Dear Friends of the BBLA,

With the conclusion of the annual United Nations General Assembly, the Bohemian National Hall had the opportunity to welcome the highest-ranking officials of the Czech Republic, Slovakia and other countries. During the meet & greet session we also celebrated our fifth anniversary of the reopening of the renovated Hall.

Since the first day that I became involved with this magnificent Bohemian National Hall, the true centerpiece of our heritage in America, I have grown more and more appreciative of the previous generations of compatriots who brought life to this building.

As we cherish and celebrate our past through many activities of our organizations, we also wisely carry out our mission as torch-bearers so that future generations can prosper from our decisions. It is very important for our 122 year-old organization to actively work with today's modern offerings of our ancestral lands.

I wish the Bohemian National Hall many centuries of a very bright future.

Hope to see you all during our busy October.

Joseph Balaz, President 

Bohemian Benevolent & Literary Association

On September 8th, the Dvorak American Heritage Association (DAHA) unveiled its exhibition of the contract that brought Antonin Dvorak to America, featuring the original 1892 document signed by Dvorak and recently acquired by DAHA. Timed to coincide with Dvorak's 172nd birthday, the event included a lecture by exhibition curator Majda Kallab Whitaker, who gave an overview of the intriguing negotiations between the Czech composer and his American patron, Jeannette Thurber, the visionary founder and president of the National Conservatory of Music of America. >> Read more in our News...