Svatopluk Čech
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Svatopluk Čech (February 21, 1846, Ostředek near Benešov – February 23, 1908, Prague) was Czech writer, journalist and poet.
Čech studied gymnasium in Prague, then law and later worked in journals Květy, Lumír and Světozor.
His first poem Husita na Baltu was published in almanac Ruch in 1868. Similary to his work Adamité it is inspired by history (Hussite Wars). Poem Evropa (1878) takes motive from revolutionary movements of the time, poem Slávie (1882) propagates ideals of Slavic unity, poem Václav z Michalkovic (1880) depicts religious oppression by Jesuits, poem Lešetínský kovář (1883 confiscated, 1899) social problems of industrialization. Lyrical poems Jitřních písní (1887) and Nových písní (1888) reflect national rebirth of Czech people, very popular poem Písně otroka reflects social propblems.
His best known work today is a series of satirical novels Výlety pana Broučka (1888, 1889), two of which were used as the basis for Janáček's opera The Excursions of Mr. Broucek on the Moon and in the 15th Century (Výlet pana Broučka do XV. století/Výlet pana Broučka do Měsíce). Čech himself appears as an apparition in Act 3 of the opera.
A bridge in Prague bears the name Svatopluk Čech Bridge (Most Svatopluka Čecha) in his honor. Also multiple streets in various Czech cities are named after him.
