Slovak & Czech Beginnings in NY
Commemorating the 108th anniversary of the founding of Independent Czechoslovakia
Consulate General of the Slovak Republic and Slovak PRO Presents: New York Beginnings - Vol. 4
An evening of stories, connections, and fresh beginnings in New York City—with a special twist this time! We are welcoming our Czech friends to celebrate the long-standing friendship, shared experiences, and enduring bonds between our two nations.
Together, we will explore the challenges and opportunities that come with starting a new chapter in New York, both for Slovaks and Czechs, while celebrating the rich history, shared heritage, and contemporary connections that continue to bring our communities together. It’s an evening to exchange stories, strengthen friendships, and honor the ties that unite us across borders and generations.
This event is organized by the Consulate General of the Slovak Republic in New York in cooperation with Slovak PRO.
Additionally, be among the first to experience a series of surrealist linocuts, Dreams reflects on the traumatic events of the 20th century as witnessed by renowned Slovak artist Vincent Hložník.
Program
6:30 PM
Welcome Reception
Arrivals, wine, and light refreshments. An opportunity to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new members of the Slovak professional community.
7:00 PM
Evening Program: Stories of New York Beginnings
Speakers share personal journeys, lessons learned, and reflections on building their paths in New York.
Jana Krupkova serves as the Executive Director of the Vaclav Havel Center in New York, an organization inspired by the legacy of Václav Havel and dedicated to advancing democratic values, human rights, and the transformative power of the arts. She is also the Founder and Artistic Director of NU AVE ART, a creative production company focused on developing and producing distinctive artistic and cultural projects tailored to the unique vision and goals of each collaboration. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with institutions including Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the Grammy U Program, Si-Yo Music Society Foundation, and the Center for Musical Excellence (CME).
Laura Zlatos is a Slovak-American playwright and librettist whose plays and musicals have been performed across the United States and internationally in Prague, London, and Edinburgh. Blending comedy and satire, she tackles pressing social and political issues, challenging audiences to question the world around them. Laura will present SHOW TRIAL, a political satire drawn from the actual transcripts of the 1950 trial of Milada Horáková, the Czechoslovak dissident accused of treason in a trial where the verdict had already been decided. Through the lens of this historic injustice, the play examines truth, power, and the choices we make when history is written by the victors.
Viktor Riško is the founder of Triumph Gallery Slovakia and the creator of YELLOW, a project dedicated to rediscovering and bringing to light the story of John D. Hertz, the Slovak-born American entrepreneur who helped shape the modern transportation industry. Through YELLOW, Viktor aims to bring Hertz’s remarkable legacy to a global audience, with a book as the first milestone and a film as the ultimate ambition. A marketing strategist, entrepreneur, and storyteller by profession, Viktor also runs his own boutique marketing agency, where he combines strategic thinking, brand building, and creative storytelling to help businesses grow and connect with their audiences.
Moderator: Lucia Kapogiannopoulos - Slovak PRO Board Member
7:45 -8:00 PM
Opening of the Exhibition “Dreams” by Vicent Hložník
A series of surrealist linocuts, Dreams reflects on the traumatic events of the 20th century as witnessed by renowned Slovak artist Vincent Hložník (1919–1997). A central theme in Hložník’s artistic repertoire, Dreams reveals how the cultural and political realities of his time profoundly shaped his work, influencing its aesthetic, stylistic, and conceptual dimensions.
8:00 – 9:00 PM
Networking
Continue the conversation about Czechoslovakia while connecting with friends of the community
RSVP
Advance RSVP is required as space is limited.
A $20 suggested contribution serves as your RSVP in the form of a donation.