RESUMÉ V ANGLICKÉM JAZYCE Slaný is a town not only with a long history, but also with rich cultural and social traditions. It has also become the birthplace, home town or temporary place of engagement for many eminent artists and writers of the Czech cultural scene. At present, the royal town of Slaný represents a natural administrative and social centre of its neighbourhood. Václav Štech, an outstanding teacher, writer, playwright and organizer, spent many years of his fecund life here. His tireless activity and enthusiasm have left a trace in the history of all Slaný societies in the last quarter of 19thcentury and the town of Slaný has to thank him for the opening of the municipal theatre and library, laying the foundations of the municipal museum and creating the tradition of the Slaný yearbook called Slánský obzor (Slaný Horizon). Štech celebrated his home town in his numerous literary works. As a beginning writer, he focused his attention to theatre; then he focused more on writing humorous short stories and bulky novels. In his novels he captured the life of a small town at the end of 19th century. Štech's humorous writings are typical for its sharp criticism of provincial conditions, ironic view and caricature of the main characters (small-town figures). The humour of his books is caustic, at times...