Czech Protest Song Singer in Hawaiian Program

Protest singer/songwriter Pavel Vane

August 18, 2008

An unusual mix of Czech Americans and Czechs met in the garden of the American Center in Prague, under the shadow of historic Prague Castle, to participate in a summer program about the state of Hawaii.  Well-known dissident and protest singer/songwriter Pavel Vane performed songs and described an emotional commemoration in Pearl Harbor, where he met veterans of the Japanese attack. He was joined by Czech-American Vasek Penkava, who escaped to Hawaii from Czechoslovakia during the Cold War.  Penkava, a leader of the local Czech community in Honolulu, organizes programs for Czech artists on the islands. 

Former Fulbrighter Jan Votypka, who before the fall of the Wall wrote a book about U.S. geography at the Embassy’s request, spoke about Hawaiian nature. Well-known Czech photographer Leos Simanek presented his new book and calendar about Hawaii, and invited guests to his slideshow program that he will present in several Czech cities this fall. The event drew an audience of 140 Czech professionals, American Center patrons and media.