Jan Zahradníček

January Alois Zahradníček (born 17 January 1905 in Mastník; † October 7, 1960 at Vlčatín ) was a Czech poet.

Life and work

Zahradníček applies in Czech literature as one of the most well-known representative of the " Catholic modernism". Between 1935 and 1945 Zahradníček worked at the invitation of the priest Jan Dokulil in Uhřínov, where he married in 1945. As a representative of Catholicism Zahradníček been exposed to state repression. In 1950 he was jointly charged with other because of subversive activities and sentenced to thirteen years in prison. 1956, parole was granted to him, as two of his daughters had died of mushroom poisoning. They had not informed him in prison about it; he learned it only upon the arrival with his family, which was a tougher blow for the poet.

His freedom after his release in 1960 could no longer enjoy the ailing poet. He died shortly afterwards in a choking fit. 1966, under the influence of reform communism, he was posthumously acquitted and completely rehabilitated. After the Prague Spring and the end of communist reform developments Zahradníčeks writings were outlawed again and quasi prohibited.

After the Velvet Revolution, his work was again made ​​wider layers and accessible parts translated into other languages. His grave is in the cemetery at Uhřínov.

Works

• Hope of returning home, Hauzenberg: Ed. Pongratz, 2002, ISBN 3-931883-21-3
• The prisoner of God: Poems 1945 - 1960 Transmit and initiated by Nikolaus Lobkowicz (1984)..
• Rowan berries. ( JERÁBY ) poems in the original and in a German transmission of Urs Heftrich and with pictures of Jirí Vincenç Slavícek, Prague, ISBN 80-7253-063-1