Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Architecture of the second half of 20th century'

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 2004.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 297-315).
This study explores the editorial policies of the British periodical, The Architectural Review, in the quarter century between 1947 and 1971. In January 1947, its fiftieth anniversary, The Architectural Review published an editorial manifesto, entitled "The Second Half Century," declaring a program that aimed to influence the postwar reconstruction effort in Britain. In 1971, H. de C. Hastings, the co-owner of the Architectural Review disbanded the editorial board, composed of J. M. Richards (1907-1992), Nikolaus Pevsner (1902-1983), Hugh Casson (1910-1999, who joined in 1951) and himself, which reigned continuously since 1947. In this period, AR ran campaigns in accordance with the program declared in "The Second Half Century." Articulating a trajectory for the future of the periodical, the editors not only aimed to shape post-war modem architecture in Britain, but also around the world. They reinterpreted British romanticism in order to conceptualize a model of environmental intervention, known under the rubric of "Townscape." The scope of this program, however, was far larger than the mere urban design methodology that "Townscape" stands for today. It was linked to a project of cultural continuity and renewal. The reinterpretation of British romanticism provided a field of negotiation with the tendencies of modernism-e.g. the ascendance of bureaucratic and technocratic expertise, rationalization of industrial production and increasing specialization-that the editors held responsible for creating an unacceptable uniformity and a sense of alienation. By analyzing the dialogue between the written works of the editors and the specific selection of material included in the periodical, this study aims to clarify the nature of AR's postwar effort by questioning
(cont.) the conflicting models of progress it harbored. It aims to reveal its complex position with respect to cultural continuity, modernity and avant-gardism. Pointing toward the cultural ideals that underlined this position, it covers an interdisciplinary territory that existed in the background where the editors drew the argumentative core of their polemics; a territory that covers the history of political science, cultural anthropology and art history in order to provide a depth of understanding and to reveal the larger constituency and hybridity of architectural discourse.
by Erdem Erten.
Ph.D.

Across Europe anthropogenic emissions have changed substantially over recent decades, due in part to the implementation of air pollution control legislation. It is important to understand the effect that such changes in emissions have on atmospheric aerosols and their impact on air quality and climate. The composition climate model HadGEM3-UKCA and long term observations of aerosols are used to simulate and evaluate the change in aerosols over the period 1960 to 2009. Simulated sulphate mass, total aerosol mass and aerosol number concentrations from HadGEM3-UKCA were underestimated but temporal trends were in better agreement when compared to observations. The inclusion of aerosols was found to be essential when reproducing the observed brightening trend in surface solar radiation across Europe since 1990. The all-sky aerosol radiative forcing (relative to a 1980-2000 mean) increased by >3 W m-2 during the period 1970-2009 due to reductions in aerosol concentrations. The sensitivity of sulphate aerosol formation and aerosol radiative effects to an increase in cloud water pH were investigated over the period 1970 to 2009. Sulphate aerosol mass increased over regions with large SO2 emissions but decreased at other locations. A positive response in the all-sky aerosol radiative effect was simulated due to reductions in aerosol number concentrations. Over Europe the aerosol radiative forcing between 1970 and 2009 varied from +1.5 to +7 W m-2 depending on whether an increase or decrease in cloud water pH was assumed. This shows the additional uncertainty that could exist in aerosol radiative effects if temporal changes in such parameters are not considered. Two emission scenarios have been used to assess the effect of European air quality legislation and technology improvements since the 1970s on particulate air quality, human health and climate. European annual mean PM2.5 concentrations reduced by 35% and are calculated to have prevented 80,000 premature deaths annually across the European Union, a perceived financial benefit to society of US$232 billion. A positive response in the all-sky aerosol radiative effect was simulated, which has increased European annual mean surface temperatures by 0.45 °C. The implementation of legislation and technology improvements has improved air quality and human health across Europe but also had an unintended impact on climate.

This thesis maps the role of the U.S. dollar as an international currency with a main focus on the second half of the 20th century and the role of dollar in the world economy. The thesis spans from the end of the Second World War to the eve of the last global financial crisis. The thesis documents, how dollar became the leading international currency during the Bretton Woods system era. Although the inner conflicts led to breakup of the system, dollar remained the most important currency. Despite many attempts, a successful reform of the international monetary system never happened since then. In the last 30 years, the uncoordinated U.S. monetary policy led to rapid growth of imbalances in the world economy and consequently to the 2007/08 Financial crisis. The thesis shows that the viable reform can build on the original plan of John M. Keynes, which prepared for the Bretton Woods conference.

This literary study examines the formulation of masculinity in Syrian novels authored by women. The thesis covers the period between 1959 and 2000, corresponding to both the development of the female-authored novel in Syria and the creation of the modern Syrian state. This research engages with studies of masculinity in general and literary masculinity studies in particular. Drawing on the seminal work of Raewyn Connell as well as engaging with studies on masculinity and feminine narratology in Swedish, English and Arabic, the thesis analyses the formulation of literary masculinity through the fictional societies’ ideal masculinity on the one hand, and the female characters’ views and reactions to masculinity on the other. From a general survey of the field, 34 novels undertaking the formulation of gendered relations were identified and chosen for this study. From this selection, five themes emerged, forming the foundation of this thesis’ main chapters. The five themes explore, in turn, how stereotypes are utilised to critique gender roles, ways in which male and female characters collaborate to formulate gender norms, how female characters capitalise on patriarchy in order to enhance their lives, male characters as symbols for social and political change and finally, the difficulties included in the performance of masculinity. Each theme is exemplified through one novel, which is analysed in detail. Throughout the five chapters, the main novel chosen for analysis is put into conversation with other novels with similar themes but from different decades. This allows for an examination of changing ideals of masculinity in addition to the theme itself. The first theme, how stereotypes are utilised to critique gender roles, is studied through a close reading of al-Ẓahr al-‘ārī (The Naked back) by Hanrīyit ‘Abbūdī. The analysis illustrates how the expected normative behaviour of men and women is utilised in order to comment on the formulation of gender roles. The chapter further demonstrates ways in which what is seen as gender specific behaviour can be appropriated by the opposite gender. This is further developed through the examination of female writers taking over the male voice through a first person male narrator. The second theme, ways in which male and female characters collaborate to formulate gender norms, is discussed through a close reading of the novel Khaṭawāt fī al-ḍabāb (Steps in the fog) by Malāḥa al-Khānī. This chapter illustrates the similar expectations that both male and female characters have on their sons and fellow male characters. This includes taking on the role of provider and protector, even in the cases where the female characters are able to look after themselves. The third theme, how female characters capitalise on patriarchy in order to enhance their lives, is elaborated through a close reading of Ayyām ma‘ahu (Days with him) by Kūlīt Khūrī. This theme demonstrates how the female character constructs herself and her world around the idea of a perfect male, whom she thinks will save her. The analysis examines what is seen as ideal traits in a man. It further discusses the change of the female character and how her initial utilisation of patriarchal structure transforms into a critique of the same structure. The fourth theme, male characters as symbols for social and political change, is seen through a close reading of Dimashq yā basmat al-ḥuzn (Damascus, o smile of sadness) by Ulfat al-Idlibī. The chapter connects between changing social ideals and ideal masculinity. Through Bayrūt 75 (Beirut 75) by Ghāda al-Sammān, the fifth theme, the difficulties included in the performance of masculinity, is studied. The problematic masculinity presented is then put in contrast with what appears to be a suggestion that a performance of femininity could be an alternative to unsuccessful masculinity. Whereas the novels differ in their presentation of masculinity and the utilisation of ideal masculinity, they agree on a set of core traits summarised in a hegemonic ideal of masculinity as an ability to provide and protect. The ways in which this should be performed is however closely connected to the female characters’ ideas of emancipation and women’s rights. The female writers’ formulation of masculinity can hence be said to mirror the development of the female characters and their awareness of women’s rights. The thesis hopes that its original contribution to knowledge is the identification and examination of constructed masculinities in Syrian female-authored fiction. Moreover, this thesis studies a body of Syrian fiction previously largely unstudied in Western academia, and in a framework of Swedish, English and Arabic secondary sources.

Disertacijos tyrimo objektas – šventadienė prijuostė, tradicinio liaudies kostiumo dalis, kuri pristatoma ne tik kaip drabužis, bet kaip sąlyginai savarankiškas daugiaplanis kultūros objektas, tapęs etninių tradicijų ir tautinės savimonės raiškos simboliu. Tyrimo laikotarpis – XIX a.–XX a. pirmoji pusė. Tai pirmasis mokslinis darbas, nuosekliai atskleidžiantis procesą, kaip prijuostė, prarasdama savo pirminę paskirtį, XX a. pirmojoje pusėje įgavo naują prasmę ir tapo tautiškumo simboliu, reprezentantu ne tik Lietuvoje, bet ir užsienyje. Darbe analizuojami iki šiol sistemingai netyrinėti XIX a.–XX a. pirmosios pusės šventadienių prijuosčių (taip pat prijuostėlių) rinkiniai Lietuvos ir kitų šalių (Baltarusijos, Lenkijos, Prancūzijos) muziejuose. Tyrimo metu užsienio šalių muziejuose surastos ir identifikuotos lietuvių šventadienės prijuostės yra vertingas ne vien šių muziejų, bet ir visoje Lietuvoje turimų šios rūšies liaudies tekstilės dirbinių fondo papildymas. Atsiranda galimybė įvertinti šventadienės prijuostės meninės raiškos formas, atlikimo technikų ir medžiagų ypatumus, kurių visumą kaip svarbų šaltinį galima pritaikyti tradicinių liaudies drabužių rekonstravimo darbų praktikai ir tautinio kostiumo studijoms. Atliktas tyrimas aktualizuoja prijuostės sociokultūrinės raiškos aspektus, leidžia giliau pažinti jų meninės formos bruožus, gali pasitarnauti kaip svarbi medžiaga lyginamosioms lietuvių liaudies meno studijoms, tolimesniems Lietuvos kultūros tyrinėjimams.
This doctoral dissertation analyses a part of the traditional folk costume – festive apron – which is presented not only as a garment, but also as a relatively independent and multidimensional cultural object, and a symbol of ethnic traditions and expressions of national identity. The research covers the period from the 19th century through the early 20th century. It is the first research systematically revealing the process of the apron losing its originally intended use and being given a new meaning in the first half of the 20th century, concurrently becoming a symbol and representative of national identity not only in Lithuania but also in foreign countries. The thesis analyses collections of festive aprons (including votive aprons) of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century available in Lithuanian and foreign museums that have not been previously analysed on a systematic basis. Lithuanian festive aprons identified in foreign museums during the research are valuable supplementation not only to the holdings of these museums, but also to the fund of folk textiles of this type available in Lithuania. This provides an opportunity to assess the forms of artistic expression, the peculiarities of weaving techniques of, and the fabrics used for, festive aprons which, in their entirety, can be used as an important source for reconstructing traditional folk clothing and for studies of the national costume. The research actualises the aspects of socio-cultural... [to full text]

New forms of housing at the beginning of the 21st century Various forms of housing evolve gradually depending on the technical development, life style and different cultural environments. The goal of this is to observe the evolution of residential housing from 1960's to the present. The key point of this dissertation is to find new forms of living at the beginning of the 21st century and its use in lower level buildings. When we consider "new forms of housing" we mainly speak about buildings with contemporary architectonical style, uncommon interior dispositions or the use of innovative constructional material (copper, corten and copilit). Next chapter explores typical and specific examples of these new architectonical styles that had been build in the Czech republic in the past few years. Each individual house or building is characterized and deeply analyzed. We can think of the terrace house - residential villa in "Kosire", villa style residence at "Hanspaulka" or isolated residential house in "Bohumilec". This dissertation is based on projects that had either been constructed, are being built right now or are simply ideas that might or might not be build in the near future. At the end of this dissertation I focus on issues with these new forms of living compared to the evolution of architecture...

The diploma thesis is dealing with the process of sanitation of the Prague suburb in Czech Budweis from 1950´s to 1980´s. The first chapter outlines the development of the Prague suburb from its early beginnings to the first half of the 20th century. The main concern of this work is put on the construction of the suburb which took place in the second half of the 20th century; moreover, the text refers to the sanitation works which were necessary to be made before constructing the new buildings which were constructed in this time period. There is Koldům form 50´s/60´s which was built by architect Bohumil Böhm. From the following decade, there is the department house called Družba which was designed by architects Ladislav Konopka and Alois Hlouška. The last building to be selected is the post office which originates in 80´s and it was also built by Ladislav Konopka. All chosen buildings are thoroughly discussed from the historical point of view; furthermore, the text also refers to the significance of these buildings and their present condition. The diploma thesis aims to depict in detail the phases of the sanitation of the Prague suburb. Through this description the text is trying to reveal the overall scope of the urban changes which took place in this oldest part of the city.

In this dissertation, I examine the work of an important yet insufficiently studied Iranian novelist and short-story writer, Ahmad Mahmud. Because of his early affiliation with leftist socialist groups, Mahmud's work has been subject to various, sometimes contradictory, interpretations by critics. Such readings of Mahmud's work have resulted in making him a controversial literary figure. Hence, this project aims to re-examine the critics' current viewpoint of Mahmud's works, which they regard as "ideologically driven" and "Marxist and/or political writing." Although Mahmud's ideology played a significant role in creating his stories, particularly in his early works, I argue that storytelling is the predominant concern for Mahmud. In fact, a large portion of his writing depicts his own life and his own development as a person and a writer. Mahmud's portrayal of the main protagonist of his stories, Khaled, who goes through various stages of transformation, indeed reflects his own evolution and development. In other words, I contend that Mahmud's literary output is essentially "autobiographical." In addition, I argue that Mahmud's autobiographical fiction helps to shape and articulate his emerging role as a novelist as he strives to record decades of turbulent social and political upheaval and change in the post-1950s era, as the Iranian nation undergoes various stages of transformation and growth in search of a new identity and political autonomy. With an analysis of a select number of Mahmud's novels, furthermore, I discuss the social and historical nature of this transformation of the author/protagonist/nation and argue that from early on Mahmud was determined to depict the linear socio-political movement that took place in the modern history of Iran in the character of his memorable hero, Khaled, who appears in various guises and matures both as a person and a social entity from one novel to the next.
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Esta dissertação estuda a obra arquitectónica de Vasco Cunha, cuja actividade durou cerca de cinquenta anos, desde o início da década de 1960 até Junho de 2013, localizando-se, principalmente, na cidade de Coimbra. Mantendo-se aquele autor a laborar até praticamente ao presente, para o desenvolvimento do conhecimento aqui produzido, usufruiu-se do seu testemunho pessoal, bem como da detalhada consulta do arquivo que mantém. Em complemento, examinaram-se os Processos de Licenciamento, relativos aos seus projectos existentes no Arquivo da Câmara de Coimbra e de Arganil. Para completar o estudo, foi realizada uma análise in situ de algumas das edificações da sua autoria. O percurso académico e as primeiras experiências profissionais que Vasco Cunha teve no Porto, foram fortemente influenciados por relevantes figuras presentes naquela cidade e com quem se cruzou, de onde realçamos os arquitectos Robert Auzelle, Fernando Távora, a dupla Arménio Losa e Cassiano Barbosa e Lixa Filgueiras. As primeiras obras de Vasco Cunha, datadas do princípio da década de 60, tiveram forte impacte em Coimbra, dando-lhe os créditos que fizeram com que, nas décadas seguintes, projectasse grande número de planos urbanísticos e de edifícios, para aquela cidade, sendo, maioritariamente, esses projectos resultantes da iniciativa privada. Com esta investigação, pretendeu-se compreender os vários aspectos arquitectónicos envolvidos nos projectos daquele arquitecto, procurando identificar constantes conceptuais, características morfológicas e construtivas, e a relação com os modelos que estiveram na sua origem. Desse modo, analisaram-se os edifícios, desenhados por Vasco Cunha, considerados exemplares e relevantes, concretizando-se uma síntese do conjunto da sua obra, revelando até que ponto é que ela foi inovadora e influenciadora, em Coimbra, contribuindo para a divulgação dos projectos daquele arquitecto, cujo labor tanto marcou essa cidade.
This dissertation studies the architectural work of Vasco Cunha, whose activity lasted about fifty years, from the beginning of 1960 until June 2013, located mainly in Coimbra. Vasco Cunha kept an professional active life practically until the present day, and therefore the present study benefited from his personal testimony as well as from a detailed research into his personal archive. In addition, the Licensing Processes of his project works were also examined in the municipal Archives of Coimbra and Arganil. A survey analysis in situ of some of the architect buildings completed this study. The academic and early professional experiences that Vasco Cunha had in Oporto were strongly influenced by relevant figures who he met there. Some of them are worth mentioning as is the case of the architects Robert Auzelle, Fernando Távora, Arménio Losa and Cassiano Barbosa and Lixa Filgueiras. The first works of Vasco Cunha, dated from the beginning of the 60s, had a strong impact in Coimbra, paving his way in the following decades, as the author of a large number of projects for buildings and urban plans for that city, most of them being from private sector origin. This research work aimed to understand the various aspects involved in his architectural projects, to identify conceptual constants, morphological and constructive features, compared with the models they derived from. Thus, the buildings designed by Vasco Cunha analyzed here are considered exemplary and relevant, embodying a synthesis of all of his work. This research work aimed to reveal the extent to which he was innovative and influential, in Coimbra, and also contribute to the dissemination of the projects authored by an architect whose trace has indelibly marked this city.

This dimploma thesis deals with the contemporary context of the social and cultural relations in Bohemia in the second half of 19th century and at the begining of 20th century. The thesis highlights essential personalities of those times as they were seen through the prism of musical life within the boundaries of leading musical institutions of those times. Furhtermore the thesis refers to relations of these giants with Josef Suk and focuses on Suk's piano compositions in detail within the context of his complete works.

Diploma thesis named Periodicals in Frenštát pod Radhoštěm in the 1st half of 20th century describes press developmental changes issued in Frenštát pod Radhoštěm. Firstly, thesis characterizes what kind of press has been issued in Frenštát, what was in its content, who was the target group and how the press reflected current issues. Thesis is divided into three historical parts according to global political issues and changes in press trends. Mentioned three parts are the periods between 1900 -1918, 1918 - 1945, 1945 - 1950, when the press trends had been changing step by step from popularity of the local press and magazines expansion, towards political press and establishing of company magazine. All this changes are reflected on the background of town and global history. The reader is in introduction briefly acquainted with the town history, its cultural wealth, famous persons, development of the local clubs and industry. Secondly follows the main part of the thesis, where is in detail described particular types of newspapers in mentioned time periods. Part of the thesis is quantitative content analysis of two chosen newspapers with aim to determinate, what were the topics, in what range, who was the target group and what type of news was dominating: local, nationwide or global.

(in English): Present thesis is foucused on mosaic art as a prticular type of art in architecture, shows the specifical means of expression in mosaic art. It describes the political and sociological conditions of connection of architecture with applied art in Czechoslovakia in 2nd half of 20th century. It follows the history and development of mosaic art in first and in second half of 20th. century and represents the main authors and projects. It points the problematic todays reflection of public art of communistic era in Czechoslovakia. The thesis brings a selected image- catalogue and comprehensive written inventory of traced projects.

The thesis deals with the analysis of the literary titles and literary female heroines, that entered into the title of a literary work. The theoretical part first discusses the concept of womanhood for two important philosophers - Gilles Lipovetsky in his work, The third wife[1] and Milan Machovec in the publication Philosophy in the face of the demise of[2] . The Centre of gravity of the theoretical basis regarding the literary theoretical categories - titles and literary characters, Josef Peterka textbooks represent the Theory of literature for teachers[3] , the rigorous work of Josef Lesak Poetics in contemporary Czech prose[4] and an extensive theoretical literary publication of Daniela Hodrová . ... on the edge of chaos[5] . The knowledge from the theoretical part is applied to the analytical part of the thesis, which discusses titles of the nine selected literary works and nine female heroines of Czech prose of the 2nd half of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century, who have been highlighted in the titles of these literary works. [1] LIPOVETSKY, Gilles: Third wife, Prague: Prostor, 2000. [2] MACHOVEC, Milan: Philosophy in the face of extinction. Prague: Akropolis, 2006. [3] PETERKA, Josef: Theory of literature for teachers. Prague: Charles University in Prague, Faculty of...

This thesis is focused on the history of the parishes of Třebíč up to the 20th century. It describes the events and the life of the parishes in Třebíč in that time period. The first five chapters report on the history and the religious, cultural and economic life in Třebíč. The sixth chapter is devoted to the era of the First World War. The seventh chapter introduces the personalities of Třebíč who were persecuted by the political regime of that time. A pictorial inset, which complements the study, is a part of this thesis.

This dissertation is devoted to a monographic processing of the work of sculptress Maria Bartuszová (1936, Prague - 1996, Košice). Methodologically, it is mainly based on the compilation and evaluation of knowledge from the in-depth research of the first list of works of M. Bartuszová "Catalogue Raisonné 2012-2018", Collection of drawings and photographs from the Archive of M. Bartuszová, biography, exhibitions and bibliography. It is divided into four chapters, in which it deals with the sculpture of M. Bartuszová, its transformations in the period of her ceramics studies at the Academy of Fine Arts, Design and Architecture during the 1950s in Prague, continues by tracking her sculptural beginnings since 1961, and it deals with the circumstances of her relocation to Košice where she lived most of her life. It tracks her work during the normalization period of the 1970s until the end of the 1980s, when the totalitarian regime ended with the Velvet revolution. It explores the reasons why her work was little exhibited and also why it was little known and reflected by the professional circles. Based on the process of assembling parts of the organism of her oeuvre reconstructs technological experimental procedures, original terminology of the sculptor, creative intentions, dating of works and their...

This thesis examines the role of Czech writer Edvard Valenta (1901-1978) in post-war Czechoslovakia journalism. The overview part of the paper tracks Valenta's texts published from 1945 to 1948 in Svobodné noviny and in magazine Dnešek. Attention is also devoted to Edvard Valenta's correspondence not only with many Czech writers, but also with his own family. Based on archival research and eyewitness accounts, this work tries to capture the life and the career of Czech journalist and writer Edvard Valenta, including his imprisonment after february 1948. The work focuses on the facts that were not known about Edvard Valenta yet, trying to organize them and to make them available for any further research or to organize them and to make them available for any further research or writing of Valenta's monography. Furthermore, the contemporary journalism situation is outlined as well as the political interventions into cultural issues. The selection part of the paper deals with the analysis of specific polemical texts among literary groups and authors with different political beliefs. The aim is to highlight the importance of Edvard Valenta in journalism field in the Third Republic and to highlight the inextricable connection of literature and journalism. Keywords: Czech literature of the second half of...

This study analyses the concept of The Environment among Czechoslovak architects and on the field of architectural theory in the 1960s. Environmental problematic was frequent topic across different expert groups since end of the 1950s and especially in the 1960s. Architects was one those groups and they actively further developed this concept of The Environment and environmental problematics during 1960s. This effort had brought interesting theoretical concepts and ideas and was also influenced by general Czechoslovak intellectual milieu of 1960s. Architects also started to critically address the degradation of natural environment due to increasing industrial pollution. They also accomplished several successes on the field of environmental problematics. They managed to establish specialized field of study and played a key role in some international conferences and meetings dealing with environmental problems under UNESCO, OSN or International Union of Architects. This study indicates some of yet not well known intellectual riches of Czechoslovak 1960s and also points that continuous environmental degradation during the reign of communist party was not caused by insufficient expertise and the source for this major problem should be further researched. Key words: Architecture, Environment,...

This thesis deals with Czechoslovakian pavilion architecture at the world exhibitions in the first half of the 20th century. The thesis is divided into three sections. The first section deals with a participation of Czech artists at the world exhibitions before the creation of independent Czechoslovakia. Next two sections focus on Czechoslovakian representation at the world exhibitions in the twenties and thirties of the 20th century. The thesis deals closer with preparations, looking for a basic solutions, choosing of architects and requirements which have been imposed on them. In the conclusion there is outlined development of our participation at the world exhibitions in a given period and its way to the famous EXPO 58.

This thesis deals with the course of literary career and with the forms of work of Lenka Procházková, an author, whose literary career started in the turn of late seventies and early eighties in the unofficial literature. As a signee of Charta 77 and a daughter of Jan Procházka - highly acclaimed, yet unpopular for the regime after 1968 - she became a banned author, whose work could not be published within an official structure of Czech literature in the seventies and eighties. Her literary career continues until these days. In the Introduction part the reasons why our interest is aimed at Lenka Procházková in the first place are being described. The basis goals of our work are also stipulated within the Introduction section. In section Fundaments of Research hypotheses for the approach to the following analyses are introduced. In Sources of Information part all used sources are being introduced - already published literary works as well as sources unpublished or materials which have not been compiled yet (archive materials, letters, reminiscences of observers, family and friend eyewitnesses etc.) In the chapter called Life Circumstances accompanying and determining the literary career of Lenka Procházková we present a comprehensive and detailed biography of the author which cannot be found...

Poetic Spaces of Memory (on Chosen Czech Poets of the Second Half of the 20th Century) Abstract The dissertation Poetic Spaces of Memory (on Chosen Czech Poets of the Second Half of the 20th Century) offers interpretations of six Czech poetic works of the second half of the 20th century, with focus on the perspective of cultural memory. Chosen poetic works represent synecdoches of poetic description of (general) historical events and experience that are connected with the time during the World War II (the Nazi regime) and with communist regime after 1948 and to some extent are connected with spatial dimension - be it poetic reflection of space which is modelled on a phenomenon from real, "topical" world, be it (completely) imaginary description of space. Methodology of this dissertation is based on the concept of cultural memory by Aleida Assmann, particularly as presented in her book Cultural Memory and Western Civilization. Functions, Media, Archives. Individual chapters of the dissertation deal with interpretations of following poetic works: "Návrat" by Vladimír Holan is a poetic story that develops the topos of coming back - coming back home, to a space that the lyrical narrator enters after twenty years in order to look for his mother's grave in local graveyard; he fails. A verse book Dům Strach by Jan...