HoubyDaysBooklet 2025 digital - Flipbook - Page 30
National Czech & Slovak
Museum & Library
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2026 Houby Days celebration.
Each spring, our community gathers to honor a tradition that is as 昀氀avorful as it
is meaningful—one that blends heritage, history, and the simple joy of coming
together. Our National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library (NCSML), Czech
Village, New Bohemia, and the entire Cedar Rapids community are truly a
destination place for our region, state, nation, and world.
Houby Days is more than a festival. It is a reminder of the customs carried
across generations and oceans, from the forests and villages of Czech and
Slovak homelands to the heart of Cedar Rapids. The humble mushroom—
houba—has long symbolized resourcefulness, connection to the land, and the
comfort of shared meals. Today, it also symbolizes the strength and spirit of a
community that continues to celebrate its roots with pride.
This year’s festival carries a special resonance as our nation approaches
America 250, the commemoration of the United States’ 250th anniversary. It is a
moment that invites all of us to re昀氀ect on the many threads that have been woven
into the American story—threads carried here by immigrants, strengthened by
communities like Cedar Rapids, and preserved through culture, memory, and
shared celebration.
The Czech and Slovak experience is one of those threads. From the early
settlers who arrived with little more than determination, to the generations who
built neighborhoods, churches, farms, and businesses across Iowa, their story is
a testament to resilience, hope, and the belief that heritage enriches the nation
it joins. With our 2026 Houby Days festival, we are honored to help preserve
and share these stories as part of the America 250 conversation—reminding us
that the nation’s history is not a single narrative, but a chorus of many voices,
cultures, and journeys. All cultures add different threads to the story and that is
what makes it so beautiful and unique.
Whether you are a longtime participant or joining us for the 昀椀rst time, we
invite you to explore the museum, Czech Village, and New Bohemia. Our shops,
restaurants, coffee bistros, bars, street vendors, and museum and library are
eager to help you discover the rich cultural heritage that makes this festival—and
this community—so special.
Thank you for being part of Houby Days. May your weekend be 昀椀lled with
good food, good company, and the warmth of all traditions. We are delighted
to celebrate with you as we look toward America’s 250th year with pride and
gratitude.
Dr. Cecilia Rokusek
President & CEO - NCSML
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