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 on July 20, 1928, is a famous writer from the Czech Republic and Austria. He writes novels, plays, and poems. He was once part of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. Later, he became a key figure in the Prague Spring movement and a "dissident," meaning he spoke out against the government. In the 1970s, 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
About Pavel Kohout's Life
Early Years and Education
Pavel Kohout finished high school in 1947. He was a strong supporter of the Communist Party at that time. In 1952, he graduated from Charles University. He studied theater and how art affects people.
After university, he joined the main committee of the Czechoslovak Youth Union. He worked there until 1960. During these years, he started writing plays and poetry. He was also a member of the Union of Writers.
Working in Television and Theater
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 there.
During this time, he became interested in a movement to change the government. He left the Union of Writers. This was because people questioned his political views. In 1967, he and other writers faced problems. This happened after he read a protest letter from another writer, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.
The "Living-Room Theater"
Pavel Kohout and other theater workers were not allowed to work in official theaters. So, he created a secret acting group. It was called "Living-Room Theater." They performed plays in people's homes in Prague.
Actors like Pavel Landovský and Vlasta Chramostová were part of this group. His daughter, Tereza Boučková, also joined them. They performed a version of William Shakespeare's Macbeth. A play by Tom Stoppard was inspired by these secret performances.
Prague Spring and Exile
In 1968, Pavel Kohout became a very important person in the Prague Spring. This was a time when people tried to bring more freedom to Czechoslovakia. The next year, he was removed from the Communist Party. His writings were also strictly controlled.
In 1978, he and his third wife, Jelena Mašínová, were allowed to visit Austria. He had a contract to work at the Burgtheater there. While they were in Austria, their Czech citizenship was taken away. This meant they could not go back home.
In 1980, they became citizens of Austria. They made their home in Vienna. Pavel Kohout continued his writing and received an award in Austria. After the Communist government fell, they often visited Prague. Now, they divide their time between Prague and Sázava.
Pavel Kohout's Creative Works
Notable Plays and Novels
One of his most famous plays is Poor Murderer. It opened on Broadway in New York in 1976. This play is based on a short story by Leonid Andreyev.
His novels include:
- White Book: This book shows a strange and funny picture of life under Communism.
- I Am Snowing: This story is about what happened after Communism ended. It talks about secret police files being opened. It shows how this affected both the people who gave information and their victims.
- The Widow Killer: This is a detective story. It takes place in Prague during World War II, when the Nazis occupied the city.
- 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)
He also wrote the novel Smyčka in 2008.
Awards and Honors
Pavel Kohout has received many awards for his work:
- 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
