Cultural Evening at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ottawa introduced the Life Story of the Czerny Family
12.03.2026 / 16:58 | Aktualizováno: 12.03.2026 / 19:19
On March 11, 2026, the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ottawa hosted a cultural evening entitled “Two Lives, One Love”, dedicated to two artistic works reflecting the legacy of the Czech‑Canadian Czerny family and key moments in Czech history. The event was met with great interest from members of the Czech expatriate community, friends of the Czech Republic, and representatives of the Canadian cultural scene.
The evening program was opened by H.E. Mr. Martin Tlapa, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Canada, who in his welcoming remarks introduced the main guests of the event – Mr. Robert Czerny and Ms. Pippa Beck.
The centerpiece of the evening was the screening of the documentary “Cardinal Michael Czerny: A Priest with Jewish Roots”, produced for Czech Television by director Martin Reiner. The film traces the story of the Czerny/Hayek family from Brno, whose fate reflects the transformations of Czech society from the Habsburg era through World War II and the post‑war emigration period. The documentary focuses on the life journey of Canadian Cardinal Michael Czerny, brother of Robert Czerny, highlighting his extraordinary dedication to human rights, human dignity, and service to people in need throughout his life. Following the screening, Robert Czerny engaged the audience in an inspiring discussion, sharing the story of his parents, who survived Nazi persecution and later built their new home in Canada.
During the evening, guests were also introduced to the mosaic artwork “Two Lives, One Love” by Canadian artist Pippa Beck, daughter‑in‑law of Robert Czerny. The artist incorporated fragments of plaster collected from the hospital in Terezin during her personal visit to the memorial for victims of the Second World War. The piece echoed the themes of the documentary, conveying a powerful message of resilience, hope, and love that transcends time and adversity.
The evening unfolded in a warm and engaging atmosphere, demonstrating once again that culture and art continue to serve as important bridges between Czech and Canadian societies.
The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ottawa expresses its sincere appreciation to all participants, especially the Czerny family, for sharing their moving and inspirational life story, and looks forward to future similar gatherings.
For those who were unable to attend the event in person due to inclement weather, the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ottawa provides a link to the Czech Television, where the documentary is available for public viewing.