Kultura na talíři: Jídlo, pití a česká kultura
| Title in English | Culture on a plate: Food, Drinks, and Czech culture |
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| Authors | |
| Year of publication | 2025 |
| Type | Requested lectures |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | This lecture examines food and drink as a key elements of Czech national culture, not only in terms of nutrition but also as rich cultural symbols and media products. Drawing on broader definitions of culture, the author argues that gastronomy reflects and shapes collective identity, with Czech beer culture serving as a central case. From historical pubs to literary works, such as The Good Soldier Švejk and Bohumil Hrabal's writings, food and drinks appear as symbolic spaces of equality, nostalgia and national pride. The article also explores the aesthetic representation of cuisine in literature and media – from socialist-era TV series to contemporary culinary trends. Special attention is paid to the transformation of public discourse on gastronomy through shows like Ano, šéfe!, which reintroduced the figure of the chef as a cultural authority. Czech dishes such as smažený sýr (fried cheese) are interpreted as both everyday comfort food and markers of cultural memory. For students of Czech culture, food offers a vital lens trough which to understand societal values, artistic expression, and national mythologies. |
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