Organizer
Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Chicago
The Czechoslovak Consulate General in Chicago was closed down after the communist turnover in 1948. Our current office opened in 2006 with the mission to strengthen relations with 11 states of the Midwest and offer consular services (passports, visas, citizenship, etc.). We look forward to your visit!
Bořek Lizec & Kateřina Lizcová Kulhánková, Consul General & His Wife
Jan Kubišta, Deputy Consul General, Consul, Tomáš Trnka, Consul, Jana Šáchová, Pavlína Vlčková, František Adámek, Štěpánka Hasilová, Martina East, Lucie Amos & Martina Muresan
Main Platinum Sponsor
CZ (Česká zbrojovka a.s)
- One of the leading engineering manufacturers in the world, one of the most successful Czech exporters, a key strategic partner of domestic and many foreign companies and security forces.
- Our manufacturing is one of the most challenging branches of precision engineering and CZ is one of the top world leaders in this field.
- Long term Czech manufacturer of products, many of which have become legendary around the world.
- Since 1997, CZ has been represented by its successful subsidiary CZ-USA in the United States; through CZ-USA, the renowned North American brand Dan Wesson also belongs to the CZ family. CZUB recognized the need to control its own destiny in a market as big as the US. Initially based in Oakhurst, California, the CZ-USA headquarters and warehouse facility was moved to Kansas City in January of 1998. All distribution, warranty work and repair work is located in the Kansas City, KS location, along with a well-stocked parts department.
- High-precision engineering products primarily for the automotive and aerospace industries form an additional program, for which the company holds the relevant certification.
- The company uses state-of-the-art technologies, though without highly qualified and well-motivated staff, the greatest treasure of every successful company, success would not be possible.
- First and foremost, there are experienced designers who are able to come up with technically original visions based on customer needs. In the development phase, their key aids are computer design software and 3D printing.
- In CZ, the production itself is increasingly carried out on fully automated turning and milling centres as well as, most recently, robotic systems. Robotization has also been implemented in other operations.
- In addition, CZ operates workshops where the produced components receive extremely durable surface treatment. Moreover, stocks, which are an integral part of long arms, are manufactured in a special workshop using cutting-edge equipment, such as a laser for the checkering on gripping surfaces.
- Extensive checks and inspections in all the production phases are a standard. They are carried out with the aid of sophisticated laser equipment with measurements up to a thousand of a millimetre, whereby several hundred parameters may be monitored in each part. All this guarantees that the customers will receive CZ products of the highest quality.
Web site: https://www.czub.cz/
E-mail: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/czub
Twitter: https://twitter.com/czub
Instagram: https://instagram.com/czub
Web site: https://www.cz-usa.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/czusafirearms
Twitter: https://twitter.com/czusafirearms
Instagram: https://instagram.com/czusafirearms
Weapons for Courageous Defenders
Česká zbrojovka & Its Support of Czech Statehood
“This autumn, 100 years will pass since Czechoslovakia was formed in 1918. Though the state does not exist anymore, many of the ideas on which it was based remain alive. The First Czechoslovak Republic ranked among the ten most advanced economies in the world thanks to its strong industrial base. We continue to build on that tradition. CZ’s strong automotive, aero and firearms divisions make us the largest Czech exporter to the US. CZ is the only direct successor of the famous tradition of the Czechoslovak arms industry, the largest Czech company specializing in the development and manufacture of handguns and also one of the world’s largest producers in this field. The Czechoslovak arms base was built under the motto: A weapon in the hands of courageous defenders is the best guarantee of the nation’s freedom! We still serve as partners of Czech and other nation’s armed forces and police. We constantly bring out new products for the civilian market, support various shooting sports and also actively promote civilian defense projects. In essence, we are still, in many ways, committed to the principles, on which Czechoslovakia was founded 100 years ago. We are very proud to support the Czech Centennial Celebrations in Chicago!”
Lubomír Kovařík,
President & Chairman of the Board of Česká zbrojovka a.s.
“2018 marks major anniversaries for CZ-USA as well. 20 years ago, Česká zbrojovka found its home overseas in Kansas, just as many Czechs did since the 19th century. Today, tens of thousands Kansans still claim Czech ancestry and we have been proud to support their activities. This year we also celebrate the 50th anniversary of Dan Wesson that we are proud to have in our family. Our craftsmen there created a special pistol to commemorate the occasion. Our employees and customers deserve major thanks for helping shape CZ-USA into the company we are today.”
Alice Poluchová,
CZ-USA President
Golden Sponsor
Magellan Corporation
Magellan Corporation is a leading, independent, global distributor of high quality specialty steels as well as other metallurgical products. Established in 1985, the Chicago-based company offers the market a wealth of supply chain knowledge and technical expertise. As a socially responsible corporation, Magellan provides reliable product management for its suppliers and customers while benefiting the community as a socially responsible corporation citizen.
The company has done business in the Czech Republic (formerly Czechoslovakia) since 1987. It has a representative office in Kladno, the home town of Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak. The company has been involved as a sponsor of various Czech activities. In 2011 Magellan helped restore the Woodrow Wilson Monument in Prague. (The original was created by Albín Polášek and destroyed by Nazis during the occupation.) The company hosted the Czech delegation during the NATO summit in Chicago, the Czech junior hockey team’s Chicago visit, and many Czech governmental officials during visits to Chicago throughout the years. Magellan also sponsored the celebration of the 45th anniversary of Apollo 13 mission led by a legend of space exploration, Capt. James Lovell of Czech ancestry. Many thanks to Magellan and its President Bob Arthur for the continuous support!
Bob Arthur, President of Magellan Corporation, Susan Anderson and Capt. James Lovell at the Adler Planetarium
Woodrow Wilson Monument in Prague by Albín Polášek
Official Airline
LOT – Polish Airlines
Now celebrating over 89 years of aviation history, LOT has improved its network schedule with shorter connections and more frequencies to increased destinations with a focus on Central and Eastern Europe, Asia and the Middle East via its hub in Warsaw. Our anticipated growth will see expansion double the size of the existing network through 2020.
LOT offers nonstop service from New York, Newark, Chicago and Los Angeles to Warsaw. Nonstop flights to Krakow from Chicago are now offered and in the spring of 2018 LOT is pleased to announce the launch of nonstop Newark-Rzeszow flights. In May 2018, LOT will launch connections from Warsaw to Singapore as well as from Budapest to New York City and Chicago.
LOT is proud to be the most rapidly growing carrier in Europe!
Rafal Milczarski,
CEO & President of the Management Board at LOT Polish Airlines
It seems impossible to list everything that Czechs and Poles have in common. We share similar cultures, history and even our languages are close. Not at least, just as Chicago once was the second largest Czech city, it held the same ranking among Polish cities. Many thanks to LOT, recipient of numerous awards, including Best European Airline from Global Traveler, for its support not only of the centennial celebrations, but also other major Czech projects in Chicago over the years, including Prague Days 2015 and Czech Beer Festival 2017!
Lot has been connecting Prague and Warsaw for 72 years.
Partners
Chicagoland Czech-American Community Center
The Chicagoland Czech-American Community Center serves as a home away from home for Czech-Americans and other friends of the Czech Republic. Under the leadership of its founding President Ted Polashek, it provides space where all have the opportunity to learn, discuss and share ideas. The center promotes Czech-American cooperation in business, culture, education and other areas. You are invited to join the organization and /or make a donation to support its mission, including the great objective to give the Czech-American partnership a permanent home in Illinois.
Ted Polashek with a Center’s supporter, Rock Star Jim Peterik
CzechTourism
CzechTourism is a governmental agency, which promotes the Czech Republic as a tourist destination. Its US office, headed by Director Michaela Claudino, is located in New York.
Prague Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International
In 1948, the communist turnover led Czechoslovakia into the Soviet sphere of influence. The strong ties between Czechs and Americans were cut off for four decades. The door to our reunion was only opened by the “Velvet Revolution” in November 1989, which brought about the fall of the communist regime. Prague and Chicago became Sister Cities in 1990. Since then the Prague Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International has cooperated on numerous projects aimed at enhancing our partnership, including Prague Days 2007 and 2015 festivals. For the last 15 years the committee has been chaired by Edward Dellin. Thank you!
United Moravian Societies
Moravia is, together with Bohemia and Silesia, one of the three historical Czech lands. It is known for its rich culture, folklore traditions and beautiful costumes as well as internationally recognized wines. United Moravian Societies have been introducing this culture to Illinois since 1939. That year, the first Moravian Day took place in Pilsen Park. Many thanks to President Roman Bobčík and all UMS members for continuing the legacy in Chicagoland.
Czech Companies supporting the Czech Centennial Celebrations
Czechvar
We honor the craft of brewing and understand the finest selection of ingredients as the ultimate essence of our beer.
Czech Mint
Czech minting has a history of more than a thousand years – our land was gifted not only with exceptional beauty, but also a wealth of silver. This silver was used by old craftsmen to make art that we admire to this day, and the Czech Mint is proud to continue in their tradition! We make not only all the circulating coins that jingle in Czech pockets, but also all Czech commemorative coins and many of our own commemorative and investment products from precious metals. Their designs carry a multitude of emotions and a thousand years of love for the craft…
Bohemia Paper
The traditional craft of printers and scribes has evolved in Czech lands for hundreds of years. Home to some of the first paper manufacturers, bookbinders, engravers, and printing masters of Europe, the hand production of these products was nearly lost in the 20th century. The inherited history of these artisans inspired us in 1995 to found a family company to produce hand-made paper.
Supporting Institutions
