Zdena Tominová facts for kids
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Zdena Tominová (born February 7, 1941 – died May 24, 2020) was a writer from the Czech Republic. She was known for her novels and for being a brave person who spoke out against the government during the communist time in Czechoslovakia.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Zdena Tominová was born as Zdena Holubová in 1941 in the city of Prague. She went to university to study important subjects like philosophy and sociology. These studies helped her understand how people think and how societies work.
Starting Her Writing Career
Zdena began her journey as a writer in 1959. At first, she wrote surrealist poetry. This type of poetry often uses dream-like images and ideas. In 1962, she married a philosopher named Julius Tomin. During the 1960s, she also wrote and published many essays and short stories.
Speaking Out for Freedom
After a political change in Czechoslovakia, led by Alexander Dubček, the communist government banned Zdena's writings. This meant her books and stories could not be officially published or sold.
Charter 77 and Its Impact
Zdena Tominová became one of the main spokespeople for Charter 77. This was a group of people who bravely spoke up for human rights in Czechoslovakia. Because of her role, the government caused her and her family a lot of trouble.
She also wrote for a secret publication called Padlock. This was part of the samizdat movement, where people secretly printed and shared banned books and articles.
Life in Exile
In 1980, Zdena and her husband traveled to Oxford, England. The Czechoslovak government then called them "enemies of the state." They even took away their citizenship, meaning they were no longer considered citizens of their home country. Zdena and her family eventually made their home in Britain.
Her Published Works
While living in Britain, Zdena Tominová wrote two novels. These books were Stalin's Shoe (published in 1986) and The Coast of Bohemia (published in 1987). Both of her novels were well-liked by people who reviewed books.
Autobiographical Drama
Zdena also wrote a script for a TV show called Enemies of the State. This drama was based on her own life story. It was first shown by Granada Television in 1981. A famous actress named Zoë Wanamaker played the role of Zdena in the show. The drama was also broadcast in the United States in 1988.
Family Life
Zdena Tominová lived in the United Kingdom for many years. She had two sons. Her son Lukáš Tomin, who was also a writer, moved back to Prague in 1991. He sadly passed away there in 1995. Her other son, Marek, works as a journalist and translator and lives in Prague. Zdena's niece is Michaela Marksová, who used to be a minister in the Czech government.
