City of Wilber welcomes the Czech Republic President for the first time
WILBER, Neb. (KLKN) – Despite the downpour of rain on Thursday, young cultural dancers performed, the Wilber Czech Alumni Band made traditional tunes and generations of families showed up to welcome the President of the Czech Republic to Wilber with pride.
The City’s Mayor, Roger Chrans announced at Sokol Hall, that September 24th would officially be ‘President Petr Pavel’ Day.
Before President Pavel spoke to the people who showed up to honor him, he toured local businesses on their main street which was lined with onlookers hiding under awnings from the rain.
President Pavel vocalized to many just how impressed he was by the wide array of Czech memorabilia.
Many Czech Americans in attendance brought their children and their parents to witness the special visit.
“All of the traditions are alive and strong, and we’re passing them down,” said Cassie Pracheil, who was there with her four kids and her father.
Those traditions trickled down from grandpa, Paul Hajek.
“This is a chance of a lifetime,” said Hajek, then telling Channel 8 how his ancestors first ended up in Nebraska after leaving Czechoslovakia.
“Frank, and one was Joe, and that’s how our family tree started, with those two brothers,” said Hajek.
The four Pracheil children told Channel 8 what excited them the most about the day.
Their reasons ranging from never having met a President in real life, to wanting to dance for the President.
Many of them, having been enrolled in Czech dance lessons since the age of two, proudly performed for the President during his welcome.
This was President Pavel’s first trip to Wilber thanks to organizers like Jen Pospisil, the secretary of Nebraska Czechs of Wilber.
“It’s huge to have someone at that status to come here to Wilber, it really just affirms everything that we’re doing in our community of promoting Czech heritage and culture,” said Pospisil.
She says it took the whole community coming together to pull it off, adding that she even had a few calls with the Secret Service.
From the variety of colorful Kroj (a traditional Czech outfit) to the sweet Kolaches (sweet Czech pastry) given out, it seemed like everyone was in fact helping out.
Like Terri and Larry Shestak. Terri told channel 8 that although she is not originally from the Czech culture, after marrying into it, she embraced the culture.
“I’ve learned how to make Hoska and Czech rosettes and different things, and the Christmas traditions to carry on,” said Terri, who says it’s important for their children to carry them on also.
President Pavel praised the community’s hard work and told media about what he’ll be bringing back to the Czech Republic with him.
“The level of community spirit,” he said. “People being so attached to this heritage. You will not see it in my own country because we live there and we consider it part of our daily life.”
