Mailbox
Today in Mailbox: Czech singer Jitka Molavcová, her 1970 Christmas song and an album of Australian folk songs; answers to last month's listeners' quiz question plus a brand new question for April. Listeners quoted: Tony Prescott, Hans Verner Lollike, Valery Luhovski, Ian Morrison, Meng Cheng, Uday Nayak, Chun-quan Meng, Jaroslaw Jedrzejczak, Jayanta Chakrabarty, Eyamin Hossain.
“How nice to see your recent piece on the Semafor Theatre and Jitka Molavcová. Back in 1970 she performed a beautiful little Christmas song, ‘The Silver Tram’ (Stříbrná tramvaj). I am wondering if it's possible to find a written copy of the lyrics and maybe even an English translation?
“Also, I understand that Jitka produced an album of Australian folk songs translated into Czech. Do you know anything about that and whether there is a recording? You are probably surprised that Jitka is known in a faraway place like Australia. She is a great performer.”
That’s so nice to hear that Jitka has fans in Australia, too. I must admit I had never heard the Christmas song before but I found the lyrics to “The Silver Tram” online and you will find them enclosed in the e-mail reply to your question. Jitka’s compilation of Australian folk songs is called “Nezacházej slunce”. I’m afraid I couldn’t find a website that sells it online but there is a special YouTube channel dedicated to Jitka Molavcová’s songs and many from the album can be found there.
Now onto our monthly quiz featuring world-renowned personalities connected with the Czech Republic:
“The person that you are looking for is Otfried Preussler (20 October 1923 – 18 February 2013). The name of the 1977film based on a book by Otfried Preussler is ‘Krabat: The Sorcerer's Apprentice’. It was directed by Karel Zeman. In Denmark his book is called ‘Krabat’ and together with two other books by him is still available in print.”
Valery Luhovski from Belarus adds:
“’The Satanic Mill’ or ‘The Curse of the Darkling Mill’ or ‘The Sorcerer's Apprentice’ is a Czechoslovak cutout animated dark fantasy film directed by Karel Zeman, based on the 1971 book ‘Krabat’ by Otfried Preussler inspired by a Sorbian folk tale. The name Krabat is derived from the Sorbian word for Croat.”
Ian Morrison from China wrote:
“Otfried Preussler is the German author of children’s books who passed away in February at the age of 89. He was born into a German family in the North Bohemian city of Liberec. His family had lived in the area since the 15th century. He worked as a primary school teacher and school principal in the Bavarian town of Rosenheim from 1953 to 1970.”
This answer is from Meng Cheng from China:
“The latest quiz answer is Otfried Preussler. He was born in Reichenberg, now the Czech town of Liberec, in 1923. Preussler won the European Youth book prize for his novel ‘Krabat’, published in 1971 and translated into English as ‘The Satanic Mill’ in 1973.”
Uday Nayak from India wrote:
Chun-quan Meng from China writes:
“More than 50 million copies of Preussler books were sold worldwide and translated into 55 languages. His best-known works are ‘The Robber Hotzenplotz’ and ‘The Satanic Mill’.”
This is what Jaroslaw Jedrzejczak from Poland wrote:
“We can read on Preussler’s official website: ‘Sometimes I am asked: Why do you actually write books for children? Then I simply answer: Because it is fun: And the exact same fun I have during the writing I wish to all my readers.’ Mr Otfried Preussler, thank you!”
Jayanta Chakrabarty from India sent in a detailed answer:
“Otfried Preussler was born into a family of teachers in Reichenberg (now Liberec) in former Czechoslovakia. His forefathers are said to have been residing in the area since the 15th century, working in the famous glass works. Preussler's childhood fantasy of hearing ancient Slavic and German folk tales influenced his writing skill from the tender age of 12. His literary success began with ‘The Little Water Sprite’ in 1956 after which he never looked back. Using his talents as a storyteller and illustrator he began to weave tales about wizards, witches and water spirits. His five-year stint as a POW in the Soviet camp may have influenced his characters of ‘freedom seeking scarecrow’ and ‘witches turning into ravens’.
“He rose to become a prolific writer of German children's books which have been translated into 55 languages and sold over 50 million copies worldwide. His life's mission of providing food for fantasy was reflected in his most famous creation of the robber ‘Hotzenplotz’ which sold 7.5 million copies and was made into two sequels and two movies. I think this outstanding litterateur also had a noble and humble heart when he readily agreed to change a racially inappropriate word ‘negar’ from his ‘The Little Witch’. The world recognized his contribution by awarding him the Konrad Adenauer Prize and the Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis.”
“I'm writing the answer to this question with a sense of great sadness. Because we have lost a dazzling star of world literature. He is survived by a daughter. But we, the readers, can say without any hesitation that he will live among us forever through the pages of his books. May his soul rest in heaven.”
Thank you so much for your answers and this time the lucky winner who will receive a parcel with Radio Prague’s promotional material for her correct answer is Shahida Ferdous Jehan from Bangladesh. Congratulations, and your prize is in the post. The rest of you get another chance this month as we have a brand new question for you.
This time we’d like to know the name of the Austrian politician and philosopher, son of an Austrian aristocrat and a Japanese mother from a wealthy family, who was born in 1894, spent his youth in the West Bohemian village of Poběžovice and became one of the early proponents of European integration.
Please send us your answers by May 1st to [email protected] along with your questions, comments and reception reports. You are also welcome to leave your comments on our Facebook page. Until next time thanks for listening and take care.
