Czech Center Museum Houston
Czechs and Slovaks celebrate rich culture with ...

Attendees reveled in Czech and Slovak rich culture with food, music, and more at the CCMH Annual Spring Festival.

Czechs and Slovaks celebrate rich culture with food, music, and more at the CCMH Annual Spring Festival

Leaving Czechoslovakia Exhibit

From Friday, October 20, 2023 at 10:00 AM until Saturday, December 30, 2023 at 5:00 PM, visitors were able to discover why and how over 180,000 Czechs and Slovaks immigrated to America during the communist era in Czechoslovakia. Visitors were also able to experience personal accounts of real immigrants and how they made it to America.

“Leaving Czechoslovakia” presented the stories of 20th century Czech and Slovak immigrants to America in their own words.

Hundreds of thousands of Slovaks and Czechs fled their homeland during the communist era, many risking their lives in the process. Their stories, about why and how they emigrated, are sometimes dramatic, sometimes tragic, and essential to our understanding of the events that shaped the 20th Century. These first-person accounts formed the core of “Leaving Czechoslovakia,” a traveling exhibition from the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. The project captured and preserved the stories of Czechs and Slovaks who fled their homeland during the Cold War.

Czech Center Museum Houston would like to thank Diana Austin, Rev. Paul Chovanec, James Ermis, Adelma Graham, Sharon Schweitzer J.D., Valerie Sheppard, William and Marie Vavrik, and donors who wish to remain anonymous for generously supporting our Czech Heritage Month programs.

Lecture with Martin Nekola & An Afternoon with the Family History Research Center at the Clayton Library Campus

On Friday, October 13, 2023, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, attendees were able to enjoy a lecture by Martin Nekola about the history of Czechs in the USA and Texas along with places and opportunities for further research while spending an afternoon at the Family History Research Center at the Clayton Library Campus.

Thousands of people dreamed of leaving poor Bohemian lands, crossing the ocean, and entering the country of endless hope. Around 1506, the first news about America in the Czech language had spread across Bohemia and was received with great interest. Only after the middle of the 19th century was there a massive wave of migration. The main motivation was the vision of better living conditions and of getting rich easily, but also there was a desire to escape the political, religious, and national oppression in Bohemia, at that time part of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire.

Throughout the second half of the 19th century, more and more Czechs arrived. With the outbreak of the First World War in the summer of 1914, statistics state that there were about 350,000 Czechs living in the USA. The lecture will focus on places where the Czechs showed an extraordinary desire to associate, and founded a number of compatriot associations, businesses, schools, and churches, as well as publishing numerous periodicals. Dr. Martin Nekola also shared his research experience and advised how to look for ancestors from the old country.

Czech Center Museum Houston would like to thank Diana Austin, Rev. Paul Chovanec, James Ermis, Adelma Graham, Sharon Schweitzer J.D., Valerie Sheppard, William and Marie Vavrik, and donors who wish to remain anonymous for generously supporting our Czech Heritage Month programs.

CCMH BrewFest

On Saturday, October 7, 2023 from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM, we invited individuals to join us in the honoring of St. Wenceslas (Svatý Václav), the patron saint of the Czech Republic and beer.

Svatý Václav ruled as the Duke of Bohemia, at a young age from 921 to 935 AD. He worked endlessly to unite the Czech lands and was notoriously martyred by his pagan brother on September 28, which is now a national holiday in Wenceslas’ honor. Svaty Vaclav is best known to English speakers from the song “Good King Wenceslas”.

Guts & Glory: The War Train that Shaped a Nation Exhibit

From Thursday, October 5, 2023 at 11:00 AM until Friday, December 22, 2023 at 4:00 PM, visitors were able to discover the incredible journey of 60,000 Czech and Slovak soldiers who were stranded in Russia during the Russian Revolution near the end of World War I as they united while seizing the Trans-Siberian Railway for a 5,000-mile trek to Vladivostok. This war train vitalized the Allies and paved the way for Czechoslovakia.

At the outbreak of World War I, Czechs and Slovaks had no country to call their own. Their lands were a part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, an old aristocracy that had ruled over them for centuries. Seeing this war as an opportunity to free themselves, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, Edvard Beneš and Milan Rastislav Štefánik formed the Czechoslovak National Council and worked tirelessly to establish an independent and democratic Czechoslovakia.

Czech Center Museum Houston would like to thank Diana Austin, Rev. Paul Chovanec, James Ermis, Adelma Graham, Sharon Schweitzer J.D., Valerie Sheppard, William and Marie Vavrik, and donors who wish to remain anonymous for generously supporting our Czech Heritage Month programs.

100 Years of Czech Radio Exhibit

From Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 11:00 AM until Monday, December 18, 2023 at 4:00 PM, visitors were able to witness the 100 Years of Czech Radio exhibit!

Radio broadcasts to the public began in Czechoslovakia on May 18, 1923. In Europe, only the BBC offered regular radio programming before Radiojurnal (the name under which Czechoslovak Radio started broadcasting) first went on the airwaves.

The station’s history reflects the history of the country - the prosperous 1920s, the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia, the country’s liberation, the dark period of communism, the Prague Spring, the 1968 Soviet-led invasion, the Velvet Revolution, the break-up of Czechoslovakia, and the Czech Republic’s entry into European and transatlantic structures. Czechoslovak Radio played a crucial role in many of these historical moments.

Through unique archival photographs, Radio International Prague and Czech Center New York offer a glimpse into the life of Czech Radio, its past and present. Using QR codes, visitors can also listen to authentic historical recordings.

In addition to documenting milestone periods in the station’s history, the exhibition shows the development of broadcasting and transmission technology and presents Czech Radio not only as an institution with a century-old tradition but also as a modern public service medium.

CCMH Bike/Run Challenge 2023

Members of the general public were invited to participate in the CCMH’s very first Bike/Run Challenge of 2023 - which spanned from Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 8:00 AM until Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 8:00 PM! This challenge took place in order to celebrate the upcoming Czech Independence Day.

Participants were asked to either cycle 19.18 kilometers (12 miles) or run 11.17 kilometers (7 miles) anytime during the period of September 28 to October 28. They could ride or run with friends or by themselves and share a picture with CCMH of the activity. Participants could pose with a Czech of Slovak symbol in the picture - such as a Czech flag, CCMH t-shirt, etc.

Participants who submitted pictures within the timeframe were entered to win one CCMH Family Membership, and the Embassy awarded the best photo submission with a special gift bag.

Why 19.18 kilometers?

The year 1918 brought independence to the Czech people. That year, future President Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk and sitting US President Woodrow Wilson shared a friendship and vision that forever changed the map of Europe with the creation of a sovereign, democratic state on October 28. The CCMH Bike/Run Challenge honored the historic year of independence via its 19.18 km trail and challenges all to seek out Czech connections in the United States!

Why 11.17 kilometers?

On November 17, 1939, Nazi forces stormed Czech Universities including Charles University in Prague after organized demonstrations following the killings of student Jan Opletal and worker Václav Sedláček. Nine Czech students and professors were executed on the 17th, and 1,200 were sent to concentration camps.

In 1948, communists seized control of the country in a coup d’état, and it became the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic for the next 40 years. Student demonstrations in Prague and elsewhere on November 17, 1989, sparked the Velvet Revolution and the end of the Soviet era in Czechoslovakia.

Now, November 17 is a national holiday in both the Czech and Slovak Republics known as Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day. It commemorates two student demonstrations that bookend 50 years that Czechoslovakia spent (mostly) under the rule of foreign powers.

DISCLAIMER

By participating, you have acknowledged that you are going to take part in the Czech Center Museum Houston Bike/Run Challenge (“Challenge“) at your own risk. The Challenge does not constitute an official race. It is imperative that all Challenge participants obey all existing laws and regulations as well as friendly cyclist manners.

Conducting activities outside of your home poses an inherent risk. You and any family members and guests voluntarily assume all risks related to the Challenge and agree not to hold the Czech Center Museum Houston or any of their directors, staff, contractors, affiliates, employees, agents, or volunteers liable for any illness, injury, or death.

Czech Center Museum Houston would like to thank Diana Austin, Rev. Paul Chovanec, James Ermis, Adelma Graham, Sharon Schweitzer J.D., Valerie Sheppard, William and Marie Vavrik, and donors who wish to remain anonymous for generously supporting our Czech Heritage Month programs.

Czech and Slovak Folk Dance Workshop

This one-hour program taught attendees the basic positions in ethnic folk dancing, the fundamental steps, and classic accompanying songs. The performers demonstrated Slovaky Verbuňk - which was placed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, along with Slovaká Beseda - which are simple folk dances from the Slovácko region with basic position, steps, and couple dances from Kunovice and Hluk, as well as finally, dance games that include Metlový and Spadl z pece holúbek. 

In order to attend the event, individuals were asked to pay a symbolic price of $5 for tickets so that the proceeds would be used to benefit the activities of the Czech Center Museum Houston.

This workshop was taught by The Folk Dance School from Kunovice, Czech Republic. They teach folk dances and dance games at folklore festivals - with their ultimate mission being that they want to preserve Czech customs and traditions through music, dance, and song. They promote this through dance performances done with precision, accuracy, and enthusiasm.

Lecturer: Ivana Majíčková

Dance accompaniment: Petr Majíček

Musical accompaniment: Students of the Brno Conservatory
Radovan Siman - violin, Kateřina Sečkářová -dulcimer

MEET THE ARTISTS:

Ivana Majíčková is a teacher. She loves folklore and has danced in a folklore group from the age of six. Her goal is to pass on our folk dances and customs to the next generations, not only in the folklore group but also to everyone who is interested in this genre. Since 1985, Ivana has been teaching folk dances from Moravia to young people who participate in festivals. In 2003, she founded the Folk Dance School in Kunovice. Within this school, courses are held in the verbunk; male dance, which is listed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Over the last twenty years, the school trained a number of excellent “recruiters”. Ten years ago, the school started organizing workshops during the Wine Festival in Uherske Hradiste. And now they wish to pass our folk dances to our compatriots in the USA.

Petr Majíček graduated from BUT in Brno, majoring in telecommunications. He is an entrepreneur. He is a big supporter and sponsor of the folk dance school and the trip to Texas. He takes care of the technology. He is the principal organizer of their tour.

Kateřina Sečkářová is a student in the 6th year of the Brno Conservatory. She has been playing the cimbalom 100% since the age of eight. Katerina plays classical music but mainly focuses on folk. Despite the fact that she is only 19 years old, she is one of the best cimbalom players in the Czech Republic. In 2018, Katerina won first place in the national competition and the jury prize for exceptional performance. At the International Cimbal Competition (CIMBALFEST) in 2017, she won a special jury prize for high artistic level, and in 2021 she took first place. Katerina plays with cimbalom musicians and with the Brno Philharmonic. She has already performed her art in Greece, Macedonia, Turkey, England, Croatia and Italy.

Radovan Siman is a student in the 5th year of the Brno Conservatory. He has been playing the violin and folklore since he was three years old. He was a member of a children’s folklore group and founded a children’s cimbalom music group. Radovan graduated from the Academy of Václav Hudeček, an excellent Czech violin virtuoso. He has won numerous awards and performed with the Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic. In addition to playing the violin, Radovan is also engaged in folk dancing. He is one of the best dancers of the Slovak verbunk, and was the king of the Ride of Kings in Kunovice.

Dynamic Duo Musical Performance

The dynamic duo of violinist Dina Nesterenko and violist Mark Landson enchanted attendees on Thursday, August 24, 2023 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM with their dynamic performance. The duo played some music together, but also gave each other the opportunity to shine with some solos as well.

The pieces that were performed include:

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s (1756 - 1791) Duo for Violin and Viola K424

  • Johann Sebastian Bach’s (1685 - 1750) Suite No. 1 for Cello (transcribed for viola)

  • Ludwig van Beethoven’s (1770 - 1827) 5th Symphony, 1st Movt (arranged for solo violin by Dina Nesterenko)

  • Barbie Girl Chaconne (original composition for solo violin by Dina Nesterenko based on the song by Aqua)

  • The Show Must Go On (original composition for solo violin by Dina Nesterenko based on the song by Queen)

  • Handel-Halvorsen Passacaglia for Violin and Viola

Regarding violinist Dina Nesterenko, she possesses an incredible virtuosity and beauty of tone that captivates all who hear her play. She was a semi-finalist in the famed Tchaikovsky Concerto Competition at a mere 17 years old. She later graduated with a bachelor’s and masters degree from the Julliard School. Dina Nesterenko has the unique ability to create her own virtuoso arrangements for solo violin with works as diverse as Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, “The Show Must Go On” by Queen, and even a chaconne in the style of Bach with the theme of the pop song “Barbie Girl” by Aqua - which she has presented at several universities.

When it comes to violist Mark Landson, he is well-known for his dynamic playing style and lyricism - along with his classical compositions and crossover concepts. He has been referred to as the “Elon Musk” of the North Texas Classical Music Scene for his numerous innovative projects - including as the founder of Open Classical. Mark Landson joins Dina with duos of violin and viola along with showcases of his own collection of Bach’s suites for cello played on viola.

Below are links to videos showcasing examples of the two artists’ talent:

CCMH Summer Intern Showcase

On August 17, 2023 from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM, attendees were able to see intern-curated exhibits at the CCMH! Visitors were able to discover what topics our interns were most fascinated by while they also enjoyed light refreshments and great conversation. Six young professionals presented their curated projects based on their interests in Czech history or culture.

This event was made possible with the support of Adelena Graham.

Free Admission Day in Honor of Agnes (Anezka) Miculka Ermis

Gallery admission fees were waived on Friday, August 4, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM in honor of Anezka Miculka Ermis of Beaumont, Texas.

Anezka was a kind, loving mother, wife, and friend from a small Czech farming community in central Texas. She raised two children, James and Virginia, with her husband Ladimir in Beaumont, Texas, and frequently could be found cooking and helping care for neighbors and other family members. Born August 4, 1903, Anezka did not obtain a high-school education and lived through the Great Depression while raising her young family. She later became the president of her Methodist church’s Ladies’ auxiliary, a source of great pride. She is remembered for her warm heart, strong faith, and scrumptious kolaches and strudels. Anezka died at the age of 92 on July 19, 1996.

Genealogy Series

Took place on:

  • July 15, 2023 - Beginning Your Family Search

    • During the first week of this event, participants started their genealogy journey by using their known pedigree chart and setting up a FamilySearch profile

  • July 22, 2023 - Immigration Records

    • During the second week of this event, participants jumped into a search for passenger lists and naturalization records

  • July 29, 2023 - Clayton Library Visit

    • During the third and final week, participants were asked to go to the Clayton Library for a deep dive into microfilms, periodicals, and extensive databases

These events were hosted by the Czech Center Museum Houston in partnership with the Houston Public Library Family History Research Center at the Clayton Library Campus.

Stříbrňanka Brass Band

On Tuesday, May 23, 2023, South Moravian Brass Band by the name of “Stříbrňanka” performed Moravian and Czech Folk Music at the CCMH from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.

Attendees enjoyed an evening at the CCMH with the energetic band from the heart of Moravian Slovakia. The upbeat rhythms of the ten member group delighted listeners as they indulged in Moravian wine, Czech beer, and freshly canned beer from Pivovar in Waco, Texas.

Stříbrňanka has won the hearts of audiences thanks to its lively performances. The band has a distinctive unmistakable sound, playing a wide repertoire of Czech and Moravian folk music, concert, solo, and dance songs. They are a professional band from Stříbrnice, Czech Republic, in south Moravia. Stříbrňanka have a rich history. The band was founded in a small village under Buchlov castle - Stříbrnice in 1970 and since then they have been performing on the stages of festivals, dance parties, and concerts, as well as abroad.

In recent years the members have written most of their compositions themselves - both original polkas and waltzes, as well as arrangements of solo compositions. The band has released more than 30 albums and DVDs, and has performed in several European countries.

This event was hosted by the Czech Center Museum Houston through the help of the Czech Educational Foundation of Texas in partnership with the University of North Texas College of Music.

Mommy and Me Yoga

On Saturday, May 13, 2023, from 11:00 AM to 11:40 AM, members had the opportunity to celebrate mothers with free guided yoga practice in our Brno Gallery with instructor Monica! Children were required to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

The event was made possible with the support of Adelma Graham.

Sparky's Jazz Express 2023

CCMH celebrated Jazz Appreciation Month on Thursday, April 20, 2023 with a performance from Sparky’s Jazz Express.

Regarding Sparky’s Jazz Express, the piano was played by Tom Borling, bass played by Steve Montgomery, drums played by Ben Atkinson, and trumpet and flugelhorn played by Sparky Koerner. The program commended jazz music from Czechoslovakia in celebration of April being Jazz Appreciation Month with music by Czechoslovakian composers as they have had such a large impact within the genre. With insightful narration and performing, this program spotlighted world-renowned musicians and composers from Czechoslovakia whose music has been part of the world of jazz.

When it comes to Sparky Koerner, he’s a trumpet player who performs in many types of ensembles such as being the leader of “Sparky’s Jazz Express” and The Galvanized Brass. After recently retiring after 40 years of being the Director of Instrumental Music/Jazz Studies at the College of the Mainland in Texas City, Sparky served as Chairman of the Fine Arts Department at COM and continues to direct the COM Community Jazz Ensemble as a Lifelong Learning Class. He also recently retired as principal trumpeter with the Galveston Symphony Orchestra.

CCMH Membership Photo Contest

Starting 11:00 AM on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 and ending at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, February 22. 2023 was the CCMH Membership Photo Contest!

Members that were at least 18 years of age were invited to submit a picture of their travels to the Czech and Slovak Republics. It was expected that the image depicted the glory of Czechia and Slovakia whether it be through nature, architecture, culture, culinary dishes, or modern marvels.

Submitted photographs could feature world-famous UNESCO protected sights and historical wonders of major Czech and Slovak cities, or picturesque villages, mountains, and countryside. The photos may incorporate people and objects that embody the amazement of nostalgia experienced during the photographer’s travels through the Czech and Slovak Republics.

We encouraged the submission of photos that captured spectacular, split-second moments and introduce viewers to fascinating people, architecture, and unique landscapes through which visitors will be momentarily transported to Central Europe via the shared images.

The submitted photographs were required to be printed, framed, and mounted for hanging in the CCMH galleries. They were judged based on creativity, quality, originality, responsiveness to the prompt, and overall impact.

Photo submissions were due Saturday, February 18, 2023. Winning photos were selected on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 - and were displayed until Wednesday, March 29, 2023.

The rules and conditions of entry are provided below:

All entrants hold the Czech Center Museum Houston (CCMH) and their respective current and past directors, officers, employees, emeriti, fellows, interns, research associates, and volunteers (the “Indemnified Parties”) harmless from and against all claims of any nature arising in connection with entrant’s participation in the contest and acceptance or use of a prize. The Indemnified Parties are not liable for any costs, damages, injuries, or other claims incurred because of entrants’ participation in the contest or winner’s acceptance and usage of a prize. The Indemnified Parties are not responsible for incomplete or misdirected entries, technical or network malfunctions or failures, or causes beyond their control. Entrants are solely responsible for their entries. Entrants may not submit materials that introduce any software viruses, worms or other programs designed to damage software, hardware, or telecommunications equipment or are off-topic, partisan-political, contain advertising, nudity, personal attacks or expletives, or is otherwise abusive, threatening, unlawful, harassing, discriminatory, libelous, obscene, false, sexually explicit, or that infringes on the rights of any third party. Entrants represent that they have/had permission to take the photographs and are the sole owner of the photos.

The contest is void where prohibited or restricted by law. The Czech Center Museum Houston (CCMH) reserves the right to cancel the contest or modify these rules at its discretion. In the event of a dispute regarding the winners, the CCMH reserves the right to award or not award the prizes in its sole discretion. The CCMH reserves the right to disqualify any entrant whose entry or conduct appears in any way to: inhibit the enjoyment of others; tamper with the competition; violate these rules or other applicable law or regulation; infringe on the rights of third parties; or act in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Decisions of the CCMH are final and binding.

You retain your rights to your photograph; however, by entering the contest, you grant the CCMH (and those authorized by the CCMH) a royalty-free, world-wide, perpetual, non-exclusive license to publicly display, distribute, reproduce and create derivative works of the entries, in whole or in part, in any media now existing or later developed, for any purpose, including, but not limited to, advertising and promotion of the CCMH and its website, publications in any format, exhibition, and commercial products (this includes any sales of products utilizing the photograph). Any photograph reproduced will include a photographer credit as feasible. The CCMH will not be required to pay any additional consideration or seek any additional approval in connection with such uses.

Participation in the contest requires the collection of your name and email address. By entering this contest, you are consenting to the use of your name and email address for further communications regarding this contest. The CCMH will notify winners via the contact information provided at the time of entry; the CCMH may disqualify anyone who fails to respond to the notification within five business days. The CCMH will determine winners’ eligibility in its sole discretion.