Češka beseda Zagreb

Češka beseda Zagreb (Czech: Česká beseda Záhřeb) is a civic association based in Zagreb, Croatia, dedicated to gathering members of the local Czech minority — citizens of Czech origin, especially from Zagreb and its surroundings. It was founded in 1874 as a cultural and educational society of Czechs in Zagreb, with writer, journalist and politician Josef Václav Frič as its first chairman. The association is active in cultural, educational, humanitarian, entertainment and economic fields, provides instruction in the Czech language (both written and spoken) and in the customs of the Czech minority in Croatia, and promotes friendly cooperation between Croatia and the Czech Republic. The association is divided into several sections: theatre, music and folklore. It also runs a supplementary school, a kindergarten, a children's playroom and the Museum of the Czech Language in Zagreb. Its theatre section includes Divadelní skupina ČBZ and Záhřebské sluníčko; its folklore groups include Jetelíček and Záhřebské sluníčko; its music groups include the mixed choir ČBZ Bohemia and the Hudební-pěvecká skupina Lípa; other sections include the tourist section, the Přítel section, the Polka social dance section, the entertainment section and the Krakonoš mountaineering section. The association also maintains a library and archive, a gallery, and rents out its premises. Historically, the society was founded under the name Česká beseda in 1874. In 1913 another association of Zagreb Czechs was founded, named Češki iseljenik (Czech Emigrant), which changed its name in 1919 to Čehoslovačka obec (Czechoslovak Community). Both associations operated in Zagreb simultaneously until 1937, when, after the construction of a shared People's House in Šubićeva Street, they were merged into one under the name Udružena društva Češka beseda i Čehoslovačka obec (United Societies Czech Beseda and Czechoslovak Community). Under that name the association functioned until 1982, when the name was changed to Češka beseda Zagreb with the subtitle Društvo Čeha i Slovaka (Czech Beseda Zagreb – Society of Czechs and Slovaks). Notable members and officials from the Czech community include builder Josef Chvála, Josef Dubský, Josef Dryák and the theatre actors the Frankl brothers. The association is headquartered at Ulica Pavla Šubiće 20, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia, and maintains an official website at ceska-beseda-zg.hr. It remains active in the life of the Czech national minority in Zagreb, organizing elections for the Council of the Czech National Minority of the City of Zagreb and other community events.

Česká beseda Záhřeb was founded in 1874 as a cultural and educational society of Czechs in Zagreb under the name Česká beseda. Its first chairman was Josef Václav Frič, a writer, journalist and politician who lived in Croatia in political exile after the revolutionary events of 1848 and 1849 in the Austrian Empire. In 1913, another association of Zagreb Czechs was founded, named Češki iseljenik (Czech Emigrant). After the establishment of the Czechoslovak Republic, it changed its name in 1919 to Čehoslovačka obec (Czechoslovak Community). Both associations operated in Zagreb simultaneously until 1937, when, after the construction of a shared People's House in Šubićeva Street, they were merged into one under the name Udružena društva Češka beseda i Čehoslovačka obec (United Societies Czech Beseda and Czechoslovak Community). Under that name the association functioned until 1982, when the name was changed to Češka beseda Zagreb with the subtitle Društvo Čeha i Slovaka (Czech Beseda Zagreb – Society of Czechs and Slovaks). Notable members and officials from the Czech community include builder Josef Chvála, Josef Dubský, Josef Dryák and the theatre actors the Frankl brothers. The association continues to operate today, maintaining a museum, school, kindergarten, theatre, folklore and music sections, and organizing community events such as elections for the Council of the Czech National Minority of the City of Zagreb.

• 2023

  Elections for the Council of the Czech National Minority of the City of Zagreb held on 7 May 2023, organized with the association's involvement.

• 1982

  Name changed to Češka beseda Zagreb with subtitle Društvo Čeha i Slovaka (Society of Czechs and Slovaks).

• 1937

  Both associations merge into Udružena društva Češka beseda i Čehoslovačka obec after construction of a shared People's House in Šubićeva Street.

• 1919

  Češki iseljenik changes its name to Čehoslovačka obec (Czechoslovak Community).

• 1913

  Another association of Zagreb Czechs founded under the name Češki iseljenik (Czech Emigrant).

• 1874

  Founded as Česká beseda, a cultural and educational society of Czechs in Zagreb; Josef Václav Frič becomes first chairman.

A community-based Czech minority cultural and educational association in Zagreb, preserving Czech language, customs and heritage while fostering Croatian–Czech friendship.

• Museum of the Czech Language in Zagreb

  A museum operated by the association dedicated to the Czech language.

• Doplňovací škola (supplementary school)

  Supplementary school providing Czech language and cultural education.

• Herna školka Cvrček (kindergarten)

  Kindergarten and children's playroom for Czech minority children.

• Divadelní skupina ČBZ (theatre group)

  Theatre section of the association.

• Folklór Jetelíček (folklore group)

  Folklore section of the association.

• Smíšený pěvecký sbor ČBZ Bohemia (mixed choir)

  Mixed choir of the association.

• Hudební-pěvecká skupina Lípa (music and singing group)

  Music and singing group of the association.

• Knihovna a archív (library and archive)

  Library and archive maintained by the association.

1. 1Česká beseda Záhřeb official websiteceska-beseda-zg.hr
2. 2Češka beseda Zagreb on Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Česká beseda Záhřeb on Czech Wikipediacs.wikipedia.org