You're cordially invited to a reception at the U.S. Ambassador's Residence, Prague (Praha)!

During our Fulbright Orientation week in Prague, we visited the US Embassy Office at the American Center.

Later in the week, however, everyone in the Fulbright Program received an invitation from The Charge d'Affaires, Mr. John Ordway, to attend a reception at the U.S. Ambassador's Residence, located near to the Vila Lanna where we were staying:

So, we all gathered at this stunningly beautiful residence on Thursday evening for a reception and speeches by the Czech Fulbright Commission Chairman of the Board (who is from my host university, Jihoceska Univerzita, Ceske Budejovice), our Czech Fulbright Director, and The Charge d'Affaires.
(Note, of course, that at the present time we do not have a US Ambassador to the Czech Republic--one has been nominated by President Obama but has yet to be confirmed by the Senate).

Join us for a delightful evening of wine and hors d'oeuvres while we walk around the house and grounds.

The outdoor patio (above) and pool room (below)

Another view of the patio.

Some of the lovely grounds to stroll through...

Mark sitting outside on the patio, waiting for hor d'euvres!

Neil in the library...

Other views of rooms inside, each of which had multiple chandeliers of exquisite Bohemian leaded crystal.

The mansion has a sad story (see the website: http://prague.usembassy.gov/ambassadors_residence.html). It was built by a wealthy Jewish family in the 1920s, the Petscheks. They sold all of their holdings in Czechoslovakia when the Nazi invasion was imminent, moving to the U.S. (where family members still live). During the war years, Nazi troops used the mansion; later the Soviets did also. Fortunately most of it was left untouched. The family was later compensated for their losses.

At night, the scene as we left....gorgeous no matter what time of day or night.

Disclaimer: This blog is not an official University of Minnesota or Fulbright Program blog. The views expressed are my own and not those of the Fulbright Program, the U.S. Department of State or any of its partner organizations, or the University of Minnesota.