The Sheffield Czech and Slovak Society, in concert with the University of Sheffield, is pleased to invite you to two events:

1.

Professor Peter Steiner (University of Pennsylvania) Public talk:  "Edible Revolutionaries: The Rudolf Slánský Trial as a Romance"

Wednesday 25 November, 5.30 p.m., Engineering Faculty Board Room, St.

George's Complex, Mappin Street S1 3JD

Peter Steiner is a specialist in Czech and Russian literature and cultural studies, and this lecture will concern the trial of Rudolf Slansky, which was among the most famous of the 1950s Communist-era purge trials.  A native of Prague, Steiner received his doctoral degree from Yale in 1976 and taught at the University of Michigan and at Harvard University before moving to Penn.  He is the author of "Russian Formalism," which has been translated into Japanese, Italian, and Bulgarian.

2.

Benjamin Kuras

Reading from his works

Wednesday 2 December, 6.00 p.m., Jessop West Exhibition Space, Leavygreave Road, S3 7RA

Benjamin Kuras is a writer, playwright, translator and journalist.  Born in Zlin, he grew up in Olomouc, where he studied English at university.

After a short career as a radio editor in Czechoslovakia, he emigrated to the UK, working as an editor at the BBC and writing plays.  He now divides his time between London and Prague.  He has published a number of books in both Czech and English, such as Czechs and Balances (Češi na vlásku), Business je byznys, Nebýt Golema (As Golems Go), Je na Marxu život? (Is There Life on Marx?), Komenského návrat (Restoring Comenius), and many others.

He will be reading from a selection of his books in English and Czech and there will be an informal, open discussion with him after the reading.

Funding for these events is provided in part by a grant from the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whose contribution we gratefully acknowledge.

We look forward to seeing you at these events.

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Dear all,

I am delighted to inform you that this year's Czech & Slovak Christmas party will take place at

The Wick at Both Ends

149-151 West Street

Sheffield S1 4EW

on Monday 7 December, from 6.00 p.m.  

As usual, bring your own Czech/Slovak Christmas specialities - food of any sort is welcome!  Drinks will have to be bought at the bar, but The Wick will guarantee us 'happy hour' prices for the duration of the evening. 

It'll help if I can find out roughly how many people are coming and what they're bringing - please let me know (n.bermel@sheffield.ac.uk). 

Other things needed:  music (Czech/Slovak Christmas stuff and otherwise); some decorations.... and perhaps half an hour's help setting up at c. 5.30 that day.  Any volunteers? 

We will have half the bar; the other half will be open to the public.  If you've got a valid CSSS membership card, bring it along as proof you belong to the organisation (for cheap drinks).  If you've paid but not got a card yet, Ludek will bring them along to the upcoming events on 25 November and

2 December, or you can pick them up on the night.  They'll also be available that evening if you've not bought or renewed your membership yet (£3/year, £1.50 students/unwaged). 

Thanks to Marek Zvelebil for arranging this, and I look forward to seeing you there.

Neil