The Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic Lubomír Zaorálek has awarded the prestigious Artis Bohemiae Amicis award in gratitude to Czech-Americans Hana Pohl and Andrea Pohl for promoting the good name of the Czech Republic and preserving its cultural history. Andrea Pohl, the great-grandniece of Czechoslovak President Edvard Beneš and First Lady Hana Benešová, was humbled to be bestowed same on behalf of her family by the Ambassador of the Czech Republic Hynek Kmoníček at the Embassy of the Czech Republic on December 3, 2019.

Earlier in the year, the National Museum of the Czech Republic received significant historical artifacts once belonging to the late President and his wife from the relatives, who were elated that the personal belongings were transferred into the hands of the National Museum in Prague for safekeeping and public display for the next generations to enjoy and study.

Andrea Pohl stated, “I am honored to receive this high recognition from the Czech Minister of Culture on behalf of my family, especially my grandmother, Alena Vlčková, who truly dedicated her entire life to preserving the legacy of President Edvard Beneš and First Lady Hana Benešová.”