On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Czech and Slovak Cultural Center of Minnesota (CSCC), we would like to wish everyone a Peaceful and Happy New Year 2026.
As we close the eventful 2025, there are many things to be grateful for and some things to be concerned about.
This was the first year when Czechs living abroad were able to vote by mail, having their voices heard wherever they live and work. Let us hope the new Czech government will be as forthcoming to work with Czechs living abroad as the previous one.
When I wrote this message last year, I included a sentence about feeling hopeful that in a year the war with Ukraine would be over. It is disheartening to think that the war is continuing, making the lives of people in Ukraine very difficult and causing families in Slovakia, Czech Republic, and neighboring countries to also worry about their safety.
The foundation of CSCC is based on the values and principles of the Czech President, Václav Havel. With his leadership in mind, on November 16 CSCC hosted a Networking and Happy Hour to Commemorate the Velvet Revolution.
Paul Greeman was able to appraise us again about today’s Political Climate in Slovakia.
Many of our events this year were of a literary flavor. In addition to our signature Literary Ventures series, we hosted the eloquent and courageous Czech author, Radka Denemarková, as well as a published linguist of Czech origin living and working in Calgary, Julie Sedivy.
We hosted CSCC’s annual Milak Sebek lecture. Tomáš Klvaňa presented and interpreted for us in person the political and economic events spanning the Czech Republic, Slovakia, the rest of the EU, and the US.
We appreciate doing many of our events in partnership with the Czech and Slovak Sokol Minnesota, including utilizing the C.S.P.S. Hall for our lectures.
One of many activities we co-sponsored with the Czech and Slovak Sokol Minnesota was the “Summer School: Cross Cultural Pathways for Young Leaders” organized by the Mestenhauser Institute for International Collaboration (MIIC). Between the two organizations, we sponsored three young leaders in participating in the program in the Czech Republic.
Promoting Czech and Slovak cultural events and values in Minnesota is not just a duty, but a privilege. At the time when politics and conflict often dictate the course of a country, we can draw on the courage and sacrifice of those who lived in the Czech lands and on Slovak territory that later became Czechoslovakia before the countries amicably separated at the end of 1992. We can also draw on the courage and sacrifice of those who emigrated to America and other countries as pioneers of new lives under a new government and under a new set of circumstances. I like to remember that Czechoslovakia was born in exile under the leadership of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk. Without international support, largely concentrated in Chicago, Czechs and Slovaks as nations may not know their identity today. That is why I believe that the work we do on behalf of CSCC is not just a duty, but a privilege.
I would like to thank CSCC board members and especially the Czech Honorary Consul, Marit Kucera, for their continuous work on behalf of the Czech and Slovak communities. I would also like to thank CSCC members and friends for their engagement and interest in CSCC’s mission and activities. Please, stay informed about CSCC’s upcoming events.
We wish you a peaceful and joyful 2026!
From the CSCC Board of Directors,
Warm regards
Dr. Renáta Tichá, President
Dr. Cheryl Nelson Theuninck
Jan Knudtson
Beatrice Flaming
Dr. Gwen Willems
Dr. Joyce Tesarek
Andrew Kozak
Patricia Mestenhauser Bergh
Marit Lee Kucera, Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic for Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, & South Dakota
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