This year’s program was remarkably diverse. It included screenings of contemporary Czech films, such as Mord, which was also part of the Czech That Film Festival, and the documentary On the Run by director Václav Hájek. The festival also featured a literary reading by Czech writer Zuzana Říhová and translator Alex Zucker, a performance by poet Ondřej Macl, and a lecture by Petr Ineman about the famous Alaska Iditarod Trail race. An inspiring discussion with Šimon Pánek explored the role of civil society in Europe, while another debate with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya at the University of Chicago, held within the Václav Havel Series, focused on democracy and freedom. The program was complemented by musical performances of young Czech artists, community gatherings, and accompanying events highlighting Czech traditions. Each generation found something to enjoy, from family activities to debates on current social issues.

One of the highlights of the program was the celebration of the 35th anniversary of the partnership between Prague and Chicago, marked by a festive concert titled Ode to Prague and Chicago, performed by Prague baritone Jiří Rajniš and Czech-American pianist Katelyn Bouska. The Czech Heritage Week concluded with a ceremonial mass on the Feast of St. Wenceslas at the Czech Mission in Brookfield. The service also served as an opportunity to bid farewell to the mission’s longtime spiritual leader, Monsignor Dušan Hladík, and to welcome his successor, Father Libor Churý.

The significance of Czech Heritage Week was further enhanced by the proclamation of Chicago Mayor B. Johnson. He officially declared the period from September 20 to 28, 2025, as “Czech Heritage Week in Chicago” and encouraged the city’s residents to recognize the contributions of the Czech-American community. For the local Czech-American community, it was particularly meaningful that Mayor Johnson highlighted their historical importance and acknowledged their long-standing contributions to the city’s cultural, economic, financial, and social development.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Czech organizations, American partners, and individuals who have long supported the promotion of Czech traditions, language, and culture. Without their dedication and enthusiasm, the Czech Heritage Week in Chicago could hardly have been realized.

 

Agata Lapihusková, Consulate General of Czech Republic in Chicago