Pavel Kohout facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pavel Kohout
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Pavel Kohout in 2008
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| Born | 20 July 1928 Prague, Czechoslovakia |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Nationality | Czech |
| Notable awards | Austrian State Prize for European Literature |
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Pavel Kohout (born July 20, 1928) is a famous writer from the Czech Republic. He writes novels, plays, and poems. He was once a member of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. Later, he became a brave dissident, which means he spoke out against the government. He was part of the Prague Spring movement. Because of his views, he was not allowed to return to his home country from Austria. He also helped start the Charter 77 movement, which worked for human rights.
Contents
Pavel Kohout's Life Story
Early Years and Education
Pavel Kohout finished high school in 1947. He studied theater and art at Charles University and graduated in 1952. For a while, he was part of a youth organization. During this time, he started writing plays and poems. He also joined the Union of Writers.
Working in Theater and Television
In 1956, Pavel Kohout worked briefly for Czechoslovak Television. He was a reporter and commentator. From 1963 to 1966, he worked at the Vinohrady Theatre. He helped choose and prepare plays for the stage.
Standing Up for Freedom
Pavel Kohout became interested in a movement that wanted to make changes in the country. He left the Union of Writers because of his different ideas. In 1967, he and other writers faced problems. This happened after they read a protest letter from another writer, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.
Because he and other theater workers were not allowed to work in official theaters, they found a creative solution. They started a secret acting group called "Living-Room Theater." They performed plays, like a version of William Shakespeare's Macbeth, in people's homes in Prague. This was a brave way to share art when they were being watched.
Prague Spring and Exile
In 1968, Pavel Kohout became a very important person in the Prague Spring. This was a time when people hoped for more freedom in Czechoslovakia. The next year, he was removed from the Communist Party. His writings were also strictly controlled by the government.
In 1978, he and his wife, Jelena Mašínová, were allowed to travel to Austria. He had a job contract with a theater there. But while they were in Austria, their citizenship was taken away. This meant they could not go back home. In 1980, they became Austrian citizens and made their home in Vienna. He continued his writing work in Austria.
After the Communist government fell, Pavel Kohout and his wife often visited Prague. Now, they spend their time between Prague and Sázava.
Pavel Kohout's Famous Works
Notable Plays
One of his most famous plays is Poor Murderer. It was shown on Broadway in New York in 1976. The play is based on a short story by Leonid Andreyev.
Popular Novels
Pavel Kohout has written many interesting novels:
- White Book: This book shows a funny and strange picture of life under the Communist government.
- I Am Snowing: This story is about what happened after the Communist government ended. It talks about secret police files being opened and how this affected people.
- The Widow Killer: This is a detective story set during World War II in Prague.
- The Hangwoman: This is a dark comedy about people who carry out executions.
- Seven Days in a Week (1965)
- Morgen tanzt die ganze Welt (1952)
- Smyčka (2008)
Awards and Honors
Pavel Kohout has received many awards for his writing and his courage:
- 1969 Franz Theodor Csokor Award
- 1977 Austrian State Prize for European Literature
- 1997 Das Glas der Vernunft (The Glass of Reason) (Kassel Citizenship Award)
- 1999 Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art, 1st class
- 2002 Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- 2004 Honorary Medal of the Austrian capital Vienna in gold
See also
In Spanish: Pavel Kohout para niños
