Dear Friends of the BBLA,

This month, I would like to share with you a lesson in high diplomacy. As you know, we always aim at presenting Bohemian National Hall as a platform to the world, showcasing the modern and democratic Czech Republic. Well, our extremely capable ambassador to the United Nations, Mrs. Edita Hrda, pulled off a major diplomatic coup last weekend, by enabling a South Korean conductor Mr. Nanse Gum to stage one of the performances of the Manhattan Chamber Music Festival at the Bohemian National Hall. It was attended by a score of ambassadors, artists and business luminaries' world over, as well as the Secretary General of the UN himself, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon and his wife. It was a spectacular event, culturally and priceless in terms of high diplomacy and pure networking for the Czech Republic.

  Photo: the Euro-Asian Corporation. 

It is clear to me that the tiny Czech Republic often gets lost among the 190+ nations represented at the UN. Yet only with hard work and clever ingenuity of our diplomats and also utilizing the uniqueness of the Bohemian National Hall, this small country is more than pulling its weight. Once the sizable contingent of secret service and NYPD agents concluded their ritual of securing the building, the event took place to the utmost delight of all the participants.

Mr. Ban Ki-Moon and the performance organizer elevated in their speeches our Ambassador, the venue and the BNH team to the stratosphere. It did not hurt that Edita's cunning planning included the presence of Czech supermodels Taana Kucharova, Helena Houdova as well as our BBLA champion Aja Vrzanova. The former Czech Presidential contender, Professor Svejnar, who sat at my table, commented that this is the way the true diplomacy is done, and I could not have been happier.

I hope to see you soon and do not forget to visit the exhibit of the work of our very own: Peter Sis.

Yours,

 

Joseph Balaz, President 

Bohemian Benevolent & Literary Association