BCSA: T.G.M: A Reflection by his Great-granddaughter

Members of the public are invited to attend the following event organised with the kind cooperation of the Embassy of the Slovak Republic and the Embassy of the Czech Republic:

 

T.G. Masaryk: a reflection by his great-granddaughter

 

Charlotta Kotik will speak about his involvement in the foundation of Czechoslovakia and his attitude towards Slovakia.

 

Tomas Garrigue Masaryk (TGM) remains an icon of the first Czechoslovak republic as its president from 1918 to 1935. The BCSA is honoured that his closest living relative has accepted our invitation to mark the centenary of Czechoslovakia.

 

Charlotta Kotik grew up in communist Prague at a time when her great-grandfather’s surname and image was vilified by the regime. Her mother, Herberta, was the daughter of TGM’s eldest son Herbert; she was named after her great-grandmother, Charlotte. However her first name had too much symbolism so is was changed to Karla by the authorities. This family heritage also restricted her education but eventually she managed to complete a degree in art history at Charles University in 1968 at the same time as working full-time at the National Gallery.

 

In 1970 Charlotta emigrated to the United States where she worked at an art gallery in Buffalo until 1983 when she moved to the Brooklyn Museum of Art, becoming head of the department of contemporary art until 2007. Today she spends time in her native country where she lectures and participates in an award for young artists as well as visiting her grandchildren who live in Prague.

 

Wednesday 17th October 2018

18:30 – 20:30 (doors open at 18:00)

The Slovak Embassy, 25 Kensington Palace Gardens, London W8 4QY

(Nearest underground station Notting Hill Gate)

 

Light refreshments will be served

 

Free admission for members of the BCSA, £10 for non-members, full time students £5. Registration is necessary for all on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tg-masaryk-a-reflection-by-his-great-granddaughter-tickets-49698197647 

or by e-mail to secretary@bcsa.co.uk

 

Book early to avoid disappointment.