In 1971, the couple founded the exile publishing house ’68 Publishers, about which their friend Milan Kundera declared that "without it, serious printed Czech literature would cease to exist". The publishing house mainly published Czech books, which were not allowed to be published in our country during the totalitarian regime. They published a total of 227 titles (among others: Havel, Kundera, Blatný, ​​Mandlová, Diviš, Hrabal, Vaculík, Kryl and others...). Their publishing house had a moral and aesthetic value, and Czech literature did not lose its continuity thanks to it.

 

With this title, Švanda Theater continues the dramaturgical line of author's texts, the creation of which was inspired by exceptional personalities of our history, about whom undeservedly little is known. The previous production by the author Pavel Jurda Rags, bones, skin, which was also directed by Martin Františák won The Mark Ravenhill Award in 2019.

In our history, we can trace a handful of "warriors", lighthouse keepers, pilgrims who leave the country and thus create conditions elsewhere for saving and maintaining basic human and cultural values. And that is the story of Zdena Salivarová and Josef Škvorecký.

Kindly note that there are some vulgar expressions used in the performance.

The performance will be in Czech with English subtitles. Please book your seat in advance on our e-mail: toronto(at)mzv.gov.cz with the full names of the guests. The entry fee is 20 CAD payable at the theater in cash.