Czech Center Museum Houston
Frantisek Kupka: Orphism

Bohemian artist Frantisek Kupka is the forefront mind behind the art form of Orphism. Orphism focuses on color and abstraction, similar to Cubism but also an “evolution” where abstract shapes are given precedence in contrast to solid, known geometric shapes. There are many examples of Orphism to see, spanning many years.

Frantisek Kupka: Orphism
Czech Center Museum Houston
Czech Beer : A Brief History

From the Brevnov Monastery to the modern-day Pilsner, the Czech people have been enjoying beer for over a thousand years. Known as the beer of tradition, Czech beer is ingrained into history itself. When beermaking was banned. the Brenov Monastery, as the first-ever Bohemian brewery, was exempt. Initially, after the ban on brewing ended, only noble families or homeowners were allowed to brew beer. It was in 1842 that the famous Pilsner was created.

Czech Beer : A Brief History
Czech Center Museum Houston
Eliska Junkova: Racing into History

Eliška Junková is the first woman to win the Grand Prix, in 1927. Even before, Junková was “Queen of the Steering Wheel,” a well-earned title that she worked towards since 1922. Her dedication to racing began with her dedication to her husband, Vincenc “Čenêk” Junek, whom she met at her job at the Prague Credit Bank.

Eliska Junkova: Racing into History
Czech Center Museum Houston
Great Moravia: Mojmir I and Rostislav (830-870)

After the death of Samo, there was uncertainty about the Czech and Moravian lands, but after the rise of Charlamange of the Frankish Kingdom, Moravians were able to recover. The princes of Moravia consolidated their power, and one in particular Mojmir I, rose beyond tribal institutions to establish Great Moravia. After Mojmir I's deposition, his nephew Rostislav became Louis the German's loyal vassal. In secret, however, Rostislav had ambitions beyond this.

Great Moravia: Mojmir I and Rostislav (830-870)
Czech Center Museum Houston
Milada Horakova

Milada Horakova was an advocate for democracy, stuck between both the Nazis and Communists for her adult life. During the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia, she resisted, helping emigrants escape and harboring fugitives of the occupiers. Although she faced torture and death from the Nazis, she not only survived but also continued her same fight, this time with the Soviets. Sadly, she was sentenced to death and executed, even when eminent individuals of the time demanded her release.

Milada Horakova

History

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Stefan Banic: The Man Behind the Parachute Innovation

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Stefan Banic: The Man Behind the Parachute Innovation

Stefan Banic was a Slovak inventor who constructed a prototype of a parachute in 1913 and tested it in Washington D.C. in front of the U.S. Patent Office and military representatives by jumping from a 41-floor building and subsequently from an airplane in 1914. When no one was interested in buying his invention, Mr. Banic donated his patent to the United States Army Balloon Corps, in return for which the Army made him an honorary officer, even though he never could obtain United States citizenship. His patented parachute became standard equipment for U.S. pilots during the First World War.

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Linden Tree Chronicles

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Linden Tree Chronicles

Linden Trees hold significant symbolism in many cultures around the world, including Slovakian and Czech culture. In Slovakia, they symbolize peace, unity, and protection, just as they do in Greek, Norse, and Baltic mythology. Linden Trees have a wide array of uses and applications, including medicinal and herbal usage. The tree's appeal is both everlasting and worldwide.

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An Army with No Country: A Siberian Odyssey 

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An Army with No Country: A Siberian Odyssey 

It’s the First World War, and the Czechoslovaks got to get their soldiers from Ukraine to France, but without going through a Central Powers country or a sea without enemy ships. What do they do? Naturally, they go East: fight through the Bolsheviks, take over the Russian railway network, capture most of Siberia, and reach Vladivostok before the ships arrive to get you home. All this while losing less than 10% of your men over three years of fighting. It might sound crazy, but this is just the 2nd part to the story of the Czechoslovak Legion.

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Czechoslovakia and their only naval battle

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Czechoslovakia and their only naval battle

Despite being a landlocked nation, Czechoslovakia had a naval army, one which fought a single battle. This singular battle took place on Lake Baikal in Russia during WWI. Being that Czechoslovakian soldiers fought so far away from their own nation and that they seemed unwelcome in Russia, the situation of their naval military grew more complicated.

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Ten Popular Breweries in the Czech Republic

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Ten Popular Breweries in the Czech Republic

Ten small breweries in the Czech Republic that you should Czech out!

Prague Travel Guide

Prague Travel Guide

Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is a popular destination for tourists. It is ranked as the 20th most visited city in the world and hosts around eight million tourists each year.

The Church of St. Cyril and Methodius: A History Old and New

The Church of St. Cyril and Methodius: A History Old and New

St Cyril and Methodius lived in the 9th century and are important figures in Eastern Orthodox Churches. In the 1730s, the Church of St. Cyril and Methodius was built, creating a foundation of Czech Orthodox faith. It protected soldiers through the Nazi’s occupation.

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The Czech Republic and its’ Contribution to Cinematography

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The Czech Republic and its’ Contribution to Cinematography

Europe is known for its beautiful scenery and panoramas of its countryside used for movies. However, one country in central Europe takes the cake in picturesque landscapes, and it is named the Czech Republic.

Memento Mori

Memento Mori

Like something out of an Edgar Allen Poe macabre tale, an Ossuary is often misconstrued as a morbid and perhaps even a malevolent arrangement of skeletal remains. However, that is far from the truth.

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Jan Žižka

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Jan Žižka

Jan Žižka was born circa 1360 in Trocnov, Kingdom of Bohemia. He spent his early years growing up at court, being a squire and subsequently a bodyguard for King Wenceslas IV of Bohemia. He lost an eye at an early age, saddling him with the nickname "One-eyed Žižka."

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Prague Spring

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Prague Spring

In January of 1968, a season of reformation had begun to blossom in a country located in the Iron Curtain's shadow. This movement in Czechoslovakia where government leaders pushed for greater freedom for its citizens came to be known as Prague Spring.

Jan Hus: Czech Reform Theologian

Jan Hus: Czech Reform Theologian

Only a few years before Jan Hus was born, the Middle Ages came to a close. The term "Middle Ages" is used by modern scholars to reference a specific period in history. It began roughly with the collapse of Roman civilization around the 5th Century CE to the Renaissance. There are a few conflicting starting points for the Renaissance period. Depending on the location in Europe, the Renaissance started around the 13th, 14th, or 15th Centuries.

Prophecies of Libuše

Prophecies of Libuše

This ancient Bohemian legend dates back to the 8th century and tells the story of an oracle who foretold the coming of a golden city. Libuše, and her prophecies, were both a warning and blessing to her people. Ultimately, her prophetic visions would cause a chain reaction that would end her rule and usher in the Přemyslid Dynasty.

The Golem of Prague

The Golem of Prague

Legends and myths permeate every culture on Earth. Every corner of the globe has a harrowing cautionary tale to tell. Here we observe the prominent Czech legend of a Golem brought to life by a Rabbi. To set the scene, we must travel back to Prague circa 1583. It’s here that we find Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II and his odd collection of art, practicing scientists, alchemists, and an obsession with occult knowledge.

New Years in The Czech Republic

New Years in The Czech Republic

The holidays are upon us and I thought we might look into Czech traditions for celebrating the New Year. In the Czech Republic, New Year’s Eve is called Silvestr, for the anniversary of the consecration of Pope Sylvester I, a saint who served as Pope of the Western Church from 314 to 335. Since the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1582, the December 31st feast date has coincided with New Year’s Eve

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The Mystery of the Voynich Manuscript

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The Mystery of the Voynich Manuscript

In 1912, a strange manuscript surfaced in the collection of an antique-bookseller. It is written in a language that is not found anywhere else, contains pictures of plants that can not be identified, and astrological charts that don't match any records. The text today is known as the Voynich Manuscript, and it has been called one of the most mysterious books in the world.

Dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire

Dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire

It's quite a difficult thing to pin down an exact historical reason for any significant event. We can, however, follow the lives of a specific royal family and the events that surrounded their tragic lives. Over the course of a seventy-two year span, we will look at the events that led to the creation and dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The (puppet) Strings that Bind Nations

The (puppet) Strings that Bind Nations

Puppet theatre is an integral part of Slovak and Czech local theatre and literary tradition. It also plays an important role in socialization, helping audiences young and old develop as creative thinkers and learn about cooperation, communication, and strengthening their sense of identity in society.

Fishy Christmas Traditions

Fishy Christmas Traditions

One can often perceive the richness of any culture merely by taking the time to sit and listen to the stories it tells. Czech traditions are no exception to this, and this time of year is saturated with history, customs, and celebration of the valuable inheritances we’ve received from those that came before us. Perhaps by peeking into the traditions still celebrated in the Czech Republic and abroad, one can learn something about the history carved into its roots.

Foundation of Czechoslovakia

Foundation of Czechoslovakia

Tomas Garrigue Masaryk was a sociologist, philosopher, and political activist. He was the founder and first president of Czechoslovakia. Before he was the founder, and President liberator, of the Czech and Slovak people, he lived a humble life in a small, industrial town.