The talk investigates the critical and cultural writings of Růžena Vacková (1901–1982), a pioneering Czech academic, cultural critic, and one of the first women in Czechoslovakia to earn the title of Associate Professor. Focusing on her work between 1929 and 1942, her contributions to the newspaper Národní střed and right-wing magazines will be used to analyze her perspectives on theater, avant-garde art, and contemporary social issues. Vacková’s role as a theater critic is highlighted, particularly her efforts to establish objective criteria for evaluating performance. Central to her critique is the exploration of Czech avant-garde art that Bečanová aims to explain through the dichotomy of organic and inorganic art. By situating Vacková’s writings within broader sociopolitical and cultural contexts, the presentation sheds light on her contributions to Czech criticism and her underappreciated influence on the intellectual landscape of that time.
Nikola Bečanová specializes in Czech language and literature, currently pursuing a PhD in the history of Czech literature and literary theory at the Faculty of Arts, Charles University. Their academic research focuses on the work of Růžena Vacková, exploring the critical and theoretical contributions of this often-overlooked figure. In addition to their research, they are an active member of the Gender Studies Center and have participated in a student group addressing gender-based violence at the university.
Ludger Hagedorn, IWM Permanent Fellow, will moderate the discussion.
