Czech National Day/Oktober Fest

1477612800

Czech Center Museum Houston

Czech National Day/Oktober Fest

Friday, Oct. 28, 2016

06:00 PM – 09:00 PM
US/Central

The Czech Center Museum Houston invites you to join in celebrating the 9th Annual Czech Oktober Fest!

Enjoy dancing to the Rusty Steins, delicious Czech, Austrian, and German food by Rudi Lechner’s, camaraderie, wine, Czech beer, and tastings of craft beer provided by Karbach Brewing Company. The Museum celebrates many events - and this one is the most popular! Think wine harvests, beer brewing festivals, fun, dance, and singing to great music.

The Museum also celebrates the historical circumstances acknowledging the founding of the state of Czechoslovakia on October 28, 1918 as Czech National Day.

About the Programs & Activities

October 28 - Czechoslovak Independence Day Czechoslovak independence was declared on Wenceslas Square on October 28, 1918, beginning a new era for two nations which had previously been part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The majority of Czech society did not regard the Austro-Hungarian state as their own. However, the outbreak of the First World War in 1914 put national questions within the multi-national Austro-Hungary Empire on the backburner. The only real "war against a central power" was carried out by Czech exiles led by TG Masaryk and a small circle of supporters. During 1916 Masaryk, Edvard Beneš and MR Štefánik established what was later called the Czechoslovak national council; it became the main force in the anti-Austrian resistance. Domestic politicians appeared on the scene with the Three Kings' declaration at the start of January 1918. The declaration was launched with a coordinated call for independence both at home and abroad. One of the hottest issues within the framework of the declaration and maintenance of independence was the supplying of the Austrian military with food exported from Bohemia and Moravia. The agricultural council led by Antonín Švehla attempted to keep and hide as much supplies as possible. In the early hours of October 28, 1918 the agricultural council, in the name of the National Committee, took over the cereal institute in order to prevent the transport of grain to the front. This was followed by the dissemination of information recognizing Austro-Hungary's peace conditions. That evening the National Committee issued the first law on the establishment of an independent state. In this way two weeks before the end of the war to this day is known as the "First Republic" was founded. The term applies to the period from October 1918 then until the Munich Agreement of 1938.

HOURS & ADMISSION

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Wednesday and Sunday: CCMH events and by special arrangement only, -
FREE entry for General Public Thursdays 2 pm - 4 pm (last entry at 3:30 pm) FREE entry for students on the second Saturday of each month (valid ID required)
Call in advance to schedule a docent-led tour
Admission $25.00. Book now by calling 713-528-2060 or email to [email protected]