CZECH the NewsNews Newsletter of the Embassy of the Czech Republic of the Czech Republic Summer 2005

In this issue: Havel Promoted Human Rights While in the US ormer Czech President Vaclav Havel and his wife Havel Promoted Human Rights Dagmar stayed two months While in the US...... 1 F in the United States on a stipend, EU Constitution Put on Hold...... 1 granted to Havel by the Library of Congress in Washington, Message from the D.C. Even though the primary Ambassador...... 2 purpose of his visit was to study Czech Senator Schwarzenberg and work on his new book, Expelled from Cuba...... 2 he attended a number of events, informal dinners with U.S. Czech Republic Has a New Government...... 2 officials, met with dissidents and gave an impressive speech Vaclav Havel Speaks at on human rights at the Library Vaclav Havel receives a standing ovation at the Library of Congress Library of Congress...... 3 of Congress. former U.S. President Bill State Madeleine Albright News Brief...... 3 During his visit, the former Clinton, and President Victor were joined by students at Czech President met, among Yushchenko of the Ukraine. On Georgetown University for an Czech Republic Has New Envoys others, with the President of the another occasion, Vaclav Havel afternoon session of political, at the World Bank and IMF...... 4 United States, George W. Bush, and former U.S. Secretary of (Continued on page 3) Czech Ice Hockey Team Wins World Championship...... 5 EU Constitution Put on Hold History of the Czech Olympic ust recently, the largest larger role for European and Movement...... 5 The Constitution requires economic bloc in the world national Parliaments, as well as that all 25 member states Business Buzz...... 6 Jset out to accomplish what promoting the citizens’ right to approve and have ratified the would have been its greatest feat ask the EU to launch new initia- Constitution within their respec- Prague, Sixth Most Visited to date: unifying all 25 European tives. City in Europe...... 6 tive States in order for it to Union Member States under one The proposed Constitution “enter into force.” The Prague Named Best ‘Region’ Constitution. Although many merges the three pillars of the Constitutional Treaty was for Business...... 6 member states had already former treaties and amendments approved in Brussels on June approved and ratified the into one treaty. Included are the Sokol Slet in Chicago...... 6 18, 2004 and signed by the new Constitution, the forward Charter of Fundamental Rights Member States in Rome on Liberation of Plzen by US Forces progress came to a halt when the and enhanced efforts toward October 29, 2004, with the can- in May 1945...... 7 French and Dutch citizens voted cooperation or structured coop- didate countries of Turkey, against the ratification of the eration in the field of defense. Exhibit: Commemorating Bulgaria, and Romania only 60th Anniversary of Western Constitution via popular referen- Adjustments in the institutional signing the Final Act; however, Bohemia by US Forces...... 7 da. The European Union’s goal framework include clarifying each Member State had yet to of ratifying its first Constitution respective roles of the European ratify the Constitution in their Remembering Jan Werich by 2006 quickly became obso- Parliament, the Council, and the One Hundred Years After respective country. To do so, His Birth...... 7 lete; upon reflecting on the rapid Commission. Setting Parliament each Member State was given developments of the EU in the representation to “digressive two options: to ratify the treaty Journey: A Novel of America...... 8 past year, the bloc was forced to proportionality” and guarantee- by referendum or by ratification reexamine its priorities and ing each Member state at least 6 Congratulations...... 8 in national legislatures. focus on other pressing issues. (up to 96) seats out of the 750 Two types of referenda The European Constitution total, defining voting rules, exist – binding and non-binding. was the EU’s first, solid attempt updating the field of Justice and The French decision to reject the to streamline decision-making in Home Affairs, and increasing Constitution was based on a an expanded Union, allowing transparency and democracy are binding referendum in which the for a more visible role in interna- some general points that are people voted and the outcome tional affairs. That said, the new emphasized. The Constitution was the final decision (69% Constitution also endeavored also outlines the rights of EU voter turnout and 55% voting to simplify and consolidate citizens, inviting them to against). In the Netherlands, all prior treaties, make the petition and be present at legisla- however, the citizens voted in a institution more transparent and tive Council proceedings, among non-binding referendum; the more democratic, leaving a many others. (Continued on page 4) Czech the News/Summer 2005 1 Ambassador Message from the Ambassador ear readers, Prague at the beginning of July. will soon complete his assign- The summer season has He will be replaced by Jaroslav ment and leave for Prague. At Dslowly, but surely Kurfurst, who has previously the Foreign Ministry, he will prevailed over the spring. For served as the Head of the rejoin the Cabinet of the many of my colleagues at the Department of Security Policy, Minister in a senior position. On Czech Embassy, this time of the where he arrived from his first top of these senior officials I year will mean the “completion posting in Moscow. I certainly have mentioned, several other of their tour of duty,” as we say thank Mr. Janda for his work and members of my staff are in our “diplomatic jargon.” As a achievement toward strengthen- scheduled to leave during the matter of fact, I myself have ing and enhancing Czech- summer and the fall. To arrived in Washington almost American relations, and I wish everyone leaving the Embassy, I four years ago, therefore my Mr. Kurfurst good luck in his would like to express my sincere and economic news and also own posting as Ambassador to new endeavor as the second gratitute and to all those who are some light reading fit for the the Unites States will, over highest ranking Czech diplomat coming to replace them, I next couple of months. some time, also come to an end. in Washington. sincerely wish good luck and I wish you an enjoyable My departure, although, is not The Head of the success. summer and refreshing as imminent as my other Administrative Section, Eduard For you, our readers, we vacation. colleagues´ journey back to the Metela, is scheduled to leave in have prepared the Summer 2005 Czech Republic. the fall. He also deserves a edition of Czech the News, Yours, Vratislav Janda, who has sound “thank you” for all he has featuring highlights of the spring served as the Deputy Chief of done during his tenure. From the and summer season in bilateral Mission, is bound to return to Cultural Section, Jakub Skalnik relations, EU events, political

Czech Republic Has a New Government fter the resignation of Stanislav Gross in April, Athe new Premier, Jiri Paroubek, became the third Social Democrat to head the Czech government since the last parliamentary elections in 2002. The 52-year old economist has pledged to ratify the new EU constitution and reduce the budget deficit to less than 4 per- cent of GDP next year to keep the country on track in adopting the Euro (common EU currency) by 2010. Political analysts see Foreign Minister Svoboda remains Paroubek as a pragmatist ready in the new government of to cut deals in order to be able Prime Minister Paroubek to push through his party´s legislation. The center-left Social of Freedom (US), agreed that democrats (CSSD) and its the new cabinet would include coalition partners, the Christian four new names, but that all key Democrats (CSL) and the Union ministers remain in their posts.

Czech Senator Schwarzenberg Expelled from Cuba n May 19, Cuban hotel, took him to the airport and The Czech senator affirmed that heard during his stay, his expul- authorities expelled placed him on a plane. It was the he would continue pushing sion was a trifle. OCzech senator Karel conduct of for human Schwarzenberg met sever- Schwarzenberg who arrived a totalitarian ItIt isis unbelievableunbelievable thatthat oneone rights in al dissidents, including Oscar there for a meeting organized by country, he isis expelledexpelled fromfrom aa countrycountry Cuba in Espinosa and Oswaldo Paya in the Cuban Association for the added. It is without having spite of his Cuba. “They are absolutely not Support of Cuban Civic Society unbelievable violated the law, expulsion extremists, but very reasonable (APSC), a dissident umbrella that one said Schwarzenberg from the people who work for civic group, devised to push through is expelled country. society,” he said. democratic reform in Cuba. from a coun- He also Schwarzenberg said that the try without having violated the said that compared with the fate police had fetched him in the law, Schwarzenberg said. of Cuban prisoners, of which he 2 Czech the News/Summer 2005 Current Events Vaclav Havel Speaks at Library of Congress News Brief “The Emperor Has No Clothes” Czech Republic to s one of the highlights of army.” Czech Republic to issue biometric his visit to the USA, Vaclav Havel issue biometric passports AVaclav Havel addressed a shared his convic- passports distinguished audience on May tion that “we must Czech Republic, along 24, at the Library of Congress, support in every with other EU countries, with his speech, entitled “The possible way the should be issuing new, the Emperor has No Clothes.” people who stand so-called “biometric” trav- The former Czech up to dictatorial el documents within two President spoke about his regimes by taking years. In two years, bio- dissident years in communist- them at their word metric data will be includ- ruled Czechoslovakia and about and who draw ed in all newly issued trav- the fight that he and others public attention to Vaclav Havel with Pedro Fuentes Cid (left) and el documents. These will carried out against the all the contradic- Harry Wu (right) at the Library of Congress. feature a digital photo- totalitarian regime: tions between words and deeds in prison.” graph and a fingerprint. that are part of these regimes’ Havel also acknowledged “We took our daily practice. Such courageous the presence of freedom fighters “We took our According to the Czech country´s constitution, people exist in North Korea, in from the aforementioned coun- country´s constitution, Ministry of the Interior, its laws and interna- China, in Belorussia, in Cuba, tries and concluded by saying its laws and interna- biometric travel documents tional treaties – and in Burma, and in other countries that mankind today is “living in tional treaties – and are necessary in order to among them, chiefly as well. We all admire the a time when a single global among them, chiefly cooperate with foreign the Final Act of the courageous Aung Sung Su Chi, civilization embraces our planet, the Final Act of the countries in monitoring Helsinki Agreement – who believes in democracy and and when the fate of every Helsinki Agreement – and combating potential very seriously and we peacefully speaks out against human being and every society very seriously and we terrorist activities. Bio- began to demand its violent suppression. is, more than ever before, the began to demand metric passports are also that the government Recognition is also due to fate of us all. If we care for that the government required for entry into the respect them. the remarkable work of the others, we are, at the same time, respect them. USA for countries partici- Cuban dissidents, who – to caring for ourselves and our pating in US Visa Waiver That was how not only name only one initiative among children. As someone who years Program. Charter 77 in Czechoslovakia others – have managed to gather ago experienced first hand the did it, but also Solidarity in tens of thousands of signatures arbitrary rule of a dictatorial Bush thanks Klaus Poland, the Helsinki Committees in support of the Varela project, regime, but then lived to see Bush thanks Klaus for Czech presence in the Soviet Union, and other which takes the law seriously better times – to a large extent for Czech presence in Iraq, opposition groups in the and, in a legal way, demands because of the international in Iraq, Afghanistan communist countries. Those in respect for formally de- solidarity extended to us – I Afghanistan power were surprised and clared principles. Likewise, appeal to all those who have the U.S. President George W. caught off guard, and it was hard the Belorussian critics of opportunity to act against such Bush thanked Czech for them to justify the persecu- Lukashenko’s rule deserve both arbitrary behavior and to President Vaclav Klaus for tion of those who demanded moral and material support. express their solidarity with Czech participation in mil- nothing more than that the Many such citizens who people and nations who to itary operations in Iraq and authorities respect the rules that confront dictatorial regimes, in this day live in a state of Afghanistan at a reception they themselves had set. And so these peaceful ways, are active unfreedom.” marking the 60th anniver- a mere appeal to truth began to on the home front; many others sary of the end of World win out over the police and the work abroad, and many more are War II in Moscow.

Klaus said that Czech-U.S. Havel Promoted Human Rights (Continued) relations are very good and (Continued from page 1) that the meeting with Bush cultural and artistic discussion. rights record of nations such as figures. was held in a friendly While in the U.S., Havel also Burma, Belarus, China, Cuba Although very active in atmosphere. “[Bush] was met with World War II veterans, and North Korea, and urged Washington´s social and grateful for the participa- representatives of The American democratic governments around political circles, Vaclav Havel tion of the Czech Republic Friends of the Czech Republic the world to openly support spent most of his time studying in a series of activities, and Czech-Americans and political dissidents in these and writing at the Library of especially Afghanistan and Czechs living in the USA. countries. Following his speech, Congress. He wrote some 150 Iraq,” Klaus said. On May 24, Vaclav Havel the Czech Ambassador, Martin pages of his new book, which he gave a lecture on human rights Palous, hosted a dinner in honor would like to finish during the entitled “The Emperor Has No of Vaclav Havel at the summer. Clothes” at the Library of Czech Embassy. Participants at The Havels left the United Congress. The former President the dinner included several States with a great feeling of two spoke about the contradiction members of U.S. Congress, months well spent and declared between proclamations on prominent dissidents from upon their departure, that they human rights and the reality in the aforementioned countries, would love to come back to the certain countries in our world. human rights activists, foreign USA sometime in the future for He criticized the poor human diplomats and other important another long visit. Czech the News/Summer 2005 3 Current Events Czech Republic Has New Envoys News Brief at the World Bank and IMF Mosnov airport launcheslaunches regularregular ust recently, Pavel Frelich Finance of the Czech flightsflights toto MunichMunich was appointed as the new Republic. JCzech Republic representa- Last winter, Regular international flights tive to the World Bank. He Stanislav Polak re- from Mosnov airport near serves as Senior Advisor to the placed Jiri Jonas Ostrava, North Moravia to Executive Director of the group at the International Munich were launched in of countries under the Belgium Monetary Fund. Jonas May. There will be two constituency, which includes worked at the Fund flights between the cities Austria, Belarus, Belgium, from 1991 until daily and one flight on Czech Republic, Hungary, December 2004. His Sunday. These flights will Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, successor, Polak, now Pavel Frelich is the new Czech Republic be operated by Cirrus Slovenia, Slovakia and Turkey. serves as one of the representative to the World Bank. Airlines in cooperation According to Frelich, the Senior Advisors to the with Lufthansa and will unique cooperation with the Executive Director of the group International Economic Analysis take about 90 minutes. World Bank that was set up by of countries under Belgium con- Division at the Czech National Mosnov airport is the his predecessor, Jana Matesova, stituency (organized similarly as Bank. Stanislav Polak holds two second largest airport in was very successful. His goal, in the World Bank). master’s degrees - in Economics the Czech Republic after therefore, is to continue in this Stanislav Polak is provid- (University of Economics in Prague’s Ruzyne airport partnership and to promote ing advice on issues of multilat- Prague) and a Master’s degree in and has been managed by further cooperation especially in eral surveillance, including International Affairs from the regional authorities the priority areas and reforms discussion of the world Columbia University in New since 2004. The authorities that are still in progress. Czech economic outlook and global York. plan to modernize the air- Republic has financial sta- port at a cost of about CZK recently “graduat- bility, as well 160 million (USD 6.4 mil- ed” from borrower as individual lion). The Ostrava-Munich status with the country Article flight is the second direct International Bank IV consulta- international flight from an for Reconstruction tion. This core airport other than Prague- and Development activity of Ruzyne. and is now in tran- the Fund sition from being a provides the Government recipient of the foundation for EU Constitution the members’ approves 700 mil. World Bank´s Stanislav Polak is a Senior (Continued) crowns in foreign financial and tech- Advisor to the Executive Director cooperation in of the IMF. aid for next year nical assistance to promoting of (Continued from page 3) being a relevant partner and financial stability and growth of Dutch Parliament had agreed The government approved provider of global economy. The current that they would respect the will the use of 700 million development assistance. Pavel discussion is focused on global of the people if at least 30% of (USD 28 million) crowns Frelich will be responsible for economy imbalances and their the eligible voters voted in the for foreign aid next year. establishing this new relation- resolution. Additional aspectof referendum and would cast their That is 100 million crowns ship with the Bank. Frelich also the multilateral surveillance are vote accordingly. (USD 4 million) more than emphasized his other objective, monitoring capital markets, Approximately 62% turned was spent this year, accord- which is to enhance the flow of assessing driving factors of out for the Dutch referendum ing to Prime Minister information to the Czech capital flows and evaluating and nearly 62% voted against Paroubek. The aid will be exporters and consultants about vulnerabilities of financial ratifying the Constitution; there- mainly used for example the possibilities to participate in sectors. His duties also include fore, the Dutch government for financing of education the World Bank projects and close participation in bilateral rejected the Constitution as the programs in Angola, tenders and to make sure that the surveillance of the Fund with official Dutch decision. On the Zambia, Vietnam, Mongolia, information will always reach the Czech Republic. This other hand, many countries Yemen, Moldova, Bosnia its recipient and boost their implies regular and intensive chose to allow their respective and Herzegovina, Serbia chance of success. discussion with the Czech governments to speak for the and Montenegro, Iraq Frelich graduated from the authorities within the Article IV people without a referendum. and Afghanistan. Czech Technical University in consultations. Austria, Belgium, Greece, Prague with an MA degree in Since 1990, when he first Germany, Hungary, Italy, The Czech Republic, upon 1995. After several years as an joined the Czech National Bank Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, and joining the EU, promised economist and financial analyst, (CNB), Polak has gradually Slovenia all approved the to gradually increase the he gained a Master’s degree in acquired experience in the area Constitution via their national amount of foreign aid to Monetary Economics and of monetary policy and macro- legislatures; while Spain and the 0.33 percent of GDP in Finance at the University of economic analysis. He worked Netherlands utilized a non-bind- 2015. Glasgow, United Kingdom. as an Economist, Advisor to the ing referendum and France’s From 1998 until 2004, he head- Czech National Bank Board, decision was based solely on a ed the Financial Organizations and Director of the Economic referendum. All other Member Unit,International Organizations Modeling Division. In 2002, he States have not yet ratified the Department at the Ministry of became the Director of the Constitution. 4 Czech the News/Summer 2005 Current Events Czech Ice Hockey Team Wins World Championship News Brief the final game on a giant ce hockey, no doubt, Ceska zbrojovka to screen. As the Czech play- Ceska zbrojovka to is the most popular launch a control ers triumphed over launch a control Isport among Czechs. sustem to prevent Canada, everybody around The Olympic tourna- arms reexports ments and World the country rejoiced and praised the players, who Championships are The Czech arms producer instantly became icons for celebrated as if they Ceska zbrojovka Uhersky many young boys who were national holidays. Brod is considering the would like to become sport The streets are aban- launch of a control system stars one day as well. doned and quiet. that would prevent poten- At the Czech Embassy Meanwhile, homes, tial reexports of arms to in Washington, almost 200 bars, and pubs are customers or countries people gathered to watch packed, and every sin- other than those appearing Former President Vaclav Havel, Ambassador Martin the final game. Former gle TV set is turned on. Palous, and dozens of fans watch the final match of on the license issued by the President Vaclav Havel, who All Czechs keep their the ice-hockey world championship at the Embassy. Czech Republic. Before The Czech Republic beat Canada and happened to be in fingers crossed for their signing a contract the client secured the gold. Washington at that time, national team. will have to agree with joined the crowd in watching This year, though, has been On Sunday, May 15, the potential checks to prove the game and celebrating the even more special. The last time Czech Republic won the world the ownership of arms or victory. This year’s title is the the Czech Team won the ice hockey championship in further trade. Consent with fifth for the Czech Republic tournament was four years ago, Vienna, Austria. More than the checks would apparent- during the last ten years. in 2001 (see Czech the News, 30,000 people gathered at Old ly be required from larger June 2001). Town Square in Prague to watch customers in problem regions. Ceska zbrojovka, a major world producer of fire arms, exports products to about 100 countries on all continents.

Czech National History of the Museum launches Czech Olympic Movement an internet portal about the most lthough the Czech importance of the emerging notable Czechs & Republic is not a large Olympic movement, and did not Slovaks in history country, we have had attend. Seeing individual A The National Museum many successes at the Olympic nations’ flags raised high, Guth Games. Probably the best realized the mistake they launched a new portal enti- known Czech Olympians are made. He returned home and tled “People for Europe” Emil Zatopek, who triumphed in founded a permanent Olympic (www.peopleforeurope.cz) Helsinki, and a seven-time gold Committee. At that time, the featuring on-line informa- medalist, outstanding gymnast Czech lands were still part of tion and interactive fea- Vera Caslavska, who became the Austro-Hungarian empire, tures that bring notable world-famous after the Games the Committee was still Czech, Czechs and Slovaks to life neverethless, because until 1914 in Czech, Slovak, English in Tokyo. The most valuable Jaromir Jagr is probably the best contemporary Olympic victory athletes competed along the or Italian. The National known Czech ice-hockey player in Museum is hoping it will is by all means the triumph of lines of ethnicity, rather then the world of all time. our ice hockey team in Nagano state. prove a useful tool for both in 1998. During World War I, Guth showcase of their regime. students and fans of history The Czech Olympic and others were pressured to Finally, 50 years later, in alike. The site also features Committee was founded at the disband the Olympic 1989, the Czech Olympic virtual exhibits from the end of nineteenth century. Jiri Committee. In 1921, three years Committee was restored to its National Museum, as well Guth, a high school teacher in after the founding of full authority. Today, it is more as affiliated organizations, the south Bohemian town of Czechoslovakia, the Committee dedicated than ever and Czechs which can be easily viewed Klatovy met Pierre Coubertin, was reinstated and existed until can still boast some of the best through the so-called FSI the founder of modern Olympic the beginning of the next war. athletes in the world in both win- viewer, allowing 360 Games, while he was on a study During WW II, the Committee ter and summer sports. The degree rotation. Clearly the trip to Paris. The two soon was dissolved again. Czech Olympic Committee has project has great potential became life-long friends. The Committee was rein- today one major goal – to run for and is a first significant Coubertin invited Guth to take stated once again in nineteen the Games and to host the step by organizations like part in the congress founding the forties. Unfortunately, the com- Summer Olympic Games in the National Museum to first Olympic Games, but initial- munists abused Olympic values Prague. enter the digital age. ly the Czechs failed to grasp the and made sporting victories a

Czech the News/Summer 2005 5 Business Business Buzz Prague, Sixth Most Visited Czech GDP to grow over a 4 pct in City in Europe 2005, 2006 ourism is a huge industry In May, the Organisation in Prague and the rest of for Economic Cooperation Tthe Czech Republic. and Development (OECD) Millions of people from all has published its biannual around the world visit the city outlook for Czech Repub- every year - almost three and a lic. The experts expect the half million in 2004, according Czech Republic’s GDP to figures just released by Czech growth at 4.1 pct this year Tourism. Prague was the sixth and 4.3 pct in 2006 (against most visited city in Europe last 4 pct last year). In the doc- year. Prague Named Best ‘Region’ ument, the OECD calls for For many years, the largest speeding up of structural number of tourists was pouring for Business reforms and an improve- in from neighboring Germany. n independent London- 233 regions in Europe, the level ment of the business envi- In 2004, though, they were over- based consultancy firm, of education of each region's ronment in the country. taken by the Brits, almost Athe Centre for Economics population and its market size. Unemployment rate will 600,000 of whom visited the and Business Research (CEBR), Eastern European regions score remain at 8.3 pct and fall to "city of a thousand spires". This has said Prague tops its rankings generally well above the EU 8.2 pct next year, while the change is being attributed to the as the most attractive place to do average in terms of growth inflation should rise to 2.5 wide availability of inexpensive business in Europe. The CEBR prospects and in offering pct this year and 2.8 pct flights to Prague from many index evaluates economic investors a plentiful supply of next year (compared to 2 British cities. growth prospects for each of the highly skilled labor. pct last year). Exports should continue to grow at a fast pace; the OECD pre- Culture: Sokol Slet in Chicago dicts a growth of 12.2 pct for this year and 12.4 pct n June 21 – 25, 2005, the Slet as well as spectators, for next year. Investments the American Sokol in who joined the sportsmen will grow by a strong 8 pct OBerwyn, Illinois, hosted and sportswomen in their annually. the XXI. “American Sokol Slet” gathering. in the Chicago area. The organ- American Sokol is a Czechs meeting izers of this international physi- multi-faceted organization Maastricht criteria cal fitness and gymnastics com- guiding its members through- but growing slower petition (“slet” means “gather- out life, from early youth ing” in Czech) invited partici- through maturity, to physical place for children to learn The Czech Republic was pants from all over the world to and moral health, good citizen- personal discipline, physical the only one of the four take part in festivities at Morton ship and responsible patriotism, fitness and gymnastic skills, new central European EU West Hoffman Stadium, combined with continuous self- song and dance, Sokol is ready members to meet three of Berwyn, IL, Palos Park and in improvement. This goal is pur- and waiting for them. Sokol the four Maastricht criteria the Oak Brook area of the state sued through general physical units offer gym classes and for the adoption of the of Illinois. Events included fitness activities, gymnastics social activities for teenagers, EURO. As a result, Czechs artistic gymnastics, rhythmic and sports, as well as varied cul- too! Still feeling competitive in posted a slower growth, the gymnastics, swimming, fitness tural and social activities. your 20’s, 40’s or 60’s? Sokol Czech Statistical Office challenge, team calisthenics, Sokol was founded in 1862 has a place for you, too! Instead says in an analysis of running, volleyball, games and in the Czech lands which later of going over the hill, you can macroeconomic develop- plenty of other activities. All of became Czechoslovakia (now be going over the vault. Sokol ment released. Poland, these activities were open for Czech Republic and Slovak activities vary from unit to unit. Slovakia, and Hungary public view. And of course, Republic). The Sokol organiza- Most offer a wide range of class- grew faster although their social events, such as banquet tion continues today in the es in the gym and some have inflation was also faster. and awards ceremony, were United States as a vital, thriving dance, twirling or language On the other hand, the organized as well. entity. Based on founder Dr. classes. Sokol units sponsor Czech Republic has American Sokol Slet is Miroslav Tyrs’ credo of “A dance groups, volleyball teams, succeeded in maintaining organized once every four years. Sound Mind in a Sound Body” gym classes, dinners, dances stable prices, met the In 2005, the American Sokol the member units of the th and other activities for adults. criterion for interest rates celebrated their 140 anniver- American Sokol offer physical No one is too old for Sokol. and last year cut public sary in the United States. This training in gymnastics and other Next summer, Prague will budget deficit under 3 pct years´ festival of gymnastics athletics, as well as providing host the XIV. “All-Sokol Slet” of GDP, from 12 pct the and sport in the “Chicagoland” cultural awareness and family in the Czech Republic, birth- year before. area proved to be a success, oriented activities. Sokol’s first place of the Sokol thanks to the effort of organizers unit in America was started in movement. and thanks to the enthusiasm of St. Louis, Missouri, in 1865. more than 500 participants of If you are looking for a safe 6 Czech the News/Summer 2005 Culture Liberation of Plzen by US Armed Forces, 1945 hanks to the 1989 Velvet capital was denied – the US Business Buzz Revolution in Czechoslo- Forces “halt line” through Plzen Tvakia people of Plzen can was declared mandatory. Cesky Telecom sold again raise their beer mugs – In May 1990 Eugene Fodor toto Spain’sSpain’s toasting the American Army that was a guest of Plzen’s mayor Telefonica liberated their city in May 1945. Loukota – and so was another And the US Forces were quite OSS veteran, Barbara L. ready to do more: an OSS team Podoski. The city in those days headed by Lt. Eugene Fodor was flooded with US Armed came all the way to the Forces veterans wearing insignia country’s capital where he was of their World War II units. And approached by the miltary 5 years later, Plzen was at it commander of the Prague again – this time festivities took Uprising against the Germans. place around two monuments The commander asked for US erected to express Czechoslovak Barbara Lee Podoski The Czech government help – so Fodor took him to people’s gratitude – one reads gathered around the two monu- sold its controlling stake in USHQ in Plzen to meet general “Thank you, America,” the other ments, joined by thousands of Cesky Telecom to Spain’s Patton. Patton listened, then “Diky, Ameriko.” visitors, all sharing respect, Telefonica in a deal that consulted with his superiors, In the year 2000 and this gratitude and love for the USA. was finalized this June. General Bradley and General past May, 2005, the city of Plzen Washingtonian OSS World War The price - 3.5 billion US Eisenhower. But that request for paid tribute to America again – II veteran Barbara L. Podoski dollars - was considerably “green light” to reach the Czech huge crowds of local residents was one of them. higher than expected, which reflects the confi- dence of the buyer that the Exhibit: Czech Republic and the Commemorating 60th Anniversary of Western Bohemia by US Armed Forces telecom market in the Contributed by:Peter Rafaeli Czech Republic and central 2005 at the lobby of Inter- atives of many, if not all, of the Europe is going to prove to pring House, PA, June 2, national House, 3701 Chestnut photographs on display had to 2005: The Consulate be profitable. The sell-off Street, Philadelphia, PA. been hidden between 1948 and is the last major privatiza- SGeneral of the Czech The exhibit depicts scenes 1989 from the Communist Republic-Philadelphia in coop- from 1945 when U.S. and Secret Police. The Communist tion of the post-communist eration with the Czech Center in Belgian armed forces, under government of Czechoslovakia era. New York City, the Czech & the command of U.S. Army wanted to give the impression Slovak Heritage Association General George Patton, liberat- that all of Czechoslovakia was Czech car industry and the International House in ed Western Bohemia, including liberated by the Soviet Army. raised sales Philadelphia will open a photo the cities of Plzen, Cheb, All monuments erected in honor exhibit titled “…and along came Domazlice and Rokycany from of the Americans, except one, Domestic producers of cars freedom.” The exhibit will be Nazi occupation which began were demolished. and car components raised open from June 10 until July 8, about six years earlier. The neg- their sales by 14 pct last year to $15bn, a growth of 50 pct since the year 2000. Remembering Jan Werich, As soon as the Toyota 100 Years After His Birth Peugeot Citroën Auto- mobile (TPCA) car plant in an Werich, a legendary talented composer Jaroslav Kolin, Central Bohemia Czech actor, is best known Jezek who wrote music for their begins to operate at full for his theatre performanc- plays. Jaroslav Jezek died in J capacity, the Czech es, but he also appeared in many 1942, Jiri Voskovec returned Republic will join Belgium films and wrote a number of back to the United States after as Europe’s leading car books. Werich would have the war and Jan Werich decided maker by per capita output. turned 100 in February. Looking to stay in communist This year, the Czech back, Werich’s life and work Czechoslovakia. Republic will have an seem to have faithfully mirrored He found a new stage part- annual production capacity the twists and turns of history ner, Miroslav Hornicek, who took over the parts previously Caricature of Jan Werich of 800,000 cars, of which that the whole Czech nation played by Voskovec. The pre- Skoda Auto produces went through in the 20th war satires were no less relevant cumbed to communist authori- 500,000 and TPCA manu- century. in the communist days and even ties pressure. In 1977, three Jan Werich was born in factures 300,000 units. Bus took on new meanings that the years before his death he makers Karosa and SOR Prague in 1905. In school he met audiences understood and appeared at a meeting of artists his future stage partner, Jiri Libchavy, and truck mak- appreciated. condemning the Charter 77 ers Tatra and Avia are other Voskovec, with whom he wrote After the Soviet invasion in human rights manifesto. Despite many plays from absurd drama big players in the sector. 1968 Jan Werich had limited his controversial political The car industry has a to grim political satire between opportunities to perform in pub- stances, in modern-day Czech 1927 and 1938, when the two share of 20 pct in Czech lic. After he signed a pro-reform mythology Jan Werich became a exports. actors and writers were forced manifesto in 1972 he was com- symbol of anti-communist into exile. They left for the pletely banned from the public resistance through wit and intel- United States together with the life. In the end, Werich suc- ligent humor. Czech the News/Summer 2005 7 Culture Journey: A Novel of America Congratulations! About Czech Immigrants in Chicago and Frontier Montana ourney: A Novel of America New Mexico author, James 2005 Gratias agit 2005 Gratias agit is the inspiring and sprawl- M. Vesely’s most recent novel is Award laureates! Award laureates! Jing story of a Czech- a historical novel covering near- American family’s determined ly a hundred years in the for- Vera and Petr Bisek struggle and unforgettable tunes of a Czechoslovakian- (New York) odyssey – from the hunger and American immigrant family. hardship of Eastern Europe at “Journey” tells the coura- Jerry Elzner the turn of the century, across geous and inspiring story of the (Corpus Christi, Texas) the cold and gray Atlantic in Novaks, a closely-knit Czech steerage, and on into America’s family who immigrate to Czech Komensky Club growing cities and isolated America at the turn of the centu- (University of farms. ry. Most of the Novaks settle in Nebraska-Lincoln) The Novaks survive and Chicago, but their oldest son, grow through love and loss, Ondrej, leaves the big city to ...... peace and war, epidemic and homestead a farm in frontier depression, in a strange and Montana. wondrous new land far from The author set most of his Celebrating their Celebrating their home – a young and raw novel in the old Czech neighbor- Anniversary Anniversary America immersed in the hoods of Pilsen and Lawndale in at: Barnes & Noble or Borders restless throes of change. Chicago, where he was raised, as Books & Music as well as the 40 years “Journey” is a great, new well as on the banks of the Internet at: Moravian Cultural Society family saga of turmoil, heart- Marias River, north of Fort iUniverse.com, (Chicago, IL) break, and humor – with charac- Benton, and near the fictional Barnesandnoble.com, ters as vivid and colorful as the small settlement of New Edom, Amazon.com, Borders.com, rich, American landscape of the Montana. Walmart.com, and last hundred years. The novel can be ordered Booksamillion.com.

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