Fenomén Masaryk / Masaryk as a Phenomenon

The Masaryk as a Phenomenon exhibition catalogue wishes to present this key figure in our history to mark the anniversary of the eightieth anniversary of the death of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk. It is neither the story of ‘Daddy’ nor of the ‘President-Liberator’, it is the look at a specific person, a personality of the public sphere as well as in his family circle. Concrete items from the collection document selected chapters from his life, in the same way as they do his public image. Half the exhibition was dedicated to his life’s fate during the years 1850–1937, the second part was dedicated to his ‘second life’ starting with his death and up to the present day. Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk is a frequently used symbol of the First Republic and some kind of historical proof of the democratic traditions of our society. There is less talk now of the criticism he received, his ability to go against the tide and speak the truth out loud. It is precisely this role that the exhibition catalogue would like to emphasise and present as a really remarkable phenomenon not only of Czech but, at the very least, European history. The book contains both– Czech and English text.