Alois Jirásek ( Czech pronunciation: [ˈalojs ˈjɪraːsɛk] ) (23 August 1851, Hronov , Kingdom of Bohemia – 12 March 1930, Prague ) was a Czech writer, author of historical novels and plays . Jirásek was a high school history teacher in Litomyšl and later in Prague until his retirement in 1909. He wrote a series of historical novels imbued with faith in his nation and in progress toward freedom and justice. He was close to many important Czech personalities like Mikoláš Aleš , Josef Václav Sládek , Karel Václav Rais or Zdeněk Nejedlý . He attended an art club in Union Cafe with them. He worked as an editor in Zvon magazine and was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1918, 1919, 1921 and 1930.
23-927: Alois Jirásek was born on 23 August 1851 in Hronov , in the Kingdom of Bohemia (modern-day Czech Republic ), which was at that time part of the Austrian Empire . He was born into a family of small farmers and weavers of modest means. His father was Josef Jirásek (1822–1901) who worked as a weaver at first and then as a baker. His mother's name was Vincencie Jirásková, née Prouzová (1821–1887). Alois had eight siblings: Helena, Josef, Emília, Rudolf, Žofie, Božena, Adolf and Antonín. He attended German Benedictine High School in Broumov (1863–1867), and Czech High School in Hradec Králové (1867–71). He then studied history at
46-668: A Christian , but never entered another Church. In the years 1918, 1919, 1921 and 1930 he was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature . On 12 March 1930 he died in Prague and was buried in his home town, Hronov. On 15 March, the night before his funeral, there was a memorial service in front of the National Museum in Prague. Karel Kramá ř and František Soukup each gave a speech there. A national funeral took place in
69-627: A symphonic poem based on Cyrano de Bergerac , much chamber music (including five string quartets (No. 1 in E, Op. 15; No. 2, Op. 39; No. 3 in C, Op. 61; No. 4 in F, Op. 182 (1943); and the last, written 1950–1, completed by Jan Hanuš ); three piano trios , two violin and two cello sonatas, and a several-times-recorded wind quintet ), at least five operas (notably Eva ), concertos for cello (Op. 143) and two for violin (No. 1 in C minor, Op. 88 (1911); No. 2 in D minor, Op. 104), liturgical music, among other works, over 170 published opus numbers in all. Many of his works remember family members:
92-678: A critic, and he would prove to be a writer of distinction. In 1893 he married the leading Czech soprano Berta Lautererová (Bertha Lauterer) in Hamburg , during ten years making his living there as a critic, and she was engaged at the Hamburg Staatsoper. In 1901 he became a teacher at the Hamburg Conservatory. In 1903 Berta went to sing at the Vienna Hofoper , and so Josef moved there with her, continuing to make
115-530: A living as a music critic. He returned to Prague on the foundation of the Czechoslovak Republic in 1918, thereafter teaching at the conservatory and the university. In 1946 he was declared a National Composer. He died in Nový Vestec . Foerster produced numerous compositions. His music is not nationalistic in the sense of employing the idioms of Czech folk music. His work, words and music,
138-792: A member of parliament in the Revolutionary National Assembly of the Czechoslovak Republic. In 1920 he became a senator in the National Assembly . He was a senator until 1925. In parliament he sat for the Czechoslovak National Democracy party. He continued his political career until he was unable to write anymore due to illness. In September 1921 he left the Roman Catholic Church ; he was still
161-473: Is considered very subjective and personal, mystical and idealistic. Foerster's opera Eva is another example, like Leoš Janáček 's Jenůfa , of a libretto based on a play by Gabriela Preissová , though his treatment differs. His compositions include five symphonies (No. 1 in D minor; No. 2 in F, Op. 29 (1892–98); No. 3 in D, Op. 36; No. 4 in C minor, Op. 54, "Easter Eve" (1905); and No. 5 in D minor, Op. 141 (1929) ), other orchestral works including
184-573: Is named after the significant Czech writer and local native Alois Jirásek . The main landmark of the town centre is the theatre which bears the name of Alois Jirásek. It was opened in 1930. The birthplace of Jirásek is a house from the 18th century and is a preserved example of folk architecture. The oldest monument in Hronov is the Church of All Saints. The originally Gothic church was baroque rebuilt in 1713–1717 and 1736. The late Renaissance bell tower
207-574: Is the Turov hill at 603 m (1,978 ft) above sea level. Hronov is situated on the Metuje River. The Hronovka and Regnerka mineral springs are in Hronov. The first written mention of Hronov is from 1359. It was founded during the colonization of this territory between 1241 and 1285. In 1415, Hronov is referred to as a market town . Until 1848, it was part of the Náchod estate. In 1859, it
230-507: The Charles University (1871–74). After finishing his studies he moved back to Litomyšl where he taught history. He also wrote his first important works ( The Philosophers' Story or Psohlavci ). On 11 August 1879 he married Marie Podhajská. They had eight children together, seven daughters and one son. In 1888 they moved to Prague. They were not satisfied with their first two apartments. But, after five years they finally found
253-568: The National Museum. Since Alois was no longer a member of any church, the Catholic Church forbid ringing church bells in Prague. There was no priest at his funeral. T.G. Masaryk, many politicians, college professors, and diplomats attended his funeral. Ivan Dérer , Jaroslav Kvapil and Rudolf Medek each gave a speech at it. After the cremation they moved the urn to Hronov, but they stopped in many Czech cities. The last part of
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#1732772872086276-456: The funeral took place in Hronov. There were no church bells ringing; mourners could hear famous pieces by J.B. Foerster . Jirásek is one of the most important Czech writers. He used historical details to describe the age he was writing about. The characters in his books are history makers. He described the social events of his day. Alois Jirásek began his career with verses written in a nationalistic and patriotic style. His prose works reflected
299-494: The historical events in Jirasek's works is very comprehensive. It includes mythical periods ( Staré pověsti české 1894 ) that are read by the young for its verses. He also wrote ballads, and romances, which were sough out by publishers, illustrators, and then by filmmakers ( Filosofická historie 1888, Maryla 1885, Zahořanský hon 1889, Balda z rokoka 1905). He wrote novels V cizích službách (1885) and Psohlavci (1884). He
322-555: The municipal territory. Hronov was named after its founder Hron of Náchod. Hronov is located about 7 kilometres (4 mi) north of Náchod and 38 km (24 mi) northeast of Hradec Králové . The Malá Čermná exclave lies on the border with Poland. Most of the municipal territory lies in the Broumov Highlands , but the southern part with the town proper lies in the Orlické Foothills . The highest point
345-412: The perfect one on Ressl street, close to today's Jirasek square, where a memorial to Alois is located. They lived in this apartment from 1903 until his death in 1930. He continued in his career as a high-school teacher in Prague as well as writing literary works. Living in Prague gave him the opportunity to meet members of the artistic and scientific world. He started meeting Mikoláš Aleš with whom he shared
368-401: The reality of contemporary countrysides. He began to write in the 1870s but was still active in the 1920s. His first large work was an historical novel Skaláci (1875). The last work was a novel Husistký král that was never finished. For more than 50 years he wrote stories — Povídka z hor 1878, Z bouřlivých dob 1879, Rozmanitá próza . His first story was Poklad (1873). The range of
391-557: The same artistic ideas and plans. He became friends with Zikmund Winter , K.V. Rais, but also with the younger generation including Josef Svatopluk Machar and Zdeněk Nejedlý. All of his dramas were written in Prague. On 3 July 1908 he was elected a member of Czech Academy of Arts and Sciences. He retired in 1909 and dedicated most of his time to literature. He often visited his home town Hronov, but he also travelled around Europe which he wrote about in some of his works. He visited Chodsko, Dresden , Italy, Slovakia and Bled . In 1917 he
414-764: The support of realism on the stage ( Vojnarka 1890, Otec 1894). Emigrant (1898) was an historical drama; it had three parts: Jan Hus , Jan Žižka , Jan Roháč . Hronov Hronov ( Czech pronunciation: [ˈɦronof] ) is a town in Náchod District in the Hradec Králové Region of the Czech Republic . It has about 6,100 inhabitants. It is known as the birthplace of writer Alois Jirásek . The villages of Malá Čermná, Rokytník, Velký Dřevíč, Žabokrky and Zbečník are administrative parts of Hronov. Malá Čermná forms an exclave of
437-584: Was also the author of many chronicles. They recorded the changes in Bohemia from the beginning of the Hussites ( Mezi proudy I-III 1887–1890, Proti všem 1893, Bratrstvo I-III 1900-1909), through the recatholization pressure ( Temno 1913), and the uprising of the Kingdom of Bohemia in the 18th century ( F. L. Věk I-V 1906, U nás I-IV 1896-1903). Successful dramas from contemporary villages contributed to
460-560: Was built in 1610. Hronov is twinned with: Josef Bohuslav Foerster Josef Bohuslav Foerster (30 December 1859 – 29 May 1951) was a Czech composer and musicologist. He is often referred to as J. B. Foerster , and his surname is sometimes spelled Förster . Foerster was born in Prague . His ancestors were of Bohemian German ethnicity, but had assimilated into the Czech community. The family normally lived in Prague and
483-510: Was musical. His father, a composer also named Josef Foerster, taught at the Conservatory . (His father's students included Franz Lehár . ) His brother was artist Viktor Foerster . Josef was educated accordingly, and duly studied there. He also showed an early interest in the theatre, and thought of becoming an actor. He taught music; one of his early students was composer and Stuttgart court pianist Anna Sick . From 1884 Foerster worked as
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#1732772872086506-653: Was one of the first to sign the Manifesto of Czech writers , which was an important proclamation that supported political efforts to have an independent country for Czechs. On 28 October 1918 Izidor Zahradník and Alois took part in the reading of the declaration of Czechoslovakia's independence. On 21 December 1918 Alois greeted Tomáš Masaryk with a speech and met with him on many occasions. Charles University awarded Alois an honorary PhD in 1919. The high school in Ressl street changed its name to Jirasek High School. He became
529-513: Was promoted to a town. In 1949, the neighbouring municipalities of Velké Poříčí , Zbečník, Velký Dřevíč, Rokytník and Žabokrky were merged with Hronov. In 1960, Malá Čermná joined Hronov. In 1990, Velké Poříčí became a separate municipality. Hronov is located on the railway lines Broumov – Starkoč and Hronov– Choceň . On the border with Poland is the pedestrian border crossing Malá Čermná / Czermna . The Jiráskův Hronov festival of amateur theatre takes place here every year. The festival
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