Heda's self-portrait 1930s |
Ivan Margolius – Heda Margolius Kovály Books, Articles, Translations, Films Art, Architecture, Design, Automobiles, History, Literature, Music email: contact at margolius.co.uk |
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News and Links
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New Danish, Chinese editions of Under A Cruel Star are in preparation for publishing in 2012 - 13
Heda Margolius-Kovály with Josef Škvorecký in Brookline, Mass in August 1970. They were great friends. Heda wrote and translated for 68 Publishers, Toronto, which was founded by Škvorecký and Zdena Salivarová with Škvorecký's novel Tankový prapor in November 1971 photo copyright: Margolius Family Archive
Heda Margolius Kovály passed away peacefully after a long illness on Sunday 5th December 2010 in Prague Her message to the world: "I loved you! Live on!" Vzkaz světu: „milovala jsem tě! Žij!”
Obituaries and Memories:
Jan Margolius: In Memory of Heda Margolius Kovály
The Washington Post 12/12/2010 The Victoria Times Colonist (Canada) 12/12/2010 The Arts Fuse Remembrance: Heda Kovály 09/12/2010 Frank Shatz: The man who knew too much Lake Placid News 28/02/2011 Svědectví Hedy Margoliové-Kovályové 10/12/2010 Karel Hvížďala: Heda Margoliová-Kovályová Český rozhlas 14/12/2010 Vít Machálek: Heda Margoliová a Pavel Tigrid 14/12/2010 Monika Mochová: Vzpomínka na paní Hedu Margoliovou 20/12/2010
„Setkání s paní Hedou byl pro mně jeden z velmi zásadních momentů života. Její optimismus a nadhled je pro mně stálou inspirací při řešení drobných strastí a konfliktů života. Díky ní si vážím věcí, které bych možná jinak přecházela. Existence paní Hedy byla prostě jednou z konstant mého života. Tak jak to říkala v závěru našeho filmu "Hitler je v háji, Stalin je v háji a já tu jsem pořád!" Paní Heda teď odešla, ale já jsem si uvědomila , že pro mně se jejím odchodem z našeho pozemského světa nic nemění, se mnou je pořád, a bude až do konce mých dní. A kdykoli budu mít pocit, že jsem v nějaké bryndě, vzpomenu si na ni a řeknu si po jejím vzoru ne, já to nevzdám!" Helena Třeštíková 08/12/2010
"It’s sad news, but a free world gives thanks for her long and important life." Clive James 09/12/2010 "I admired Heda tremendously. R.I.P." Josef Škvorecký 09/12/2010 "Your sad message awoke in us many memories." Věra and Milan Kundera 10/12/2010
A memorial plaque dedicated to Heda Margolius Kovály together with her first husband JUDr Rudolf Margolius is located on the family tomb at the New Jewish Cemetery, Izraelská 1, Prague 3, sector no. 21, row no. 13, plot no. 33, directly behind Franz Kafka’s grave.
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Rudolf Margolius: A Clean Man in a Filthy Time / Rudolf Margolius: člověk čistého charakteru v ošklivé době by Igor Lukeš, Boston University 2002 (in English / Czech)
„Margolius…si prožil své v nacistických koncentrácích a do KSČ vstoupil po válce z opravdového přesvědčení: aby se už nikdy nemohlo opakovat, co se stalo, aby už nikdy nikdo nebyl pronásledován pro svůj rasový, národní nebo sociální původ, aby si lidé byli opravdu rovni, aby byl nastolen věk skutečné svobody. O pár let později se soudruhům podařilo, co se nepovedlo nacistům: zabili ho.“ Pavel Tigrid, Kapesní průvodce inteligentní ženy po vlastním osudu, 68 Publishers, Toronto 1988, s. 97. |
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| The Prague Post |
Alan Levy's interview with Heda Margolius Kovály and Ivan Margolius "Your article about Heda Margolius Kovály was quite fascinating. It brought back the many wonderful conversations that I had with Heda in the early 80s when I was a visiting scholar at Harvard Law School, with an office in the International Legal Studies Library, where Heda worked. She always was, and obviously still is, an extraordinary and quite wonderful woman." Jerry Auerbach Link to The Prague Post 27/11/2002 – 03/12/2002 |
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Sen
o ráji má v sobě peklo
– Milena
Nyklová’s interview with Ivan Margolius
on the occasion of Praha za zrcadlem publication, published in Naše
rodina magazine no. 9/2008 (in Czech) |
| Reflex online |
Nikoho tu nezajímá pravda – Karel Hvížďala’s interview with Ivan Margolius on the occasion of Praha za zrcadlem publication, published in Reflex magazine no. 45/2007 (in Czech) |
| Právo | Tragický příběh Rudolfa Margolia Právo 24/11/2007 in Czech (Tragic Story of Rudolf Margolius) |
| Prague Daily Monitor |
Hana Gomoláková's interview with Ivan Margolius on the occasion of Praha za zrcadlem publication, published in Prague Daily Monitor (online magazine) on 26th November 2007 (in English) |
| Columbia Journalism Review |
E. J. Graff's article 'Recklessness and Arrogance' as Second Read on Heda Margolius Kovály's book Under A Cruel Star published in Columbia Journalism Review May / June 2005 |
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Nebe nad peklem – Hana Benešová's interview with Heda Margoliová-Kovályová published in Reflex magazine, no. 1/2004, Prague and in Český a slovenský svět (in Czech) |
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| MF Dnes |
Svědectví Ivany Tigridové (Testimony of Ivana Tigridová): Manželka Pavla Tigrida vzpomíná: Několik dokumentů ÚV KSČ tajně přivezla Heda Kovályová (The wife of Pavel Tigrid recollects: Heda Kovályová brought out to us to Paris secretly several documents of the Central Committee of the Czechoslovak Communist Party, in Czech) MF Dnes 27/10/2006 |
| The Secret of Redemption |
Prize-winning essay in ethics referencing Heda Margolius Kovály's book Under A Cruel Star Link to The Secret of Redemption by Alexa Kolbi-Molinas, 2000 |
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palaver
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Interview with Ivan Margolius on Austrian Radio Orange programme 'a palaver' Architektur Sendung by Bernhard Frodl + David Pasek: about life, architecture and Jan Kaplický (download mp3 files, in English, 58 minutes) 07/12/2009 |
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Ivan Margolius en, cs |
Wikipedia articles about: Rudolf Margolius in English, Czech, German Heda Margolius Kovály in English, Czech, Portuguese Ivan Margolius in English, Czech Under A Cruel Star (book) in English |
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Secondhand and out of print books for sale Link to Books & Arts website |
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The Only Fully-Enveloping Mass-Produced Teardrop Car Link to Tatra T600 Tatraplan website 'Very informative!' Classic & Sports Car 'Terrific website.' Fanmail Tatra Register UK 'The Best Tatra Site.' vintagecars.about.com Classic
Car of the Year 2010, winner of the 1940s category |
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Jan Margolius sings and plays on his electric guitar on YouTube using his nickname ElectricGuitarify
5-star ratings 'Great singing.' 'Great voice! Nice rasp for someone so young (actually, nice rasp period). Loved the scream at 3.40. Hope you are in a band.' 'Wow. I didn't regret clicking on this video: P Kudos for singing too! It was actually very good, dude. 5/5' 'What a talent Jan is!' 'You have an amazing son who plays excellently music of my youth...' |
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Blog about our Cockapoos: Flo and Remy |
| Books by Ivan Margolius | |
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Praha za zrcadlem: Putování 20. stoletím, Argo, Praha, 2007, 345 stránek, 41 ilustrací, ISBN 978-80-7203-947-0 (Czech edition of Reflections of Prague)
Půl století po smrti svého otce se Ivan Margolius rozhodl pátrat v sobě, ve vzpomínkách přibuzných, v rodinných i uředních dokumentech a vytvořit portrét nevinně zavražděného člověka, zachytit historii své rodiny, odkrýt vlastní kořeny, zjistit, nakolik se rodinná historie odráží v jeho vlastním životě. Pozadím jeho pátrání jsou dějiny Evropy dvacátého století, zejména dvě období, které jeho rodinu poznamenala nejhůře – holocaust a padesátá léta se svým politicky podporovaným antisemitismem a politickými procesy. Josef Škvorecký o Praze za zrcadlem napsal: „Archetypální příběh dvacátého století se tu proplétá s vyprávěním o Češích, o Praze, které připomíná proud vědomí, a v němž jsou rozptýleny skvostné ukázky z děl největších básníků 20.století. Vyprávění tak plyne jako Eliotova Temže, nesoucí úlomky tragických životů, hrůz, záblesky krásy a projevy lásky – to vše na pozadí lidské nelidskosti.” - „Vznikla tak kniha nesmírně čtivá, která v sobě spojuje řeč srdce a mozku, neboli laskavé vzpomínání s přesnou faktografií, takže z textu necítíme touhu po pomstě nebo naopak sebelítost či něco podobného, ale snahu objektivně pojmenovat vše co se stalo.” Ivan Kott, Pozitivní noviny 15/11/ 2007 - „…nové
knihy, o kterých se domníváme, že jsou nějakým způsobem výjimečné… - „Kniha
je přínosná hned v několika směrech.
Nejenže stručně, výstižně a srozumitelně seznamuje s
dějinami dvacátého století, ale tím, že hlavní role tu hrají lidé,
můžeme říci, že obyčejní, kteří se snažili pouze
slušně žít a překonávat překážky, jež jim násobil židovský
původ, působí o to autentičtěji, opravdověji a
citlivější čtenář se s nimi dokáže ztotožnit. Kapitoly,
uvozované lyrickou poezií, jsou pak svým obsahem o to dekadentnější.
Do tohoto záměrného kontrastu, jehož koncepci narýsoval sám život,
zapadají i poetické ukázky krátkodobého štěstí, kdy členům
rodin bylo dovoleno normálně žít. - „lvan
Margolius píše i svou vlastní autobiografii, líčí své osudy až
do současnosti. Je velmi zajímavé sledovat, jak se on sám musel
vyrovnávat s minulostí rodičů, která jej provázela téměř
na každém kroku a pronásledovala jej i po odchodu do Anglie v roce 1966.
Velice zajímavou kapitolou je Margoliova reflexe toho, jak se Česká
republika a její vrcholní politici stavějí k vyrovnání se s
minulostí. Také vyprávění o Praze je důležitou součástí
celé knihy.” Tomáš Bursík, Paměť a dějiny
2008/1 - Vít Machálek píše o tragickém osudu Rudolfa Margolia: 'Šesticípá a pěticípá hvězda' 24/08/2009 - „Skvělá a potřebná kniha." Souvislosti 1/2008, 9/05/2008 - „Nesmírně čtivá kniha... Knihu lze vřele doporučit nejen odborníkům, nýbrž také široké veřejnosti, hlavně pak mladé generaci." Jiří Kosta, Soudobé dějiny 1/2008 - „Před námi leží skutečně zajímavá a opravdu čtivá kniha. Není objektivním líčením novověké historie jedné židovské rodiny v neklidném Československu 20. století, mnohem spíše je jedinečným pohledem kdysi malého kluka, jemuž táta jednoho dne bez varování “odjel na zahraniční cestu” a už se nikdy nevrátil a kterého tímto připomíná, oceňuje a vzdává mu hold.” Jan Randák, Tvar, únor 2008 - - - „Ivan Margolius se půl století po smrti otce rozhodl pátrat ve vzpomínkách, rodinných i úředních dokumentech, aby zachytil své rodinné kořeny a vytvořil portrét nevinně zavražděného člověka. Jeho pátrání vyústilo v knihu Praha za zrcadlem, jež je reakcí na společenský i oficiální nezájem o rozkrytí pravdivého pozadí padesát pět let staré historie procesu." Vladimíra Bezdíčková, Týdeník Rozhlas 15/2008, čtení z knihy a rozhovor vysílán v červnu 2008 na stanici Český rozhlas 3 – Vltava. - „Umělecké kvality textu jsou nesporné." Divadelní noviny 13, 24/06/2008
Reakce čtenářů:
„Přečetla jsem Tvoji knihu jedním dechem. Moc se mi líbila a vyvolala ve mě spoustu vzpomínek. Díky za ně a krásnou knihu.“ „Přečetla
jsem Tvoji knihu: je to výborné. Podařilo se Ti vyhnout se lítostivému
tónu a je to tím působivější. Myslím, že Tvoje děti až
dorostou do správného věku, to ocení.” - „Jinak právě čtu Vaši knihu a je moc hezky napsaná." - „S
velkým zájmem jsem přečetla Vaši knihu Praha za zrcadlem – je
vynikající!” - „Díky
za knihu, není to jen přiběh Vašeho otce, ale příběh
mnoha, náhled do kaváren první republiky, jsou tu rozinky z architektury.
Historická kniha pro laiky. Děkuji za ni. Snažím se mezi svými
kamarády adorací této knihy ji kolportovat… Kniha je výborná.” - „V knize je mnoho nového.” - „Chci
Vám osobně hluboce poděkovat za publikování této knihy.” - „Pán,
který znal tvého otce moc chválil tvojí knihu.” - „Přečetla
jsem Vaši knihu se zájmem a obdivuji Váš sloh i práci. Knihu půjčuji
svým známým a přátelům
a všichni ji obdivují.” - „Vaší
knihu louskám po večerech a jsem rád, že jsem Váš nakladatel." |
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Reflections of Prague: Journeys through the 20th century, John Wiley & Sons, London 2006, 318 pages, 58 illustrations, ISBN 0470-02219-1
The major events, upheavals, suffering and triumphs of the 20th century. From the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy to the First World War, the Czechoslovak Democratic interlude, Munich betrayal, Nazi occupation, Second World War, transports, concentration and extermination camps, Allied victory, Communist takeover, Stalinist purges and Soviet occupation to an end of the century freedom. From Kafka to Čapek, Masaryk, Hitler, Stalin, Gottwald, Dubček and Havel. The life of a Central European family situated in the intriguing and inspirational city of Prague caught up in the most perilous episodes of the political world of the time. A story that illustrates how much anguish and inhumanity can be inflicted by men on their fellow human beings in the name of distorted political doctrines, self-centred beliefs, indifference and prejudice and will shock every person who still considers as paramount the sanctity and spiritual worth of human personality, dignity and freedom. - "A remarkable
book. This archetypical
story of the twentieth century is intertwined with an almost
stream-of-consciousness narrative of the history of the Czechs and of Prague,
interspersed with amazing commentaries on
Prague architecture and with samples of exquisite poetry by great contemporary
poets. - "A poignant and vivid mémoire of a child searching for traces of his father, lost in the murky ideologies of post war Central Europe. An engrossing book." Sir John Tusa - "I found the book gripping, sad but defiant. Even after all we know about the horrors perpetrated by the Nazis and the Communists, I was shocked at what happened to your father and your family." Anthony Lewis, former columnist of New York Times - "I wanted to let you know the good and the bad about your book – the bad is that I found it so moving, I could not keep reading it. I was almost moved to tears for your loss, the difficulties of your situation, and the courage of your family, and of course, the others who suffered so much for so long. Living in a land of wealth, amidst our poor poor politics, one is moved to some sense of guilt/outrage when exposed to what life is really like at the edge. My thanks to you for revealing that in great depth, like a wonderful photo of Prague, full of depth and subtlety. The good part, of course, is having finished the book. Again, my thanks to you for having written it, so carefully and yet without an appeal to mere fact – you have hit all the points necessary with the delicacy of Dvorak and the softness of touch that you must have received from your father. He would be more than proud of you for such an accomplishment; for one in his honor, and with such love, one can only guess his joy. Raise a glass, to him, to your mother, and to you – well deserved. I wish I could say something more meaningful – but you have done it best." Geoffrey Goldberg - "Now,
almost 70 years later, with access to official records and freedom to
re-examine the past, Czech history –
like that of Poles or Russians or Hungarians –
can be seen not as some abstract pattern of national tragedy but as the sum
total of millions of individual tragedies, each of which possesses its own
distinctive and unforgettable voice. When that voice belongs
to a mother or a father, the process of unearthing the past must be nearly
unbearable, a kind of slow exhumation of memory validated by layers of
recovered documents. If carried through unflinchingly, and without
sentimentality, the result can give back life, as well as some measure of
justice, to the dead. Ivan Margolius accomplishes this difficult task with a
rare combination of pathos and objectivity. He has sought not merely to
uncover the facts of his father's show trial and execution in 1952, but to
recapture the brisk and vibrant personality of the man himself, and of the
various worlds - political, artistic, familial – that he inhabited. Along
the way he creates a vivid picture of - "Margolius has produced a carefully crafted memoir that combines humour, hope, imagined narrative and reconstructed history in a montage that befits and reflects his occupation as an architect [and] is both laudable and well worth reading ... In many respects, this book can only be fully understood as a companion piece and answer to his mother Heda Margolius Kovály's memoirs ... and to have produced separate and detailed accounts written by mother and son is an intergenerational treasure indeed." Barbara J. Falk, Canadian Slavonic Papers, September - December 2008 - "The book takes a dignified place in the literature of bearing witness." Lorien Kaye, The Age, Melbourne - "A
remarkable, nuanced, straightforward account of the author’s parents’
lives and of - "Poignant
and uplifting, it's a memorable story which stays in the mind long after the
last page has been turned." Nottingham
Evening Post - "It
is terrible events that form the background for Ivan Margolius’s combined
family history and memoir. And what a family it was: remarkable, and, at the
same time, emblematic of the assimilated Jewish bourgeoisie that was one of
the defining features of pre-war East-Central Europe. ... Ivan is at his
best in conjuring up the world inhabited by his parents both that of the
interwar - "It is a memoir about his family so wrenching and yet human and humane, so intimate and yet such a useful window on our modern world, reading it we should never wish to be the same again." George Abbott White, Denebola, Boston - "Reflections of Prague stands as an important testimony to tragic times, and Margolius is the first child of any of the Slánský Trial families to record their side of the story." The Prague Post, Prague - “There
are several most moving episodes in the book…the book serves as a
historical corrective but also carries a wider lesson.” Asian
Age, India - "Despite the death and all the suffering it has to tell this is a story of an ultimately victorious life." British Czech and Slovak Review, London - "A remarkable book." BBC Radio, London - "Reflections of Prague is a stunning walk down memory lane. I consider Reflections to be an essential primer for anyone with more than a passing interest in Czech history." 5-star review on Amazon.com - "The
author sets the stage beautifully by giving the history of the Czech nation,
the plight of its Jewish population, and the suffering at the hands of the
Nazis and Communists. He weaves the story of his family into this history
with great skill … I particularly appreciated his attention to detail, his
accurate and beautiful descriptions of Prague and the Czech countryside, and
his use of poetry throughout the book. The reader cannot help but weep for a
son who has such deep feelings and who carries with him such deep sorrow for
a father whom he knew for only a few very short years. A wonderful book!"
Charles Heller - “A
highly intelligent son of Prague looks back at the wreckage of his family
caused by the forces of first Hitler's Germany and then Stalin's USSR. Ivan
Margolius' book is written in quiet, tempered language, yet forcefully
describes the human outrages, through a focus on one hard hit Jewish family,
committed during the sweep of the last century within a politically
turbulent Czechoslovakia. - - "Your book, Reflections of Prague, is a gem…" Frank Shatz Frank Shatz in Lake Placid News 11/03/2011
Readers' comments:
"I began to ‘look through it’ at noon and have spent the rest of the afternoon feeling stunned and unable to do anything else. It is powerful writing. Sad, tender, poetic, restrained. Clear-eyed. Its lack of sentimentality reminds me of Gramsci’s writing ... “pessimism of the intellect and optimism of the will”. I love the photographs in which hovers the relationship between the two of them and the three of you." - "I
enjoyed the book immensely. Congratulations on a terrific piece of
writing." - "I’m reading Ivan’s book – not only is it very moving but it is a significant work for all the reasons we know." - "I started reading the book, and couldn't put it down. Didn't get to sleep until 2.30 this morning – completely fascinating ..." - “What
an extraordinary book - what extraordinary lives and what "Just read an excerpt from Ivan's book last night – I must say I was totally moved – his story is just so moving, and his writing wonderful. Imaginative, surprising, descriptive, captivating – what an amazing book it must be!" - "The book is very satisfying." - "I must congratulate you on a tremendous achievement. I have been absolutely captivated." - "I find the book very beautiful, while at the same time being informative. It is good that it is autobiographical and subjective, personal. History books can be written by anyone, but placing events in the context of a life make these events real." - "A very readable, interesting and poignant book. I am grateful for your story to reflect my sentiments, how important it is to break the deafening silence about the injustice suffered by individuals like your father JUDr Rudolf Margolius, and others, who believed in "that God that failed them." - "I
was enormously impressed by what you achieved with it. I felt that you were
particularly successful in bringing your parents to life for the reader. I
really felt that I got to know your mother and your father through it. Your
mother really is an amazing woman to have gone through what she has without
being full of hatred. You managed to make it both a personal and very moving
story while also imparting some very significant historical insights. I felt
I understood the relationship between - "Your telling of your parents' story and your part in it, and how so much of what went on in those years affects you to this day, was to me spellbinding and terribly poignant. I am so glad you have written as you have: your memoir ought to be required reading for citizens of a democracy such as ours ..." - "I have just finished reading your book and as I have had very similar childhood experiences as you did, I can appreciate what a great job you have made of a truly difficult subject ... congratulations on a wonderful book." - „Skvělá kniha." - „Ačkoliv to všechno vím ze čtení a z dokumentace, je to znovu otřesné. Napsal jsi to výborně, Tvoje občas i lyrické postřehy z dětství propojené s archivním svědectvím o celém tom svinstvu jsou velice působivé a jen umocňují to absurdno a tragično. Ta hrůzostrašná cena, kterou jste za to všichni zaplatili.” - ‘Knížka
o tvé rodině je velmi dobře napsaná a hodně zajímavá.
Dodavá mně jak fakta tak pocitové zázemí k české historii, všeobecně
tak k tvé rodině. Jsem úplně unešen jak přesně jsi
provozoval výzkum!’ |
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Česká inspirace – Czech Inspiration, Jan Kaplický and Ivan Margolius, Czech / English text, Fraktály Publishers, Praha 2005, 240 pages, 223 illustrations, ISBN 80-86627-09-8 (can be ordered from www.zlatyrez.cz)
Presentation of wide ranging creativity of Czech scientists, engineers, architects, designers and artists: images of 'Czech Inspiration' from the sugar cube to the ship propeller, concrete structures, automobiles, aeroplanes and art. - "It is a little treasure." Sir John Tusa - "A gem of an album, a pocketbook gallery. Those looking for a distinct Czech design gene can do no better than scan these images as a starting point." Neil Parkyn, The Architects' Journal - „Česká inspirace – v malém čtvercovém formátu je milým výběrem oblíbených inspirací, tentokrát nejen Kaplického, ale také jeho kolegy Ivana Margolia, rovněž českého architekta působícího v Londýně. Najdeme tu známé ikony jako kubistickou lucernu, aerodynamickou tatrovku, funkcionalistické vily nebo vysílač na Ještědu, ale i anonymní předměty, jako je známý typ lavičky z pražských parků nebo třeba bunkry z pohraničí. A také různé futuristické prototypy nových aut, motorek a letadel. Konečně i snímky odvážných slečen, představujících futuristické módní kreace anebo alespoň své nahé tělo. Z publikace přímo čiší, s jakou chutí oba architekti hledali různé motivy, jejichž nadčasovost a nekonvenčnost je stále uchvacuje.” Zdeněk Lukeš, Lidové noviny |
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Art + Architecture, Architectural Design, volume 73, no. 3, May / June 2003, Wiley-Academy, London, 128 pages, ISBN 0-470-84773-5
Interviews with: Zaha Hadid, Will Alsop, Steven Holl and Ben Johnson Le Corbusier, Dessins, 1965 Contributors include: Helen Castle, Deborah Gans, Jayne Merkel, Laura Hourston, Jes Fernie, Elspeth Hamilton and Torsten Schmiedeknecht
"Moving stuff ... Well illustrated and presented, this is the kind of pleasurable book one can dip in and out of; it is thoughtful and challenging, and I'd encourage architects and artists to read and use it as a spur to their own work and successful future collaborations." Paul Harron, Perspective - "Illustrated with beautiful artwork and architectural photographs ... The book is enormously inspirational, illustrating the need for unbridled creativity at the conception stage, and even examining the physical act of drawing and how it can suggest architectural forms by its very action ... Art + Architecture is a must for anybody with an interest in either of the two subjects." Forma Interiors |
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Architects + Engineers = Structures, Wiley-Academy, London 2002, 104 pages, 77 illustrations, ISBN 0-471-49825-4, translated into Persian and published by University of Tehran Press, Iran 2004 (Kindle edition available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk)
"The text provides an informative and, to a certain extent, technical analysis, although this should not detract from its wide-ranging appeal ... the subject matter and the way it is approached is both engaging and intelligent." The Blueprint - "There is … plenty to inspire." FX Magazine - "Information given in accessible and intelligent way.'' Stavba - "Throughout this articulate, elegant book, the author discusses and illustrates nearly fifty examples of extraordinary structures that resulted from balanced, collaborative ties between architecture and engineering." Ballast Quarterly Review - "Thought provoking addition to the architect / engineer debate." Bridge, Design & Engineering |
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Future Systems, Zlatý řez, Praha 2002, 208 pages, 250 illustrations, ISBN 80-901562-6-6, text: Jan Kaplický, Michaela Kádnerová, Ivan Margolius, Jana Tichá (in Czech)
„Obrazová
dokumentace je doplněna stručným a výstižným textem,
rozhovory, historií a bibliografií což nám umožňuje vytvoření
vlastního komplexního pohledu na filosofii a tvorbu Jana Kaplického."
e-architekt.cz |
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Prague – a guide to twentieth-century architecture, Ellipsis, London 1996, 320 pages, 170 illustrations, ISBN 1-899858-18-0, French edition ISBN 3-89508-339-9, German edition ISBN 3-89508-274-0, third updated UK edition to be published by B. T. Batsford, London in 2004 Referenced in Sir Bannister Fletcher’s A History of Architecture, 20th edition, 1996, p. 1706
"Much sustained level of interest and quality of architecture." The Architects' Journal - "An excellent small (in size), big (in content) guide which should decorate the shelf, or rather the pocket, of any interested architect." Building Design |
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Church of the Sacred Heart, Jože Plečnik 1922-33, Architecture in Detail, Phaidon Press, London 1995, 60 pages, 127 illustrations, ISBN 0-7148-3351-7
"Informative if not illuminating text. One of the season’s essential titles for your bookshelf." RIBA Journal - "Margolius has written one of the better essays in the series (with well-chosen black-and-white reference shots), and the drawings are more worthwhile than has sometimes been the case." The Architects' Journal
Architecture 3s: Places of Worship, includes Church of the Sacred Heart, Jože Plečnik 1922-33 together with St Paul's Cathedral (by Vaughan Hart) and Church on the Water (by Philip Drew), edited by James Russell, published by Phaidon Press, London 1999, ISBN 0-7148-3877-2 |
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Tatra – The Legacy of Hans Ledwinka, SAF Publishing, Harrow 1990, 160 pages, 145 illustrations, ISBN 0-946719-06-3, (written with John G Henry)
Cugnot Award of Distinction awarded by the Society of Automotive Historians, Inc in 1991
"A book of outstanding merit." The Automobile - "A book that restores one of Europe’s most radical and influential designers to rightful prominence." Jonathan Glancey, The Independent
Jay Leno promoting the book in his video about Tatra T87 http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/at-the-garage/antiques/tatra-t87/ |
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Automobiles by Architects, Wiley-Academy, London 2000, 160 pages, 175 illustrations, ISBN 0-471-60786-X
"How rare it is to put down a book with the sense of pleasure satisfied, the mind excited by ideas and information, nostalgia stimulated, the eye amused by illustrations - all this in a book that is not a handsomely bound biography or history, but a substantial paperback on the part played by architects in the design of motor cars and other vehicles ... engrossing book." Brian Sewell, The Spectator - "In this superbly entertaining book, Ivan Margolius attempts to shed light on the mutual attraction between architects and the cars and how each tries to feed off the other...the book is a fantastically readable romp through often risible, sometimes genuinely innovative, creations." Edwin Heathcote, The Architects' Journal - "Margolius' book collates a large selection of motoring projects carried out by architects, and mixes in some entertaining gossip." Design Week - "In his compelling new book, in assembling an entertaining argument in favour of cross-fertilization between professionals in hard hats and those in the driving gloves, Margolius has produced some remarkable examples." The Financial Times - "This handsome book about the connections between architecture and car design is fascinating ... a must for all design fetishists." Thoroughbred & Classic Cars - "This fascinating title deserves a closer look ..." Classic & Sports Car - "Excellent book." FX magazine - "This is an enjoyable read ... the book is also fascinating on how architects have appropriated the glamorous imagery of cars." Building Design - "Purchasers are likely to have something unique on their bookshelves." The Automobile - "The pleasant surprise is the density and clarity of the text, usefully accompanied by a wealth and diversity of iconography. This is a document of reference on a theme that is fascinating even for a reader who is unfamiliar of the subject of automobiles ... One salutes the clarity of Margolius's writing." L'Architecture d'aujourd'hui - "A unique, fascinating survey." 5-star review, Amazon.com - "This elegant, interesting volume …The accounts of architects excursions into transportation design are fascinating, but equally interesting are the plentiful visual examples of forms that they created." Ballast Quarterly Review |
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Cubism in Architecture and the Applied Arts, David & Charles, Newton Abbot & North Pomfret 1979, 128 pages, 93 illustrations, ISBN 0-7153-7673-X Referenced in Sir Bannister Fletcher’s A History of Architecture, 19th edition, 1987, p. 1383 and 20th edition, 1996, p. 1706
"Margolius has produced a very real rabbit out of a hat in this esoteric study which does indeed fill a gap in our knowledge of modern architecture." Christopher Gotch, Ham & High |
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Skoda Laurin & Klement, Osprey Automotive, London 1992, 192 pages, 220 illustrations, ISBN 1-85532-237-4, (written with Charles Meisl)
Cugnot Award of Distinction awarded by the Society of Automotive Historians, Inc in 1993
"A nugget of history, which upsets all our preconceptions about a particular marque." The Daily Telegraph - "Another valuable contribution to motoring history." Popular Classics - "The authors have done a wonderful job and it is one of the easiest to read, and most difficult to put down motoring books I have had." The Business Magazine |
| Articles by Ivan Margolius |
'Cubism
in Czech Architecture', The
Architectural Association Quarterly 8-4 1976, London, pp. 51-59. 'The
Importance of Form', The
Architectural Review 965 July 1977, London, p. 6. 'The
Devětsil Exhibition', Design magazine
August 1990, London, p. 86. 'Building
Opportunities in Czechoslovakia', The
Architects' Journal October 14, 1992, London, pp. 34-38
(co-author). 'Hans
Ledwinka - Pioneer of Automotive Technology', Technický
magazín 1/1993, Prague, pp. 60-63. 'Torre
de Collserola - Telecommunication Tower', Technický
magazín 2/1993, Prague, pp. 62-63. 'Anthony
Hunt - The High Tec Engineer', Technický
magazín 3/1993, Prague, pp. 72-75. 'Millennium
Tower, Tokyo', Technický magazín 4/1993,
Prague, pp. 42-43. 'Future
Systems, London', Technický magazín
8/1993, Prague,
pp. 60-63. 'British
Expo 92 Pavilion', Technický magazín
9/1993, Prague, pp. 74-75. 'Billingsgate
Market, London', Technický magazín
10/1993, Prague, pp. 12-13. 'Western
Morning News, Plymouth', Technický
magazín 11/1993, Prague, pp. 18-20 'Court
of Human Rights, Strasbourg', Technický
magazín 12/1993, Prague, pp 16-17. 'Grimshaw
at Heathrow Airport', Technický
magazín 1/1994, Prague, pp. 16-17. 'Rick
Mather, An American in London', Technický
magazín 3/1994, Prague, pp. 18-20. 'London
Tower of Escalators', Technický
magazín 6/1994, Prague, p. 65. 'Streamliners',
World Architecture 39/1995, London, pp. 142-5. 'Kubistická
Praha (Cubist Prague)', Anotace, Architekt
20/1996, Prague, p. 54. 'Small
Remembrances - Colin Rose', Huddersfield Art Gallery, November 1996,
Huddersfield, exhibition catalogue 'Celebration
of a Moment,' Technický magazín 2/1998,
Prague, pp. 35-6. 'Autenticita
památky', Architekt 19/1998,
Prague, p. 20. 'Kaplický
exhibits in London', Architekt
21/1998, Prague, p. 8. 'Interview
with Jan Kaplický', Architekt
23/1998, Prague, p. 4. 'Contribution
to the discussion on Czech architecture', Architekt
1/1999, Prague, pp. 30-31. 'Day
in the office of Norman Foster',
Architekt 6/1999, Prague, p. 53. 'Auto-Architecture:
Automobiles by Architects', Zlatý
řez, no. 19, Prague 2000, pp. 4-15. 'Colin
Rowe', Architekt 1/2000, Prague, p. 48. 'Hvězda
Housing Development', World
Architecture, May 2000, London, pp. 54-59. 'Villa
Müller and its Restoration', The
Architectural Review, November 2000, London, pp. 78-81. 'Memorial
to the Victims of Communism', Architectural
Design, vol. 71, no. 3, June 2001, London, pp. 110-111. 'Looking
Back in Envy: Tatra 600 –
Tatraplan', Architectural
Design, vol. 71, no. 5, September 2001, London, pp. 84-88. 'Carchitecture',
Architectural Design, vol. 71, no. 6, London, p. 125. 'Britton
Street Offices', Architectural Design, vol. 72, no. 2, March 2002,
London, pp. 126-127. 'Architektura
na kolech', Dolce Vita, 4/2002, Prague, pp. 96-99. 'Automobiles
by Architects', Bulletin
of the VSCC,
no. 239, Spring 2003, pp. 63-65. 'Editorial', Architekt 5/2003, Prague, p. 2. 'Jean
Prouvé: Prefabricated Houses', Zlatý
řez, no. 27, Spring 2005, pp. 32-39. 'Pražské
vzpomínky', Labyrint 17-18,
January 2006, pp. 82-85. 'Plech v architektuře', Architekt December 2006, p. 15. 'Future
Systems', review, Architekt,
01-02, January 2007, p.108 'Reflections
of Prague', excerpt, Kosmas,
volume 21, number 1, Autumn 2007, CSAS, pp. 74-83. 'My last meal with Jan Kaplický', The Architects' Journal, Comment, 22 January 2009, p. 18. 'Jan
Kaplický:
Poslední
setkání
v Londýně',
e-architekt, 29.1.2009 'Jan Kaplický: Geniální architekt a návrhář', Stavba 1/2009, p. 9. 'Jan Kaplický', Architectural Design, July / August 2009, pp.100-107. 'The Tatra races into a triumphant year', British Czech and Slovak Review, 12/2010-01/2011, p. 11. 'Heda Margolius Kovály – Other Lives', The Guardian, 14 December 2010, p. 34. 'Hidden treasures', Building Design, 04/03/2011, p. 20. 'Czech Architecture and Tatra', Fanmail, issue 51, Summer 2011, pp. 26-27 'Comeback', Magnus Magazín 02, Prague 2011, pp. 126-127 'Model Behaviour', Octane 104, February 2012, pp. 38-39 |
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Books by Heda Margolius Kovály |
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Under A Cruel Star: A Life in Prague 1941-1968, Holmes & Meier, New York 1997, 192 pages, ISBN 0-8419-1377-3 (available in Kindle edition on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk, ebook edition available from Plunkett Lake Press)
"Once in a while we read a book that puts the urgencies of our time and ourselves in perspective, making us confront the darker realities of human nature." Anthony Lewis, New York Times - "A story of human spirit at its most indomitable … one of the outstanding autobiographies of the century." San Francisco Chronicle-Examiner - "An extraordinary memoir...written with so much quiet respect for the minutiae of justice and truth that one does not know where and how to specify Heda Kovály's splendidness as a human being... It is impossible to read her book without the deepest admiration for her quiet, fierce documentation of the ordeal of the Czech people in our time." Alfred Kazin - "Under A Cruel Star is the most remarkable book for a variety of reasons: because Kovály has such a keen street sense for individual motivations; because her writing is so precise and beautiful: and, most of all, because she conveys such a ferocious and visceral sense that an individual life is just as important – and just as powerful – as governments, militaries, and political might." E. J. Graff, Brandeis Women’s Studies Research Center, Columbia Journalism Review May / June 2005 - “Given thirty seconds to recommend a single book that might start a serious young student on the hard road to understanding the political tragedies of the twentieth century, I would choose this one… All this is recounted in an exemplary amalgam of psychological penetration and terse style… A Google search reveals that the book is on the course in several colleges, but it deserves to be more famous than that.” Clive James www.clivejames.com, Cultural Amnesia: Necessary Memories from History and the Arts, W. W. Norton, New York 2007 - "I used to teach it in what was for many years my favorite course, a survey of essays and novels from Central and Eastern Europe that included the writings of Milan Kundera, Václav Havel, Ivo Andric’, Heda Kovály, Paul Goma, and others." Tony Judt, 'Captive Minds, Then and Now', The New York Review of Books, 13/07/2010 - "The book is interesting ... and surprisingly relevant to current debates over the supposed moral equivalence of the past century’s two totalitarianisms. It also has much to say about East European history and modern memory ... above all, and somewhat remarkably, it is also a book not unduly given over to pessimism or despair." Michael McDonald, 'A Shy Little Bird', The American Interest Summer May/June 2011 |
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Prague Farewell, Victor Gollancz, London 1988, ISBN 0-575-04258-3; Indigo, London 1997, 224 pages, ISBN 0-575-40086-2 (British edition of Under A Cruel Star, available in Kindle edition on Amazon.co.uk)
"A truly unforgettable book." New Statesman - "One does not ‘review’ a book like this. One weeps, and prays … Beautiful evocation of lovely Prague." The Sunday Times - "Written with the sophistication of a litterateur and the immediacy of a survivor." Josef Škvorecký |
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Na vlastní kůži, Academia, Praha 2003, 219 str., 16 str. čb. přílohy, ISBN 80-200-1134-X (third Czech edition of Under A Cruel Star, second in the Czech Republic, updated and including illustrations never published before), new Czech edition to be published in 2012
V knize Na vlastní kůži zachycuje Heda Margoliová-Kovályová, manželka Rudolfa Margolia, popraveného v politických procesech roku 1952, své životní vzpomínky od 2. světové války až do roku 1968: útěk z koncentračního tábora, posléze život v dusné atmosféře padesátých let a krutý úděl po mužově popravě. Kniha vyšla poprvé v roce 1973 v nakladatelství manželů Škvoreckých Sixty-Eight Publishers v Torontu, byla přeložena do mnoha jazyků a setkala se se zcela mimořádným ohlasem.
„Paměti
překladatelky Hedy Margoliové-Kovályové, které vyšly poprvé v
roce 1973 v exilovém nakladatelství 68 Publishers, se letos dočkaly
již druhé reedice. Čím si vysvětlit takový úspěch,
podtržený navíc překlady do mnoha jazyků? Nepochybně
literárními schopnostmi autorky, která dokázala svůj dramatický
životní příběh vylíčit téměř románovým způsobem.
Druhou příčinou zřejmě bude vážnost otázky, kterou
si Heda Margoliová-Kovályová klade: jak je možné, že my oběti
nacistického totalitarismu jsme nedokázaly prohlédnout totalitarismus
komunistický?" Lidové noviny |
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Na vlastní kůži, Edice Paměť, Academia, Praha 2012, 192 str. ISBN 978-80-200-2038-3 (fourth Czech edition of Under A Cruel Star, third in the Czech Republic) |
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Under A Cruel Star: A Life in Prague 1941-1968, Granta, London 2012, 192 pages, ISBN 978-1-84708-476-7,see: Granta Books
'Kovály's writing is brilliantly sharp...This is a brave beautiful book about how humans can overcome atrocious abuse.' Leyla Sanai, The Independent, 18/01/2012 |
| Some other editions of Heda's autobiography book |
USA 1973 Japan 1973 Norway 1976 The Netherlands 1990
Canada 1973 Czechoslovakia 1992 UK 1973 France 1991
UK 1988 Germany 1992 USA 1989 USA 1986 French edition Le premier printemps de Prague (1991) shortlisted in the 23rd Grand Prix des Lectrices 1992 |
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Nevina aneb Vražda v Příkré
ulici by Helena Nováková
(pseudonym of Heda Kovályová):
Index, Köln 1985, A 1950s mystery story published while Heda Margolius Kovály lived in exile.
New Czech updated edition in preparation by Mladá fronta to be published in summer of 2012
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List of books / stories translated by Heda from English, French and German into Czech and English and poems in Czech |
Initially due to political persecution of the family Heda's translations were published under her second husband's, Pavel Kovály's, name, later under their both names and only under her own name from 1964. Many translations are now being republished mainly of Raymond Chandler and Saul Bellow.
Jawaharlal
Nehru: Vlastní životopis, Praha 1958 Arnold
Zweig: Spor o seržanta Gríšu, Praha 1959 H.
G. Wells: Příběh pana Pollyho, Praha 1959 J.
B. Priestley: Vybrané spisy, Praha 1960 Edna
Ferber: Loď komediantů, Praha 1960 John
Steinbeck: Pláň Tortilla, Praha 1960 Arnold
Bennett: Londýnský antikvář, Praha 1961 Harry
K. Wells: Pavlov a Freud, Praha 1963 Carl
Marzani: Kdo přežije, Praha 1963 Heinrich Böll: 'Když válka začala', 'Když válka skončila', Světová literatura 1/1964, Praha ('Als der Krieg ausbrach', 'Als der Krieg zu Ende war') Budd
Schulberg: Tím hůř, když padnou, Praha 1964 Kingsley
Amis & Robert Conquest: Egyptolové, Praha 1965 K.
E. Gilbert & H. Kuhn, Dějiny estetiky: Praha 1965 Raymond
Chandler: 'Král v žlutém rouše', (Smrt
přichází oknem),
Praha 1966 Philip
Roth: Sbohem město C, Praha 1966 Agatha Christie: 'Záhada španělské truhly', (Záhada španělské truhly), Praha 1967 ('The Mystery of the Spanish Chest') Raymond
Chandler: Sestřička, Praha 1968 Raymond
Chandler: Sbohem buď, lásko má, Praha 1968 Saul
Bellow: Herzog, Praha 1968 William
Golding: Pán much, Praha 1968 Raymond
Chandler: Vysoké okno, Praha 1969 Irwin Shaw: Láska v temné ulici, Praha 1970 (Love on a Dark Street) Francis Chichester: Jen moře a nebe, Praha 1970 (The Lonely Sea and the Sky) Muriel
Spark: Balada z předměstí, Praha 1970 Egon Hostovský: Vzpomínky, 'Jak je to dávno', Nakladatelství 68, Toronto 1974, (poem) Jan
Drábek: A co Václav?, Toronto 1975 Arthur
Miller: Strop v arcibiskupském paláci, Toronto 1989 Le Corbusier: 'Dessins', Architectural Design 73/3, London 2002 (from French into English) |
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Some of Heda's book jackets designs published under the name of Ivan Martin |
       Symposion 1948-9 Rovnost Publishers 1952 SNPL 1958 |
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Hitler, Stalin a já (Hitler, Stalin and I / Hitler, Staline et moi)
Documentary film in Czech (English or French subtitles) Directed and screenplay by Helena Třeštíková Sound by Kamil Příhoda, Jan Valouch Photography by Vlastimil Hamerník Edited by Zdeněk Patočka Dramatization by Zita Drdová Production by Ivana Slonková Made by Czech Television Prague, Czech Republic 2001, Running time: 56 minutes
Shown at Japan Festival 2002, the 37th Olomouc International Documentary Film Festival 2002, the 26th Montreal World Film Festival 2002 and at the 16th Festival of Czech Films FINALE, Plzeň 2003
Festival Award Special Commendation (Adult Education Category) Japan Prize 2002 Gold
Kingfisher award for the best documentary film over 30 minutes long FINALE,
Plzeň Critics rating: *** / 5
“Despite all the suffering, Heda, with her compelling story, comes over composed and, at the same time, makes us smile or brings us close to tears. Above all, paradoxically, she spurs us to optimism." Slovak Film Institute - "Hitler,
Stalin and I is a remarkable story of life-long survival and optimism
in the face of violence and despair." Variety.com 2003
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In Memoriam
JUDr Rudolf Margolius 31 August 1913 Prague – 3 December 1952 Prague
"Never in my life have I heard or recognized a nightingale's song. Now under the window, outside, I hear every day, but mainly in the morning when the sun rises and in the evening at sunset, the beautiful solo song of the nightingale ..."
Letter from prison, 24 April 1952
The Silsoe church of St James 'Illumination' in the week of 2nd to 8th December 2007 commemorated the lives and deaths of JUDr Rudolf Margolius, the former Czechoslovak Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade, the victim of the infamous Slánský Trial held in Prague in 1952, and of PhD Pavel Kovály, a philosophy lecturer, who died in Prague on 8th December 2006.
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Photographic credits: Mandy Bates, Václav Jírů, Binky Nixon, Dominik Köhle, Margolius Family Archive Last updated 29 January 2012 All rights reserved © www.margolius.co.uk
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