CZECH the NEWSNEWS Newsletter of the Embassy of the Vol. 1, 2011 Czech-US Economic Dialogue Launched zech Minister of Industry mercial contacts with their Cand Trade Martin Kocourek international partners. Min- and U.S. Secretary of Commerce ister Kocourek informed his Gary Locke officially launched partner in the discussions that the Czech-U.S. Economic the Czech Republic plans for Dialogue during their talks in the focus of the first economic Washington, D.C., on Decem- mission to be on the energy ber 6, 2010. Both sides agreed sector and expects that it will that intensive bilateral economic take place in the spring of 2011. cooperation will be one of the Minister Kocourek and pillars of their mutual relations. Secretary Locke together with The Ministers have agreed U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven that they will actively promote Chu signed the Joint Declaration measures that will lead to in- Concerning Industrial and creased mutual commercial ex- Commercial Cooperation in change and investments flowing Photo courtesy of Martin Pizinger the Nuclear Energy Sector. both ways. As a priority, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke meets with Czech Minister of Trade Martin Kocourek in Washington, DC. The signing of this declaration partners will focus on supporting confirms both countries’ priority innovation and investment into retary Locke approved a plan will always concentrate on a interest in the nuclear energy science and research, designat- for regularly holding economic specific sector of the economy, sector and launches intensive ing IT and energy as being key missions from the Czech Re- will be an ideal opportunity bilateral cooperation on the sectors as well. public to the U.S. and vice for representatives of the busi- commercial basis as well as in Minister Kocourek and Sec- versa. These missions, which ness communities to gain com- the science-technology field.

Contents:

Message from the Chargé d’Affaires, ad interim...... 2

GULAG Collection Reveals Condi- tions of Soviet Labor Camps...... 2 Photo courtesy of the Lane Motor Museum Human Rights and Democracy: A 1935 T57 will be featured at the Czech Embassy during the EU Open House. Examining the Lives of Political Prisoners...... 3 TATRA to Present Antique and Modern at the Czech Embassy he Embassy of the Czech designed automobile, powered Tactical . This vehicle is Czech President Honors TRepublic welcomes the by a 75 horsepower (56 kW) a member of the most recent Economist Becker...... 4 public to attend an antique and rear-mounted, 3.4-liter air-cooled development of the new military modern TATRA Auto Show . It was followed by family of TATRA - New Consuls General in LA held on its grounds on May 7, the unique, rear-mounted 2.9 liter heavy-duty vehicles. Due to its and Chicago...... 4 2011. air-cooled engine T87, which specific design features and 8x8 The TATRA, a.s. company, has a fin sloping the rear of the drive configuration, this truck is Czech Professor Designs Nuclear based in Koprivnice in the Czech vehicle to divide the air pressure particularly suitable for operation Reactor Module...... 5 Republic, ranks among the on both sides of the , a in the most difficult off-road “Czech” Out the EU oldest automobile companies technique used in later aircraft. or cross-country conditions. It Open House...... 6 in the world still in existence, Due to this superb technology can serve as a tactical truck, or being founded in 1850. TATRA and as these vehicles are virtually carry various kinds of special Hockey manufactured its first automobile unknown in the U.S. due to the superstructures and load handl- Star Visits the Embassy...... 7 (called The Prasident) in 1897. reminiscence of the Cold War, ing systems. You may also visit Its first truck was made in 1898 the 1941 TATRA T87 was the website at www.tatra.cz to Avalon Theater Continues to Bring and its first race car in 1900. declared the winner of the 2010 learn more about TATRA’s Czech Films to DC...... 7 The Embassy will showcase Collectible Car of the Year history and current models. pre-WWII and post-WWII Contest by the New York Times. The exhibition will be Czech Events in NY...... 8 TATRA vehicles, namely the TATRA representatives held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on T77 and T87, among others. The will be on hand to introduce Saturday, May 7, 2011. On famous 1930’s T77 is the first the T815-7NOR99, a TATRA that day, all the Embassies of serial-produced aerodynamically 8x8 High Mobility Heavy Duty Continued on page 8 itm o Cmuim Memo Communism of Victims Heritage the the of Chairman and Foundation of Edwards Lee 1950s. and 1940s the in camps labor forced Soviet the in oners pris political of lives harsh the depicting paintings 15 of lection regimes. such under suffered who those tion The society. hostile to and evil are that gimes re democracy totalitarian the examine promote and to we strive experiences, learned past our have from we that lessons the through that stated Kostoval February 24,2011,at7pm. on Republic Czech the Em of bassy the at Getman Nikolai ist the Collection opened Kostoval C CollectionRevealsConditionsofSovietLaborCamps

Current Events 2 zc Rpbi Daniel the Republic of Czech d’Affaires hargé DanielKostoval issues suchasMiddleEast,EasternPartnership,orAfghanistan. EU-US framework. During the the next round of within our Strategic Dialogue, partners we will discuss and not only bilateral NATO relations but also of current foreign policy states member as cooperate to continue will we 2011, In Republic. Czech the for ally and symposiums, andothereventscenteredinthemostreveredintellectual,spiritual,culturalspheresofWashington,D.C. concerts, on information more for months coming the in pages web Embassy’s the visit to you welcome We of birth. Dvorak’s Antonin anniversary 170th the marking 2011, 8, September on beginning composer world-renowned famous, most Republic’s Czech the inspiration. cultural US – Czech vivid and traditional both from scientists and countries willthusspendthisyearexploringthepossibilitiesofintensive,bilateralcollaboration. Businesses cooperation. research and scientific encourage and development energy nuclear on laboration col commercial promote further to agreeing thereby sector, energy nuclear the in cooperation commercial and industrial concerning Czech the News/Vol. 1,2011 Photo courtesy of Mary E. Fetzko n i oeig address, opening his In The collection features a se a features collection The evs s vvd eod of record vivid a as serves Chargé d’Affaires,adinterim Sincerely, As always,Iamgratefulforyourongoingsupportofourvaluedfriendshipandwisheveryoneafruitfulsuccessfulyear! Of course, our transatlantic economic, commercial, and cultural friendship thrives because the United States remains a key partner large annual, its planning is Republic Czech the of Embassy the 2011, in Also

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sentences of many years of hard of years many of sentences incarcerated in the Gulag, serving Millions of innocent people were country. the of regions climatic and geographical extreme most the in lay Union, camps largest the but Soviet the throughout existed camps Gulag economy. the Union’s Soviet provide the fuel to labor and to state Communist opposition any repress political to used were that camps labor vast forced of a network was system Gulag The system. exile internal and camp labor forced Soviet the oversaw police Camps). secret the of branch Labor This Corrective Administration of (Main Lagerei ispravitel’no-trudovykh Up ravlenie Glavnoe institution cratic bureau Soviet infamous the for recep tion. opening the at remarks brief presented Foundation rial cessful a year 2010 was for Czech-U.S. relations. Adjusting our focus, we mainly concentrated on concentrated mainly we focus, our Adjusting relations. Czech-U.S. for was 2010 year a cessful and encouraginginnovation. partners, new with trade promoting development, business further establishing to forward looking are We States. United southeastern the visiting at also aimed 2011, is of fall mission the second for scheduled A tentatively 2011. of spring upcoming this Texas and California transpor to public industries and tation film, energy, technology, information the from companies Czech of mission bilateral trade relationship, Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Karel Schwarzenberg will lead a trade Washington, D.C. In keeping with this new wave of pursuit to intensify and strengthen our countries’ to Kocourek Martin Trade and Industry of Minister Czech of visit the during Dialogue Commercial further developtheseties. and support to interest and understanding mutual our partners U.S. our with declare to pleased were and sphere commercial and economic the in collaboration transatlantic solid already our expanding Dear Friends, UA ws h acronym the was GULAG With winter vacations and snow blizzards behind us, I would first like to reflect on how suc how on reflect to like first would I us, behind blizzards snow and vacations winter With Moreover, last December, the United States and the Czech Republic signed a joint declaration joint a signed Republic Czech the and States United the December, last Moreover, and Economic the launched officially States United the and Republic Czech the December, In

The Mutual Inspirations Festival 2011 - Antonin Dvorak Antonin - 2011 Festival Inspirations Mutual The - - -

secret. in scenes the painting gan in labor be Getman , and forced of years eight release. upon million of or captivity in died whom 14 prisoners―many than that political more camps penal held Soviet the of record visual leled unparal an collection, ac his in paintings claimed the created 2004) (1917- Getman Nikolai in thecamps. ex tremely high death rates to led unsanitary conditions and tions, hard ra food meager labor, climate, treme ex of violence, endemic combination water. The clean or tools, shelter, clothing, food, adequate without labor

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ht e oe sol nvr be forgotten. never should hoped he that of images inhumanity cruel behind communism’s left of age he the 86, at 2004 August the in of died he When visions canvas. on Gulag his putting life to his of decades devoted He Escape by NikolaiGetman will commemorate will o eert the celebrate to , apainting

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Photo credit: Artist Nikolai Getman, Escape, oil on canvas Conference Human Rights and Democracy: Examining the Stolen Lives of Political Prisoners ased on her own historic experience, the Czech Republic holds human rights and democracy very dear. Calling upon the international Bcommunity to follow suit, the Czech Republic is a staunch advocate of respect for human rights and democracy in various places in the world where these are under threat. The numerous activities in this field, where the Czech Republic is involved, are portrayed in the Embassy´s project “Democracy and Human Rights: Lessons from the Past for the Current Czech Foreign Policy.” The various events put together within this project include exhibitions, conferences, documentary and feature film screenings, and lectures focusing namely on the country’s totalitarian past, its current human-rights-promotion priorities and, topically, on the rights of women and children. The Embassy of the Czech Republic hosted the conference “Stolen Lives: Political Prison- ers in Communist Regimes” on February 25, 2011, from 10 am to 3 pm, as part of its initiative on human rights and democracy.

Photo courtesy of Mary E. Fetzko Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Lee Edwards Daniel Kostoval opened the conference, which explored the life stories of political prisoners in the communist and , examined

the psychological effects of polit- Photo courtesy of Mary E. Fetzko ical imprisonment, and informed A mixed audience of professionals and students attended the event. the public about the current Photo courtesy of Mary E. Fetzko debate on the role of politi- documented and provided a Steven Barnes and map outlining the camps in Adam Hradilek cal prisoners in society and its memory. the Soviet Union and Europe Lee Edwards from the Heri- and spoke of Kolyma, call- tage Foundation, and chairman ing it “the Aushwitz of the Gu- of the Victims of Communism lag,” and one of the coldest Memorial Foundation, gave the inhabited places on the planet. keynote address. Prisoners were sent there and The first panel focused forced to disembark across on the Soviet Gulag and the frozen rivers. Additionally, he Photo courtesy of Mary E. Fetzko Christian Ostermann and Czechoslovak Experience, and gave accounts of how a per-

Tomas Bouska was moderated by Christian Os- son could be sent to the Gulag Photo courtesy of Mary E. Fetzko termann, director of the History if they were late for work or Political Counselor Jiri Ellinger and Public Policy Program at “shirking the duty to work.” concluded the conference. the Woodrow Wilson Center for man forgot to wear a covering International Scholars. Profes- “In these forced labor over his face while he was being sor of European History Steven camps, prisoners died from transported in the extreme con- Barnes began the first panel with the shear wretchedness of ditions to a northern camp. He information about the Soviet living conditions,” Barnes detailed how he got frostbite and his whole face turned black and Photo courtesy of Mary E. Fetzko Gulag System, a network of said. Jana Svehlova and Hugh Agnew forced labor camps. He hard. Furthermore, he explained how Furthermore, Tomas Bous- graves were marked with per- ka, member of the Czech Oral

Upcoming Events centages of how much work History Association, spoke prisoners did as an incentive for about the process of docu- March 24, 6:30 pm them to work harder. menting the stories of political Recording Voices and Documenting Memories: Researcher Adam Hradilek prisoners in his lecture, Memo- NCSML’s Oral History Project from the Institute for the Study ries of Czechoslovak Political The presentation focuses on a two-year oral history project of of Totalitarian Regimes of the Prisoners: Male and Female the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library (NCSML) Czech Republic presented No Survivors of Jailing in 1950s. from Cedar Rapids, aiming to capture and preserve the stories One Would Believe Us-Czech of Czechs and Slovaks who fled their homeland during the Cold Prisoners of the Gulag. He “Former political prison- War. spoke of the many Czechs im- ers were and still are the prisoned in the Gulag, includ- living witnesses of the March 29, 7 pm ing Czechoslovak Jews from the past,” Bouska said. Documentary Screening: Tomorrow There Will Be… first transport of the Holocaust. This film interpretation of the recognized opera performance Hradilek concluded his pre- He further stated that he wants portrays the trial with Milada Horakova, one of the most sentation with a short collection to be called a “memorian” rather prominent Czechoslovak political prisoners executed by the of videos from Czech Gulag sur- than a historian—thereby docu- Communists in 1950. vivors that offered insight into menting and remembering the the lives of those that suffered. stories of political prisoners. His Location of the events: Embassy of the Czech Republic For example, one of the videos goal is to attract the attention of 3900 Spring of Freedom St, NW, Washington, DC 20008 featured a man who explained youth and the wider public by R.S.V.P.: [email protected] his horrific time spent in the la- publishing life stories of former bor camps. One afternoon, the Continued on page 4 Czech the News/Vol. 1, 2011 3 News Human Rights and Democracy: Examining the Stolen Lives of Political Prisoners (Continued from pg. 3) prisoners of Stalinism. He offered the website www.politicalprison- ers.eu for more information. The afternoon panel exam- ined the psychological effects of political prisoners with panelists Jana Svehlova, founder of the civic association Daughters of Political Prisoners; Ronald Smith, psychiatrist and psychoanalyst; and moderator Hugh Agnew, Professor of history and inter- national relations at the George Washington University. Photo courtesy of Mary E. Fetzko Jana Svehlova described Over 100 people attended the conference. her experience growing up in communist Czechoslovakia. the importance of these prison- sets out to discover her child- are fighting for their freedom Since she was perceived as the ers being able to tell their story. hood and events surrounding today, especially in countries like “enemy’s daughter,” she was The session also included the her parents’ arrest in Czechoslo- Belarus, Burma, and Cuba. He not allowed to go to school to screening of a moving docu- vakia in the 1950’s. stated that it was not a coinci- complete her education. Ron- mentary Dasha is Coming Back Jiri Ellinger, head of the dence that this event was taking ald Smith finished the panel (Dasa se vraci, 2010) from the Political Section at the Czech place on February 25. It serves discussion talking about the series Children of Stalinism. Embassy, concluded the confer- as a reminder of February 25, psychological effects on the In the film by director Adela ence reminding the attendees of 1948, the communist take over of political prisoners and stressed Kroupova, lead character Dasa the political prisoners that still power in Czechoslovakia.

New Consuls General in LA and Chicago

he Embassy of the Czech Republic is pleased to announce T and introduce the Consuls General of LA and Chicago: Dana Hunatova has been the Consul General of the Czech Republic in Chicago since August 2010. She has been working in diplomatic services for over 20 years. Formerly, she was the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to and Estonia, then to Egypt and Sudan, and most recently to Malaysia. Apart from working for the Czech foreign service, Hunatova worked Photo courtesy of www.klaus.cz Dana Hunatova Czech President Vaclav Klaus presents the keynote address for two years as the head of the at a conference honoring Gary S. Becker. Office of the OSCE Secretariat. Prior to coming to Chicago, Hunatova served as the Ambassador at Large for Science and Czech President Honors Economist Becker Technology at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Prague. he President of the Czech Republic Vaclav Klaus served as Tthe keynote speaker at a conference organized by the Milton Michal Sedlacek has been the Consul Friedman Institute at the University of Chicago on February 11, 2011, General of the Czech Republic in Los in honor of the 80th birthday of Professor Gary S. Becker, Nobel Angeles since January 2011. He has Prize winner in economics. extensive experience in working on “I have always been an admirer of the Chicago school of Czech-U.S. relations having previously economics and especially of the three big names: Friedman, Stigler served as the head of the Political and Becker. In the communist era, these were only names, and I had Section at the Embassy of the Czech never dreamt about meeting the bearers of these names in person... Republic in Washington, DC, during After the fall of communism came Gary Becker’s role in the era the 1990s. In the last few years, the of transformation towards political pluralism and market economy. Michal Sedlacek focus of Sedlacek´s career was on He was well-known to us not only for his contributions to economic EU affairs as he worked as the Deputy science, but also for his decisive defense of liberal (in European sense) Minister for the European Union and Foreign Affairs at doctrine and laissez-faire philosophy” said Klaus during his keynote the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and then as the address at the university. First Deputy Minister in the Section for the EU Affairs The all-day conference was launched by the President of the in the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic. University of Chicago, R. J. Zimmer. Former Secretary of State Sedlacek has a good understanding of innerworkings of the U.S. George P. Shultz also attended the event as a guest speaker. The film bussiness having graduated with an MFA degree from the panel discussion was led by former Dean of the Faculty of Economics Film School of Columbia University. Sedlacek is married and Professor E.A. Snyder. The conference ended with a speech by has two sons. Nobel Prize winner for economics Professor J.J. Heckman.

4 Czech the News/Vol. 1, 2011 Radek Skoda

Czech Professor Designs Experimental Nuclear Reactor Module adek Skoda received his master’s degree in experimental particle physics from the University of Bergen Rin Norway and his Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from the Czech Technical University. In his career, he initially focused on financial risk management for Dublin and London based investment banks, followed by work in the Depatment of Nuclear Reactor of the Czech Technical University in Prague. Currently, he is spending his sabbatical year at Texas A&M University. He has also developed lectures related to the use of nuclear power and economics. Dr. Skoda shares his journey of coming to the United States to do research and serve as a professor in the Department of Nuclear Engineering at Texas A&M University. Photo courtesy of Radek Skoda

Tell us the story of how whereas U.S. universities put you, a college professor from more emphasis on research, and Prague, managed to secure it is true in this comparison as a visiting professorship at well. Also the Department of Texas A&M University? Nuclear Engineering at TAMU For some time, my wife and is the largest program in the I had been planning to spend U.S. with a current enrollment a sabbatical year in an English of over 400 students, all known speaking country before our as the Aggie Nukes. As such, children started school. We the program is much larger than had two main goals in mind: the Czech one. Apart from that, to immerse the little girls into a neutrons and nuclear reactions foreign language environment, behave the same way regardless and to see how nuclear of where you are. engineering is taught abroad. Last year, I had just finished Are there any Czech students at Texas A&M? Photo courtesy of Radek Skoda a textbook about experimental AGN-201M nuclear reactor nuclear reactor methods in Would you recommend that Prague and while representing Czech students spend part U.S. colleagues, we are involved and I am very involved in the the Czech Technical University or all of their university in bidding for new research preparation indeed. Prague with the World Nuclear studies in the U.S.? projects, and I still supervise three University, I came to work closely There are Czech students Ph.D.students from Prague. How do you like living with contacts from a number of at TAMU but unfortunately in Texas? Has there been U.S. nuclear institutions. Texas none in nuclear engineering. What’s your evaluation anything particular that A&M University (TAMU) I would strongly recommend of the prospects of a closer surprised you about living restarted their second nuclear spending at least one semester Czech-U.S. civilian nuclear in the U.S.? reactor in May, 2010 – it was an here in Texas for all European cooperation based on My wife can write you many easy and obvious fit. I remember nuclear engineering students the recently signed Joint pages about that. The Aggie very well the conversation about as the TAMU nuclear program Declaration Concerning culture and habits of TAMU me coming to Texas with the is currently ranked second Industrial and Commercial are just amazing. E.g. for those director of the Nuclear Power nationally in undergraduate and Cooperation in the Nuclear of you who have never been to Institute, Dr. Lee Peddicord. It third in graduate studies among Energy Sector? Do you College Station: Texas A&M’s took exactly three minutes. We public universities. see any opportunities for official mascot is Reveille VIII, shook hands in real Texas-style researchers or businesses the first lady of Aggieland, now and after a few months, here we What is the main from both countries? a purebred American collie. She are! research project that you There are many areas where is considered a Cadet General, work on while in Texas? If the two countries can benefit the highest ranking member in What do you consider it’s not a secret… from each other. Just two very the Corps of Cadets, and must to be the main difference I spent all last autumn, or concrete examples without being be addressed by cadets as “Miss between working at the as you tend to call it here “fall,” too vague include: coding a new Reveille, ma’am.” If she is Czech Technical University semester designing and testing software for best supercomputers sleeping on a cadet’s bed, that and Texas A&M University? new experimental nuclear reactor that can evaluate currently used cadet must sleep on the floor. If European universities tend modules using the AGN-201M nuclear fuel and all important she is in class and barks while the to focus more on education nuclear reactor with graduate parameters during its life; or professor is teaching, the class is and undergraduate stu- designing a new, safer, more to be immediately dismissed. As dents. We managed to economical nuclear reactor with the finishing line I can add - it complete and fully docu- new types of fuel and coolant never happens during my classes ment 10 such modules – in this case graphite pebbles though. and they are being used cooled by molten salt. by other professors, prob- ably while you read these Do you, in your role Professor Skoda recently gave lines. I still like teach- as a visiting professor, a lecture at the University ing, as I believe it is the have any opportunities to of California, Berkeley on main purpose of any work on bilateral Czech- Economics and Nuclear Power university, and I have U.S. research projects? Plants. To listen to his lecture, Photo courtesy of Trent Palmer via Radek Skoda Photo courtesy of Trent Texas A&M’s official mascot: three hours of classes a New projects are being please visit www.nuc.berkeley. Reveille VIII week now. Together with my agreed upon in these weeks, edu/1-24-2011. Czech the News/Vol. 1, 2011 5 EU Open House “Czech” Out the EU Open House! he Embassy of the Czech Republic will open its doors to the public on Saturday, May 7, from 10 am to 4 pm for the annual EU Open THouse. The theme for this year is “Czech it Out!” The public will travel back to the 1920’s and enjoy music and fashion of the era, check out modern and antique Czech cars by TATRA, watch police dogs in action, and learn about the Czech Republic. There will be many events at the Czech Embassy to explore, with nine highlighted stops including:

CZECH IT OUT AT #1 in his play Rossum’s Universal Masaryk Statue and the Robots. The word robot comes First Czechoslovak Republic from the Czech word robota, The 1920’s meaning “work.” The play be- saw the building of gins in a factory that makes a new nation in the artificial people called robots, heart of Europe. though they are Czechoslovakia had closer to the mod- declared its inde- ern ideas of an- pendence in 1918 droids. In the and, with the strong kids corner at backing of U.S. the Embassy, chil- President Wood- dren will have the Photo courtesy of Mary E. Fetzko row Wilson, Tomas chance to draw Photo courtesy of Mary E. Fetzko Garriague Masaryk became its his/her version of a Rockville Police demonstrate different training first freely elected president. In robot. techniques for their German Shepherds. this inter World War period, the Republic prospered economical- CZECH IT OUT AT #4 designed by Green & Blue, shaking hands with President- ly and socially. In fact, it became Music of the 1920’s located at 1350 Connecticut Av- elect Franklin Roosevelt in1933. one of the 10 most industrialized In the 1920’s, the era of enue, NW, in Washington, D.C. On the way to the hospital, the countries in the world. Enjoy a jazz, one rising famous African- (www.greenandbluestyle.com). wounded Mayor humbly told talk on President Masaryk and American musician was Duke Roosevelt, “I’m glad it was me his vision to build our indepen- Ellington, whose teacher in fact CZECH IT OUT AT #6 instead of you.” dent nation. studied under the Czech world Music by Antonin Dvorak Since the prohibition pe- renowned composer Antonin Being inspired by the riod ended in 1933 as well, en- CZECH IT OUT AT #2! Dvorak. Dvorak believed that sounds of America during his joy a cold, satisfying draft of TATRA Auto Show African and Native American stay in the late 1800s, Czech Pilsner Urquell, brewed since The Embassy will showcase melodies are the foundation of composer Antonin Dvorak wrote 1842 in the Czech Republic. pre-WWII and an American musical style. With his most famous Symphony No. Also, guests can enjoy gou- post-WWII TA- his progressive thinking of the 9 in E minor, “From the New lash and dumplings for the mini- TRA vehicles. time, he left a legacy through World.” This famous piece has mal price of $5 while supplies The Czech his students while teaching at in turn inspired others, being last. company TATRA, the National Conservatory in even listened to by US astronaut a.s., being found- New York at the turn of the 20th Neil Armstrong during man’s fist CZECH IT OUT AT #8 ed in 1850, ranks century. landing on the moon. Maps & Lecture at the among the oldest Come enjoy Music enter- To celebrate this transatlan- Ambassador’s Residence truck and car com- tainment provided by pianist tic mutual inspiration in music Another famous Czech born panies in the world Joan DeVee Dixon. Dr. Dixon is and more, the Czech Embassy American, Augustine Herman,

Photo courtesy of Ivo Slezak still in existence. Composer-in-Residence for the will commemorate the 170th settled in Maryland and drew With the ingenu- Czech Heritage Partnership in anniversary of the birth of the the first, remarkably accurate ity of engineer , Spillville, Iowa and the Interna- composer this fall through the map of the Chesapeake Bay. TATRA manufactured revolu- tional Dvorak Society in Prague. Mutual Inspirations Festival See the map that he presented tionary vehicles of the time. In 2011 - Antonin Dvorak. to Lord Baltimore in 1670 at 1931, Tatra introduced the T-57 CZECH IT OUT AT #5 the Ambassador’s residence model, an economical car for Fashion in the 1920’s CZECH IT OUT AT #7 and listen to a lecture about the the masses. In 1934, the famous In 1893, Czech-American Beer, Goulash & Dumplings maps and the Czech Republic. T77 was the first serial-produced Marie Tucek filed an application The prohibition period of aerodynamically designed auto- with the U.S. Patent Office for the 1920’s-30’s attributed to the CZECH IT OUT AT #9 mobile. It was followed by the a “breast supporter,” thereby rise of mafia Czech Police Dogs unique, rear-mounted air-cooled shedding the corset which had oriented crime In a display of true local engine T87 with a dorsal fin. been around since the 16th in the United US-Czech crime fighting Today, TATRA’s core prod- Century and inventing the States. One partnership, the Rockville City uct range consists of trucks for modern day bra. As women great Czech Police Department’s K-9 Unit, combined off-road and on-road began to liberate themselves born Ameri- consisting of German Shepherds transportation and heavy duty from constricting fashions and can, Antonin originally from the Czech off-road trucks. wearing more comfortable Cermak, as Republic, will demonstrate crime clothing, the modern day bra Photo courtesy of www.czech.cz the Mayor combating techniques. Moreover, CZECH IT OUT AT #3 became more and more popular of Chicago, Cpl. Kyle Dickerson and his dog Robots, Kids Corner in the jazz era of the golden promised to stand up to gangster “Rocko” and Cpl. Heath Marshall The word robot was in- 1920’s. Al Capone and clean up the city. and his dog “Boomer,” will be troduced to the world in 1920 Embassy staff will show- Unfortunately, Mayor Cermak awarded for their courageous by Czech writer Karel Capek case 1920’s inspired clothing, was soon after fatally shot while service to the community. 6 Czech the News/Vol. 1, 2011 Culture Beat Washington Capitals Hockey Star Visits the Czech Embassy ichal Neu- ladder in the Washington Capi- Kids Euro Festival virth, 22, is a tals organization before finally M Presents New Czech making his NHL debut in Febru- current- ary 2009. He was instrumental in Czech Animation ly playing in the the , the American National Hockey Hockey League (AHL) affili- League (NHL) for ate of the Washington Capitals, the Washington winning back to back Calder

Photo courtesy of Mary E. Fetzko Capitals. Cup trophies in 2009 and 2010. Michal Neuvirth Neuvirth started his During the present 2010-2011 career in his native town of Usti season, Neuvirth is leading the nad Labem. At the age of 15, Capitals team in wins as they he moved to Sparta Prague. He are well on their way to another Photo courtesy of Bio Illusion was also a member of the Czech Stanley Cup playoffs appear- junior national team. After be- ance. ing selected by the Washington Neuvirth recently visited Photo courtesy of Mary E. Fetzko Capitals in the 2006 NHL Entry the Czech Embassy in Wash- Embassy staff and friends met with Michal Neuvirth during Draft, Neuvirth decided to move ington, DC, on the invitation his visit to the Embassy of the Czech Republic. to Canada and played in the of Mrs. Nada Kostovalova, play in the NHL and learned to wish him the best of luck in junior league in Ontario. He wife of the Chargé d´Affaires, about future Czech-American his career with the Capitals and turned professional in 2008, and a.i. During his visit, Neuvirth events that are being planned in hope to see him at the Embassy began working his way up the talked about what it is like to Washington, DC. We would like again.

Avalon Theater Continues to Bring Czech Films to DC he Avalon Theater, in its fifth year of collaboration with the Embassy of the Czech Republic on the Lions of Czech Film Series, remains Tcommitted to bringing award-winning Czech films to the Washington, DC community. The series runs once a month and gives the community an opportunity to view Czech films that are popular hits in Europe. From Subway with Love Synopsis: This romantic comedy, based on the successful book of Michal Viewegh, presents the sto- (Roman pro zeny) ry of two women. Twenty-year-old Laura works as an editor at a woman’s magazine. Her widowed mother Jana serves as a translator and interpreter. Both of them are looking for Mr. Right. Jana once lived through an intense relationship with a ‘typical’ Czech man; therefore, she tries to avoid an- other experience with a Czech man. She searches for her dream foreigner while warding off the ad- vances of her good-natured neighbor Zemla. Her daughter Laura is disappointed after two failed relationships and falls in love with forty-year-old Oliver. Little does she know that Oliver was once the true love of her mother. (DIR: Filip Renc, 2005, 95 min., in Czech with English subtitles)

Photo courtesy of TV Nova Photo courtesy of TV The film won the Czech Lion Box Office Award (2006), and was nominated for Czech Lions forBest April 21, 8 pm Supporting Actress and Best Film Poster (2006). Twosome Synopsis: A five-year relationship between Michal and Veronika comes to a crossroad. While Michal (Dvojka) thinks about children and family life, Veronika hesitates between settling down and enjoying her freedom. Michal surprises Veronika with a holiday in Scandinavia. The trip turns out different than Michal had anticipated, and Veronika cannot conceal her disappointment. The experiences during their journey become a mirror reflecting their life as a couple. Then, they meet Simon, a young Czech traveler. He offers the couple to stay in his friend’s cottage. However, Simon’s ways are not always clean and le- gal, and there is more than one mystery in the stories he tells about himself. (DIR: Jaroslav Fuit, 2009, 88 min., in Czech with English subtitles)

Photo courtesy of Lenka Cintalanova The film was officially selected for the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (2010), amongother May 11, 8 pm festivals and was produced by HBO. Identity Card Synopsis: The film maps the lives of four boys from the age of 15, when they receive their state iden- (Obcansky prukaz) tity cards, to 18, when they try everything possible to get out of military service. Petr, Ales, Cinderella, and Mita are growing up in the 1970s, a time when leaving your identity card at home could get you into trouble and the prospect of compulsory military service was loathed and dreaded. In totalitarian Czechoslovakia, they try to retain their perspective and sense of humor and avoid making too many compromises with the regime. Identity Card is about that special time in life between childhood and adulthood, a time of revolt against conformism, parental ambitions and society, and about the quest for self-respect, which is just as true today as in the 1970s. (DIR: Ondrej Trojan, 2010, 137 min., in Czech with English subtitles)

Photo courtesy of Total HelpArt Photo courtesy of Total June 8, 8 pm The film has been nominated for Czech Lions (2011) in Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Editing, Best Art Direction, among others. The Avalon Theatre is located at 5612 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. Tickets may be purchased at the box office or online at www.theavalon.org. Czech the News/Vol. 1, 2011 7 Czech Events

Czech Events in NY AUTO Show (Continued from pg. 1) April 3, 3 pm the European Union (EU) in (New York, NY) Washington, D.C. will open Welcome Spring Musicale their doors for the annual EU Open House Day, during The afternoon will feature music by Antonin Dvorak, including which some 96,000 total the Sonatina in G Major, songs by his African-American student visits were recorded last year. Harry T. Burleigh, as well as traditional Czech songs. This year, the Embassy of the Czech Republic will focus April 16, 7:30 pm | Pre-concert lecture at 7 pm on the TATRA exhibition, as (New York, NY) well as feature Czech beverages, Dvorak and his American Students music, and fashion of the 1920’s. The Aaron Copland School of Music Orchestra under the direc- tion of Maurice Peress presents a program of music by Antonin For more information, please Dvorak and his American students. contact us at eco_washington@ embassy.mzv.cz. Photo courtesy of John Long

Bohemian National Hall 321 East 73rd Street, New York, NY 10075 For each event, pay at the door $20 general admission, $10 students, seniors and Czech Center Club members. No reservations required.

www.dvoraknyc.org/News___Events.html

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