Another important step toward strengthening the presence of the Czech community in Rhodes took place on Saturday, October 10, with the official opening of the community library of the Czech Association (Czech Association in Greece), in the presence of the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Greece, Ivo Šilhavý, and Lucie Macháčková, a representative of the National Library of the Czech Republic, who symbolically cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony.
The library is housed on the premises of the Czech School of Rhodes and already has more than 500 books for children and adults, while the collection of books in the Slovak language is also growing. It is a new space for gathering, education, and culture, which aims to become a hub for Czech and Slovak families living on the island.
The Czech Association’s Presence in Rhodes
The Czech Association has been active in Greece since 2021 and in Rhodes since January 2025, organizing educational, cultural, and community activities. An important part of this presence is the Czech School of Rhodes, which offers Czech language classes to children growing up in Czech, Greek-Czech, and multilingual families.
Its educational activities are not limited to language instruction. The children also learn about the history, traditions, and culture of the Czech Republic, while at the same time having the opportunity to meet peers with shared cultural references. Since September 2026, the school has been operating in new facilities, thanks to a partnership with the Association of Multicultural Families of Rhodes (S.P.O.R.).
“We are particularly pleased to now be part of this multicultural community. It is important for our children to see that they are not the only ones growing up with two or more languages and cultural identities. In such an environment, multilingualism becomes something completely natural, and different cultures are a source of knowledge and enrichment,” said Iva Machová Šmejsová, coordinator of the Czech Association’s activities in Rhodes.
SPOR: More than 20 years of multicultural education in Rhodes
Of particular importance to the development of the Czech Association’s activities in Rhodes is its collaboration with the Association of Multicultural Families of Rhodes (SPOR), an association with a history dating back to 2002. SPOR was founded with the goal of supporting families of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds who live permanently in Rhodes and, primarily, to give their children the opportunity to maintain a meaningful connection with the language, history, and culture of their parents’ country of origin.
Through the operation of the Rhodes International Multicultural School, housed in a building provided by the Region of South Aegean, the Association has been providing a shared educational and cultural environment for the island’s diverse linguistic communities for more than two decades. Today, the Swedish, Finnish, Dutch, and English-speaking communities coexist in the same space, and the Czech community has now joined them. Each community develops its own educational and cultural activities, while together they contribute to the creation of a space for cooperation, mutual respect, and cultural exchange.
The Czech Association’s membership in SPOR represents yet another step toward strengthening this cooperation. Since October 2026, Iva Machová Šmejsová has served on the SPOR Board of Directors, officially representing the Czech Association and the Czech community.
“The Czech community’s integration into SPOR is a particularly important step for the organization and our school. The presence and active participation of this new community enriches our cultural identity, strengthens inclusion, and offers new opportunities for the exchange of ideas and experiences. At the same time, the value of multilingual education is crucial in today’s world. Students’ exposure to different languages and cultures broadens their horizons, fosters empathy, and prepares them for a globalized world. Language is not only a means of communication but also a bridge that connects people. Meaningful collaboration among the various communities within our school is the key to our shared progress. Through joint activities, cultural events, and educational initiatives, we can create an environment of mutual respect, creativity, and unity. “Together, we are building a stronger and more open school community,” said Jenna Meisaari, President of SPOR.
A library that connects people and cultures
The new library features more than 500 books for children, teenagers, and adults. Its collection is being expanded thanks to donations from libraries, publishing houses, organizations, and private individuals, with a particular emphasis on developing children’s literature and creating a Slovak collection. An important partner of the Czech Association is the National Library of the Czech Republic, with which it has been carrying out initiatives for more than four years to network and support Czech community libraries in various countries around the world.
“We don’t want our library to be just a space with shelves full of books. We want it to be a hub for the community, a place where people meet, exchange ideas, and create new activities together. “Language and culture are preserved not only through classes, but also through human relationships and shared experiences,” said Lenka Kanellia, President of the Czech Association.
The opening ceremony was followed by meetings with members of the Czech and Slovak communities, focused on the further development of the library and the planning of new educational, cultural, and community initiatives. Particular emphasis was placed on cooperation between the two communities, as many of their traditions and celebrations are shared. Possibilities for organizing joint events for children and families were discussed, and the groundwork was laid for expanding the collection of books in the Slovak language.
With the Czech School, the new community library, and its participation in SPOR, the Czech Association is gradually establishing a solid foundation for its activities in Rhodes. Its goal is to support the Czech and Slovak communities, develop partnerships with local organizations, and actively participate in the island’s multicultural life.
The Czech Association extends its warmest thanks to the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Athens, the National Library of the Czech Republic, SPOR, as well as all partners, volunteers, and donors who contribute to the development of its activities in Rhodes. The Czech Association’s activities are carried out with financial support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, while its educational programs are also supported by the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports of the Czech Republic.
