Broučci is a classic children's book by Jan Karafiát published in Czech in the early 1870s.[1] The title is the Czech word for beetles, and the word is also used for "traditional Czech figures of fairylikeinsect people"[2] such as the characters in the book. In English, the title is often translated as Fireflies.
Illustration of Broučci by Jiří TrnkaA carving on Broučci's headstone.
Originally published anonymously in 1876 as Broučci pro malé i velké děti (Fireflies for Small and Big Children),[3] the first edition received very little acclaim. It was re-discovered and popularized in 1893 by publicist Gustav Jaroš (Gamma). He published an unsigned review in the magazine Čas (Time), and started an unusual and long-lasting wave of popularity for the book. Jaroš later called Broučci "perhaps the most beautiful blossom of the Czech children literature".[3] After the review, the first edition was quickly sold out and the book was reprinted in 1894 and many times since.
Only with the 10th edition of the book, published in 1912, was the book published under the name of its author, Jan Karafiát.[3] By 1942, the book was translated into English. By 2004, 80 editions had been published in Czech.[4]
Broučci is considered a classic Czech children's book. However, the critical reception was not always positive. Along with Karafiát's poetic and imaginative style, the work contains elements of moralistic conservatism, caused by the conviction of the author - a Calvinist clergyman - of a necessity to spend a life "in obedience and resignation to the will of God".[3] It has been acclaimed for its imaginative storyline and natural lyricism, connected with humanity and poetic interpretations of an imaginary world seen through children's eyes.[citation needed]
The book has been featured in several animated films. In 1967, Libuše Koutná made an eight-part TV series called simply Broučci.[5] In the 1990s, a new version was published under the same title.[6]
Czech puppet maker and illustrator Jiří Trnka created one of the most adored illustration sets for the book.[7] The story of the fireflies also inspired a composition by Václav Trojan.[8] During World War II, the inmates of the Nazi Theresienstadt concentration camp dramatized and performed their own version of the book. The last performance in Theresienstadt was canceled because the inmates of the concentration camp had to help harassed and tormented new inmates arriving in overloaded transport.[9]
^""Broučci" (TV seriál, 1967)". Czechoslovak Film Database. Retrieved 2010-01-07.
^""Broučci" (TV seriál, 1995)". Czechoslovak Film Database. Retrieved 2010-01-07.
^Velinger, Jan (10 December 2009). ""The Garden" – an exhibition of work by legendary illustrator/animator Jiří Trnka - opens at Galerie Smečky". Czech Radio. Retrieved 2010-01-07.
^"Václav Trojan". Unie českých pěveckých sborů (Czech Choirs Union). Retrieved 2010-01-07.
broučci, classic, children, book, karafiát, published, czech, early, 1870s, title, czech, word, beetles, word, also, used, traditional, czech, figures, fairylike, insect, people, such, characters, book, english, title, often, translated, fireflies, illustratio. Broucci is a classic children s book by Jan Karafiat published in Czech in the early 1870s 1 The title is the Czech word for beetles and the word is also used for traditional Czech figures of fairylike insect people 2 such as the characters in the book In English the title is often translated as Fireflies Illustration of Broucci by Jiri Trnka A carving on Broucci s headstone Contents 1 Background 2 English translation 3 Notes 4 References 5 External linksBackground editOriginally published anonymously in 1876 as Broucci pro male i velke deti Fireflies for Small and Big Children 3 the first edition received very little acclaim It was re discovered and popularized in 1893 by publicist Gustav Jaros Gamma He published an unsigned review in the magazine Cas Time and started an unusual and long lasting wave of popularity for the book Jaros later called Broucci perhaps the most beautiful blossom of the Czech children literature 3 After the review the first edition was quickly sold out and the book was reprinted in 1894 and many times since Only with the 10th edition of the book published in 1912 was the book published under the name of its author Jan Karafiat 3 By 1942 the book was translated into English By 2004 80 editions had been published in Czech 4 Broucci is considered a classic Czech children s book However the critical reception was not always positive Along with Karafiat s poetic and imaginative style the work contains elements of moralistic conservatism caused by the conviction of the author a Calvinist clergyman of a necessity to spend a life in obedience and resignation to the will of God 3 It has been acclaimed for its imaginative storyline and natural lyricism connected with humanity and poetic interpretations of an imaginary world seen through children s eyes citation needed The book has been featured in several animated films In 1967 Libuse Koutna made an eight part TV series called simply Broucci 5 In the 1990s a new version was published under the same title 6 Czech puppet maker and illustrator Jiri Trnka created one of the most adored illustration sets for the book 7 The story of the fireflies also inspired a composition by Vaclav Trojan 8 During World War II the inmates of the Nazi Theresienstadt concentration camp dramatized and performed their own version of the book The last performance in Theresienstadt was canceled because the inmates of the concentration camp had to help harassed and tormented new inmates arriving in overloaded transport 9 English translation editJan Karafiat Fireflies translated by Rose Fyleman illustrations by Emil Weiss Allen amp Unwin London England 1942 Notes edit Peter Hunt Sheila G Bannister Ray International companion encyclopedia of children s literature page 775 Raul A Barreneche 3 friends transform a Czech getaway Arts amp Leisure September 15 2006 International Herald Tribune a b c d Zapletal 2004 foreword Rose Fyleman Poetry Foundation Retrieved 2010 01 07 Broucci TV serial 1967 Czechoslovak Film Database Retrieved 2010 01 07 Broucci TV serial 1995 Czechoslovak Film Database Retrieved 2010 01 07 Velinger Jan 10 December 2009 The Garden an exhibition of work by legendary illustrator animator Jiri Trnka opens at Galerie Smecky Czech Radio Retrieved 2010 01 07 Vaclav Trojan Unie ceskych peveckych sboru Czech Choirs Union Retrieved 2010 01 07 Karas 1990 pp 176 177References editKarafiat Jan 2004 Broucci in Czech Trnka Jiri il Zapletal Zdenek foreword Prague Albatros ISBN 978 80 00 01373 2 Karas Joza 1990 Music in Terezin 1941 1945 Pendragon Press pp 174 177 ISBN 978 0 918728 34 0 External links editFull text at Wikisource in Czech Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Broucci amp oldid 1215491225, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
