Hermína Týrlová’s Czech Christmas Treasures

In today’s post, we step into the enchanting world of Hermína Týrlová’s Christmas-themed animated film shorts, where every frame is a tapestry of creativity and whimsy. As a prominent Czech animator, screenwriter, and film director, Týrlová’s masterful storytelling and innovative use of materials come to life in these beautifully crafted tales. Through her unique techniques,...

ENTERTAINMENT, Holidays, Movies

November 30, 2023

Christmas at the Rumcajs’ – Vánoce u Rumcajsů

“Vánoce u Rumcajsů” (Christmas at the Rumcajs’) is a charming and festive Czech tale that captures the spirit of Christmas in the world of Rumcajs and his family. In this story, set on the third Christmas, Rumcajs and Manka decide to get a carp for their Christmas Eve dinner. The narrative unfolds with delightful episodes,...

Childrens Books

October 22, 2023

Jirí Trnka’s ‘The Devil’s Mill’

Jirí Trnka, a luminary in the world of stop-motion animation, left an indelible mark with his 1949 short film, ‘The Devil’s Mill’ (Certuv mlýn). Spanning a concise 21 minutes, this hauntingly atmospheric piece unfolds a fable set in a mysterious, moonlit night where a barrel organ grinder encounters the devil. Trnka’s genius shines through as...

ENTERTAINMENT, Movies

September 17, 2023

Antonin Dvorak Movie Shares Romantic Life

In the world of classical music, few names shine as brightly as Antonin Dvorak. His compositions have left an indelible mark on the world’s musical heritage, and his journey from the heart of Europe to the bustling streets of New York City is the stuff of legend. But behind the genius of his symphonies and...

ENTERTAINMENT, Movies

September 15, 2023

American and Czech Writers across the Iron Curtain

As someone who thoroughly enjoys diving into the pages of a good book, today, I am delving into the intriguing narrative of The Nonconformists: American and Czech Writers across the Iron Curtain penned by Brian K. Goodman. The Cold War era was a tumultuous period in history marked by ideological clashes, political tensions, and the...

Books

August 5, 2023

Klára the Czech-American Trailblazer and Literary Ambassador

Klára Winlow-Vostrovská (aka Claire Winlow-Vostrovsky) was born on October 27, 1871, in West Point, Nebraska, within a thriving Czech community. Her parents, Jaroslav (Jerome) Vostrovský (1836-1901) and Anna Vostrovský (1839-1922) were Czech immigrants. Her father, originally from Selmice or Semin near Kladrub in eastern Bohemia, had migrated to the USA in 1863. During her childhood,...

Books, Women

February 26, 2023

Czechoslovakian Filmmakers

Czechoslovakian Filmmakers: A Legacy of Innovative Storytelling and Cinematic Excellence (*Please give the page a few moments to load the videos fully.) Czechoslovakia was known for its rich cultural heritage and artistic traditions, and its film industry was no exception. From the late 19th century until its dissolution in 1993, Czechoslovakia produced several talented and...

Bohemians, ENTERTAINMENT, Movies

February 17, 2023

The Top Five Czech Composers

Many excellent Czech composers who made significant contributions to the field of classical music were born and raised in Czechoslovakia. The nation produced some of the world’s top composers throughout the late 19th and the 20th centuries. The top five Czech composers who have had a significant influence on classical music are listed below. Bohemia...

ENTERTAINMENT, Music

February 10, 2023

A Night at Karlstein | Noc na Karlštejně

A Night at Karlstein (Czech: Noc na Karlštejně) is a 1973 Czech historical musical film. It tells the story of Emperor Charles IV and his castle Karlstein. Charles IV, the Czech king, and Holy Roman Emperor built Karlstejn castle to house the crown jewels. More importantly, it is a place of relaxation and meditation, so...

ENTERTAINMENT, Movies

December 21, 2022

Two Little Frosts or Dva mrazíci

In the enchanting short film “Two Little Frosts” (Dva mrazíci), the chilly embrace of winter takes on a mischievous and comedic form through the antics of two frost spirits. Renowned comedian Vlasta Burian lends his voice to one of these spirited characters, while the other comes to life through the vocal talents of Jan Werich—a...

ENTERTAINMENT, Music

December 7, 2022

How Pepík and Mikeš Celebrated Christmas

Today we have a Czech Christmas tale for you. Jak Pepík a Mikeš slavili Vánoce (How Pepík and Mikeš Celebrated Christmas). It is from the 1966 Josef Lada book entitled Mikeš. We hope you enjoy it. (Click here is you cannot see the above video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymESBjcXegE) English Translation of this story… Dear children, how Pepík always...

Childrens Books, Holidays

November 11, 2022

The Works of Jan Svankmajer

Czech surrealist filmmaker Jan Svankmajer has been producing work since the 1960s. He is best known for his imaginative and frequently macabre films. With his distinct style, he merges live-action video with animation, stop-motion, and other visual storytelling techniques. Jan Svankmajer was born in 1934 in Prague, Czechoslovakia, and grew up in a family with...

Bohemians, ENTERTAINMENT, Movies

October 21, 2022

The Czech Who Invented Stylized Special Effects

What do Monty Python’s Terry Gilliam, Tim Burton, Wes Anderson, and the Brothers Quay all have in common? The answer is stylized special effects. Stylized special effects tell their story through the use of exaggerated or simplified shapes, motions, and colors. The story is represented in a non-naturalistic conventional form as opposed to a realistic...

ENTERTAINMENT, Movies

October 16, 2022

The Legend of the Golem of Prague

Today we are revisiting the Golem of Prague. We’ve written about this before in our post The Legend of The Golem but our friend Barbara S. Weitz shared the following information which we’ve decided to share here with you because it’s so interesting. We hope you enjoy it. Who is the Golem? The Golem is...

Books, History, Movies

October 6, 2022

The Czech New Wave

There are many so-called “new waves” in film history, from the French nouvelle vague (1959 through the middle 1960s) to the present day. While such monikers serve many purposes, including facilitating international marketing , they do identify those regions where, for any number of reasons, particularly fertile and original bodies of creative work have emerged....

ENTERTAINMENT, Movies

October 4, 2022

Czech Fairytale – The Bird of Happiness

Today we are looking at an old Czech fairytale – The Bird of Happiness, or in Czech, Pták štěstí. It is an old Chod tale. I will first present actual scans of the book, then the text of the story, and finally, at the very end, a link to a pdf file which you may...

Childrens Books, ENTERTAINMENT