Consulate
Of the
Czech
Republic
For Immediate Release
October 9, 2009
Consulate
Of the
Slovak
Republic
Contact: Sharon Valasek (816) 213.5847
svalasek@kc.rr.com
CZECH SLOVAK SALUTE: A MIDWEST TRIBUTE TO CZECH-SLOVAK INDEPENDENCE
Kansas City, Mo – The Midwest Consulates of the Czech & Slovak Republics, along with the Czech and
Slovak Club of Greater Kansas City, are celebrating twenty years of independence. In 1989, the country
then known as Czechoslovakia freed itself from Communist control, instituted democratic elections and
set out to adapt its command economy to the free market. On January 1, 1993, Czechoslovakia
peacefully became two democratic countries by mutual consent: Czech Republic and Slovak Republic.
Commemorative events are scheduled from November 5-7, 2009 in the Kansas City, area and will include
visits by dignitaries from each country’s embassy in Washington, D.C. Several of the events are open to
the public, subject to space limitations. Those events include:
Thursday, Nov. 5
Kansas City Rotary Club 13 Lunch
Lunch meeting of the downtown Kansas City Rotary Club 13, featuring Czech and
Slovak embassy officials. Register for limited seating with Janet Ellis at 816-8422322 or janet@rotary13.org. The lunch meeting will be in the Trianon Room at the
Muelhbach Hotel and begins at 11:45 am. Cost of meal is $16.50. Parking is across
the street from the hotel in the Municipal Auditorium parking garage.
Thursday, Nov. 5
Mayoral and Council Meeting
Visiting diplomats from the Czech and Slovak Embassies in Washington, D.C. will
meet with the mayor of Kansas City, MO and city council members on Thursday,
November 5 at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall, 414 E.12th St, Kansas City, MO. During this
meeting, the mayor will present proclamations to the visiting officials signifying the
importance of these events in the history of the Republics.
Friday, Nov. 6
Commemoration of Admissions to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Truman Presidential Library, Independence, MO
The Czech Republic was accepted as a member of the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) in 1999 and the Slovak Republic in 2004. Both nations are
now formal members of both NATO and the United Nations, and their military units
have participated in NATO missions throughout the globe. The Czech Republic has
a local tie to its NATO admission. The documents of admission were signed at the
Truman Library in Independence, MO in 1999. A program on Friday, November 6 at
the Truman Library and Museum will commemorate the NATO anniversaries.
Visiting Czech and Slovak dignitaries will lay a wreath at the Truman grave. That
ceremony begins at 9:15 am. It is a free event and open to the public. For more
information, contact Ross Marine at 816-943-0515 or rossmarine@earthlink.net.
Friday, Nov. 6
20th Anniversary Velvet Revolution Celebration
Sylvester Powell Community Center, 6200 Martway, Mission, KS
A gala event will take place Friday, November 6 at the Sylvester Powell Community
Center beginning at 6:00 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the historic Velvet
Revolution. An ethnic Czech-Slovak dinner will be served. Diplomats from the
Czech and Slovak embassies will be on hand to provide their insights on the
Revolution. Following dinner, dance to the music of The Czech Express of St. Louis,
MO. Register and pay at www.gkcptp.org. RSVP is required by Nov. 2. Cost is $40
per person. For additional information, contact Terry Smitka at 816-217-9487 or
tsmitka@rwbaird.com. Checks can be sent to Terry Smitka, 1205 Wellington Way,
Liberty, MO 64068. Make checks out to: Czech & Slovak Club of KC.
CZECH SLOVAK SALUTE
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Consulate
Of the
Czech
Republic
Saturday, Nov. 7
Consulate
Of the
Slovak
Republic
Central European Program at University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
“Reimagining Central Europe: Transition & Identity,” 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Program: “Reimagining Central Europe: Transition & Identity,” at University of
Kansas; includes morning sessions followed by a lunch and program with embassy
officials and a reading of Rossum’s Universal Robots (RUR). Visit the website of KU
Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies, www.crees.ku.edu. For
additional information, contact Edith Clowes at 785-864-4236 or eclowes@ku.edu.
Saturday, Nov. 7
Film showing: “Accidental Army, The Amazing True Story of The
Czechoslovak Legion.” J.C. Nichols Auditorium, National World War I Museum at
Liberty Memorial, 100 W. 26th St., Kansas City, MO
 Student and educator showing from 1-2:00 p.m. It is an opportunity for area
students, educators, internationally-minded individuals and organizations and
museum supporters to learn about a crucial part of world history. This is a free
event and is open to the public.
 Second showing from 6-9:00 p.m. to those registering for limited seating.
Register at www.gkcptp.org. There is no fee to attend.
This event is a special showing of the 2009 independent film production by
Chicagoans Bruce Bendinger and John Iltis. The documentary creators utilized the
vast archives amassed by the Czech Legion Project to tell this historic story of
heroism, political machinations and complex personal intrigues on the TransSiberian rail line. The film uncovers the fascinating history (long suppressed by the
Soviets) of how an unlikely army of Czechs and Slovaks fighting both for and
against the Russians in World War I played a crucial role in the birth of the
Czechoslovak nation. Bendinger and Iltis will be present to share additional
background on the film.
The second showing of the film on November 7th begins with a reception at 6:00 pm.
followed by the film at 7:30 pm. Among the special guests will be embassy officials
from the Czech and Slovak Republics and Mary Eisenhower, President and CEO of
People to People International and a representative from the Command and
General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS.
Missouri Humanities Council Grant
The Missouri Humanities Council (MHC) has awarded a grant of $2,500 to the Czech & Slovak Club of
Kansas City, in support of its “Commemoration of Significant Anniversaries of the Czech and Slovak
Republics.” The MHC is the only state-wide agency in Missouri devoted exclusively to humanities
education for citizens of all ages. It has served as a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the
Humanities since 1971. The Missouri Humanities Council is a not-for-profit organization affiliated with the
National Endowment for the Humanities in Washington, D.C. Its mission is “to help the people of Missouri
learn about our history, our literature, and our ideas that shape our democracy.” Information about the
Council is available on their website at www.mohumanities.org, or by calling 1-800-357-0909.
Additional contributors include Anheuser-Busch, the Czech Legion Project in Chicago, IL, Czech-Slovak
Club of Kansas City, Greater Kansas City Chapter of People to People, International Visitor’s Council of
Greater Kansas City, Lee Research Institute, Legal Printing, Inc., Lofstrom & Company, People to People
International, R&D Tool, R.W. Baird and WJE Health Care Architect, as well as several in-kind donors.
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