Newsletter

You can download the Spring 2019 newsletter here (PDF).

You can download the Autumn 2018 newsletter here (PDF).

You can download the Spring 2018 newsletter here (PDF).

You can download the 2018 Summer newsletter here (PDF).

You can download the holiday newsletter here (PDF).

On June 12th our Chapter partnered with Cleveland Bratislava Sister Cities for a presentation by Jonathan Kinser, PhD to hear a summary of his doctoral thesis work on the KKK’s impact on the Slovak community in Youngstown in the 1920’s. The well attended meeting of about 30 listened to Dr. Kinser describe the versions of the Ku Klux Klan: the southern version was more racially oriented and the norther version was more ethnically biased. Did you know that there was an African American chapter of KKK in Ohio! Discussion followed on the Slovak resistance which was more political than the Italian community reaction which was more violent. SVU’s Paul Burik, who translated many of Dr. Kinser’s research articles, presented a few excerpts from Slovak newspapers at the time that illustrated the often violent events that took place and the role of Slovak women in organizing political opposition.

Also this summer the Chapter held a picnic in the Czech Cultural Garden on August 13th. Several members enjoyed a sunny afternoon and the culturally rich environment of the Garden. Brief presentations were made on three of the six busts located in the Garden: Jindrich Simon Baar, Karel Havlicek Borovsky, and Francis Palacky. We discussed ideas to commemorate 100 years of founding of Czechoslovakia next year; 1918 – 2018.

Cleveland Chapter members enjoy a picnic in the Czech Cultural Garden with the statue of T.G. Masaryk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also, the Chapter hosted Martina Jankova, Czech operatic star, while she is in Cleveland to perform the lead role in Janacek’s “Cunning Little Vixen” with the renowned Cleveland Orchestra. Tour of the city and some of the Czech venues illustrated the Czech, Slovak and Rusyn heritage in Cleveland. Martina enjoyed the revitalized downtown area the most, and shared her point of view on artist abroad over a lunch at the Art Museum.

 

 

 

 

Martina Jankova (L) and SVU Cleveland members with bust of Dvorak beyond

 

Coming up is the annual commemoration of the foundation of Czechoslovakia by placing a wreath at the statue of Masaryk in the Czech Garden and the statue of Stefanik in the Slovak Garden in October.

Closing out 2016

October 20-22, Conductor Jakub Hrusa from the Czech Republic was in performance at Severance Hall. The concert featured music by Martinu, Brahms and Bartok Piano Concerto – splendid performance with several standing ovations. Our chapter has developed a friendly rapport with the maestro and his family by entertaining them while in Cleveland. A “meet and greet” after the Friday’s performance was arranged in the Green Room of Severance Hall. On Saturday several members met the maestro at the Cleveland Art Museum restaurant for a lunch and a spirited discussion about travels, foods and of all things: catching a cold. Thanks to Dr. Pechan for his support for this event.

The Line-Up for Early 2017 – read our Newsletter (PDF)

Read about the recent news of the SVU Cleveland Chapter in the Spring Newsletter including election of officers, our annual installation dinner, and an upcoming exhibition at Bohemian Hall this summer.

On Tuesday, May 20 at 7:30pm and Saturday, May 24 at 2:00pm Czech composer Leos Janacek’s “The Cunning Little Vixen” will be performed at Severance Hall by the Cleveland Orchestra. It will be performed in Czech! The Cleveland Chapter of SVU has arranged for 50% discount for the two performances using discount code 17818. This performance is termed the opera event of the year in Cleveland because of the elaborate electronic imagery. Martina Jankova, soprano, will sing the lead role. Janacek’s score mixes lyrical symbolic writing with Moravian folk music.

The Cleveland Chapter will again be a community partner with the Cleveland International Film Festival. The film, from the Czech and Slovak Republics, is Clownwise and screenings are Saturday, March 29^th and Sunday, March 30^th. To receive a discount for all CIFF ticket purchases, use the code SVU.

The SVU Cleveland Chapter will hold its annual general assembly meeting in April. Stay tuned for details. 

The Cleveland Orchestra will perform Janacek’s “The Cunning Little Vixen” on May 20^th and May 24^th. Promotional pricing to the May 20^th performance will be available to SVU members and friends. More info to come!

Read about these news items and more in the Winter 2014 Newsletter.