CZECH the NEWSNEWS Newsletter of the Embassy of the Czech Republic Vol. 3, 2008 Ambassador Opens Historical Exhibit n August 21, 2008, the those heady days—from a Soviet O40th anniversary of the tank destroying a Czech building 1968 Soviet-led invasion of and the funeral of Jan Palach, Czechoslovakia, Ambassador who killed himself in protest Petr Kolar officially of the invasion, to opened the black and illegal protesters in white photography Wenceslas Square exhibit 68/89 at the and the moment when Woodrow Wilson Czechoslovak leaders Center in Washington, Vaclav Havel and DC. 68/89 showcases Alexander Dubcek 60 photos that capture heard on the radio Photo courtesy of Mary Fetzko the political events Photo courtesy of Mary Fetzko that the Communist Ambassador Petr Kolar opens the 68/89 exhibition at the of the 1968 Prague Ambassador Petr Kolar Party politburo had Woodrow Wilson Center. Spring, which ended with the resigned. that human freedoms, including of the Year. The exhibit remains tightening of communist control In his speech at the exhibit democracy, are fragile and can at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Czechoslovakia, and the opening, Ambassador Kolar be lost easily and quickly. until October 9 when it will move subsequent Velvet Revolution noted that the 1968 Soviet-led The 60 photos in the 68/89 to the Embassy of the Czech of 1989, which swept away invasion of Czechoslovakia exhibit are the work of over 30 Republic, where it will remain communism and ushered in brought an end to the notion award-winning photographers on display for the duration of democracy to modern Czech that it was possible to create whose honors include World October 2008. For more exhibit society. The photos capture “socialism with a human face” Press Photo Awards, Czech Press information please visit www. unforgettable moments during and said that instead it proved Photo Awards, and Photographer mzv.cz/washington. Contents: Message from the Ambassador.......... 2 Havel is Top Intellectual.................... 2 GE & Czechs Celebrate Partnership....................................... 3 Czech-U.S. Medical Research Project...........................................3 Daughter of the Enemy.................... 4 Czech Military Hero General Hasal....6 Brussels Honors Czech Projects......... 6 Czech Reporter Wins Emmy.............. 6 LOC Receives Czech Books.............. 7 Photo courtesy of Mary Fetzko American Composer Records Mrs. Alice Masters (center) and students from the CD in Prague.................................. 7 Winton Film Sequel British School of Washington Embassy Commemorates Czech zech and Slovak film filmed at the British School of Historical Anniversaries................... 8 Washington, where over 100 . Cdirector Matej Minac, whose Touching Sensitive Moments in documentary film The Power of students assembled to see The History Through Film....................... 8 Good tells the story of the young Power of Good and to speak Director Discovers Hidden Englishman Nicholas Winton with Alice Masters, one of the Secrets........................................... 9 who saved 669 Czechoslovak children Winton saved. After Photo courtesy of Mary Fetzko Koudelka’s Invasion 68 Prague.......10 refugee children during the the screening and discussion, run-up to World War II, was in students participated in one-on- Borek to Open Wide Asleep............10 Washington in September to film one interaction with Mr. Minac Czech Artist Jiri Anderle................. 10 parts of his sequel documentary, and Mrs. Masters, discussing Nicky’s Family. The sequel how the story of Winton moved Folk Legend Brings Music to DC......11 will chronicle how the story of and inspired them. Minac Czech Christmas Concert................ 11 Nicholas Winton and his heroic also interviewed Ambassador Petr Kolar who has been a Photo courtesy of Mary Fetzko Worthwhile Reading...................... 11 acts have inspired younger Mrs. Masters shared with students generations to do good in their strong supporter of the Winton artefacts from her escape just Czech Government Aids Flooded own communities. Educational Project, a U.S.- Museum........................................ 12 before World War II, including While in Washington, Minac Continued on page 2 her dress. Embassy Reconstruction...................12 Current Events My Dear Friends, I would like to thank all those who have expressed their condolences regarding the tragic and early death of our Ambassador to Pakistan Ivo Zdarek, who was killed in the terrorist bombing of the Hotel Marriot in Islamabad on September 20, 2008. Ambassador Zdarek, 47, a career Photo courtesy of Chad Wyatt diplomat, served his country and the international community fulfilling his duties with courage even in the midst of crisis. He was dedicated to improving relations among all nations, and died in pursuit of that goal. The tragic death of Ambassador Zdarek will not stop the Czech Republic from our commitment to ending terrorism in all its forms Photo courtesy of Mary Fetzko Director Matej Minac interviews Petr Kolar for the Winton film sequel. and to promoting the values of democratic societies. The message of this latest terrorist attack is clear: in 2008, the need for vigilance (continued) and united international resistance to all forms of terrorist attacks Winton Film Sequel against innocent people is stronger than ever. Continued from page 1 Czechs in particular are intensely aware of the dangers based movement to teach students threatening our freedom, values, and civilization as we mark the about Nicholas Winton’s heroic anniversaries of several political changes that took place in years story. ending with the number eight and that altered the course of our During his shooting history, often with deadly and traumatic effects. During fall 2008, schedule in the United States the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Washington, DC, will Mr. Minac also conducted an sponsor a series of events designed to remind us of the momentous interview with prominent U.S. historical occurrences that shaped Czech history from the hopeful scientist Mr. Ben Abeles, another 1918 founding of the First Czechoslovak Republic to the 1968 “Winton child” who lives in Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia, punctuated in between by New Jersey. Moravian College the 1938 Munich Agreement which broke up our democracy and in Pennsylvania held a screening gave control of it to Hitler’s Germany, and the 1948 communist of The Power of Good, followed Photo courtesy of Mary Fetzko coup that imposed 40 years of Soviet-bloc oppression on the by a panel discussion with Matej Ambassador Petr Kolar and Czech lands. Minac; Hannah Slome and Mrs. Alice Masters This year we are celebrating the 15th anniversary of the George Korper, two more of the Moravian College Choir who founding of the Czech Republic, a free and democratic country, surviving Winton children; and performed in honor of Nicholas a reliable ally of the United States of America in NATO, and an Peter Rafaeli, Honorary Consul Winton. Minac wrapped up his ambitious member of the European Union (EU), just preparing to General of the Czech Republic U.S. filming with a group of high assume the EU presidency in January 2009. in Philadelphia and President of school students in Pennsylvania In 2008, we are also marking the 50th anniversary of SVU, American Friends of the Czech who have been volunteering the Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences, a society formed Republic (AFoCR). College for the Red Cross since being in Washington, DC during the communist dictatorship in Czecho- President Christopher Thomforde inspired by the story of Winton’s slovakia by people who fled their home and found a new one in moderated the discussion. While humanitarianism. freedom and democracy in the United States. at Moravian, Minac also filmed Nicky’s Family is slated for In short, 2008 is an important year, rich with historical context, a performance of the 80-voice release in September 2009. and one in which we Czechs cannot help but remember and spread the lessons learned from the past. We believe that our history serves as a textbook example to all good people who wish to prevent the Havel Among World’s Top tragic and fatal mistakes that the community of democratic nations made in the course of the 20th century. I invite you to participate in 100 Intellectuals all the events we have planned to mark these pivotal anniversaries (for a full listing please go to pages 8–11). he U.S. political journal Foreign In order to accommodate the many guests we will host during TPolicy (FP) has included former the EU presidency in 2009, the Embassy underwent renovations Czech president Vaclav Havel on their over the summer. The new space will debut to the public in October list of the 100 top intellectuals whose 2008, and I invite you to come see our new look. ideas have most influenced current The 2008–2009 season promises to be dynamic, with many world development. Featuring some opportunities for our community to enjoy Czech and Czech- of the most promininet philosophers, American perspectives. Please join us in the numerous activities writers, politicians, clerics, and other that we have planned for you. leading figures from around the world, the list also gives a nod to Italian novelist Umberto Eco, American Warmly, Photo courtesy of Mary Fetzko Former Czech President biologist E.O. Wilson, and British Vaclav Havel econominst Paul Collier. FP describes those on the list as the “thinkers who are shaping the tenor of our time.” All names are listed