Festivities at the World Bank

The final commemorative events of September 19 began at 5:00 p.m. as guests arrived at the World Bank headquarters on Pennsylvania Avenue for a reception to celebrate the unveiling and dedication of the T.G. Masaryk Memorial Park and Statue. Over 600 people were greeted with the customary bread and salt by the Czech and Slovak Heritage Singers of Baltimore. In the expansive Atrium of the World Bank building, guests enjoyed the dances performed by the Sokol Minnesota Tanecni Mladez and the St. Paul Czech and Slovak Folk Dancers, the songs of the Columbia Pro Cantare Chamber Singers and Kristina Kotyza, and the gymnastics of three members of Sokol Baltimore.

President Havel presented the “Medal of Merit 1st Grade” awards from the Czech Government to five deserving awardees. They included: Milton Cerny, President of the American Friends of the Czech Republic, Peter Charles Schultz, for outstanding scientific achievements, and to Frank Marlow (in memoriam) for his service to the Czech Republic. (The medal was accepted by his wife, Irene Marlow). Other recipients included Joseph Lane Kirkland (in memoriam) for his service to the Czech Republic (accepted by his wife Irena Kirkland) and Jan Francis Tríska (accepted by his son, John William Triska). The Honorable Madeleine Albright, former Slovak President Michael Kovác, Czech Ambassador Martin Palouš, and Walter Andrusyszyn of the National Security Council staff, delivered speeches during the reception.

This event marked the culmination of two years of support and arduous work by many dedicated individuals and the American Czech and Slovak communities to erect a statue of T.G. Masaryk in Washington, D.C. It was a tremendous and remarkable celebration for all.