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stamps and banknotes, and created a superb stained-glass window for St Vitus
Cathedral.
He devoted 18 years of his life (1910-1928) to creating his Slovanské epopej
(Slav Epic),which he later donated to the Czech nation. The 20 monumental
canvasses encompass a total area of around 0.5 sq km and depict events from
Slavic history and myth. The massive work is now in storage awaiting a perman-
ent home.
Unfortunately for non-Czech-speakers, much of the action remains inaccessible.
Occasionally, big theatrical events will be subtitled in English, but the bread and but-
ter of Czech drama is performed in Czech. Two theatres, Archa and the Švandovo
Divadlo Na Smíchově ( CLICK HERE ), are committed to English-friendly perform-
ances and occasionally host English drama in the original language.
Marionette plays have been popular since the 16th century, and puppet
plays since before that. This form peaked in the 17th and early 18th cen-
turies. A legendary figure was Matěj Kopecký (1775-1847), who per-
formed original pieces.
Theatre has always played a strong role in Czech national consciousness, both as a
way of promoting linguistic development and defending the fledgling culture against
the dominant Habsburg, German and later communist influences. Historical plays
with a nationalist subtext flourished during the 19th century as part of the Czech Na-
tional Revival.
Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose legendarily opened his May 1992 con-
cert at Prague's Strahov stadium with the words: 'OK you ex-commie bas-
tards, it's time to rock and roll!'
The decade-long construction of the National Theatre and its opening in 1881 was
considered a watershed in Czech history. The theatre tragically burned down shortly
 
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