BBLA and VHLF Announce the 2020 Annual Gala Celebrating Cultural Diplomacy

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We are delighted to announce that BBLA and the Vaclav Havel Library Foundation (VHLF) will be hosting the 2020 Annual Gala on September 24, 2020. The 2020 Annual Gala celebrates cultural diplomacy in honor of Ambassador William and Wendy Luers

The evening will feature presentations of the annual BBLA Award for Unparalleled Service to the Czech and Slovak Communities, the VHLF’s Disturbing the Peace Award to a Courageous Writer at Risk, salutes by Czech, Slovak, and American artists and cultural diplomats, screening of new and rare film footage of Prague under Vaclav Havel, and an online auction. With music by Tony Ackerman.

We will honor Ambassador William and Wendy Luers with the BBLA Award for Unparalleled Service to the Czech and Slovak Communities. During their posting in Czechoslovakia from 1983 until 1986, the Luers befriended the dissidents, including and especially Vaclav Havel, while fostering Czech American relations at a very difficult time. They have consistently demonstrated support for the Czech Republic and Slovakia in all spheres of their broad interests.

This year, we are changing things up a bit. While the U.S. is still responding to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 Annual Gala has been conceived as an in-person event with a virtual option for those who are unable or prefer not to attend in person. 

Cocktail reception on the rooftop of the Bohemian National Hall (New York City indoor gathering restrictions permitting) will be followed by a combination of live and online program (simultaneously broadcasted live on Zoom).

THE 2020 ANNUAL GALA BENEFITS THE VACLAV HAVEL LIBRARY FOUNDATION’S PROGRAMS SUPPORTING DISSIDENT WRITERS, PERFORMING ARTS STUDENTS AND EXPLORATORY THEATER. YOUR SUPPORT AT THIS TIMES ALLOWS VHLF TO CARRY OUT THE WORK THAT ILLUMINATES THE LEGACY OF VACLAV HAVEL IN THE U.S.

Please join us to show your support.


2020 GALA HOST COMMITTEE

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CHAIRS

Joseph Balaz

Craig and Dorothy Stapleton

BENEFACTORS

Riprand Graf Arco-Zinneberg and

Dr. Gräffin Arco-Zinneberg

Jack and Patricia Stack

Priscilla and Ward Woods

PATRONS

William and Catherine Cabaniss

Gustavo and Patricia Cisneros

Kevin and Karen Kennedy

Ben Heineman and Cristine Russell 

Rosemary Ripley and Peter Grubstein

Andrew H. Schapiro and Tamar Newberger

Jan and Marica Vilcek

Kenneth and Susan Wallach

FRIENDS

Richard and Mary Lanier

Rose Styron

SPONSORS

Wendy Benchley and John Jeppson

Maria and Woody Campbell

George and Beth Drost

Henry A. Kissinger

Charlotta Kotik

Katia and Robert Mead

Nancy and John Novogrod

Pavel and Kimberly Oliva

Martin Palous 

John and Emily Rafferty

Victoria Riskin and David Rintels

John Shattuck and Ellen Hume 

George and Elizabeth Stevens

Lise Stone and Stephen B. Heintz

Enzo and Mayalen Viscusi

Senator Timothy Wirth

Marilyn Wyatt

The Ronald and Jo Carole Lauder Foundation


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