Famous Czech Poets

Jaroslav Seifert was a Czech writer, journalist, and poet. He is best remembered for winning the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1984 for his poetry. He was regarded as the leading representative of the artistic avant-garde movement in Czechoslovakia during the 1920s. Jaroslav Seifert's poetry received important state prizes and he was nominated National Artist in 1967.

Karel Hynek Mácha was a Czech poet whose work Máj is widely regarded as one of the finest Czech poems ever written. Mácha's works were recognized and glorified posthumously as he died at age 25, one day before his wedding. Karel Hynek Mácha's life and career, including his romance with his fiancée Eleonora Šomková, inspired the 1937 eponymous biographical film.

Jan Neruda was a Czech writer, journalist, art critic, and poet. He is regarded as one of the most important and influential exponents of Czech Realism and his work promoted Czech nationalism. Neruda is also remembered for his relationship with Karolína Světlá and the letters exchanged between them formed the basis of the movie, The Story of Love and Honor. 

Karel Havlíček Borovský was a Czech writer, politician, publisher, critic, poet, and journalist. He is credited with popularizing a newspaper called National News, which became one of the most popular and influential publications of the late 1840s under his guidance. Karel Havlíček Borovský's life and career inspired a biographical film which released in 1925. 

Egon Bondy was a Czech philosopher, poet, and writer. One of the most important figures of the Prague underground, Bondy published about 30 books of poetry and 20 novels. Despite the existential background of his work, Egon Bondy's texts are considered fresh and entertaining. 

Emil František Burian was a Czech poet, singer, actor, journalist, musician, composer, playwright, dramatic adviser, and director. Burian had a major influence on Czech modern theatre. His innovative staging methods and inventions continue to serve as an inspiration even today. A communist, Emil František Burian was also active in politics.  

Regarded as the Czech national poet, Vladimír Vašek is best known by his pseudonym, Petr Bezruč. Although he worked as a postal officer throughout his life, Bezruč created masterpieces such as Silesian Songs, which is a collection of his poems on the Czech Silesia and its people.

Jiří Mahen was a Czech playwright, novelist, and essayist. After starting his career as a journalist for one of the leading Czech newspapers, Lidové noviny, Mahen went on to establish himself as a famous novelist and playwright. Among his most important works are Kamarádi svobody, Měsíc, and Jánošík.