Dear Friends,

It has been quite some time since my last circular to you. After the events which occurred in Czechoslovakia and the split between the Czech and Slovak nations our society toned down its activities to await developments.

On several occasions I was approached to wind up the society and call it a day. I resisted these suggestions as I believed the time was still not ripe to close down the society, and my procrastination finally has came to bear fruit.

You might recently have read in the papers or on TV about the Czech Week being held in Malta during October. Meanwhile on the initiative of the Honorary Czech Consul in Malta, Mr. Tonio Casapinta, and the New Czech Ambassador to Malta, H. E. Dr. Hana Sevcikova, who will be presenting her diplomatic credentials in the forthcoming weeks and with the full cooperation of the committee members of our society a new initiative to renew the many ties with one of our befriended nations, the Czech Republic is going to take place.

To this aim, during the Czech Week in Malta we will be re-inaugurating the Malta - Czech Cultural & Friendship Society. This occasion will be held on Saturday, 10th October, 1998 at 10:30 at the Courtyard of the Manoel theatre, Valletta. Their excellencies Dr. Hana Sevcikova, Czech Ambassador, Mr. Tonio Casapinta Hon. Czech Consul and the Hon. Dr. Louis Galea, Minister of Education and the Arts will honour us with their presence.

This very important occasion will give us the opportunity not only to great the new Czech Ambassador and to wish her good luck in her job but also to renew the vitality of the "old" Society and show the wormiest of relations and esteem we upheld our befriended Czech nation. Your presence together with that of your friends is most welcome !

We also wish you to make a note of the following activities in your dairy, being held during the Czech Week and kindly invite you to attend (entrance to these activities is free of charge):

· Photographic Exhibition "Prague and Malta" by Czech Photographer, Ms Hana Jakrlova, to be inaugurated by Dr. J. Galea Debono Chairman of the National Tourism Organization, on Monday 5th October, 1998 at 11:00, at Sala Isouard, Manoel Theatre, Valletta.

· Lecture by Dr. Ladislav Daniel on Similarities between Czech and Maltese Baroque Arts at the Picture Gallery, St. John’s C0-Cathedral Museum, Valletta, on Wednesday 7th October, 1998 at 6:00pm.

Your sponsorship of the other activities being held during the Czech Week, will not only encourage the organizers who worked very hard to mount them but will be enjoyable occasions were you can make new friends and renew old acquaintances in a delightful atmosphere.
With the Very Best of Regards