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X-WR-CALNAME:British Czech and Slovak Association
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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for British Czech and Slovak Association
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251015T090000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260419T170000
DTSTAMP:20260411T070157
CREATED:20251014T160522Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251014T160522Z
UID:11721-1760518800-1776618000@www.bcsa.co.uk
SUMMARY:Sparks of Freedom
DESCRIPTION:Sparks of Freedom (Paprsky svobody) — that is the name of a new exhibition at Brno’s Moravian Museum. It tells how British academics and intellectuals reached across the Iron Curtain to support Czech dissidents in the 1980s\, focusing on the work of the Jan Hus Educational Foundation and the quiet acts of courage that helped keep independent thought alive under communist rule. \nThe curators of the Department of the History of Culture with an Anti-Totalitarian Focus (LINK) present the story of solidarity between the British and Brno people. Its roots date back to 1980\, when an organization called the Jan Hus Educational Foundation was established in Oxford\, which systematically provided material and intellectual support to Czechoslovak dissidents. In Brno\, co-operation began in 1981; in December 1984 the first seminar was held\, and mutual cooperation lasted without interruption until the Velvet Revolution. In 1990\, the Czechoslovak Jan Hus Educational Foundation was established in Brno\, which continues its activities under the name of the Vzdělávací nadace Jana Husa to this day. \nThe focuses on Brno events over five years in the second half of the 1980s. It presents important areas in which the British provided material and intellectual assistance to the unofficial cultural world in Brno. Thanks to the Jan Hus Educational Foundation\, British academics were able to come and give lectures in private households during the normalization period. The British also helped in the sphere of samizdat\, video projections of banned or unavailable foreign films in Czechoslovakia\, and supported independent Brno artists in the field of music and visual arts. The exhibition and the catalogue present topics that have not yet been given the attention they deserve. They reveal not only the blank spots of Brno’s cultural history\, but also the strong bonds of British-Czech cooperation in the persistent search for freedom. \nFor the full story see How Oxford philosophers supported Czech dissidents — new Brno exhibition tells the story | Radio Prague International \nBishop’s Courtyard\, Marble Hall \nOpening hours  \nWednesday to Friday 9am -5pm \nSaturday 10am-5pm \nSunday 1-5pm \n  \nphoto: Vít Pohanka\, Radio Prague International \n 
URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/sparks-of-freedom/
LOCATION:Moravian Museum\, Muzejní 1\, Brno\, 659 37\, Czech Republic
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Sparks-of-Freedom.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260319T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260319T184500
DTSTAMP:20260411T070157
CREATED:20260212T125834Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260318T103941Z
UID:12111-1773943200-1773945900@www.bcsa.co.uk
SUMMARY:BCSA Annual General Meeting
DESCRIPTION:The formal AGM of the Association\, which is open to all members\, will be held at 6pm on Thursday 19th March 2026. \nThe agenda will include the presentation of the Chairman’s report\, the Financial report for 2025 by the Treasurer and the election of the Executive Committee. Copies of the independently examined Accounts 2025 and the Minutes of the AGM held on 19th March 2025 will be available at the meeting\, together with the Treasurer’s report. \nThe AGM will elect the four Honorary Officers of the Association – the Chair\, Vice-Chair\, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer. These posts are held for one year and are subject to election at every AGM. The current Chair\, Jana Nahodilova\, as well as the remaining Honorary Officers\, namely Ruzena Holub\, Blanka Shrimpton and Ivona Klemensova respectively\, are willing to stand for re-election. \nOf the members of the Executive Committee\, who are elected for a term of three years\, Angela Spindler-Brown and Edward Peacock are standing for re-election this year and Barbora Paziam stands for election as a full member of the Committee. \nAny member of the BCSA can be nominated for the post of an Honorary Officer and/or a Committee member. Nomination forms can be obtained from the Honorary Secretary\, Blanka Shrimpton\, e-mail: secretary@bcsa.co.uk and returned to her by 12th March 2026. \nPlease register your attendance at the AGM to secretary@bcsa.co.uk\, apologies for absence to be sent to the same e-mail address. \nThe AGM will be also live streamed via Zoom\, the respective link will be made available to members after registration.  \nRefreshments will be available after the talk that follows the formal part of the evening.
URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/bcsa-annual-general-meeting-2/
LOCATION:Czech Embassy cinema\, 26 Kensington Palace Gardens\, London\, W8 4QY
CATEGORIES:BCSA Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/20150716-BCSA-Logo.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260319T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260319T203000
DTSTAMP:20260411T070157
CREATED:20260124T101712Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260318T104025Z
UID:12043-1773946800-1773952200@www.bcsa.co.uk
SUMMARY:The spy whom we love
DESCRIPTION:Drawing on his recent book The Bondian Cold War: The Transnational Legacy of a Cultural Icon (Routledge\, 2024)\, Dr.Brown will explore James Bond as a cultural figure of the Cold War. The talk will examine how Bond’s stories reflected—and sometimes reshaped—the politics\, tensions\, and popular culture of the era\, and how the spy became a global\, transnational icon across novels\, films\, comics\, and video games. \nAbout the speaker\nDr. Martin Brown is Professor of International History at Richmond American University London\, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society\, a member of Chatham House and the New Diplomatic History Network. From 2018–2019\, he was lead researcher at the Centre of Excellence in Intercultural Studies at the University of Tallinn. His research interests include Central European history\, Czechoslovak–British relations\, and Cold War culture. \nLight refreshments will be served afterwards. \nThe event will take place in person and will also be recorded. Organised in co-operation with the Czech Embassy London \nTickets:\n• BCSA members: Free (registration required)\n• Non-members: £10\n• Full-time students: £5\n(Eventbrite fees apply) \nAll proceeds from this event will go to the BCSA School Support Fund  supporting English language education in Czech and Slovak schools.
URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/the-spy-whom-we-love/
LOCATION:Czech Embassy cinema\, 26 Kensington Palace Gardens\, London\, W8 4QY
CATEGORIES:BCSA Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Bond-1.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260326T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260326T190000
DTSTAMP:20260411T070157
CREATED:20250420T164128Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250420T164545Z
UID:11101-1774548000-1774551600@www.bcsa.co.uk
SUMMARY:Dvořák Symphony No 9 
DESCRIPTION:  Dvořák’s Symphony No 9 From the New World introduced by the performers\, with screens in the hall to bring you closer to the action. Kick-start your evening with a 60-minute Half Six Fix concert with the London Symphony Orchestra.  \n\n\n\n\nWritten during his years as director of America’s National Conservatory of Music in the 1890s\, Dvořák’s homage to the US draws on spirituals and Native American inspiration\, but with the folk music of his Czech homeland never far away. Rhythmically exciting and richly melodic\, the third movement features one of classical music’s most enduring and endearing tunes. \nPresenting and conducting tonight’s concert is Anja Bihlmaier\, a German conductor who for the past few years has been making waves on the UK orchestral and operatic scene.
URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/dvorak-symphony-no-9/
LOCATION:Barbican Centre\, Silk Street\, London\, EC2Y 8DS\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/LSO.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260410T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260612T170000
DTSTAMP:20260411T070157
CREATED:20260328T163500Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260328T163624Z
UID:12291-1775815200-1781283600@www.bcsa.co.uk
SUMMARY:Baťa's Architecture of Belonging
DESCRIPTION:The Czech Centre London\, in collaboration with the Tomáš Baťa Foundation and the Bata Heritage Centre\, marks the 150th anniversary of Czech entrepreneur Tomáš Baťa’s birth\, founder of the global Baťa Shoe Company\, with an exhibition exploring his achievements and guiding principles and their realisation in East Tilbury. It reveals how ideas about work\, culture\, sport\, health and community were embedded in the design of the built environment. \n\nThe exhibition unfolds in two complementary strands. Desire to Create presents Baťa’s legacy as a comprehensive philosophy\, uniting work with service\, enterprise with education\, and personal development with responsibility towards others – not as a relic of the past\, but as a continuing source of inspiration. Baťa’s Architecture of Belonging brings East Tilbury to life through architectural drawings\, historic photographs and original artefacts\, evoking its distinctive modernist atmosphere. Together\, they trace how ideas were translated into built form – from vision to planning\, from planning to everyday life – creating a cohesive narrative of belonging\, work and community. \nOrganised by the Czech Centre London in partnership with the Bata Heritage Centre. \nOpening hours: Tues – Fri 10am – 5pm\, free entry
URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/batas-architecture-of-belonging/
LOCATION:Vitrinka Gallery\, 30 Kensington Palace Gardens\, London\, W8 4QY\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Bata-Oxford-St.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260414T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260414T200000
DTSTAMP:20260411T070157
CREATED:20260312T175714Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260318T104140Z
UID:12172-1776189600-1776196800@www.bcsa.co.uk
SUMMARY:Marina Pauliny: diplomacy\, humanitarianism and women's leadership
DESCRIPTION: An exhibition and panel discussion honouring Marina Pauliny\, an extraordinary woman who connected nations in times of war and exile. \n\n\n\n\nWe are delighted to invite you to the opening of the exhibition and accompanying panel discussion honouring the life and legacy of Marina Pauliny\, an extraordinary woman who connected nations in times of war and exile. This event is organised and hosted by the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in London in collaboration with the Slovak National Museum\, Memorial Association for Free Czechoslovak Veterans (MAFCSV)\, British Red Cross and the British Czech and Slovak Association (BCSA). \nThe evening will feature a panel discussion moderated by Jana Nahodilová – chair of the British Czech and Slovak Association. with distinguished speakers: \n\nZuzana Francová – niece of Marina Pauliny and curator at the Museum of Bratislava\n\n\nGerry Manolas – chair of the Memorial Association for Free Czechoslovak Veterans\n\n\nPeter Barta – director of the Slovak National Museum in Bratislava\n\n\nMehzebin Adam-Suter – curator of the British Red Cross Museum and Archives\n\n\nIt will be followed by the opening of an exhibition from the Slovak National Museum. \nThis event is free\, but registration required see booking link below.
URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/marina-pauliny-diplomacy-humanitarianism/
LOCATION:Slovak Embassy\, 25 Kensington Palace Gardens\, London\, W8 4QY\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:BCSA Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Marina-Pauliny-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260421T193000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260421T213000
DTSTAMP:20260411T070157
CREATED:20251230T121109Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260318T104629Z
UID:11971-1776799800-1776807000@www.bcsa.co.uk
SUMMARY:Magdalena Kožená in recital
DESCRIPTION:Laments\, confessions of undying love and the guilt-tinged miniatures of Brett Dean’s Gertrude Fragments take their place alongside lute works ancient and modern in this unmissable programme from Magdalena Kožená and Daniele Caminiti. Their recital’s individual parts combine to tell stories about the deepest human emotions\, from abandonment and grief to the wild verbal gestures\, ticks and obsessive delights of Berio’s Sequenza III for solo female voice. \n\nMagdalena Kožená     mezzo-soprano\n\n\n\nDaniele Caminiti      lute\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGeneral sale for this concert will open at 10.00am on Tuesday 27 January 2026. \n 
URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/magalena-kozena-in-recital/
LOCATION:Wigmore Hall\, 36 Wigmore Street\, London\, W1U 2BP\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Kozena.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260513T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260513T220000
DTSTAMP:20260411T070157
CREATED:20240323T154759Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260409T121233Z
UID:9539-1778698800-1778709600@www.bcsa.co.uk
SUMMARY:“Get to know you” social evening
DESCRIPTION:This is an opportunity for anyone interested in the British Czech and Slovak Association (members\, supporters and friends) to meet\, eat\, drink\, chat (maybe practise your Czech or Slovak) and get to know each other in a relaxed and informal setting. \nEveryone interested in Czech and/or Slovak matters is most welcome to join us. \nWe will be in one of the rooms at Bohemia House\, normally the first room on the left. \nFood and drinks are available for purchase. \nWest Hampstead has three stations served by the Jubilee line\, Overground and Thameslink.
URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/get-to-know-you-social-evening-5/
LOCATION:Bohemia House\, 74 West End Lane\, London\, NW6 2LX\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:BCSA Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/monthly-social.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260517T150000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260517T163000
DTSTAMP:20260411T070158
CREATED:20260328T165302Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260328T165302Z
UID:12298-1779030000-1779035400@www.bcsa.co.uk
SUMMARY:Jáchym Topol
DESCRIPTION:The European Writers’ Festival returns this May\, bringing together leading and emerging writers from 26 countries for a weekend of discussions on literature\, translation and the challenges shaping Europe today. \nAmong the featured authors is Jáchym Topol\, one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary Czech literature. Emerging from the underground cultural scene of 1980s Czechoslovakia\, Topol has built an acclaimed career as a novelist\, poet and journalist. His works – including City Sister Silver\, The Devil’s Workshop and A Sensitive Man\, as well as his latest novel Hell Does Not Exist (Peklo neexistuje) – blend myth\, history and dark humour to explore the complexities of Central and Eastern Europe. He is a recipient of the Czech State Prize for Literature and works at the Václav Havel Library in Prague. \nTopol will appear on the panel “Stranger Things” (Sunday 17 May\, 15.00–16.15)\, alongside Anne-Marie Reuter and Sara Stridsberg. The discussion brings together three established writers known for bold\, unconventional storytelling\, exploring the boundaries between reality\, fiction and imagination. \nOrganised by EUNIC London in partnership with the British Library and the European Literature Network\, the festival offers a unique opportunity to experience the richness of contemporary European writing. \nTickets available for in person or online attendance see link below
URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/jachym-topol/
LOCATION:British Library\, 96 Euston Road\, London\, NW1 2DB\, United Kingdom
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Topol.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260611T190000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260611T210000
DTSTAMP:20260411T070158
CREATED:20260328T170328Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260328T170328Z
UID:12306-1781204400-1781211600@www.bcsa.co.uk
SUMMARY:Baťa: designed to belong
DESCRIPTION:Belonging is not accidental – it is designed. This panel explores how architecture shapes belonging – not just by providing shelter\, but by designing everyday life. \nUsing the Bata village at East Tilbury as a starting point\, it examines how modernist ideals\, industrial ambition and community planning combined to create a distinctive model of living. Historian Milan Balaban situates the settlement within the global story of Bata cities\, while architectural historian Gillian Darley reflects on its place in British modernism. Chaired by John Tusa\, the conversation links historical experiments in planned community to today’s questions of development\, identity and place-making. \nSPEAKERS:\nSir John Tusa is a British arts administrator\, author\, journalist and former presenter of the BBC’s Newsnight. Born in Czechoslovakia\, he moved to East Tilbury in 1939\, where his father was Managing Director of the British Bata Shoe Company factory. He is Co-Chairman of the European Union Youth Orchestra and was previously Managing Director of the BBC World Service and Director of the Barbican Arts Centre. He is the author of On Board\, Making a Noise and On Creativity. \nGillian Darley OBE is a widely published writer and historian who was President of the Twentieth Century Society from 2014 until 2021. She first visited East Tilbury\, in search of the Bata industrial village\, in the early 1970s\, when researching and photographing her first book Villages of Vision (1975\, reissued 2007). Ever since she has returned at regular Intervals. The village featured in her most recent book Excellent Essex (2019). In 2024 Gillian achieved a longed-for aim\, a visit to Zlin. \nMilan Balaban is a historian specializing in business\, economic\, and industrial history\, with a focus on the global Bata Company network. He is a researcher at the Information Centre Bata\, Tomas Bata University in Zlín\, and a lecturer at Palacký University in Olomouc. His work examines industrialisation\, company towns\, and corporate mobility in Central and Eastern Europe. He has published several books\, including Bata across Continents (2022)\, and articles in leading journals\, and lectures internationally on multinational enterprises and industrial modernity. \n  \nAdmission: £5 (+ Eventbrite fee) see booking link below
URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/bata-designed-to-belong/
LOCATION:Czech Embassy cinema\, 26 Kensington Palace Gardens\, London\, W8 4QY
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Bata-hotel.jpg
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