Summary: The thesis "Folk As a Social Phenomenon in the Time of So Called Normalization" does not take folk primarily for a music style but it intends to demonstrate its limits the Communist power in Czechoslovakia had set for independent cultural activities in 1970s and 1980s. That is why the thesis is not a musicological one but a political and historic one. The text is based on a wide basis of sources: studies in archives, the analysis of valid legislation of that time, studies of contemporary press, interviewing the contemporary witnesses and using the witnesses' private archives and last but not least the lyrics of the songs themselves have been selected as important sources The text focuses on important milestones having the information value about the folk in 1970s and 1980s. There is provided an analysis of qualification tests which should have "cleansed" the official stages from "defective" musicians (and from a lot of folk singers as well). The demonstration of possibilities is given here showing the fact the folk could survive and balance on the edge of the public life in spite of all legislation barriers and this either in the form of circumventing the law and using the gaps in the law (folk singers' union Šafrán (Saffron)) or in the form of "hacking" the system, i.e. gaining influence in an...

Thesis Czech folk scene and political persecution after 1977, deals with the events in Czechoslovakia folk music scene after the release of Charter 77. Thesis is focused on members of the folk group Šafrán (Saffron). Studied period of time is placed between 1977 and the first half of the 80s in Czechoslovakia. Thesis is divided into two parts. Introduction of the thesis and its first part is dedicated to the political and cultural situation of the 70s of the 20th century. The second part of the thesis describes the origin and development of folk music as an independent musical genre in Czechoslovakia. The main aim of the thesis is a partial depiction of life situation of folk singer-songwriters in the specified time period. Thesis is based on chosen musician's personal memories of political persecution, which was directed against their work as well. The final part of the thesis is dedicated to the development and course of the secret police Action Asanace (Redevelopment). The event had an impact not only on the personal lives of these artists, but also on the further development of folk music in the late 20th century in Czechoslovakia.