| SVU |
CZECHOSLOVAK SOCIETY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES |
The 21st SVU World Congress
A Word from SVU President
Welcome to
our historic congress in Plzen. This is the 21st World Congress the Czechoslovak Society
or Arts and Sciences (SVU) has organized since its inception in 1958. It is being convened
in cooperation with the University of West Bohemia in Plzen, Czech Republic, under the
auspices of Chancellor Prof lng. Zdenek Vostracky and Lord Mayor of the City of Plzen lng.
Sneberger.
As you will note from the program, it will be an extraordinary event, featuring speakers
from both sides of the Atlantic. With its timely theme, "The Transformation of Czech
and Slovak Societies on the Threshold of the New Millennium and their Role in the Present
Global World" it may well be the pivotal event of the year for anyone interested in
the Czech and Slovek history and culture and European civilization, in general.
As the general theme indicates, the aim of the proceedings is to look at the Czech and
Slovak society, from various aspects, with the perspective of the
future in the new Millennium. Practically every major aspect of human endeavor will be
covered, including the vitality of Czech and Slovak communities abroad and preservation of
Czech/Slovak identity and heritage. A part of the Congress will focus on specific
transformation and globalization processes which, at the moment, the Czech and Slovak
Republics are undergoin.
The Congress will ceremoniously open on Monday, June 24, with a colorful academic
procession, in the presence of distinguished guests and representatives of the Czech and
Slovak political, cultural and scientific scene in the famed Plzen Theater of Josef
Kajetan Tyl. After a gala lunch there will be a plenary session dedicated to Tribute to
America' with the participation of several Ambassadors and other dignitaries. The exciting
day will end with a concert by the renowned Plzen Philharmonic performing selective works
ofAntonin Dvorak.
Over the next four days, in representative historic halls in the center of Plzen, a
variety of lectues, discussian panels and symposia will be featured in a number of
concurrent sessions. In the evening the participants will have the choice of attending one
of several cultural events that our Plzen coorganizers arranged.
At the conclusion of some eighty academic sessions on Friday noon, there will be a
concluding plenary session, followed by a General SVU Assembly and in
the evening, by a gala banquet at the famed beer hall, "Na Spitalce' at Plzensky
Prazdroj (Pilsen Urquell).
On Saturday, interested Congress participants will be able to choose between several bus
excursions to the beautiful countryside of West Bohemia, through
regional castles and chateaus or renowned spas.
Our Plzen coorganizers have really outdone themselves to make the entire Congress
interesting and exciting, and I want to use this opportunity to express my sincere
appreciation to all of them, above all to Dean No Budil who has done wonders, if not
miracles.
In parting I urge everyone who has not as yet made up his or her mind to come to Plzen and
enjoy the meetings and the fun with us. You won't be sorry.
Mila Rechcigl
SVU President
~~~