Section Archive Czechs in History
The Czechoslovak legions: myth, reality, gold and glory
The Czechoslovak legions occupy an almost legendary place in Czech history.
They comprise the armed forces that fought during and after World War I on
the allied side in pursuit of an independent Czechoslovakia. The biggest
force, and most potent myths, centre on the Russian force, which became
embroiled in the civil war, spending three years and travelling thousands
of miles before returning home. We look at the myths and facts about their
exploits. More
Eliška Junková: The Czech racing queen of the Jazz Age
In this edition of 'Czechs in History,' Brian Kenety takes a look at the
life of Czechoslovakia's greatest race car driver, Eliška Junková, the
"queen of the steering wheel" and Jazz Age belle, whose stellar
career came to a screeching halt after a tragic accident claimed the love
of her life. More
Egon Erwin Kisch – the Raging Reporter
One of Prague’s best known German-language authors was Egon Erwin Kisch,
who was born in the Czech capital 125 years ago this Thursday. His
excellent style and original choice of stories, together with his dramatic
life, earned him a reputation of the ‘Raging Reporter’ that is still
very much alive today. More
Jaroslav Marvan: 50 years on stage and screen
Jaroslav Marvan was one of the most prolific Czech actors of all times with
more than 150 film roles and many more theatre acts. He appeared in his
first – silent – movie in 1926, and he made his last film in 1973, a
year before he died. In this edition of Czechs in History we look at the
extraordinary career of Jaroslav Marvan, a theatre and film star before the
war as well as in communist Czechoslovakia.
More
Jiří (George) Voskovec – the Czech theatrical pioneer who carved out a Cold-War career in Hollywood
This edition of Czechs in History looks at the life and career of Jiří
Voskovec, one half of the legendary Czech duo Voskovec and Werich, whose
work at the “Liberated Theatre” or Osvobozené Divadlo in the 1920s and
30s left an indelible mark on Czech culture. More
Jan Amos Comenius - a Bohemian in Amsterdam
One of the Czech nation's most beloved sons, Jan Amos Comenius ( 1592-1670
is buried in Holland. This visionary religious leader, theologian,
philosopher and educationist lived most of his life in exile, fleeing
political and religious persecution in Europe. His last 14 years, among
his most active and productive, were spent in Amsterdam "the most
cherished among cities, the jewel of the Netherlands and the pride of
Europe", where he hoped to realize his project for the betterment of
humanity. More
Jan Amos Comenius - the teacher of nations
When one looks back on a thousand years of Czech history one of the names
that still carries great weight is that of 17th century thinker Jan Amos
Komenský - the humanist reformer, Protestant bishop, and philosopher the
world came to know as Comenius. A man who witnessed the tragic subjugation
of his country in the era of religious and political conflict known as the
Thirty Years' War. Who would be forced to flee his own homeland, yet never
wavered in his overriding belief that the reform of mankind was possible,
necessary, and indeed within reach. More
The brief but monumental life of composer Vítězslava Kaprálová
The story of Vítězslava Kaprálová’s is one of a 25-year-old girl who
had a career in music of five years. However, even today, 70 years after
her death, there are societies and ensembles dedicated to her, her music is
still performed and rerecorded and she remains an inspiration to many as a
tragic but heroic figure, particularly for many female composers and
conductors. Among them is the composer Sylvie Bodorová who studied at the
same conservatory as Kaprálová, in Brno. More
The Czechoslovak legions: myth, reality, gold and glory
The Czechoslovak legions occupy an almost legendary place in Czech history.
They comprise the armed forces that fought during and after World War I on
the allied side in pursuit of an independent Czechoslovakia. The biggest
force, and most potent myths, centre on the Russian force, which became
embroiled in the civil war, spending three years and travelling thousands
of miles before returning home. We look at the myths and facts about their
exploits.
More
Jaroslav Preiss: banking and business colossus of inter-war Czechoslovakia
The name Jaroslav Preiss does not create many ripples when it is thrown out
today. Perhaps one Czech in a hundred could identify who he was. But at the
birth of Czechoslovakia and in the 1920s and 1930s, Preiss was an economic
and business colossus and contributed to making the country into a major
industrial player between the wars. Chris Johnstone looks at the life of
the controversial figure.
More
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