The Olomouc Happening

There no better way to describe it. Those who were there will most certainly concur with this characterization of the SVU World Congress held at the Palacky University on June 27-July 4, 2004, while those who were not there cannot imagine what a great event they missed. Had we taken a poll there is no question that the consensus would be that this was the best Congress SVU ever had. After every event there are always some people who complain about something. This time I have not heard any complaints whatsoever, which is truly remarkable and is the best indicator of how the Congress participants felt.

Some people began arriving on Saturday, June 26, including our family, but the majority came the next day. Although it was a bit cloudy at first, on our arrival in Olomouc we were welcomed by sunshine. After checking in the hotel Arigone, which was conveniently located across from the recently renovated old university (Konvikt), where most of the Congress meetings were held, we went to the University Arts Center where the registration desk was located. It was a busy place getting ready for the reception the following day.

On Sunday, as the guests were arriving for the social get-together, they were greeted with champagne and excellent Moravian wine. At five o’clock sharp, Rector of Palacky University Prof. Jana Macakova came, elegantly dressed, wearing a golden chain signifying her university rank. Upon Dean Bartecek’s introduction, who also wore a ceremonial chain, in his capacity as Dean of the Philosophical Faculty, the Rector welcomed the participants, and then it was my turn to say a few words on behalf of SVU. At this point stepped forward a mother with her young son and daughter, all dressed in beautiful native Moravian costumes from Hana who symbolically offered me bread and salt, which represents the traditional Moravian welcome. Afer accepting this gesture, the guests were then invited to help themselves from a festive table overflowing with delicious refreshments. Afterwards, the visitors had the opportunity to view an exhibit on "Czechs in America" organized by Ivan Dubovicky and David Kraft.

The next day started early with a press conference at the government Regional Center where the ceremonial opening of the Congress was held. It was a beautiful, newly constructed modern building equipped with all the amenities, fitting the occasion. After the national anthems, Ivo Bartecek, who was the master of ceremonies, read the personal message from President Vaclav Klaus expressing thanks to SVU for its meritorious work toward preserving democratic values. The University Rector Jana Macakova then heartily welcomed the Congress participants, followed by brief addresses of the former Rector Josef Jarab, Lord Mayor of the City Ing. Martin Tesarik and the Hejtman of the Olomouc Region Ing. Jan Brezina. I had the pleasure then to officially open the Congress as SVU President, followed by additional greetings by Senator Hon. Jaroslava Moserova, Dr. Evelyn Early, representing US Ambassador William J. Cabaniss, the Czech Ambassador to the US Martin Palous, and Dr. Ivan Dubovicky, representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This part of the program was concluded by the performance of the children’s choir ‘Campanella’. After an intermission the participants witnessed the awarding of university honorary doctorate to Jiri Louda which included an impressive academic procession with colorful caps and gowns and university insignia, ending with everybody’s singing "Gaudeamus igitur".

The ceremony was followed by a gourmet buffet hosted by the Governor of the Olomouc Region. In the afternoon was a plenary session with the theme " Czech and Slovak Scientists Abroad: Their Life Stories and Personal Experiences" in which selected scientists from the US gave testimony of their lives, professional career and achievements. The evening was devoted to a piano recital by Jaroslava Pechocova.

The following three and half days were devoted to the academic program comprised of various topical or disciplinary sessions, symposia and discussion panels, about two thirds in English and one third in Czech or Slovak. There was something for everybody among the plethora of themes that included such topics as How to Run a University American Style, Symposium on John Amos Comenius, Bohemian Reformation, The Czechoslovak Jewish Community - Its Spiritual, Cultural, Political an Economic History, The Holocaust, Edvard Benes Symposium, Bata and Batism, Women’s Issues, The American Presence in the Czech Republic, Emigration and Czechs Abroad, The Moravian Texas, etc. Among various disciplines, all areas were covered, from the arts, humanities, social sciences to science. medicine and technology. The Czech panels were organized under the common theme "Mors Moravicus". Because of space limitation it is impossible to discuss what transpired in each session. Suffice it to say that the talks which I heard or which were reported to me were extremely interesting and invariably of high quality.

Apart from the academic sessions, the visitors had the opportunity to take part in one of the guided tours through the historic part of the city, usually scheduled in the morning. Practically every afternoon was planned for book presentations which were published on the occasion of the Congress.

The evenings were reserved for some cultural or social event. On Tuesday at five o’clock was a piano recital by Marek Keprt, followed by a ballet performance honoring Antonin Dvorak at the Moravian Theatre. On Wednesday at five o ‘clock was a chamber concert by Budimir Zvolanek, Mathew Krejci and Marie Bobkova. At night of the same day was the Society’s banquet, followed by an evening performance of a delightful baroque opera (Tomas Hanzlik’s Endymio). On Thursday night there was a cymbal recital by Edita Keglerova, followed by an organ concert by Petr Plany.

On Friday afternoon we had the final plenary session comprised of the SVU Award ceremony, concluding speeches and General Assembly meeting. The Congress was concluded by a social get-together and festive buffet hosted by the Lord Mayor of the City.

On Saturday the participants could participate in one of the two planned bus excursions, one to view the Holstyn Castle, Roznov pod Radhostem and Koprivnice and the other Bouzov medieval castle, Lostice and Velke Losiny. Those who partook in one of these could testify how much they enjoyed it.

I should also mention that there was a special meeting during the Congress between the SVU leadership and the representatives of the Senate’ Permanent Committee on the Relations with Czechs Abroad, headed by Senator Dr. Jitka Seitlova. .

Everybody commented on the convenience of having all the meetings in one building equipped with elevators, allowing an easy access for the participants. Just as was the case during the Plzen SVU Congress, it was a pleasure to see young people attending panels, as well as performing various Congress chores. Mrs. Ludmila Vaskova and her daughter, who were responsible for registration, stayed at the registration desk for the duration of the Congress and with great efficiency and pleasant smiles handled the requests of the participants.

The invisible hand of Ivo Bartecek who had the ultimate responsibility for the Congress, was clearly in evidence and whenever need arose he appeared on the scene and as a music conductor directed all the events smoothly and at strategic points brought them to a crescendo with efficiency, zest and poise. The logistical arrangements were the domain of Dr. Karel Konecny who handled everything superbly with flexibility, calm and ease.

Everybody was charmed by the beauty of the historical part of Olomouc which has been largely refurbished and "renovated" to give it its original picturesque medieval look. In this respect it does resemble Prague on a smaller scale but without the tourists and without commercialization. It is amazing that the city has not as yet been discovered by tourists and foreigners. The food in the city restaurants was excellent and considerably cheaper than in Prague.

Wherever we went we were met with cordiality, kindness and hospitality common to Olomouc inhabitants. In many ways, the people here resemble the mid- and southwesterners in America and, considering that lots of folks actually emigrated to these parts from Moravia, supports this supposition.

All in all, it was a great event. As I mentioned to Olomouc reporters, the Congress not only fulfilled our expectations, it greatly exceeded them. I can talk about it only in superlatives and would give it an A+.

Mila Rechcigl

SVU President

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