Enlightenment, Culture, Leisure: Houses of Culture in Czechoslovakia

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This publication offers a comprehensive account of the establishment of a nationwide network of cultural houses in former Czechoslovakia during the socialist period. These buildings, supported by the state both economically and politically, served as vital centers of public life in post-war society. The work explores not only their typology but also their educational and emancipatory potential, as well as their function as political tools for leisure organization and control. It traces the roots of cultural institutions from the 19th century and the inter-war period, extending into the post-1989 era, where modernization challenges emerged for these buildings and their operators. Covering both Czech and Slovak contexts, the book captures the historical experiences across the former Czechoslovakia. Contributions come from various authors, with a foreword by British cultural historian David Crowley. Combining scholarly analysis with visual elements, it features photographs by Oskar Helcel and Martin Netočný, dividing the text into four sections: historical precedents, construction during state socialism, changes from WWII to the 1990s in Czech lands, and a similar focus on Slovakia, including case studies. The publication also includes contemporary reproductions, many appearing for the first time, along with graphics by Tereza Hejmová and Adéla Svobodová.