Prague, Czech Republic – ondřej Suchý, a prolific artist spanning multiple disciplines, will celebrate his 80th birthday on Tuesday, September [date not specified in original text]. While often recognized as teh brother of celebrated artist Jiří Suchý,Ondřej forged a distinct and accomplished path in the world of art and entertainment,a fact Jiří himself acknowledges: “By letting me roller on my own,he did the best he coudl.”
Suchý’s career began with music, playing bass guitar with the band Crazy Boys led by Míky Volek.He then transitioned too painting and poetry, ultimately finding his niche in writing and cartoon humor. He served as an editor and, from 1979, oversaw the entertaining supplement to Svobodné slovo (Free Word) for 13 years. His humorous style is evident in over two dozen published books, including biographies of figures like Vlasta Burian, Oldřich nový, Jan Werich, Lída Baarová, and Charlie Chaplin.
A successful lyricist, Suchý cites both “I, either or I,” written for Hana Heger based on a French folk song, and the children’s song “I caught the earthworm at Passece,” for Dada Patras, as highlights of his work.
He is also a familiar face and voice on Czech radio and television, having participated in the children’s cabaret Malá televize (Small Television) and hosting Café U zapomenutých (Café of the Previously Born). He narrated audio recordings of travels with František Nepil and created a memorial album dedicated to Vladimír Menšík.
Beyond his individual pursuits, Ondřej and Jiří Suchý are connected to the cultural center of the “nostalgic Mouse” in Šemanovice, Kokořín region. In 1995, they transformed a former pig farm into a multipurpose space and cultural center, furnished with props from the Semafor Theatre. The location also served as a filming site for their radio talk show, Nostalgická Muzea zábavy (Nostalgic Museum of Entertainment), and for programs featuring IS Jára cimrman, including Salon Cimrman.
