd Saum entitled "Making World History in Philanthropy: Creation of The Czech Foundation Investment Fund" describes an original attempt at jumpstarting the non-profit sector.
Leaders in the foundation community credit Tomas Jezek, then the Czech minister of privatization, who in 1991 spearheaded the idea of setting aside one percent of the shares from every joint stock company in the voucher privatization into an entity that would eventually become Foundation Investment Fund. The shares were duly set aside, but then the process ground to a halt that would last several years. With every passing year the danger that the fund’s assets would be diverted into the government’s general revenue increased. Only in 1997 was a plan developed in which the state would distribute money directly to several proven foundations, who would then administer the resources and act as grant-making institutions to smaller NGOs. In the first round in 1999 CZK 0,5 billion (over USD 13 million) were distributed to 39 foundations, selected by an independent panel and approved by the parliament. More than twice as much money is slated for the next round. The idea of foundations pooling the resources to obtain better return on capital is being discussed.
In the words of a foundation official, "it’s unique and will remain
unique. The only time to do this was the few heady months after the Revolution.
No Eastern European government would try it now."
IMF, WB to Convene in Prague
Organizing the regular autumn Annual Meetings of the Board of Governors of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group for the year 2000 in Prague in September doubles as an honor for the Czech Republic as well as a major challenge. That the Czech Republic has been chosen as host also can also be regarded as an appreciation of the results achieved toward developing a strong democracy and a market economy since 1989.
The first Annual Meetings of the Board of Governors of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group (IMF/WB) took place in Washington in the autumn of 1946, two years after the United Nations conference in the Northern American town of Bretton Woods, where these prestigious organizations were established. At that time, the ministers of finance and governors of central banks of the forty-four founding member countries of the IMF/WB were principally focused on completing the new post-war "stability architecture" of the international monetary system.
One year later, in 1947, the Annual Meetings took place in Europe, specifically, London. However, the following autumn the Board of Governors once again convened in their capital city of Washington, D.C. Even though the ministers of finance and governors of central banks then gradually held their meetings in other major cities - Paris and Mexico City - it was not until 1953 that a decision was made to hold every third Annual Meeting outside Washington, in a member country.
The Annual Meetings have thus far only taken place in nineteen cities around the world. Prague will be the twentieth city, where the Board of Governors will meet for their fifty-fifth meeting.
About 18,000 government officials, private bankers and journalist are about to arrive in Prague for the Meetings. The city of Prague spent 60 million USD to renovate the Palace of Culture where the Meetings will take place. The government is spending USD 25 million on transportation, staff and security, since 20,000 to 40,000 protesters are counted on to appear. These expenses are expected to pay off in the increased interest of foreign investors in the aftermath of the Meetings.
President Vaclav Havel took the lead in organizing a discussion meeting
with the opponents of globalization and the policies of the two institutions.
According to the President's Office, the meeting of the representatives
of the two opposing sides will take place at Prague Castle on September
23, three days before the annual session opens.
Sokols Celebrate in Prague
About 25,000 men and women, members of the Sokol Association from around the world, performed mass calisthenics at Prague's Strahov stadium at the two?day 13th Sokol festival traditionally called "slet". Almost 20,000 Sokol members from the Czech Republic and abroad marched along Prague's streets to the music of many brass bands. The event included performances of all age groups, from the smallest children playing with their parents, through schoolchildren, men and women, all the way to the oldest, the faithful guard. Some of the elderly participated in the last slet before the organization was banned in 1948. The 1948 slet turned into a mass protest against the rising communist regime, and Sokol was banned shortly thereafter.
Sokol was founded in mid-19th century. In the time of the Czech national
reawakening under the Austrian empire Sokol has played a major nation-building
role. Many Sokols sacrificed their lives fighting the Nazi German occupation
during the Second World War, and they were among the strongest opponents
against communism. Many fled to the US after 1948 and Sokol is still active
in many American communities, having attracted members beyond the Czech
ethnic. The first Sokol slet after the fall of communism took place in
Prague in 1994. At present, Sokol organizations all over the world have
about 250,000 members of whom 180,000 make up the Sokol community in the
Czech Republic.
Conference of Czechs Living Abroad
Representatives of all organizations, societies, and clubs are invited to join the second international conference of Czechs living abroad. This pivotal conference for Czechs will take place in Prague from September 30 until October 5, 2000 under the aegis of President Vaclav Havel, working in close cooperation with the Parliament of the Czech Republic, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Charles University. The conference is part of a wider project known as the "Prague - European City of Culture 2000".
A similar conference of Czech organizations and societies from abroad, entitled "Week of Czechs Abroad," was held two years ago. The upcoming discussions are intended to serve as a workshop for active representatives of such organizations, aiming to improve mutual cooperation between themselves and the Czech Republic. The conference also resolves to develop common strategies on certain projects, such as the preservation of Czech heritage abroad, support for Czech studies, cultural exchange, and other relevant issues.
For further information contact: Ms. Katerina Riley, PP Production,
Svedska 21, 150 00 Prague 5, Czech Republic, telephone: 4202-57 32 50 41-3,
fax: 4202-57 32 50 40, e-mail: pp.production@volny.cz, or the Cultural
Section of the Embassy of the Czech Republic, Ivan Dubovicky, telephone:
(202) 274-9114.
New Book on Czechs Abroad
"Cesi za hranice na prelomu 20. a 21. stoleti" (Czechs Abroad on the
Break of the 20th and 21st Century) is the title of the newly published
book edited by Karel Hruby and Stanislav Broucek. Published in Czech, it
is a result of 1998's Week of Czechs Abroad symposium that was held in
Prague. The book comprises more than thirty studies on both the history
and the contemporary issues related to Czechs living throughout the world.
The studies were originally presented at the symposium by representatives
of Czech organizations from abroad, as well as various scholars in the
field.
339 pp., US $ 22 + SH. To order contact: Univerzita Karlova v Praze,
Nakladatelstvi Karolinum, Ovocny trh 3, 116 36 Praha 1, Czech Republic.
Tel.: 004202-2449 1265-275; fax: 004202-2421 2041; e-mail: distribuce@ruk.cuni.cz.
News Digest
A Czech-based software maker Tiny Software landed a small but significant deal this month that founders hope will catapult the company into the limelight. With the help of its Silicon Valley sales and marketing team, Tiny, the developer of firewall and router software, closed a deal with the U.S. Navy Air Systems group that has greater impact as a foot in the door than on the revenue side of the books. While this deal is small, it's a major stepping stone to further big-ticket deals with the U.S. military.
The deal has led to Tiny being a runner in an Air Force deal for thousands of licenses. Firewall software, designed to keep intruders out of a computer system or server, is one of the fastest-growing parts of the software market. WinRoute Pro, the company's premier product, offers the ability to log all traffic in and out of a server inside the firewall as well as a stealth mode, which effectively makes the existing network invisible to hackers.
Founded in 1997 in Plzen, West Bohemia, by Czech entrepreneur Roman
Kasan, Tiny counts among the users of its WinRoute firewall and router
software the U.S. Embassy in Berlin; U.S. consulate offices in Israel and
New York; a number of schools within the University of California system;
the Humboldt County Superior Court; Boulder City Hospital in Colorado;
and even the Girl Scouts of America. With a team of 15 developers based
in Plzen and a sales and marketing force of 10 people in Silicon Valley,
Tiny hopes the high-profile success will generate further deals.
Regions Awake to Foreign Investment
The end of the 1990s witnessed a turn-around in the Czech Republic's attitude towards regional development, as local authorities began to compete with one another to provide premises and plots for both foreign and domestic investors.
In 1998 a system of investment incentives got up and running; first issued by decree, and then coming into effect in extended form via a law in May 2000. Since that time, the activities of CzechInvest, the state's investment promotion agency, have begun to meet with more understanding from the representatives of individual municipalities. A very important part of any foreign investment policy is of a regional character and the law on investment incentives was a great step forward. In regions where the need to get involved was recognized early on, such as the Beroun region where the first industrial zones were established in 1992, foreign investors have already created thousands of jobs.
The volume of foreign direct investment into the Czech Republic between
1990 and 1999 amounted to about USD 16.7 billion (or Kc 517.7 billion),
according to the Czech National Bank. Besides those in the Beroun region,
the most successful zones include Borska Pole in Plzen and Kladno-Krocehlavy.
Other regions - in particular those which can least afford it, are finding
it difficult to catch up. As a result, the System for Supporting the Development
of Industrial Zones was implemented by the government in 1999. Thanks to
the System, which is intended to subsidize the preparation of areas for
investment in industrial production, zones have been mushrooming all over
the country. CzechInvest has recorded over 100 such zones in the Czech
Republic.
Three Breweries Merge To Form Giant
The Czech Republic's leading brewery Plzensky Prazdroj (or Pilsner Urquell)
announced a merger with two other Czech breweries. The merger, which was
approved at the annual shareholders' meetings of the three companies, will
create a brewing giant under the control of South African Breweries (SAB)
which owns 51 percent of the companies. The new organization, which will
retain Plzensky Prazdroj's name, will be officially registered on August
31. It will control more than 40 percent of the Czech beer market, but
has been given the green light by the Czech anti-monopoly office. South
African Breweries bought its 51 percent stake in the three Czech companies
for $321 million in October last year. It retains the option to purchase
the remaining 49 percent owned by Japan's Nomura for 308 million dollars
before June 2001.
Consortia Line Up for Wireless Licenses
The race for three coveted 26GHz licenses in the Czech Republic is intensifying as operators from across Europe and North America pair up to sweeten their bids. According to legal experts close to the action, between eight and 10 consortia have come together to vie for the tender, adding a host of players to the field of 27 that have already paid the Kc 100,000 fee to participate in the tender.
Three licenses will be handed out by the Czech Telecommunications Office (CTU), and the point-to-multipoint fixed wireless access network will allow operators to offer a wide array of broadband services including high-speed data transfer, Internet access, telecommunications services and video conferencing. Initially CTU had planned to hand out the licenses on a first-come first-served basis, but the intense interest forced a rethink earlier this year, resulting in a tender.
On August 15 was the deadline for telecommunications companies to hand
in their bids for a tender for three licenses for FWA networks in the 26
GHz band. CTU told reporters that 13 companies had applied for the license.
Experts say the tender is more important than last years' selection of
the third mobile telephone operator or the granting of UMTS licenses later
this year.
Government to Delay Telecom Sale Method
Czech government agreed on July 19 to postpone a decision on the form of privatization of fixed-line monopoly Cesky Telecom until September. The deadline for the decision was originally set for end-June. Finance Ministry's spokesman press that the delay was caused by a slower than expected selection of advisers and formation of a government commission preparing the sale. He also said the postponement should not cause a delay in the sale itself. The Czech state holds a 51.1 percent stake in Telecom. JP Morgan and local bank Komercni Banka advise the government on the sale. Dutch telecoms group Koninklijke KPN NV , the leading member of consortium TelSource, which controls 33.5 percent in Cesky Telecom, has declared an interest in raising its holding in the company.
The lower house of the Czech parliament approved on July 14 an amendment to the central bank law that includes several controversial clauses, some of which the bank says may limit its independence. The deputies approved a floor amendment under which all seven central bank board members would be proposed to the president by the government, while they are currently chosen solely by the president. Deputies also voted to make the bank's operating budget subject to parliamentary approval, which the bank says may lead to political pressure. Other provisions direct the bank to seek an agreement with the government on setting inflation targets and the foreign exchange regime, changes which the bank agrees with. The house however rejected a amendment under which it could reject the bank's semi-annual monetary report to parliament. It also voted down a vague measure which would force the bank to consult significant monetary decisions with the cabinet. Another provision changed the bank’s stated mission from safeguarding the stability of the currency to that of prices, which was acceptable on its merit, but in collision with the constitution. The cabinet approved an amendment to the constitution on August 23 which would drop the central bank's aim of currency stability from the country's basic law.
The central bank law was vetoed by the Senate because of this discrepancy
but also clauses which critics say may limit the bank's independence. The
Lower House will vote on the measure again and is widely expected to override
the Senate veto.
Business Digest
Miloslav Rechcigl, Jr. made his mark as a researcher and science administrator, mainly in the fields of biochemistry, nutrition, and international development. Dr. Rechcigl is also known for his leadership role in the Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences (SVU), of which he is the current president.
He is a native of Mlada Boleslav, Czechoslovakia, who has lived in the US since 1950. He studied at Cornell University, receiving his B.S., M.N.S., and Ph.D. degrees, specializing in biochemistry, nutrition, physiology, and food science.
He conducted research at the National Institute of Health and the National Cancer Institute. In 1970 he joined the Agency for International Development, where he eventually became Director, with the responsibility of reviewing, administering and managing the agency's research. He is either the author or editor of over thirty books and handbooks in the field of biochemistry, physiology, nutrition, food science & technology, agriculture, and international development.
Apart from his purely scientific endeavors as a researcher and science administrator, Dr. Rechcigl devoted almost 40 years of his life to the Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences (SVU). He was responsible for the Society’s first two World Congresses, both of which were a great success, putting the Society on the world map. Prior to his current term as the SVU President, he held similar posts many times in the past. In 1999, in conjunction with President Havel's visit to Minnesota, he organized a memorable conference at the University of Minnesota on "Czech and Slovak America: Quo Vadis?".
Rechcigl was significant in establishing the National Heritage Commission, with the aim of preserving Czech and Slovak cultural heritage in America. Under its aegis, he has undertaken a comprehensive survey of Czech-related historic sites and archival material in the US. He has already compiled a tentative listing, entitled "Czech-American Historic Suites, Monuments, and Memorials." Among historians, Dr. Rechcigl is well known for his studies on the history, genealogy, and bibliography of American Czechs and Slovaks. A number of his publications deal with the early immigrants from the Czechlands and Slovakia, including the migration of Moravian Brethren to America. In the last few years he has been working on the cultural contributions of American Czechs and Slovaks. A selection of his biographical portraits of prominent Czech-Americans from the 17th century to date has been published in Prague this year, under the title Postavy nasi Ameriky (Personalities of our America).
In 1991, on the occasion of its 100th anniversary, the Czechoslovak
Academy of Sciences awarded him the Hlavka Memorial Medal. In 1997 he received
a newly established prize "Gratias agit" from the Czech Minister of Foreign
Affairs. In 1999, on the occasion of President Vaclav Havel's visit to
the US, President Havel awarded him the Presidential Memorial Medal.
booknote: Good Soldier Svejk
Josef Svejk, the hero of the most famous Czech war novel, is universally known among Czech people. His likeness adorns many a pub and intellectuals still argue whether the book is trash, the work of a genius, or just a poor example of the nation. Svejk, or The Fateful Adventures of the Good Soldier Svejk During the World War, as the full title reads, has been translated into 54 languages since its appearance in 1923. Although it has been available in English since the 1960's, it is not very well known in the English speaking world.
Until recently, Zenny K. Sadlon and Mike Joyce were reporters in the Chicago bureau of Voice of America. After an unfortunate cutback in which they both lost their jobs, the two men decided to re-translate The Good Soldier Svejk in an "artistic crusade" to elevate its stature to the position it deserves. They believe that the obscurity of the novel is the fault of a clumsy English translation done almost forty years ago, and that the new version will do justice to the story and its author, making it less of a ponderous read.
Jaroslav Hasek was born in Prague in 1883. The works from his extensive literary career include short stories and poems, as well the editing of anarchist publications. Hasek always had a taste for practical jokes. Calling themselves the Party of Modest Progress Within the Limits of the Law, he and a couple of his drinking partners ran for parliament in 1911. The Good Soldier Svejk grew out of the author's experience in the First World War, during which he managed to fight for three different armies. Only part of the novel was completed by the time he died of alcoholism at the age of 40 in 1923.
After reviewing the new translation, Richard Seltzer wrote: "If you enjoyed Hellers Catch-22, you'll enjoy The Good Soldier Svejk. But Svejk is a far more subtle and complex and interesting character than Yossarian . . . He's a confidence man posing as a holy fool. His is the wisdom of the streets, the wisdom of the downtrodden playing on the naivete of those in authority." Yossarian is the obvious point of comparison for the Czech soldier who plays a fool in order to beat the system. Another comparison has been offered by Ruth Cooper, a retired African-American microbiology technician who read the new translation: "Just remember: Svejk is actually a European Forrest Gump. Because Forrest was the same thing. He just kept getting into trouble and managing come out O.K. And it's the same thing Svejk did. I mean, he got into some situations that I thought, 'O.K., that's it. The book is gonna end soon now,' and somehow he just came out smelling like a rose . . . "
Joyce and Sadlon became friends while working at the Voice of America bureau on South Dearborn in Chicago. Joyce had owned and tended a tavern for years before becoming a reporter, certainly good groundwork for the task of translating Svejk. Sadlon escaped Czechoslovakia via Cyprus and Lebanon, arriving in Chicago in the early 1970s. In January 1997, Sadlon and Joyce began working on their translation. In the evenings and on the weekends, Sadlon translated the original Czech. Each morning he went to the Voice of America office with a stack of papers for Joyce to take home and edit. They then spent much of the next year trying to lure a mainstream publisher. Now The Good Soldier Svejk has been issued by 1st Books, and can be purchased via their website, 1stbooks.com, Amazon.com, and other online booksellers. It can also be ordered at some bookstores. The translators' award-winning website, www.zenny.com, contains useful and entertaining information about the book, as well as offering the possibility of downloading the novel as an "e-book."
The Fateful Adventures of the Good Soldier Svejk During the World War,
Book One. By Jaroslav Hasek, Zenny K. Sadlon (Translator). Paperback -
223 pages, 1st Books Library.
A New Book on Czech Theater
Modern Czech Theater, the recently released title by Jarka M. Burian offers a wonderful introduction to the space and world of the Czech stage. The book provides comprehensive coverage of the topic beginning in the year 1870. Perhaps most interesting are the chapters describing the potent years of Czech arts in the twenties, when even conservative stages produced plays introducing the world avant-garde movement to Czech audiences. One of these milestones was the staging of Guillaume Apollinaire’s Breasts Tiresias, about a woman who so much desires to be a man that one day her breasts fly away.
The book covers a wide range of Czech theater trends, making it a useful encyclopedia. Unfortunately, at some point the book does not fulfill the promise of its title. The chapters devoted to contemporary Czech theater focus mainly on more mainstream and conservative culture. There is no mention of the movement of the "Prague 5" theaters, or one of the most unique projects of its time, Vizita Theater, which began its work devoted to pure improvisation in the early eighties. Ivan Vyskocil, whose work in the seventies is well described in the book, became one of the most influential figures of truly modern Czech theater in the eighties, but his work during that period is ignored.
Although Modern Czech Theater opens only some doors to the great stage of Czech theater, it remains recommended reading.
Modern Czech Theater is published by University of Iowa Press.
Artist of the Month: Dagmar Peckova
Introduced by Chad Evans Wyatt’s Projekt Praha 2000
In the few short years since 1989, Dagmar Peckova has succeeded in reaching
the heights of international stardom. Thanks to disciplined cultivation
of her magically soft and even mezzo soprano and an unprecedented work
pace, she has become a frequent and renowned guest on the opera scene in
Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and France, where she has realized innumerable
roles. Peckova is much in demand on the concert stage as well, thanks to
her special feel for text and music. In this, she has been accompanied
by world?class conductors, including Christoph von Dohnányi, Wolfgang Sawallish
and Kent Nagan. Her accompanist is renowned pianist Irwin Gag. Apart from
Czech compositions, the core of her repertoire is Austrian and German ??
Berg, Schoenberg, Wagner, Strauss, and, with greatest success, Mahler.
In 1999 she performed a triumphant Carmen at the National Theater, a role
which seemed tailor?made for this vigorous, strong, and independent personality.
Events around the USA
Czech Center New York
Art In Public Spaces
September 6
Exhibition of works by Adela Matasova and Margita Titlova. August 8
through October 3; opening: September 6, 6-8:30 pm
September 7
Exhibition Forum 2000 - photographs of personalities attending Forum
2000 in Prague. September 7 - 21, Columbia University in cooperation with
the Foundation Forum 2000
September 9
Czech Settlers in America. Documentary exhibition about the life of
Czech Immigrants in the US during the period of 1848 - 1920. Meeting of
the President of the Czech Republic Vaclav Havel with the Czech community
during the opening. September 9 through October 31, Ellis Island Immigration
Museum (In cooperation with the Czech Center New York).
September 21
The Jester and the Queen. Video screening of the film directed by Vera
Chytilova (1987). The story centers around a castle warden deluged (and
deluded) with dreams of becoming the jester to a beautiful but despotic
queen. Czech Center New York, 1109 Madison Avenue, NYC.
September 25
Viktor Kuna - Music on the Edge of Life. Concert of the music by those
composers whose lives have been affected by Second World War. Riverside
Theater in cooperation with Elysium: Between Two Continents.
September 24
The United Moravian Societies announces its 61st Annual Moravian Day.
Holy Mass at 10:00 a.m. Program at 1:30 pm. Featuring music by the Moravian
Brass Band Mistrinanka. Welcoming dance to be held on Saturday, September
23 at 8:00 pm. Union Hall #150, 6200 West Joliet Road, Countryside, IL.
For more information, please call (708) 562-2307
September 29
George Suchanek in cooperation with the Czech Center New York presents Karel Gott and his orchestra. Concert of the Czech pop star and his special guest, Helena Vondrackova. At Carnegie Hall, NYC, 8 pm. For tickets call (212) 247-7800.
October 10-13
International Festival aimed at high school students at the Fort Washington
Expo in Fort Washington, PA, just off Exit #26 of I-276 (PA Turnpike).
The Honorary Consulate General of the Czech Republic – Philadelphia will
set up an information booth for the purpose of disseminating cultural and
other information about the Czech Republic. We are looking for volunteers
to staff the booth. Please call 215.646.7777 to discuss your possible interest
in helping out.
October 15
The Czech and Slovak Heritage Association of Maryland presents 14th
Annual Czech and Slovak Festival. At Baltimore 45 Association Inc. Hall,
2501 Putty Hill Avenue, Baltimore, MD . 12 noon ? 6 pm. Admission: $5.
For further information, please call Jan Zdrazil at 610.273.5730.
October 22
Czech Heritage Society of Texas-Harris County Chapter, Inc. presents
Gulf Coast Czech Heritage "Slavnost" At 11:00 am. Featuring Czech Style
dinner, performances by Czech Youth Symphony Orchestra from Hradec Kralove,
SPJST Lodge #88 Concert Band, and much more! Knights of Columbus Hall,
Pearland, TX. For more information, call (281) 564-9800. For more information
about Czech Heritage Month, please call 1 (866) CZECHHERITAGE or 1(866)
293-2443.
October 27
In commemoration of the Czech Independence Day, WRTI-FM, Temple University’s
Public Radio Station will broadcast the “3rd Annual Day of Czech Music”
between 6 A.M. and 6 pm. sponsored by Inez and Peter Rafaeli in cooperation
with the Czech. and Slovak Heritage Association. The Philadelphia based
station has translators reaching as far West as Harrisburg, PA, as far
North as the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos and the Southern NJ shore communities.
October 28
In commemoration of Czech Independence Day, the Old York Road Symphony
orchestra will perform its 2000-2001 Season Inaugural Concert consisting
of an all-Czech music program (Dvorak, Benda and Smetana). Tickets can
be purchased at the door – Adults $12, Seniors (62+) $ 10 and Students
(with student I.D. card proof) $ 4. In the auditorium of Abington Junior
High School in Abington, PA, 8 pm. For information call the Old York Road
Symphony Society at 215.885.0163.