BBLA and VHLF Announce the 2020 Annual Gala Celebrating Cultural Diplomacy
We are delighted to announce that BBLA and the Vaclav Havel Library Foundation (VHLF) will be hosting the 2020 Annual Gala on September 24, 2020. The 2020 Annual Gala celebrates cultural diplomacy in honor of Ambassador William and Wendy Luers.
The evening will feature presentations of the annual BBLA Award for Unparalleled Service to the Czech and Slovak Communities, the VHLF’s Disturbing the Peace Award to a Courageous Writer at Risk, salutes by Czech, Slovak, and American artists and cultural diplomats, screening of new and rare film footage of Prague under Vaclav Havel, and an online auction. With music by Tony Ackerman.
We will honor Ambassador William and Wendy Luers with the BBLA Award for Unparalleled Service to the Czech and Slovak Communities. During their posting in Czechoslovakia from 1983 until 1986, the Luers befriended the dissidents, including and especially Vaclav Havel, while fostering Czech American relations at a very difficult time. They have consistently demonstrated support for the Czech Republic and Slovakia in all spheres of their broad interests.
This year, we are changing things up a bit. While the U.S. is still responding to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 Annual Gala has been conceived as an in-person event with a virtual option for those who are unable or prefer not to attend in person.
Cocktail reception on the rooftop of the Bohemian National Hall (New York City indoor gathering restrictions permitting) will be followed by a combination of live and online program (simultaneously broadcasted live on Zoom).
THE 2020 ANNUAL GALA BENEFITS THE VACLAV HAVEL LIBRARY FOUNDATION’S PROGRAMS SUPPORTING DISSIDENT WRITERS, PERFORMING ARTS STUDENTS AND EXPLORATORY THEATER. YOUR SUPPORT AT THIS TIMES ALLOWS VHLF TO CARRY OUT THE WORK THAT ILLUMINATES THE LEGACY OF VACLAV HAVEL IN THE U.S.
Please join us to show your support.
2020 GALA HOST COMMITTEE
list in formation
CHAIRS
Joseph Balaz
Craig and Dorothy Stapleton
BENEFACTORS
Riprand Graf Arco-Zinneberg and
Dr. Gräffin Arco-Zinneberg
Jack and Patricia Stack
Priscilla and Ward Woods
PATRONS
William and Catherine Cabaniss
Gustavo and Patricia Cisneros
Kevin and Karen Kennedy
Ben Heineman and Cristine Russell
Rosemary Ripley and Peter Grubstein
Andrew H. Schapiro and Tamar Newberger
Jan and Marica Vilcek
Kenneth and Susan Wallach
FRIENDS
Richard and Mary Lanier
Rose Styron
SPONSORS
Wendy Benchley and John Jeppson
Maria and Woody Campbell
George and Beth Drost
Henry A. Kissinger
Charlotta Kotik
Katia and Robert Mead
Nancy and John Novogrod
Pavel and Kimberly Oliva
Martin Palous
John and Emily Rafferty
Victoria Riskin and David Rintels
John Shattuck and Ellen Hume
George and Elizabeth Stevens
Lise Stone and Stephen B. Heintz
Enzo and Mayalen Viscusi
Senator Timothy Wirth
Marilyn Wyatt
The Ronald and Jo Carole Lauder Foundation