Moravian Parade of Kroje
The UNITED MORAVIAN SOCIETIES was founded in 1939 when 41 delegates from 22 Czechoslovak ethnic clubs and societies based in the Chicago land area decided to pool their energies and resources to promote the Moravian culture by showcasing their traditional folk customs of dance, song, crafts and storytelling. And, thus, Moravian Day, a whole weekend of festivities, was born. A colorful parade, full of horses, floats, national costumes, and brass bands filled 26th street leading every spectator to Pilsen Park for the festivities. The event was viewed and applauded by thousands of bystanders. Since then, Moravian Day has become a welcomed gathering of all Moravians, Czechs, and Slovaks in the metropolitan Chicago area, as well as the many others who travel each year from all parts of the United States, Canada, and the Czech and Slovak Republics to join in on the celebration of their common heritage.
Sadly, the many organizations who originated this union have slowly dwindled and faded away, leaving only this one as a lasting testament to their deep desire to preserve and promote their heritage. To this end, we occupy a building in Glendale Heights that provides not only meeting space, but also a large area for dance rehearsals (we need to accommodate our 6 dance groups), a room for our Czech language classes, a museum displaying many arts and crafts and kroje, and storage for the myriad supplies and “what nots” our organization requires to continue functioning.
We have just celebrated our 74th Moravian Day in September, and will soon start plans for our 75th Jubilee in the coming year. Counting all of our dancers, who range from 3 years of age to adulthood, and singers, we boast over 140 performers; who, by the way, are all dressed in authentic kroje! For many years now, UMS has had the good fortune to bring brass bands from the Czech Republic to perform for us for this event. They bring such enthusiasm and vitality with them, that they infect not only the performers, but also the entire audience with their energy.
You can get more information about UMS at their web site
The United Moravian Society demonstrated their kroje.
Shauna Debelevitch
PLZEN: (This first word is the village, city or area the costume originates
from) Shauna Debelevich is a long time UMS dancer and is wearing
this kroj courtesy of Vladka Williams. The most striking of this
particular costume is the “holubek,” or cap, with feature its very
wide bow. One must always take care when maneuvering through
doorways. This kroj is from Bohemia, Czech Republic.
Joe and Maria Chalupa
VALASSKO: Joe and Maria Chalupa are UMS members who perform in
our dance group “Moravske Kolo.” Joe has been involved in our
performances since childhood when he would regale us with Moravian
folk song solos. They are wearing the national dress of the area that
his grandfather came from. It is located in Moravia, Czech Republic.
Blanka Herz
PIESTANY: Blanka Herz, longtime UMS member and singer and
accordianist, is wearing the kroj she has been performing in for
many years. It is from the Libby Bucek collection of Slovak costumes.
Amy Herz
HANA: Amy Herz is a UMS dancer and is modeling a kroj on
loan from the Libby Bucek collection. The unusual headpiece
called “pantlek” denotes that this is a bride. Hana is located
in Moravia, Czech Republic
Gosia Szpytma and Tomas Devat
VELKA NAD VELICKOU: Gosia Szpytma and Tomas Devat are
UMS dancers and are wearing the kroje they perform in. These
kroje are from Moravia, Czech Republic.
Mike Borysek and Kayla Debelevich
STRAZNICE: Mike Borysek and Kayla Debelevich are longtime
UMS dancers and are modeling these lighter weight and more
comfortable kroje that are saved for summer performances.
Straznice is in Moravia, Czech Republic.
Marta Rathan
KYJOV: Marta Rathan, having been born in the Kyjov region of
Moravia, Czech Republic, is especially proud to show the
hand embroidery of this brightly colored kroj. Every time she
wears it, she remembers her mother who actually brought it over
for Marta on her visit to the US.
Clare and Bradley Ruska
ZERAVICE: Clare and Bradley Ruska, sister and brother, are UMS
dancers and have worn these kroje on stage at various events
and at picnic performances. Although these costumes were made
here, they are faithful replicas of the ones in Moravia, Czech Republic.
Eva Peerson
TRENCIN: Eva Peerson is modeling a more recently made Slovak kroj
(2002) that is especially valued for the hand embroidery found on the
blouse and apron. Now, the newly made kroje are embellished by
computerized sewing machines – still very nice; but not the same. Eva
is a member and singer of UMS and is wearing a costume borrowed
from Vera Borysek.
Vojta Chladek and Maria Kolek
HRADCOVICE: Vojta Chladek and Maria Kolek, daughter and father,
are wearing kroje from the village Maria’s husband comes from
in Moravia, Czech Republic. Maria’s mother-in-law gave her this
kroj and it contains old family pieces that have been reused
especially for her. Vojta is wearing his son-in-law’s kroj. His
village is over 750 years old, proven by village records showing
that the first entry was about two neighbors arguing over alcohol.
Lidka and Joe Stojaspal
DOLNI NEMCI: Lidka and Joe Stojaspal, long time members and
singers of UMS, are wearing kroje from their hometown in
Moravia, Czech republic.
Rosemary and John Skach
CHOD: Rosemary and John Skach are wearing kroje from the
Bohemian town of Domazlice, Czech Republic, close to where he
was born. As a young boy, his family always attended the
“pout” (festival) at St. Vravinec; and seeing men dressed in this
costume, he, too, thought he would like to own one of his own.
He wasn’t able to do so until many years later when his parents
purchased the outfit on one of their visits back to their homeland.
They presented it to him on his birthday and since then he
wears it with great pride. John’s cousin presented Rosemary
with this beautiful red Chodsky kroj.
Mike and Pavlina Dropka
BLATNICE POD SVATYM ANTONINKEM: Mike and Pavlina
Dropka are newer UMS members and dancers; and are
very proud to show off their kroje from Moravia, Czech Republic.
Pavlina is displaying a headpiece made from a Turkish
scarf. Women were very inventive as to how they tied up
their scarves, and each village has a distinctive look in headwear
- all highlighting their particular printed scarf pattern.
Vera Borysek was the emcee
for the United Moravian Society Members
MYJAVA: Vera Borysek is wearing a Slovak kroj that her aunt wore
when she emigrated to the US at the age of 18. The family came
from a little settlement just outside of Myjava called Polianka.
This blue vest and apron are new and were made by Vera’s mother,
as the originals were too shabby to wear; but the “kasanica” (skirt),
blouse and “cepec” (cap) are original and at least 80 years old. Note
the unusually large silver filigree buttons, and hand made lace
which comprises the cepec. An interesting fact is that women’s
hair was braided around a rectangular form, which would then be
fitted inside the cepec to give it its squared look from the back.
Photos courtesy of Russ Helwig.