The famous Slav Epic in Japan
Czech culture traditionally enjoys a great deal of popularity in Japan and the current interconnection of both cultures should support Czech-Japanese relations.
Year of Czech Culture in Japan
The main event in terms of cultural cooperation will be an exhibition of the unique work by Alfons Mucha – the Slav Epic. This important cycle of works of art will thus be exhibited in a country other than the Czech Republic for the first time ever. The exhibition will be taking place from 8 March until 5 June in Tokyo in the National Art Center Tokyo.
The Year of Czech Culture already started in the middle of last October in the city of Toyama, this being with an apt exhibition of luxury Czech glass, production of which has a long tradition in our country.
But let us recall the importance of the unique work by Alfons Mucha which recently set off from the Trade Fair Palace in Prague to the Japanese city of Tokyo.
The Slav Epic
This is a unique work of art which is unparalleled anywhere in the world. The Slav Epic is a cycle of 20 large-format pictures which sum up the history of the Slav nations. The work was created in 1912-1926 at Chateau Zbiroh and was first exhibited in 1928 at the Trade Fair Palace. The exhibition took place on the occasion of celebrations to mark 10 years of independence of the Czechoslovak nation.
In this year, the City of Prague became the owner of this luxurious cycle which was donated by Alfons Mucha, on the understanding that the pictures must be housed in a building built for this purpose paid for by the city. This condition has not yet been met.
The whole work had to be removed due to occupation. It was later exhibited at the castle in Český Krumlov and was not opened to the public again until 2012, again in the Trade Fair Palace.
Alfons Mucha (1860-1939)
One of our most respected artists at the end of the 19th century and first half of the 20th century. He also found fame abroad with his painting and graphic works in the style of Art Nouveau. Later, it was in particular work on posters which brought him fame. This specifically concerns the theatre poster Gismonda which he created to order for the Parisian actress Sarah Bernhardt.
He became famous as a painter of theatre decorations and thanks to his decoration of luxury interiors. He also became a respected artist in the field of the applied arts. He engaged in graphic design of packaging for consumer goods, calendars, menus and also embellished books with his unique illustrations.
His work, the Slav Epic, was the culmination of his lifelong patriotism. He died of pneumonia in 1939 after having been interrogated by the Gestapo.
