2007 Spotlight on the Czech Republic

Spotlight Czech Republic was the theme of the 2007 Birmingham Festival of Arts. The program's purpose is to highlight the achievements of the Czech people at home, and as immigrants to the United States. The event also celebrates Birmingham's sister city pact with the West Bohemian city of Plzeň, signed at Plzeň's Obradni sin (City Hall) on May 6, 2005, the 60th anniversary of Plzeň's liberation by United States forces.

Leaders for the program included Bill Cabaniss, the former United States' Ambassador to the Czech Republic, and Herb Sklenar, Chairman Emeritus of Vulcan Materials. The Spotlight planning committee was chaired by Judy Merritt, President of Jefferson State Community College.

Events

• January 3 - 16: "The Brave Czech Nation", walk-through exhibit based on the pop-up storybook by Lucie Seifertova. Brookwood Village
• January 21: Otesánek (Little Otik, 2000) film directed by Jan Švankmajer and Eva Švankmajerová presented by the Foreign Language Advisory Committee, UAB and the Birmingham Cultural Alliance. Hulsey Recital Hall
• February 1 - March 31: "A Child Artist in Terezin: Witness to the Holocaust." Drawings by Helga Weissová – Hosková, 1941-44. Exhibit at the Birmingham International Center
• February 24: Symposium on Czech History and Culture: Nationalism with Hugh Agnew, David Doellinger, Natalie Davis, and Michael Fernandez. Shades Valley High School
• February 24: Professional development workshop for teachers. Shades Valley High School
• March 3, 4 & 6 - 10: Václav Havel's Largo Desolato (English version by Tom Stoppard). UAB Theatre Department. Odess Theatre, Alys Stephens Center
• March 7: Birmingham Rotary Club luncheon with Czech president Vaclav Klaus
• March 7 - April 29: Pražské noci / Prague Nights: Czech Modern Art from the Hascoe Collection. Birmingham Museum of Art
• March 8: International Women's Day Program with awards luncheon, seminars, and arts and crafts showcase. Birmingham International Center
• March 9-10: Serenade Opus 44 by Antonin Dvořák and "Divertimento" by Béla Bartók with Johannes Brahms' Symphony No. 3 performed by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. Jemison Hall, Alys Stephens Center
• March 26 - April 30: Residency and exhibition of sculpted works by Čestmír Suška. Birmingham Museum of Art
• April 1 - 29: Student art inspired by Czech themes. Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
• April 19: Womens Committee of 100 fashion show and luncheon. Birmingham Country Club
• April 21: Ambassador's Dinner with former ambassadors Bill Cabaniss and Petr Kolar. Music by Emil Viklický, piano, and Pavel Šporcl, violin Sheraton Birmingham ballroom
• April 23 - May 4: In-school performances by storytellers Louise Wessinger and Vit Horejs, the Eulenspiegel puppet troupe, and Emil Viklický, jazz pianist
• April 27 - 28: Antonin Dvořák's Symphony No. 5. Alabama Symphony Orchestra conducted by Christopher Confessore
• April 27 - 29: Magic City Art Connection with special performances highlighting Czech culture