Czech History Celebrated

The Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center in La Grange held its annual Slavnost May Fest on Sunday, May 21.

The event celebrates Czech culture and the Czech immigrants who settled in Texas. Brian Vanicek, Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic and President of the SPJST, spoke about the importance of the event during the opening ceremony Sunday morning.

“Learning the history of our ancestors helps us to gain understanding of the challenges they faced,” said Vanicek. “It inspires a greater love and compassion for the experiences they had to go through. Even in this day and age, that kind of compassion needs to translate to our relationships with people living today in our families and outside the family.”

Vanicek praised the work of Czech language teachers Thadious Polasek of Blinn College and Christian Hilchey of the University of Texas at Austin.

“We’re making some great strides with preserving the language and the culture,” Vanicek said.

“Today’s Slavnost, in so many ways, is a triumph,” Vanicek added. “It offers us the opportunity to join with our families, friends and neighbors for joy and respect – to celebrate the joy of daily living. That’s something each of us, regardless of our cultural or ethnic background, can enjoy. It’s never too late to get in touch with your cultural heritage.“ Vanicek introduced Jan Woska, Cultural Attache and First Secretary at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Washington, D.C.

“These brave souls left behind their homeland and embarked on a voyage that would forever shape the fabric of Czech cultures and traditions in Texas,” Woska said. “Their story is one of perseverance and unbreaking determination.”

Woska said the early Czech immigrants to Texas “embraced Texas spirit and blended it with their Czech heritage.”

Woska praised TCHCC for keeping Czech culture alive in Texas.

“Their passion and timeless work have breathed life into our traditions, ensuring they will remain vibrant and accessible for future generations,” Woska told the crowd.

After the ceremony, Woska spoke to the Record about his role at the Czech Embassy. As the cultural attache, Woska travels throughout the country to forge connections with Czech communities throughout the United States.

“The United States has the largest compatriot community in the world by far,” Woska said. “I would say it’s one of the best positions in the embassy because it allows me to travel and meet people. I’m lucky to be in this position. If I hadn’t assumed that role, I would not know what Czech culture means to people here.

“Many people who consider themselves nationalists, who are proud of their Czech heritage in the Czech Republic, do not know what that means until they come here,” he added.

Woska first visited TCHCC last April. He spoke about the surprise he felt to meet people who call themselves Czech even though they live thousands of miles from his homeland.

“It was incredibly moving,” he said. “I passed by the Texaco gas station and suddenly I see Czech and American flags. I visited Praha and their beautiful church. It’s hard to believe. I have incredible respect for everyone who works here (at TCHCC). I had no idea how big this project was.” At the beginning of the ceremony on Sunday, attendees sang the American National Anthem followed by the Czech National Anthem. Woska said he was surprised at how many people knew the words and sang along to the Czech National Anthem. TCHCC President Retta Chandler also led several prayers in Czech.

“It was very moving,” he said. “It’s something I’m going to report back to the Czech Republic about – how people in this room were so proud to sing both songs, the American song and the Czech song, and the Czech prayers.”

Woska said a challenge for both his department and the TCHCC involves keeping the next generation of Czech-Americans interested in their culture.

“We are trying to attract more young people to become interested in Czech-U.S. relations,” Woska said.

Woska said teaching the Czech language will be key to preserving Czech heritage.

“When you speak the language, you are one of us,” he said.

Following the ceremony, the Slavnost celebration continued at Pavilion Hall with a meal, music by the Donnie Wavra Orchestra, and a classic car show outside.