Miroslav Válek
Encyclopedia
Miroslav Válek was a Slovak poet, publicist and politician. He was also the Minister of Culture in the government of Slovak Socialistic Republic within the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic.
and from 1947 to 1949 he studied at Vysoká škola obchodná in Bratislava. During the years 1949–1963 he worked as an editor for magazines (Slovenský roľník, Týždeň, Družstevný obzor), finally becoming general editor of Mladá tvorba.
In 1962 he joined the Communist party of Czechoslovakia
. In the years 1966–1967 he was general editor of the magazine Romboid and also the secretary of Zväz slovenských spisovateľov, later (1967–1968) serving as its president. Válek was politically active and occupied some high positions in Communist party. In years 1969–1988 Válek was Minister of Culture. It is said he was trying to soften the effects Normalization
had on Slovak culture. He had already left political life on his own when the November change 1989 (Velvet Revolution
) came.
He died in Bratislava
.
Biography
Miroslav Válek was born in TrnavaTrnava
Trnava is a city in western Slovakia, 47 km to the north-east of Bratislava, on the Trnávka river. It is the capital of a kraj and of an okres . It was the seat of a Roman Catholic archbishopric . The city has a historic center...
and from 1947 to 1949 he studied at Vysoká škola obchodná in Bratislava. During the years 1949–1963 he worked as an editor for magazines (Slovenský roľník, Týždeň, Družstevný obzor), finally becoming general editor of Mladá tvorba.
In 1962 he joined the Communist party of Czechoslovakia
KSC
KSC can mean:* Karlsruher SC, a German football team* Keene State College, a US college that is part of the University System of New Hampshire* Keepers of The Sacred Chao...
. In the years 1966–1967 he was general editor of the magazine Romboid and also the secretary of Zväz slovenských spisovateľov, later (1967–1968) serving as its president. Válek was politically active and occupied some high positions in Communist party. In years 1969–1988 Válek was Minister of Culture. It is said he was trying to soften the effects Normalization
Normalization (Czechoslovakia)
In the history of Czechoslovakia, normalization is a name commonly given to the period 1969 to about 1987. It was characterized by initial restoration of the conditions prevailing before the reform period led by Alexander Dubček , first of all, the firm rule of the Communist Party of...
had on Slovak culture. He had already left political life on his own when the November change 1989 (Velvet Revolution
Velvet Revolution
The Velvet Revolution or Gentle Revolution was a non-violent revolution in Czechoslovakia that took place from November 17 – December 29, 1989...
) came.
He died in Bratislava
Bratislava
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava...
.
Books of poetry
- 1959 - Dotyky (Touches)
- 1961 - Príťažlivosť (Attraction)
- 1963 - Nepokoj (Unrest)
- 1965 - Milovanie v husej koži (Lovemaking in Goose Skin)
- 1973 - Súvislosti (Contexts)
- 1976 - Slovo (Word)
- 1977 - Z vody (From Water)
- 1977 - Zakázaná láska (Forbbiden Love)
- 1983 - Básne (Verses) (collected edition)