This month, we would like to introduce to you the fourth and last member of our board: Hana Schenková. Hana is the treasurer of EUNIC NL, as well as the Director of the Czech Centre in Rotterdam 🇨🇿. Having previously been the Director of EUNIC NL, we are very happy to have welcomed Hana back in the board last year. Find out more about Hana’s position and all the EUNIC events she is involved in below.
1) What role do you play in your institute/embassy?
I am the Director of the Czech Centre in Rotterdam. At the moment, the network of Czech Centres worldwide consists of 26 institutes across three continents. Our purpose, amongst others, is to promote Czech culture and art, the creative industries and science in the Netherlands. We (co-)organise various events and bring together Czech and Dutch artists and institutions. With our Dutch counterparts we are brainstorming and searching for original topics which are relevant and interesting to the Dutch audience. We also support study trips of Dutch art professionals to selected festivals in Czechia. The Czech Centre has no space of its own, we rent two offices at the Goethe-Institut in Rotterdam which gives us the opportunity to use their space and work together.
2) How do you contribute to EUNIC?
The Czech Centre has been a cluster member for a long time and it has always been an active one. I myself joined the group in 2009. In 2015, I became EUNIC NL president for more than two and a half years. After leaving the board, I came back as its treasurer last year. In the past I was actively involved in the European Day of Languages. I coordinated several editions in Rotterdam for the local secondary schools: mavo, havo and vwo. At present, I am one of the coordinators of another big EUNIC project – the European Literature Night – which brings European writers together to discuss current issues. After two online editions during the COVID-19 pandemic we are looking forward to a physical event this year. Furthermore, I am also a member of the working group focusing on fair practices in the cultural sector.
3) What is the best aspect about being a EUNIC Netherlands’ member?
EUNIC is a community and a framework for collaboration. I have developed valuable partnerships and long-lasting friendships throughout the years. I enjoy working together on joint projects with a diverse group of colleagues with different languages, cultures, approaches and attitudes. We get the opportunity to network and make things happen. If we want to create something positive, we have to cooperate with each other. And this applies to everything.
Thank you, Hana, for your interview and we are looking forward to the European Literature Night and all other EUNIC projects you are involved in!
