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Mutual Inspirations Festival 2019 - Marta Kubišová


Marking History in the Underground

Marking History in the Underground

November 17, 2019, 12:00 PM

The Dupont Underground, Alliance for New Music Theater, and the Embassy of the Czech Republic presented a special Velvet Play and Party on November 16, on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution. The evening featured the screening of the film "My Freedom," a performance the Alliance's "Vaněk Unleashed," followed by a party with Dj Alyaz from Prague. The over 100 guests in attendance also had the opportunity to view the World Press Photo exhibit. The evening brought together artists and the community to commemorate the significant milestone in Czech history. On the wall, Czech graffiti artist Jan Kaláb painted in bold bubble letters 17.11.1989 - the start of the Velvet Revolution which toppled communism and led the country back to freedom and democracy!

Remembering and Reflecting on the Velvet Revolution

Remembering and Reflecting on the Velvet Revolution

November 13, 2019, 10:48 AM

On November 12, 2019, the Czech Embassy and the Slovak Embassy organized the prestigious panel discussion Velvet Revolution @30: A Legacy to Uphold at Georgetown University to remember and reflect on the Velvet Revolution, which brought freedom and democracy back to Czechoslovakia in 1989. Distinguished panelists, which included those who courageously led the way during the demonstrations and those who continue to lead the society into the years to come, shared their memories and experiences of the movement, which propelled Central Europe into the next century.

Concert: Classical Duo Marek Švejkar and Lenka Korbelová

Concert: Classical Duo Marek Švejkar and Lenka Korbelová

October 21, 2019, 10:00 PM

Classical duo Marek Švejkar (clarinet) and Lenka Korbelová (piano) received a standing ovation for their phenomenal performance at the Czech Embassy on October 21. Their concert, before a completely filled hall, included works by Bohuslav Martinů, Zdeněk Fibich, Luigi Bassi, and Charles-Maria Widor.

Freedom to Ride

Freedom to Ride

October 17, 2019, 11:00 PM

The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Washington, for the first time ever, hosted a unique happening with skateboarders doing bold demonstrations down DC’s famous hill, followed by a talk and documentary on skateboarding on October 17, 2019.

Photo credit: Patrick Ryan

Powerful Play Gets New Audience

Powerful Play Gets New Audience

October 03, 2019, 2:43 PM

Georgetown University’s Davis Performing Arts Center, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Czech Republic, presented Kašpar Theater Company’s production of Audience by playwright and former Czech President Václav Havel and directed by Jakub Špálek on October 2, 2019. Ambassador Hynek Kmoníček opened the event speaking about the context of the times, the Velvet Revolution, and the play itself.

Voice that Made History

Voice that Made History

September 24, 2019, 10:00 PM

The Czech Embassy screened the documentary Magic Voice of a Rebel on September 24, at 6 pm. The film highlighted the gifted Czech singer, resilient freedom fighter, actress, animal lover, and mother - Marta Kubišová. Head of Public Diplomacy Lukáš Pribyl opened the evening calling Kubišová the "voice of the Revolution." Pribyl spoke briefly about the director of the film Olga Sommerová who has made over 100 films. He said that many of her films focus on the role of women in Czech society.

Book ABCZ - Mosaic of Czech Culture

Book ABCZ - Mosaic of Czech Culture

September 20, 2019, 12:15 PM

The Embassy of the Czech Republic presented the US launch of the illustrated book ABCZ or All You Need to Know about Czechia and the Czechs (ABCZ aneb H jako Havel) with author Denisa Šedivá on September 19. Nostalgic while living abroad, the Czech author initially began conceptualizing the children’s book to remember her beloved homeland. In her talk, she revealed that she was homesick while living in Brussels and the book became a “sentimental journey.”  She said, “I wanted my kids to feel their home is in Czechia, although being brought up and even born in Belgium.” 
Do You Want Me?

Do You Want Me?

September 16, 2019, 11:22 AM

Kittie and doggie enthusiasts from all walks of life gathered at the Czech Embassy on September 14 for the Happy Hour: Barks & Beer to meet rescued animals from City Dogs Rescue & City Kitties. The Czech Embassy partnered with the local organization with high hopes of finding the right homes for the rescues from overcrowded and high-kill shelters in the area. The successful event was held in the spirit of this year's Mutual Inspiration Festival's personality Marta Kubišová, who after the Velvet Revolution hosted a popular show about abandoned pets called Do You Want Me? (Chcete mě?).

Photo courtesy of Andrea Pohl

Mutual Inspirations Festival Launches

Mutual Inspirations Festival Launches

September 13, 2019, 1:00 PM

PEACE served as an indelible symbol for the launch of the Mutual Inspirations Festival, the opening of the exhibit The Velvet Effect, and tribute concert that paid homage to the extraordinary singer and freedom fighter Marta Kubišová on September 12, 2019. Ambassador Hynek Kmoníček opened the Mutual Inspirations Festival and the event saying, “This year we celebrate 30 years since the Velvet Revolution, the event that changed world history and the personal life of practically everyone in this Embassy...It changed the life of all of us so dramatically.”

Photo: Professor Renáta Fučíková, Professor Ditta Jiřičková, and Cultural Attache Šárka Ponroy Vamberová - photo credit: Mary Fetzko
 
Festival Banner Personality

Festival Banner Personality

July 30, 2019, 8:45 AM

The Embassy of the Czech Republic features the legendary singer and freedom fighter Marta Kubišová as the banner personality for the Mutual Inspirations Festival 2019. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the festival and the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, which restored freedom and democracy to the nation. Marta served as a key leader uniting the people through her signature ballad A Prayer for Marta. The festival launches on September 12, 2019, at the Czech Embassy. Stay posted on this site as we continue to add new events!

Marta Kubišová in Bratislava -  June 1969  
Photo credit: CTK
 
Ambassador's Welcome

Ambassador's Welcome

July 30, 2019, 8:43 AM

I am thrilled to welcome you to the 10th year of the Mutual Inspirations Festival, which has become a staple on the cultural landscape in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. Our anniversary coincides with the paramount commemoration in the Czech Republic, the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution.
 
A series of demonstrations led to the downfall of communism and reinstated democracy in former Czechoslovakia in the fall of 1989.  Students and citizens found the courage to take to the streets. Leading the way to democratic reform were the brave faces of opposition such as dissident and playwright Václav Havel and singer Marta Kubišová. She had been banned from performing since the 1960s, when her song, “A Prayer for Marta,” became a nationwide lyrical expression of the dissident opposition. During the Velvet Revolution, her prayer rang out once again before thousands gathered in the Wenceslaus Square in Prague.
 
Join us to celebrate the courageous voices of the Velvet Revolution via this year’s Mutual Inspirations Festival 2019 - Marta Kubišová.
 
Hynek Kmoníček, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the United States of America
 

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