For Immediate ReleaseContact: Sharon Valasek(816) 213.5847

October 9,
Czech Slovak Salute: A Midwest Tribute to Czech-Slovak Independence

Kansas City, Mo – The Midwest Consulates of the Czech & SlovakRepublics, along with the Czech and Slovak Club of Greater Kansas City, are celebrating twenty years of independence. In 1989, the country then known as Czechoslovakia freed itself fromCommunist control, instituted democratic elections and set out to adapt its command economy to the free market. On January 1, 1993, Czechoslovakia peacefully became two democratic countries by mutual consent: Czech Republic and Slovak Republic.

Commemorative events are scheduled from November 5-7, 2009 in the Kansas City, area and will include visits by dignitaries from each country’s embassy in Washington, D.C. Several of the events are open to the public, subject to space limitations. Those events include:

Thursday, Nov. 5 / Kansas City Rotary Club 13 Lunch
Lunch meeting of the downtown Kansas City Rotary Club 13, featuring Czech and Slovak embassy officials. Register for limited seating withJanet Ellis at 816-842-2322 or . The lunch meeting will be in the Trianon Room at the Muelhbach Hotel and begins at11:45am. Cost of meal is $16.50. Parking is across the street from the hotel in the Municipal Auditorium parking garage.
Thursday, Nov. 5 / Mayoral and Council Meeting
Visiting diplomats from the Czech and Slovak Embassies in Washington, D.C. will meet with the mayor of Kansas City, MO and city council members on Thursday, November 5 at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall, 414 E.12th St, Kansas City, MO. During this meeting, the mayor will present proclamations to the visiting officials signifying the importance of these events in the history of the Republics.
Friday, Nov. 6 / Commemoration of Admissions to the North Atlantic Treaty OrganizationTruman Presidential Library, Independence, MO
The CzechRepublic was accepted as a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1999 and the SlovakRepublicin 2004. Both nations are now formal members of both NATO and the United Nations, and their military units have participated in NATO missions throughout the globe. The Czech Republic has a local tie to its NATO admission. The documents of admission were signed at the Truman Library in Independence, MOin 1999. A program on Friday, November 6at the Truman Library and Museumwill commemorate the NATO anniversaries. Visiting Czech and Slovak dignitaries will lay a wreath at the Truman grave. That ceremony begins at 9:15 am. It is a free event and open to the public. For more information, contact Ross Marine at 816-943-0515 or .
Friday, Nov. 6 / 20th Anniversary Velvet Revolution Celebration
SylvesterPowellCommunity Center, 6200 Martway, Mission, KS
A gala event will take place Friday, November 6 at the SylvesterPowellCommunity Center beginning at 6:00to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the historic Velvet Revolution. An ethnic Czech-Slovak dinner will be served. Diplomats from the Czech and Slovak embassies will be on hand to provide their insights on the Revolution. Following dinner,dance to the music of The Czech Express of St. Louis, MO. Register and pay at RSVP is required by Nov. 2.Cost is $40 per person. For additional information, contact Terry Smitka at 816-217-9487 ks can be sent to Terry Smitka, 1205 Wellington Way, Liberty, MO64068. Make checks out to: Czech & Slovak Club of KC.
Saturday, Nov. 7 / Central European Program at University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS“Reimagining Central Europe: Transition & Identity,” 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Program: “Reimagining Central Europe: Transition & Identity,” at University of Kansas; includes morning sessions followed by a lunch and program with embassy officials and a reading of Rossum’s Universal Robots (RUR). Visit the website of KU Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies, For additional information, contact Edith Clowes at 785-864-4236 or .
Saturday, Nov. 7 / Film showing: “Accidental Army, The Amazing True Story of The Czechoslovak Legion.” J.C. Nichols Auditorium, National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial, 100 W. 26th St., Kansas City, MO
  • Student and educator showing from 1-2:00 p.m. It is an opportunity for area students, educators, internationally-minded individuals and organizations and museum supporters to learn about a crucial part of world history. This is a free event and is open to the public.
  • Second showing from 6-9:00 p.m. to those registering for limited seating. Register at There is no fee to attend.

This event is a special showing of the 2009 independent film production by Chicagoans Bruce Bendinger and John Iltis. The documentary creators utilized the vast archives amassed by the Czech Legion Project to tell this historic story of heroism, political machinations and complex personal intrigues on the Trans-Siberian rail line. The film uncovers the fascinating history (long suppressed by the Soviets) of how an unlikely army of Czechs and Slovaks fighting both for and against the Russians in World War I played a crucial role in the birth of the Czechoslovak nation. Bendinger and Iltis will be present to share additional background on the film.
The second showing of the film on November 7thbegins with a reception at 6:00 pm. followed by the film at 7:30 pm. Among the special guests will be embassy officials from the Czech and SlovakRepublics and Mary Eisenhower, President and CEO of People to People International and a representative from the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS.

Missouri Humanities Council Grant

The Missouri Humanities Council (MHC) has awarded a grant of $2,500 to the Czech & Slovak Club of Kansas City, in support of its “Commemoration of Significant Anniversaries of the Czech and Slovak Republics.” The MHC is the only state-wide agency in Missouri devoted exclusively to humanities education for citizens of all ages. It has served as a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities since 1971. The Missouri Humanities Council is a not-for-profit organization affiliated with the National Endowment for the Humanities in Washington, D.C. Its mission is “to help the people of Missouri learn about our history, our literature, and our ideas that shape our democracy.” Information about the Council is available on their website at or by calling 1-800-357-0909.

Additional contributors include Anheuser-Busch, the Czech Legion Project in Chicago, IL, Czech-Slovak Club of Kansas City, Greater Kansas City Chapter of People to People, International Visitor’s Council of Greater Kansas City, Lee Research Institute, Legal Printing, Inc., Lofstrom & Company, People to People International,R&D Tool, R.W. Baird and WJE Health Care Architect, as well as several in-kind donors.

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