IRISH

CZECH & SLOVAK

SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER

APRIL 2000 (2/00)



 

WHO WAS THIS MAN?


 
All will be revealed at next Society event
Date: Thursday, 4th May
Place: 67 Upper Rathmines Road, Dublin 6

Time: 8 PM

When we were a young country called The Irish Free State, he came to Dublin as the accredited representative of another young country, Czechoslovakia. He had much to contribute to this country, which had so much in common with his own and he made long-lasting friendships here.
But towards the middle of the century, things went badly wrong in his native land. It came under the control of people that a man of his principles could neveer represent. And rather than return, he and his wife stayed on in Dublin. Their diplomatic status was gone, of course, but with great fortitude they embarked on a new life, found a way of earning an alternative income and became an integral part of the Dublin community.

If they'd hoped for a return of more congenial conditions in Prague, they

were to be disappointed. Sadly, they died in exile from the country that had been so full of pride and promise when they left. Their name was Ruzicka and they are by no means forgotten here. Come and join us as we meet and hear from some of the people in whose memories the Ruzickas are still very much alive. It should be a fascinating evening of anecdotes and historic information.
 
. . . MYSTERY MAN CONT.

The meeting will take place at 67 Upper Rathmines Road. This is a redbrick building, formerly a schoolhouse, opposite Church Avenue, where it should be easy to get parking. We are meeting here courtesy of the Rathmines and Rathgar Musical Society, the present owners.

Tea and coffee will be provided. Contributions of culinary delicacies, of both an authentic and nonauthentic nature, will be greatly appreciated and will add to the social nature of the evening.
 

SUMMER SEMINARS OF SLOVAK LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

From August 6 - 27 the Faculty of Arts of Comenius University, Bratislava have organised a seminar for foreign slovakists and slavists. The seminar is designed for university lecturers, postgraduate and graduate students, translators, writers and all interested in the Slovak language. Its aim is to provide its attendees with a higher standard of knowledge of the Slovak culture, language and literature. This seminar is based in Bratislava but will include excursions throughout Slovakia.
In addition, from July 3 - 21, the Ministry for Education have organised a course in the Slovak language for Slovaks living abroad. This course will also be held at Comenius University, Bratislava.

For further information on either seminar, please contact Ingrid Pomsarova, Third Secretary of the Slovak Embassy in Ireland.
 

SOCIETY AGM AT SLOVAK EMBASSY

The AGM of the Society will be held at the Slovak Embassy, 20 Clyde Road on 24 May 2000 at 8 PM. The Society would like to thank the Slovak embassy for, once again, opening their doors to us.
The committee of the Society encourages all members to attend. In particular, we wish to encourage members to consider joining the committee. New ideas and new faces are always welcome to keep the Society moving forward.

 

FLANNERY TOURS ON THE GO!

By all accounts, the Flannery travellers welcomed in the new year in style - ballet, champagne at £1 per glass, dining at the salon of the brother of the President, dancing with the mayor of Prague. Not even "U Fleku" escaped their attention.
Unfortunately, the Society is unable to turn back the clocks. For those who missed the last millenial celebrations, all we can do is to inform you that Castle Hill Tours is accepting deposits for its next millenial tour leaving in December 2999.

Don't miss out on the next tour - an 8 Day guided tour of Prague and Cesky Krumlov, 26 May to 2 June. Special extras included for members of the Society. For information, you can contact Castle Hill Tours at 054 36800.
 

Bill Prasifka

Secretary
10 Wilfield Road
Dublin 4
Telephone: (01) 269 6395