In partnership with Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International (CGSI), a day-long Symposium of cultural, history, and genealogical presentations will occur on Sunday, April 21. The theme of this years Symposium is “Forgotten Czech, Slovak, & Carpatho-Rusyn Heroes” to showcase how ordinary men and women rose to meet the extraordinary challenges of their times, and to provide a framework of discussion, reflection and further research.

Saturday, April 20 Register click here 2024 CGSI Symposium (regfox.com)
Extended museum hours until 5:30 p.m.  Pre-event networking & cash bar A Night at the Museum with the Czech Plus Band at 6 p.m.

Sunday, April 21
A full day of presentations is planned from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. with a Czech-style lunch from Dostal Catering, located in the heart of Cedar Rapids’ Czech Village.

Dr. Martin Javor, director of the Kasigarda Museum of Emigration from Slovakia to North America in Pavlovce nad Ulom, Slovakia will deliver a  keynote address for a series of seven talks that will highlight the courage, sacrifice and fortitude of military, diplomatic and religious leaders in the Czech, Slovak and Carpatho-Rusyn homelands in the 20th century. Speakers include distinguished scholars and genealogy researchers from the United Kingdom and Eastern and Midwestern United States.

A key part of the day will be hearing several stories from CGSI members who will share how they discovered their heritage and roots and the transformative impact these genealogical journeys had for them.

Guests will also learn how to develop a family genealogy search strategy and hear about new and ongoing CGSI endeavors such as a nationwide cemetery mapping project.

For the most up-to-date schedule visit CGSI’s website.