A Cultural Insight Of Czech Republic

The Czech Republic has a very rich cultural heritage, which, despite the negligence of the communist regime, has managed to survive through the 20th century. It’s a culture that has been influenced by many external forces, including the Germans, the Poles, the Hungarians, and the Austrians. Amongst the most obvious manifestations of this culture are the impressive buildings in the country- perhaps the best Baroque, Art Nouveau and Cubist architecture in Europe. Other than the monuments, there are other visible forms of this culture too- sculpture (particularly religious), puppets, dolls, toys, ceramics and the world-famous Bohemian glassware and crystal.

Other arts- literary and performing- too have reached great heights in this small country. Some of Europe’s best-known writers, including greats like Franz Kafka and Milan Kundera are Czechs; musicians (contemporary as well as of yore) include composers like Antonin Dvorak and jazz stars like Jan Hammer.

The Czech Republic is best known for the lovely crystal and glassware made in Bohemia. The glassblowers of Bohemia have been practising the art for centuries altogether, and it shows- the items they produce are truly exquisite. In addition to glass, Czech artisans also produce beautiful ceramic, folk style and of a distinctive blue-onion pattern.

A number of other handicrafts are also produced in the country; among the more prominent ones are dolls (usually wooden or cornhusk), wooden toys and colourful cloth. Many of these are crafts that had been rather suppressed during the communist rule in the Czech Republic, but have recently been revived.