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Home , All My Loved Ones, Forum 2000, Nicholas Winton

CZECH the NewsNews Newsletter of the Embassy of the Vol. 1, 2008 Embassy Conducts Holocaust Education, Celebrates Winton arking the United Nations children who became curious MInternational Day of about the fate of families who Commemoration of the Victims disappeared from their home of on January towns during the Nazi era. 27, the Embassy of the Czech Ms. Zahradnikova’s presentation Republic in Washington, DC, to U.S. students included a conducts an annual Holocaust historical overview of in educational outreach program the Czech lands and the effects to students between the ages of of World War II on the Czech 12 and 18 in the United States. Jewish population. After viewing The Embassy launched this the exhibit for themselves, initiative in 2007 when more students assumed the identity than 150 students from the of one of the disappeared Washington metropolitan area neighbors, then wrote and Photo courtesy of Zuzana Minacova came to the Czech Consulate presented their stories to Ambassador Petr Kolar (L) with ’s son Nick Winton over a 4-day period to view the classmates. (center) and Igor Wassenberger (R) in . “Neighbors Who Disappeared” In 2008, the Embassy Nicholas Winton, a young Briton documentary, Nicholas Winton– exhibit. Marie Zahradnikova, the of the Czech Republic, with who helped save the lives of 669 The Power of Good, followed by exhibit’s curator from the Jewish the support of the Israeli and Czechoslovak Jewish and non- a discussion and presentation by Museum in Prague, presented British Embassies, continues the Jewish children during the run-up Holocaust educator Dr. Miriam the project which was produced Holocaust educational outreach to World War II. The in-school Klein Kassenoff and questions by contemporary Czech school program using the story of initiative includes screening the Continued on page 3

Contents: Czech Republic Joins Schengen n December 21, Border posts were abolished Message from the Ambassador..... 2 O2007, the Czech in the Czech Republic on Republic officially December 21, 2007, and Czech Trams Glide to Success...... 2 joined the Schengen external border controls at area—a geographical Ambassador’s Timeline of Events.. 2 international airports in the region comprised of Czech Republic for flights Czech Government Awards Five European member within the Schengen area Czech Americans...... 3 states that participate will be abolished on March

Gabriella Landa – Capturing the in the Schengen 30, 2008, in compliance with Abstraction of Things...... 4 Agreement and allow Schengen rules. The main free movement of change in travel for U.S. Choral Arts Society to Perform Dvorak Easter Concert...... 5 nationals between visitors to the Czech Republic member countries The is that the 90-day maximum Upcoming Czech Events Schengen area was stay includes time spent in the U.S...... 5 formally founded in in all European countries Director Reflects on Filmmaking June 1985 with the within the Schengen area. Journey...... 6 signing of the Schengen In addition to the Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.org One World Heads to DC for Convention, and was Map of Europe shows the Czech Republic, other new Festival Opener...... 6 originally comprised of 15 Schengen countries in blue. members of the Schengen area European member states that area country Movement between since December 2007 include Embassy Participates in abolished systematic border Environmental Film Festival...... 7 Schengen area States is included Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, control checks on citizens. in the 90-day maximun stay. Non- Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Avalon Brings Czech Filmmaking Schengen area members Schengen area nationals who are Slovenia, and the Slovak to the Forefront...... 7 apply uniform rules of entry and subject to a visa requirement Republic. They join current Czech Populations Hits duration of stays to nonmember according to their nationality Schengen members Austria, Record Growth...... 8 citizens. Visitors to the Czech will still need a visa which Belgium, , Finland, Republic from non-Schengen France, Germany, Greece, Did You Know?...... 8 will specify the duration of the countries can stay for a maximum authorized stay, not to exceed Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, of 90 days within a 180-day 90 days in any half-year period , Norway, Portugal, period, calculated from the date Unless otherwise stated, the visa Spain, and . of first entry into any Schengen is valid for all Schengen States. Current Events Czech Trams Glide to Success in U.S. Message from the Ambassador

Dear Friends, While change is the

current buzzword in American Photo courtesy of www.inekon.cz politics, the Czech Republic Czech tram in Seattle, WA also is undergoing some emonstrating the growing after 3 years of planning and transitions of its own, many Dimportance of Czech construction, Seattle became Photo courtesy of Chad Wyatt of which will enhance Czech exports to international markets, the latest U.S. city to use Czech foreign relations. As of December 2007, the Czech Republic Czech trams and trollies are trams in its transportation officially joined the Schengen area which removes border currently running on tracks in infrastructure when it unveiled controls between us and our European neighbors. Travel from several U.S. cities including a brand new 1.3 mile streetcar the Czech Republic to other Schengen member countries is San Francisco, Boston, Tacoma, network which utilizes three now as easy as travel between U.S. States, and standardizes and Portland, Oregon, with trams manufactured by Inekon our travel security measures within the European Union (EU). Washington, DC, and others Group. The Ostrava-based rail Citizens of Schengen area nations can move freely between preparing to incorporate this transportation company produced states while visa requirements for non-Schengen area citizens environmentally friendly and and adapted the trams to meet are now consistent throughout most of Europe (for an efficient technology into local U.S. specifications Inekon overview of how this change affects U.S. citizens, see the full mass transit systems The two Group’s U.S. tram sales in the story on the front page). largest Czech tram manufactur- Seattle deal are valued at USD ers, Skoda Transportation and $10 million (approximately 200 The Czech Republic also continues to move closer to full Inekon Group, design and million Czech crowns) with visa parity with the United States. In the meantime, we are produce trams, trollies, and parts overall U.S. sales amounting to busy preparing to assume the presidency of the European for the U.S. market. approximately USD $30 million Union. For the first 6 months of 2009 the Czech Republic On December 12, 2007, (600 million Czech crowns). will serve as the face and voice of the EU. The high volume of activities, meetings, and events associated with the EU Ambassador’s Timeline of Events presidency necessitates that the Embassy here in Washington September 18, 2007 undergo renovations in late spring 2008. After the dust Ambassador Petr Kolar with settles and the tarpaulins are removed we will be better able Senator Dianne Feinstein and to accommodate our many guests. Also in 2008, the Czech Slovak Ambassador Rastislav Republic is submitting its bid to host the 2016 summer Kacer discuss human rights Olympics in Prague in the hope of sharing our beautiful city issues at the Burma Forum, with the world. cosponsored by the Embassy of the Czech Republic and the The year 2008 serves as an important anniversary of Stanley Foundation. many important events that shaped Czech history—including the 90th birthday of the founding of the first Czechoslovak October 25, 2007 Republic in 1918, as well as commemoration of the pivotal During the Czech National political changes of 1938 (the Munich Agreement which Day celebration, Ambassador gave ’s Sudetenland to Germany and de Kolar presented General James facto control of Czechoslovakia to Hitler), 1948 (communist Jones, former Supreme Allied takeover of the country), and 1968 (Warsaw pact invasion of Commander of Europe, with Czechoslovakia). We plan to mark these defining milestones the Cross of Merit, the highest in Czech history throughout the year to celebrate the triumph honor bequeathed by the Czech of free will and democracy over oppression. Minister of Defense. October 31, 2007 I invite you to join us at the many functions the Embassy Ambassador Kolar met with will sponsor in the greater Washington metropolitan area Tennessee Governor Phil Brede- throughout 2008. In the meantime, I wish you great success, sen and members of the Tennes- health, and happiness in the new year. see World Affairs Council to discuss Czech-US and Czech- Tennessee issues. He also spoke to students at Vanderbuilt Warmly, University. November 12, 2007 Ambassador Kolar with Acad- emy award-winning director Jiri Menzel after opening Menzel’s Petr Kolar Washington premiere of I Served the King of England during the EU Showcase at the AFI Silver Theater. 2 Czech the News/Vol. 1, 2008 Current Events Czech Government Awards Five Czech Americans he Ministry of Foreign is to promote and preserve the War II. The son of a TAffairs (MFA) of the Czech natural and cultural heritage Czechoslovak Army Republic awarded the 2007 of the region while developing General who went Cernin Palace Bronze Memorial sustainable ecological tourism. into hiding, young Medal to five extraordinary The Chmelars modeled the Luza was captured Czech Americans whose life’s Czech Greenways project on the by the Germans and work has helped enhance Czech- Hudson River Valley Greenways then released in hopes American relations. Named for in New York. In 1994 New York that he would lead the building which houses the Governor Mario Cuomo declared the Nazis to his MFA, the annual award honors these two greenways sisters. father. Instead he those who have made significant Tiree Chmelar and her husband evaded his pursu- contributions to preserving and were instrumental in raising ers and joined his promoting relations between funds from international father in the under- Photo courtesy of Nora Jurkovicova Honorary Consul Josef Mestenhauser presents the Czech Republic and the organizations to develop and ground movement. His the Czernin Palace Bronze Memorial Medal to United States. Ambassador Petr support the Czech Greenways subsequent story of re- Mrs. Libby Imbrone Kolar presents the awards to the program. sistance, hiding, and guerilla at- honorees, who are nominated Libuse Rybnicek Imbrone tacks on the occupiers is told in Foundation of Texas helps by Czech honorary consuls in was raised in a family of Czech his memoir The Hitler Kiss. Mr. promote the study of Czech the United States. The 2007 immigrants who nurtured in her Luza escaped from Czecho- music in the United States and recipients are Tiree and Lubomir an appreciation of Czech in 1948 and came to enables Czech students to study Chmelar, Libuse Imbrone, language, literature, art, music, the United States where he is in Texas. Radomir Luza, Marvin J. Marek, and civic affairs. Throughout her professor emeritus of history at Marjorie Sobotka is a and Marjorie Sobotka. life, Ms. Imbrone has worked Tulane University. His books, devoted genealogist and author Tiree Chmelar (in to promote Czech and Slovak articles, and teaching have of numerous publications memoriam) and Lubomir culture in the United States. contributed greatly to the including the book Nebraska- Chmelar helped found Czech She is a long-time member of understanding of Czech history. Kansas Settlers, 1891–1895. Greenways-Zelene Stezky whose Sokol-Minnesota and a founding Marvin J. Marek has A board member of the Prague-Vienna Greenways is a member of the Czech and Slovak dedicated more than 30 years Czechoslovak Genealogical 250-mile long network of hiking Cultural Center in St. Paul, MN. to fostering Czech heritage in Society International, Ms. and biking trails that travels Radomir Luza, born in Texas. In addition to serving as Sobotka actively works to between the two cities through Czechoslovakia, was an ac- president of the Texas chapter of perpetuate Czech and Slovak historic towns in some of the tive member of the anti-fascist the National Alliance of Czech heritage in the United States and most picturesque countryside in resistance in German-occupied Catholics, Mr. Marek’s work helps Americans find relatives or Europe. The Greenways objective Czechoslovakia during World with the Czech Educational ancestry in the Czech Republic.

Embassy Conducts Holocaust Education, Celebrates Winton (continued) Continued from page1 and answers with Alice Masters, one of the children saved by Winton. Film screenings and discussion also will take place at the Library of Congress and at the Magen-David Sephardic Congregation in Rockville, MD. American Friends of the Czech Republic (AFoCR) has been pivotal in bringing the Win- ton story to the American public. Photo courtesy of JoAnn Cooper tives honoring Sir Winton for his Students participate in the 2007 Their promotional efforts led to a herioc actions, and publication Holocaust educational outreach special letter of recognition from program at the Embassy of the of the educational book Nicholas President Bush to Nicholas Win- Czech Republic. Winton’s Lottery of Life by Matej ton in July 2006, the passage of Minac and translated from the Winton and included a visit with House Resolution 583 by the Czech by AFoCR president Pe- Czech President Vaclav Klaus, a U.S. House of Representa- ter Rafaeli. AFoCR is currently reception at the residence of U.S. distributing Ambassador Richard Graber, 17,000 free recognition at Vaclav Havel’s copies of , and a Prague gala the book attended by more than 3,000 to educa- guests including 2,700 school tional institutions children. nationwide upon request. For more information on the In October 2007, Mr. Ra- Holocaust educational outreach faeli and Ambassador Petr program conducted by the Kolar traveled to Prague to Embassy of the Czech Republic attend a week-long series in Washington, please call JoAnn

Photo courtesy of Mary E. Fetzko of events that honored Sir M. Cooper at (202) 274–9126. Czech the News/Vol. 1, 2008 3 Czech Americans

Gabriela Landa – Capturing the Abstraction of Things

The American Realist painter Edward Hopper said, “If I could say it in words, there would be no reason to paint.” But for Gabriela Landa, a Czech-born, New York-based artist who speaks five languages, neither words nor painting offered her enough outlets to communicate her creativity. So she added photography, sculpture, and jewelry design to her repertoire of expression. Photo courtesy of Gabriela Landa

Gabriela Landa

Born in Karlovy Vary and only inspiration.” she exhibited her in Czechoslovakia, Gabriela In college Landa studied artwork and, as was 2 in 1968 when her family art and anthropology at the she puts it, “kept immigrated to Germany via University of Munich and took in touch with my Yugoslavia and Austria, settling courses at the Art Academy there. original cultures.” in Bayreuth, Bavaria. She grew up A year later the Berlin wall fell In 1996 Czech straddling two worlds—German and Gabriela went to Prague to fashion designer life at school and with friends find her roots. She continued her Helena Fejkova and Czech life at home with her study of art at Charles University, included Landa’s family. Her parents insisted that especially Baroque and Art jewelry designs, she learn Czech and know about Nouveau and what she calls “a also known Czech culture. Artistic influences world view different from the as “wearable from Czechoslovakia followed Western European one.” After 3 sculpture,” in her her to Germany in the form years of traveling between Prague fashion collection. of Czech theater directors and and Bayreuth, experiencing Landa has since performers who came annually difficulties transitioning between cooperated with to work at the Bayreuth Festival cultural identities and not finding numerous fashion and regularly visited her family’s the roots she searched for, Landa designers and home. Gabriela credits them transferred to the University her work has with stimulating been featured not her creativity, “Learning about other peoples only in shows in “They opened a and their identification has been Europe and the window to then- United States, but Czechoslovakia one of the greatest things also has been used and another giant for my life and art.” in the film industry Photo courtesy of Gabriela Landa one onto the arts,” ~ Gabriela Landa and on MTV. she remembers. While these of Vienna where new friends Landa likens the Czech artists were her teachers, encouraged her to further broaden influences in her life, which the Bayreuth Festival was her her cultural horizons. So she straddle Europe and the university. “If there had been went with them to Guatemala. Americas, to the archeological nothing else in Bayreuth at that There she met Arturo Monroy, layering of architecture in time, and there was nothing else, an art master of native Indian ancient civilizations, “Where, Wagner’s operas were worth descent, under whose guidance for instance, the Indians living there. Over a period of 15 Landa expanded her knowledge built a pyramid at first and years Wagner’s oeuvre taught of painting, especially her sense after the Christian influence me about mythology, legends, of color. Subsequently, she arrived, they set a church on mysticism, and psychology spent half the year for the next top, integrating the original as well as the world’s best 6 years in Guatemala absorbing pyramid as the base of the new singing.” a new language, culture, and construction.” But she also Landa first came to the worldview. Monroy’s indigenous responds to the genius loci of United States in 1986 as an influence is apparent in Landa’s wherever she is, “In Guatemala exchange student and spent a paintings but she points out that with all its time, color, and year in Florida where she was the predisposition in her identity spirit, I feel like painting. Los

attracted to the ecological beauty and her artistic expressions Angeles inspires me to sculpt. Photo courtesy of Gabriela Landa of the area. Since her early is not easily quantifiable. “I New York is a media city, New York montages years admiring the variety of create a world as I see it—full perfect for photography, and by Gabriela Landa. European landscapes—verdant of symbols, free-floating yet in Europe is a mix of those things,” about life in a more open society.” fields, stony outcroppings, and a certain composition to each she says, adding that, “Learning Within months, however, New dramatic cliffs—and summering other. My work mirrors the about other peoples and their York would change dramatically. on the Kornaty Islands along the changes in my life: there is a identification has been one of the “9/11 happened,” she remembers, Croatian coast, Landa has been sense of defragmentation but also greatest things for my life and “That was it for making art and inspired by the way elements— one of unity, which coexist like art.” creating beauty for awhile and the water and stone for instance— in a breathing process.” In May 2001 Landa moved best I could do was to discover shape and influence each other, During the late 1990s Landa to New York because she recalls the city’s essences of that time especially over time. Her work traveled between and lived in “Guatemala had become too with my camera.” Through is strongly influenced by nature, Prague, Berlin, Los Angeles, dangerous and Europe was too her New York photomontages, which she calls her “ultimate one Miami, and Guatemala where safe to interest me. I was curious Continued on page 5 4 Czech the News/Vol. 1, 2008 Czech Culture

Gabriela Landa – Capturing the Abstraction of Things (continued) Continued from page 4 States, Landa maintains close Landa says she tried to “catch the contact with her European moment of diffusion in all the roots. Her parents still live in energy and movement happening Bayreuth where her mother is in Manhattan.” She then layered president of the Czech-German many of the photos with images Association of Bayreuth. In the from Prague, France, Italy, and Czech Republic, Landa recently elsewhere, “to create a common concluded an exhibition at Jaro- language between those places,” slav Sveceny’s Violino Gallery and was struck by how the in Prague and is preparing a new cultural differences were easily exhibition in Karlovy Vary. bound together in one image. Here in the United States, While she views art as a Photo courtesy of Gabriela Landa she is finishing a body of In the painting Universe with Bird of very personal expression, in Paradise on the left, Landa reveals photographic prints and is her own work Landa strives to the influence of her time spent in working on a large interior capture universal qualities that Guatemala. sculpture for a New York unify everyone and everything, diplomats about cultural and hotel. “I create interior and or what she calls “a language of political issues; the German daily exterior sculptures from essences.” She explains, “If we newspaper Die Welt; and the glass and stones and other are not able to see each other’s Czech BBC. materials as doorways of differences as beautiful, we will Landa views her connec- beauty that lead the viewer have to let go of them and find tion to her homeland from a Na- into a sacred sphere of his other values which unite us.” tive American perspective, “The imagination. In the future, I As time passed, photography Indians cherish the place where want to make these sculptures alone, being bound to machinery, your umbilical cord is buried in more than life-size, so one can became too limiting for Landa’s the ground; although mine surely really pass through them,” she imagination. So when a friend wasn’t buried, my place of birth says. While the sizes and genres in New York offered to share has a growing significance to me of Landa’s artwork are varied, his studio space with her, she and I hold it sacred, although at her artistic goal remains constant, www.gabrielalanda.com. returned to painting, drawing, a distance,” she says. Separation “I want to bring beauty into A model wears the necklace Continents designed by sculpting, and design. In addition from the comforts of home, Lan- existence. I am not an artist who Gabriela Landa to creating artwork Landa also da adds, plays a major role in her expresses his suffering in his art. writes about the arts. Some of work, “I love to see things from I like to transform suffering or For more information on her clients include the Czech art a distance as a way to catch the just wait until it is watered down Gabriela Landa and her art, magazine Atelier; EuroJournal, abstraction of things.” Although to a level where I can start work- please visit www.gabrielalanda. a German-based publication for she now resides in the United ing again and bring happiness.” com. Choral Arts Society to Perform Dvorak Easter Concert he 190-voice Choral Arts founder and artistic director Upcoming TSociety of Washington Norman Scribner, is a major (CASW) under the direction of symphonic chorus in the Czech Events Norman Scribner will perform United States. Composed of in the U.S. Antonin Dvorak’s Stabat Mater professional-caliber volunteer at the Kennedy Center Concert singers, the Choral Arts Society February 2, 1-9 pm Hall on Palm Sunday, March 16, of Washington has sung (Protivin, IA) 2008, at 3 pm. Honorary concert under the world’s leading patrons Ambassador Petr Kolar orchestra conductors, recorded Celebrate the Second Annual and Mrs. Kolarova will host a numerous acclaimed CDs, Masopust (which translates pre-concert reception at their and tours nationally and as “good-bye to meat”, and home for CASW supporters. internationally. The Chorus is is a Czech-style Mardi Gras) Stabat Mater (There Stood regularly called upon to help at the Community Center in the Mother), Dvorak’s greatest inaugurate presidents, honor Protivin, IA. Events include choral work, is renowned as one world leaders, celebrate national live music from Jim Busta of the most eloquent compositions holidays, and participate in and Larry Novotny, dancing, inspired by the ancient Latin televised performances. Soloists raffle, and more. Attendance poem Stabat Mater that tells performing Stabat Mater with for Masopust is by advanced the story of the crucifixion and the Chorus are Kelley Nassief, ticket sales only. Tickets resurrection of Christ. Dvorak’s soprano; Stacey Rishoi, mezzo- are $20. For more informa-

Stabat Mater contains soaring Arts Society Photo courtesy of Choral soprano; Jonathon Boyd, tenor; tion, contact Linus Voves at melodies and orchestration The Choral Arts Society performs at and Trevor Scheunemann, bass. (641) 394–2055, or Steven that so movingly capture the the Kennedy Center. For more information on Klimesh at (563) 562–3594. emotions of Mary witnessing brink of tears. the Choral Arts Society and the final agony of her Son Jesus The Choral Arts Society of for concert tickets, please call Continued on page 7 Christ that soloists performing Washington, entering its 43rd (202) 244–3669 or go to www. the piece are often moved to the season under the leadership of choralarts.org.

Czech the News/Vol. 1, 2008 5 Film

Director Reflects on Filmmaking Journey Film director Matej Minac, born in 1961, grew up in Slovakia. His mother, a photographer and artist, wanted him to have a stable career like his mathematician brother and become a hotel manager by waiting tables. To his mother’s great chagrin, Minac decided not to waste time as a waiter but instead set his sights on film school at the Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in (VŠMU) where he would achieve his dream of being a filmmaker. “For years she was telling me what a stupid thing I had done, that I didn’t obey her and didn’t study something that is more useful, practical, and better for life,” he recalls. Photo courtesy of Zuzana Minacova Matej Minac

Minac became famous for when she remembered the war asked his friend Alice Klimova his feature debut film All My and how little by little most of to translate it into English. Loved Ones (Vsichni moji blizci, the people from her childhood Klimova read the script and 1999), about a Czech Jewish had disappeared. Her recounting told Minac that the story had a family at the onset of German her childhood opened a door in number of mistakes, especially occupation and the family’s Minac’s mind. He remembers, the part about the children decision to send their child to “Suddenly it struck me that this leaving by train to England. Nicholas Winton (in 1939) holds a child he helped rescue. safety in England. He also filmed can be really a great story, which When Minac asked her how she a similar-themed documentary, was actually never done before… knew, she dumbfounded him Nicholas Winton—The Power of I wouldn’t shoot a film about the by saying, “I know because I

Photo courtesy of www.jewishaz.com Good, (Síla lidskosti—Nicholas wartime experiences, but I would was one of those children, one Fred Linch credited on Web site Winton, 2002), which tells of Winton’s children.” She said postpone in life and I have to “Anything that is reasonable the extraordinary story she was only 4 and a half at do this documentary right away of Nicholas Winton, the can be achieved.” the time, but directed Minac to because simply the man may die, British stockbroker who ~ Nicholas Winton “Nicky” Winton who was still and he’s incredible,” said Minac. saved 669 Czech Jewish alive and well in England. Minac In an interview with Czech Radio, children during the 9 months shoot a film about what preceded immediately set up an interview Minac discussed his decision to that preceded the outbreak of the war from the perspective of a and spent hours discussing proceed with the documentary World War II. The film won the child. The child gradually starts Winton’s story and how he had with little support, saying, “What prestigious International Emmy to understand that something’s brought the children to England. would Nicholas Winton do in my Television Award in 2002. happening and eventually he is After meeting Winton, position? Because when he came Inspiration for Minac’s the only one who is rescued.” Minac not only wanted to make here to Prague and he wanted first film, , With his mother’s stories in a feature film, he also wanted to rescue all these children… surprisingly came from Minac’s mind, Minac went to the Jewish to create a documentary about everybody was telling him here mother, who was working on Museum in Prague where he Winton. Looking for support, in Prague...it’s absurd. You can her own family album exhibition discovered the book Pearls of Minac discovered that Czech never manage it. The British at the time. In the past, she had My Childhood by Vera Gissing. and Slovak Television were not won’t let the children in. The not talked about her childhood, In the book Gissing mentions interested in backing the project. Gestapo won’t let the children but while doing the exhibition a man named Nicholas Winton “They told me—look, you are out. You don’t have the money, she recalled happy memories of who saved over 600 children doing a feature film. You know, so how do you want to do it? her five crazy uncles. She told before the outbreak of World you should concentrate on the It’s crazy. And Winton says that Minac about their adventures War II. Minac decided to base feature film, and I said—you anything that is reasonable can at the casinos, but grew somber his treatment on Winton, and know, certain things you can’t be achieved.”

One World Heads to DC for Festival Opener The 10th Annual One World to 15 major cities around the the film’s theme. An equally International Human Rights globe, including Washington, important part of the festival Documentary Film Festival will Bucharest, Brussels, Hong Kong, includes a 3-day human rights take place in Prague, Czech , and Paris. conference structured around the Republic, March 5–March 13, One World in Washington, themes: New European Union 2008. Organized by the Czech DC, takes place from April Member States and the Support non-governmental organization 9–12, 2008, and kicks off with of Democracy, Cuba as Seen (NGO) People in Need, the a screening of Damas de Blanco through Central European Eyes,

festival is traditionally held (Ladies in White) at the Avalon and Belarus: How to Help the Photo courtesy of dusteye.files.wordpress.com under the auspices of former Theatre. During the course Dissent. Aung San Suu Kyi Czech president Vaclav Havel. of the One World Festival in By organizing the One aspects of modern Czech foreign This year’s festival is dedicated Washington, People in Need World Festival at international policy. The Czech Republic to the laureate plans to screen seven films venues, People in Need aims is dedicated to addressing Aung San Suu Kyi and the focusing on Cuba, Burma, and to make human rights issues democratization of totalitarian people of Burma. People in Need Belarus. Most screenings will more visible while emphasizing regimes by sharing its experience additionally plans to organize be followed by debates with that support of democratization from its own successful “echoes” of One World in 10 the filmmakers or experts on and human rights are important transformation. 6 Czech the News/Vol. 1, 2008 Film Embassy Participates in Environmental Film Festival ith global warming a top the crisis of global Upcoming Wpriority in today’s world, warming through the the green-savvy Embassy of the microcosm of life Czech Events Czech Republic is contributing she establishes in the in the U.S. two film selections to the 16th fridge. Annual Environmental Film The Embassy also Continued from page 5 Festival in Washington, DC, on will screen a documen- Wednesday, March 19, at 7 pm. tary by director Alena February 16 In her short film The Cincerova. The Farm- (Astoria, NY) Fridge, Czech animator Lucie ers (Sedlaci) examines Zlata Praha Restaurant Stamfestova ingeniously reveals the stories of farmers invites you to the 27th how life can go haywire when whose land was given Czech and Slovak Ball. The a refrigerator door is left open. back to them in post- evening begins at 8 pm with Vegetables start sprouting daisies communist restitution. Photo courtesy of Lucie Stamfestova Lucie Stamfestova cleverly reveals the live music, dancing, dinner, and cute chicks hatch from eggs. Cincerova returns to problems of climatic change in The Fridge. and more, and takes place at Meanwhile, a light bulb looms the farmers she filmed the Astoria World Manor, in a corner with the temperature over 10 years before to see how age with 11-year-old archival 25–22 Astoria Boulevard, rising. Will the man who opened they are faring. Are they still material creates an impressive Astoria, NY. To purchase the fridge return to close the struggling with the debris left report about the life of Czech tickets or receive additional door before all is spoiled or will over from communism, or are farmers under two different details call (718) 721–6422 even greater calamities ensue? their farms prospering? The political systems and during two or e-mail info@zlatapraha. Stamfestova creatively addresses juxtaposition of new film foot- different millennia. cc. Avalon Brings Czech Filmmaking to the Forefront March 6 – 8 (Cedar Rapids, IA) he Avalon, a historic art house theater in Washington, DC, has become the place to see some of the best The Czech and Slovak His- Czech films in the Nation’s capital. For the last year, the Embassy has collaborated with the Avalon to T tory and Culture Conference bring award-winning films that are in limited distribution in the U.S. This season features director Matej will be held at the National Minac’s film All My Loved Ones as part of the Embassy’s Holocaust educational outreach program. The Czech and Slovak Museum April screening of Ladies in White (Damas de Blanco) will open the One World DC Film Festival, devoted and Library and at the Mar- to bringing human rights films and concerns to a wider audience. riott Hotel and Conference February 13, 8 pm March 12, 8 pm April 9, 7 pm Center in Cedar Rapids. For more information, please visit www.ncsml.org or call (319) 362–8500.

March 26 – 30 (New York, NY) Czech singer/composer Photo courtesy of www.kultura.sms.cz Photo courtesy of www.nudavbrne.cz Photo courtesy of People in Need Iva Bittova will perform All My Loved Ones Bored in Brno Ladies in White “Out of Place” with the (Vsichni moji blizci) (Nuda v Brne) (Damas de Blanco) Wendy Osserman Dance Directed by: Matej Minac Directed by: Vladimir Moravek Directed by: Ivana Milosevic Company. The event takes 1999, 94 min., in Czech with 2003, 103 min., in Czech with 2007, 53 min., in Spanish with place at 8 pm at the Hudson English subtitles English subtitles English subtitles Guild Theater located at Starring: Josef Abraham, Jiri 441 West 26th Street. For Bartoska, Libuse Safrankova, Shy, slow-witted Standa has plans The Damas de Blanco (Ladies more information, please and Krzysztof Kowalewski to travel to Brno to spend the in White) is an organization of call (212) 868–4444 or visit night with Olinka, the girl of his women who united to push for the www.smarttix.com. Shortly before the Nazi dreams. While Olinka receives release of 75 political prisoners, occupation of Czechoslovakia, advice regarding lovemaking imprisoned during the 2003 March 29 Jewish doctor Jakub Silberstein, from supportive single women spring crackdown in Cuba. Every (LaGrange, IL) instead of fleeing for safety, buys who live in her building, Standa Sunday, the women meet in the The Czech and Slovak a beautiful villa where he resides relies on the encouragement of Miramar section of Havana in a American Genealogical So- with his wife, children, and his slightly more experienced silent protest march as a means of ciety of Illinois (CSAGSI) eccentric but amiable brothers. older brother Janda. The brothers pushing for the immediate release announces the 2008 Mini At the villa, the Silberstein family stop beforehand in a local pub, of the incarcerated men, who are Conference on Emigration- enjoys a succession of weddings, where Janda tries to shore up their husbands, sons, and family Immigration of the Czechs parties, religious celebrations, Standa’s courage. Meanwhile, members. This documentary and Slovaks into Illinois. and day-to-day events until chaos Olinka deals with the unexpected allows the women to tell their The event will take place arises. When the brutality of the return of her overprotective stories and speak out about what at the First Presbyterian Nazis erupts and one of Jakub’s mother by drugging her into it means to be a woman in Cuba; Church of LaGrange from brothers commits suicide, the unconsciousness and hiding her about the impact of having a 8:30 am–2:30 pm. For fur- family decides to save David, in the pantry. Olinka plans to lose loved one labeled an enemy of ther information, please call the youngest son. They entrust her virginity to Standa, but his the state; and about their desire (630) 906–8175 or e-mail him to the care of Nicholas extreme nervousness threatens to be reunited with their loved [email protected]. Winton in hopes of saving him. her plans. ones.

Czech the News/Vol. 1, 2008 7 Czech Interest Czech Population Hits Record Growth Did You Know? According to the Czech Hiking Trails Statistical Office the population The Czech Republic of the Czech Republic grew to has one of the most 10,349,372 inhabitants as of comprehensive and October 2007, the highest since complex networks the 1980s. The number of the of hiking trails in country’s inhabitants increased the world. In 1889 by 62,200 in the first 9 months the Czech Hiking of 2007. Although the birth rate Club established the rose in 2007 and was higher than system used to mark the death rate, the population the trails and has growth is attributed mainly www.pragueviennagreenways.org Photo courtesy of JoAnn Cooper since made acces- to immigration. Immigrants Vaclavske namesti sible a vast network (Wencelaus Square) comprise 3.6 percent of the of beautiful trails population of the country, with number than in the same period across the whole Photo courtesy of the largest influx in 2007 (20,700) the previous year. Also in the first Cyclers stop to enjoy the view country. The Czech of the Sumava Mountains in the from Ukraine. In the first 9 9 months of 2007, some 86,400 Republic currently Czech Republic. months of 2007, approximately babies were born in the Czech has approximately 52,400 immigrants moved to Republic, 6,300 more than in the 40,000 km (24,852 miles) of marked trails for hikers, skiers, the Czech Republic, twice the same period in 2006. and cyclists.

Production Assistance: Jakub Hodbod and Andrea Pohl Andrea and Hodbod Jakub Assistance: Production

Circulation: Romana Lesakova, [email protected] Lesakova, Romana Circulation:

Writers: JoAnn M. Cooper and Mary Fetzko Mary and Cooper M. JoAnn Writers:

Art Director: Mary Fetzko, [email protected] Fetzko, Mary Director: Art

Editor-in-Chief: JoAnn M. Cooper, [email protected] Cooper, M. JoAnn Editor-in-Chief:

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