The Salvation Army in Czechoslovakia

The Salvation Army in Czechoslovakia from 1919 until 1951 was largely due to the work of Josef Korbel (Order of the Founder) and his wife, Erna. Josef Korbel was born on January 17, 1907 in Prague. He grew up in the town of Prelouc, where his father owned a factory for agricultural machinery. He attended...

History, Men, NOSTALGIA

September 30, 2019

Antonín Dvořák and His Recorded Works

Today’s post is dedicated to the memory of Antonín Dvořák, the great Bohemian composer. America and the Czech Republic (Bohemia) have a warm place in their hearts for Dvorak. Both country’s love him on account of his visit to America, the influence of the works he wrote in America, and for the splendid lesson he...

Bohemians, History, Music

September 28, 2019

Saint Wenceslas (Sv. Václav) King and Martyr

Today is the twenty-eighth day of September, the Saint day of Saint Wenceslas or in Czech, Svatý Václav. We recommend that you play the following video with sound for the Meditation on old Bohemian Chorale, “St. Wenceslas”, Op. 35a while you read today’s post for some ambiance. Saint Wenceslas, duke of Bohemia, was the son...

Bohemians, History, PEOPLE

September 19, 2019

Václav Hlavatý – World-Famous Czechoslovak Mathematician

Today we are pleased to share a very informative post about Václav Hlavatý, a world-famous Czechoslovak mathematician and the first President of SVU (Czechoslovak Society of Arts and Sciences, Inc.) written by Martin Nekola, Ph.D. Václav Hlavatý (1894-1969) belonged to the Czechoslovaks most prominent scientists whose work in the mathematics of relativity and the cooperation...

History, PEOPLE

September 15, 2019

Saint Adalbert – The Bishop of Prague

Saint Adalbert of Prague; c. 956 – 23 April 997, known in Czech by his birth name Vojtěch, was a Bohemian missionary and Christian saint. He was the Bishop of Prague and a missionary to the Hungarians, Poles, and Prussians, who was martyred in his efforts to convert the Baltic Prussians to Christianity. Born to...

Bohemians, PEOPLE

September 3, 2019

John Hus – A Brief Video Overview of the Man

Jan Hus (1369 – July 6, 1415), sometimes Anglicized as John Hus or John Huss, also referred to in historical texts as Johannes Hus or Johannes Huss, was a Czech theologian, philosopher, master, dean, and rector of the Charles University in Prague. He became a church reformer, an inspirer of Hussitism, a key predecessor to...

Bohemians, PEOPLE

August 30, 2019

The Greatest Czech No One Heard of – Eduard Ingriš

Jára Cimrman also known as “the Master”, is a Czech fictional polymath, a made up and imaginary personality presented as a universal genius, and one of the greatest Czech playwrights, poets, composers, teachers, travelers, philosophers, inventors, and sportsmen of the 19th and early 20th century. Playing along with the pretense of his real existence is...

Bohemians, Men, PEOPLE

August 22, 2019

Emil Holárek and the Fairy Tale of Innocence

We have a special treat for you today, a very rare peek into a satirical Czech Symbolist publication illustrated by Emil Holárek about an innocent little nymphet, who wears herself out between various institutions of state and society and the wickedness of their protagonists, finally ending up as a supposed culprit on the scaffold. In...

Art and Design, CULTURE

August 15, 2019

Karel Hujer Looked to the Stars and Beyond

Dr. Karel Hujer (September 18, 1902, Zelezny Brod – June 10, 1988, Chattanooga, TN) was a Czech astronomer interested in the study of astronomy of ancient civilizations. Dr. Hujer came to the United States with a Doctor of Science degree (higher than Ph.D.) from Charles University in Prague. He immediately became active in the life...

Bohemians, PEOPLE

August 2, 2019

Jiří Šlitr – Czech Pop Music & Theatre in the 1960s

When thinking of Czech pop music and theater, there is one main person to mention in that position and that would have to be Jiří Šlitr (1924 – 1969). This mega-talent boasted a wide artistic scope – he was a composer, virtuoso pianist, singer, actor and artist. He learned to play the piano from his...

Art and Design, CULTURE, Movies, Music, Theater

July 27, 2019

Looking Back in Time at Czech Yankees

The following article entitled Czechoslovaks, Yankees of Europe appeared in a very old issue of National Geographic magazine from August of 1938. A wonderful 52 page article with 30 “cyclorama” color photographs. It is an excellent piece which shows us the Czech lands pre-World War II. As the title suggests, author John Patric found a...

History, NOSTALGIA, Periodicals

June 6, 2019

Dr. Miroslav Tyrš Founder of the Czech Sokol Union

Let’s travel back in time, to 1920, and take a look at Dr. Miroslav Tyrš Founder of the Czech Sokol Union. Miroslav Tyrš was actually born as Friedrich Emanuel Tirsch on September 17, 1832 and died on August 8, 1884. He was a Czech art historian, sports organizer and as we’ll learn today, the founder of...

Bohemians, History, PEOPLE

Exhibition_Dress_Designs_Hana_Podolská_TresBohemes

May 31, 2019

Hana Podolská, Legend of Czech Fashion

The Legend of Czech Fashion, Hana Podolská (née Johanna Vošahlíková), was born on May 16, 1880 in Merkhausen and died in Prague on February 15, 1972. She was a Czech fashion designer and businesswoman and one of the most important creators of pre-war Czechoslovak fashion. Additionally, she was the owner of the most renowned domestic...

Bohemians, Fashion, Women

May 20, 2019

Reminiscences of One of Antonín Dvořák’s Pupils

I must confess to being addicted in finding the most rare, forgotten, and set aside information. This very intimate reminiscence of Antonín Dvořák was written by William Arms Fisher and appeared in The Phonograph Monthly Review, Vol. 1: No. 8. May 1927. Without further ado, I’m sure you will enjoy this piece, especially if you...

Bohemians, Music