Combine Wine Harvester
While our CCMH management was in the Czech Republic, they sent back this report: “The first few days were absolutely beautiful. The wine harvest is in full swing. Our friends have bought a mechanical combine wine vine harvester and it is a remarkable machine which replaces what twelve pickers can do in three days in a matter of hours. It cost about $350K and there are only three in the CR.” The wine industry in the Czech Republic is robust, with the reputation of having some of the best wines in Central Europe. 96% of the country’s wines come from Southern Moravia where the sunny climate is most ideal for cultivation and a modern approach is taken to this traditional craft. The Czech Prince Bořivoj is credited with planting the first vineyards in the area during the 13th and 14th centuries. Today, thanks to an influx of new vineyards since 2001, Czech wine production could jump from 580,000 hectoliters to 750,000 hectoliters.
For more information on Czech wines and tourist opportunities associated with the wine industry visit http://www.czech.cz/en/current-affairs/tourism-and-sports/reds-and-whites
The Bartered Bride: Context and History
Bedrich Smetana, 1824-1884
The Bartered Bride, a comic opera composed by Bedrich Smetana, changed the face of Czech music in 1863 when it was first performed at the Provisional Theatre in Prague. Smetana, spurred on by a comment made by Viennese conductor Johann von Herbeck that the Czechs were incapable of making music of their own, set out to create a uniquely Czech genre: “I swore there and then that no other than I should beget a native Czech music.”
In his quest to create a truly Czech operatic genre Smetana makes ample use of traditional folk music such as polka and furiant. He further emphasizes the intrinsic “Czechness” of this ground-breaking opera by making it one of the few in the Czech language written in trochees (a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed one) which matches the natural first-syllabus emphasis in the Czech language. By 1892 The Bartered Bride had achieved international recognition, for many years remaining the only Czech opera in the general repertory. Of course scores of music compositions were produced in German by Czech composers.
The Bartered Bride will be performed in English in collaboration with Kingwood College Opera Workshop at the Czech Center Museum Houston September 17 & 18 as theatre in the round. Reception with hors d’oeuvres and wine will begin at 6:30, performance to follow. Also included in this magical night is an aria from Der Rosenkavalier by Richard Strauss, Rusalka by Antonin Dvorak and The Barber of Seville by Giocchino Rossini, respectively.
For more information or to reserve tickets please call
713-528-2060 or online at czechcenter.org.
Czech Wedding Traditions
CZECH WEDDING TRADITIONS
There are many uniquely Czech wedding traditions, a complete list of which can be found here. Below are a few of our favorites:
Groom’s test – There was a chopping block and axe and bottle of wineprepared for the groom at the threshold of the bride’s house. If he took the axe it was a good sign – he would be a good houseman. If he decided for a bottle of wine, he would be a drunkard.
Bride’s test – As she entered the groom’s house for the first time there was a broom ready in the room and she had to sweep the room briskly and put it back to its place. She showed that she wanted to be a good housewife.
Union – At the Czech wedding reception, a plate is broken at the feet of the bride and groom and they must clean the pieces up together to promote
the ability to work together in a healthy manner throughout their marriage.
Wedding guard of honor – Friends form an aisle for the newly weds to walk through. They try to make it difficult. Symbolic meaning: overcoming difficulties in marriage.
Pulling – After a wedding ceremony the groom’s friends pull a rope outside a church. The rope is decorated with flowers, ribbons and also with empty bottles and they allow them to continue their journey if they are paid off by the groom. The groom has to pay off the sins of his youth.
Circular dance – The bride dances with closed eyes and single girls try to get a bit of her veil (it is better to use a cheap veil for this occasion). Men form a protective circle around the bride to prevent the girls to get to her. If the circle is broken through, it symbolizes the farewell to innocence and virginity.
Kidnapping of the bride – This symbolizes the bride’s separation from her parents and the beginning of a new partnership. Later, when the reception is almost over friends kidnap the bride. If the groom does not find her he has to pay a ransom. Note: Time limit should be set so wedding guests do not wait hours for the bride’s return.
Inviting kolache – Traditionally these small buns are baked few weeks
Many Texans think of Kolaces when they think of Czech culture...don't forget there's so much more!
before the wedding. They are given to relatives, friends and neighbors as an invitation to the wedding reception. Kolache should have at least three fillings and are considered to show the culinary art of the housewife.
Trust – At the wedding reception, the bride and groom are joined by being covered in a large towel symbolizing unity, and then finish a bowl of soup using one spoon to symbolize the melting of two souls into one and the trust that each will carry for reliance on the other in time of need.
Kolibka – Is among the many special dances performed at the wedding celebration. In this dance, the chief bridesmaid holds a plate in her arms as if it were a baby. Guests throw coins onto the plate to start a nest egg for the couple’s future offspring.
Little Updates
Just a portion of our beautiful giftshop
Of interest to anyone interested in beautiful things is the Czech Center’s Father’s Day Sale going on from now until June 30. We’re open Monday-Saturday 10-4, so please do visit us at the Prague International Giftshop. Hopefully in the future you’ll be able to find some of our merchandise for sale online, however there are no specific plans of action at this time.
Czech crystal, popularly considered to be some of the finest quality crystal in the world, dates back to at least the early Renaissance and some claim as early as the 2nd century. Bohemian crystal enjoyed international success until the early 19th century when English lead crystal flooded the market. It wasn’t until Czech glassmakers decided to reestablish the glory of handmade, handcut Bohemian glass, that they were able to fight back.
