CZECHS AND SLOVAKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 25, 30 January 1937, Page 13

CZECHS AND SLOVAKS.

ANGLO-SAXON RELATIONS. AX AMERICAN INSTITUTE. PRAGUE. American institutions flourish in ; Czechoslovakia, duo to close connections between the two countries through former heavy emigration to the United States. The American Institute in thia country wm founded in 1931 to unite Czechs and Slovaks who have studied in America with Americans living here, in a joint effort to secure closer cultural relations between the two nations. The membership of about 350 is divided into the following sections: Agricultural, commercial, engineering, journalistic, literary, medical, scientific, social work and student activity. Each section seeks to inform its members of developments in their professional fields in America. The institute has 158 corresponding members in the United States, to whom periodic reports are 6ent. The institute is publishing an "Annual of Czechoslovak Science" and an "Annual of Czechoslovak Literature. Music and Drama." These volumes will contain translations and excerpts from tlie Czech publications. Tliev are to be distributed in Anglo-Saxon countries. Lectures on American topics are given during the winter at members' meetings, receptions for notable visitors and celebrations of American holidays, such as Thanksgiving. In addition the institute has sponsored a series of radio addresses. A similar programme m conducted by branches of the institute in Brno and Bratislava. The Social Circle Chicago of Prague was founded in November 1926, by Charles Abraham and William Hnatek with pupils of the William Hnatek school and others interested in social and cultural contact in the English language. The circle, which meets weekly, has 35 members, mostly men, and maintains a library. Officers of the organisation are William Hnatek, chairman; Anna Kolisova, secretary, and I Charles Abraham, treasurer.