Interview with Tereza Večerková

COAL DOES NOT COMPLAIN

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Jitka Tomečková

You probably know of the classic British children’s TV series ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’, where Thomas never gives up on being “a really useful engine”. Thomas and his friends are fully automated, with no need for drivers. In real life though, without the drivers, not even one of the 900+ engines of the largest Czech railway transport provider ČD Cargo would ever move. 23-year-old Tereza Večerková from Prague is one of these drivers and she has agreed to answer some of our questions for you.

Let´s start right away with the obvious - it isn’t so common to fi nd a woman driving a train. How come you, Tereza Večerková, have become a train driver?

It was not my life-long dream but I was rather steered into this profession by life itself. Before becoming a train driver I used to work as a waitress, but I kind of had enough of serving people. The fact is, unfortunately, that many people are quite rude when dealing with their waitress. I started working part-time in restaurants back while I was still in high school and then continued full-time for another two years after completing school. However, it seemed like an eternity to me. I used to be there almost every day, and I basically did not know the word ‘vacation’. That is where my boyfriend stepped in. He is a train driver for ČD Cargo himself and it was he who introduced me to the world of train drivers. So fi rst I fell in love with him and then with the trains. I decided to quit my restaurant job and started preparing for my new cargo train driver career.

I can imagine that working as a waitress does not teach you the skills you need to drive a heavy cargo train. What did you have to learn?

The training was organised by ČD Cargo and took almost a year. During that time, I had a “learning driver” status and I had to work hard to learn a lot of new things to pass the exams. First, I had to pass thorough a medical examination for both my physical and mental health. Then, I studied at the Prague Vršovice railway depot for one month, which was followed by two months in Česká Třebová. The program also included on-the-job training and learning about diff erent types of locomotives. I had to pass many specifi c tests to successfully complete the training, and was glad that my boyfriend helped me understand how the engine, compressor, and generator all work; as well as the company directives. Finally, I received my professional licence and now it has been over a year since I started driving trains alone. Everything is good so far and I have yet to experience a diffi cult situation that would require me to make a diffi cult decision.

What reactions do you get from others? Are people surprised when they fi nd out you drive cargo trains?

Yes, people are usually quite surprised, which is then followed by support and admiration -the same way my male colleagues react when we meet for the fi rst time. But what really touches my heart is how children react - they smile and wave to me and I absolutely love it. Actually, the fact that my male colleagues treat me so well might be one of the reasons why I look forward to going to work every day. I love the people I am working with because we are a good team - we laugh together, talk, and I know I can count on them when I need help.

Being a train driver means long hours spent alone in your cab without exercise. Isn´t that hard for you, as a young fi t woman who enjoys physical activities?

On the contrary - I really appreciate driving alone in a cab, with just my thoughts, having nobody looking over my shoulder. Before each drive, though, I must check if everything is okay with the engine, and this might be a little uncomfortable when the weather is nasty, it’s raining, or terribly freezing. I quit my restaurant job because I did not want to deal with diffi cult people, remember? That is also why I never want to exchange my usual freight like coal, wood, gas, etc. for people in passenger trains. Sometimes, my colleagues and I joke about it, saying “the coal doesn´t complain”. As for my physical activities, I have enough of that in my free time. In summer, I like roller skating, spending time outdoors in nature, taking walks, or just sitting outside with my friends, talking and having fun while drinking a big glass of cold beer.

Where do you think we would fi nd you ten years from now?

I would like to continue driving trains, but, you know, sometimes life happens, and I am not one to close my eyes to new experiences. If someone had told me fi ve years ago that I would be a train driver I would have laughed and thought they were crazy – but look at me, here I am. I have a plan for March though - I am going to start taking lessons to get my car driver´s licence.

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India’s Republic Day

Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Jitka Tomečková

Meshulam Zisso, H.E. Hemant Kotalwar, Ambassador of India, and Eva Anderová India’s Republic Day was celebrated in style by the Embassy of India in the Czech Republic on 26 January 2022. This year, India is also commemorating the 75th year of its independence with a series of events, both in India and abroad, called ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’.

In the Czech Republic, there were several curtainraiser events: an interaction with Indian students, an international yoga and well-being conference, and a cultural program by arts school students, which culminated in an offi cial reception at the Congress Palace in Prague.

H.E. Hemant Kotalwar, Ambassador of India and Jiří Kozák, Deputy Minister of Foreign Aff airs

Mrs. Seema Kotalwar and H.E. Hemant Kotalwar, Ambassador of India

The reception was well-attended by ambassadors of various countries, members of diplomatic corps, important Czech personalities and members of the Indian community. Mr. Jiri Kozak, Deputy Minister of Foreign Aff airs, graced the occasion as the chief guest, and the Czech Army military band regaled the audience with an instrumental rendition of the Czech and Indian national anthems.

Cultural performances in Indian classical dance forms Bharatanatyam and Kathak were presented and the guests were treated to a sumptuous spread of Indian cuisine.

Ambassador Shri H.E. Hemant Kotalwar spoke about the special signifi cance of the Republic Day celebrations on the 75th year of India‘s independence and outlined the nation’s progress in 75 years and its vision for the future. He thanked the government, the people of the Czech Republic, and friends of India, for partnering with India in its growth journey and joined Mr. Kozak in raising a toast to the strengthening of bilateral relations.

The ambassador also expressed his appreciation to the Mayor of Liberec city, Mr. Jaroslav Zámečník, for his gracious gesture of lighting up the City Hall in the colors of the Indian fl ag for this occasion. On this occasion, the Prime Minister of India also conveyed his greetings to Mr. Jakub Janda, Director of European Values Center for Security Policy, Prague, and also his appreciation for his work on global security policy.

Mrs. Seema Kotalwar, H.E. Hemant Kotalwar, Ambassador of India and H.E. Phasporn Sangasubana, Ambassador of Thailand

Mrs. Seema Kotalwar, H.E. Hemant Kotalwar, Ambassador of India, and H.E. Mariam Rakviashvili, Ambassador of Georgia

Svetlana Codreanu, spouse of Ambassador of Moldova and H.E. Mr. Luís De Almeida Sampaio, Ambassador of Portugal with spouse H.E. Ljiljana Pancirov, Ambassador of Croatia and Satu Pesala, spouse of Ambassador of Finland

Dancer Neha Sheshadrinath, performing Kathak

H.E. Egemen Bagis, Ambassador of Turkey, H.E. Kevin Peter, Ambassador of Nigeria, H.E. Archibishop Charles D. Balvo, Apostolic Nuncio, and H.E. Ilirian Kuka, Ambassador of Albania

H.E. Abdullah M. Alrasheed, Ambassador Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, H.E. Saiid Hindam, Ambassador of Egypt, and H.E. Falah Abdulhasan Abdulsada, Ambassador of Iraq H.E. Yosra Souiden, Ambassador of Tunisia, Mrs. Su Yeon Kim, spouse of Ambassador of Korea, Mrs. Svetlana Codreanu, spouse of Ambassador of Moldova, and Seema Kotalwar, spouse of Ambassador of India

H.E. Hemant Kotalwar, Ambassador of India, Jiří Kozák, Deputy Minister of Foreign Aff airs, H.E. Egemen Bagis, Ambassador of Turkey, and H.E. Kevin Peter, Ambassador of Nigeria

Mr. Biru Paksha, Counsellour, Abhijit Chakraborty, Embassy of India, Mrs. Seema Kotalwar, H.E. Hemant Kotalwar, Ambassador of India, Mr. Bakshi Vijay and Mrs. Vijay Abhijit Chakraborty, Embassy of India , Mrs. Seema Kotalwar, and H.E. Hemant Kotalwar, Ambassador of India

Mrs. Seema Kotalwar, H.E. Hemant Kotalwar, Ambassador of India, Chargé d’Aff aires a.i., and Mrs. Namhla Neliswa Gigaba, South Africa Mrs. Seema Kotalwar, H.E. Hemant Kotalwar, Ambassador of India, and David Steinke, Deputy Director Asia and Pacifi c, MFA

SENATE BRUSSELS: The fi rst joint foreign trip of the Speakers of both chambers of Parliament - Speaker of the Senate Miloš Vystrčil and the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Markéta Pekarová Adamová

Miloš Vystrčil, Speaker of the Senate

Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Parliament of the Czech Republic

They met the European Parliament leadership, the European Commission, the European Council, and NATO; and discussed current issues in the fi eld of energy, security, and the upcoming Czech Presidency of the EU Council. European talks began on Monday at the European Commission with its President, Ursula von der Leyen.

Markéta Pekarová Adamová, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies

At the end of the day, the Speaker of the Senate and the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies met with European Commissioner Věra Jourová. The topic of their conversation was primarily the portfolio of the Czech EU Commissioner - namely values, transparency, freedom, and independence of the media. It was a full program: meetings with EP President Roberta Metsola, Vice-President of the Club of the

European People’s Party Esther de Lange, EP Vice-President Dita Charanzová, EC Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, EC Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans, EC Executive Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, Czech MEPs, ER President Charles Michel, and a debate with the staff of the Permanent Representation of the Czech Republic to the EU in connection with CZ PRES.

The three-day working trip to the Belgian capital concluded with the speakers of both chambers of Parliament holding discussions on defense and security. At the North Atlantic Alliance, they met with Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the Chairman of the Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer.

From left: Miloš Vystrčil, European Council President Charles Michel, and Markéta Pekarová Adamová

From left: Miloš Vystrčil, Markéta Pekarová Adamová, and Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament

Meeting with Frans Timmermans, Vice President of the European Commission

Markéta Pekarová Adamová with Miloš Vystrčil at Havel’s Place that was installed in Brussels last year From left: Miloš Vystrčil, Markéta Pekarová Adamová, and Secretary General on the North Atlantic Alliance General Jens Stoltenberg

The opening party of the

COLORS OF WOMAN 3D exhibition

Helena Kroftová Leisztner celebrates a special anniversary - 40 years of art and design activities under the auspices of: H.E. Mrs. Leonora Gutié rrez

Rueda, Ambassador of Mexico

Helena Leisztner, Artist and Designer

From left: Eva Anderová and Václav Pavlas Mrs. Helena Leisztner, Artist and Designer, with husband Roland Leisztner, Development and Advisor Rolei, son Roland Leisztner Jr., Immofi nanz, and his partner Miss Lee

From left: Mr. Karel Procházka, Councillor for Asset Management Prague 1 with partner, Mr. Jadran Šetlík, Art Photographer, Ms. Jarmila HLA SHWE, Director and owner AIA - Alternative Investment, s.r.o. with partner, Prof. MUDr. Luboš Petruželka, CSc., Director of the Institute of Radiation Oncology and Oncology Clinic of the 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and Central Military Hospital in Prague, H.E. Rosaura Leonora Rueda Gutierrez, Ambassador of Mexico, Mrs. Eva Anderová, Mrs. Helena Leisztner, Mr. Meshulam Zisso, Mrs. Markéta Fassati, Soprano, Fassati Art Festival, Mr. Martin Fassati, National Champion in doubles Czech Republic 1983 and trainer, Mr. René Sion, Dallmayr s.r.o., Executive Director, Mrs. Viktoria Sion, Statuss Magazine, owner, lyric mezzo-soprano Ms. Štěpánka Pučálková, SEMPEROPER DRESDEN, Ms. Eva Čerešňáková, 1st Czech Vicemiss 2007, moderator and coach, Ms. Marika Duchoňová, Event Coordinator Passerinvest Group, Benke Aikell, Roland Leisztner, Development and Advisor Rolei Ltd., Roland Leisztner Jr., Immofi nanz AG

From right: farewell from Benke Aikell, previous publisher of Czech & Slovak Leaders magazine, Eva Anderová and Meshulam Zisso, new owners and Executive Editors H.E. Rosaura Leonora Rueda Gutierrez, Ambassador of Mexico

From left: Mr. René Sion, Dallmayr s.r.o., Executive Director, Mrs. Viktoria Sion, Statuss Magazine, owner, and Helena Leisztner From left: Ms. Markéta Marko, CSO Aqua Angels Europe, Mrs. Ivana Sankot, co-owner Aqua Angels Europe, s.r.o. , and Helena Leisztner Mr. Roman Strejček, Chairman of OSA with company and Mrs. Helena Leisztner

H.E. Rosaura Leonora Rueda Gutierrez, Ambassador of Mexico and Helena Leisztner Ina Špátová, Writer, Mrs. Katka Špátová, Mrs. Helena Leisztner, and Mr. Miroslav Tacl, former Chairman at Allianz pojistovna AS Dita Císařová, Lawyer, Helena Leisztner, Michaela Meisterová, Engel and Volkers, Jitka Vopičková, Marketing Manager, Advantage Cars, and Petra Gonsiorovská , Loro Piana

Mr. Jan Struž, owner Czech Top 100, with partner Mrs. Ivana Kaucká, Sales and Marketing Director Czech Top 100, Mr. Miroslav Tacl, former Chairman at Allianz pojistovna AS with partner, Mrs. Helena Leisztner, lyric mezzo-soprano Ms. Štěpánka Pučálková, soloist Semperopera Dresden, Ms. Eva Čerešňáková, 1st Czech Vicemiss 2007, moderator and coach, and Mr. Roland Leisztner, Development and Advisor, Rolei

Mrs. Helena Leisztner, Prof. MUDr. Luboš Petruželka, CSc., H.E. Rosaura Leonora Rueda Gutierrez, Ambassador of Mexico, Mr. Meshulam Zisso, and Mrs. Markéta Fassati, Soprano, Fassati Art Festival

Celebrating Mr. Benke Aikell´s 79th birthday

From left: Mr. Jadran Šetlík, Art Photographer and Mrs. Helena Leisztner Mrs. Helena Leisztner and Ms. Marika Duchoňová, Event Coordinator, Passerinvest Group

Mrs. Markéta Fassati, Soprano, Fassati Art Festival

Aquapalace V.I.P. Club

Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

On February 23, the Aquapalace Hotel Prague hosted honorable members and supporters of the Aquapalace V.I.P. Club for its 148th meeting.

The Aquapalace V.I.P. Club, which was founded by Czech billionaire Mr. Pavel Sehnal, has united top-ranked Czech businessman and high-ranked managers for over 10 years. The role of keynote speaker for the night belonged to notable Czech manager, entrepreneur, and philantropist Mr. Martin Roman (former ČEZ CEO). He obtained his MA from University College London (in Eff ective Learning and Teaching) and most recently his MSt from the University of Cambridge (in Real Estate).

From left: Nicole Mertinová, Director of No Limits Interior Design, Pavel Sehnal, Chairman of the Board of the SPGroup a.s., Martin Roman, Czech top manager, entrepreneur and philantropist, Bohuslav Svoboda, Chairman of Committee on Health Care of the Chamber of Deputies Parliament, Jana Berkovcová, Member of the Chamber of Deputies Parliament, and Pavel Švagr, ASMR’s Chairman

Mr. Roman spoke to the audience on the subject of education. The formal title of his speech: “The Darkness in School Education or Eff ective Learning“. The guests of the evening included members of business, academic, artistic and political communities. In addition, the event also welcomed both state and municipal administration representatives. Mr. Roman’s bright comments were warmly received and sparkly discussed. The evening was completed by an delicious dinner, with a very enjoyable social mood.

Čestmír Medek, Director of Š-servis Audit and Lenka Medková, CSO of FINEP CZ

Jiří Nekovář, Director of Eurotrend and Jan Dvořák, Member of the Board of the SIKO KOUPELNY a.s. Martin Štěrba, Advisor of the Mayor of Prague, Jana Fajmonová, Psychologist, and David Rožek, Czech Security Expert

Andrea Kalivodová, The National Theatre soloist, Jadran Šetlík, famous Czech Artistic Photographer, Jana Fajmonová, Psychologist, Andrea Králová, Director of RexFactum, Vladimír Broukal, The Czechoslovak Hunting Union partner, Petr Breburda, CEO of IGEPA.CZ, Jan Šlapal, Chairman of the Board of BIS Group a.s. František Kulovaný, CEO and Board Member in BAEST Machines & Structures, a.s. and Václav Svátek, CEO of ČMIS & AppOnFly, IT Systems & Cloud Architect

Petr Slavíček, Partner BDO Audit, Chairman of the Board and Jaroslav Kuneš, Chief Financial Offi cer of the Aquapalace Resort Prague