Kytice, My Homeland
The Treasure, The Wedding Shirt, Lady Midday, The Golden Spinning-Wheel, Christmas Eve, Little Dove, The Water-Goblin or The Daughter’s Curse… These are notorious texts perceived in contemporary Czech society as a kind of horror fairy tale. This perception sparked the idea of a theatrical adaptation aimed at accentuating Erben’s phenomenal use of countless metaphors woven throughout the text, transcending mere fairy-tale motifs.
Director Eliška Říhová has delicately dissected from Kytice (The Bouquet) the core of her production – the mother-daughter relationship. This dynamic serves not only as the foundational element of most of the ballads in the collection but also propels their narratives forward. Collaborating with dramaturg Alžběta Nováková, she explores the complexities of both a specific mother who kills her child and the archetype of a mother who cradles the world in her hands. The mother figure transcends gender, emerging as a universal role model, and thus is portrayed by award-winning actor Michal Kern. Lukas Blaha Bliss, Sára Vosobová and David Petrželka embody the daughter at various stages of her journey.
Kytice stands as a timeless text woven into the fabric of Czech culture since the 19th century. It is this enduring presence that leads the creators to view Erben’s verses as our collective home – a sanctuary in which few seek refuge because of its initial appearance of helplessness, cruelty and death. The production of Kytice, my homeland presents these themes as transformative necessities that both parents and children must confront to evolve their relationship. The ballads serve as symbolic mirrors reflecting the intricate dynamics of the child-parent relationship, perpetually entwined with the fear of inadequacy across generations.
We tell the tale of a mother who possesses an endless number of attempts to bring her daughter to adulthood. The child in Kytice dies again and again but is also continuously reborn.
In Czech language with English subtitles.
Creative Team
Director, Text Adaptation: Eliška Říhová
Dramaturgy: Alžběta Nováková
Set Design: Jan Tomšů
Costumes: Linda Boráros
Video: David Pavlis
Music: Ivan Acher
Choreography Collaboration: Angela Nwagbo
Lighting Design: Vojta Tomášek
Technical Production: Štěpán Hejzlar
Production: Alice Kofláková, Ester Zoe Pospíšilová
Cast: Michal Kern, Lukas Blaha Bliss/Kateřina Bejčková, Sára Vosobová, David Petrželka, Dita Fialová
Tickets – CZK 390 (standard), CZK 270 (reduced fare)
Accessibility – suitable for teenagers, barrier-free
Vibe check – seating available, takes place indoors
Trigger warnings – flashing lights
Organizer – Vzlet
The cultural crossroads Vzlet offers a diverse and high-quality cultural program in Vršovice that resonates across Prague’s cultural scene. It provides a vibrant, multifunctional space that embraces both programming and spatial challenges. Vzlet breaks away from the everyday experience of cultural events – showcasing compelling artists, delivering immersive experiences, and offering a rich program of theatre, music, and education.
In terms of theatre, Vzlet features projects by the legendary collective VOSTO5 as well as a wide range of original productions led by acclaimed creators and emerging talents.
