Honoring Czech Resistance Leader – Josef Robotka
Today I honor my late husband Charles Novacek’s uncle Josef Robotka and am posting an unedited paper Charles wrote about him. The paper was eventually incorporated in Charles’ memoir, Border Crossings: Coming of Age in the Czech Resistance, Ten21 Press, 2012. Sixty-four years ago on November 12, 1952, at 5:40 a.m., Josef Robotká was executed …
Hoffer Celebrated, Novacek Remembered
Today is the birthday of Eric Hoffer (1898 – 1983), working-class philosopher, migratory worker, and longshoreman. He became a social writer, grounded in the practical experience of the common worker, and was the author of ten books. Hoffer was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in February 1983. His first book, The True Believer (1951), was widely recognized as a …
Ten21 Press and Border Crossings at Bohemian Book Fair
Interested in hot books by cool publishers? Check out the BOHEMIAN BOOK FAIR on Friday, June 3 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, June 4, from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Czech Center New York, in the Bohemian National Hall, 321 E 73rd Street, (Between 1st and 2nd Aves). Readings by seven authors will start …
Miss Czech–Slovak US Endorses Memoir on Czech Resistance
I am proud to announce the recent endorsement of Border Crossings: Coming of Age in the Czech Resistance by Meagan Kurmel, Miss Czech–Slovak US 2015-2016. On Charles Novacek’s memoir, Ms. Kurmel’s endorsement states: “From beginning to end, I was enthralled with Charles Novacek’s journey. In a country torn by war, his youth vanished quickly as …
Beloved Puppets: From Innocence to Resistance
“And when the Nazis occupied Prague during World War II, the puppet theatre helped to keep the spirit of resistance alive.” Yesterday I volunteered as an usher for a film showing in the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) Danto Lecture Hall. I took tickets, passed out programs and when the film was showing I sat …