"Czech and Slovak Americans: International Perspectives from the Great Plains," is the theme for an international conference planned by the Center for Great Plains Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The conference April 7-10 at the Nebraska Union will examine Czech and Slovak immigrants and their descendants in the North American Great Plains region; their relationships with other Czech- and Slovak-Americans, and with Czechs and Slovaks in Europe and other parts of the world. Keynote addresses will be presented by Toni Brendel, author of "Slovak American Touches;" Martin Mejstrik, a pivotal student leader in the "Velvet Revolution" and former senator in the Parliament of the Czech Republic; Daniel E. Miller, professor of history, University of West Florida; Martin Palous, Czech Republic permanent representative to the United Nations; and Milada Polisenska, vice president for educational development and chair of the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at the New Anglo-American College in Prague.

"We are excited to bring these national and international speakers to Nebraska. They have important knowledge of the past and current history of Czechs and Slovaks in North America, the former Czechoslovakia, and the present Czech and Slovak Republics," said conference co-chair and UNL faculty member Mila Saskova-Pierce. Co-chair Bruce Garver, professor of history at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, added, "Czech and Slovak immigrants to the Great Plains played an important role in the development of agriculture, communities and popular culture. We expect this conference to bring together academic researchers as well as members of the public who have interests or ancestral ties to Czechs and Slovaks."

John Fiala, president of Nebraska Czechs and a member of the conference planning committee, said, "Our goal has been to create a conference that will raise awareness of the history of Czech and Slovak immigrants beyond the annual community festivals, which play essential roles in retaining cultural ties."

Robert Kuzelka, UNL associate professor emeritus and also a member of the planning committee, said, "One of the cultural events we plan to offer will be a special opera presentation by the UNL School of Music. This evening event will include highlights from operas by Czech composers."

In conjunction with the symposium, the Great Plains Art Museum will host "Czech Memories: Ethnicity and History Preserved through Architecture," an exhibition of photographs by Jean Lewis, featuring scenes from Wilber and other immigrant communities around Nebraska.

Anyone with an interest in the theme is encouraged to submit a proposal. The deadline for submitting a proposal is Nov. 1. Possible topics for papers, panels and presentations should be related to Czech or Slovak Americans and immigration with an emphasis on the North American Great Plains. Topics may include but are not limited to immigration, education, farming, gender studies, fine and performing arts, politics, popular culture, religion, technology and tourism. A complete call for papers and instructions for submitting proposals can be found on the center's Web site, www.unl.edu/plains. Registration information will be posted after Nov. 1.

The Center for Great Plains Studies is an interdisciplinary, intercollegiate, regional research and teaching program chartered in 1976 by the University of Nebraska Board of Regents. The center's mission is to foster the study of people and the environment in the sparsely populated Great Plains. For more information about the conference, call (402) 472-3082 or visit www.unl.edu/plains.