Book keeps Czech, Slovak culture alive
Otto Mann
By SHERRI GALLANT
Apr 3, 2008, 04:34
At the turn of the last century, the first eastern European immigrants
to Lethbridge received less than a warm welcome, with some being
forced into an internment camp built at the present site of the city's
exhibition grounds.
But hard-working Czech and Slovak men, who'd come primarily to toil in
the coal mines, managed to weather such storms, stay and put down
roots that have nourished many a family tree since.
Now, nearly a century later, the thriving community of Czechs and
Slovaks who contributed so much to the growth of Lethbridge have
compiled a history book. The triumph of publishing the book is
tempered, however, by the end of the Czechoslovak-Canadian Cultural
Society, which closed March 25 after 30 years of achievements.
"Our main goal has been to promote Czechoslovak culture," explains
society president Libby Jonas, who's husband, Svat, was one of the
society's founding members and served as its first president. Svat
came up with the idea for the book several years ago and it took
nearly a decade for the project to come to fruition.
"I'm glad the book is finished," Libby said, "because it's a nice way
to close the club."
The book, published with great assistance from the history department
at the University of Lethbridge, is called Czech and Slovak Pioneers
of Southern Alberta. It contains comprehensive history as well as
individual family histories from members. Libby laments that not more
could be captured, however.
"About a third of them passed away before the book was done," she
explained. "And some didn't want to take part. And because it was a
time-consuming project, we couldn't get to everybody."
U of L students conducted the interviews and families who wanted to
were invited to submit their own as well. The book is placed in the
Galt Museum's archives, at the Lethbridge Public Library, the
university and college. Anyone wishing to obtain a copy can do so
through the U of L history department.
Libby said the society filled a gap for many people and helped keep
culture and language alive. Members -- at most there were about 150 --
got together for food, friendship and fun without religious or
political restrictions.
"We did not break apart even after Czechoslovakia split into Czech and
Slovak Republics. We wanted to prove that culture and our friendship
has nothing to do with politics," Libby said.
The Jonas's came to Canada in 1970. They fled Czechoslovakia just
after Christmas and made their way into Austria by train in 1969.
Their first home in this country was Edmonton, where Libby had an
aunt, but soon the manpower office directed them to Brooks. Culture
shock took a firm hold as they struggled to adjust. The contrast
between Brooks and sophisticated central Europe, where they'd spent
their lives, was stark.
The couple took menial jobs and worked hard, which eventually began to
wear on the educated twosome. Libby had a master's degree and taught
at an economics school in Prague. Svat was an engineer who specialized
in drainage and irrigation, and while he found work with Alberta
Agriculture as a field technician, he and Libby both enrolled at the
University of Alberta in the early 1970s to get their Canadian
master's degrees. Their stories have many common threads with other
new Canadians, even today.
The society held annual dances, organized card-playing, music and
social activities that included golf tournaments, bowling and travel,
held special events for children and seniors, organized films,
speakers, dancers and singers, language schools, and took part in
parades and Heritage Days.
They published a regular newsletter that included Czechoslovak
history, old customs and interesting articles about their culture.
"I think my favourite times were the picnics we held," Libby recalled,
while Svat remembers fondly the work that went into creating prize-
winning floats in the Whoop-Up Days parade. Sausage making -- a big hit
with residents who would buy it up as fast as it was made -- was a fun
part of their gatherings, as well.
The club may be gone now, but Libby feels the impact it made will live
on through scholarships established at the college and the university,
a donor plaque at the hospital and a large cairn at the west end of
Henderson lake that pays homage to the settlers.
The club supported anti-discrimination projects, contributed
financially to newcomers from the old country, published three
editions of cookbooks, and finally completed the history book as its
final project.
"When we started in 1978," Jonas said, "all of us were 30 years
younger, enthusiastic and energetic. We have accomplished lots of
things we can be proud of. Those years made us older, took our energy
from us and some members even passed away. Slowly, we realized we do
not have a younger generation to take over. We realized that one day
we would have to close our club."
Cover art depicting a man and woman in traditional dress was done by
Maria Madacky, whose family is profiled in the book.