Jaroslava Blažková, Slovak writer, Died at 83

  Writer

Jaroslava Blažková was born on November 15, 1933, in Velké Meziříčí and died on February 20, 2017.

She was a Slovak novelist, short story writer, children’s writer and journalist.

Blažková completed studies in the philosophical department of Comenius University in Bratislava, in 1954 she worked as a journalist and freelance writer.

During the early 1960s, Blažková became one of the most important contributors to Mladá Tvorba, a literary journal for young people.

Blažková was also a key member of the so-called Generation 56 group of young authors, publishing innovative short stories in Mladá tvorba, Kultúrny život and other journals, written in a colloquial style with ironic overtones.

Blažková’s successful novella Nylonový mesiac (Nylon Moon, 1961), which later formed the basis of a screenplay, is a good example.

Blažková’s emphasis on the emancipation of her heroines can be seen in her collection of short stories Jahniatko a grandi (Lambs and Grandees, 1964).

Blažková’s books were no longer published in Czechoslovakia but she joined the Slovak service of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in Montreal, edited Nový domov (a magazine for emigrés) and worked for Josef Škvorecký’s publishing house 68 Publishers.

Blažková resided in Guelph, Ontario, but frequently visited Slovakia where her books have been republished

Jaroslava Blažková passed away at 83 years old.