Preservation of Czechoslovak Heritage in America

Preserving Czechoslovak Heritage in America Ever since its first World Congress, the Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences has had keen interest in the history of Czechs and Slovaks abroad, particularly on the American continent. The focus on the latter is understandable considering that most emigrants from the Czechlands and Slovakia live there and so does the bulk of the SVU membership.

The Society has followed the gradual disappearance of the once distinct life and traditions of Czech and Slovak communities in the US with dismay As the old grandparents die, the subsequent generations lose interest not only in learning the Czech or the Slovak languages but also in their own family heritage. Prom generation to generation, many of these families kept old books, almanacs, anniversary publications and other family treasures which reminded them of their old country and which they held in great reverence. Some of these publications are long out of print and are thus irreplaceable. The same could be said about the various immigrants' organizations. As the community leaders get older it is difficult to replace them with young blood. Furthermore, some of these organizations have lost a meaningful purpose for existence other than socializing.

It was this realization that led the decision by the SVU Executive Board to convene a special conference in Belton, TX on July 12-13, 1997, entitled "Czech- Americans in Transition: Challenges and Opportunities for the Future" in conjunction with the historic celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Slovanska Podporujici Jednota Statu Texas (SPJST), one of the oldest Czech-American organizations in the US. A direct product of the conference was a joint SVU-SPJST Proclamation on the need to preserve our cultural heritage in America. The SVU Executive Board wholeheartedly endorsed the idea and agreed that the society should take initiative in this regard.

The idea soon caught on and the subject of the preservation of Czech cultural heritage was included on the agenda of the recent conference "The Czech Republic and Czech Americans on Their Way to a Common Future?', convened in Washington, DC on October 18-19, 1997 by Czech Ambassador to the US, Alexandr Vondra. At the end of the conference the delegates, representing the major Czech-American organizations, resolved to support the SVU and SPJST in establishing the Cultural Heritage Commission to aid already existing organizations in gathering and disseminating information, coordinating and publicizing their efforts to preserve the Czech language and suggesting new strategies for joint action. There was a consensus that such an endeavor would not only help to preserve our cultural heritage in America but also revitalize the Czech-American community, as a whole.

Because of its orientation, the Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences is interested not only in preserving Czech-American heritage but Slovak-American heritage as well, notwithstanding the fact that the two cultures are intermingled and often difficult to separate. Any SVU member interested in assisting us in this important endeavor should contact SVU President, Mila Rechcigl, at 1703 Mark Lane, Rockville, MD 20852. Phone/fax: (301) 881-7222, e-mail: rechcigl@aol.com. Substantive suggestion for possible action would also be welcome.

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