Chile toasts to Czech independence with embassy celebration

In the Embassy of the Czech Republic, people gathered to commemorate the Oct. 28 holiday, the official day of first independent state of Czechoslovakia resulting from the end of World War I.

Photo credit: Marie Vitkova

To honor the day, the Czech community in Chile gathers Czech citizens, children of Czech citizens and people who simply enjoy speaking the language together, to celebrate the festival that is so important for their nation and deeply entwined in their souls.

It is also an opportunity for these people to meet, to exchange contacts and share their experiences of life in Chile.

The Embassy of the Czech Republic regularly sends invitations to all members of this community called Círculo Chileno. The event was commenced with a speech from Ambassador Zdenek Kubanek and a general toast.

Along with wine and beer, the guests could also enjoy a glass of the typical national drink made of plums, slivovice. Another popular Czech dish, a goulash soup, made the guests feel more at home.  All of the catering was provided by Banquetes Liliana Beckerwho runs a small company with Czech traditional dishes and baked goods.

Apart from the celebration of the most important holiday and festival of the Czech Republic, this community also meets annually at the memorial of the city of Lidice, to commemorate the victims who died in a massacre during the WWII. The memorial is located on Pasaje Lídice, a street in the center of Santiago.