On Saturday, Drake Stadium played host to one of the most
unusual soccer matches UCLA has seen in years: Czech and Slovak
locals versus celebrities from the Czech Republic.
In a fierce match, the celebrities defeated the locals 3-2,
thanks to two former European Cup champions on the celebrity team.
More significantly, however, Czechs and Slovaks living in Los
Angeles had the rare opportunity to enjoy their native popular
culture up close, shaking hands and taking pictures with some of
the country’s famous actors, singers, athletes and television
personalities.
“I’ve waited 20 years for this,” said one fan
gleefully, as her husband took her picture with the very friendly
Karel Gott, a legendary singer in Europe.
Gott and the other Czech celebrities were here as members of
Amfora, a non-profit organization which travels to Czech and Slovak
communities around the world while fund-raising for numerous
children’s causes. Amfora assisted the Czech government last
year, donating money for flood relief in Prague. Since its
inception in 1974, Amfora has traveled to many countries, most
recently South Africa, Australia and Japan. This was their first
trip to the United States.
Many Czech television shows stopped production for two weeks due
to the absence of their Amfora-affiliated actors and hosts.
“Because this trip to the United States interfered so
heavily with the entertainment industry back home, we might not be
able to return,” Amfora general manager Peter Salava said.
“But we are definitely enjoying our time here.”
Jirina Kyas, a UCLA communication studies student, organized the
event. Kyas got involved with the event through the Czech Consulate
in Los Angeles. She has been involved with the Consulate since she
immigrated here in 1997.
“I was a very active participant in Czech culture back
home,” she said. “I came here to the United States in
1997, and when the consulate in Los Angeles opened, I joined them
immediately.”
Normally, American fans of Czech culture have only a few
resources with which to follow it, primarily through the Internet
and Czech television in some places.
“Each of these Amfora players would draw huge crowds back
home, so an intimate opportunity like this one is very special to
us,” Kyas said.
In addition to Saturday’s soccer game at Drake Stadium,
the star-studded Amfora put on a concert Sunday night in Huntington
Beach, and will travel to Las Vegas and New York City before
returning to Prague.
Presently, there are no plans to return to the UCLA campus for
more Czech community outreach, according to Consul General Margita
Fuchsova.