Events

September 08, 2016, 7:00 PM

The Embassy of the Czech Republic serves up an evening of 80s and 90s music, featuring DJ Tom from Prague on September 8, at 7 pm. The event launches the Mutual Inspirations Festival 2016 - Martina Navrátilová, honoring the best tennis player of all time, among men and women, with 59 Grand Slam titles and record 9 Wimbledon singles championships. Step into your whitest party dress and get ready to groove with DJ Tom from Prague!  

September 12, 2016, 2:00 PM

The Embassy of the Czech Republic, in collaboration with the Washington Post, invites you to an exclusive sit-down talk with Czech-American tennis legend Martina Navrátilová, interviewed by Washington Post columnist Petula Dvorak at the Washington Post at 2pm on Monday, September 12, 2016. The interview, a part of the Mutual Inspirations Festival 2016 – Martina Navrátilová, will be followed by an opportunity for questions and answers from the public.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images
Martina Navrátilová at the Australian Open, 2015

September 15, 2016, 6:00 PM

The Embassy of the Czech Republic features the documentary of ESPN Films 30 for 30: Unmatched, produced and directed by Lisa Lax and Nancy Stern Winters, on Thursday, September 15, 2016, at 6 pm. The documentary examines the fierce competition and everlasting friendship between the tennis legends Martina Navrátilová and Chris Evert. Their rivalry was perhaps the greatest in the history of sport. (2009, 51 min., in English)

Photo courtesy of Getty Images
Martina Navrátilová and Chris Evert
 

September 20, 2016, 6:00 PM

Director Irena Pavlásková presents Photographer (Fotograf), a film inspired by the life and work of internationally renowned photographer Jan Saudek at the AU Museum’s Katzen Arts Center on September 20, at 6 pm. Accomplished Czech actor Karel Roden plays Saudek, a man who loved the very essence of the female form, capturing on his camera all shapes and sizes of women – daughters, wives, mistresses, girlfriends, and admirers. Interwoven with passion, humor, creativeness, and sadness as well as disappointment, the film examines the maestro’s relationship with women, particularly the initially submissive Líba (Marie Málková), who seems based on Saudek’s former real life partner Sára. A Q&A with director Irena Pavlásková and film actress Marie Málková  follows the screening. Delve into the life of this erotic photographer who explored his obsession with the female form on film and in life. (Dir. Irena Pavlásková, 2015, 133 min., Czech with English subtitles)

September 20, 2016, 7:00 PM

Czech actress Iva Janžurova is heralded as one of the leading ladies of Czech comedy. She stars in numerous Czech classics, including the sci-fi comedy You are a Widow, Sir (Pane, vy jste vdova!)– which will screen at Bistro Bohem on September 20, at 7 pm, as part of the ongoing film and beer series. In the film, there is an attempt to kill the king by creating an assassin that looks like a famous actress. Janžurova takes on numerous personas, transformed from an actress, to a man, and then a serial killer. Enjoy this witty classic that experiments with the limits of science in absurd comedy with surprising twists and turns. (Dir. Václav Vorlíček, 1971, 97 minutes, Czech with English subtitles)

September 22, 2016, 6:00 PM

The Embassy of the Czech Republic will open the exhibition Love Yourself, featuring award winning Czech artist Dita Pepe, at 6 pm on Thursday, September 22, 2016, at 6 pm. This moving and intimate photo documentary project examines the personal philosophies and values of various women living in different social environments and life situations in the postmodern liquid times. The artist utilizes photography as a therapeutic means to self-love and happiness. A Q&A with the photographer opens the exhibition. Witness a gallery of women and their perspective on their own image. 

September 27, 2016, 1:00 PM

The Embassy of the Czech Republic in collaboration with Georgetown University’s Department of Performing Arts will hold Poetry & Verse at the Václav Havel’s Place with special guest former First Lady Dagmar Havlová at 1 pm on Tuesday, September 27, 2016. Students will interpret and perform poetry and readings from original works by late Czech President Václav Havel at the Václav Havel’s Place in Alumni Square at Georgetown University. Come see the announcement of the winner of the special essay competition The Salvation of This Human World, inspired by the words of a landmark speech on human meekness and human responsibility which President Václav Havel gave before a Joint Session of the US Congress.

September 27, 2016, 7:00 PM

The Alliance for New Music-Theatre presents the play Protest, written by Václav Havel and directed by Susan Galbraith with Drew Valins and David Millstone in the roles of Vaněk and Staněk at the Woodrow Wilson House on September 27, at 7 pm. In Protest, Vaněk pays a visit to the lavish home of former colleague Staněk, who has invited the renowned activist to help him secure the release of a jailed radical musician, fiancé to his daughter. Vaněk also seeks a favor: the influential man's signature in a far-reaching protest. The play exposes life under a totalitarian regime and the thin line between acquiescence and culpability. Witness the witty interplay of words in this work by Havel, who later became the leader of a free nation.

September 28, 2016, 7:00 PM

The Alliance for New Music-Theatre presents the play Protest, written by Václav Havel and directed by Susan Galbraith with Drew Valins and David Millstone in the roles of Vaněk and Staněk at the Woodrow Wilson House on September 28, at 7 pm. In Protest, Vaněk pays a visit to the lavish home of former colleague Staněk, who has invited the renowned activist to help him secure the release of a jailed radical musician, fiancé to his daughter. Vaněk also seeks a favor: the influential man's signature in a far-reaching protest. The play exposes life under a totalitarian regime and the thin line between acquiescence and culpability. Witness the witty interplay of words in this work by Havel, who later became the leader of a free nation.

October 02, 2016, 9:00 AM

The Embassy of the Czech Republic invites you to join its Czech Team to make a difference by raising awareness for breast cancer by walking a 5K with Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Washington DC and the American Cancer Society on Sunday, October 2, 2016, at 9 am. 

October 04, 2016, 6:00 PM

The Czech Embassy's main hall will turn into a training facility with DC’s leading pioneers in fitness, featuring CrossFit Athlete & Coach Danielle Dionne, on October 4, at 6 pm. Beginners & CrossFit enthusiasts are welcome to join in the Work Out of the Day (WOD) and learn about the positive impact of proper nutrition and mental focus on their personal fitness goals from accomplished female athletes.

October 06, 2016, 6:00 PM

The Embassy of the Czech Republic will screen documentary director Olga Sommerová's Věra 68 on October 6, 2016, at 6 pm. The film reveals the incredible life story of Olympic champion Věra Čáslavská, voted the world's second most popular woman after Jackie Kennedy in 1968. The blonde bombshell gymnast shot to fame in 1964 after winning three gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics. She won four more gold medals during the games in Mexico City in 1968. That very year, the Soviets invaded Czechoslovakia and all eyes were on her as the Soviet anthem played while she was on the podium. A simple act of protest changed her life forever. Despite her enormous fame, she was reduced to cleaning houses. Her life story reflects the situation in Czech society, both during the communist regime and after 1989. Venture into  the life of an Olympic legend - Věra Čáslavská. (Dir. Olga Sommerová, 2012, 90 minutes, Czech with English subtitles) 

October 12, 2016, 8:00 PM

The Avalon Theatre will feature Czech helmer Alice Nellis' film Seven Ravens (Sedmero krkavců) on October 12, at 8 pm. The fairytale focuses on a girl who who decides to save her brothers from a curse which was brought upon them by their mother. The protagonist is a young girl Bohdanka who was born to the grief-stricken family of a baker, whose wife cursed their seven sons in an outburst of rage many years ago and turned them into ravens. The parents keep this tragedy secret from Bohdanka. On the cusp of adulthood, Bohdanka discovers the family curse and decides to save her brothers. She is advised by a local witch to sew special shirts for them. Journey into a tale filled with courage and the power of language and true love. (Dir. Alice Nellis, 2015, 97 min., Czech with English subtitles)

October 13, 2016, 7:15 PM

The AFI Silver Theater and Cultural Center will feature director Věra Chytilová’s Daisies (Sedmikrásky), celebrating the film’s 50th anniversary, on October 13 and 14, at 7:15 pm. The film follows two young bored women who have anarchic fun in a series of loosely connected episodes, challenging gender-identity politics. Following the political upheaval in 1968, Chytilová, the Czech New Wave’s sole female director, was banned from making films until 1975. (DIR. Věra Chytilová, 1966, 74 min., Czech with English subtitles)

Photo courtesy of Janus Films

October 14, 2016, 7:15 PM

The AFI Silver Theater and Cultural Center will feature director Věra Chytilová’s Daisies (Sedmikrásky), celebrating the film’s 50th anniversary, on October 13 and 14, at 7:15 pm. The film follows two young bored women who have anarchic fun in a series of loosely connected episodes, challenging gender-identity politics. Following the political upheaval in 1968, Chytilová, the Czech New Wave’s sole female director, was banned from making films until 1975. (DIR. Věra Chytilová, 1966, 74 min., Czech with English subtitles)

Photo courtesy of Janus Films
 

October 18, 2016, 7:00 PM

October 19, 2016, 6:00 PM

Due to unexpected circumstances, this event has been canceled. Thank you for your understanding and we apologize for any inconvenience. We hope to see you at our other upcoming events!

October 20, 2016, 12:00 PM

November 03, 2016, 6:00 PM

The Embassy of the Czech Republic will screen veteran filmmaker Olga Sommerova's documentary Magic Voice of a Rebel (Magický hlas rebelky) on November 3, at 6 pm. The stellar career of this talented singer and three-time winner of the Golden Nightingale music award ended in 1968 with the occupation of Czechoslovakia. In 1977, Kubišová signed Charter 77 and also became its spokesperson, making her a target of the secret police. After twenty years’ enforced silence, however, she was able to stage a spectacular comeback during the Velvet Revolution. View key episodes from the private, professional and dissident chapters of Marta Kubišová’s life through archival footage and interviews with friends, such as Dana Němcová, Pavel Kohout and Jaroslav Hutka. (Dir. Olga Sommerová, 2014, Czech with English subtitles)

November 09, 2016, 12:00 PM

Award-winning documentarian Lukáš Přibyl will give a lecture featuring clips from his film Forgotten Transports to Estonia on November 9, at 12 noon, in the Law Library of the Library of Congress. On September 5, 1942, a transport of a thousand Czech Jews arrives at the tiny village of Raasiku in Estonia. Nazi officers immediately separate out several dozen young women and take them to a nearby concentration camp. The bewildered girls soon form an extremely tight-knit group based on mutual aid and bonds stronger than friendship. Though their living conditions steadily deteriorate, they refuse to acknowledge this to themselves. They are convinced they will return home and will be reunited with their families. Explore the lives of these resilient girls through this powerful lecture. 

November 15, 2016, 7:00 PM

Bistro Bohem will screen director Václav Vorlíček’s sci-fi comedy What Would You Say to Some Spinach? (Což takhle dát si špenát) on November 15, at 7 pm. Two men Liska (Jiří Sovák) and Zemánek (Vladimír Mensík) previously caught for petty theft are lured to work in a lab experimenting with the possibility of rejuvenating old cows to produce more milk. While at work there, they are offered a large sum of money to steal the secret of the machine for other purposes. In the process, they accidentally hit a button that makes them younger. Meanwhile, a beauty salon manager hopes to make a fortune with the machine by rejuvenating women. When Donna Isabella, a wealthy cow handler comes to learn more about the machine, she becomes the test subject wanting to be younger for her wedding. Ultimately, what one learns, is that it is better to appreciate what you are given than to try to manipulate science to your own advantage. (Directed by Václav Vorlíček, 1977, 96 min., Czech with English subtitles)

November 20, 2016, 4:00 PM

The National Gallery of Art will feature director Miroslav Janek's documentary Olga in the East Building Auditorium on November 20, at 4 pm. The film follows the life of Olga Havlová, the former First Lady of the Czech Republic who stood beside President Václav Havel even during the most difficult times. The film presents previously unknown footage, photos, and stories, revealing Olga as a sharp observer, principled dissident, generous host and down-to-earth woman who despises pomp but loves gentle humour and always says what she thinks. Her friends confirm that even as the first lady of the Czech Republic, her approach to life did not change and she stood firmly with both feet on the ground. Explore the life of this remarkable woman who helped transform a nation. (Dir. Miroslav Janek, 2014, 87 min., Czech with English subtitles)