Friends' Lecture: A Celebration of Czechoslovak Culture in Wartime Britain - An Illustrated Talk by Jana Buresova

A CELEBRATION OF CZECHOSLOVAK CULTURE IN WARTIME BRITAIN

On 9th October 2018 Dr. Jana Burešová of the Research Centre for German and Austrian Exile Studies at the University of London gave a talk at the Czech Embassy on the ways in which both Czech and German-speaking exiles from Czechoslovakia during the Second World War acted to promote knowledge here of their cultural and historical heritage and also to preserve that heritage for themselves and their descendants.

Both a Czechoslovak Cultural Commission and a (British-funded) Czechoslovak Institute were established early in the War and held many events but there were also numerous less or non-official organisations of various political persuasions that were active in presenting Czech culture to the British or introducing British culture to the exiled Czechoslovaks. German speakers also frequented events held by Austrian organisations.

Dr. Burešová’s lecture was followed by a lively discussion on how far it is possible to ensure the survival of Czech culture within following generations that have grown up outside the country.

EVENT ORGANISED WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE EMBASSY OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC

Images: top, Dr. Burešová, copyright FoCH. Composite: camouflage background courtesy of MOD, photograph by Amanda Reynolds. Image of St Paul's Cathedral London on fire by Wenceslaus Hollar