Listy

This should be the week I start to get myself back into some kind of professional routine. It is only a couple of weeks before my course starts, and as it is something I have no experience of, I shall actually be doing some preparation. Quite what, I don’t know. I have, of course kindly been provided with a wealth of information by the school themselves, so that should at once keep me going for a couple of days and give me some idea of further reading and what is required in general.

My only concern is that, as has been stressed to me repeatedly, it is not a course that is academic in any way. Although I feel much more comfortable about the thought of teaching small groups of non-English speakers now than I did when the idea of me doing the course was first mooted, some 10 years ago now, my mindset is still very much that of an academic. In actual fact, I have often found the exegesis of books, works of art, etc, or, indeed the analysis of structure within language, or of history, to be of more interest than the primary sources themselves. I suppose it come from the scientific/logical manner in which my brain works. I have issues appreciating the abstract beauty, but when things are placed within a (pseudo-)logical framework, they engage and inspire me far more. I hope the training experience I have will stand me in good stead, or at least give me a starting point. Fortunately, it is not a group of North London teenagers I have to try and inspire to learn about German recycling laws.

The necessity of a framework also lead me to Veletržní palác in search of Czech Socialist Realism (having heard/read that this held the best collection of Czech 20th century art). I was a little disappointed – there was only one small room. I shall endeavour to find out where exactly these works are stored and try to make a visit. There were, however other points of interest – not least because they exhibit architectural plans, theatre stage and costume designs and material goods (including radios, scooters and immense amounts of glassware) – a mini-V&A, if you will. Plus they had two whole floors of contemporary Chinese art. And the building itself is an architectural joy (on the inside, anyway).

Then a walk through Stromovka, a voyage of discovery in Bubeneč, heading towards Dejvická along the few remaining streets and in the shadow of buildings that directly betray the city’s socialist past.