News from the Czech Center in the Museum District ~ June 24, 2010
From the Heart of Europe to the Heart of Houston, Texas Museum District
The Czech Center Museum Houston
4920 San Jacinto Street, Houston, Texas 77004 — 713-528-2060
Open Monday—Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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Remembering June 24, 1942 Lezaky, Czechoslovakia
Radio Prague reported June 21, 2010
Hundreds of people attended a commemorative ceremony on Sunday on the site of Lezaky, one of the two Czech villages that the Nazis razed to the ground 68 years ago in retaliation for the assassination of Nazi governor Reinhard Heydrich. The children were either transported to concentration camps or resettled with German families while 52 adults were killed and Lezakywas razed to the ground on June 24th 1942, just two weeks after the destruction of Lidice. Speaking at the ceremony President Vaclav Klaus said it was important for future generations to learn the lessons of the past, to realize the full meaning of expressions such as statehood, freedom and sovereignty and be ever ready to defend them. June 10, 1942the larger village of Lidicehad even a greater massacre. We visited Lezaky several years ago and according to the memorials printed history learned there were a total of five villages who met this fate for their support of resistance.
Exhibition: The Inner Space of War, The Blockade of Leningrad in Photographs
Dedicated to the 65th anniversary of Victory in World War II has been extended through July 31, 2010 at One Allen Center Art Gallery 500 Dallas St., Houston. The event is produced by Russian Federation Ministry of Culture. Moscow Art Museum, State Archives in St. Petersburg, the “Our Texas” Russian Cultural Center and the Russian Consulate General Houston. Make a day of it. Visit this exhibit, the magnificent architecture of the international City of Houston, and for sure stop by the Czech Center Museum Houston to see the 1289 piece Ottervik Collection of Czechoslovakia Art Glass and Pottery produced between the World Wars 1918-1938 and a beautiful Prague International Gift Shop!
Fact: Did you know the Houston Museum District is one of the most visited and diverse cultural centers anywhere with 18 Museums within a 1.5 mile radius that provide enrichment in art, history, culture, nature, and science?
Re: Bennie Marek: Our organization, the Czech Center Museum Houston, one of Houston’s eighteen fine museums, was “born” February 26, 1995. Our friends Bennie and Jackie Marek asked Bill and I to attend a Czech Heritage Society Meeting with them that evening out 59 South in Hillje, Texas in the VFW Hall. We were amazed to see 250 “bonafide” Czechs in that room! On the way back home to Houston, Bill the Swede/German, Czech by marriage mate, states “we really ought to build a beautiful edifice to commemorate all these thousands (we found out) Czech Slovak who came and stayed and like other immigrants made a difference in our state of Texas and the USA.” We knew there were probably 150 great Czech organizations doing a great job, but this was to be yet another facet of history which we learned from our travels there. On March 6, 1996 we incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) non profit educational cultural arts organization. We grew from that grass roots movement with the Mareks and others to where we are in Houston’s Museum District! Reading the Mareks CCMH File is like reading the history of this organization since 1995. Until he could not, Bennie wrote beautiful personal notes starting with “Dearest” and ending with “Love” and numerous “thank yous” in between.
Bennie died Friday, June 11, 2010. There was not a sweeter, kinder, always smiling, more sensitive human being than this one. Amazingly his wife Jackie is the same. Just think of all those good genes passed down to their daughters and grand children! It’s hard to say goodbye to another dear friend.
Please save the date August 28, 2010
The CCMH celebrates its Sixteenth year with a beautiful fun Benefit Gala. This Recession has not been kind to 501 (c )(3) non profit educational, cultural arts organizations. (Along with many others of course) We really need your help so we hope you will attend, enjoy good food, drink and entertainment. Perhaps you can help us with an Auction item donation. We plan to have some exciting opportunities for you to enjoy and great people to meet!
Coolest regards,
Effie M. Rosene, on behalf of the Board of Directors Czech Center Museum Houston
"Time goes by so fast, people go in and out of your life. You must never miss the opportunity to tell these people how much they mean to you." Anonymous
Questions or comments or to be removed please email first and last name to czech@czechcenter.org
Effie M. Rosene, Chairman/CEO
