Nobody’s Son by Mark Slouka

We interrupt our regular programming to alert all of our Czech and Slovak friends in the New York area to try to attend Mark Slouka’s book launch for Nobody’s Son at the Powerhouse Arena on Thursday, Oct 20, 2016. Mark Slouka is a fellow member of Czechoslovak Society of Arts & Sciences (SVU)* and we’re pleased to...

Books, ENTERTAINMENT

October 15, 2016

Groovy Dance Party with Karel Gott

We’re feeling a little groovy today and we’ve been listening to old vintage Karel Gott YouTube videos from the 60s and having a blast. So much so we’ve decided to let you in on the party. Welcome to the groovy dance party with Karel Gott! Turn on your speakers, enjoy and make sure to pay...

ENTERTAINMENT, Music

October 10, 2016

Tramp Music Songbook Covers Pre-1940s

Czech trampská hudba, also known as Czech tramping or tramp music and tramping songs, known as trampská píseň, or trampske písničky are a style of song and music associated with an activity known as tramping. Originating in the early 1900’s, many say it was right after WWI that the sound came to then called Czechoslovakia....

ENTERTAINMENT, Music, NOSTALGIA, Periodicals, Tramping

the-new-vision-for-the-new-architecture-czechoslovakia-1918-to-1938

October 1, 2016

The New Vision for the New Architecture Czechoslovakia 1918-1938

Browsing at an old bookstore, we came across a treasure! The New Vision for the New Architecture Czechoslovakia 1918-1938 by Jaroslav Andel, published by Scalo Verlag AG, Zurich 2006. What a beautiful and fantastic huge volume featuring the Modernist and avant-garde architecture from Czechoslovakia from 1918 to 1938. This hardcover edition of The New Vision for...

Architecture, Books, CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT

August 29, 2016

Watch This: The Vengeance of She with Olinka Berova

The Vengeance of She is a 1968 British fantasy film directed by Cliff Owen and made by 20th Century Fox. It stars Czech actress Olinka Berova (aka Olga Schoberová) and John Richardson. It was made by Hammer Films as a loose sequel to the 1965 hit film She which starred Ursula Andress. The character Kallikrates, played by John Richardson, is the...

CULTURE, Movies

July 11, 2016

Czechoslovakia 1968: The Award Winning Documentary

Czechoslovakia 1968 is a short documentary film about 50 years of history of Czechoslovakia, composed entirely of sepia toned archival footage. It was produced in 1969 and it focuses primarily on “Prague Spring”, also known as the Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia. The provided excerpt offers just a glimpse into the extensive article. To unlock the...

ENTERTAINMENT, History, Movies

frantisek-hilmar-kytka-FM-Hilmar-Frantisek-Matej-Hilmar-Polka

June 28, 2016

František Hilmar, Father of the Polka

Here is something that most of you may not know about our family… My father can trace his history back to around 1648, when the first Hilmar (Hylmar) came from Swedish/Nordic territory to Košťanech (in what’s now known as the Czech Republic) as a soldier in the Thirty Years’ War. He settled and made his...

Bohemians, CULTURE, LIFESTYLE, Music

June 27, 2016

Listen: Czech Folk or Tramp Songs

If you go into any old Czech bar that plays Folk music you will find at least one of these songs the track-list. These are songs that my grandparents used to sing around the campfire during communism when this music wasn’t even allowed. This type of music isn’t for everyone but for my grandparents it...

ENTERTAINMENT, Music, Tramping

February 29, 2016

Alexander Hammid and the Avant Garde

Alexandr Hackenschmied (December 17, 1907 – 26 July 26, 2004). He was one of the most significant personalities of Czech film and photograph avant-garde. In the beginning of the 1930’s, he was a distinct promoter of world avant-garde movements and he organized one of the first avant-garde film projections in Prague, showing various films including those...

CULTURE, Movies

February 27, 2016

Prince Bayaya – A Czech Fairy Tale

Prince Bayaya (Bajaja in Czech) is a classic tale told at bedtime in many households. It was written by the famous Božena Němcová (February 4, 1820 – January 21, 1862) who was a Czech writer of the final phase of the Czech National Revival movement. This version features illustrations by Karel Franta (born May 1928). Franta is both...

Childrens Books, ENTERTAINMENT

February 12, 2016

The Apple Maiden

The Apple Maiden or Apple Tree Maid is known as Jabloňová Panna in Czech. It is a Czech fairy tale as told by Karel Jaromír Erben. The illustrations are from my book entitled Pohadky with a copyright date of 1979. The following plates are illustrations from the story by Eva Šedivá. She was born in Prague in 1934....

Childrens Books, ENTERTAINMENT

February 5, 2016

Dvořák’s String Quintet by Candlelight

In this video by Denis Rochard, a group of five talented musicians perform Dvořák’s String Quintet in G major Op.77. The musicians perform the quintet by candlelight, giving the video a warm, intimate atmosphere. The music is clear and energetic, the atmosphere is haunting, and the filming is smooth and artistic. Surrounded by candles and chandeliers, the musicians perform the song...

CULTURE, Music

February 1, 2016

Three White Roses

The following illustrations for Three White Roses are created by the very talented Zdeňka Krejčová (b. 1944). The story is by Beneš Metod Kulda (1820 – 1903). A translation of the folk tale will be forthcoming, but for now here are some lovely illustrations. Three White Roses Collecting the roses. Three beautiful girls. Beneš was a patriotic priest,...

Childrens Books, ENTERTAINMENT

January 19, 2016

Dear Exile by Hilary Liftin and Kate Montgomery

Dear Exile by Hilary Liftin and Kate Montgomery is, as it states on the cover, a true story of two friends separated (for a year) by an ocean. This book is a fast and easy read, one perfect for a long train ride, or a relaxing day by the pool. The book is made up of real letters...

Books, ENTERTAINMENT

January 15, 2016

When I Grow Up…

What are you going to be when you grow up? Well, in 1960 in Czechoslovakia, you had some interesting choices as we can see by these lovely illustrations from the very talented illustrator Luděk Vimr ( July 5, 1921 – 9 November 2005 ). Ludek was a Czech painter , graphic artist and illustrator . He...

Childrens Books, ENTERTAINMENT

January 8, 2016

Fairy Tales from the Mushroom Forest

Fairy Tales from the Mushroom Forest is a small pamphlet style book that was sent to me when it came out on 1978. In Czech, the title is Pohádky z houbového lesa written by Ljuba Štíplováand illustrated by Zdeňka Krejčová (b. 1944), who also illustrated Three White Roses. It is a sweet story about forest folk and their...

Childrens Books, ENTERTAINMENT