Like every July, even this year the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (IFF) introduces more than 200 new and popular films from many countries around the world. The 44th year of this festival opens with the red carpet and the arrival of the guests as you see in the American Academy Awards Show. The location of this festival is, however, much different since it takes place in Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad), a historic town known for its healing mineral spring water that in the 14th century helped Charles IV to heal his body and mind. During this time of the year, the town is filled with tourists, visitors and locals eager to see the beauty of the city and creations of many talented filmmakers.

The opening ceremony was quite creative. You can see it yourself in the video below. It was followed by a movie called “The Greatest” that originated in the USA and was directed by Shana Feste, the festival set a high bar for other movie showings in the upcoming hours or days. The story of this movie was not as uplifting as the ceremony, though, since it was about a family that was dealing with the death of one of their sons. The main prize of this festival will be, as usual, the Crystal Globe, and this year 14 international films will compete for the main prestigious award of the best feature film. One of the movies up for the competition, for example, is “The Well-Paid Stroll” (Dobre placena prochazka) directed by Milos Forman. You may also know him for his “infamous” film that was banned during the communist era called “The Firemen’s Ball” that is now available in the USA through the movie distributor Netflix. Other well-known movies by this director are One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Black Peter, Amadeus, The People vs. Larry Flynt and more.

Video source (Zdroj): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mlVSWi7MqA

The film festival includes many Czech/Slovak films and documentaries that will hopefully travel around the world, so many of us expats can see them as well:

Czech Republic:
English Strawberries (Anglicke jahody) by Vladimir Drha
Baba by Zuzana Spidlova
RAPublic (Ceska RAPublika) by Pavel Abraham
A Well-Paid Walk/A Walk Worthwhile (Dobre placena prochazka) by Milos Forman
El Paso by Zdenek Tyc
The Baluty Ghetto (Ghetto jmenem Baluty) by Pavel Stingl
Gyumri by Jana Sevcikova
Guard No. 47 (Hlidac c. 47) by Filip Renc
The Ferrari Dino Girl (Holka Ferrari Dino) by Jan Nemec
The Hombredo (Hombredo) by Hendaver
Ivetka and the Mountain (Ivetka a hora) by Vit Janecek
Cooking History (Jak se vari dejiny) by Peter Kerekes
Jan Klusak – Axis Temporum by Dan Krames
Little Red Caroline or How the Wolf Remained a Wolf and the People Remained Human (Karlicka Cervena aneb jak vlk zustal vlkem a lide zustali lidmi) by Katerina Hornova
Who Is Afraid of the Wolf (Kdopak by se vlka bal) by Maria Prochazkova
The Marbles (Kulicky) by Olga Dabrowska
You Kiss Like God (Libas jako Buh) by Marie Polednakova
May (Maj) by F. A. Brabec
Marriage Stories and Marriage Story 20 Years Later (Manzelske etudy a Manzelske etudy po 20 letech) by Helena Trestikova
Broken Promise (Nedodrzeny slib) by Jiri Chlumsky
World’s Best Lip Singer (Nejlepsi playbackova zpevacka na svete) by Jitka Rudolfova
Shameless (Nestyda) by Jan Hrebejk
Wingless (Ocas jesterky) by Ivo Trajkov
Operation Danube (Operace Dunaj) by Jacek Glomb
Osadne by Marko Skop
Articapped (Postizeni umenim) by Hendaver
The Restored Films of Jan Spata (Restaurovane filmy Jana Spaty) by Jan Spata
Sister (Sestra) by Vit Pancir
Conspirators of Pleasure (Spiklenci slasti) by Jan Svankmajer
T.M.A. by Juraj Herz
Tobruk by Vaclav Marhoul
Country Teacher (Venkovsky ucitel) by Bohdan Slama

Slovakia:
The Boxer and Death (Boxer a smrt) by Peter Solan
Gipsies (Cikani) by Karel Anton

The competition will be divided into several categories: Grand Prix (Crystal Globe for the best feature film), Special Jury Prize, Best Director Award, Best Actor Award, Best Actress Award, Best Documentary <30 minutes long and greater than 30 minutes in length, and Outstanding Contribution to World Cinema. The festival will close on July 11. You can visit its official website HERE or watch movie samples HERE, including some of the ones listed above.

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Stejně jako každý červenec, i ten letošní Mezinárodní filmový festival (MFF) v Karlových Varech představuje více než 200 nových a populárních filmů z mnoha zemí celého světa. 44. ročník tohoto festivalu se otevřel s položením červeného koberce a příchodem hostů, podobně jako v americké show ceny akademie (známá jako předávání cen Oskarů). Místo tohoto festivalu, se však podstatně liší, protože se koná v Karlových Varech, historickém městě známé pro svou léčivou minerální pramenitou vodu, která již ve 14. století napomohla Karlu IV uzdravit své tělo a mysl. Během tohoto období je město plné turistů, návštěvníků a místních obyvatelů, kteří touží po kráse města a dílech od mnoha talentovaných filmařů.

Zahajovací ceremoniál byl docela kreativní. Můžete ho sami zhlédnout ve videu v anglické verzi textu. Poté následoval otevírací film s názvem “The Greatest”, který vznikl v USA pod režií Shany Festeové a nastavil tak vysokou laťku ostatním filmům, které se budou na festivalu promítat v následujících hodinách nebo dnech. Příběh tohoto filmu však nebyl tak povznášející jako zahajovací ceremoniál, protože byl o rodině, která se vyrovnávala se smrtí jednoho ze svých synů. Hlavní cena pro vítěze tohoto festivalu bude, jako obvykle, Křišťálový globus a 14 filmů z celého světa budou letos soutěžit o hlavní prestižního ocenění o nejlepší celovečerní film. Jedním z filmů v soutěži je například “Dobře placená procházka“ režírována Milošem Formanem. Můžete ho znát i pro jeho “nechvalný” film, který byl zakázán během komunistické éry s názvem “Hoří má panenko”, který je nyní k dispozici v USA prostřednictvím distributora filmů jménem Netflix. Ostatní dobře známé filmy tohoto režiséra jsou Přelet nad kukaččím hnízdem, Černý Petr, Amadeus, Lid versus Larry Flynt a další.

Video source (Zdroj videa): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbrx_5Eanfg

Filmový festival zahrnuje mnoho českých/slovenských filmů a dokumentů, které snad poté budou cestovat po celém světě, a tak mnozí z nás expatů je také budou moci vidět na vlastní oči:

Česká republika:
Anglické Jahody od Vladimíra Drhy
Baba od Zuzany Špidlové
Česká RAPublika od Pavla Abrahama
Dobře placená procházka od Miloše Formana
El Paso od Zdeňka Tyce
Ghetto jménem Baluty od Pavla Štingla
Gyumri od Jany Ševčíkové
Hlídač č. 47 od Filipa Renče
Holka Ferrari Dino od Jana Němce
Hombredo od Hendavera
Ivetka a hora od Víta Janečka
Jak se vaří dějiny od Petera Kerekese
Jan Klusák – Axis Temporum od Dana Krameše
Karlička Červená aneb Jak vlk zůstal vlkem a lidé zůstali lidmi od Kateřiny Hornové
Kdopak by se vlka bál od Marie Procházkové
Kuličky od Olgy Dabrowské
Libáš jako bůh od Marie Poledňákové
Máj od F. A. Brabce
Manželské etudy a Manželské etudy po 20 letech od Heleny Třeštíkové
Nedodržený slib od Jiřího Chlumského
Nejlepší playbacková zpěvačka na světě od Jitky Rudolfové
Nestyda od Jana Hřebejka
Ocas ještěrky od Iva Trajkova
Operace Dunaj od Jacka Glomba
Osadné od Marko Škopa
Postiženi uměním od Hendavera
Restaurované filmy Jana Špáty of Jana Špáty
Sestra od Víta Pancíře
Spiklenci slasti od Jana Švankmajera
T.M.A. od Juraje Herze
Tobruk od Václava Marhoula
Venkovsky učitel od Bohdana Slámy
Zpověď Kateryny K. od Miroslava Janka
Ženy mého muž od Ivana Vojnara

Slovensko:
Boxer a smrť od Petera Soláňa
Cikáni od Karla Antona

Tato soutěž bude rozdělena do několika kategorií: Grand Prix (Křišťálový glóbus za nejlepší celovečerní film), Zvláštní cena poroty, Nejlepší režie, Nejlepší herec, Nejlepší herečka, Nejlepší dokumentární film <30 minut a delší než 30 minut a Mimořádný přínos světové kinematografii. Festival bude ukončen 11. července. ZDE můžete navštívit oficiálních stránky MFF nebo sledovat video ukázky ZDE, včetně několika uvedených výše.

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Článek v ČEŠTINĚ dole (Klikněte na “Read the rest …”)

Author: Josef Čermák (CzechFolks.com PLUS)

According to an announcement made by his family on June 30, 2009, Jan Rubeš, one of the most impressive, most important and best loved Czechoslovak artists in the world, died at the age of 89. No cause of death was given.

Rubeš was born in Volyně, Czechoslovakia, on June 6. 1920, attended Real-Gymnasium (a Czech term for a high school) in Strakonice (graduating in the year of the Munich surrender), and matriculated at both the Faculty of Medicine. Charles University and (having won a scholarship) at the Conservatory of Music, in Prague. He was a man of many talents. As a young man, he excelled in sports and won championships in skiing and tennis (but a bit later, also the Canadian National Senior Championship), had a magnificent velvet bass-baritone voice, charismatic personality and good looks.

The world soon noticed him. In 1945 he became the youngest basso at the Prague Opera House (he sang - at Prague and the Pilsen Opera House - over 30 leading roles). In 1948 he was sent to Geneva to represent his country at the International Music Festival. 1948 was the year the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia staged a coup d’état. Jan Rubeš decided to emigrate to Canada. He settled in Toronto, where he participated in live performances with the famed Canadian pianist Glenn Gould and in the early 50’s authored on CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) a radio program, Songs of my People, in which he starred as singer-narrator for 10 years.

I first met him after the second or third broadcast - I was involved with Czechoslovak Association in Toronto and Rubeš wanted to prove to CBC that the program had significant following. It sure did. Rubeš charmed us all with his selection of Czech, Moravian and Slovak songs (just as he charmed members of other ethnic groups with his selection of their songs), and we all called CBC and sang Jan’s praises. And we weren’t alone. Songs of my People became one of the most popular CBC radio programs.

Rubeš won the hearts of opera lovers with his interpretation of some 100 leading roles in the Canadian Opera Company, in New York City Centre, in opera houses in Pittsburgh, Washington, New Orleans, Seattle, Mexico, Germany. I believe I first saw him in the role of Kecal in Smetana’s Bartered Bribe. I loved his vodník (water sprite) in Dvořák’s Rusalka but also his appearances in Mozart’s comic operas. Rubeš sang operas at festivals at Stratford, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, toured Canada and USA, mostly with symphony orchestra, often singing Dvořák’s Biblical Songs - it will surprise no one that he stole our hearts with his rendition of “My cizinou jsme bloudili” (We wandered in the foreign lands). It wasn’t only opera, in which Rubeš reaped rich acclaim; he was equally successful in musicals: South Pacific, The Sound of music, Cabaret and Man of La Mancha.

He often sang for us - certainly in his younger days - at significant events in our community. The last time he participated in such a program, was on May 23, 2003 when he joined us - as a conferencier - at the McMillan Theatre in Toronto in a concert we named “Hold rodné zemi - Tribute to our native land”.

In the later years Jan became more prominent as an actor, appearing in TV dramas: Charlie Grant’s War, Catsplay, The Harvest (CBC); TV series : Crossways (ABC); Kane and Abel (CBS); Little Gloria; Campbells (CTV); The Day Grandad Died; and as guest in TV series such as: E.N.G., Street Legal, Fame, Life Goes On, Max Glick, ER, X-Files, Due South. As a movie actor, Jan scored heavily with his performance in the role of Amish grandfather in the Oscar - winning film Witness, which starred Harrison Ford; but also won praise for his (this time Jewish) grandfather in the comedy The Outside Chance of Maxmilian Glick, in which his wife was played by his real wife (and producer of the film), television actress and founder of the Young People’s Theatre in Toronto (among other things), Susan Douglas Rubes. Other films Rubeš appeared in include Forbidden Journey; Lion for Breakfast; The Amteur; The Incredible Journey; One Magic Christmas; Courage Mountain; Dead of Winter; Class Action; Deceived; Coming of Age; Roommates; Mesmer, Something about Love; Never too Late; Snow Falling on Cedars; Mighty Ducks 2; Believe.

There is more. Rubeš was also the author and star of Guess What, educational children’s program, taught at the Royal Conservatory Opera School; served as artist in residence at Wilfrid University in Waterloo, participated in Laterna Magica and - if I am not mistaken - in the (Czech) New Theatre in Toronto.

Among the awards he received are Centennial Medal; Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal; Hon. Citizenship of Winnipeg and Sydney (N.S.); honorary doctorates from the University of Guelph and University of Windsor; Gemini Award; Earle Grey Award (for Lifetime Work in Canadian Television); Order of Canada.

The last time the Czech and Slovak community in Toronto met him was two years ago, when Jan Rubeš received (along with Blanca Rohn) from the Consul General of the Czech Republic in Toronto, Richard Krpač, Order of Jan Masaryk. By then he was showing the marks time and the illness of old age engraved on his face. But what a harvest he left behind!

Jan Rubeš CV

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Česká verze zde

Čeští/slovenští expati (1): Dr. Přemysl Pelnář ZDE

Čeští/slovenští expati (2): Dr. Jarmila Knopová ZDE

Čeští/slovenští expati (3): Dr. Mirko Janeček ZDE

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Článek v ČEŠTINĚ dole (Klikněte na “Read the rest …”)

Today the official act of passing the EU glass relay pin to the next country, Sweden, ended the EU presidency by the Czech Republic. The Czech Republic presided over the European Union for an entire six months. This special task was very challenging for the country taking into consideration the worldwide economic situation, the dissolution of the government and other activities associated with this task. We should not forget about the infamous Entropa display in Brussels that made our presidency less forgettable than the colorful logo and its slogan “Europe in Sweet Harmony.”

The Swedish Presidency motto is the fight against the consequences of the economic crisis and against the climate change. The country has already taken this role once before in the beginning of 2001; thus, this is its second rotation. The official website of the Swedish Presidency is www.se2009.eu. Sweden, the Czech Republic and France form the Trio Presidency to maintain the continuity of the running of the Council. Each of the countries, however, holds a six month rotation. The Czech Republic’s turn will be in 14 years. Can you predict what it will be like?

More information about this new rotation:
http://praguemonitor.com/2009/06/29/czechs-symbolically-hand-eu-presidency-over-sweden
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-07-01-voa18.cfm
http://www.euronews.net/2009/07/01/sweden-takes-the-wheel-of-the-eu/

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Dnes se konal oficiální akt předání skleněné štafety EU další zemi, Švédsku, a tím pro Českou republiku skončilo předsednictví Evropské unie. Česká republika předsedala Evropské unii po celých šest měsíců. Tento jedinečný úkol byl velmi náročný pro zemi s přihlédnutím na hospodářskou situaci ve světě, rozpuštění vlády a na další činnosti související s tímto úkolem. Neměli bychom zapomínat na nechvalnou plastiku jménem Entropa, která byla zveřejněna v Bruselu, neméně známé barevné logo a slogan “Evropě to osladíme”.

Motto švédského předsednictví boj proti důsledkům hospodářské krize a proti klimatickým změnám. Tato země již plnila úlohu předsednictví již na začátku roku 2001, čili nyní začala svou druhou rotaci. Oficiální internetové stránky švédského předsednictví jsou www.se2009.eu. Švédsko, Česká republika a Francie tvoří Trio předsednictví, aby se tak zachovala kontinuita fungování Rady. Každá z těchto zemí však ujímá pouze šestiměsíční rotace. Na Českou republiku padne další rotace až za 14 let. Dokážete odhadnout jaká bude?

České předsednictví v komiksu ZDE

Více informací o novém předsednictví:
http://ec.europa.eu/news/eu_explained/090701_cs.htm 
http://www.euroskop.cz/38/12761/clanek/cesko-konci-ve-vedeni-eu-predsednictvi-preda-svedsku/

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Článek v ČEŠTINĚ dole (Klikněte na “Read the rest …”)

Author: Josef Čermák (CzechFolks.com PLUS)

Last April, the Czech writer, Blanka Kubesova, paid in Pozitivni noviny a tribute to Mirko Janecek and his newspaper, Kanadské Listy. In her story, which also displayed several interesting photographs from her archives, Blanka Kubesova mentions that last year - after 42 years - Mirko Janecek ceased publication of Kanadske Listy, a newspaper he took over from I. J. Sharoun and first published in mimiographed form and later, as a printed monthly. For his important publishing work, Mirko received a number of awards, including M. R.ŠStefánik Award, recognition by the Royal Air Force and the highest Scout honor, the Silver Wolf Award. Kubesova recalls that some twenty-three years ago she visited Canada at the Janecek family’s invitation to read at the Janecek’s home excerpts from her work, but ended reading from the works of exiled writers as well and finished reciting poetry of the then recently deceased Nobel Prize winner, Jaroslav Seifert. While in Toronto, Kubesova met a number of exiles, including the publisher and editor of the Toronto bi-weekly, Satellite, and author of this note. She also recalls that it was at Janeceks’ home that she was accorded one of the greatest honors of her life: a young girl telling the audience that the first book she ever finished, was written by - Blanka Kubesova.

I have known Mirko Janecek since around 1951 or 52. I have no doubt that newspapers attracted him since his early youth in Czechoslovakia. In Canada, he produced his first newspaper (on cyclostyle) as early as 1949. In the early fifties of the last century he was among those, who assisted at the birth of Novy domov (Kubesova writes that Janecek edited Novy domov in the sixties). In 1955 he assisted in the establishment of another newspaper, Nase Hlasy and in 1967 started to publish Hlas nových (the Voice of the Newcomers) a newspaper which later merged with Kanadske Listy.

Czech/Slovak Expatriates (1): Dr. Premysl Pelnar HERE

Czech/Slovak Expatriates (2): Dr. Jarmila Knopova HERE

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Česká verze zde

Čeští/slovenští expati (1): Dr. Přemysl Pelnář ZDE

Čeští/slovenští expati (2): Dr. Jarmila Knopová ZDE

Photos: author

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Článek v ČEŠTINĚ dole (Klikněte na “Read the rest …”)

While those of us living in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom enjoy basic freedoms and democracy, there are still many people struggling for basic freedoms and human rights in societies which deny them. Their lives, however, can be changed thanks to the commitment of people and organizations to provide them with support and help.

One of the countries where civil liberties used to be deprived was, for example, the former Czechoslovakia. Based on today’s research and surveys, young generations lack a basic understanding of what it was like to live under the totalitarian regime. Their lack of knowledge of their own history may have a negative impact on the future of many people around the world. It is as the saying goes that “those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it”. Is this also the fate of the current democratic Czech Republic? If the new generation does not know what it was like to be deprived of basic rights, how will they be able to fully appreciate what they have today and help others that don’t have the luxury of living in a democratic country?

Consequently, Czech history textbooks are being rewritten to teach children about the communist era; facts and details which were omitted during the previous decades. Additionally, new projects and the dedication of others will not only help to close this gap in the history of the former Czechoslovakia but they will also give hope and strength to people in other parts of the world.

One of the organizations that is dedicated to providing relief and development assistance is called People in Need (PIN). Simon Panek, the executive director of PIN, struggled with human rights deprivation himself and actively participated in the Velvet Revolution in the former Czechoslovakia as a student leader. Recently, he had the opportunity to be introduced to a new project that addresses this topic that is still present in other countries. The project will feature a series of films, companion booklets, teacher’s guides; cross-cultural youth exchange programs and more.

The first film in the series completed in 2009 and currently being screened in different parts of the world is called “The Power of the Powerless;” a documentary featuring original interviews with outspoken dissidents, such as playwright and former president Vaclav Havel. It also examines the harmful effects of suppressing the truth and the failure to admit past mistakes. The movie is narrated by Academy Award winner Jeremy Irons and will be translated into several different languages. It will also be accompanied by a Booklet and Teachers’ Guide that will detail untold experiences and anecdotes of dissidents of the Velvet Revolution and include important historical information, easy-to-use lesson plans, answers to common questions, screening guidelines, and discussion starters. During the Fall of 2009, select college students, who participate in the program utilizing the Teachers’ guide in the US will also have an opportunity to go to the Czech Republic in November to meet and learn from past dissidents and celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution (note: this may be postponed to 2010 depending on funding).

Here is a short trailer for your review:

Read what others said about the movie:
“This film is a masterful lesson for international audiences who wish to understand nonviolent movements in recent history … it will inspire many who seek nonviolent methods to secure freedom, especially youth.” – Simon Panek, Executive Director of People in Need

“It is an exhilarating experience to watch the brutal honesty of ‘The Power of the Powerless.’ To witness fallible human beings make their way through this period of turmoil, in all their hopelessness, fear and bravery, is a truly uplifting experience.” – Jeremy Irons

“The Power of the Powerless captures the intellectual and emotional story behind the self-liberation of the Czech and Slovak people. By portraying the crucial role that young people played in the Velvet Revolution and by humanizing their positive influence, this film inspires us to believe that we all can help affect positive change when we put our hearts and our hope into it.” – Petr Kolar, Ambassador of the Czech Republic, Washington, DC

Petr Kolar also said, “I strongly support this project and urge you to do the same.” How can you help to support the project, then? Agora Productions, a non-profit organization based in Los Angeles, which put this project together is struggling to collect enough resources to provide the Guide to recruit teachers and other materials. People behind this organization hope to reach about 1000 high schools and 200 universities with the Companion Booklet, Teachers’ Guide and DVD within 3-5 years time. Through your financial support of Agora Productions you can help realize this goal and be actively involved in making a difference in the world.

Here is detailed information about funds needed to carry out this ambitious project:
Phase I.
$10,000 to complete a companion booklet for The Power of the Powerless, which will accompany the DVD to dissident groups and schools
$33,000 to develop a Teacher’s Guide for college and high school students (based on National Standards)
$50,000 admin & salary costs
Phase II.
$15,000 to organize and conduct outreach to 1,000 high schools and 200 universities
Phase III.
$13,500 to bring 9 students from across the country to the Czech Republic

All donations to this project are tax-deductible and will be credited in the film and educational materials. For more information please go to www.thepowerofthepowerless.org or to www.agoraproductions.org.
Please, pass this message along to others so it can reach as many people as possible.
You can also contribute here through PayPal payment:

Website donate button:

List of future screenings:

1. Sacramento Music & Film Festival, August 2, 12 PM: http://www.sacfilm.com/
2. University of Michigan Museum of Art. Helmut Stern Auditorium, University of Michigan Museum of Art, 525 South State Street, Ann Arbor. Free and open to the public. November 15, 3 PM

Other screenings which will have already taken place include:

Libertas Film Festival 6/29/09 (9 PM): http://www.libertasfilmfestival.com/v2/en/
ART International Film Festival 6/20/09 – 6/27/09 (Screening: June 20th, ArtKino Metro in Trencin, Slovakia at 6:30 PM): http://www.artfilmfest.sk/en/press/press/citizen-havel-to-commemorate-velvet-revolution-at-art-film-fest/
Days of the Czech European Union Presidency at the United Nations, Screening 6/15/09 (7 PM), Bohemian National Hall: http://www.thepowerofthepowerless.org/pdf/InvitationEchoesOfOneWorld.pdf
Planete Doc Review, 5/11/09: http://www.docreview.pl/2009/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=439&Itemid=266
Best of One World International Human Rights Film Festival: Brussels, 4/28/09, Washington D.C., 3/26/09: http://www.oneworld.cz/ow/2009/index2.php?id=143
Boston International Film Festival, 4/19/09: http://www.bifilmfestival.com/0009session10.html

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My, občané, kteří žijeme v zemích, jako jsou Spojené státy, Kanada, Austrálie a Velká Británie máme nárok na základní svobodu a demokracii. Bohužel stále mnoho lidí zápasí o základní svobodu a lidská práva ve společnostech, které jim je stále upírají. Jejich životy však mohou být změněny díky angažovanosti lidí a organizací s cílem poskytnout jim podporu a pomoc.

Jednou ze zemí, která byla zbavena občanských svobod je například bývalé Československo. Na základě dnešních výzkumů a šetření bylo zjištěno, že dnešním mladým generacím chybí základní znalosti o tom, jak se žilo v totalitním režimu. Jejich neznalost vlastní historie může mít negativní dopad na budoucnost mnoha lidí po celém světě. Jak se říká: “ti, kteří se nemohou poučit z historie, jsou odsouzeni k jejímu zopakování.” Bude totéž platit pro současnou demokratickou Českou republiku? Pokud nové generace neví, jaké to bylo být zbaven základních práv, jak budou moci plně ocenit to, co mají dnes a pomáhat ostatním, kteří nežijí v demokratické zemi?

Díky tomu byly učebnice české historie přepsány, aby poučily děti o komunistické éře, faktech a údajích, které byly opomenuty v předchozích desetiletích. Navíc, nové projekty a ochota ostatních pomohou uzavřít tuto znalostní mezeru v historii bývalého Československa, ale také dají naději a sílu lidem v jiných částech světa.

Jednou z organizací, která se věnuje poskytování humanitární a rozvojové pomoci, se nazývá Člověk v tísni. Šimon Pánek, ředitel této organizace, bojoval proti zbavení lidských práv a sám byl aktivně zapojen do protestů během Sametové revoluce v bývalém Československu jako studentský vůdce. Nedávno měl příležitost se seznámit s novým projektem, který řeší tuto problematiku, která je stále aktuální v ostatních zemích. Projekt bude zahrnovat celou řadu filmů, brožury, průvodce pro učitele, výměnné programy a další.

První film ze série, který byl dokončen v roce 2009 a byl v současné době promítán v různých částech světa, se nazývá “The Power of the Powerless“ (Moc bezmocných). Tento dokument obsahuje původní rozhovory s disidenty, jako byl například Václav Havel. Zabývá se také škodlivými účinky potlačení pravdy a neschopnostmi přiznat chyby, které byly v minulosti spáchány. Film doprovází známý držitel ceny Oskara Jeremy Irons a bude přeložen do několika jiných jazyků. Dále bude doplněn manuály pro učitele, které budou obsahovat příběhy a anekdoty disidentů, důležité historické informace, jednoduché plány pro vyučovací hodiny, odpovědi na časté otázky a další pomůcky a návrhy na diskuze. Během podzimu 2009 budou vybraní studenti z vysokých škol mít možnost využít těchto pomůcek, a v listopadu tohoto roku budou moci navštívit Českou republiku, setkat se s disidenty a oslavit 20. výročí od Sametové revoluce (poznámka: to záleží na financování, a proto může být odloženo až na rok 2010).

V anglické verzi článku si můžete přehrá krátký trailer k tomuto dokumentu.

Přečtěte si, co jiní řekli o tomto filmu:

“Tento film je mistrovskou lekcí pro mezinárodní publikum, které chce porozumět nenásilnému hnutí v nedávné historii … bude inspirovat mnoho z těch, kteří hledají nenásilné metody k zajištění svobody, zejména mládeže.” - Šimon Pánek, výkonný ředitel organizace Člověk v tísni

“Je to vzrušující shlížet brutální upřímnost ‘Moci bezmocných.’ Je to opravdu povznášející zážitek sledovat omylné lidi, kteří přežívají toto období a prožívají jejich zoufalství, strach a statečnost.” - Jeremy Irons

“Moc bezmocných zachycuje intelektuální a emocionální příběh o sebe-osvobození českého a slovenského lidu. Příběh vykresluje velmi důležitou roli, kterou mladí lidé hráli v Sametové revoluci a zlidštění jejich pozitivního vlivu. Tento film nás inspiruje k přesvědčení, že všichni mohou pomoci ovlivnit svět k pozitivním změnám, když se do něj zapojí naše srdce a naše naděje.”- Petr Kolář, Velvyslanec České republiky, Washington, DC

Petr Kolář dále řekl: “Pevně podporuji tento projekt a žádám vás, abyste učinili totéž.” Jak můžete tedy pomoci a podpořit tento projekt? Agora Productions, nezisková organizace se sídlem v Los Angeles, která dala dohromady tento projekt se snaží shromáždit dostatek prostředků, aby připravila příručku pro nábor učitelů a další materiály. Lidé stojící za touto organizací doufají, že budou schopni rozeslat doprovázející brožury, manuály pro učitele a DVD do 1000 škol a 200 univerzit do 3-5 let. Díky vaší podpoře Agora Productions můžete pomoci realizovat tento cíl a budete aktivně zapojeni do pomoci ostatním.

Zde je detailní přehled finančních prostředků, které jsou potřebné k uskutečnění tohoto ambiciózního projektu:
Fáze I.
10.000 dolarů pro dokončení brožury, kterou bude doprovázet DVD
33.000 dolarů k vypracování příručku pro učitele středních a vysokých škol (vypracovaných na základě národních standardů)
$ 50.000 administrativní & mzdové náklady
Fáze II.
15.000 dolarů pro kontaktování 1000 vysokých škol a 200 univerzit
Fáze III.
13.500 dolarů pro 9 studentů z celé země, kteří navštíví Českou republiku

Všechny dary na tento projekt jsou daňově odpočitatelné a dárci budou zaznamenání ve filmu a ve vzdělávacích materiálech. Pro více informací prosím navštivte www.thepowerofthepowerless.org nebo www.agoraproductions.org.
Prosíme, pošlete tuto zprávu ostatním, aby se dostala k co nejvíce lidem.
Můžete také přispět online zde:

You can donate right here as well:

Seznam budoucích představení:

1. Sacramento Music & Film Festival, 2. srpna, 12 hod.: http://www.sacfilm.com/
2. University of Michigan Museum of Art. Helmut Stern Auditorium, University of Michigan Museum of Art, 525 South State Street, Ann Arbor. Volně otevřeno pro veřejnost. 15. listopadu v 15 hod.

Další představení, které se již uskutečnily, zahrnují:

Libertas Film Festival 6/29/09 (9 PM): http://www.libertasfilmfestival.com/v2/en/
ART International Film Festival 6/20/09 – 6/27/09 (Screening: June 20th, ArtKino Metro in Trencin, Slovakia at 6:30 PM): http://www.artfilmfest.sk/en/press/press/citizen-havel-to-commemorate-velvet-revolution-at-art-film-fest/
Days of the Czech European Union Presidency at the United Nations, Screening 6/15/09 (7 PM), Bohemian National Hall: http://www.thepowerofthepowerless.org/pdf/InvitationEchoesOfOneWorld.pdf
Planete Doc Review, 5/11/09: http://www.docreview.pl/2009/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=439&Itemid=266
Best of One World International Human Rights Film Festival: Brussels, 4/28/09, Washington D.C., 3/26/09: http://www.oneworld.cz/ow/2009/index2.php?id=143
Boston International Film Festival, 4/19/09: http://www.bifilmfestival.com/0009session10.html

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Článek v ČEŠTINĚ dole (Klikněte na “Read the rest …”)

Author: Josef Čermák (CzechFolks.com PLUS)

Jarmila Knop (Puchýrová) was born on April 30, 1947 in Nové Město in Moravia, where her uncle Joza and aunt Věra Svítil still live. Reminiscing, after Jarmila’s death, at the recent ‘Zpěvánky’ (an annual musical session) in Nové Město, her class-mate, Blanka Vystrčilová, spoke so eloquently about Jarmila’s childhood and youth, that I can’t resist quoting generously from her remarks:

“A fair-haired little girl, with a satchel on her shoulder, walked to school, hand in hand with her mother. How could it be otherwise? Jarmila’s mother was a teacher at the elementary school. Time rushed by, the little girl was growing up, devoting practically all her free time to sports. She excelled in athletics - throwing a cricket ball or a grenade further than the best among the boys, was a good jumper (both the wide and high jumps), and a good sprinter. In Czechoslovakia, she ranked close to the top in several disciplines.  She was a first class volley-ball player, enjoyed tourism, appreciated the ideals of the Scout organization - her father was a dedicated scout until the organization was banned by the communist regime. In the winter, there were skiing and Sokol classes. It was her father who taught Jarmila to love sports.

Jarmila was gifted musically, she played piano, wrote poetry, and was good at drawing. She managed all her activities and it wasn’t at the school’s expense. She enjoyed geography, math, descriptive geometry and other subjects. She took private classes in German and - it must be added - occasionally played truant. She was an excellent student and, after graduation from the gymnazium (a Czech term for college preparatory high school), enrolled at the university in Brno. She never spoiled any fun on the school trips, potatoes brigades - she was for every ‘wickedness’ - in a good sense. She rode a motorcycle, liked the Saturday night dances; she simply was a fine girl.”

Then - as it happened to so many of her countrymen - she had to leave Czechoslovakia. Her first attempt failed, but the second - via Yugoslavia - was successful. Shortly after her arrival in Canada in 1970, she met, at a volley-ball game, Věra Kořínková and their lives intertwined. They enjoyed sports together. Věra attended Jarmila’s wedding in Montreal in 1972. Every year they organized ‘Zpěvánky’ (in the beginning there were ten music enthusiasts with guitars; in the last several years the attendance grew to thirty singers and musicians playing six or more instruments). Jarka (diminutive for Jarmila) loved ‘tramp’ music and always looked forward to the next ‘Zpěvánky’.

In 1983 Jarmila, Věra and Jiřina Hofmannová gave birth to a volley-ball tournament “PIVO” (the word “pivo” means “beer” but here it serves as an abbreviation for “pinkání v Ontariu” which would loosely translate as “playing volley-ball in Ontario”). The tournament takes place every year. This year’s tournament was attended by ten teams of very good players. Jarmila always looked forward to the activities of a good party with friends - skiing in Quebec or in the Blue Mountains, cross-country skiing in the Huntsville area, or camping at the lovely lakes of Ontario.

Jarmila loved music and drawing. With Jirka Falada she put together a Songbook of popular Czech, Moravian and Slovak songs which she illustrated. These illustrations are to this day admired by lovers of ‘tramp’ music around campfires in Australia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Canada and the USA.

When Jarmila so suddenly died, Věra Kořínková delivered the eulogy at the funeral service, Father Libor Vorčík conducting the religious rites. Věra described Jarmila as “a beautiful, elegant and at the same time modest and sincere woman, who always did things to please others; if she saw that someone needed help, she wouldn’t wait for others but immediately set out to help, herself…a wonderful mother, a devoted partner of her husband Vladimír.”

Věra Kořínek wasn’t the only one who saw Jarmila with admiring eyes. Before this year’s Mother’s Day a woman Jarmila helped to find a job, called the Knop residence to thank Jarmila for her help. When she learned that Jarmila died, she started to cry. It always pleased me to hear that ‘care givers’, the possibly most exploited people in Canada, held Jarmila in the highest regard. Equally admirable is the testimonial of another friend, Jerry (Slávek) Hofmann. He recalls the sporting events they participated in, ‘tramp’ songs, Jarmila’s work with children of her friends, her goodness. And Mirjany and Jan Šebek carry in their hearts memories of “a woman full of zest, sparkling with geniality”.

Let’s go back to the reminiscences with one more quote from the eulogy of Jarmila’s Nové Město class-mate, Blanka Vystrčilová:

“Then the spring of 1990 arrived, and Křička’s words from the Grandma’s favorite waltz “beloved home’s kindly enchatment” worked as a magnet. In May Jarmila returned. She initialed not only her class almanac, but the whole school’s almanac as well; she founded an Association of friends from the gymnazium (her school) for the support of gifted students; and she came up (and it was the work of love) with the idea of Zpěvánky, which we are now attending for the tenth time. It was her idea to publish Zpěvník: she collected songs of all genres, contributed graphic design. Then every year - with love and taste unique to her - she produced ‘Zpěvník’, an album of the songs of the last Zpěvánky, which she brought with her (or sent) the following year. That’s how Jarka (abbreviation for Jarmila) lived - and will always live - in our hearts and minds: a blonde with forget-me-not eyes whom since her childhood lived on the Small Street, looking from her window on the massive linden trees in the Catholic Church courtyard. In the middle of the courtyard, close to the church, is a grave with a monument on which there are engraved the signatures of Jarmila’s parents. An hour ago, our class laid flowers on the grave.”

No life is made only of singing, laughter and sport. All of us must earn a living. Jarmila - as many of our women - started her working life in Canada as a housekeeper with a Toronto Canadian family; then worked in a bank and a little later, with Sixty-eight Publishers. Then she went back to school, graduated in biochemistry at the University of Toronto, studied design and worked in an architectonic and design firm. The last fifteen years, she managed her own firm. One could say of her, in a very simplistic fashion, that - in addition to earning a living - she was active in taking care of the health and spiritual well-being of her friends that needed help.

Jarmila and Vladimir have two chilren, Derek and Bianca. In 1966, they were joined in Canada by Jarmila’s brother, Jaroslav Puchýr and his wife (also) Jarmila and children, Jaroslav and Martina.
According to Jarmila’s wishes, her ashes have been spread on the waters of the Georgian Bay where she spent many happy summers with her family and in the company of their best friends. Some of the ashes will be interned in the family grave in Nové Mesto in Moravia, some will go to Bianca in Vancouver and the remainder will stay with Vladimír and Derek in Toronto.

Jarmila’s life will be celebrated in Toronto on September 26, 2009
This year’s PIVO tournament will be dedicated to her memory.

Czech/Slovak Expatriates (1): Dr. Premysl Pelnar HERE

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Česká verze zde

Čeští/slovenští expati (1): Dr. Přemysl Pelnář ZDE

Fotograph: Josef Čermák

Článek v ČEŠTINĚ dole (Klikněte na “Read the rest …”)

More than six years ago Pavel Bem, the mayor of Prague, informed the public of his intention to host the Summer Olympic Games in 2016. Even the former mayor of Prague, Jak Kasl, supported this idea when he signed a contract with the Czech Olympic Committee. Two years later Pavel Bem stated that this idea became a serious plan. As he stated, “Prague would become a special location to organize such an event that would bring lots of attention to the city,” but would it actually be able to host such an event? Today we don’t have to think about this question since the event organizers withdrew their plan due to the current economic crisis. Nevertheless, the Olympic candidacy has already cost the city about 70 million crowns. Was it a smart idea to withdraw or not?

When Pavel Bem started to plan his vision, he began to work with the Czech Association of Physical Education to assess technical and capacity parameters of future sports facilities. He believed that Prague would be a unique location for such an event. The implementation would also require changes in the infrastructure, such as subway routes, new surface streets or freeways, and the expansion of the capacity of the international airport. The original cost estimate to arrange the Olympics was between 70 and 100 billion crowns.

The plans to organize the Olympics continued and by 2005 all materials were submitted to the Czech government for evaluation. One of the incentives was possible business opportunities and promotion of the city to the rest of the world. Many critics, however, believed that Prague would be too small, comparing it to Florence, Italy, which would also be unsuitable for hosting such a large gathering. The cost analysis was reanalyzed and was increased to about 135 billion crowns. Bem also pointed out that the 2016 term would not likely be probable because the upcoming Olympics were planned for London and it would be unprecedented to have the event take place twice in a row in Europe. Thus, he did not mind to push it to 2020 instead.

Based on press releases last week, this ambitious plan was abandoned completely. Prague will no longer host the Olympics any time in the near future. This decision was made as a measure to alleviate the effects of financial crisis on the country. The project also lacked government support. About 70 million crowns was, however, spent to organize and plan it. Bem continued that “it is time to save and prioritize” and that all employees of Prague Olympic (Praha olympijska) will be laid off. Did the costly preparation bring something good for Prague citizens? Maybe. The city gained visibility in the world and even its infrastructure became a talking point in future improvement plans. There are already plans to build new subway lines. Do you think, however, that Prague would be a suitable place for the Olympics and that it was a smart idea to withdraw? Please, let us know in the comment section.

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Před více než šesti lety primátor prahy, Pavel Bém, informoval veřejnost o svém záměru pořádat letní olympijské hry v roce 2016. Dokonce i bývalý primátor Prahy, Jak Kasl, podpořil tento nápad, když podepsal smlouvu s Českým olympijským výborem. O dva roky později Pavel Bém konstatoval, že tato myšlenka se stala vážným plánem. Jak uvedl, “Praha by se stala zvláštním místem pro uspořádání takové akce, která přinese městu mnoho pozornosti”, ale bylo by toto město ve skutečnosti schopno hostit takovou událost? Dnes už o této otázce nemusíte přemýšlet, protože pořadatelé tento plán stáhli vzhledem k současné ekonomické krizi. Nicméně olympijská kandidatura již stála město asi 70 milionů korun. Bylo to moudré odstoupit od této kandidatury?

Když Pavel Bém začal plánovat svou vizi, začal spolupracovat s Českým svazem tělesné výchovy pro posouzení technických parametrů a kapacitě budoucích sportovišť. Věřil, že by Praha byla pro takovou akci unikátním místem. To by rovněž vyžadovalo změny v infrastruktuře, jako jsou trasy metra, nové silnice a dálnice a rozšíření kapacity mezinárodního letiště. Původní odhad nákladů na uspořádání olympiády byl mezi 70 a 100 miliard korun.

Plány pro uspořádání olympiády pokračovaly a v roce 2005 byly materiály pro kandidaturu předloženy vládě ČR k posouzení. Jedním z podnětů byly marketingové příležitosti a propagace města ve světě. Mnoho kritiků se však domnívalo, že Praha by byla příliš malá a porovnávali ji k Florencii v Itálii, která by také byla nevhodná pro uspořádání takové obrovské akce. Náklady byly přepočítané na 135 miliard korun. Bém také poukázal na to, že termín 2016 nebude pravděpodobný, protože předcházející termín byl naplánován na Londýn a ještě se nestalo, že by hry byly dvakrát po sobě v Evropě. Proto neměl nic proti posunutí termínu na rok 2020.

Na základě tiskových zpráv z minulého týdne jsme se již dozvěděli, že tento ambiciózní plán byl zcela opuštěn. Praha již nebude v blízké budoucnosti hostit olympiádu. Toto rozhodnutí bylo převzato jako opatření pro zmírnění dopadů finanční krize na Českou republiku. Projekt také neměl vládní podporu. Asi 70 milionů korun již však bylo do tohoto projektu investováno. Bém sdělil, že “je čas upřednostnit prioritní akce”, a všichni zaměstnanci Praha olympijská budou propuštěni. Přinesly nákladné přípravy něco dobrého pro občany Prahy? Možná. Město získalo viditelnost po celém světě, a dokonce se i hovoří o plánech na zlepšení infrastruktury. Plány na výstavbu nových tratí metra jsou již na světě. Myslíte si však, že by Praha byla vhodným místem pro olympijské hry, a že bylo rozumné odstopit od kandidatury? Řekněte nám váš názor v komentáři.

Sources (Zdroje):
Estav.cz
Radio.cz
Idnes.cz

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Barbara Semenov, a journalist, reporter, producer, publisher of CechoAustralan magazine and an author of articles in our “Czech Only” version of CzechFolks.com named CzechFolks.com PLUS,was a guest at Helena Vondrackova‘s birthday celebration and was kind enough to report back to us with her experiences and memories of the singer. She wrote:

Today I would like to share with readers of CzechFolks.com PLUS a wonderful experience from Monday evening in the Prague Theater “Kalich,” where Helena Vondrackova celebrated her sixty-second! birthday. Helena represents a real phenomenon in the world of Czech popular music. She sings, dances, plays percussion and speaks to her audience with absolute professionalism. Meanwhile she charms everybody with her vigor, optimism, and a natural heartiness. She has remained, and still is, as beautiful as in her beginnings; her voice has matured to unprecedented levels of tone, which she presented in some of her unusual pieces of extensive repertoire.

During her birthday celebration, Helena sang “Modry angel” (Blue Angel) with charm similar to that of singer Marlene Dietrich. She continued with the jazz song “Fly Me To The Moon” with bravura, and brought a romantic mood with a French chanson “Parlez-moi d’amour”. Of course, she did not forget to add her award-winning hits from her comeback, such as, “Dlouha noc” (Long Night), “Vodopad” (Waterfall) or “Ja vitam dest” (I welcome the rain). The legendary songs “Lasko ma ja stunu,” “Sladke mameni,” “Prejdi Jordan,” or “Vzdaleny hlas” were sung by the majority of the auditorium.

“I am very happy that you still like my singing. This is the best gift I can receive for my birthday,” expressed Helena to the excited audience. She also emotionally reminded the audience several times during her performance of her deceased musical friends, who made her famous and accompanied her during her musical career for more than forty years that - Karel Svoboda and Zdenek Borovec. At the end of the concert she devoted her unforgettable song “Cervena reka” (Red River) to her close friend Waldemar Matuska.

I brought for Helena a “rainmaker” from Australia (”an aboridzini rain stick”) - a long bamboo tube filled with beads which imitates the sound of the rain and water ripples when it is turned from side to side. “This is for you to complement your ‘welcoming of rain’”, I commented on the strange gift that I gave her in connection with the hit, with which she launched the concert. “Along with the rain in the red Australian desert, magic and happiness go hand in hand with the aborigine culture…” “I already have goose bumps …” the diva replied. In front of her changing room waited a crowd of fans to meet with their favorite star and I had to say a quick goodbye. Helena was still able to turn in the crowd of her admirers to say: “The recipe is great. All my friends have it already!” “What recipe?” I did not understand. “The stuffing” she laughed rascally and waived at me and then she disappeared in the crowd.
I wrote about the “stuffing” earlier. Maybe you too will like it …

When I cooked for the stars

I can not forget the tour of the Czech stars Karel Gott and Helena Vondrackova in Australia between 2000 and 2003. I then worked on the successful implementation of the concert with Peter Vitek in Sydney impresario. During their stay in Melbourne, Karel and Helena lived in my house, so my producer’s tasks were extended to host duties. As a matter of course, the dinners were expected to be in my house. But cooking when you have to take care of the concert: theater, technology, ticket sales, dancers, wardrobe, transporting of the performers, and millions of other acts associated with the production of the concert was no easy task.

Thus, the day before, I baked - the food, which here in Australia probably everyone knows, but the celebrities were astonished with it.

- “Salty cake,” Helena laughed; she is always laughing, she is always in a good mood.

- “Nettle stuffing”, noted Karel Stedry.

Only divine Kája did remained mostly silent except to say, “Well this is great!”.

The pan was cleared from our sight and would have similar success when a few years later the legendary band Olympic arrived.
In turn, I was invited to Helena’s party to Ritka. Lots of guests gathered there like for a concert of the stars. Suddenly I see Helča runs out of kitchen with full baking pans.
And Karel tells me, with his typical: “Oh, ‘please’, perhaps it is your salty cake from Melbourne! Whenever I think of that city, I think of your delicacy …”
And what was really served?

Zucchini SLICE!
We need:
6 large Zucchini - grated
1 large carrot - grated
500 g of ham - cut to about cm squares
400 g grated cheese (Edam, or Tasty Light in Australia)
½ onion – finely grated
2 cups of self raising flour
½ cup of light olive oil
5 eggs
nutmeg
spices
salt

Preparation:
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl in a viscous liquid mixture. Put on the butter-wiped pan and bake slowly an hour to an hour and a half until baked through.
The point is that the next day the Zucchini Slices taste even better after they are warmed in the oven, because the cheese and egg inside don’t run as much. Serve with pickles or just cold.

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Barbara Semenov, novinářka, reportérka, producentka, vydavatelka časopisu CechoAustralan a autor článků v naší “pouze české” verzi CzechFolks.com nazvaným CzechFolks.com PLUS, byla hostem na oslavě 62. narozenin Heleny Vondráčkové a byla tak laskavá a poslala nám článek s jejími zážitky a vzpomínkami na zpěvačku. Česká verze článku ZDE.

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Článek v ČEŠTINĚ dole (Klikněte na “Read the rest …”)

This is a second article by one of our new authors: Josef Cermak, a Doctor of law, journalist, writer, poet, actor and a lifelong organizer of public and scientific life for Czech and Slovak countrymen in Canada. Last time he wrote about a famous physician Dr.Premysl (Mike) Pelnar that recently passed away. The story today is about his visit of the 61st Congress of the Czech and Slovak Association in Canada. The Czech version to this article can be found in our “Czech Only” version of CzechFolks.com named CzechFolks.com PLUS, where he regularly contributes with his insightful and brilliant articles.  

Introduction
One can view the Montreal Congress celebrating 70 years of existence (under slightly different names) of the Czech and Slovak Association of Canada from different perspectives:

a) everything was perfect;
b) not everything was perfect but we won’t criticize the imperfections because criticism makes things difficult for people who are trying to create something, someone might find it offensive, someone might be hurt; it’s much wiser to sweep all imperfections under the carpet; which is what is usually done in Canada, especially where human rights or anything having to do with race is concerned - on the whole a praiseworthy and largely successful philosophy; even though occasionally at the expense of the freedom of expression.
c) a few things were unimpressive - and should be described as unimpressive.

I decided to go with the third alternative: to report what I saw and heard, without spite, without anger, perhaps rather playfully, but always respecting truth, in the spirit of the most unbribable follower of this philosophy, Alexander Solzhenitsyn:

“The main thing is never to act against your conscience, not to put your signature on documents you don’t believe in, not to vote for those you think should not be elected…not to pass on lies, not to broadcast them, not to write them…not to pretend. Let your creed be “Let the lie come into the world, let it even triumph, but not through me.”

And even before our departure for Montreal this advice turned my head. I learned, in bits and pieces and from different people, that about two months prior to the Congress, the Executive Committee of the Association held a meeting, at which it was decided to nominate Dr. Gustav Plíva for the office of the president for the next term the present President. But because Dr. Plíva advised the Committee that he planned to take a six- month vacation (most of it in the summer), which would mean that he could not chair one meeting, a number of the Committee’s members decided to nominate for the President post Milos Suchma. My problem wasn’t who to vote for (I attended the Congress as a non-voting guest), and besides I wrote in an article published in the Satellite that the Association needed new blood and suggested for the office of the President Dr. Eva Sailerová. My problem was how to react to this information: by silence (a form of lie) or by honest reporting? What is more important: truth or an illusion that if you don’t speak about a fact, it doesn’t exist?

I attended this Congress for three reasons: to greet old friends and acquaintances (Milos Zach, Alois Fogler, Misa Fuchsová, Dr. Štefan Horný, Milos Suchma…and most of all Alena Valdštýnová, who unfortunately had different plans); to reminiscence about the times when I was closely identified with the Association; to deliver to the Congress greetings and good wishes from the members of Sokol Canada, the other all-Canadian organization of Czechs and Slovaks (I was rather curious what my emotional reaction at this point would be - I am (as far s I know) the only person who had chaired both organizations. I would lie if I said that I was moved to tears.

Going to the Congress
Our trip to Montreal was marvelous. We went by car. Our team was made of Blanca Rohn, Zuzana Hahn, Marketa Rehovská (formerly Slepčíková), Brandon Hahn (a cameraman and Zuzana’s son) and I. All of us (with the exception of Brandon who slumbered the whole trip and myself (?)) had been brilliant and amusing and we howled with laughter from Toronto to Montreal. We even decided to form an orchestra and name it after Blanca Rohn: “Blanca’s Quartet”? “Blanca’s Quintet”? No - not sexy enough. Ah, of course, it must be sexy! “Blanca’s sextet”! Perfect! Now we must find the sixth member…No problem, Sherlock, quite elemental, the choice is obvious: the Consul-General of the Czech Republic in Toronto, Richard Krpač! Will he accept? I assured my friends that as long as we allow Mr. Krpač to raise hell on percussion, he was ours! What a pity that Brandon, instead of slumbering, didn’t spend his time recording the intellectual fireworks of sparkling wit (it would have provided him with the means for a luxurious existence for the rest of his life). His mother, Zuzana, even recited a poem (seductively), but because I was decently brought up and can’t claim as an excuse that because I was born in Canada (I wasn’t) I don’t understand that some poems might not be suitable for public “consumption,” I was not sure that Zuzana’s choice was appropriate (but, naturally, I applauded violently)… and because Zuzana lacks the sensitiveness of people born in Czechoslovakia, she recited her poem with an equal enthusiasm at the Congress!

Visit with the Czech Consul-General (Montreal), Mrs. Jaroslava Jeslinek
In Montreal, we drove directly to the Czech Consulate-General where we were welcomed by a young man (in fact, a boy, but with such aristocratic and self-assured demeanor that to call him a young man is a compliment to most young men I know). And we were welcomed equally pleasantly by Mrs. Jaroslava Jeslinek. And we very well fed.

Congress - Saturday, May 30, 2009
At the entrance to the meeting hall at the McGill University, each participant was handed a fairly thick brochure containing – in addition to the Congress program - reports of the officers, reports of the branches, greetings, archival material and advertisements. I was impressed by the amount of work which must have been put into this publication and didn’t appreciate remarks about its shortcomings: typographical errors, missing sponsors’ messages etc.

Before leaving Toronto, I heard that the Consul-General of the Czech Republic in Toronto, Mr. Krpac, was not invited. It was explained to me that when the Ambassador accepts invitation, the Consul-general is not invited (but both were present at the Congress in London couple of years earlier).
The morning was spent by registration, welcoming addresses, introduction of guests and delegates, greetings, reports, election of committees. After lunch, officers and the board of directors for a two-year term were elected, with Milos Suchma as President, Blanca Rohn, Eva Sailer and dr. Stefan Horny as Vice-Presidents, Vera Kohoutova as Secretary, Barbara Sheriff as Deputy-Secretary and Jan Sammer as Treasurer.

Social evening
This very pleasant event took place at the Fairmount Hotel - The Queen Elizabeth (the equivalent of Toronto’s Fairmont Hotel - Royal York). It was attended by some 120 people who heard speeches from the Canadian Minister of Immigration and Human Rights, Mr. Jason Kenney, Quebec Minister of Justice, Madam Weill (whose husband happens to be Czech), the Vice-Chairman of the Czech Senate, Mr. Jiri Liska and the Ambassador of the Czech Republic, Mr. Karel Zebrakovsky. The most interesting event of the evening was the ceremony bestowing the Masaryk Award on four people, two scientists, a social worker and an industrialist. The two eminent scientists were Pavel Hamet (in 2001 was by the Quebec Government awarded the highest recognition in the field of science, the Wilder-Penfield Award, for his lifetime contribution in the field of medicine and medical research), and Emil Skamene, professor at the Department of medicine and genetics, McGill University, and until recently, director of the McGill research institute employing 11,000 people including 910 medical doctors, a recipient of many awards, including Prix du Quebec and J.G. Mendel Prize. The social worker was Mrs. Sonia Zichermanova who was recognized for her devoted and highly successful work, both in the Association and outside (anonymous help to needy people, mainly families with small children, playing piano in the senior citizens’ homes as well as for our seniors, baking hundreds of delicious Christmas cookies for the bazaar). The fourth person awarded the Masaryk Award was Josef Kuchar. Mr. Kuchar was born in Siebenhirten in the Vienna region, attended J.A. Komensky school, escaped before the Nazis to Czechoslovakia, after the Communist coup d’état in 1948 returned to Austria, but a year later emigrated with his family to Canada, where he started the Recocher Inc., a company which he developed into one of the world’s largest producers of naphthaline and consumer products, with branches in Canada, USA, Belgium and Australia. Shortly after arriving in Montral, he joined - with his family - the Montreal unit of Sokol, helped with building the Hostyn center, and to this day is supporting the Association and other organizations.

The first three honorees were present at the ceremony (the fourth award was accepted by Mr. Kuchar’s daughter) and their responses added a glamorous touch to the occasion. It was during this ceremony, and especially when Misha Fuchs read the text of the Masaryk Award, that something in my mind stirred and reminded me of the pleasurable time when - in 1985 - I was putting together the words of the award. At the end of the ceremony, Misha and I gave to Minister Kenney, Minister Weill and Senator Liska a copy of the book, “It All Began With Prince Rupert, a Story of the Czechs and Slovaks in Canada.”

Sunday, May 31, 2009
The last day of the Congress started with an address delivered by Professor Thomas Pavlasek who - as a boy - witnessed the events at the Czechoslovak Consulate in Montreal in 1939, when the representatives of the Nazi Germany came to take over the Consulate. Thanks to the speaker’s father Frantisek Pavlasek, who was then Czechoslovak Consul-General in Canada, they were met not only by a group of Sokols in their uniforms but also members of the Montreal police, and had to depart empty-handed.

The second speaker that morning was Zuzana Hahn who not only is an excellent speaker, but is not beyond occasionally using some of the Czech words which made Jan Masaryk such a hit with the English nobility. Her report on the progress of the efforts to build in Ottawa a monument to the victims of communism deserves printing in its entirety, but briefly, she felt that the controversy between the group she founded and in which Sokol Canada is a partner, and the group which suddenly appeared on the scene much later, may be resolved by the two groups making a joint application to the Capital Commission in Ottawa which has jurisdiction over the public lands on which monuments and statutes may be built.

The final item on the Sunday program was a meeting with a delegation from the Czech Republic, consisting of Senator Liska and a representative of the Ministry of External Affairs, Vladimir Eisenbrook, who after short speeches answered questions from the audience. Their answers were occasionally elaborated by the newly elected President of the Association, Milos Suchma, who is intimately familiar with the political situation in the Czech and Slovak Republics.

Touring Montreal
Misha Fuchs was (together with Ema Kosacka) the good angel of this Congress. Both were everywhere, inconspicuously and charmingly. Misha in addition contributed a great deal to the Social evening (which she chaired) and both, together with Dr. Horny {who also translated at the Social evening into French and Polish) and Petr Stikarovsky, prepared for those who showed interest, a lovely good-by to Montreal: they piled us into their cars and drove us around Montreal. Because they know their city so well, they showed us a place full o charming corners, palatial homes, a river which has few equals, the evidence of the Expo - the roof on one of the pavilions became world-famous long after the Expo; it just wouldn’t behave regardless of how much money they threw at it and in the end it had to be replaced. But also a place, which means to us Laterna Magica and our Sokol Slet.

Conclusion
It is a pity that someone didn’t go through the Congress brochure one more time before publication.
The heaviest shadow, though, that will darken the reputation of the Montreal Congress, is the treatment accorded to Dr. Gustav Ripa. It resulted in Dr. Plíva’s leaving the Association.

The Association always has a difficult time to find a reason for its existence whenever our homeland enjoys a degree of freedom, which allows its people to elect their own government. This is one of such times - unless it refocuses its activities.

But there is much to admire about this Congress: the Social evening and especially the ceremony of bestowing the Masaryk Awards; the addresses of Prof. Pavlasek and Zuzana Hahn; the meeting with the delegation from the Czech Republic; the effort of the host branch of the Association to make Montreal and the Congress as memorable for us as possible.

And on a lighter note: the incredible drive from Toronto to Montreal including the founding of the Blanca’s sextet (the accession of the Consul-General of the Czech Republic in Toronro, Richard Krpac, to the orchestra is considered certain), the lovely drive (in my case with Misha Fuchs) around Montreal.
Thank you, Montreal - and everyone who contributed to the success of the Congress.

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Toto je druhý článek jednoho z našich nových autorů: Josefa Čermáka, doktora práv, novináře, spisovatele, básníka, herce a celoživotního organizátora veřejného a vědeckého života českých a slovenských krajanů v Kanadě. Minule psal o slavném lékaři Dr.Premyslu (Mike) Pelnaři, který nedávno zemřel. Tento příběh je o jeho návštěvě 61. kongresu Českého a slovenského sdružení v Kanadě. Českou verzi tohoto článku tentokrát najdete v naší “pouze české” verzi CzechFolks.com nazvaným CzechFolks.com PLUS, kde pravidelně přispívá svými bystrými a skvělými články. 

ODKAZ ZDE

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Článek v ČEŠTINĚ dole (Klikněte na “Read the rest …”)

The fact that the Czech Republic and Slovakia have Name Days is known to many people, as well as to our readers that view our articles about these special days. How many of you actually know that there is such a thing as a Sir Name Day? A Czech entrepreneur Jan Švejda and his colleague invented a new calendar that is composed of the 365 most common Czech sir names or names of famous Czech people. The names were carefully assigned to days that were somehow similar to these names; usually based on significant days in world history or holidays. Some of the name and day selections were logical, others were funny, while a few of them were chosen with a sarcastic sense of humor. The calendar, named Prijmenar, has become very popular and it can be purchased online as well.

The most common names were chosen based on statistics from the Ministry of Interior. Here are some examples of such Sir Name Days with their clever explanations as to why they were chosen for certain days in the Czech calendar. The Czech sir name is listed first, followed by its translation to English:

1st of January: Novy (New) – based on the first day of the New Year.
14th of February: Laska (Love) – Valentine’s Day.
28th of March: Kantor (Cantor) – based on International Day of Teachers.
1st of April: Blaha (Foolish) – April fool’s day.
3rd of April: Svec (Shoemaker, Cobbler) – Tomas Bata, founder of Bata Shoes, was born. The company was “one of the world’s biggest multinational retailers, manufacturers and distributors of footwear and accessories” (Wikipedia.org).
4th of April: Bohac (Richman) – Bill Gates founded Microsoft.
5th of April: Vyskocil (Leaper) – Day of people that rose from the dead (jumped out of graves).
14th of April: Zavadil (Grazeman) – on this day the Titanic struck an iceberg and plunged to the bottom of the sea.
1st of June: Cap (Stork) – International Day of Children.
20th of June: Prchal (Escaper) – World Day of Refugees.
30th of June: Vojacek (Soldier) – National Army Day.
6th of July: Spaleny (Burnt) – the day when Jan Hus, a Czech Catholic priest, philosopher, reformer, and master at Charles University in Prague, was burned at the stake.
14th of July: Gott (God) – the birthday of a famous Czech singer Karel Gott. The name is actually German.
21st of July: Prochazka (a Walk) – the day when Neil Alden Armstrong first walked on the moon.
21st of August: Smutny (Sad) – Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia.
1st of September: Zak (Pupil) – first day of school after summer break.
26th of September: Prihoda (Incidenceman) – World Day of contraception.
9th of September: Holub (Pigeon) – Postal Day.
17th of October: Smolik (Underdog) – World Day of Injury.
24th of October: Cerny (Black) – Stock Market Crash of 1929 also known as Black Thursday.
2nd of November: Styskal (Miss) – All Souls Day (Day of Dead).
17th of November: Svoboda (Freedom) – Velvet Revolution – a peaceful student demonstration in Prague that lead to freedom in Czechoslovakia and the fall of communism.
5th of December: Andel (Angel) – St. Nicholas Day.
24th of December: Stedry (Generous) – Christmas day (Stedry den).
29th of December: Havel – on this day Vaclav Havel became President of Czechoslovakia by an unanimous vote of the Federal Assembly.
31st of December: Konecny (Terminal) – the last day of the year.

What do you think of it? Will Sir Name Days become more popular than traditional Name Days? The calendar can be purchased online HERE.

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Skutečnost, že Česká republika a Slovensko mají svátky (jmeniny), je známá mnoha lidem, stejně jako našim čtenářům, kteří se dočetli o těchto speciálních dnech. Kolik z vás ale ví, že existuje taková věc jako je Příjmenář. Český podnikatel Jan Švejda a jeho kolega vynalezli nový kalendář, který je složený ze 365 nejčastějších českých příjmení nebo jmen slavných českých lidí. Názvy byly pečlivě zařazeny ke dnům, které byly nějakým způsobem podobné příjmením, většinou založené na významných dnech v dějinách světa nebo na svátcích. Některá přiřazení byla logické, jiná byla k smíchu, přičemž některá z nich byla vybrána se sarkastickým smyslem pro humor. Kalendář s názvem Příjmenář se stal velmi populárním a je možné si ho zakoupit on-line.

Nejčastější jména byla vybrána na základě statistických údajů ministerstva vnitra. Zde jsou některé příklady takových svátků s jejich chytrými vysvětleními, proč byly zvoleny pro určité dny v českém kalendáři.

1. ledna: Nový - první den nového roku.
14. února: Láska – den Svatého Valentýna.
28. března: Kantor – Mezinárodní den učitelů.
1. dubna: Bláha – aprílový den.
3. dubna: Švec – narodil se Tomáš Baťa, zakladatel firmy „Baťa Shoes company“. Společnost byla „jednou z největších světových nadnárodních maloobchodníků, výrobců a distributorů, obuvi a doplňků” (Wikipedia.org).
4. dubna: Boháč - Bill Gates založil společnost Microsoft.
5. dubna: Vyskočil – z mrtvých vstání.
14. dubna: Zavadil - tento den Titanic narazil na ledovec a potopil se na dno moře.
1. června: Čáp - Mezinárodní den dětí.
20. červen: Prchal - Světový den uprchlíků.
30. června: Vojáček - Národní den armády.
6. července: Spálený - den, kdy Jan Hus, český katolický kněz, filozof, reformátor a učitel na Karlově univerzitě v Praze, byl upálen.
14. července: Gott - narozeniny slavného českého zpěváka Karla Gotta. Jeho jméno je vlastně německé.
21. července: Procházka - den, kdy se Neil Alden Armstrong poprvé prošel na Měsíci.
21. srpna: Smutný - sovětská invaze Československa.
1. září: Žák - první den školy po letních prázdninách.
26. září: Příhoda - Světový den antikoncepce.
9. září: Holub - Poštovní den.
17. října: Smolík - Světový den úrazů.
24. října: Černý – krize na burze v roce 1929, také známá jako černý čtvrtek.
2. listopad: Stýskal - Dušičky.
17. listopadu: Svoboda – Sametová revoluce - poklidná studentská demonstrace v Praze, které vedla ke svobodě Československa a pádu komunismu.
5. prosince: Anděl – k připomínce Mikuláše.
24. prosince: Štědrý - Štědrý den.
29. prosince: Havel – tento den se Václav Havel stal prezidentem Československa po jednotném odhlasování.
31. prosince: Konečný - poslední den roku.

Co si o tom myslíte? Budou příjmeniny je více populární než tradiční svátky? Příjmenář lze zakoupit online ZDE.

Video o příjmenáři:

Source (Zdroj): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7iFOZ_bosw

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