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Minister Babiš Visited California
INDEX
Introduction by the Consul General........................1, 2
Minister Babiš in California.....................................1, 2
Unveiling of the Václav Havel’s Place in Portland.....3
Commemorating the End of WWII.............................3
In Memory of T.G. Masaryk........................................4
Czech Startups in San Francisco.................................5
From the Czech School of California..........................6
Compatriot Events in the Czech Republic.................7
As a part of the official visit to the United States of
America, the Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime
Minister of the Czech Republic, Mr. Andrej Babiš did not
miss out visiting the West Coast region. After meeting
with the Secretary General of the UN Pan Ki-Mun and
the former major of New York City Michael Bloomberg
and attending the annual meeting of IMF in Washington,
DC, he visited technology giants in California on
Monday, April 20th
2015. The purpose of the visit to the
world’s mecca of innovations and technologies Silicon
Valley was not only to meet potential investors to the
Czech Republic, but also the Czech entrepreneurs who
would like to expand to the USA.
The visit started off in the “Capital of Silicon Valley” San
Jose. Minister Babiš had also a unique opportunity to
meet up with the Google representatives in its
PartnerPlex in Mountain View, accompanied by the
Consul General of the Czech Republic in Los Angeles
Michal Sedláček, the Honorary Consul General of the
Czech Republic Richard Pivnička, the Director of the
West Coast Operations of CzechInvest Roman Horáček
and the Head of Economic Section at the Embassy of the
Czech Republic in Washington, DC, Tomáš Hart.
Economic activities of Google, the third world’s most
valuable brand, in the Czech Republic and Europe and its
innovation policy were among topics discussed during
the hour-long meeting.
Cont‘ on page 2
Dear Friends in San Francisco,
What a fantastic event we held at Roxie Cinema in San
Francisco. The annual Czech That Film Festival was a
great success. Every screening enjoyed great attendance
during the last weekend of March. The directorial debut
of the popular Czech actor Jiří Mádl “To See The Sea”
was almost sold out. Many of you came out to meet
director Andrea Sedláčková in person, watch her film
“Fair Play” and attend the follow-up reception.
This showcase of the best what the current Czech cinema
has to offer will now travel to 18 cities across the United
States. An incredible and fantastic number for a film
festival which is just 4 years old! From the modest
beginning in the Silent Theater in Hollywood with just a
handful of guest in attendance, this event grew into the
largest showcase of Czech culture in the United States.
I would like to thank Roxie Cinema (Isabele Fondevila
and Rick Norris) for hosting the festival for the 4th time,
Pavel and Barbara Šoltys of BayCzech for financially
supporting the event, Denisa Federson for taking care
including accommodation of our guest of honor, Director
Andrea Sedláčková, and the Czech Honorary Consul
General Richard Pivnicka for arranging the wonderful
reception. Special thanks also belong to all the supporters
and promoters of the festival such as Czech School of
California, Cafe Prague, CzechTech, Sokol and
BayCzechPro.
The visit of the Czech Finance Minister Mr. Andrej Babiš
also proved to be very successful. During all meetings
with tech companies, investors and trade partners in
Silicon Valley, the Minister was able to inform our
American counterparts about current business climate in
the Czech Republic as well as all advantages
Cont‘ on page 2
Minister Babiš and Luděk Motyčka, Head of Marketing
Czech Republic, in front of Google HQ.
Spring, 2015
.
Consul
General
Sedláček at
the Czech
That Film
opening in
San
Francisco
with
director
Andrea
Sedláčková
Page 2
Minister Babiš Visited California
Cont‘ from page 1
Directly at its headquarters in Palo Alto, Minister
Babiš held talks with leadership of the American
innovative car manufacturer Tesla Motors. Designing
and manufacturing electric premium vehicles and
components, Tesla belongs to the world’s innovators
in clean technologies.
In Silicon Valley Minister Babiš introduced the
Czech Republic to several US technology investors
and discussed with a software company NetSuite
their plans. Company’s worldwide activity includes
also the Czech Republic, with one of its biggest
offices in Brno.
At the end of the day, Minister Babiš met with Czech
tech companies and startups in San Francisco. The
discussion about the entrepreneurship in Silicon
Valley and challenges facing Czech investors and
firms in California, concluded not only the visit of
the West Coast, but also the entire US tour of the
Minister.
Cont‘ from page 1
(such as skilled labor force, low taxation and competitive
wages) the Czech Republic has to offer.The discussion with
many Czech entrepreneurs and startups was also very
informative and engaging for all participants. I would like to
extend my thanks to Roman Horáček of CzechInvest for
organizing the visit and Barbara and Richard Pivnicka for
hosting fantastic reception at their residence during the V4
Startup Week.
I am looking forward to return to Portland after two years.
It is a great honor for the Czech Republic that Václav
Havel’s Place will be erected on the campus of Lewis and
Clark College. I would like to thank on this occasion
professor Štěpánek Šimek and Honorary Consul Marie
Amicci who played a key role in securing this location and
organizing the unveiling ceremony.
In May, we will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the end of
World War II and the liberation of Western Bohemia by
American armed forces. On this occasion, the Consulate will
organize a special exhibit about liberation of Pilsen, my
hometown, by Americans. The opening of the exhibit will
take place on Wednesday, May 6th and will be followed by a
screening of the beautiful Czech film “Dark Blue World”.
We are also excited that the annual conference of Czech
schools will take place in Los Angeles this June. More than
30 delegates are expected to come to Southern California
from all over the United States. Minister of Education, Mr.
Marcel Chládek and the Czech Ambassador to the US, Mr.
Petr Gandalovič confirmed their presence. The attendees
will have an opportunity to learn about various grants
offered by the Czech Government to support education and
teaching Czech language abroad, and get recommendations
on how to raise funds for Czech schools here in the U.S.
I am also happy to welcome the newest addition to our staff
in Los Angeles Tomáš Loníček, the new deputy consul. He
permanently replaced Tomáš Kára who left last summer.
I enjoyed my two trips to San Francisco last month and I
look forward to seeing you at our cultural events. For more
information, please, check and like our Facebook page or
visit our website: www.mzv.cz/losangeles for more details.
Michal Sedláček, Consul General
Minister
Babiš with
Czech
Enterprenuer
s of Sillicon
Valley
(above) and
with Czech
Honorary
Consul
General
Pivnicka
(below)
The Embassy of the Czech Republic and Lewis &
Clark College in Portland cordially invite you to
celebrate and commemorate legacy of one of the most
profound figures of Czech history, former president,
dissident, philosopher and writer Václav Havel (1936
– 2011). On Saturday, May 9, 2015, former Czech
Minister of Foreign Affairs Karel Schwarzenberg,
as an Honored Guest of the university, alongside with
the Czech Ambassador to the United States Petr
Gandalovič and the Consul General of the Czech
Republic in Los Angeles Michal Sedláček, will
unveil the Václav Havel’s place at the Fir Acres
Theatre on the Lewis & Clark campus (0615 S.W.
Palatine Hill Road, MSC 54, Portland, OR 97219).
As one of the most influential political and
humanitarian thinkers of the 20th
century, Václav
Havel and his legacy are still being remembered all
over the world. Project Václav Havel’s Place started in
2013 with the initiative of Ambassador Gandalovič
and Bořek Šípek, the head architect and friend of
Václav Havel, designed the authentic installation of
two metal chairs with a table around Linden tree.
Nowadays, the Havel’s place is located in several
countries such as the Czech Republic, USA, Ireland,
Spain and Italy.
The ceremony in Portland will be launched at 6:00
p.m. and will include remarks by Minister
Schwarzenberg and Ambassador Gandalovič. The
event will be preceded by a screening of the Czech
documentary “Life According to Václav Havel”
directed by Andrea Sedáčková, who will be present
afterwards for Q&A.
For more information on the project, please visit
Václav Havel library website http://www.vaclavhavel-
library.org/en/havelsplace.
It meant
more than
freedom,
it meant
friendship
between
American
s and
Czechs
Page 3
Unveiling of the Václav
Havel’s Place in Portland
Václav Havel
© Václav
Havel Library
Commemorating the 70th
Anniversary of the End of WWII
Exactly 70 years after the liberation of Plzeň (Pilsen)
and other West Bohemian towns by American Armed
Forces led by General George S. Patton, we are
honored to introduce the exhibition “Story of James
Duncan”, representing unrivalled photo report of the
event so important not just for the Czech Republic, but
also for lasting friendship between American and
Czech people. The exhibition will be launched at the
Czech Consulate on Wednesday, May 6th
at 6pm
and will be followed by 7pm screening of Czech
war drama “Tmavomodrý svět” (“Dark blue
World”) directed by Jan Svěrák.
All the pictures retain the authenticity of WWII, as
former US army sergeant James H. Duncan, a man
directly confronting the event, took them personally.
The camera, booty from a German captive, helped
document the successful movement of the allied
armies from Germany up to the Czech Republic.
James H. Duncan, who entered Pilsen only as a 19-
year-old, was able to transmit his memories into
pictures alongside with fighting. More than 300
pictures, capturing moments before, during and after
the liberation, tell a story of men, who were not only
soldiers - liberators but also became friends of the
locals.
The exhibition will provide you with a wide range of
emotions while looking at the pictures of tanks,
weapons, liberators fighting against the enemies and
destroyed towns as well as happiness of the locals
over the victory and peace. The unique collection of
photographs will be on display till the end of June
2015 at the Front Gallery of the Consulate General
of the Czech Republic in Los Angeles.
Page 4
It was a beautiful Saturday mid-March morning when we all met up in The Rose Garden of the San
Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. All, the Sokols from San Francisco and neighborhood, members of the
Czech Fraternal Life and parents with children from The Czech School of California, came to salute and
commemorate the 165th
birthday of the first Czechoslovak president T.G.Masaryk. The Fraternal Life and
The Sokol have held the March meeting by the Masaryk’s bust for many years. The attendance of The
Czech School, which participated for the first time, was truly recognized. More than 50 attendees were
meeting and welcoming their old acquaintances, bringing flowers to the bust, even though it is more or less
hidden in the shadow of trees.
Masaryk’s bust, made by sculptor Mařatka, was for the first time exhibited in the Czechoslovak pavilion at
the International Golden Gate Exposition on the San Francisco’s Treasure Island and was drawing attention
of masses. Pavilion remained till the end of the exhibition, and the Masaryk’s bust got into custody of the
Sokol San Francisco. Later, in 1962 was the bust installed at its current spot.
In Memory of the First President T. G. Masaryk
Czechs and Slovaks from SF area gathered in The Rose
Garden in The Golden Gate Park by the bust of TGM
Brother Walter Strach from The Fraternal Life and
sister Jara Dušátko, president of the Sokol San
Francisco, commemorated Masaryk’s significance
and his legacy of the present days. Ellie Rypstra,
pupil of the Czech School and the third speaker of
the event, achieved huge success during her
speech presented in perfect fluent Czech.
In the end, Bohoušek Botcha with his guitar
performed the most well-known and beloved
Czech, Moravian and Slovak national songs.
Naturally, Masaryk’s favorite “Ach synku, synku”
was the first one, followed by many others. We,
especially the older generation, were delighted
that children of the Czech School were familiar
with most of the songs and sang them with a great
joy. Another generation that reminds of the first
Czechoslovak president and will remember him.
Zelmira Zivny Sokol San Francisco
Pictures by Miloš Živný
2015 Spring Feast!
California Czech and Slovak Club cordially
invites you to Spring Feast 2015 accompanied
by a magic show of famous Czech illusionist
Václav Havlík. Including traditional lunch
enriched by first-class Czech beer and live music,
the feast will take place on Saturday, May 2,
2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the Elks Lodge (1475
Creekside Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 945 96).
Admission is $32.50/person (or $22.50/person for
CCSC members) and is payable either by mail or
at the door.
For information about reservations and food
choices, please visit californiaczechslovak.com
or call 925-285-1317.
Page 5
Sokol San Francisco would like to express many
thanks to Mr. Michal Sedlacek, the departing Consul
General in Los Angeles.
Mr. Sedlacek has generously contributed his time
and energy in actively supporting Sokol and the
Czech community in the Bay Area. Mr. Sedlacek
initiated the establishment of the Czech School of
California, started a new movie festival "Czech That
Film", created new, collaborative relationships
among several Czech groups in the Bay Area, and
coordinated performances of various Czech
musicians and artists. The newsletters periodically
published by the Consulate, and many articles
written by Mr. Sedlacek, were always interesting
and informative.
Mr. Sedlacek's diplomatic, professional, and modest
demeanor endeared him to many, and he was always
warmly embraced at all events. He would readily
adjust his busy schedule to attend and participate at
celebrations, creating an atmosphere of cooperation
and collaboration among Czechs living abroad.
Michal Sedlacek actively and enthusiastically
embraced the role of Consul General and connected
with Czechs throughout California - representing the
Czech Republic in the U. S., and creating and
promoting connections between the Czech culture in
California with the homeland.
On behalf of Sokol San Francisco: Michale - we are
so thankful for all the work you've done. It was a
pleasure meeting you, thank you for all your support
and dedication that you have provided to our Czech
communities in California. We wish you the best of
luck in the future and we will miss you!
Sincerely,
Jara Dusatko
President of Sokol San Francisco
Message from Sokol SF
Czech Startups in SF
On Thursday, April 23rd
, 2015, Silicon Valley belonged
to startups from the Central European Visegrad Group.
As the countries from the heart of Europe had been
evincing attractive growth opportunities within a
competitive market environment, 12 hottest startups
from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary
got a chance to establish new contacts with investors and
enhance the awareness directly in the heart of Silicon
Valley. By presenting in the world’s center of innovative
technologies, young ventures introduced their efforts in
exploring unknown business platforms.
The Czech Republic was represented by three successful
startups. A social customer care platform Brand
Embassy, Manta Tools supervising business intelligence
and the world’s first 100% cloud-based app store for
security cameras Angelcam, alongside with others,
attempted to prove the innovation and growth potential
of the Visegrad Group. Participants were supported by
personal attendance of the Czech Consul General in Los
Angeles Michal Sedláček, Mr. Roman Horáček, Director
of CzechInvest in San Francisco and Mr. Tomáš Hart
from the Czech Embassy in Washington, D.C.
The presentations organized by We4Startups and the
SVForum took place in the GSVlabs in Redwood, CA
(425 Broadway Street, Redwood City, CA 94063). The
program was accompanied by significant speakers,
including the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs
of the Slovak Republic Miroslav Lajčák, Executive
Director of the International Visegrad Fund Karla
Wursterová and KPMG Managing Partner Kenneth
Ryan. The pannel of startup pitch judges, moderated by
the CEO of SVForum Adiba Barney, put an end to the
presentations.
Czech
Startup
„MAN
TA
Tools“
present
ing in
Silicon
Valley
Page 6
From the Czech School of California
Spring has arrived at the Czech School of California!
And what better way to honor spring, than by celebrating Easter in true Czech School of California fashion, with a
mazanec taste-off, which took place at the School’s annual Easter Celebration in Marlin Park in Redwood City in
early April! Over 60 attendees were treated not only to 9 delicious mazanec entries, but also to an Easter egg hunt,
during which children collected over 250 eggs! The Easter Celebration was a delightful afternoon for all, and
though it was tough to pick between the mazanec loafs, ultimately it was one of our lucky parents, Marketa Hand,
whose entry took the top prize.
On the horizon, the School is planning to host an “open house” to showcase its impressive library collection,
which features a catalog of over 500 Czech titles for children and adults alike. The “library open house” will be
taking place at the School’s Palo Alto campus on May 9th from 9:00am – 10:00am, with the School’s volunteer
librarians on hand to help.
And last, but not least, the School and Sokol SF will – once again – be joining forces to host an annual Childrens’
Day event – the School’s largest event of the spring semester. The event will feature 10 “contests” for children,
including potato-sack races, a fishing game and sorting shapes, which the children will win medals and prizes for.
This potluck event will be taking place on June 6th from 2:00pm – 5:00pm at Lake Chabot in Castro Valley. The
event is open to the public, but requires registration in advance through the School’s website.
As always, we hope to see you at one of our events or in the classroom soon.
On Behalf of the Entire Czech School Team
Linda Janourova-Tang Co-Chair of the Board
The Czech School of California is pleased to announce that at the Board of Directors annual meeting in early February,
the Board selected Denisa Feddersen and Linda Janourova-Tang as Co-Chairs of the Board.
Mrs. Feddersen, MBA/CPA, was born in Prague, and works as a corporate controller at Episcopal Senior Communities
in Walnut Creek. She brings to the Board financial, accounting and management expertise from across multiple sectors,
as well as non-profit board experience from two other boards where she has served as treasurer. She is the proud
mother of three boys.
Mrs. Janourova-Tang, JD, was born in Pilsen, and currently assists the Honorary Consul General of the Czech Republic
in the Bay Area. She brings to the Board previous experience from her work as a policy analyst with the City of San
Francisco's Human Rights Commission and currently has two children enrolled in the Czech School's East Bay location.
At the meeting, the Board also appointed Michaela Zuckova as Executive Director of the School. Mrs. Zuckova, who
was born in Prague, has a Masters Degree in Education from Charles University, co-founded the Czech School and has
served as its President for the past year.
In addition to the individuals named above, the Board's Directors include Helena Cinkova and Petra Weinbergova,
MBA/CPA. Mrs. Cinkova, who is from Trutnov, has a Master Degree in Math, Geography and Education from Charles
University and serves as the School's Fundraising Director and a teacher at two of the School's locations. Mrs.
Weinbergova, who is from Pilsen, has a Masters Degree in Education from the University of West Bohemia in
Pilsen and brings significant management and business experience from her career in several Silicon Valley high
technology companies.
For more information about the School, please visit: http://www.czechschoolofcalifornia.com
Special Announcement of Czech
School of California
Page 7
Compatriot Events in The Czech Republic Under The Patronage Of The Ministry Of
Foreign Affairs of The Czech Republic in 2015
On behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, the Consulate General in Los Angeles would
like to invite you to traditional compatriot events in the Czech Republic, supported by the Special Commissioner
for Czechs Living Abroad JUDr. Karel Kühnl. All the 2015 events are focused on maintenance and spreading
Czech traditions and language.
The annual Conference of Czech School Without Borders (CSWB) will take place in the Tuscany Palace of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Prague on August 3 – 7, 2015. The conference will be focused on a concept of our
mother language maintenance abroad, as an instrument of cultural and historical heritage preservation.
(www.csbh.cz)
Two sessions of the favorite summer camp, organized for the kids from Czech schools abroad, will be held on
July 12 – 17, 2015 (for 6-12 year-olds) and July 17 – 22, 2015 (for 6-15 year-olds). (www.csbh.cz)
The summer camp for older kids, including Czech language classes (for 12-17 year-olds), is planned on July
17 - August 1, 2015. Organized by civic association Seven Rays (www.sevenrays.cz), the camp will take place in
Pohoda Pension in Jizera Mountains. Please note that applications must be submitted to the end of March to
info@sevenrays.cz!
Seven Rays alongside with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs organizes the 9th
year of International Compatriotic
Festival on September 9 – 13, 2015. (Applications are available at www.krajanskyfestival.eu.)
Information about learning programs and courses organized within the Programme to Support the Czech Cultural
Heritage Abroad is available on www.dzs.cz.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will keep on supporting the activities of our compatriots abroad in order to spread
the Czech traditions and language.
All Czechs living abroad are cordially invited and welcomed!
We are pleased to announce arrival of the new Consul, Mr. Tomáš Loníček,
at our Consulate General in Los Angeles, who will serve as Deputy Consul
General and who permanently, replaced Tomáš Kára who left last summer.
Mr. Tomáš Loníček has previously served as Consul in various Embassies and
Consulates of the Czech Republic around the world: Brasília and Sao Paulo
(Brazil), Madrid (Spain), Rabat (Morocco), Tunis (Tunisia) and most recently in
Hanoi (Vietnam) from where he was transfered directly to Los Angeles.
His vast experience and knowledge of consular issues will certainly be a great
benefit to our Consulate over the next four years as well as to all our clients,
applicants and, of course, to the whole Czech community living within our
consular district.
Mr. Tomáš Loníček is married to his wife Helena and his hobbies include gun
shooting, hunting, cooking and minigolf.
As he has already settled down, please, do not hesitate to contact him with all the
consular issues at (310) 473-0889 ext. 226 or losangeles@embassy.mzv.cz
Introduction of New Deputy Consul General
May 2015
May 2, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. – Spring Fest of California Czech and Slovak Club at Elks Lodge
(1475 Creekside Drive, Walnut Creek)
Reservations at californiaczechslovak@yahoo.com
May 9, 2015 from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. – Czech School of Caliofrnia Library Open House at the JCC Palo Alto Campus
Further information at info@czechschoolofcalifornia.com
June 2015
June 6, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. - Picnic of Children´s Day at Lake Chabot Park
Further information at info@czechschoolofcalifornia.com
July 2015
July 19-26, Sokol Family Camp at Dinkey Creek
Further information at info@czechschoolofcalifornia.com
CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC
10990 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1100
Los Angeles, CA, 90024-4879
Phone: (310) 473-0889 Fax: (310) 473-9813
www.mzv.cz/losangeles
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