Prague Between History and Dreams (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781413431926)

Prague is one of the last great European cities where- as Ranier Marie Rilke once said- things are aware of us.

Join renowned Czech author Vaclav Cilek and artist Barbara Froula for an unforgettable journey through Prague and the Bohemian Countryside

Prague is Central Europe s most beautiful and mysterious city. Below her ancient stones lie secrets and stories from prehistoric, Celtic, Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque ages. Short of an actual visit, there is no better way to explore this legendary city than to settle back with a collection of paintings of the city and immerse yourself in the stories of a Czech writer. Those who treasure--or anticipate-- a visit to the entrancing city of Prague will find this vision difficult to resist.

Prague is a labyrinth of venerable architecture permeated with myth and folklore. Dr. C lek guides us through the ancient city with a keen respect for her mysteries and legends. Descriptive summaries give details and folklore of the buildings, music, personalities and history of this land.

Barbara Froula s passion for capturing the essence of place has been enlivened in this magical land, and a collection of over 100 paintings is shared in the pages of this book. Those who have visited the city will find that the softness of the images rekindles and enhances their own cherished memories. The immediacy of the sketches transports the reader to marble sidewalks traversed by Mozart and Kafka, Seifert and Smetana. Then we travel to countryside and villages where we find treasures such as Stones of Memory, the World Heritage Sites of Telc, Cesky Krumlov, and more.

..As a Czech expatriate who remained in love with the city where I spent my youth, I want to compliment you on the magical portrait of it and the sensitive text which I find unparalleled with any I have seen about the Golden City... Thank you for the pleasure your art has given me and for rekindling the genius loci for me.-D.Z., Evanston

Prague is indeed a unique place where history and dreams are truly interwoven. There are only a few people who understand the alchemic processes that have resulted in such a bizarre, often paradoxical but wonderful amalgamation. V clav C lek is definitely one of them, and the soft airiness of Barbara Froula s paintings engages the reader in this genuine Central European message. -His Excellency Martin Palous, Czech Ambassador to the U.S.