Ivan Klima, the master of Czech literature, is dead!

Ivan Klima, the master of Czech literature, is dead!

The Czech writer Ivan Klima died on October 4, 2025. Klima, who was born on September 14, 1931, is considered one of the most important authors of modern Czech literature. During his childhood, he and his family were interned in the Theresienstadt ghetto from 1942 to 1945 because of their Jewish origins.

After the Second World War, Klima rose to become one of the most outstanding writers in communist Czechoslovakia, alongside greats such as Milan Kundera and Bohumil Hrabal. His play “A Castle” earned him the reputation of “the innovator of Czech drama”. But his harsh criticism of the government led to his expulsion from the Communist Party in 1967 after he denounced abuse of power in a public speech.

Exile and return

After the suppression of the “Prague Spring,” Klima sought refuge in the United States, but returned to Prague three years later. Despite his return, he was only able to publish abroad until 1989 because a publication ban had been imposed on him. During this time he earned his living, among other things, as an author of cartoons and as a surveyor.

In 2002, Ivan Klima was awarded the Franz Kafka Prize, confirming his international recognition. During this time he spoke of a “relaxed relationship with Germany”, which reflects his perspective on the cultural connections between the countries.

A significant contribution to literature

Klima also attempted to capture the transition period after the fall of communism in his book Waiting for Darkness, Waiting for Light. His writings reflect the complex history of Czech literature, which has grown over centuries. Czech literature includes works in various languages, including ancient Old Church Slavonic texts and works from the 13th and 14th centuries.

Czech literature has continued to develop through significant periods, from the Old Church Slavonic traditions to the influences of Romanticism, Realism and modern trends. Especially after the Second World War, literature was exposed to the challenges of a communist regime, which also led to the emergence of samizdat literature in the 1970s. After the Velvet Revolution in 1989, Czech literature, including Klima, experienced a period of revival and the lifting of censorship.

Ivan Klima's legacy will live on in both Czech and international literary history. His works have significantly influenced the literary and cultural life of the Czech Republic and will continue to play an important role in the future. Further information about Czech literature can be found at Wikipedia.