Eduard Petiška

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Eduard Petiška (May 14, 1924, Prague – 1987, Mariánské Lázně) was a Czech poet, novelist, short story writer, playwright and translator. He is mostly known as author of books for children.

[edit] Life

After the end of World War II he studied German language and literature at Charles University in Prague, earning his doctorate in 1949. Instead of settling for a fixed position in an institution of higher learning he decided on the uncertain adventure of being a writer and independent translator. In 1977, he was a signatory of the "Anti-Charter", a pro-socialist declaration written in reaction to the anti-socialist Charter 77, a conmmuniqué of the artistic opposition. The Anti-Charter was signed by over 2,000 artists.

Petiška died in 1987, leaving his son, who publishes under the pesudonym Eduard Martin, to carry on his legacy.

[edit] Works

Petiška published nearly 70 children's books worldwide (usually illustrated by Helena Zmatlíková), even though this milieu was often avoided by writers living in Socialist states. In addition he translated the works of Goethe into Czech. Petiška was also an excellent interpreter of the legends and myths of ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt and Greece, and published collections of fairy tales and myths.