An exhibition dedicated to a significant figure not only in the Ostrava literary scene – the writer Jan Balabán, recipient of the Magnesia Litera Award.
And why a writer and an industrial enterprise in Vítkovice?
Jan Balabán joined VŽSKG in 1985 in the Translations and Services department as part of the Graduate Entry Practice Plan. He worked at the enterprise, now under a different name and after social changes, until 1999. The exhibition aims to convey the atmosphere of the working environment of that time; a whole that influenced him for many years. The concept was created in collaboration with Archiv Vítkovice, a.s.
Mrs. Petra Sasínová (wife of Jan Balabán) lent the original Magnesia Litera Award, her husband's university index, diaries, notes on company paper, and photographs for the exhibition. You can also look forward to the large smalt by Daniel Balabán, the author's brother, and texts from students of the Language Gymnasium Pavel Tigrid in Ostrava-Poruba responding to excerpts from Jan's stories. The exhibition will also include a reminder of the construction of the new city cycle bridge (including time-lapse), which – at the suggestion of architect Josef Pleskot and Jan Světlík – now bears the name of Jan Balabán.
The opening of the exhibition Jan Balabán – Vítkovice will take place on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 18:00 at Gallery Gong in Dolní Vítkovice. Entry is free. The exhibition will run until Saturday, July 19, 2025. The gallery is located on the ground floor of the Multifunctional Hall Gong.
But we are not ending with the exhibition!
Not only teachers but also the public can participate in the event at Gong (Small Hall) – June 5 and 6, 2025 BALABÁN?! BALABÁN!
The Ostrava Transport Company will send a literary tram – students will quote from the works of Jan Balabán directly in the vehicle… You might meet them too!