Michael Schouten will provide an overview of the fascinating life and times of his ancestor, Vojta Naprstek (1826 – 1894), a Czech philanthropist, patriot and politician, who is affectionally known as foremost Czech democrat (“nejvetsi cesky democrat”).

Born in 1826, Vojta Naprstek came of age when the Czechs were reasserting their national identity after 200 years of Austrian oppression. He was exiled to the United States for his role in the 1848 Revolution and spent  10 years living on the American Frontier where he was heavily influenced by America’s progressive thinking and democratic values. 

Returning to Prague,  Naprstek made numerous contributions to the Czech National Revival as a philanthropist, politician and innovator. Notable examples that still endure today include the Naprstek Museum of Asian, African and Native American Art (now part of the National Museum) in Prague, the American Ladies Club, and the Naprstek Library in Prague.  Always surrounded by colorful, influential and dynamic personalities, Vojta Naprstek’s life is entertaining, informative and historically significant.

This event will celebrate the anniversary of the Velvet Revolution on November 17, 1989 and a return to democracy in Czechoslovakia.

Michael Schouten, related to Vojta Naprstek through Vojta’s Grandfather, was raised in New York but has settled in Scotland after receiving a PhD in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Edinburgh. He has a longstanding interest in Vojta Naprstek’s life and has previously delivered a similar presentation to the Edinburgh Czech Society.

Free and open to the public. Suggested donation $5. The event will be livestreamed on Zoom. RSVP through Eventbrite to receive the Zoom link.

This event is organized by the Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences (SVU), New York Chapter, with the support of the Bohemian Benevolent and Literary Association.