BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//British Czech and Slovak Association - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:British Czech and Slovak Association X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk X-WR-CALDESC:Events for British Czech and Slovak Association REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Europe/London BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20180325T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20181028T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20190331T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20191027T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20200329T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20201025T010000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20191105T183000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20191105T203000 DTSTAMP:20260507T094836 CREATED:20190716T182336Z LAST-MODIFIED:20190716T182336Z UID:2897-1572978600-1572985800@www.bcsa.co.uk SUMMARY:Emperor Rudolf II - Collector & Patron of the Arts & Sciences DESCRIPTION:Under Rudolf II Prague again became the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. Following the example of his Habsburg ancestors\, he assembled an exceptional collection of works of art for which the imperial palace on the Hradcany was adapted. He patronised painters\, sculptors\, goldsmiths who flocked to Prague\, and also men of learning including Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler. For a brief period Prague became the most important cultural centre in Europe. \nCaroline Cannon-Brookes\, art historian\, was trained at the Courtauld Institute of Art and teaches at the University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education. She has led many tours to the Czech Republic to which she is a regular visitor. \nPrice £15 including a glass of wine. Online booking see link below. \nTo pay at the door please notify: events@czechfriends.net \nImage of Rudolph II by Aegidius Sadeler URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/emperor-rudolf-ii-collector-patron-of-the-arts-sciences/ LOCATION:Czech Embassy\, 26-30 Kensington Palace Gardens\, London\, W8 4QY END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20191105T093000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20191105T180000 DTSTAMP:20260507T094836 CREATED:20190917T201054Z LAST-MODIFIED:20191027T110131Z UID:3134-1572946200-1572976800@www.bcsa.co.uk SUMMARY:Raising the velvet curtain: Slovak literature since 1989 DESCRIPTION:One-day seminar hosted by UCL School of Slavonic and East European Studies. \nCo-organised with the Centre for the Study of Central Europe\, UCL SSEES and the Institute of Slovak Literature of the Slovak Academy of Sciences\, this one-day conference\, open to the public\, aims to introduce the reading public as well as publishers\, journalists\, translators\, students and scholars of Central European and Slovak history and politics to the latest developments on the Slovak literary scene. \nLeading specialists from Slovakia\, the UK and USA will present a survey of the Slovak social and literary landscape and social developments over the past 30 years and major literary trends. Four panels will explore how recent Slovak history and social transformation after 1989 has been reflected in literature\, also in the context of neighbouring post-communist countries. Panellists will introduce the vibrant contemporary literary scene in Slovakia and discuss the best ways of putting Slovak literature on the Anglophone map and make recommendations for books that should be translated into English and why. \nFor full programme see raising_the_velvet_curtain_conference_final \nFree registrations with Eventbrite – see link below URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/raising-the-velvet-curtain-slovak-literature-since-1989/ LOCATION:UCL SSEES\, 16 Taviton St\, London\, WC1H 0BW\, United Kingdom ORGANIZER;CN="UCL SSEES":MAILTO:ssees-events@ucl.ac.uk END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20191104T190000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20191104T213000 DTSTAMP:20260507T094836 CREATED:20190816T155125Z LAST-MODIFIED:20190816T161017Z UID:3050-1572894000-1572903000@www.bcsa.co.uk SUMMARY:Solo Lamentoso - Sláva Daubnerová DESCRIPTION:Inspired by the real-life story of a woman in the small town of Štúrovo in southern Slovakia. \nA portrait of a woman compelled to listen to music known for pushing boundaries and conventions in contemporary Slovak theatre. Author\, director\, actor and conceptual artist Sláva Daubnerová blends authenticity and documentary techniques with fiction to pose fundamental questions about the limits of humanity and the position of an outsider. Daubnerová’s monodrama Solo Lamentoso\, premiered in December 2015\, has been inspired by the real-life story of a woman in the small town of Štúrovo in southern Slovakia\, who barricaded herself in her house and terrorised her neighbours by playing the same aria from La Traviata sung by Placido Domingo through low-quality speakers from six in the morning to ten at night in an endless loop for 14 years. The artist turns the confession of a disturbed woman into a device for exploring timeless topics such as the ambiguity of truth and the fight of an individual against society\, suggesting that growing discord among people is how extremism is born. \nTickets £12\, concessions £10 plus booking fee £1.50 (see link below) \nIn partnership with the Slovak Arts Council and the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in London URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/solo-lamentoso-slava-daubnerova/ LOCATION:Rich Mix\, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road\, London\, E1 6LA END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20191102T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20191102T213000 DTSTAMP:20260507T094836 CREATED:20190514T100401Z LAST-MODIFIED:20190531T173201Z UID:2813-1572723000-1572730200@www.bcsa.co.uk SUMMARY:Pavel Haas Quartet DESCRIPTION:The ensemble took the name of a Czech composer\, and continues its commitment to music from his country in this programme\, with a work by Erwin Schulhoff alongside a quartet by Smetana. The contemporary Slovak composer L’ubica Cekovska is also represented. \nL’ubica Cekovska (b.1975) A Midsummer Quartet \nErwin Schulhoff (1894-1942) String Quartet No. 1 \nBedrich Smetana (1824-1884) String Quartet No. 2 in D minor \nPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) String Quartet No. 3 in E flat minor Op. 30 URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/pavel-haas-quartet/ LOCATION:Wigmore Hall\, 36 Wigmore Street\, London\, W1U 2BP\, United Kingdom END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20191031T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20191031T213000 DTSTAMP:20260507T094836 CREATED:20191003T093555Z LAST-MODIFIED:20191003T093555Z UID:3220-1572550200-1572557400@www.bcsa.co.uk SUMMARY:Hej Romale! Chavorenge choir and Czech Philharmonic DESCRIPTION:A concert by Romani children from the Chavorenge Children’s Choir led by Ida Kelarova and her team accompanied by musicians from the Czech Philharmonic. \n“Romani children don’t feel welcome in our society. Breaking free from the vicious circle of settlements and ghettos into a world where they are expected to succeed\, be self-confident and achieve is hugely difficult. We strive to create a motivating environment which allows them to follow their dreams and goals and pursue their own life stories. But the energy we invest in these children doesn’t pay off immediately – it takes time.”\n“I’m delighted that the Czech Philharmonic has been by our side over the past five years. Even though we’ve made great progress\, I realise that it may take several generations before we witness long-lasting change and for the results of our efforts to bear fruit.” \nTickets from £15 plus booking fee\, see link below. URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/hej-romale-chavorenge-choir-and-czech-philharmonic/ LOCATION:Phoenix Concert Hall\, Fairfield Halls\, Park Lane\, Croydon\, CR9 1DG\, United Kingdom END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20191030T190000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20191030T210000 DTSTAMP:20260507T094836 CREATED:20191001T170232Z LAST-MODIFIED:20191001T170232Z UID:3187-1572462000-1572469200@www.bcsa.co.uk SUMMARY:In Quest of History: On Statehood and Identity with Jiri Priban and Pavel Seifter DESCRIPTION:As contemporary politics drift closer to totalitarianism\, historiography from scholars and thinkers who have experienced twentieth-century totalitarian regimes is more important than ever. A professor of legal philosophy Jiri Priban and Pavel Seifter\, historian and former Czech Ambassador to the UK\, search for the roots of contemporary problems in our past\, examining how we navigate history among the shifting tides of our national identity and what statehood and democracy mean 30 years after the fall of communism. \nChaired by Sir John Tusa and touching upon the subjects of sovereignty\, freedom\, fear\, and faith\, this promises to be a spirited discussion launching the English edition of Jiri Priban’s and Karel Hvizdala’s book In Quest of History; On Czech Statehood and Identity\, Karolinum Press\, October 2019 \nTickets: £5 + booking fee\, see Eventbrite link below URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/in-quest-of-history-on-statehood-and-identity-with-jiri-priban-and-pavel-seifter/ LOCATION:Czech Embassy\, 26-30 Kensington Palace Gardens\, London\, W8 4QY END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20191026T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20191026T213000 DTSTAMP:20260507T094836 CREATED:20190804T120015Z LAST-MODIFIED:20190804T120015Z UID:2975-1572118200-1572125400@www.bcsa.co.uk SUMMARY:CS PARTY @ 229 VENUE with MIRO ŽBIRKA DESCRIPTION:Miro Žbirka – a living legend of Slovak and Czech popular music is celebrating his 40 year-long music career with concerts in London\, Prague and Bratislava. \nDon’t miss this greatest hits show supported by Abbey Road Studio musicians with whom he recorded his last two albums.\nDrums – Blair Cunningham\nBass – Hamish Stewart\, Pearse MacIntyre\nGuitar – Robbie McIntosh\, Pearse MacIntyre\, Rob Cass\nKeyboards – Pearse MacIntyre\nPiano – Dean Ross\, Jon Hall\, George Stewart\nPercussion – Rob Cass \nNOTE!!! CS PARTY with MIRO ŽBIRKA is for standing only\, please ignore seating numbers on your tickets. URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/cs-party-229-venue-with-miro-zbirka/ LOCATION:229 Venue\, 229 Great Portland Street\, London\, W1W 5PN END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20191024T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20191024T213000 DTSTAMP:20260507T094836 CREATED:20190527T192002Z LAST-MODIFIED:20190527T192040Z UID:2838-1571945400-1571952600@www.bcsa.co.uk SUMMARY:Czech Roots: London Symphony Orchestra DESCRIPTION:Composers pouring their most personal thoughts and feelings into their work is not unusual\, but these two pieces by Dvorak and Suk feel much more deeply connected than most. \nDvorak and Suk had a very long and close relationship as father-in-law and son-in-law. Suk’s Second Symphony\, ‘Asrael’\, named for the Hebrew Angel of Death\, was written in tribute to Dvorak after his sudden death in 1904. Tragically\, Suk’s wife – Dvorak’s daughter Otilka – died shortly afterwards and the symphony contains some of the most achingly beautiful music in the whole of Suk’s output. \nSimilarly\, Dvorak’s Cello Concerto also contains a tribute to a close relation\, in this case his wife Anna’s sister Josefina\, whom Dvorak had initially courted for marriage. Dvorak wove the melody of his song ‘Leave me alone’\, of which Josefina was particularly fond\, into the second movement. The work was the envy of Brahms\, who reputedly said\, ‘If I had known that it was possible to write a cello concerto like this\, I would have tried it as well!’ \nSir John Eliot Gardiner conductor\nTruls Mørk cello URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/czech-roots-london-symphony-orchestra/ LOCATION:Barbican Centre\, Silk Street\, London\, EC2Y 8DS\, United Kingdom END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20191024T190000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20191025T191500 DTSTAMP:20260507T094836 CREATED:20190801T144240Z LAST-MODIFIED:20191027T105800Z UID:2960-1571943600-1572030900@www.bcsa.co.uk SUMMARY:An evening of Slovak Literature DESCRIPTION:Slovak writers’ tour 22 -25 October – Manchester\, Oxford\, Cambridge\, London \nJoin a panel of renowned authors chaired by Diana Vonnak for a celebration of modern Slovak literature. Ursula Kovalyk\, Ivana Dobrakovova and Balla will discuss their award-winning works of fiction. Also taking part will be their English translator\, Julia Sherwood. \nUrsula Kovalyk is a feminist writer\, social worker and theatre maker and a leading representative of contemporary feminist literary discourse in Slovakia. The Night Circus and other stories published by Parthian Books (April 2019) blends the naturalistic and the fabulistic in elusive\, delicate stories that fold fable and fairy tale into the everyday\, domestic settings of kitchen\, garden.\n\nIvana Dobrakovova is a writer and translator(Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan saga)\, winner of the 2019 European Union Prize for Literature. Bellevue is a novel about our inability to escape ‘our own private cages\, being imprisoned by fear\, anxiety and mistrust\, no less than indifference to others. Jantar Publishing\, October 2019. \nBalla is an award-winning writer of short stories and novellas\, “the chief alchemist of Slovak literature”. Big Love \, a critique of contemporary society in which the triumph of liberal democracy has increased rather than diminished the Kafkaesque aspects of life\, is his second book to be published in English. Jantar Publishing\, October 2019 \n22 October Manchester 19.00-20.30 Blackwell’s Bookshop book here \n23 October Oxford 19.00-20.30 St Anthony’s College (booking details to follow) \n24 October Cambridge 18.30-20.00 Heffers Bookshop book here \n25 October London 19.15-20.30 British Library book here \n‘Raising the Velvet Curtain’ is a series of events presenting a vibrant new generation of Slovak writers and artists to mark 30 years since the Velvet Revolution of 1989. URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/an-evening-of-slovak-literature/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20191021T183000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20191021T223000 DTSTAMP:20260507T094836 CREATED:20190917T203707Z LAST-MODIFIED:20190919T102237Z UID:3140-1571682600-1571697000@www.bcsa.co.uk SUMMARY:The Women in Czech Opera DESCRIPTION:An evening talk and recital. \nSamantha Crawford and Lada Valesova explore the female roles in the operas of the great Czech composers\, Dvorak\, Janacek and Smetana. During this entertaining and illuminating evening they will perform highlights and discuss the music and characterisation in depth. Afterwards there are limited spaces for a dinner with these two fascinating artists. \nKatya Kabanova\, Jenufa and Rusalka are the title roles in just three masterpieces in the Czech repertoire. Katya is unhappily married and tormented by her bullying mother-in-law\, Kabanicha. This story of a lonely wife longing for love and freedom is rich in psychological insight. Jenufa reveals the lives of two courageous women struggling for fulfilment in a small rural community. Janacek movingly captures Jenufa’s emotional development\, while her stepmother\, the Kostelnicka is one of opera’s most complex maternal figures. When Rusalka\, Dvorak’s water nymph\, falls in love with a mortal she strikes a terrible bargain with the witch Jezibaba to gain mortality herself. This dark and symbolic retelling of the Little Mermaid story is enhanced by the spellbinding and luminous soprano aria\, the famous Song to the Moon. \nGeneral admission £45 + booking fee\nTicket including post performance dinner & wine £100 + booking fee \nsee Eventbrite link below URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/the-women-in-czech-opera/ LOCATION:The Club at The Ivy\, 9 West Street\, London\, WC2H 9 NE\, United Kingdom END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20191020T190000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20191020T213000 DTSTAMP:20260507T094836 CREATED:20190527T184715Z LAST-MODIFIED:20190527T185301Z UID:2835-1571598000-1571607000@www.bcsa.co.uk SUMMARY:Janacek: Glagolitic Mass DESCRIPTION:Sir John Eliot Gardiner and the London Symphony Orchestra bring together three works that define the ‘Czech sound’\, by composers who drew their material from Czech history\, legends and landscapes – Dvoak and Janacek. \nJanacek’s Ballad of Blanik and Dvorak’s Golden Spinning Wheel are both symphonic poems that take Czech legends as their inspiration – the first using the tale of Wenceslas as a vehicle to celebrate the peaceful regeneration of Czechoslovakia as an independent nation after World War I; the second a rather gruesome tale of greed\, murder and magic. \nIn the words of the writer Milan Kundera\, Janacek’s Glagolitic Mass is ‘more an orgy than a mass’ – perhaps appropriately for its composer\, who despite being a well-known atheist\, wrote a work that largely followed the traditional Catholic Mass structure. Including a wildly energetic section for solo organ\, it takes the listener on an exhilarating journey. URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/janacek-glagolitic-mass/ LOCATION:Barbican Centre\, Silk Street\, London\, EC2Y 8DS\, United Kingdom END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20191020T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20191020T170000 DTSTAMP:20260507T094836 CREATED:20190527T183621Z LAST-MODIFIED:20190527T183621Z UID:2829-1571565600-1571590800@www.bcsa.co.uk SUMMARY:LSO Discovery Day: Janacek DESCRIPTION:Attend a morning rehearsal of the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) conducted by Sir John Eliot Gardiner at the Barbican followed by talks and chamber music in the afternoon at LSO St Luke’s. The full schedule will be posted two weeks before the event. \nPlease note that the conductor may choose to not use the full rehearsal time and there is no guarantee that equal rehearsal time will be given to each piece. You will be seated in the Circle. \nFull day tickets: £22 (£17 concessions) \nLSO St Luke’s is located at 161 Old St\, London\, EC1V 9NG. URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/lso-discovery-day-janacek/ LOCATION:Barbican Centre\, Silk Street\, London\, EC2Y 8DS\, United Kingdom END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20191016T200000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20191016T213000 DTSTAMP:20260507T094836 CREATED:20191003T094836Z LAST-MODIFIED:20191003T094836Z UID:3225-1571256000-1571261400@www.bcsa.co.uk SUMMARY:Makanna DESCRIPTION:London premiere of music documentary film MAKANNA\, together with a live cello performance and film introduction. \nBased on the novel of the Jewish writer Jiri Weil (1900 – 1959)\, from the concert performance of the ballet MAKANNA\, composed by composer Irena Kosikova for voice (Jan Zidlicky)\, solo cello (Frantisek Brikcius) and orchestra (Jan Talich – conductor\, Talich Chamber Orchestra). \nFree admission but booking is essential via Eventbrite see link below. URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/makanna/ LOCATION:One Hoe Street\, 1 Hoe Street\, London\, E17 4SD\, United Kingdom END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20191015T183000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20191015T203000 DTSTAMP:20260507T094836 CREATED:20190726T163011Z LAST-MODIFIED:20190820T162615Z UID:2942-1571164200-1571171400@www.bcsa.co.uk SUMMARY:David Vaughan on Munich\, his life story - and Boris Johnson DESCRIPTION:David Vaughan\, a much-loved voice of Radio Prague broadcasts in English\, is travelling specially to London to tell us what made him devote his work and life to all things Czech. This visit is rather timely\, as it will fall near the anniversary of the Munich agreement and David Vaughan is fascinated with that period: his documentary novel Hear my voice is set in Czechoslovakia in the months prior to the Munich crisis. He will introduce its recent translation into English and hopefully sign a few copies. And as a contemporary of Boris Johnson at Balliol College\, Vaughan will also mention a few memories he has of the new British Prime Minister from those days. \nAward-winning broadcaster\, David Vaughan was for eight years editor-in-chief of Radio Prague\, the international service of Czech Radio. Prior to that he was the Prague correspondent of the BBC. His Czech became so good that he first wrote and published Hear my voice in Czech (Slyste muj hlas\, 2014) before releasing it in English (2019). His earlier historic book Battle for the Airwaves (2008) deals with the role of the media – in particular radio – in the run-up to World War Two. He is also the author of several drama documentary serials for Czech Radio. \nVaughan was born in Britain and educated at Balliol College\, Oxford\, where he read French and German. He now lives in Prague with his family. \nFree admission for members of the BCSA\, £7.50 for non-members\, full-time students £3.00\nRegistration is necessary for all on Eventbrite (see link below) or by e-mail to bcsa@bcsa.co.uk URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/prague-radio-david-vaughan-on-munich-his-life-story-and-boris-johnson/ LOCATION:Czech Embassy\, 26-30 Kensington Palace Gardens\, London\, W8 4QY CATEGORIES:BCSA Events END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20191013T131500 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20191013T141500 DTSTAMP:20260507T094836 CREATED:20191003T102121Z LAST-MODIFIED:20191003T102121Z UID:3237-1570972500-1570976100@www.bcsa.co.uk SUMMARY:Waltham Forest Cello Fest 2019 - the 7th Underground Lunchtime Recital DESCRIPTION:Czech cellist Frantisek Brikcius will present cello works by leading composers from Prague and Brno. \nYou will hear Fantasie and Rondo (1982) by composer Jiri Matys\, Metall Sonata (1983) by cellist\, artist and composer Petr Hejny\, Dilema (1987) by film composer Jan Jirasek\, Sonata (1987) by music and film composer Lubos Fiser\, Dances of King Lear (1995) by a composer from Brno\, Milos Stedron\, and Stopy (2004) by Czech composer and organist Irena Kosikova. \nAdmission £10 (+ £1.25 booking fee). Booking is essential via Eventbrite – see link below. URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/waltham-forest-cello-fest-2019-the-7th-underground-lunchtime-recital/ LOCATION:Walthamstow Pumphouse Museum\, 10 South Access Road\, London\, E17 8AX\, United Kingdom END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20191009T180000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20191012T151000 DTSTAMP:20260507T094836 CREATED:20190829T162430Z LAST-MODIFIED:20190829T164109Z UID:3088-1570644000-1570893000@www.bcsa.co.uk SUMMARY:The Painted Bird DESCRIPTION:Film based on Jerzy Kosiński’s 1965 novel and a long time in the making\, Václav Marhoul’s extraordinary The Painted Bird finds a lone Jewish boy on a dark odyssey towards home during wartime. \nA boy (Petr Kotlár) is sent to his aunt to protect him from the Nazis; when she dies unexpectedly\, he’s propelled on a bleak journey across Central Europe – from one brutal encounter to the next. Shot in starkly beautiful 35mm black and white by Kolya cinematographer Vladimír Smutný\, The Painted Bird’s textures recall both the crispness of The Bicycle Thief and squalor of Aleksei German’s Hard to be a God. Featuring several standout cameos (Stellan Skarsga˚rd\, Udo Kier\, Harvey Keitel)\, Marhoul’s darkly magnificent Venice Film Festival competitor is sumptuously crafted\, though rarely an easy watch\, with scenes some will find distressing. A terrifying and highly relevant exploration of what humanity looks like when there is only vicious survival\, with little space for compassion. \nCzech Republic-Slovakia-Ukraine 2019\, 169min with English subtitles \nThe first Czech film to vie for a Golden Lion at Venice in a quarter century – further details from Prague Radio photo Czech Television \nBFI London Film Festival tickets on sale 10am 12 September (see link below) \nWednesday 9 October 6pm Vue West End Screen 5 \nThursday 10 October 2.50pm BFI Southbank NFT 3 \nSaturday 12 October 3.10pm Prince Charles Cinema Downstairs URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/the-painted-bird/ END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20190924T181500 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20190925T131500 DTSTAMP:20260507T094836 CREATED:20190906T131824Z LAST-MODIFIED:20190906T131824Z UID:3122-1569348900-1569417300@www.bcsa.co.uk SUMMARY:A certain kind of silence DESCRIPTION:Czech young au pair Mia starts work abroad for a well-off family in a lavish villa. Mia must look after their ten years old son and follows many strange rules of the household. She slowly begins to gradually abandon her morality and her relationships with child entrusted as a result of systematic manipulation. Will be Mia able to get out of the grip of a radical family community? \nCzech Republic\, Netherlands\, Latvia 2019\, 96 minutes \nRaindance Film Festival URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/a-certain-kind-of-silence/ LOCATION:Vue Cinema Piccadilly\, 19 Lower Regent Street\, London\, SW1Y 4LR\, United Arab Emirates END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20190910T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20190910T213000 DTSTAMP:20260507T094836 CREATED:20190417T170440Z LAST-MODIFIED:20190511T121832Z UID:2733-1568143800-1568151000@www.bcsa.co.uk SUMMARY:Czech Philharmonic at the Proms DESCRIPTION:Semyon Bychkov conducts the Czech Philharmonic in Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 8 – the most personal of the composer’s many confrontations with the horror of war. Love dominates the first half\, in music from the operas Eugene Onegin and The Bartered Bride. \nProgramme \nBedrich Smetana\nThe Bartered Bride – overture\nThe Bartered Bride – Three Dances(19 mins) \nPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky\nEugene Onegin – Letter Scene(12 mins)\nHenry Wood Novelties: UK premiere\, 1892 \ninterval\nDmitry Shostakovich\nSymphony No 8 in C minor(65 mins)\nHenry Wood Novelties: UK premiere\, 1944 \nPerformers\nElena Stikhina\nsoprano \nCzech Philharmonic \nSemyon Bychkov\nconductor URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/czech-philharmonic-at-the-proms/ LOCATION:Royal Albert Hall\, Kensington Gore\, London\, SW7 2AP\, United Kingdom END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20190905T183000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20190905T203000 DTSTAMP:20260507T094836 CREATED:20190531T173135Z LAST-MODIFIED:20190831T144738Z UID:2845-1567708200-1567715400@www.bcsa.co.uk SUMMARY:The best of Slovak Theatre in London: the life of economic migrants DESCRIPTION:THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT & SUBJECT TO A WAITING LIST ON EVENTBRITE IN CASE OF CANCELLATIONS \nHighlights of two plays based on everyday life of young Czechs and Slovaks working in Britain. Written by the theatre founder\, Juliana Sersenova\, with the help of the ensemble and based on their own experience.\nIn Slovak with English surtitles.\nInterview with Juliana and Simona Vrabcova\, the current artistic manager of the theatre. \nJuliana Sersenova studied theology and Slovak language at Ruzemberok University before moving to London in 2007. Here she took any job to earn her living while she wrote and directed her plays and studied applied theatre at the Central School of Speech and Drama. Now she lives in Slovakia\, where she continues to produce plays but comes regularly to London to work with the theatre. \nFree admission but registration is necessary for all on Eventbrite (see link below) or by e-mail to bcsa@bcsa.co.uk URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/the-best-of-slovak-theatre-in-london-the-life-of-economic-migrants/ LOCATION:Slovak Embassy\, 25 Kensington Palace Gardens\, London\, W8 4QY\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:BCSA Events END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20190904T190000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20190904T213000 DTSTAMP:20260507T094836 CREATED:20190418T153637Z LAST-MODIFIED:20190511T121858Z UID:2752-1567623600-1567632600@www.bcsa.co.uk SUMMARY:Dvorak and Korngold at the Proms DESCRIPTION:Dvorak’s ‘New World’ Symphony\, with its wistful slow movement\, is the centrepiece of the second concert from the Vienna Philharmonic – a programme of Central European works that showcases the orchestra’s distinctively rich sound. \nAndrés Orozco-Estrada pairs it with the composer’s colourful\, folk-infused tone-poem The Noonday Witch\, in which a mother’s threats inadvertently summon a witch into her home.\nCinematic drama is also a hallmark of Korngold’s richly orchestrated and unashamedly romantic Violin Concerto\, performed here by soloist Leonidas Kavakos. \nProgramme \nAntonin Dvorak The Noonday Witch (14 mins)\nHenry Wood Novelties: UK premiere\, 1896 \nErich Wolfgang Korngold Violin Concerto (26 mins) \ninterval \nAntonin Dvorak\nSymphony No 9 in E minor\, ‘From the New World’ (43 mins) \nPerformers \nLeonidas Kavakos\, violin \nVienna Philharmonic \nAndrés Orozco‐Estrada\, conductor URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/dvorak-and-korngold-at-the-proms/ LOCATION:Royal Albert Hall\, Kensington Gore\, London\, SW7 2AP\, United Kingdom END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20190904T174500 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20190904T183000 DTSTAMP:20260507T094836 CREATED:20190418T152611Z LAST-MODIFIED:20190418T152611Z UID:2748-1567619100-1567621800@www.bcsa.co.uk SUMMARY:Proms Plus Talk - Korngold and America DESCRIPTION:Musicologist Ben Winters discusses Korngold and America. \nEdited version broadcast on BBC Radio 3 during tonight’s interval. \nBooking is not required for this event. \nEntry is on a first-come-first-served basis (doors open from 30 minutes before the event begins; capacity is limited). URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/proms-plus-talk-korngold-and-america/ LOCATION:Imperial College Union\, Beit Quadrangle\, Prince Consort Rd\, London\, SW7 2BB\, United Kingdom END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20190831T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20190831T233000 DTSTAMP:20260507T094836 CREATED:20190808T213945Z LAST-MODIFIED:20190808T213945Z UID:3005-1567245600-1567294200@www.bcsa.co.uk SUMMARY:Simon Mawer in conversation DESCRIPTION:At the Hastings LitFest\, Simon discusses and compares the adaptations of his novel The Glass Room for the stage and screen. A fascinating look from the author’s perspective at two distinct interpretations of his work. \nIn 2009\, Mawer published The Glass Room\, a novel about a modernist villa built in a Czech city\, which was shortlisted for the Man Booker prize the same year. \nTickets: £7.50 see link below URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/simon-mawer-in-conversation/ LOCATION:Stade Hall\, 20 Rock a Nore Road\, Hastings\, TN34 3DW\, United Kingdom END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20190822T183000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20190822T210000 DTSTAMP:20260507T094836 CREATED:20190803T104047Z LAST-MODIFIED:20190803T104047Z UID:2970-1566498600-1566507600@www.bcsa.co.uk SUMMARY:The Czech Connection DESCRIPTION:The Secret History of the Czech Connection: The Czechoslovak Government in Exile in London and Buckinghamshire during the Second World War. \nDuring the First World War Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk lived in exile in London and used his influence to make the independence of Czechoslovakia a war aim of the British government. He was helped by Edvard Beneš who did a similar job in Paris\, who sometimes visited him in London. Later after the Munich Agreement President Benes came to London in exile\, and formed a Government in Exile with Jan Masaryk and others. Working with the British government they once again sought the independence of Czechoslovakia. Neil Rees will tell the social history or these people and how and where they lived and interacted with the English. The talk is illustrated with period photographs. Copies of his book “The Czech Connection” will be available for preview. \nNeil Rees is British and lives in Buckinghamshire with his family. In the early 1990s he worked in Plzen in Bohemia where he grew to love all things Czech. He has been researching the British Czechoslovak connections\, especially the stories of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk and Edvard Beneš in Britain during both wars. In his spare time Neil researches local history stories. The result is a book called “The Czech Connection”. Neil has also written and contributed to a number of other local history books. \nTo reserve your free ticket use the Eventbrite link below. URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/the-czech-connection/ LOCATION:Czech Embassy cinema\, 26 Kensington Palace Gardens\, London\, W8 4QY END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20190804T153000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20190804T170000 DTSTAMP:20260507T094836 CREATED:20190723T152747Z LAST-MODIFIED:20190723T152747Z UID:2922-1564932600-1564938000@www.bcsa.co.uk SUMMARY:Tonka of the Gallows DESCRIPTION:“A rarely seen gem from the archives of the Czech Republic\, Tonka of the Gallows fuses German chiaroscuro aesthetics with the Soviet flare for surprising angles for this affective parable of the cruelty that comes from small-mindedness. \nAt the center of an international cast is the Slovenian ingénue with the haunting eyes\, Ita Rina\, who seems to channel Garbo’s Anna Christie in her portrayal of a prostitute whose selfless act of spending the night with a condemned man makes her a pariah throughout all Prague. \nMade as sound was taking over the industry\, Tonka of the Gallows is a tour-de-force of silent-era filmmaking from Czechoslovakian director Karel Anton\, who here has made his best work\, always tempering style to serve the larger story.” – San Francisco Silent Film Festival. \nMusical accompaniment by multi-instrumentalist Stephen Horne. \nThis film is subtitled. \nCzechoslovakia (1930) URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/tonka-of-the-gallows/ LOCATION:Phoenix Cinema\, 52 High Road\, East Finchley\, London\, N2 9PJ\, United Kingdom END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20190720T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20190720T213000 DTSTAMP:20260507T094836 CREATED:20190417T165244Z LAST-MODIFIED:20190511T122108Z UID:2726-1563651000-1563658200@www.bcsa.co.uk SUMMARY:Bohemian Rhapsody DESCRIPTION:Soloist Joshua Bell performs Dvorak’s lively\, folk-infused Violin Concerto\, paired with another 19th-century Czech classic\, Smetana’s symphonic suite Má vlast – a colourful celebration of a nation’s landscape\, history and identity. \nProgramme \nAntonín Dvorak\nViolin Concerto in A minor(32 mins) \ninterval\nBedrich Smetana\nMá vlast(75 mins) \nPerformers \nJoshua Bell violin \nBamberg Symphony Orchestra \nJakub Hrusa conductor URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/bohemian-rhapsody/ LOCATION:Royal Albert Hall\, Kensington Gore\, London\, SW7 2AP\, United Kingdom END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20190720T174500 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20190720T183000 DTSTAMP:20260507T094836 CREATED:20190417T163546Z LAST-MODIFIED:20190417T163733Z UID:2720-1563644700-1563647400@www.bcsa.co.uk SUMMARY:Proms Plus Talk - Sir John Tusa DESCRIPTION:An introduction to Smetana’s Má vlast with Czech-born former manager of the BBC World Service\, Sir John Tusa. \nEdited version broadcast on BBC Radio 3 during tonight’s interval\nBooking is not required for this event. Entry is on a first-come-first-served basis (doors open from 30 minutes before the event begins; capacity is limited) URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/proms-plus-talk-sir-john-tusa/ LOCATION:Imperial College Union\, Beit Quadrangle\, Prince Consort Rd\, London\, SW7 2BB\, United Kingdom END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20190719T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20190719T213000 DTSTAMP:20260507T094836 CREATED:20190417T161500Z LAST-MODIFIED:20190511T122131Z UID:2709-1563564600-1563571800@www.bcsa.co.uk SUMMARY:First Night of the Proms - Glagolitic Mass DESCRIPTION:Janacek’s monumental Glagolitic Mass launches the BBC Proms with thunderous spiritual drama. Karina Canellakis conducts the massed forces of the BBC Symphony Orchestra & Chorus and BBC Singers in one of the 20th century’s great choral masterpieces. \nProgramme\nZosha Di Castri\nLong Is the Journey – Short Is the Memory(15 mins)\nBBC commission: world premiere \nAntonin Dvorak\nThe Golden Spinning Wheel(28 mins) \ninterval\nLeos Janacek\nGlagolitic Mass(43 mins)\nFinal version 1928 Henry Wood Novelties: UK premiere\, 1930 \nPerformers \nAsmik Grigorian soprano \nJennifer Johnston mezzo-soprano \nLadislav Elgr tenor \nEric Owens bass-baritone \nPeter Holder organ \nBBC Singers \nBBC Symphony Chorus \nBBC Symphony Orchestra URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/first-night-of-the-proms-glagolitic-mass/ LOCATION:Royal Albert Hall\, Kensington Gore\, London\, SW7 2AP\, United Kingdom END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20190707T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20190707T213000 DTSTAMP:20260507T094836 CREATED:20190215T203051Z LAST-MODIFIED:20190215T203051Z UID:2522-1562527800-1562535000@www.bcsa.co.uk SUMMARY:Wihan Quartet DESCRIPTION:Josef Suk: Meditation on an old Bohemian Chorale (St Wenceslas) Op. 35a \nAntonin Dvorak: String Quartet in E Op. 80 \nLudwig van Beethoven: String Quartet in C sharp minor Op. 131 \nTickets £40\, £35\, £30\, £25 £18 to book see website link below. \n£5 tickets for under 35s available login to book URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/wihan-quartet/ LOCATION:Wigmore Hall\, 36 Wigmore Street\, London\, W1U 2BP\, United Kingdom END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20190707T113000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20190707T123000 DTSTAMP:20260507T094836 CREATED:20190215T201338Z LAST-MODIFIED:20190215T201338Z UID:2515-1562499000-1562502600@www.bcsa.co.uk SUMMARY:Smetana Trio DESCRIPTION:Beethoven: Piano trio in B flat Op.11 \nDvorak: Piano trio in F minor Op.65 \nTickets £16 concessions £14 including programme and coffee/sherry/juice \nTo book see website link below. URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/smetana-trio/ LOCATION:Wigmore Hall\, 36 Wigmore Street\, London\, W1U 2BP\, United Kingdom END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20190627T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20190629T160000 DTSTAMP:20260507T094836 CREATED:20190314T111902Z LAST-MODIFIED:20190314T111902Z UID:2585-1561663800-1561824000@www.bcsa.co.uk SUMMARY:Forman Brothers' Theatre in Birmingham DESCRIPTION:For the first time in the UK\, the sons of Oscar-winning Miloš Forman\, bring a spectacular cast of 20 acrobats\, dancers\, singers and musicians to perform this spectacular Wild West tale. Using an extraordinary mixture of film\, live action and magic they move from illusion to reality presenting the Old West in a completely new way. \nFor twenty five years the Forman Brothers’ Theatre has been one of the most original artistic groups in Czech theatre. It creates its performances in specific locations touring not only the Czech Republic\, but the whole of Europe. \n27 June 7:30pm\n28 June 7:30pm\n29 June 4pm \nTickets from £10.00 URL:https://www.bcsa.co.uk/event/forman-brothers-theatre-in-birmingham/ LOCATION:Birmingham Repertory Theatre\, Centenary Square\, Broad Street\, Birmingham\, B1 2EP\, United Kingdom END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR