Date Range

1978-2006

Description Level

Fonds

Creator

Czechoslovak Canadian Cultural Society of Southern Alberta

Physical Description

19 files, 1 colour photograph

Physical Condition

Good

History Biographical

The Czechoslovak Canadian Cultural Society of Southern Alberta was founded in Lethbridge on August 17, 1978, and formally incorporated under the Societies Act of the Province of Alberta on October 11, 1978. The Society was founded by a group of Czech and Slovak immigrants, including S. Jonas, L. Jonas, E. Svrsek, A. Zezulka, and Mary Zezulka, with Gerta Patson serving as witness. The founding meeting was held at the residence of S. Jonas, where a temporary executive committee was established. The first annual meeting followed on November 12, 1978, at St. Peter and Paul Church. The Society’s objectives included providing recreation and social activities for its members, promoting Czech and Slovak cultural heritage, supporting language education, and fostering connections among people of Czechoslovak origin in Southern Alberta. Over its nearly three decades of activity, the Society organized regular social gatherings known as Besedas, annual picnics, golf tournaments, Heritage Day participation, St. Nicholas parties, and fall supper and dance events. The society also published a bi-monthly bulletin over the course of its existence, awarded annual university scholarships to students of Czechoslovak descent at the University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge Community College, and maintained connections with the Southern Alberta Ethnic Association (SAEA), through which it participated in ethnic suppers and cultural events. The bulletin was edited by Svat Jonas from the Society’s founding in 1978 until his retirement from the position in 1999 – a period of approximately twenty years – and featured articles on Czech and Slovak history, culture, and geography, reports on club events, recipes, and member news. Libby Jonas served as editor from approximately 1999 until the bulletin ceased publication in the mid-2000s. The Society’s first president was Svat Jonas, one of its founding members. Membership peaked in the mid-1980s at approximately 140-150 members and had declined to around 100 members by the mid-1990s. Presidents of the Society included Svat Jonas, Joe Juris, Frank Machacek, John Motycka, Jennie Stalker, Lil Kempenaar, Sam Serbu, Walter Kudelik, Al Machacek, Frances Mrak and Libby Jonas. In 1993, the Society celebrated its 15th anniversary, and in 1998 its 20th anniversary with a dinner and dance held at the Lethbridge Legion Hall, attended by approximately 211 people including local dignitaries. In 2003 the Society celebrated its 25th anniversary with a Supper and Dance, attended by local dignitaries. The Society unveiled a monument on September 9, 2005, at Henderson Lake Parkin Lethbridge in commemoration of the people of Czechoslovakian origin for their contribution to the settlement and development of Southern Alberta. Around 2000-2001, the Society relocated its regular Beseda meetings and activities to the Bill Kergan Centre (later renamed Lethbridge Heritage Cultural Centre). By 2003-2004, membership and volunteer capacity had declines significantly. At the Annual General Meeting held in conjunction with the Christmas party in late 2003, the majority of members voted to cease regular activities. All Besedas were cancelled. Three concluding projects were identified: a donation to the Lethbridge Community College scholarship fund; a commemorative plaque honouring Czechoslovak ancestors who contributed to Southern Alberta; and a collective history book based on member biographies, to be produced in collaboration with the University of Lethbridge History Department, supported by a grant from the Alberta Lottery Foundation in the amount of $5,500.00. The Society formally ceased operations in the mid-2000s after nearly three decades of activity.

Language

English; Czech; Slovak

Acquisition Source

Libby Jonas

Scope and Content

2025.1079/001 Czechoslovak Canadian Cultural Society of Southern Alberta. Founding Documents and Meeting Minutes. 1978. 2025.1079/002 Administrative records. Meeting Minutes and Agendas. Executive Members Lists. Committees Lists. Calendars of Events. Correspondence. Event Publicity. Press Clippings. Photographs. 1989 – 2005. 2025.1079/003 Bulletins. 1990. 2025.1079/004 Bulletins. 1991 2025.1079/005 Bulletins. 1992. 2025.1079/006 Bulletins. 1993. 2025.1079/007 Bulletins. 1994. 2025.1079/008 Bulletins. 1995. 2025.1079/009 Bulletins. 1996. 2025.1079/010 Bulletins. 1997. 2025.1079/011 Bulletins. 1998. 2025.1079/012 Bulletins. 1999. 2025.1079/013 Bulletins. 2000. 2025.1079/014 Bulletins. 2001. 2025.1079/015 Bulletins. 2002. 2025.1079/016 Bulletins. 2003. 2025.1079/017 Bulletins. 2004. 2025.1079/018 Bulletins. 2005. 2025.1079/019 Bulletins. 2006.

Accession No.

20251079

Collection

Archive

Less detail