Místo „České cikánské rapsodie“ v politickém a historickém myšlení Jana Tesaře
The place of the “Czech Gipsy Rhapsody” in the political and historical thinking of Jan Tesař

Summary/Abstract: According to the author, Tesař’s publication comments on a number of important topics of today’s historiography. First and foremost, it is not only an important contribution of the Romany people in the Czech Lands and Czechoslovakia; using a specific life story, it examines the place of marginalized social groups in both professional and popular interpretations of the past. At the same time, Tesař attempts to critically evaluate the potential of working with contemporary witnesses and, in general, the use of recollections for the purpose of learning about the past, thus joining current discussions about the memory and the methodology of oral history. From the viewpoint of Tesař’s own work, the present publication is the culmination of his long-time (and after 1968 for quite some time interrupted) studies of the history of the Protectorate and anti-fascist resistance. The author emphasizes that Tesař always wrote his works with a view to, and a dialogue with, current political and social events. His historical texts thus often commented on sensitive topical issues, just like his political writings from the position of an opposition activist after 1968 was based on historiographic analyses. In his analysis of the Serinkian inspirations essay (3rd volume), the author points at continuities and constants of Tesař’s political and historical thinking.

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