Where has my uncle gone, Mr. President? A musical-dramatic reflection on the life of Josef Toufar Cover Image

Kam zmizel můj strýc, pane prezidente? Hudebně-dramatická reflexe života Josefa Toufara
Where has my uncle gone, Mr. President? A musical-dramatic reflection on the life of Josef Toufar

Author(s): Martin Tichý
Subject(s): Cultural history, Political history, Politics and society, Scientific Life, Sociology of Art, Sociology of Religion
Published by: Ústav pro studium totalitních režimů
Keywords: Josef Toufar; rehabilitation; Aleš Březina; Slavomír Hořínka; Czech Philharmonic; historical injustices;

Summary/Abstract: The recent rehabilitation of Father Josef Toufar, who was tortured to death by the StB in 1950, has sparked renewed interest in his tragic story. His life and martyrdom have inspired various artistic interpretations, including Aleš Březina's opera "Toufar" and Slavomír Hořínka's musical drama "Kam zmizel můj strýc, pane presidente?" Both works, influenced by Miloš Doležal's book "Jako bychom dnes zemřít měli," explore Toufar's unwavering faith and the brutal repression he faced. Březina's opera, premiered in 2013, received mixed reviews, while Hořínka's 2017 piece, supported by the Czech Philharmonic, has been praised for its emotional depth and educational impact. These artistic endeavors highlight the enduring relevance of Toufar's story and the importance of confronting historical injustices.

  • Issue Year: XVIII/2024
  • Issue No: 03
  • Page Range: 134-136
  • Page Count: 3
  • Language: Czech
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