“I like autumn in Náchod, but I like summer the most. We climbed the rocks and mainly went swimming at Jericho,” the then 75-year-old man of letters confided to Práv in 1999 with a slight lament that today the swimming pool in Plhová, called Jericho, has changed beyond recognition.
In 1969 Škvorecký emigrated to Canada, but at the end of his life he returned regularly. The last time was on the occasion of his eightieth birthday.
Photo: MÚ Náchod
The statue of Josef Škvorecký in Náchod invites you to sit down.
And just as he never forgot Náchod, his legacy resonates in the city. It did not forget the round anniversary of its honorary citizen. He will commemorate him now on Friday in the hall of the Beránek hotel festive evening. Jazz will be heard and literary historian Michal Přibáň, who considers Škvorecký a writer who still has something to say to the younger generation, will introduce and christen the first part of his monograph about him.
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“If a high school student today reads Škvorecký’s Coward, he is interested in the main character, but also in the language of the novel,” says high school teacher Ladislav Čejchan.
At the same time, he points out that a considerable number of students are outraged by the hero’s apparent cynicism.
“And some female students are angry, not all boys can be like that. I also appreciate some other low-key gems myself, such as Laws of the Jungle. The short story takes place in my native Broumov and has a strong existential charge. And I will never stop appreciating the author’s role as a publisher and caring for Czech writers in distant Canada,” added Čejchan.
A symbolic return
Although Škvorecký died 12 years ago in Toronto, Canada, he symbolically returned to Náchod 10 years ago. On the main square, right next to the Gothic church of St. Lawrence, a bench with his statue was revealed. In addition, the student multi-genre festival Náchodská Prima sezóna takes place here every year – again inspired by Škvorecký.
Photo: MÚ Náchod
Škvoreckého’s office installed in the Federal Building in Náchod
“I think that for Náchodské he is best known as a writer and a patriot. But they know few details about him. It’s just that he grew up here, grew up during the World War, loved jazz, the Port Artur restaurant, they know some of the titles,” said Nina Adlof from Náchod town hall.
That is also why the city is trying to keep the writer’s legacy from disappearing. For example, an exhibition about Škvorecký was opened in the Federal House, which was opened this year. It also includes a faithful copy of his office.
Photo: Ludmila Žlábková, Novinky
Náchod, the eternal inspiration of the writer Josef Škvorecký
“Since the opening, we have registered hundreds of visitors, including two families of emigrants from Canada. Also, for example, a grammar school is interested in teaching the Czech language directly in the exhibition,” added Adlof.
Škvorecký is also a blessing for the tourism industry, as evidenced by numerous inquiries about the exhibition. And those who actually arrive can walk through Náchod along the Škvorecké nature trail, additionally supplemented with a printed guide.
Josef Škvorecký
He was born on September 27, 1924 in Náchod, where he graduated from the real gymnasium. After graduating in 1943, he worked as an auxiliary worker and after the reopening of Czech universities, he began studying at the Faculty of Medicine.
He later transferred to the Faculty of Arts of Charles University, majoring in English and philosophy. After teaching for three years, he was an editor at a publishing house. In 1969, together with his wife Zdena Salivarová, they went into exile. They settled in Toronto, Canada, where they founded Sixty-Eight Publishers.
Among his best-known works are the novels Cowards, Tank Battalion, Miracle, Prima sezóna and The Story of the Engineer of Human Souls. He is also the author of themes and scripts for feature films and themes for TV series and films.
He died on January 3, 2012 in Toronto, Canada.
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