CZECH the NEWSNEWS Newsletter of the Embassy of the Vol. 3, 2009 President Klaus Travels to the US he President of the Czech 350 students at Georgetown TRepublic, Vaclav Klaus, University, where he spoke on conducted two official visits to the topic of the 20th anniversary the United States. On September of the fall of communism in 20–21, 2009, President Klaus Europe, as well as other subjects visited Washington, DC, related to post-communist where he presented his keynote development in Europe. During address during the Cato Institute his visit to Georgetown conference titled “Freedom University, President Klaus and Prosperity in Central and met with former Spanish Prime Eastern Europe: 20 Years after Minister Jose Maria Aznar. the Collapse of Communism.” President Klaus completed Following his speech at the his visit to Washington, DC, Cato Institute, President Klaus with a wreath laying ceremony met with World Bank President in front of the statue of

Robert Zoellick. Before his trip Photo courtesy of Mary E. Fetzko President Tomas Garrigue to the United Nations General Ambassador Petr Kolar welcomes Czech President Vaclav Klaus Masaryk. Before his departure, Assembly in New York, during the State Reception at the Embassy of the Czech Republic. he gave a keynote speech President Klaus conducted an Klaus emphasized that excessive Thune (R-SD) and Barrasso (R- during the State Reception of interview with the editorial regulation and involvement MT). Following the meeting in the Embassy of the Czech board of The Washington Times. of government and regulatory the Senate, U.S. Vice President Republic. The main topics addressed measures are the main reasons Joe Biden greeted President The visit of President Klaus during his visit to the U.S. for the economic downturn, Klaus at the White House to the United States concluded concerned the global economic rather than the collapse of the where they discussed Czech– in Simi Valley, CA, where he crisis and depression. President market on its own. U.S. relations and their future participated at a conference The second visit of development. hosted by the Ronald President Klaus took place on President Klaus’ DC Reagan Library Foundation, Contents: November 4–7, 2009. During visit included his participation commemorating the 20th his stay in Washington, DC, in The Washington Times anniversary of the fall of President Klaus met U.S. Senate conference “Advancing the communism in Europe. He also Message from the Ambassador...... 2 Republicans, in particular with Global Debate over Climate met with Nancy Reagan, as Senators Inhofe (R-OK), Hatch Change Policy.” After the event, well as former Secretary of Ambassador Tours States...... 2 (R-UT), Chambliss (R-GA), he addressed aproximately State George Schultz. Celebrations Mark the 20th U.S. Vice President Visits Anniversary of the Velvet n October 23, 2009, U.S. Revolution...... 3 OVice President Joe Biden visited Prague, where he met Tomki Nemec, Photographs of with President of the Czech Re- the ...... 3 public Vaclav Klaus and Czech Czech Hockey Icon Gives Back Prime Minister Jan Fischer. to the Community...... 4 Among the main topics discussed during his stay includ- Barbara Podoski, Honoring ed a new strategic concept for a Czech Heroine...... 6 the missile defense shield in Europe. According to Vice Presi- Czech Avant-Garde Photography dent Biden, both parties spoke Featured at The Phillips about the potential role of the Photo courtesy of www.vlada.cz Collection...... 7 Czech Republic in a new mis- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden (right) sile shield architecture capable meets Czech Prime Minister Avalon Theater Presents New of protecting not only the United Jan Fischer (left) in Prague. Season of Czech Films...... 7 States but also the Czech Repub- project. lic and Europe. Vice President Biden also Czech Events in the U.S...... 7 Prime Minister Fischer said, acknowledged the achievements “The Czech Republic is ready to of the Czech provincial recon- share in the design of a new archi- struction team in Logar, Afghan-

tecture for anti-missile defense.” istan, where Czech military units Photo courtesy of www.vlada.cz He pointed out that the system work closely with U.S. military Ambassador Kolar (right) greets is now configured as a NATO forces. Vice President Joe Biden in Prague. Current Events Ambassador Tours States Dear Friends, Twenty years have passed since the Velvet Revolution in the Czech Republic, a dramatic and peaceful change in the development of the country. This revolution restored democracy and brought back free- dom to our people. As we look back, we see an incredibly impor- tant milestone in the lives of the Photo courtesy of the Embassy Czech Republic

Photo courtesy of Chad Wyatt Czech people and a crucial mo- (Left to right) Daniel Novy, County Executive Scott Walker, Ambassador ment of the 20th century in Europe. Petr Kolar, Ambassador Richard Graber, Consul General Marek Skolil Walls fell, wires were cut, fences disappeared, and people were allowed to see and experience the world that had mbassador Kolar and his been denied to them for decades. As we look forward, we Awife Jaroslava kept up a see incredible opportunities, but also responsibilities. busy schedule this fall, trav- Just as in 1918, when an independent state–Czechoslova- elling to Alaska, New York, kia–was established, the radical change of 1989 would not Illinois, Vermont, and Wiscon- have been possible without the help of the United States of sin to continue to build strong America. Owing to the tough and principled approach of Czech-American ties and ac- President Ronald Regan, the already corroded and corrupt knowledge the achievements of communist regime in Europe collapsed. Our internal civic Czech leaders in the community. resistance (the dissident movements: Charter 77 in the In Alaska, Ambassador Czech Republic and the Polish Solidarity, with people like Kolar attended a Czech Gala Photo courtesy of Dan Novy Vaclav Havel and Lech Walesa) was also supported by the where Czech Honorary Consul Jaroslava Kolarova, Sarah Palin, United States. Francis J. Nosek was promot- and Ambassador Kolar Even today, after 20 years, we still know that freedom is ed to the position of Honorary not guaranteed and that we have to work hard to maintain it. Consul General. Ambassador Czech National Day reception The Berlin Wall fell 20 years ago, but there are still many Kolar also met with former that took place at the Bohemian walls of ignorance and hypocrisy in this world to be torn Governor of the State of Alaska, National Hall. The event was or- down; there are still some people who would like the past Sarah Palin; Mayor of Anchor- ganized by the Consulate Gener- walls to be rebuilt. age, Dan Sullivan; Commissioner al of the Czech Republic in New Again, in the process of maintaining our freedom, we are Notti, and local Czech academic York, and Bohemian Benevolent grateful to the United States for helping us to become a part and business communities. and Literary Association. of international structures that safeguard our freedom, de- At a luncheon organized mocracy, and stability. For us, these structures mean mainly by Alaska World Affairs Coun- October 30, 2009 NATO and the European Union, which we joined 10 and 5 cil/World Trade Center, the The Ambassador and his wife years ago, respectively. One year ago, we became a part of the Ambassador presented his lec- then headed to Middlebury United States’ Visa Waiver Program and, with the first visa- ture “Europe and America: We College in Vermont to present free Czech tourist coming to the United States, the last relict Need Each Other.” During his his speech “Reflections on 1989: of the Cold War disappeared. lecture, he spoke about trans- Twenty Years of Czech-American We have come a long way since 1989. With ups and atlantic relations, Czech-U.S. and Transatlantic Relations,” downs and occasional troubles, today we are a full-fledged relations, and the aims and and participate in a discussion democracy with respect for the rule of law and a reliable achievements of the historically with students. partner and ally to those who share the same values and first Czech Presidency of the principles. We are a real ally and a partner of the Untied Council of the European Union. November 10, 2009 States. We know that the United States takes our partner- In Chicago, IL, Ambassador ship seriously and that we can rely on it. President Obama October 5, 2009 Kolar attended a Gala Awards said in Prague earlier this year to the Czech people, “The Ambassador Kolar travelled to Dinner organized by the Ameri- United States will never turn its back on the people of this Madison, WI, to meet with the can Friends of the Czech Repub- nation. We are bound by shared values, shared history, and director of the Institute of World lic. The gala was organized with the enduring promise of our alliance.” Affairs, Doug Savage. He also the purpose of supporting the We are well aware of our responsibilities and are de- participated in the TV interview return of the Woodrow Wilson termined and ready to participate in the solutions of global “International Focus.” Statue to Prague. During the Gala, issues together with our allies. We have worked together In Milwaukee, he met with Mayor of Chicago, Richard M. with them in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Western Balkans, the former U.S. Ambassador to Daly, received the Civil Society and have expressed our readiness to actively participate in the Czech Republic, Richard Vision Award. missile defense. Graber and his wife, and County Ambassador Kolar complet- Executive Scott Walker. His pro- ed his tour in Chicago, participat- Warm regards, gram also included a meeting ing in the NCSML Rebuilding with representatives of Harley Open House, organized by the Davidson Motor Co., Badger National Czech and Slovak Mu- Meter, Rockwell Automation, seum and Library (NCSML). This and Briggs & Stratton. event presented information con- cerning the reconstruction of the Petr Kolar October 28, 2009 NCSML Museum in Cedar Rap- In New York, NY, Ambassador ids that was damaged by floods in Kolar and his wife attended the 2008. 2 Czech the News/Vol. 3, 2009 20th Anniversary Celebrations Celebrations Mark the 20th Anniversary of the Velvet Revolution he Czech Embassy hosted Washington, American View Tmultiple events to celebrate from Prague” presented unique the 20th anniversary of the 1989 experiences of three Ambas- Velvet Revolution. sadors: Martin Palous (Czech The celebrations began with Ambassador to the U.S., 2001– the State Reception at the Czech 2005), Craig R. Stapleton (U.S. Embassy on November 4, 2009. Ambassador to the CR, 2001– More than 700 people attended 2004) and Richard W. Graber the event with Czech Presi- (U.S. Ambassador to the CR, dent Vaclav Klaus. The event 2006–2009). comemmorated two impor- The last panel included tant Czech National Holidays Thomas S. Blanton (director of

(October 28, declaration of an Photo courtesy of Mary E. Fetzko the National Security Archive), independent Czechoslovak Re- Guests surround Czech President Vaclav Klaus (center) who based his view of the Velvet public in 1918, and November during the State Reception at the Embassy of the Czech Republic. Revolution on recently declas- 17, beginning of the Velvet Rev- sified documents; Adela Gjuri- olution of 1989). cova (Insitute of Contemporary On November 5, 2009, the History, Prague); who analyzed Embassy of the Czech Republic myths and disillusionments of hosted a concert of the legendary the Czech 1990s; and A. Wess Czech group Psi vojaci (Dog’s Mitchell (President of the Cen- Soldiers), an iconic group of ter for European Policy Analy- the Czech musical underground sis, CEPA), who put the changes movement of the 1980s. in Central and Eastern Europe The celebrations concluded into the geopolitical context of on November 6, 2009, with an American foreign policy Photo courtesy of Jana Racova international conference titled (Left to right) Peter Green, Ambassador Craig Stapleton, and The conference was mod- “Czechs and Balances: Twenty Czech Ambassador to the UN Martin Palous erated by Peter S. Green of Years of Czech Freedom and De- opened the conference. Martin address reflections on American Bloomberg News. He covered mocracy.” Putna (chairman of the Vaclav roots of Vaclav Havel’s spiritual- the 1989 events from Prague for Czech First Deputy Minister Havel Presidential Library in ity. United Press International (UPI) of Foreign Affairs Tomas Pojar Prague) offered in his keynote The panel “Czech View from and Newsday.

TOMKI NEMEC Photographs of the Velvet Revolution n remembrance of the events that sparked the Velvet IRevolution, the Embassy of the Czech Republic has on view photographs by Czech photographer Tomki Nemec that reveal dramatic moments that forever changed a nation. Nemec selected 18 photographs to feature at the Embassy. The black and white photographs progress in mood from the grays of the Communist regime to the celebrations of a new nation. He begins the exhibition with a picture of the border between Czecoslovakia and West . Two guards stand watch over the fields. Nemec continues the series with a picture of Communist celebrations on May 1, 1988. A huge Communist symbol hangs on the wall as leader Gustav Husak peers Photo courtesy of Tomki Nemec Photo courtesy of Tomki down from a balcony. Student Demonstration, November 17, 1989, Czech Republic Then, the mood begins to shift. Photographs show a crowd of people viewing a car from the West; students march in ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHER TOMKI NEMEC an anti-communist demonstration; and dissident Ivan “Magor” After the fall of the Communist regime, Tomki Nemec be- Jirous, poet and artistic director of the legendary music group came the personal photographer to President Vaclav Havel. Nemec Plastic People of the Universe, leaves a court hearing. devoted himself to taking photographs of Havel from the time The pictures towards the end of the series show the people of the Velvet Revolution in to the break-up of taking a stand for change. Candles separate demonstrators from the state and the birth of an independent Czech Republic and the ; a man and woman secure a “Vaclav Havel” sign to Slovakia. The numerous photographs he took of Havel revealed a tram; and Vaclav Havel sits in his office waiting to present different aspects of Havel’s personality as well as his ups and his inauguration speech as President of Czechoslovakia (1989– downs. In 1992, Nemec joined the Regina Maria Anzenberger 1992). He later became the first President of the Czech Republic Agency, and has worked as a free-lance photographer from the end (1993–2003). of that year onward. The photographs are on view at the Embassy of the Czech Winner of two World Press Photo awards, Nemec’s work Republic until January 30, 2010. For additional information has been published in the Los Angeles Times Magazine, The about the exhibition, please call 202/274–9105. The exhibi- New York Times, Time Magazine, among many others. For more tion can be viewed Monday through Thursday, 9 am–5 pm, and information about Tomki Nemec, visit www.tomkin.cz or Friday, 9 am–3:30 pm. www.lightstalkers.org/tomki-nemec. Czech the News/Vol. 3, 2009 3 Patrik Elias

Czech Hockey Icon Gives Back to the Community ast week, Patrik Elias of the New Jersey Devils (NJD) reached a career Lmilestone—720 points (301 goals, 419 assists), making him the third most successful Czech player in NHL history. In March 2008, Patrik set the all- time franchise points record (702 points) for the New Jersey Devils. Com- bined with his summer award of the Golden Stick (Zlata hokejka) for the Czech Hockey Player of the Year, Patrik is currently not only the best Czech player in the NHL, but one of the best to ever play the game. For Patrik, it is not just about the game. Adding to his extracurricular community activities off the ice and extensive duties he and his wife Petra have conducted for both UNICEF Czech Republic and UNICEF USA, Patrik Elias has become not only a role model for many young hock- ey players from all around the world, but also one of the most recogniz- able icons of today’s sports community. Photo courtesy of the New Jersey Devils Patrik Elias

Patrik Elias’s road to suc- first started to be interested cess originated in Trebic, Czech in teams from overseas when Republic, when he was five, but I started to travel around the it took him over a decade to re- world with the Junior National alize that playing hockey could Team. Later on, I liked teams like turn from a hobby to a life- Edmonton, Pittsburgh, Montreal, changing opportunity. but I cannot say I had one favor- “I started to play hockey when ite team among them.” I was five because my older Following the 1994 NHL brothers were playing as well. Draft, Patrik settled in the Unit- I joined the hockey team in ed States, pursuing his hockey Kladno when I was 14, in order dream overseas. to play at a higher level. That was when I first realized that the “I came from a country NHL (National Hockey League), that was just recovering the best hockey league in the from communism. Amer- world, exists. It ultimately be- ica was different—large, came my goal to play in it. When free, a lot of people and I was drafted and picked by the cars everywhere, beauti- New Jersey Devils, this was when ful stores—everything was I first realized that leaving a great playing hockey impression on me. could also turn The people were Photo courtesy of Barbora Reichova into a career op- kind, polite. It also Patrik Elias, after receiving the Golden Stick (Zlata hokejka) for the Best portunity.” appeared that Czech Hockey Player, stands with his wife Petra Elias. Although Pa- nobody was in a trik was growing hurry and there was the only Czech player. I had “Playing for my home up in Czechoslova- was plenty of time to work on my English a lot, but country is a great honor kia, well-renowned for everything. it helped me tremendously and for me. We cannot forget for its incredible During my first everybody on my team was very that our country and the hockey success years, I was play- supportive. I missed my fam- people from our country and many celeb- ing on the reserve ily, but since I lived without my allowed us to have the rity hockey play- team in the mi- family since I was 14 and moved opportunity to become ers, Patrik did not nor league. I can- to Kladno, I was used to taking who we are now—our first follow any par- Photo courtesy of the New Jersey Devils not single out one care of myself and the transition steps started there. On the ticular player from Patrik Elias person that helped wasn’t as drastic. I was 19 and other hand, I understand Czechoslovak history and did me the most because all nothing seemed like a problem.” that after a long and hard not have a “hockey hero” or a fa- of my teammates were a Patrik is well known not only season that is the most vorite hockey team in particular. great support to me. for his accomplishments and suc- difficult and longest out of “I didn’t have any until I was Even though the adjustment cess in the NHL, but also for his all the professional sports, 14, before then I only considered 26 to a new lifestyle appeared with unparalleled patriotism and will- the players are mentally hockey as a passion and hobby. very little complications, Patrik ingness to represent his country, and physically exhausted My first role models were al- elaborates further on the diffi- the Czech Republic, on the inter- and want to spend time ways my brothers and older guys culties and challenges he had to national hockey scene. Despite with their families.” playing for my club. I wanted to overcome. the fact that some players choose be like them but I wasn’t really “The most difficult part was to skip the international tourna- The number 26 on his jersey looking around that much. Be- the language barrier, I couldn’t ments, Patrik explores further has become an icon in the hockey cause I wasn’t really informed speak a word of English. In AHL what playing for Team Czech community. Unlike other players, about the NHL growing up, I (American Hockey League), I means to him. Patrik doesn’t assign any special

Continued on page 5 4 Czech the News/Vol. 3, 2009 Patrik Elias Czech Hockey Icon Gives Back to the Community (Continued from pg. 4) significance to it. “It doesn’t mean anything in particular; it is my fourth number that I have in NJD. Young players cannot choose their numbers, they have them assigned. The previous three numbers were always taken from me by older players. I like my number 26 right now. and we belong together.” As well as Patrik and the number 26 now belonging together, his career is solely tied to one NHL team, although trades and playing on various teams is common in the NHL. “About three years ago, I con- sidered looking for a team that would suit me better. I came to Photo courtesy of Patrik and Petra Elias the conclusion that my first op- Patrik helps children throughout the world through his collaboration with UNICEF. portunity to show my skills was portant lesson he and his wife Pe- given to me by NJD. I won the tra learned during their involve- two most valuable trophies in ment in UNICEF as the Czech hockey with NJD. (The Stanley Republic’s Good Will Ambas- Cup). Loyalty also played an sadors is “how important it is to important role in my decision to help, and how little our help stay. After 13 years, I had many costs us! friends here and became accus- tomed to the environment around “In today’s modern world, me, which is very important.” 24,000 children die daily Despite the fact that his ca- from hunger or easily pre- reer is filled with success and ventable diseases. Our achievements, there were also children are our future times of doubt. In 2005, Patrik and this number is hor- suffered a serious illness that rific. UNICEF managed nearly ended his promising hock- to save in their 60-year ey career. In his eyes, though, history millions of chil-

every obstacle and negative as- dren’s lives. I try to help Photo courtesy of Patrik and Petra Elias pect becomes a challenge and a to increase the number Patrik Elias and his wife Petra Elias motivation. This has helped him of saved children’s lives.” Vancouver, Canada in February Contemplating his hockey to not only overcome his illness, 2009. years spent in the Czech Re- but also to become involved in Patrik and Petra Elias are public, the United States and his charitable and beneficial activi- currently involved in various “The Olympic Games are brief period in , Patrik of- ties that help people around him. charitable projects, serving our a dream of every young fers his comparison of the envi- community and improving the kid, as well as the Stan- ronments. “When it comes to my “You eventually real- lives of people around them. “We ley Cup. I participated at job, I have more anonymity, free- ize that there are more focus especially on educational the Olympic Games two dom and calmness for my work important things in life and drinking water projects, and times, with two different [in the U.S.]. People are more then sports, work, and vaccination campaigns. The vac- experiences. In the 2002 positively tuned. What I don’t career—health and fam- cination campaign is perhaps Olympics, I was relatively miss at all in the U.S. is typical ily. Based on my experi- the closest one to my heart, since young and enjoyed not Czech jealousy. Jealousy is not ence with Hepatitis A, that I have experienced a disease only hockey, but also the as negative in the U.S., here it nearly ended my career, I that I could have prevented by atmosphere and the pres- is more of a motivating factor. also realized that it is im- vaccination. I cooperate on this ence of elite athletes from What I miss in the U.S. is typi- portant to help those that project not only with UNICEF other sports. In the 2006 cal Czech skillfulness, vividness, had less luck and were Czech Republic, but also with Olympics, I unfortunately humor, and a more complex level less fortunate in their lives UNICEF USA. We have recently suffered an injury in the of “European like” culture. Both than myself. Thanks to my organized, with the help of NJD, first game and that was countries have their own specific wife Petra, I came in con- a huge event, that raised over the end of the Olympics for magic, and I very much like them. tact with UNICEF. After $15,000 in less then one hour. me. I firmly believe that Russia, however, is a chapter of two years of cooperation, When you realize how many lives the upcoming Olympics its own. It is a country of huge they offered more inten- this money can save, it’s a beau- will be successful for our potential—a very different life- sive cooperation, which I tiful feeling.” team and for our nation. It style and mentality of people. value and appreciate very Back to his hockey deeds, will for sure be an amaz- There are huge differences in its much.” Patrik is anxiously awaiting the ing experience, since it is society. Because I got infected beginning of the Winter Olym- taking place in the cradle Patrik said that the most im- pics, which will take place in of hockey—Canada.” Continued on page 8 Czech the News/Vol. 3, 2009 5 Remembering Barbara Podoski Barbara Lee Podoski, Honoring a Czech Heroine he Embassy of the Czech Republic Tin Washington, DC, celebrated and remembered the life of Barbara Lee Podoski, who passed away on August 16, 2009. A memorial service for Bar- bara Podoski was held at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Washington, DC, on September 18, 2009. Over 100

Photo courtesy of Mary E. Fetzko friends and family members gathered Ambassador Petr Kolar and to pay tribute to her life. Rev. Kather- Barbara Podoski on the Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic Barbara Podoski ine Cartwright Knodel gave the invoca- tion. Young Czech soprano Kristyna Gocova sang The Lord is My Shepherd from the Biblical Songs by Antonin Dvorak and a selection of Czechoslovak folk songs. Juraj Slavik, the son of a former Czech Ambassador to the United States, read a poem that was written by his father for Barbara Podos- ki’s wedding entitled Tu Felix Barbara Nube, and Katka Cartwright read A Prayer for Tonight by Karel Capek. As part of the beautiful service, others Photo courtesy of Mary E. Fetzko offered their insights into the remarkable life of Barbara Podoski receiving the Gratias Agit Award at the Barbara Podoski. Ambassador Petr Kolar spoke Embassy of the Czech Republic of her vivacious personality throughout his ten- ure at the Embassy and stated at the end of his speech, “She is my hero.” Ambassador to the Ambassador to the United Nations Martin Palous spoke of her brave United Nations and generous spirit as an example to us all. He Martin Palous described her as a dear friend who will truly be missed. Deputy Prime Minister and Czech Min- ister of Defense Martin Bartak honored her for

her many years of service to the Czech Republic. Photo courtesy of Mary Fetzko Photo courtesy of Mary E. Fetzko Elizabeth P. McIntosh, formerly of the Office of Barbara Podoski and Czech Barbara Podoski, former Czech Strategic Services (OSS), described how she had President Vaclav Klaus President Vaclav Havel, and met Barbara and formed a strong bond of friend- Ambassador Kolar Deputy Prime Minister ship which lasted many years. Martin Bartak Barbara Lee Podoski, nee Bozena Haus- erova, was born in Brno on April 22, 1914. She studied in and Czechoslovakia and re- ceived her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Masaryk University in 1937. She immigrated to the United States in 1941 and soon thereafter was appointed by Foreign Minister Jan Masaryk Elizabeth McIntosh to serve in the Czechoslovak Legation in Wash- ington. On June 1, 1943, the day she became an American citizen, she enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the Office of Strategic Services, predecessor of the CIA. She served with the OSS in North Africa and Italy, where she earned the Bronze Star “for meritorious achievement in connec- tion with military operations against the enemy.” Some of her work remained secret until last year, when her OSS records were declassified. While in Italy, she wrote propaganda material and interrogated German prisoners of war. Un- der questioning in 1944, a Nazi sergeant re- vealed that Czechs and Slovaks were serving in German units as service troops performing menial tasks. After learning this, she drew up Photo courtesy of Veronika Lukasova Photo courtesy of Veronika pamphlets in the Czech and Slovak languages Funeral Services at Arlington National Cemetery Barbara Podoski urging these men to change sides. Within a week, 600 Daughter of Barbara Podoski, Marina Lee Bragg, accepts the American flag. Czech and Slovak soldiers crossed the Allied lines and surren- Seated next to her is Podoski’s grandaughter. dered, many of whom had her leaflets in their pockets. indispensable assistance to the Czech Embassy and its staff. After the war, she helped organize the first Salzburg Music In 1999, she received the Gratias Agit award from the Ministry Festival. She worked for twenty years as a research analyst at the of Foreign Affairs. On the occasion of her 95th birthday this year, she Library of Congress and subsequently for nine years in Vienna for was presented with a Presidential Medal. the American Fund for Czechoslovak Refugees and the Tolstoy Barbara Podoski was buried with full military honors at Arling- Foundation. After the Velvet Revolution in 1989 and up un- ton National Cemetery on September 22, 2009. She will be greatly til her death on August 16, 2009, she was of invaluable and often missed. Czech the News/Vol. 3, 2009 The Embassy would like to thank Charlie Kern for contributing to this 6 article. Culture and Events Czech Avant-Garde Photography Featured at The Phillips Collection he Phillips Collection Object as Subject: Photo- of light and shadow, bold ge- Tcurrently has on view until graphs of the Czech Avant-Garde ometries of line and form, and February 7, 2010, the exhibition examines the important role of unusual perspectives. Object as Subject: Photographs objects in the Czech avant- The American expatriate of the Czech Avant-Garde. garde’s exploration of the formal Man Ray had a profound influ- Some of the most innovative concerns of abstraction. It pres- ence on his Czech contempo- approaches to photography were ents 30 photographs by 10 Czech raries. Man Ray’s radical experi- pioneered by the Czech artistic photographers, from abstract ments reached Czechoslovakia avant-garde in the early decades

compositions of the 1920s by in 1922, a time of growing Photo courtesy of The Phillips Collection of the 20th century. After the Funke and Rossler to surrealist Czech interest in abstract art. Frantisek Dritkol, establishment of Czechoslovakia photographs of the 1930s by Ad- Ultimately for the Czech avant- Nude with Vase, 1927 in 1918, a vibrant cultural life olf Schneeberger and Frantisek garde, objects provided a labo- abstract expression, affirming sprang up around Prague, fueling Vobecky. ratory for formal investigations their powerful role in the cre- the minds and imaginations of a Departing from conven- of abstract principles of light, ative process. generation of photographers, in- tional approaches to still life, shadow, geometric planes, and For additional information, cluding Jaromir Funke, Jaroslav Czech photographers experi- space. Within this framework, please visit www.phillipscollec- Rossler, and Josef Sudek. mented with dramatic effects objects functioned as vehicles for tion.org. Avalon Theater Presents New Season of Czech Films he Avalon Theater, in its fourth year of collaboration with the Embassy of the Czech Republic on Czech Events Tthe Lions of Czech Film Series, remains committed to bringing award-winning Czech films to the Washington, DC community. The upcoming selections include an ecclectic mix of Czech filmmaking, in the U.S. from a tragic love story that tests a man’s strength, to a documentary about two friends exploring January 30, 2010 their harrowing past, and a film noir about a serial killer. The series runs on the second Wednesday (Boston, MA) of every month and gives the community an opportunity to view Czech films that are popular hits in The Second Czech and Slo- Europe. Most of the films have received the prestigious Czech Lion Award, the Czech equivalent of an vak Gala Ball will be held at Academy Award. All of the films have limited distribution in the United States. the Fairmont Copley Plaza. January 13, 8 pm February 10, 8 pm March 10, 8 pm For more information, visit www.czskboston.org.

January 31, 2010 (Milwaukee, WI) Milwaukee Sokol will feature Czech and Slovak Film Series at the House. For more infor- Photo courtesy of First Run Features Photo courtesy of Axman Productions Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of Czech Television mation, visit www.sokol- Guard No. 47 Fighter Normal, The Dusseldorf Ripper Hlidac c. 47 (Bojovnik) milwaukee.org/events.html (Normal) Railway guard Josef Dousa Fighter follows Jan Weiner Set in pre-war Europe, 1931, February 6, 2010 returns from World War I hop- and Arnost Lustig, survivors an economic crisis has propelled (Oak Brook, IL) ing to forget all the horrors of of Hitler’s invasion of society into chaos. Young ambi- The 52nd Representative his recent experiences. One day Czechoslovakia, as they return tious lawyer Justus Wehner gets Ball will be held at Druhy he saves the life of a young man to Europe. What Director his first big case—the defense Lane Oak Brook. For more who is about to jump under a Bar-Lev first envisions as a attorney for brutal serial killer information, visit www. train. The man falls in love with historical documentary soon Peter Kurten. Wehner is certan unitedmoraviansocieties. Dousa’s wife and arouses her becomes the personal story of that Kurten suffers from a seri- org/events.html. passion. Under stress, Dousa is the battle between two very ous mental disorder. To prove his hit by a bout of deafness. When different men—one, the bitter, theory, he decides to sink deep March 4–21, 2010 his hearing returns, he does not angry fighter, the other, the into Kurten’s past motivations (New York, NY) admit it to anyone―not even wise and cynical philosopher. and psyche. Kurten’s beloved The Czechoslovak Mari- his wife. Only with superhuman Each has a very different way wife Marie tells Wehner she onette Theater will per- effort does he withstand the suf- of dealing with memories doesn’t believe her husband fom “Revolution” at the ferings he must face when, as a of the Holocaust. As they could be a violent murderer. Theater for the New City. “deaf” man, he has to listen to retrace the steps of Weiner’s Kurten and Marie then slowly This performance exam- the caustic remarks made by escape from the Nazis, they begin to manipulate Wehner into ines revolutions throughout people about him and his wife. regale one another with participating in a final crime. history as a backdrop for The film is based on motifs thrilling exploits, revisiting Wehner will have to fight the peaceful 1989 Velvet from the novel by Josef Kopta, scenes of romance, humor, for victory in a difficult case Revolution. Visit www. a 20th century Czech writer. narrow escapes, and life-or- and for his own soul. czechmarionettes.org for (Director: Filip Renc, 2008, death confrontations. (Director: Julius Sevcik, more information. 108 min., in Czech with English (Director: Amir-Bar Lev, 2009, 95 min., in Czech with subtitles) 1991, 91 min, in English) English subtitles) For additional Czech events The Avalon Theatre is located at 5612 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20015. Tickets in the community, visit may be purchased at the box office 30 minutes before the start of the show or online at www.theavalon. www.czechevents.net. org. Czech the News/Vol. 3, 2009 7 Patrik Elias Czech Hockey Icon Gives Back to the Community (Continued from pg. 5) by Hepatitis A in Russia, I don’t families and friends in the Czech have a very fond memory of my Republic.” stay there.” Patrik said that his wife, his When asked about his future family, and friends are his most plans and places where he and essential support. They have his wife would like to settle, he helped him to achieve his suc- elaborates. “Both my wife Petra cess. and I are huge patriots and our home will always be the Czech “I was fortunate to be al- Republic, but who knows. It is ways supported by my always nice to have a choice of family, my wife, and my where we want to settle. The truth friends. I am very grateful Photo courtesy of the New Jersey Devils for their support.” is, the older we get, the more at- Patrik Elias waits for a pass during a game agains the Anaheim Ducks. tracted we are to returning to our

SPECIAL THANK YOU: The Embassy of the Czech Republic would like to thank Patrik and Petra Elias for all the work they have done for

charities and children throughout the world, as well as for taking the time to share their life story with us through this article.

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