H.E. Ms. Jana Reinišová, Ambassador of Czech Republic.
By Roy Lie Atjam.
The Embassy of the Czech Republic in The Hague hosted a reception on the occasion of the launching of the exhibition.
“Establishment of Czechoslovakia 1918”
In her welcome remarks H.E. Ms. Ambassador Jana Reinišová of the Czech Republic gave details of how the establishment came about in 1918.
She relates: “The Czech Embassy in close cooperation with the Czech Centre and the Czech Tourism in The Hague, is organizing many events that highlight the anniversary, including the ‘exhibition “Establishment of Czechoslovakia 1918”.
In 2018, the citizens of the Czech and Slovak Republics will mark a date that invites them to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of their common independent state – the Czechoslovak Republic.
Today’s exhibition offers a thematic overview of events in Czechoslovakia in the global context of 20th century history.
The exhibition also introduces the milestones of this chaotic and insecure period through the stories of political protagonists. Masaryk and Beneš together with Štefánik were a key figure during the foundation of the new Republic.
Finally, the exhibition also includes the peaks of Czechoslovak science and culture.It all began in 1918, when both nations’ shared desire for a sovereign state became a reality.
Newly elected Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, a philosopher, educator and a genuine state-maker, deserves the greatest credit for the creation of a common state and is worthy of the title president – liberator – and called the “father of the nation”.
Masaryk said: “Without Beneš, the Republic would not exist.” Edvard Beneš organized the Czechoslovak resistance abroad by Masaryk’s side and contributed significantly to the establishment of an independent Czechoslovakia. Masaryk trusted him and appreciated him.
Milan Rastislav Štefánik was a Slovak Doctor of Philosophy, an astronomer, a photographer, an Air Force pilot, a general in the French Army, a diplomat, and a politician. He played a key role in forming the Czecho-Slovak resistance movement abroad during WWI. He also played an essential role in organizing the Czechoslovak Legions and in diplomatic negotiations with the French Government.
Let me to mention our postwar Foreign Policy. The main architect of Czechoslovak foreign policy was Edvard Beneš, who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs for 17 years. He built Czechoslovak foreign policy on three pillars: the Czechoslovak-French alliance, the Little Entente (i.e. the alliance of Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia and Romania, which he initiated and maintained for years), and the League of Nations, where he played a significant role.
History of Czechoslovak foreign policy and diplomacy began to be formed even before the establishment of independent Czechoslovakia. The establishment of diplomatic relations was gradual – the first legations were opened in 1918 in Paris, Rome and London and during the following years a network of Czechoslovak legations abroad was created. In the second wave the legation was established in 1919 in The Hague (at the same year in Belgrade, Brussels, Washington, Warsaw, Bern and Bucharest).
Another important milestone that is a reliable source of pride for Czechs and Slovaks is the so-called Prague Spring of 1968 when, seeking liberation and escape from dictatorship, the movement was forcibly ended by the invasion and occupation of the Warsaw Pact troops.
And last, but not least, it is 1993, when Czechoslovakia was, in a cultured and peaceful way, divided into two new, completely sovereign states within an integrating Europe. It was a peaceful divorce appreciated by the entire civilized world.”
The history continues, but the Czechs and Slovaks are still close. In the best sense of the word, they can be proud of their time side by side and boldly commemorate the stormy, joyful and event.
A reception concluded the event.
