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Slovak Christmas Buns – Bobalky

These Slovak Christmas Mini Buns are commonly present as one of the courses during traditional Christmas dinners. In our class, you will prepare two versions: one sweet with poppy seed and honey and one savory with sauerkraut, onion, and caraway. Note: Suitable for vegetarians.Join us from the comfort of  your home on Zoom and learn...

Christmas Drinks & Pralines

In this class, you will prepare traditional Czech & Slovak egg liqueur (similar to eggnog), Czech and Slovak mulled wine, and a couple of easy-to-make pralines.  All totally from scratch. Note: Suitable for vegetarians.Join us from the comfort of  your home on Zoom and learn from Czech-born Chef Tom Slepicka in these hands-on interactive classes....

Brilliant Bohemian Garnets Guided Tour

National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library 1400 Inspiration Pl SW, Cedar Rapids, IA, United States

Join Curator Stefanie Kohn for a guided tour of Brilliant Bohemian Garnets, where you'll learn about the history, stories, and significance behind the nearly 200 objects that feature the fiery red gemstones. Tours will be offered each month during the exhibition. Cost includes full museum admission.Cost: General: $15 • Members: Free Each tour is limited...

Christmas Log – Decadent Christmas Roulade

Old Christmas traditions of burning a wooden log in a few European countries (Portuguese, Germany, and others) inspired French chefs to invent a delicious and decadent chocolate dessert, which is called Bûche de Noël (translated Christmas Log). Burning wooden logs wasn’t an original tradition in Czech and Slovak, but in the last few years, this...

Czech Christmas Meal – Fish in Black Sauce

In this class, you will prepare a back-to-basic fish recipe, fish in a black sauce, which is the oldest Czech way of preparing Christmas Eve fish (usually carp). In our class, you will substitute carp with white fish, but all other steps will be authentic. The sauce is a delicious combination of moderate fish flavor,...

Czech & Slovak Gingerbread House

For the last couple of years, these series have included traditional Czech and Slovak-decorated gingerbread cookies. This year, you will take it one step further and prepare the entire gingerbread house the same way Czechs and Slovaks do. This house will be prepared in just enough time to be displayed at your home for the...

Brilliant Bohemian Garnets Guided Tour

National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library 1400 Inspiration Pl SW, Cedar Rapids, IA, United States

Join Curator Stefanie Kohn for a guided tour of Brilliant Bohemian Garnets, where you'll learn about the history, stories, and significance behind the nearly 200 objects that feature the fiery red gemstones. Tours will be offered each month during the exhibition. Cost includes full museum admission.Cost: General: $15 • Members: Free Each tour is limited...

Vánočka – Sweet Czech Braided Bread

Vánočka is often called “Houska” in the USA. The name “vánočka” comes from “Vánoce”, which means Christmas in Czech. It is a scrumptious sweet bread with raisins and almonds, which is very common to serve on Christmas morning in the Czech Republic (December 24th). It can be served plain, with butter, or with butter and...

** SOLD OUT** Brilliant Bohemian Garnets Guided Tour

National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library 1400 Inspiration Pl SW, Cedar Rapids, IA, United States

** TOUR IS FULL AND HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO JAN. 14 DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS** Join Lifelong Learning Specialist Jacob Lesan for the last guided tour of Brilliant Bohemian Garnets, where you’ll learn about the history, stories, and significance behind the nearly 200 objects that feature the fiery red gemstones. Cost includes full museum admission.Cost:...