The British Czech and Slovak Association (BCSA) was launched in the presence of Alexander Dubček in November 1990 and has been a registered charity since 1995.
Our vision is to be a major British, Czech and Slovak platform where awareness is raised and ongoing dialogue promoted about Britain, the Czech and Slovak Republics and their cultures. This includes the history, arts, literature, economies, science, and contemporary socio-political matters that affect British, Czech and Slovak relations.
Our mission is to disseminate information through a range of events the Association organises, as well as being a signpost to the services provided by other British organisations with Czech and Slovak links.
Over the years the BCSA has organised many events covering a wide range of topics that reflect its charitable purpose. They include talks by or about leading personalities, history, literature, panel discussions, film presentations, book launches and musical recitals.
See our Recent BCSA Events page for the range of topics covered.
Most take place at the Czech or Slovak Embassies in Notting Hill Gate.
Members with their families and friends also get together for our two social and fund-raising events.
In June 2024 our third informal BCSA/CBCC summer party was held in the Slovak Embassy and the communal gardens of the Czech Embassy. 150 members and guests enjoyed traditional food and dancing.
In November the BCSA’s 2023 annual dinner was once again held jointly with the Czech British Chamber of Commerce (CBCC) at the May Fair Hotel, London.
Over the years our annual dinner has been supported by corporate sponsors and donors including Budweiser Budvar, Ensana Spa Hotels, Dr Jan Telenský and more recently John Brandler Galleries with items for auction.
The BCSA also publishes the bi-monthly British Czech and Slovak Review for its members with in-depth articles, film and book reviews, related events in the UK, coverage of recent developments in the Czech and Slovak Republics and their relations with Britain. We are very grateful for the support of the Office of Foreign Affairs of the Government of the Czech Republic with its production.
People of many backgrounds join the BCSA including British individuals with an interest in the Czech and Slovak Republics. Some members are former Slovak or Czech citizens who have settled in the UK with their British partners and families. Others are Czech and Slovaks who live, work or study in Britain. Many founder members are former citizens of what was Czechoslovakia who left their country in difficult times.
Our monthly ‘get to know you’ social evenings are an opportunity for BCSA members, supporters and friends to meet. These are held at Bohemia House, West Hampstead – for further details click here.
Each year, the BCSA runs a writing competition for original writing in English on the links between Britain and the Czech/Slovak Republics (at any stage in their history) or describing society in transition in the Republics since 1989. The two winning entries are published in the Review. Entrants do not need to be members of the BCSA.