Czech Republic 🇨🇿

Alena, 64

Came to Australia in September 1969

Born in Liberec, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic)

What is your occupation?

I am a Speech Pathologist and work with people with disabilities on their communication and swallowing difficulties. Sometimes I also help introduce alternative communication such as signing or communication devices.

I also work as a translator and have translated subtitles for a Czech-US film, The Art of Dissent, as well as the works of the brothers Karel and Josef Čapek, who brought the word robot to possibly all languages.

Why did you come to Australia?

My parents came to Australia as refugees after the 1968 Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia.

It was the climax of what is referred to as the Prague Spring when reformist Alexander Dubček attempted to pass reforms that would decentralise the economy and loosen restrictions on free speech. This wasn’t received well by the Soviets, who after failed negotiations, invaded Czechoslovakia.

What do you like about Sydney?

I like Sydney for its variety of little ‘villages’, which are like a suburban patchwork with mixed communities. Before Covid-19, it was fantastic to be able to visit different places such as Bronte, Redfern, Chatswood and Campsie and soak up the atmosphere and food. In terms of food, you can travel the world without leaving Sydney.

Of course, there are also beaches and Sydney Harbour, which are the icing on the cake. Sydney is also a very different place if you explore it from the water; it’s a very liberating environment.

What don’t you like about Sydney?

Even before the onset of Covid-19, I feel like Sydney’s CBD is quite deserted on weekends. For me, it’s a place where people go to work and then escape from; I can’t think of any city centre that is like this, maybe except Canberra.

What would you like to say to Sydneysiders?

I’d love it if more Sydneysiders were mindful of reusing packaging and recycling.

Back in Czechoslovakia, we used to collect paper, metal, glass etc. and deliver them to the recycling depots where it would be reprocessed. Plastic bags weren’t ubiquitous back then and it’s just a travesty now watching people carelessly tossing out packaging and rubbish without thinking about the consequences.

What languages do you speak?

Czech (native), English, Spanish and some French, German and Portuguese.

I learnt Spanish at university and can still speak to an intermediate level.

The other 3 languages I learnt through my various travels.

Teach us one word/phrase from your native language.

(To je) v pohodě – possibly the equivalent of ‘no worries.’

I also like To je průšvih which I heard quite a lot in the Czech Republic – something in the sense of ‘Well, that didn’t work out, did it?’, but probably not a practical first phrase to learn.

What is one thing you want us to know about your native country?

The Czech Republic has the most amazing history – you can’t walk too many steps before coming across something under your feet, or written on the architecture that you pass by.

The landscape is dotted with castles, ruins or markers that point to something that people had poured energy and emotion into. Prague is considered to be the only intact medieval capital city as it wasn’t bombed in WWII, so it’s a place where you can see the architecture of periods including Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Rococo, Cubist etc.

It’s also a very musical country. Lots of Czechs know their folk songs, as well as all their classical composers; the most famous are Dvořák, Smetana, Janáček and Martinů.

Who is the most famous person in your native country?

I think that would have to be Václav Havel, the former President – and ex-dissident. Not only did he gain international credit and receive 17 standing ovations for a 1990 speech in the US Congress, but people also related to him for being down-to-earth and his playful sense of humour.

In the early days of his presidency, he even pedalled a scooter in the long corridors of Prague Castle. He was also a writer of serious texts and absurdist plays, so he appealed to people of many tastes and beliefs.

What is the best dish in your native country?

Řízek or Veal schnitzel with potato salad, and anything with bread or potato dumplings. There are of course also sweet apricot or plum dumplings and some yeast pastries, particularly poppyseed, which are to die for. And for entrées, there is the chlebíčky that you wouldn’t find anywhere else. Try them by making them yourselves!

http://www.tresbohemes.com/2018/07/the-traditional-czech-treat-known-as-chlebicky/

Disclaimer: All posts are personal opinions and perspectives of the interviewees and are not a perfect representation of the whole country/experience.