SPEJBL and HURVINEK: A Czech cultural treasure (in English)
Schedule
Thu Jan 29 2026 at 07:30 pm to 09:00 pm
UTC-05:00Location
Bohemian National Hall | New York, NY
About this Event
Join us for a special evening featuring the beloved marionette duo from Prague, Spejbl and Hurvínek, whose witty father–son banter has delighted audiences worldwide for over a century.
The program includes:
A talk in English exploring the theater’s rich history against the sociopolitical backdrop of Czechoslovakia from the 1920s to today.
Selected scenes performed in English, showcasing the duo’s humor and subtle voice of resistance during times of censorship and persecution.
Fascinating stories, including how the theater was shut down under the Nazi regime and how, in 2022, a glass figurine of Hurvínek traveled aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Czech Planetum1 satellite mission.
Please note: The talk will be preceded by a 40-minute performance in Czech (for all ages) at 6 pm. Please register separately for this performance.
The theater is included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
Spejbl was sculpted by woodcarver Karel Nosek in 1920 following Skupa’s design. Conceived in the Dadaist spirit, Spejbl is dressed in a tuxedo with tails, snow-white gloves and wooden shoes; in contrast, the character is bald-headed, with large ears and protruding eyes. This opposition between different social symbols is also expressed in the puppet's personality: a simple man, clumsy, opinionated, mired in contradictions, and torn between his social ambitions and his limited capabilities.
The Hurvínek puppet was carved in 1926 by Gustav Nosek. His appearance – peculiar movable eyes, a tuft of dishevelled hair, dressed in short pants held up by suspenders – gave Hurvínek the appearance of a rascally suburban street urchin.
Where is it happening?
Bohemian National Hall, 321 East 73rd Street, New York, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
