Miloslav Švandrlík facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Miloslav Švandrlík
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Bust of Švandrlík in Chodov, Prague
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| Born | 10 August 1932 Prague, Czechoslovakia |
| Died | 26 October 2009 (aged 77) Prague, Czech Republic |
| Resting place | Kutná Hora, Czech Republic |
| Pen name | Roman Kefalín |
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| Language | Czech |
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| Notable works | Black Barons |
Miloslav Švandrlík (born August 10, 1932 – died October 26, 2009) was a famous Czech writer and humorist. He was known for making people laugh with his stories. He also used a pen name, which was Roman Kefalín.
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Life and Writing Journey
Miloslav Švandrlík was born in Prague, which was then part of Czechoslovakia, in 1932. After finishing high school, he tried out different jobs. He also studied music for two years in Prague. In 1950, he earned his matura diploma, which is like a high school graduation certificate. From 1951 to 1953, he studied at the Faculty of Theatre in Prague, but he left after two years.
After his studies, Švandrlík worked as an assistant director at a theater in Prague. In 1953, he had to join a special army unit, which was required for young men at that time. He left the army in 1955. After that, he worked helping Korean children in a place called Liběšice. Soon, he became a full-time writer.
His Books and Stories
Most of Miloslav Švandrlík's writing was funny and satirical. This means he used humor to comment on society and life. But he also wrote exciting science fiction stories and books for children.
One of his most famous books is called Černí baroni (which means Black Barons). This book is based on his own experiences in the army. It shows the funny and sometimes strange side of army life during the time of Communism in Czechoslovakia. The book was so popular that it was made into a movie in 1992, also called Černí baroni.
Švandrlík often wrote for different magazines and newspapers, like Dikobraz. He also wrote for the theater. He often worked with an artist named Jiří Winter Neprakta. Švandrlík would write the jokes, and Winter would draw the cartoons to go with them. He also wrote scripts for movies and radio shows.
Miloslav Švandrlík passed away in Prague on October 26, 2009. He was buried in Kutná Hora, at the Church of the Holy Trinity.
Popular Books by Miloslav Švandrlík
Here are some of the books Miloslav Švandrlík wrote:
- Z chlévů i bulvárů (1960)
- Krvavý Bill viola (1961)
- Od Šumavy k Popokatepetlu (1962)
- Kovbojská romance (1964)
- Drakulův švagr (1970)
- Mořský vlk a veselá vdova aneb Proti všem (1970)
The Kopyto and Mňouk Series
One of his well-known series for younger readers is Neuvěřitelné příhody žáků Kopyta a Mňouka (The Incredible Adventures of Kopyto and Mňouk). This series includes many fun books:
- Žáci Kopyto a Mňouk a mimozemšťané (Kopyto and Mňouk and the Aliens)
- Žáci Kopyto a Mňouk opět zasahují (Kopyto and Mňouk Strike Again)
- Žáci Kopyto a Mňouk a lesní netvor (Kopyto and Mňouk and the Forest Monster)
- Žáci Kopyto a Mňouk a stříbrňáci (Kopyto and Mňouk and the Silver People)
- Žáci Kopyto a Mňouk v jihlavských katakombách (Kopyto and Mňouk in the Jihlava Catacombs)
- Žáci Kopyto a Mňouk a černá magie (Kopyto and Mňouk and Black Magic)
- Žáci Kopyto a Mňouk, postrach Posázaví (Kopyto and Mňouk, the Terror of Posázaví)
- Žáci Kopyto a Mňouk na stopě (Kopyto and Mňouk on the Trail)
- Žáci Kopyto a Mňouk a náměsíčníci (Kopyto and Mňouk and the Sleepwalkers)
- Žáci Kopyto a Mňouk a maharadžova pomsta (Kopyto and Mňouk and the Maharaja's Revenge)
- Žáci Kopyto a Mňouk a akta X (Kopyto and Mňouk and the X-Files)
- Žáci Kopyto a Mňouk a ryšavý upír (Kopyto and Mňouk and the Red-Haired Vampire)
Other Notable Works
- Doktor od jezera Hrochů (1980)
- Dívka na vdávání (1983)
- Muž, který se topil (1985)
- Černí baroni aneb Válčili jsme za Čepičky (1990)
After 1990, Švandrlík wrote many more books that continued the story from Černí baroni:
- Říkali mu Terazky aneb šest půllitrů u Jelínků (1991)
- Lásky Černého barona (1991)
- Kam to kráčíš, Kefalíne?
- Pět sekyr poručíka Hamáčka (1993)
- Černý baron od Botiče (1993)
- Černí baroni po čtyřiceti letech (1998)
- Černí baroni těsně před kremací (1999)
- Stoletý major Terazky (2000)
- Terazky na hrad (2002)
- Terazkyho poslední džob (2002)
- Terazky v tunelu doktora Moodyho (2003)
- Nesmiřitelný Terazky (2003)
- Černí baroni útočí na obrazovku (2003)
Honors and Recognition
Just a few days before he passed away in 2009, Miloslav Švandrlík was made an honorary citizen of Prague 11. This means he was given a special title to show how much he was respected in that part of the city.
On April 21, 2010, a square in Chodov, Prague, was named after him. It's called Švandrlíkovo square. On October 14, 2010, a special statue of Švandrlík, called a bust, was put up there. It was created by a Czech artist named Miroslav Pangrác.
