Nebraska SVU Conference
Czech and Slovak Legacy in the Americas: Preservation of Heritage
with the Accent on Youth
University of Nebraska, Lincoln, August 1-3, 2001
You are cordially invited to participate in the special North American
Conference, organized jointly by the Czechoslovak Society of Arts and
Sciences (SVU) and the University of Nebraska, 1-3 August, 2001.
Our enthusiastic Nebraska organizers, especially Cathy Oslzly, Mila
Saskova-Pierce and R. Thomas Zumpfe have outdone themselves in making the
conference into an extraordinary event. Some 100 scholars and popular
speakers will offer papers in twenty or so separate sessions, exploring the
Czech and Slovak Legacy in the Americas with the focus on preserving their
heritage and the accent on youth. Topics include history of immigration;
assimilation and acculturation; language; the role of major ethnic
organizations in preserving our heritage; future and role of young people;
contributions of Czech and Slovak settlers and their descendants; historical
sites and monuments; archival and library holdings; cooperation with Czech
and Slovak Republics; etc. Persons interested in presenting papers may still
do so but need to act fast.
Between sessions the participants will have the opportunity to view the
exhibits and collections of special family memorabilia, art, and unique
archival material that will be on display. Bring along your accordion for a
special Jam Session to be held one afternoon or bring a poem you have written
to share at a poetry reading. You will have the opportunity to meet meet the
leading scholars and community leaders from all parts of the US and Canada,
as well as distinguished visitors from the Czech and Slovak Republics,
including the ambassadors and other dignitaries from here as well as from
abroad.
An authentic Czech meal will be featured on Thursday evening, followed by a
polka dance, so bring along your dancing shoes! There will also be a banquet
the final evening. On-campus housing will be provided by the University of
Nebraska's new Kauffman Honors Hall. Kauffman Hall offers suites with private
bathrooms as well as some other amenities not present in traditional
residence halls.
The SVU conference is held in conjunction with the 40th annual Czech Festival
in Wilber, Nebraska - Czech Capital of Nebraska and USA - which will follow
on August 3-5. During this Czech Festival the 15th annual Miss Czech-Slovak
USA Pageant will be held wherein around 20 states will be represented by
young ladies of Czech and Slovak descent. The theme of the Czech Festival in
200l is "Youthful Czechs" in recognition of the past Nebraskan ‘Czechs of
Wilber' chapter queens. The current reigning national queen is Karina Molacek
of Nebraska . The Miss Czech-Slovak USA Pageant which began began in 1987, is
held two nights during the festival. It is a very colorful, exciting and
entertaining ethnic pageant involving very special and proud Czech and Slovak
girls who, over these past 14 pageants, have gone out into society as youth
ambassadors.
I urge all SVU members and other interested people to take advantage of the
excellent program and the various amenities our Nebraska Conference offers
and come with us to Lincoln in large numbers. Combine it with a vacation and
your entire family will have a splendid time.
Mila Rechcigl
SVU President
Information about housing was reported in January issue of our Newsletter.
you can also find it on SVU Website: www.svu2000.
If you have questions,
contact Cathy Oslzly on: coslzly1@unl.edu
