2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25
In 1989, the so-called Velvet Revolution took place in Czechoslovakia. Like many important political and social events, it influenced the development of prose and poetry. Czech writers of the late 20th century - Milan Kundera, Michal Viveg, Jakhim Topol, Patrick Orzhednik. The creative path of these authors is the subject of our article.
Historical Background
In November 1989, protests began to take place on the streets of Czechoslovakia. The freedom-loving people wanted the overthrow of the communist system. Numerous actions were accompanied by slogans about democracy and rapprochement with Europe. Fortunately, there was no bloodshed. Therefore, the name of the event was quite peaceful - the Velvet Revolution.
In the second half of the 20th century, Czech literature, although it developed, was very slow. The authors were in the grip of censorship. The 1990s saw the emergence of many new publishing houses. On the shelves of bookstores one could see the creations of previously banned authors. Among them are many well-known Czech writers, whose names are familiar to readers today fromaround the world.
Features of Czech literature
In the culture of every nation there are characteristic features. They are formed under the influence of important social and historical features, as well as what is commonly called national character. The books of Czech writers are original and distinctive. They have something that is not in any European literature. Complex philosophical thoughts are combined in a strange way with the joys and sorrows of a simple person. Irony goes hand in hand with compassion and sentimentality.
The list of "Modern Czech writers" usually begins with the name of Milan Kundera. But there are many other authors on this list, although less well-known to the Russian-speaking reader.
Michal Viweg
This author is one of the most popular in the Czech Republic. Michal Viweg's works are published in ten languages in huge numbers. His novels are usually autobiographical. Viveg's hero is himself. Solving deep social and philosophical problems through the prism of individual members of society is the main task of this author.
Viveg's most famous novel is "The best years are down the drain." In addition to this work, more than twenty more have been published, and almost all of them belong to various genres. Among them there are not only socio-psychological novels and action-packed detective stories, but also creations intended for young readers. Therefore, Vivega can be safely attributed to the category of "Czech children's writers".
Jachim Topol
At the beginningIn the eighties, this author became famous among the Czech intelligentsia, first of all, thanks to his dissident activities, and then to his active participation in the Velvet Revolution. He was brought to criminal responsibility more than once, often changed his place of work. The road to the university was closed for Topol due to the human rights activities of his father, a well-known playwright at that time.
He started his career with poetry. But in the nineties he switched to postmodern prose. At this time, several novels and collections of short stories by Jáchym Topol were published, which later gained fame outside the Czech Republic thanks to translations into English, French, German and Italian.
Patrick Ourzhednik
Many Czech writers were forced to leave their homeland for political reasons. One of them is Patrick Ouřednik. He was born in Prague in an intelligent family. However, in his youth he was extremely active in banned public associations and even signed a petition to protect political prisoners. Such actions could deprive any citizen of the opportunity to receive a decent education, and therefore doom them to a dubious social position.
In the eighties, Orzhednik, like other famous Czech writers, emigrated to France. There he managed to get an education. Urzhednik attended a course in French literature, the history of religion, and then even became one of the founders of the Free University, where he lectured until 2010.
Milan Kundera
When it comes to such a concept as Czech writers, any fan of intellectual prose comes up with the name of this author. Milan Kundera emigrated to France in 1975. At home until 1952 he taught a course in world literature.
However, he was prevented from working calmly in the teaching field by his early awakened political consciousness. The fact is that in childhood Kundera survived the German occupation, and therefore any manifestations of fascism disgusted him. In the post-war period, the idea of communism seemed to be a saving grace for many young people in the Czech Republic. Kundera joined the party. But he was quickly expelled. The reasons are “erroneous views” and “counter-party activities.”
Kundera's early works were nevertheless approved by official critics. However, over the years, he began to gravitate more and more to the study of the inner world of a single person. This feature of prose was contrary to generally accepted attitudes. When Milan Kundera began to openly criticize any kind of censorship, his social position was significantly shaken. He was fired. Kundera's works are banned.
The most famous novels of the Czech writer were published for the first time in France. Among them are “Life is not here”, “The unbearable lightness of being”. A special place in the work of this writer is occupied by the motives of emigration. Milan Kundera has written predominantly in French in recent years.
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