The history of Czech poetry goes as far back as the 9th century. It begins with the works of Saints Cyril and Methodius, who translated texts in the bible from Greek to Old Church Slavic, a language in which the first Czech poems were written. Since then, Czech poetry continued to flourish, even when the chosen languages of the Czechs continued to face challenges throughout the centuries. The apparent culmination of Czech poetic culture is of a poem, Máj, written by Karel Hynek Mácha.
Irena Bernášková and the fight for Czechoslovakian Independence
Irena Bernášková, the second of Vojtěch Preissig’s three daughters, started her life in Boston, born in Prague, before coming back to what was now Czechoslovakia. It was at this moment where she dedicated her life to writing and publication, particularly in an effort to resist the Nazi occupation. Although her relationship with her father initially splintered, it eventually came back together as the two published a resistance magazine, V boj.
Jiří Trnka: The Father of Czech Cinema
The so-called “Walt Disney of Eastern Europe,” Jiří Trnka began his career as an illustrator, his life soon culminating into sophisticated puppetry on film. His usual subject matter involved his puppeted takes on classic fairy tales and tales he crafted which feature profound narratives, some of which satirized his own government. His career culminated in his film The Hand, where the importance of the hand is placed above all else.
Running from Trouble and Rising to Success: Jan Antonin Bata and the Bata Shoe Company
Holiday Traditions: Exploring the Adoption of the Christmas Tree
O Conifer, O Evergreen! Before the Christmas tree’s cultural adoption, the branches of conifers and evergreens were hung above dinner tables. During the adoption of the Christmas tree, they were decorated with pastries, candies, and paper chains, among other accentuations, all never meant to be eaten. Although the adoption has seen pushback in the first couple of centuries, today they’re a common sight among Czech celebrators.
Barborky: A Pre-Christmas Tradition
Before Christmas comes the holiday of Barborky, originating from the 12th century St. Barbara’s Feast celebration. The Saint herself is said to protect people, especially soldiers and miners, from sudden death. This holiday is celebrated in a couple ways, such as removing a branch from a cherry tree, wearing veils of white, or passing a light around mining villages.
Witness to the Revolution
As the trailblazing Velvet Revolution took place, many foreign to Czechoslovakia intensely paid attention. Some eyewitnesses photographed and recorded violence against protesters by riot gear police. Others made efforts to report the incidences and progress to the world as the revolution proceeded. The efforts of both protesters and witnesses to the revolution made way for a freer Czechoslovakia.
Sculptures in the Czech Republic
Letna Carousel
Rare Bronze Age Artefacts Discovered in Czech Republic
Recently, artifacts from an ancient pre-Czech society were found by the Podřipsko Museum and are being analyzed by the Brno Institute of Archeology and Museology. These artifacts are estimated to be worth millions of Czech crowns, but their historical value is even greater. Researchers are working to discover how these tools were used while speculating on their pristine preservation. In 2025, these artifacts will be on display in the Podřipsko Museum.
Labor Camp Rediscovered in the Shadow of Stalin
As of 2021, the remains of Stalin’s regime linger in the now-Czech Republic. Although the Stalin Monument in Prague was removed in 1962, over 50 years later the labor camp emerged from the shadows of the monument. It was through another archeological search for bastion fortifications that the labor camp remains were discovered.
Stefan Banic: The Man Behind the Parachute Innovation
Stefan Banic was a Slovak inventor who constructed a prototype of a parachute in 1913 and tested it in Washington D.C. in front of the U.S. Patent Office and military representatives by jumping from a 41-floor building and subsequently from an airplane in 1914. When no one was interested in buying his invention, Mr. Banic donated his patent to the United States Army Balloon Corps, in return for which the Army made him an honorary officer, even though he never could obtain United States citizenship. His patented parachute became standard equipment for U.S. pilots during the First World War.
Frantisek Kupka: Orphism
Bohemian artist Frantisek Kupka is the forefront mind behind the art form of Orphism. Orphism focuses on color and abstraction, similar to Cubism but also an “evolution” where abstract shapes are given precedence in contrast to solid, known geometric shapes. There are many examples of Orphism to see, spanning many years.
Shepherd Axe
Shepherd axes, or 'Valaska,' have a rich cultural history in Central and Eastern Europe. Originating in Eurasia, they were used for combat by Bulgarian and Hungarian warriors before becoming essential tools for shepherds. In Czechoslovakia and Poland, axes were personalized with carvings and became symbols of identity. These axes feature prominently in folklore and traditional dances, celebrating their cultural significance and artistic beauty.
Linden Tree Chronicles
Linden Trees hold significant symbolism in many cultures around the world, including Slovakian and Czech culture. In Slovakia, they symbolize peace, unity, and protection, just as they do in Greek, Norse, and Baltic mythology. Linden Trees have a wide array of uses and applications, including medicinal and herbal usage. The tree's appeal is both everlasting and worldwide.
The Hussite Reformation: Revolution and Wars
With Jan Hus’s execution at the Council of Constance in 1415, the Church and Holy Roman Emperor believed that the issues of Bohemian heresy had been successfully resolved. However, Bohemia erupted into protest and revolt in response to the death of Jan Hus. Expelling the Catholic priests and throwing the city council members from the New Town Hall windows, the Hussites of Bohemia refused to accept the authority of the Church or their king. To quell this revolution, Holy Emperor Sigismund and Pope Martin V launched an invasion and five crusades against Hussite Bohemia, calling upon the Christian world to lend them aid. However, led by a man named Jan Žižka and later Prokop the Great, the Hussites would not be so easily defeated.
Lubo Kristek: A Believer of Holographic Perception in Art
Lubo Kristek is an artist of Czech origin who assisted in furthering the European postmodern cultural movement through the usage of different media and forms. Regarding art styles, he would utilize surrealism, happening, performance art, and postmodernism. Lubo Kristek’s most notable works are mostly performance art pieces or sculptures.
Zvíkov Castle
Zvíkov Castle is one of many Bohemian structures to stand the test of time, beginning in the early 1200s. Although it survived many wars, it succumbed to one of them, being conquered and vandalized before getting used as a farming area and being damaged by a fire. However, future land owners restored Zvíkov Castle, which eventually made it one of the oldest and most well-preserved castles in the Czech Republic. Lastly, there are legends of various entities inside the castle.
Strings of Heritage: Exploring the Cimbalom
The cimbalom is a unique instrument hailing from Slovak history. It is played by felt mallets, similar to drum sticks, which are hit against piano-like strings. A variety of sounds can be produced by the cimbalom, ranging from rolls to glissandos to staccatos. From the Byzantine era to the modern day, the cimbalom is an underrated, yet appreciated and distinguished instrument.
History of the Czech National Theatre
The Czech Republic National Theatre serves as a reminder of the strength, persistence, and culture of its people and their history. It is remembered and held as a national symbol of the Czech Renaissance, its importance in the arts, and the unification of the people towards one goal, regardless of other factors. This theatre has had a long and fascinating history that continues today.