This Wednesday, October 29, we capped off our Czech Heritage Month celebration!
The Apollo Chamber Players, consisting of players Anabel Ramirez and Matthew J. Detrick, Aria Cheregosha, and Matthew Dudzik, along with the Evergreen Quartet, consisting of players Osako and Claire Loggenberg, Drayden Johnson, and Rashaud Lawrence, performed for an emotional, captive audience in the Czech Center Museum Houston’s Prague Hall.
On October 11, the book club had a hearty discussion about Bohumil Hrabal’s All My Cats. This is the last book club meeting for the year. We want to thank Robert Cremins for his time and our club for theirs. We would also like to thank the volunteers who made the book club what it is, we could not have done it without you!
On October 4, the Czech Center Museum Houston, along with several esteemed and generous guests, celebrated Vaclav Havel’s birthday with Jazz and a smorgasbord of food, lovingly brought and prepared by volunteers and dedicated board members of the museum. Many guests were even generous enough to adopt new tables for our museum, and we thank them for their generous contribution!
The jazz group is Silk Road, featuring Clayton Dyess, Vlad Morakhovsky, Victor Delagarza, Bob Antonoff. We thank them for their time at the Czech Center!
This September 30, to kick off Czech Heritage Month, viewers watched a rather Czech film called The Gardener’s Year (Zahradníkův rok) at the River Oaks Theatre!
On Saturday, September 27 the music group Kyjov Mladá Muzika Šardice, composed of singers, musicians, and dancers young and old, entertained strongly at the Czech Center. Many attended the festive and energetic concert and may have even danced! We want to thank the group, our guests, and our volunteers and staff for bringing this celebration of Czech culture together!
On September 6, book club attendees discussed Bohumil Hrabal’s Closely Watched Trains. This discussion was once again lead by Robert Cremins, who will lead the final discussion, concluding with Hrabal’s All My Cats.
A video of the discussion can be found in the Sessions Recording page.
Additionally, whether they previously attended the book club or not, additional attendees watched the film adaptation of the book on September 12.
On September 6, the summer interns at the Czech Center Museum Student demonstrated their hard work from the last 3 months, which is now permanently displayed on the museum’s third floor, which reopened for the event! The open house was visited by many, including the interns’ parents!
This 2025, from August 15 to September 15, the Czech Center held its first Slovakia Through Your Eyes Contest!
There were not many submissions but everyone received was spectacular!
This July 25, 2025, the museum unveiled Tempus Fugit II, a traveling photographic exhibition by Dano and Jana Veselský which captures the Broumov group of Baroque churches, an exceptional ensemble of sacred architecture nestled in the northeastern Bohemian countryside.
Tempus Fugit II not only showcases the architectural beauty of these spiritual landmarks, but also documents the efforts to preserve and restore them for future generations.
On July 25, the photographers gave a beautiful lecture on opening night about their experience and efforts. We would like to thank Dano and Jana for their time at the CCMH.
On June 6, 2025, the duo of violinist Yu-Ming Ma and pianist Isaac Foreman presented works by Czech composers in memory of the Lidice massacre. The audience enjoyed a selection of songs based on two of the eternal themes of life and art: love and yearning. Jonathan Mak joined for Dvořák’s Sonatina in G Major.
On June 11, 1942, The New York Times delivered harrowing news: “Nazis Blot Out a Czech Village.” A German radio broadcast confirmed the destruction of Lidice, reporting that “all adult men were shot, women sent to concentration camps, and children brought to appropriate educational institutions.” The massacre was presented as retaliation for the villagers’ alleged involvement in the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, the Nazi Reichsprotektor of Bohemia and Moravia.
In a war marked by countless brutalities, Lidice might have faded from memory. Instead, it inspired an international outpouring of grief and resistance from artists, writers, filmmakers, and workers.
On May 25, 2025, Stříbrňanka performed a rousing rendition of traditional Dechová tunes and favorite brass arrangements while guests savored Czech beers and root beer.
Stříbrňanka is a band from southern Moravia, consisting of professional and amateur, young, dynamic musicians. The band has a characteristic, unmistakable sound, and they play a wide repertoire – Moravian and Czech folk music, concert, solo, and dance compositions. Stříbrňanka's repertoire is based almost exclusively on its own compositions and pieces written specifically for this band.
On May 3, several esteemed book club attendees discussed Bohumil Hrabal’s I Served the King of England. This discussion was lead by Robert Cremins, who will lead the next two discussions of Hrabal’s literary contributions.
A video of the discussion can be found in the Sessions Recording page.
From April 10th through the 12th, the Czech Center Museum Houston hosted the Annual Czech Consular Assembly in Houston, organized by the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Washington, D.C. International and General Consuls of the Czech Republic from North and South America met to discuss important, contemporary topics of global policy and relations.
The annual gathering of Czech Honorary Consuls, the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Washington, DC, Consulates General in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, along with Czech governmental agencies, provided an excellent opportunity to review bilateral relations and set goals for the coming months. The agenda was packed with priorities set forth by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including consular and compatriot issues, economic and public diplomacy.
During Thursday night, the consuls and other esteemed guests, including Czech Ambassador to the United States of America Miloslav Stašek, the Chief of International Affairs for the City of Houston Gigi Lee, Greater Houston Partnership’s International Investment & Trade Sr. Director Jeffrey Blair, and Astros Senior Vice President of Business Operations Marcel Braithwaite, attended a welcome reception organized by volunteers and staff of the Czech Center Museum Houston. Engaging sessions highlighted Texas as a key partner of Czechia, strengthening the bridges of commercial and cultural exchange between the Czech Republic and the United States.
This April 5th was our annual Spring Festival, where our community had lots of fun with various activities and listened to great live music and songs from the afternoon to the evening by the Czech Folk Singers and Czexasanka!
Spring has sprung at the Czech Museum! Guests enjoyed a day filled with traditional music, delicious food, folk dances, and hands-on activities for all ages as we mark our annual Spring Festival! Whether you are reconnecting with your heritage or learning about it for the first time, we invite our growing community to welcome the spring season!
This February 1st was our annual Masopust Potluck. Fun and games for the young and old were had, including running with an egg on a spoon, boardgames, bag racing, etc. Many at the celebration wore interesting, extravagant costumes and masks. It’s customary for a Czech/Slovak celebration to have music and dancing!
On February 7, we were joined by members of our community to commemorate the opening of the Forgotten Gateway exhibit. Alfonso Duncan and Brian Cosgrove of the Houston Maritime Museum and Irene Walters of the Houston Public Library’s Family History Research Center all joined us to lead a powerful discussion about immigration, history, and the never-ending journey that’s lasted generations!
From 1845 to 1924, the Port of Galveston was a major gateway for American immigration. This exhibition is the first of its kind to explore Galveston’s legacy as a port of entry on a national scale. It brings to light the little-known, yet rich, era of Galveston’s history and its importance to the growth of Texas and the American Midwest.
While Ellis Island’s location in New York made it a natural port for Europeans, Galveston attracted a diverse group of people from Europe, Mexico, South and Central America, and even Asia. The exhibition highlights enduring themes in the history of immigration including the dangers of the journey, making a life in a new land, navigating bureaucracy, and confronting discrimination.
Shot by Diana Arriaga
Celebrate the Holidays at the Czech Center Museum Houston's Mikuláš Market!
This holiday season, immerse yourself in the magic of Czech traditions and explore a world of unique treasures at our Holiday Mikuláš Market!
Shop Unique Gifts: Browse beautiful and artisanal items from the Czech Republic and beyond. This year, we’re thrilled to welcome local vendors offering handmade and international gifts—perfect for everyone on your list!
Savor the Season: Warm up with festive beverages and indulge in Czech treats from our Country Store, featuring homemade favorites like kolache, strudels, poppy seed rolls, jams, and more!
Czech Magic: Experience the joy of Czech holiday traditions with Mikuláš, anděl (angel), and čert (devil). Watch as children delight in the festivities and receive special treats for good behavior!
Don’t miss this festive and family-friendly holiday celebration featuring traditions, treasures, and fun for all ages!
Mark your calendars and join us for a magical holiday experience!
December 14, 2025
Year after year the Czech and Slovak communities of the Greater Houston Area gather to share in the beloved tradition of Sv. Mikuláš, anděla, and čert. For the adults, there was a sing-along, Christmas bingo, festive food, a photo booth, and dancing.
December 7, 2024
Photos by Jana Gombikova
Welcome to the Czech Center Museum Houston’s Holiday Online Auction!
Join us in celebrating the season of giving while sustaining an in important part of Texas history. Your participation in this fundraising auction directly benefits the museum's educational programming, including lectures, concerts, and exhibit development that enrich and inspire our community. Browse a variety of exciting items, from destination hotel stays and stunning home decor to specially curated gift baskets perfect for holiday gifting.
From December 1, 2024 to December 14, 2024.
Dr. Jaroslav Jiřík is the Chair of the Department of Archaeology at the Prácheň Museum in Písek, Czech Republic, where he focuses on the Migration Period or Late Antiquity. Dr. Jiřík was a Fulbright scholar for one semester at the University of Florida, Gainesville, under Prof. Florin Curta, specialist for Early Slavic cultures in Central and Eastern Europe. Dr. Jiřík is also an associate professor at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic, where he lectures on Late Antiquity and New World archaeology, specifically Mesoamerica.
November 8, 2024
