Dr. Jaroslav Egon Salaba Vojan
Foreign Language Press Survey - Promotes Czech Culture
The Chicago Foreign Language Press Survey was published in 1942 by the Chicago Public Library Omnibus Project of the Works Progress Administration of Illinois. The purpose of the project was to translate and classify selected news articles that appeared in the foreign language press from 1855 to 1938. The project consists of 120,000 typewritten pages translated from newspapers of 22 different foreign language communities of Chicago.
https://flps.newberry.org/#/
The Foreign Language Press survey, hosted by the Newberry Library has numerous references to Dr. Vojan and his involvement in supporting all facets of Czech culture.
Below are just several examples to support this from the Foreign Language Press Survey.
Denní Hlasatel, Apr. 30, 1911
Dr. Jaroslav E.
Dr. Jaroslav E. Salaba Vojan, journalist and manager of the Ceske Tiskove Kancelare, (The Bohemian Press Bureau), also author of Velkeho New Yorky, wrote and published a new book, Cesko-Americke Epistoly (Bohemian-American Epistles). The writer dedicated this work to his wife, Olga, but we immediately note that he made a remarkable gift to Bohemian-American literature thereby. Bohemian-American literature is scarce, almost too scarce, so far as really worth-while works are concerned, and we welcome with sincerest joy its every enrichment with works of distinctive worth.
Bohemian-American Epistles is such a work, even if we did not agree with some parts of its contents. For instance, we disagree with the author in his division of Bohemian-Americans into three groups. We agree that there is a group here which is rapidly and indifferently becoming denationalized. These people the author places in the first group. We also know, and agree with the author that there is another group of those who, although they are becoming adjusted to American habits and customs, are remaining sincere Bohemians, but we do not agree with the author that there is a third group, who are surrounding themselves with a veritable Chinese Wall against everything American and, under no consideration, want to admit that they are in any way duty-bound to this new country. True, there are such people here, but they do not and cannot create a group. They are merely strays, a few individuals, who simply can not be considered. Otherwise, we agree with the contents of the book to the last letter.
Dr. Vojan sees correctly what we have, and what we lack. He judges remarkably the work accomplished by Bohemians in America, and we admit he is absolutely correct when he says that Bohemians in America are not a dying branch of the Bohemian people, and are not threatened with extinction as many Bohemian writers predicted, who, in former days, made a flying visit through America.
Bohemian-American Epistles are written in a beautiful, easily understood style, and because the cover of the book is very fine, we do not doubt that it will become an adornment to every Bohemian-American library. We recommend it most heartily.
journalist and manager of the Ceske Tiskove Kancelare, (The Bohemian Press Bureau), also author of Velkeho New Yorky, wrote and published a new book, Cesko-Americke Epistoly (Bohemian-American Epistles). The writer dedicated this work to his wife, Olga, but we immediately note that he made a remarkable gift to Bohemian-American literature thereby. Bohemian-American literature is scarce, almost too scarce, so far as really worth-while works are concerned, and we welcome with sincerest joy its every enrichment with works of distinctive worth.
Bohemian-American Epistles is such a work, even if we did not agree with some parts of its contents. For instance, we disagree with the author in his division of Bohemian-Americans into three groups. We agree that there is a group here which is rapidly and indifferently becoming denationalized. These people the author places in the first group. We also know, and agree with the author that there is another group of those who, although they are becoming adjusted to American habits and customs, are remaining sincere Bohemians, but we do not agree with the author that there is a third group, who are surrounding themselves with a veritable Chinese Wall against everything American and, under no consideration, want to admit that they are in any way duty-bound to this new country. True, there are such people here, but they do not and cannot create a group. They are merely strays, a few individuals, who simply can not be considered. Otherwise, we agree with the contents of the book to the last letter.
Dr. Vojan sees correctly what we have, and what we lack. He judges remarkably the work accomplished by Bohemians in America, and we admit he is absolutely correct when he says that Bohemians in America are not a dying branch of the Bohemian people, and are not threatened with extinction as many Bohemian writers predicted, who, in former days, made a flying visit through America.
Bohemian-American Epistles are written in a beautiful, easily understood style, and because the cover of the book is very fine, we do not doubt that it will become an adornment to every Bohemian-American library. We recommend it most heartily.
Denní Hlasatel, Jan. 16, 1913
Last Sunday afternoon, the Bohemian Arts Club of Chicago held its first annual plenary meeting which was well attended by the membership. The violin virtuoso Jaroslav Kocian, and Professor Karel Veleminsky, who came toward the end of the meeting, were especially welcome guests.
The meeting was opened by the president, Dr. Jaroslav E. Salaba Vojan, who presented a resume of the Club's work during its first year. All objectives as set up in the bylaws were being pursued: Fellowship among the members was being promoted by meetings like the Smetana evening in Korbel's Studio, the musicale in the auditorium of the Art Institute, and Ales party in Sterba's Studio. For the general public, the Vrchlicky evening was arranged in cooperation with the [Cesko-Americka] Narodni Rada (Bohemian-American National Council) and the Cesko-Americka Tiskova Kancelar (Bohemian-American Press Bureau). The members were active in the banquet in honor of Count Frankish Luzon, at the meeting of the Cesko-Americka Narodni Rada, etc. Newspaper articles, such as the president's recent article on Ales [Translator's note: Vaclav Ales, famous Bohemian painter] in the Daily News, will be continued. The resume was unanimously approved and [the Club's] appreciation expressed to the president.
The president then asked the meeting to rise in memory of Mr. Bartos Bitner and Mr. J. Patek. There followed then the unanimous re-election of Dr. Vojan (for the committee on Literature) as president; Mr.A. Sterba (for the committee on Creative Arts) as vice-president; and Mr. J. Mrazek (for the committee on Architecture) as organizer and recorder. A motion to amend the bylaws by an article concerning contributing members was adopted. The Club will now admit as members friends of the arts who will have the right to attend all concerts, social evenings, and all other undertakings of the Club. The dues will amount to five dollars a year, and admission to membership will be decided by a committee of five members composed of Mr. V. Machek for the Committee on Music, Mr. R. J. Psenka for Committee on Literature, Mr. Frantisek Randak for Committee on Architecture, Mr. Antonin Petrtyl for Committee on Creative Arts, and President Vojan.
Denní Hlasatel, Oct. 28, 1917
There was a farewell party for members of the Czech Artists' Club who have enlisted for service in the Army. One of these, E. J. Freund, a violin virtuoso, is in the Rockford, Illinois training camp already. Others soon to depart are the actor Dvorak and the painter Vytlacil.
A letter from E. St. Vraz, the traveler, was received by the Club wherein the wishes for a happy return, good health, and laurels of victory for the volunteers are voiced.
Wishes for the volunteers, as expressed by the Artists' Club's secretary, Mr. Horlivy, took on a humorous note: "Mr. Dvorak" means "Mr. Polite" in English, and "Mr. Vytlacil" means "The Gentleman Who Squeezed Something, Or Somebody, Out". Mr. Dvorak had to promise that when he meets the Germans he will be "Mr. Im-Polite," whereas Mr. Vytlacil assured the Club members that he will do honor to his name when he meets the Germans and actually "Squeeze Them Out".
Mr. Vytlacil, the painter, had only recently received a call to become a professor at the Art Institute of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Because of his enlistment, however, he had to decline the offer. The Club hopes that he will meet with the same success in the Army as he has had as an artist.
Karel Horky, the writer and poet, was heartily welcomed in the Club last Wednesday. Dr. J. Salaba Vojan, president, pointed to the merits of Horky's work, and expressed the wish that the poet would soon become an active worker of the Club and make Chicago his permanent abode.
In a communication from the Bohemian National Cemetery Association, the Artists' Club is requested to act as counsel and aid in the selection of certain decorations which are to be used at the Cemetery. The Club members gladly promised to do this.
Denní Hlasatel, Feb. 26, 1922
When Messrs. Josef Hak, Josef Biciste, and Adolf Schreiber of Prague, Czechoslovakia, arrived in Chicago about six months....ago to advertise the recently published work, "Krasy Republiky Ceskoslovenske" (The Beauties of the Republic of Czechoslovakia), several of our local countrymen noticed that the afore-mentioned gentlemen brought with them the sample copies of the volume as well as a number of valuable Czechoslovak original paintings and sculptures, the works of some of our outstanding artists. When our observant countrymen realized that these masterpieces would probably not be purchased by our local wealthy Bohemians due to a lack of understanding on their part and also because the masterpieces themselves were rather expensive, they conceived the idea of a way to secure these originals by some other means so that we of Chicago would profit by the acquisition. That idea took root. It was believed that some of our local countrymen could contribute at least some money for the purchase of several of these valuable art creations, and that subsequently these works could be presented to the local Art Institute as a gift from our Chicago Czechoslovaks.
To start the ball rolling, two of our foremost local Czech artists, Professor Albin Polasek and the painter, Professor Antonin Sterba, were taken into confidence and their counsel was sought. Both of these gentlemen became enthusiastic over the proposed plan, and after having examined the works of the Czechoslovak artists, [particularly] those pieces which were chosen to be given to the Chicago Art Institute, and having assured themselves that they are truly worthy of being called works of art, they sanctioned the project, but not until they had also approached the Institute authorities. The two men were told that such a gift of the Chicago Czechoslovaks would be most gratefully welcomed by the Institute. This led to immediate activity............
Dr. E. Dr. E. Salaba Vojan has written a short sketch describing the selected art works and their authors, and this sketch will be delivered to the director of the Chicago Art Institute. The masterpieces selected for the permanent collections of the Art Institute and presented as a gift of the Chicago Czechoslovaks are the following: "Setkani" (A Meeting), by Ludek Marold; "Kyjovanka" (A Peasant Wench of Kyjov), by Jozka Uprka; "Praha A Vltava" (Prague and the River Moldau), which is a bronze plaque superimposed upon a marble base, by Stanislav Sucharda; a bronze statuette, "Zizka Na Koni" (Zizka [Hussite Warrior] on Horseback), V. L. Amort.has written a short sketch describing the selected art works and their authors, and this sketch will be delivered to the director of the Chicago Art Institute. The masterpieces selected for the permanent collections of the Art Institute and presented as a gift of the Chicago Czechoslovaks are the following: "Setkani" (A Meeting), by Ludek Marold; "Kyjovanka" (A Peasant Wench of Kyjov), by Jozka Uprka; "Praha A Vltava" (Prague and the River Moldau), which is a bronze plaque superimposed upon a marble base, by Stanislav Sucharda; a bronze statuette, "Zizka Na Koni" (Zizka [Hussite Warrior] on Horseback), V. L. Amort.
Denní Hlasatel, Sept. 24, 1922
In its first regular meeting, held September 20, 1922, following the summer vacations, the Umelecky Klub (Bohemian Arts Club) decided to celebrate its.... tenth anniversary in two ways. For its more intimate group, that is, its active and contributing members and their families and friends, it will arrange an evening of entertainment on November 15, 1922, at the Lawndale Masonic Temple. The entertainment will consist of a selected artistic program of a lighter genre. There will be a French buffet, cold supper, and dancing. For the general public the Club will arrange a splendid artistic soiree fourteen days later. This event will take place in Fullerton Hall of the Chicago Art Institute, on Michigan Avenue.
Mr. Boza Umiro, who was present at the meeting, promised that both he and his wife--Mrs. Ella Spravka-Umiroff--would take part in the program. The cello virtuoso, Mr. Jaroslav Gons, and his wife, Mrs. Gons-Sagurskaja, who is a famous dancer, were likewise most obliging in promising to co-operate [with the arranging committee] and take part in the program. The same is true of Mrs. Messenger-Sterba, a harp virtuoso, who will enrich the program by her artistic contribution. Other items on the program are still being discussed and prepared. The Club will also publish a special edition of its newspaper which will serve as a program. The committee consists of Mr. Jaromir Psenka, Dr. [Jaroslav] Salaba Vojan, Mr. Freund, Professor Sterba, and Messrs. Svoboda, Jez, and Mrazek. Mr. [James] F. Stepina, a contributing member of the Club, was given a vote of thanks for placing a wreath.... in the name of the Umelecky Klub on the coffin of the recently deceased Czech sculptor, Professor Myslbek, whose funeral was held at the time of Mr. Stepina's visit in Prague. To honor the memory of Professor Myslbek, the Club rose to its feet.