Czech Consulate Open in Salt Lake City

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The 2002 Winter Olympics greatly increased Utah's visibility in the Czech Republic and Czech President Vaclav Klaus was further impressed by Utah and former Governor Huntsman during a visit in late 2007

Salt Lake City, UT (Vocus) August 22, 2010

Petr Kolar, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the United States, traveled to Utah on Wednesday May 12 to announce the opening of a Czech consulate in Salt Lake City and the appointment of Jonathon T. Tichy of Sandy as Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic in Utah.

At a reception held at the Utah State Capitol, Kolar said, “Utah is a place that many Czechs are interested in and an important region for business relationships between our counties. As friends and allies, it is important for us to take advantage of opportunities like this to learn more about each other and build a stronger relationship.”

The reception, which also included remarks from Tichy and the Lieutenant Governor of Utah, Greg Bell, marked a high point in the amiable relations between the Czech Republic and the State of Utah.

“The 2002 Winter Olympics greatly increased Utah’s visibility in the Czech Republic and Czech President Vaclav Klaus was further impressed by Utah and former Governor Huntsman during a visit in late 2007,” said Tichy. “Shortly after that, the Czech government identified Utah as a place of special interest and began to focus on strengthening ties here. The establishment of a consulate in Salt Lake City is the continuation of that process and an indication of how serious the Czech government is about it.”

The new Czech Consulate will be located in the downtown Salt Lake City offices of Prince, Yeates & Geldzahler, where Tichy is a shareholder and practices law. The role of the Consulate is to provide services for Czech citizens living in or visiting Utah and to facilitate increased commercial and cultural exchanges between the Czech Republic and Utah.

The small but vibrant community of roughly 500 Czech households living in Utah includes people making noteworthy contributions in a variety of areas and industries, from health care to education, and perhaps most recognizably through local businesses such as the Bohemian Brewery and Grill in Midvale and Czech Crystal in Magna.

Czechs in Utah are also making an impact on Utah’s fine arts. The artwork of Czech-born artist Lenka Konopasek-Taylor, who has guest lectured at Brigham Young University and the University of Utah, was on display at the reception.

While interest in Utah has been increasing in the Czech Republic, there are likewise a number of prominent Utah businesses eager to build closer ties with the Czech Republic as well. In 2007 alone, Utah companies exported over ten million dollars worth of products to the Czech Republic.

Known as Czechoslovakia until 1993, the Czech Republic is a country of ten million people in central Europe which borders Germany and Austria. Since its so-called Velvet Revolution in 1989, when the Czechs broke free from communism, Czech leaders have been staunch allies of the United States, maintaining strong relations with both Republican and Democratic administrations in Washington. The Czech Republic joined NATO in 1999 and the European Union in 2004 and has become one of the most stable and prosperous of the post-Communist states in Europe.

Tichy believes that the economic stability, safety and cultural significance of the Czech Republic make it an attractive destination for Utah tourists and businessmen alike. “Just as Czechs are attracted to Utah for its natural beauty and national parks, Americans are intrigued by the history and splendor of Czech cities like Prague. Whether from the tourism or general business perspective, there is clearly a great deal of mutual interest between the Czech Republic and Utah and the Consulate will help facilitate and increase exchanges between them.”

Tichy, who was raised in Utah, is of Czech descent and speaks Czech fluently. He has been connected to the Czech Republic throughout his professional career, consulting with and representing clients operating in both the Czech Republic and the United States.

Before earning a law degree from BYU and starting his law practice in Salt Lake City, Tichy spent six years abroad in various business, legal and governmental capacities, including work as a political officer and analyst at the U.S. Embassy in Prague and as the ranking staff aid to Assistant Secretary of State and Ambassador John Shattuck.

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