The Czechoslovak Review/Volume 2/Bohemians at the Minnesota state fair

BOHEMIANS At The MINNESOTA STATE FAIR

 

This fair, which has been an annual feature of Minnesota for a great number of years, had this year for the first time a Czechoslovak exhibit. It was provided by Bohemians and Slovaks of St. Paul and Minneapolis under the auspices of the Young Women’s Christian Association. The exhibit con sisted of elaborate Bohemian costumes, native em broidery which the grandmothers of the Bohemians living here used to wear. Bohemian glassware more than a hundred years old, pictures and old Bibles from the days of the Reformation, portraits of Bohemian heroes, etc. The center of attraction was the Czechoslovak service flag with hundreds of stars among which were three gold ones, so arranged as to spell the word “Bohemian”; above it was hte picture of Professor Masaryk. The exhibit was always surrounded by great crowds who ex pressed their admiration of the high degree of education prevailing among Chechoslovak people. On September 3rd when news came of the American recognition of the Czechoslovaks the declaration was at once framed and placed among the exhibits. Czechoslovak Day was held at the fair on September 5th, the program consisting of national songs, Sokol drills and folk dances in national costumes.

The small Czechoslovak settlement in the twin cities of Minnesota deserves much credit for this exhibit which has contributed very largely toward a better acquaintance of Americans with our people.