CEDAR RAPIDS – Without the efforts of a persistent Czech advocate, the iconic Bridge of Lions that connects Czech Village to New Bohemia might never have been constructed. Family members of the late Edward Kuba Sr., who promoted the idea for the bridge – constructed 30 years ago – accepted one of the 2019 Robert […]
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Category: Czech
Czech koblihy and other signs of the sea...
March is a busy month for Czechs in Iowa. The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library hosted a potluck for members of the museum and the Czech Heritage Foundation that coincided with Masopust, a carnival celebrated before the beginning of Lent. To help celebrate, museum President/CEO Cecilia Rokusek used a family recipe for koblihy, […]
Immigrants welcomed during naturalizatio...
CEDAR RAPIDS – A museum that celebrates the immigrant experience in America provided the perfect setting Friday, Feb. 22, for 75 people to become U.S. citizens. The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, 1400 Inspiration Place SW, hosted a naturalization ceremony, the formal proceeding that marks the end of the process to become a […]
Time for treasured Czech holiday traditi...
St. Nicholas Day, or Svatý Mikuláš in Czech, is typically celebrated on Dec. 6, but festivities will be early this year in Czech Village in Cedar Rapids. The traditional Czech celebration will take place Friday, Nov. 30, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Aces and Eights, 62 16th Ave. SW. Related: Learn about other Czech events […]
Cedar Rapids Czech School to celebrate 1...
By Cindy Hadish Czech School’s history in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, can be traced to a written program observing Jan Hus Day on July 6, 1870, which referenced Czech School teacher John B. Šuster, a date often cited as the start of the school. California’s Gold Rush of 1848, the failure of potato crops in their […]
The Czech artistry of Marj Nejdl
Marj Nejdl is a Master Czech Folk Artist from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who generously gives of her time and talent. She and a friend, Pat Martin, have collaborated on a book that explores Nejdl’s art, including her batik, or wax resist, Czech egg decorating. Related: Marj Nejdl teaches Czech School students the art of egg […]
Ending nears for Czech odyssey
As the Czech School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, begins to celebrate its 150th year in 2019, a project to document that history is nearing its end. For the past two years, in homes, care centers, at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library and elsewhere, I’ve talked to more than 50 people with Czech […]
Czech Village Blues rocks in its second ...
Supporters of rebuilding the Riverside Roundhouse announced today that Czech Village Blues brought in more than $30,000 in its second year. Held in August in Czech Village with Friends of Czech Village and the Linn County Blues Society, the festival attracted more than 1,500 fans. See photos from Czech Village Blues 2018 and its inaugural […]
Photos: Czech Goulash Day and CzechFest ...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Kolaches might be the attraction, but volunteers are the heart of festivals, such as the St. Wenceslaus Czech Goulash Day, held Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018. Preparations take weeks, with planning going beyond that time. Kolache bakers were up before sunrise, including one woman in her 80s, who had hosted a get-together […]
Goulash Day and CzechFest celebrate Czec...
Czech heritage is celebrated during two events that coincide in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018. The St. Wenceslaus Czech Goulash Day, held at the church at 1224 Fifth St. SE, features kolache sales, raffles of a quilt, $1,000 cash and other prizes, bingo, live music, games and the popular Czech goulash meal […]