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Czech BooksJan Novák: the man who lived Miloš Forman
When Jan Novák describes himself as Miloš Forman’s autobiographer, he
is not entirely joking. He really did co-write the most famous
Czech-American film director’s memoirs, and Forman himself has spoken of
the book as “my life as lived by Jan Novák”. But Jan Novák is a great
deal more than a biographer. More
Current AffairsRyba’s Czech Christmas Mass premieres in Chicago
It has taken more than 200 years for Jakub Jan Ryba’s Czech Christmas
Mass to come to Chicago, but it seems that good things come to those who
wait. The Ryba Mass was premiered in the Windy City on Saturday and Rosie
Johnston was there. More
Current AffairsIntroducing the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center in La Grange
The city of La Grange in Texas, historically a major site of Czech
settlement, remains to this day a hub of Czech culture. Those who want to
stay in touch with the local Czech community or would like to trace their
roots can visit the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center located in
city. Besides offering research facilities, the center also organizes
various events – most recently a gala where old Czech bands were honored
earlier this month or an exhibition of nativity art which has just opened. More
SpecialLaureates of Gratias Agit award on the significance of their Czech heritage
Every year in October the Czech Republic honours those who have contributed
significantly to promoting the country’s good name abroad. This year,
Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg bestowed the annual Gratias Agit
awards on thirteen personalities from around the world to thank them for
their work. On occasion of the country’s national holiday we bring you
the thoughts and experiences of three Czechs who live abroad, but who never
severed ties with their homeland and are proud of their Czech roots and
national heritage. More
One on OneFreddie Botur – Retired NY tennis entrepreneur with deep Czech roots
Freddie Botur, who was born Vratislav Botur, fled Czechoslovakia in 1948,
shortly after taking part in a student march to Prague Castle aimed at
preventing the Communists from seizing power. The ambitious young émigré
eventually ended up in New York, where he became a successful developer and
owner of tennis clubs, including the well-known Tennisport on the banks of
the East River. More
Current AffairsForeign Ministry honours promoters of good name of Czech Republic
Since 1997, the Czech Foreign Ministry has been honouring those who promote
the good name of the Czech Republic abroad with the annual Gratias Agit
awards. Last Friday, October 14, Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg
handed out the awards to thirteen personalities from around the globe to
thank them for their outstanding work. More
Current AffairsNew documentary depicts actor Jiří Voskovec’s life in US
A new documentary that will premiere in Czech cinemas next week depicts the
lesser known part of the life of the Czech-born actor Jiří (or George)
Voskovec. In his homeland, he is best known as the co-founder and co-star
of Prague’s pre-war avant-garde theatre troupe, the Liberated Theatre.
Having spent the war in exile in New York, Jiří Voskovec again moved to
the US after the 1948 communist takeover of Czechoslovakia. The new film,
entitled My Father George Voskovec, follows his daughter Gigi retracing her
father’s life, from the difficult beginnings through his career on
Broadway and in Hollywood, to his passing away in 1981, at the age of 76.
Jan Richter saw the documentary and spoke to its director, Libuše
Rudinská. More
One on OneChristopher Harwood – professor of Czech at Columbia University
Christopher Harwood is a lecturer in Czech at Columbia University in New
York. When I met him at his office on Columbia’s Upper West Side campus,
we discussed Czech literature, the difficulties of learning Czech, and how
Professor Harwood himself had become good enough at the language to teach
it at one of the world’s leading universities. More
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