Czech Republic

Kafka's City of Prague and Czech Literature

Ten recommended reference books to learn what the "Prague Spring" is all about - and to consider the Russian and Ukrainian invasions.

In this article, we recommend some reference books to learn about the 1968 "Prague Spring" Soviet military invasion (Czech Incident), which we have previously discussed in this blog.

Although the Russian invasion of Ukraine is currently at a critical juncture, the "Prague Spring" incident is also very important for understanding the history of the Soviet Union, Russia, and Eastern Europe.

I think it is very meaningful for us Japanese to learn about the Czech Republic, a country that has spun out a proud culture and history despite being surrounded by major powers.
Modern Russia and the Russo-Ukrainian War

Kazuo Ogawa, "Eastern Europe: The Search for Revival" - Recommended for an overview of Eastern European economies after the collapse of the Soviet Union, including Ukraine.

この本は1995年に書かれたものですが、当時の東欧事情を知るという意味では、今読んでも全く色あせない作品です。

写真も多数掲載されているので現地の姿もイメージしやすく、新書でコンパクトにまとめられているのでとてもありがたいです。

なかなか知る機会のない東欧の経済事情を知れるおすすめの作品です。

東欧諸国がそれぞれいかに独自な文化を持ち、経済事情も固有なものがあるかがわかります。それぞれを比べながら見ていけるのは読んでいてとても興味深かったです。
Contemporary Society through Dystopian Science Fiction Novels

List of 16 Recommended Science Fiction and Dystopian Novels - Modern Society from Science Fiction and Dystopia

Science fiction novels are not only interesting in their own right, but they also pose big questions for those of us living in the present.

You may read for pleasure.

You can read it while carefully considering the world today.

I think the beauty of science fiction novels is that they can be enjoyed in many different ways.

In this article I recommend 15 such novels.
Kafka's City of Prague and Czech Literature

A collection of books recommended for learning about Prague's history and culture! The endless charm of our beloved Prague

I am someone who visited Prague in 2019 and was wonderfully taken by its charm. It was so beautiful and so cozy that I completely fell in love with the city.

The books presented in this article are among the various books I have read and would especially recommend to you. These books will surely make you feel the charm of Prague even more.
Europe through Classical and Western Art

List of 20 works in Hinomadoka's "Composer's Story Series" - Recommended book for an introduction to classical music! A miraculous series of biographies where you can also learn about the historical background and culture!

I am happy to have found such interesting biographical works!

It is the best biography to learn about the lives of the great musicians in history along with the historical background of the time.

I just have to tip my hat to the author, Madoka Hino's overwhelming narrative. It is shockingly interesting!

If you are not familiar with classical music, please read this book! I, too, was able to connect with classical music for the first time through this work!
Europe through Classical and Western Art

Yuriko Kuronuma, "Dvořák - My Motherland, the Czech Land" - Recommended to learn about the life of the great Czech composer!

私は僧侶として仏教、宗教を学ぶ時に「宗教は宗教だけにあらず」という考え方を私は大切にしています。そしてこの伝記シリーズを読んで改めて「音楽も音楽だけにあらず」ということを感じさせられたのでした。

This biography is highly recommended not only to learn about Dvořák's extraordinary life, but also to get an idea of the historical background of the time.
Europe through Classical and Western Art

Madoka Hino, "Mozart - Beautiful Light and Shadow" - What is the relationship between Mozart and Prague - A biography recommended to learn about his turbulent life!

この本もとにかく素晴らしい伝記です。スメタナに続きモーツァルトの伝記も読んだわけですがもうすっかりひのまどかさんのファンになってしまいました。こんな面白い本に出会えて私は幸せです。

モーツァルトのことだけではなく、当時の時代背景も学べるので一石二鳥以上の内容となっています。ぜひぜひおすすめしたい一冊です。
Kafka's City of Prague and Czech Literature

Smetana, a composer who suffered from slander and malicious obstruction - Consider the examples.

Smetana was a hard worker and a very serious composer. He finally achieved the position of principal conductor of the Prague theater. He soon achieved great success and won the trust of the orchestra members.

But such happiness did not last long. In this article, we will take a closer look at the process of a great talent being destroyed by malicious slander.