Good Soldier Svejk unveils monument of writer Jaroslav Hasek
Good Soldier Svejk unveils monument of writer Jaroslav Hasek
PRAGUE, Oct 5 (CTK) - Good Soldier Svejk and Mrs Muellerova
unveiled the original equestrian statue of their literary father,
Czech writer Jaroslav Hasek (1883-1923), in Prague-Zizkov on
Prokop Square this afternoon.
Both characters appeared in Hasek's most famous novel, "The
Adventures of the Good Soldier Svejk During the World War," a
satire of life during World War One.
As Hasek was an author of humoristic books, the ceremony to
unveil his statue was an amusing event, accompanied by salutes
fired using old weapons and the tunes of the "Zizkov anthem."
A number of people appeared in period costumes, including old
uniforms from the Austro-Hungarian Empire a part of which the
Czech lands were until the end of World War One.
"This monument definitely belongs to Zizkov which has also
been taken as a peculiar district," said Zizkov Mayor MilanCesky.
The monument is shaped as an equestrian statue hiding a
pillar with the writer's bust.
"Monuments are a controversial chapter in the art history,"
said art historian Jiri Kotalik, but he added that this one has
succeeded as its idea, place and creator, sculptor Karel Nepras,are in harmony.
Hasek's monument was discussed for years, but the project was
postponed due to the lack of finances. In the end, the monument
cost 3.5 million crowns.
It is Nepras's last work since the artist died in 2002 before
its completion.
The statue's head was finished by Nepras's
daughter Karolina. She said that Nepras created an original as
well as timeless monument.
Hasek lived in Zizkov close to the Prokop Square for several
years, and he wrote the first volume of the Adventures of the
Good Soldier Svejk there, in his flat in Jeronymova street and it
the surrounding pubs.
($1=24.798 crowns)
hol/dr/ms