Archive: Czechs abroad | Czechs abroad Czechs abroad
Remembering Adolf Toman - one of the founders of Toronto’s New Czech Theatre
The Nové divadlo (New Czech Theatre) was established in the Canadian city
of Toronto in 1970. Since then it has enjoyed several high points: the
great actor Jiří Voskovec appeared in one production, Josef Škvorecký
wrote a play for the amateur group and it staged the world premiere of the
Czech language version of Václav Havel’s Temptation. In 2010, the New
Czech Theatre received an award from the Czech Foreign Ministry for its
work in promoting the good name of its founders’ native country. Sadly,
Mr Toman passed away in the Czech Republic last summer at the age of 69.
Here is another chance to hear his interview about the the Toronto theatre
with Ian Willoughby.
More
Antonín Čermák: from Czech miner to Chicago mayor
You might not recognise the name straight away, but Antonín Josef Čermák
- a miner’s son from Kladno, Central Bohemia - is one of the most famous
Czech-Americans to have ever lived. Anton (or Tony) Cermak became mayor of
Chicago at the height of prohibition, overhauled Democratic Party politics
in the city, and was then assassinated in the most mysterious of
surroundings. All quite dramatic for someone who started his career selling
firewood… More
Jan Kaplan: Operation Anthropoid more appreciated as years go by
As part of an exhibition linked to the 70th anniversary of the Lidice
massacre in June, Prague's Dox Centre for Contemporary Art is currently
hosting a video installation by the London-based Czech documentary maker
and editor Jan Kaplan entitled 10:35. The name refers to the time of day
that the operation to assassinate the Nazi governor of Bohemia and Moravia
– which preceded the Lidice atrocity – reached its climax in a Prague
suburb on May 27, 1942. The UK-based Czechoslovak paratroopers who carried
out the attack later met their deaths in a church in the city. More
Ryba’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
Introducing 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
Eva Jiránková - A remarkable life
In today’s Special our guest is the charming Eva Jiránková, born in
1921 to a notable Prague family in the early years of the First Republic.
As a junior, Jiránková was a competitive skier and as a young woman she
graced the covers of popular Czech magazines – something of a charmed
life. But that all that ended in September 1942 when her husband, Miloš
Jiránek, was arrested by the Gestapo, and spent the next years in
internment and concentration camps. More
Laureates 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
Freddie 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
Foreign 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
Czech expats from around the world come to Dobruška to connect with their heritage
Every summer the north-east Bohemian town of Dobruška turns truly
cosmopolitan, opening its doors to Czech language students from around the
world. The Czech language summer school organized by Charles University
lasts for a month and is specially tailored for Czech expats and people who
have developed an interest in the Czech language and culture.
More
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