In Celebration of Frida Morawetz' 90th birthday

Cover

The cover design was created by artist, Kathryn Morawetz, daughter of Frida's son John.

Menu

Click here to see the menu printed in the program.

Guests

Over 150 guests were invited to the birthday celebration. These included both friends and family, some of whom travelled great distances to attend. Among those who travelled from afar were: Morawetz' second-cousin and their family, the Langers from Australia; Morawetz' cousin Peter Glaser and family from Vienna; Morawetz' Stein cousins from New York; Morawetz' cousin Frank and his wife from Montreal; Morawetz' cousin Lotte Grünfeld and family from England; Morawetz' cousin Hella Street from Norfolk, Connecticut; and Morawetz' cousin Renata Šimek from Brazil.

1. Welcome Song

This song was presented at the beginning of the evening festivities by Frida's fourteen grandchildren. Morawetz' daughter played the piano, and the remaining grandchildren sang the song.
Click here to see the tune as printed in the program.

It was based on a song presented to Frida's father Adolf Glaser on the occasion of his 70th birthday, November 17, 1925. Morawetz transcribed the tune, and his cousin Eva Lederer translated and adapted the words for this occasion.

2. The Importance of Being Bilingual

The story of this play was written by Frida's sister Jetti, to describe a true incident that happened to their father, Adolf Glaser, when he was a young boy. The story was translated by Jetti's daughter, Eva Lederer, and narrated and acted out by Eva's three children, and Frida's first great-grandchild in the role of her father, Adolf. It tells of how young Adolf managed to procure candy for himself from his unsuspecting mother, at the store associated with his father's chocolate factory.

Let us go to Lenešic, a place far away,
where great-grandfather Adolf saw the first light of day.
Eleven years have passed since Adolf was born,
When by war and strife the peaceful village is torn.
A Prussian Officer arrives; what horror, what fright!
All who can run and hide out of his sight.
He shouts some request, but none understand,
they tremble in awe, hair standing on end.
Only a boy, very plucky and small,
courageously on the madman does call.
And he learns that the stranger, accursed,
only wants water to quench his great thirst.

The grateful Officer says then:
"Now come with me, my little man" ,
And leads him with unfaltering speed
to a familiar store, indeed.
To the woman at the counter he yells a command:
"A bagful of candy - quite large - you will hand
to this obliging and good little lad:
Says she: "There is no need for that".
"You will do exactly as I demand",
The Prussian bellows his command.
And Theresia Glaser with fear overcome,
Hands a bagful of candy to her own, young son.

3. The Treasure Chest

This mini-opera, Die Perlenschnur, was written originally by Frida's husband, Richard. It tells the many plights of his wife in trying to find good hired help.

It was translated for this occasion by his daughter, Sonja, and sung by a friend of the family, Fraser Deacon, while Morawetz accompanied on the piano.

Click here to read the text of this song.

Click here to see the sketch of the song which Morawetz wrote and used for accompanying.

4. The Birthday Toast

The toast to Frida was delivered by her eldest son, Herbert.

The woman we have come to celebrate is known by many names - Frida, maminka, granny, babi, bumbrlíček. She is loved by all these names, or else so many of us would not have come - some from far away - to celebrate her. We all have our own private memories of her. Mine go back to the time of my youth when she taught me to paint, to love poetry and when she was a symbol of love for all that was beautiful. When I was twenty, my landlord in a London boarding house was sceptical when I told him that she was my mother and I felt flattered that I should have been credited with such a lovely girl-friend.

But half-way through her life, the world in which we had lived collapsed. Of all those present tonight I was the only witness of her great courage in those days. Eventually she built a new nest in Toronto, a magically happy home, first for the children, then for all the new members of the family and the friends of the family. To me it has always seemed like a miracle.

Many years ago, mother and I attended a wedding and with all the toasts she got a little tipsy. I had never seen her in this state and so I called her playfully "bumbrlíček", a word derived from Czech baby-talk for drinking. The name stuck and as I said before, this has become one of the names under which she is loved. Tonight we should all drink deeply to express our hope that this wonderful woman should see the fulfillment of all her wishes and she should drink with us like a true bumbrlícek.

To bumbrlíček!

5. Slavonic Birthday Song

The text and notes of this birthday song were written out by Morawetz, and printed in the program. Everyone joined in singing this song to Frida, in its original Czech.

6. The Bridge Opera

One of Frida's great loves, both when she lived in Czechoslovakia and after emigrating to Toronto, was playing bridge. This song describes such a bridge party.

Click here to read the text of this song.

Click below to see the sketch of the song which Morawetz wrote and used for accompanying:
page 1 - page 2 - page 3 - page 4 - page 5 - page 6 - page 7

7. Slide Show: "Her First 90 Years"

Frida's grandson, Michael Sinclair, presented a slide show of Frida through her 90 years.

8. Grandchildren's Time

On Granny's ninetieth birthday, we would like to tell
Of just some of the qualities we know so well

Granny's most happy with a well stocked fridge
And three more ladies for a hand of bridge

But if it's grandchildren who come to stay
Feeding them is her happiest way

Stopping by her house to have a snack
There's food enough to break a camel's back

If you've turned down her food, she will dwell
And inquire sincerely "Aren't you feeling well?"

Her recipes are of such renown
They're treasured by many all over town

A pinch of this, a handful of that
You're guaranteed to come away fat

At photo sessions, Grandpa depended on her
Knowing her ability to create a comical stir

Being a jack-in-the-box, or a regular clown
She'd keep us all happy, bobbing up and down

Dewbourne, Old George and Collier Street
And now Glenorchy is where we all meet

Family is important, to us that is clear
It's because of you Granny that we all gather here

The fourteen of us are grateful to you
For a spirit of family shared by few

For us, you see, she's really the 'most'
Please stand now and join us, as we give her our toast

TO GRANNY