Archive for the ‘Social Chronicle’ Category

Unique Monument celebrates it’s 20th aniversary

Friday, July 10th, 2009 by Alena Kottová
"Crucified Again" Monument

"Crucified Again" Monument

A Monument to the victims of communism – the only one of it’s kind in the world, was unveiled on July 2nd, 1989 in the Masaryktown Park in Toronto. Today it is already twenty years since the monument was erected … the world has changed, the iron curtain has fallen, but we can never forget the evil communism brought to countries and people alike. Tens of millions of people were murdered or tortured to death by communists and the count is still rising… This monument serves to remind us of that.

The monument, named “Crucified Again” was created by czech artist Josef Randa. It shows a man, suffering on a “cross” made of a hammer and sickle – the symbols of Communist Russia. The idea was brought forward by group K-231 ; an exile group of political prisoners from former Czechoslovakia. They also organized the fundrising through the community of political ex-prisoners, political refugees and other victims of communism in the czech and slovak communities in Canada.

The result of this effort is now standing in the park, reminding us never to forget and overlook the suffering of people in communist countries from Cuba to China. The monument is protected and maintained by the Masaryk Memorial Institute in Toronto. It is worth a visit for everyone – remember to cherish and protect the freedom we have in Canada, as not everyone enjoys that opportunity. Visit www.masaryktown.org

Sonja Bata appeared on CBC’s The Hour

Wednesday, December 17th, 2008 by Jerry Kott

In September, we brought you the sad news about the passing of Czech-Canadian industrialist and shoe empire magnate, Thomas Bata. As they say, behind every great man is a great woman. Thomas Bata’s wife Sonja is perhaps best known for her passion for collecting shoes and the founding of the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto. What is less known is her passion for environmental and social work.

On December 3rd, CBC’s The Hour featured Sonja Bata in an interview with George Stroumboulopoulos. Here is the video.


Copyright ©2008 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Thomas Jan Bata: September 17, 1914 – September 1, 2008

Saturday, September 6th, 2008 by Jerry Kott

In the packed Franciscan Church of St. Bonaventura in Toronto, hundreds of people gathered on Friday, September 5th, to pay their respect and give a final farewell to the Czech-born Canadian industrialist Thomas J. Bata. Among those in presence were of numerous representatives of Canadian and Czech businesses, as well as political, military and community leaders from both countries. The government of the Czech Republic sent a special delegation that included the Czech vice-premier Jiří Čunek and Consul General of the Czech Republic in Toronto, Richard Krpač. (more…)