CZECH REVIVAL

Publishing works of poetry, literature, music, art, and language.

Specializing in authors of Czech descent, and Czech translations.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

We are always looking to publish works by Czech-Americans, those with Czech ancestry, and Czech authors. We also love to share Czech American history.

We understand that many 3rd or 4th generation Czech decedents don't speak Czech. That's why we are always looking to publish translations of Czech literature.

We are looking for new authors to share their Czech related stories or history. If you're passionate about anything Czech, we want to hear from you! Make sure to contact us.

Quick History Lesson: The Czech National Revival (národní obrození) stands as a remarkable testament to the enduring spirit of Czech culture and identity. Spanning the 18th and 19th centuries, this influential cultural movement aimed to revive the Czech language, culture, and national pride. It witnessed a vibrant resurgence in Czech literature, spearheaded by celebrated figures such as novelist Božena Němcová, Romantic poet Karel Hynek Mácha, and political columnist Karel Havlíček Borovský. The movement also heralded the publication of the monumental Czech-German Dictionary by Josef Jungmann, which played a crucial role in preserving and advancing the Czech language.

Institutions dedicated to celebrating Czech history and culture emerged during this period. The opening of the National Theater in 1883 and the establishment of the National Museum in 1890 were significant milestones in cultivating national pride and safeguarding Czech heritage.

The National Revival faced numerous challenges, particularly in the aftermath of the Battle of White Mountain in 1620. Czech lands endured a period of Germanisation policies enforced by the Habsburg Emperors, accompanied by religious oppression that resulted in the exodus of Czech elites. The Czech language, once flourishing, was systematically suppressed, vanishing from state administration, literature, schools, Charles University, and the upper echelons of society. Even Czech-language books fell victim to flames, with Jesuit Antonín Koniáš notoriously responsible for the burning of countless volumes. Yet, the Czech language persisted among rural communities, offering inspiration to the Czech National Revival, which drew from the rich cultural heritage of ordinary Czechs residing in the countryside.

Initially, the revival's written works focused on language development and cultural preservation. However, artistic expressions soon took center stage, yielding iconic contributions to Czech literature. Karel Jaromír Erben's Prostonárodní české písně a říkadla (Czech Folk Songs and Nursery Rhymes), akin to the Brothers Grimm's collection of German folklore, united various Czech folktales. Božena Němcová's novel Babička (The Grandmother) captured the essence of True Bohemia, where Czech folklore and traditions thrived away from foreign influences in the cities.

The Czech language regained its prominence as the language of the elites and the people, unifying all Czechs, following the revival. With the establishment of Czechoslovakia, it became the official language of internal bureaucracy. Today, Czech serves as the official language of the Czech Republic, representing the indomitable spirit and enduring legacy of the Czech National Revival—a period that celebrated Czech literature, culture, and national identity.

It is our goal through our imprint of Czech Revival, that Czech-Americans who may have lost the language can still access Czech literature via translated form to better understand their culture and heritage. In addition, we publish Czech and Czech-American authors, and those who share the history of Czechs in America. It's our goal to promote unknown authors of Czech-American descent.

Accepting Submissions

We are now actively accepting submissions.

Click here to send your manuscript or inquire.

COMING SOON

Translation:

ROMANY FAIRYTALES

NEW BOOK RELEASE:

Goodbye Prague

TRANSLATION:

František Palacký

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“As Founding Executive Publisher at Distinct Press, and its imprint, Czech Revival, I am delighted to be working on an initiative to encourage all Czech and Czech-American authors to send me their unpublished works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or translated Czech works.” – Kytka Hilmar-Jezek

Czech Revival

414 86th Avenue

St. Pete Beach, FL 33706

CLICK HERE

to send us your manuscript or to discuss your project or translation.