Czech Happenings

Czech Heritage Club
Preserve the past for the future

Promoting Czech Culture

New Prague Community Ed frequently has classes relating to Czech Culture. Read the story from the New Prague Times about the recent kolacky class

Vi Chromy of New Prague, left, Joan Reed of Rosemount, center, and Heather Novak of New Prague work on making various kolacky on Saturday Feb 26 at the New Prague High School. The class was offered through New Prague Community Ed and taught different ways the Czech treat is made. Photo by Patrick Fisher

Arnie, left, and Deb Ziskovsky receive congratulations from Robert Vanasek, Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic. Vanasek presented the Ziskovskys with the Cernin Palace Memorial Bronze Medal and Diploma Wednesday, Jan. 12. The couple received the honor from the Czech Republic for sharing their Czech heritage with others. The presentation was made during the monthly meeting of the New Prague Area Czech Heritage Club. (Patrick Fisher Photo)

This article was in the January 20, 2011 issue of the New Prague Times
by Staff Writer, Patrick Fisher
click here for a full bio of Deb and Arnie

Arnie and Deb Ziskovsky of rural Webster have shared their pride and enthusiasm in their Czech heritage in many ways. Their various actions were recognized the evening of Wednesday, Jan. 12, as Robert Vanasek, Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic, presented them the Cernin Palace Memorial Bronze Medal and Diploma at the monthly meeting of the New Prague Area Czech Heritage Club. Also present were members of the couple's family.

Vanasek explained that the honor goes to U.S. citizens of Czech descent. He noted the couple, longtime area residents, were receiving the award for their significant contributions in preserving and promoting relations between the Czech Republic and the United States of America.

Vanasek said he and 10 colleagues around the country nominate people for the honor. While the customary practice is to submit a single nominee, in his nomination, Vanasek wrote, "Because they have been partners in promoting Czech heritage and traditions, it would be extremely difficult to nominate one and not the other."

He sent the letter out in November and was notified just before Christmas that Arnie and Deb would receive the award. Vanasek explained the award goes to a select few, adding as far as he knows only three others were being awarded this year.

One of the many ways the Ziskovskys have shared their heritage is through dance. For 14 years they performed as dance partners with the St. Paul Czech and Slovak Folk Dancers, in 2000 Arnie and Deb started the local Domaci Czech Folk Dancers and since 2007 have been members of the New Prague Czech Singers. They are also experts on traditional Czech costumes, known as Kroje. For the past 13 years, they have been consultants to six Miss Czech/Slovak Minnesota candidates, and this past year the couple organized an exhibit of authentic Kroje in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of the state's Miss Czech/Slovak Pageant. They are also members of the Czech Heritage Club and organized a tour on behalf of the club.

"We like to share what we know," said Deb. They became experts in Kroje by putting a lot of time into researching books, translating several of them.

She noted they have had 89 children go through the Domaci Czech Folk Dancers. "It's been great to be able to share a lot of things with the next generation," said Deb. They will also be teaching at a dance camp in Le Center, where they will have 250 young students.

Arnie said they had inspiration from people in the area, who also showed passion for their Czech heritage. He noted it has been an honor to dance for dignitaries such as the Czech Ambassador and presidents.

Vanasek closed by saying, "This award represents all the good work you two have done."

September 2010 New Prague Ladies Night Out Humble Pie served Czech Food for the event