Busy in September, Celebrating in UES

By Joseph Balaz | I trust that despite certain challenges the world is facing, you had a relaxing and enjoyable summer.  With great pleasure and pride, I would like to invite you to several important events that BBLA will present to our faithful audiences “in person” in September!

We will start with the 180th birthday celebration of our beloved composer Antonin Dvorak by staging an open-air concert as well as organizing a guided walking tour of Dvorak’s Stuyvesant Square neighborhood.

On September 23, at our Annual Gala organized by the Vaclav Havel Library Foundation and BBLA, we will celebrate the English playwright Sir Tom Stoppard. He was born in Czechoslovakia before the Second World War. Sir Stoppard supported Czech and Slovak dissidents during the harsh times of the 1970s and 1980s. We will honor his friendship with Vaclav Havel and his unprecedented volume of inspiring and absolutely unique plays, especially his play Rock ‘n’ Roll which revolves around the history of the Czech underground and the importance of music and art in both oppressive regimes and the free world.

Our dear friend Martin Holub, a Czech-American architect who has participated in the renovation of our beautiful Bohemian National Hall, will discuss his two books: Martin's Scribbles I and Martin's Scribbles II, and more in person, on September 30. I very much look forward to reconnecting with Martin and his work.

Please join us for all of these remarkable events, along with your proof of vaccination, and support us so we can continue with our programs presenting Czech and Slovak culture and history.

We can’t wait to see you.

Joseph Balaz
President
Bohemian Benevolent & Literary Association