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This work is a summary of performers of bagpipe music in ethnographic regions throughout South Bohemia, focusing on the second half of the 20th century to the present day. It describes the musical activities of individual bagpipers, as well as the influence of bagpipe bands in Prácheňsko, Pošumava, Doudlebsko, Blata and Kozácko. The work should not only function as a chronological history catalog of folk musicians for those interested in folk culture, but also highlight their accomplishments in maintaining South Bohemian bagpipe traditions, in both its authentic form, as well as natural development.

The aim of this dissertation is to answer this question: what is the reason of folklore groups in Prague to reproduce and engage in the Moravian folklore. Apart from Moravians, Prague's native-born inhabitants also participate in these ensembles; which is possible to be considered as a specific phenomenon. This occurrence demands clarification. The main question is what the factors which influence the individual's interest in folklore are. Specifically what are the mechanisms of transmission of interest in this activity and what are the reasons why individuals are constantly devoted to folklore for a long period of time. The empirical part is devoted to these research questions. It tries to address these issues by the means of interviews with 13 respondents from a Prague's folklore ensemble. The theoretical part of the dissertation presents the base for the research questions. For example, it pursues the concept of socialization, identity or the contexts and functions of folklore in the contemporary society.

TITLE: Children's Folkloric Groups in Prague ABSTRACT: This thesis focuses on children's folkloric groups in Prague. In my thesis I chart individual children's folkloric groups in Prague and identify ethnographic regions of the Czech Republic covered by these groups. Another aim of my thesis is to collect information concerning organization of these folkloric groups. I describe various motivations of their leaders and founders. Using interview method, I determine why they put efforts in folkloric groups, describe their opinions on what such groups can bring to children and difficulties they encounter. Finally, my aim is to determine children's motivation to take active part in folkloric groups and folklore itself. In my thesis I use research methods - qualitative and quantitative research. KEY WORDS: folklore, folklorism, children's folkloric group, motivation

The vampire figure is very much a part of the literary landscape of today, and has been so for the last 200 years. The vampire has not always appeared as it does today, as the rich, urbane gentleman, but has its origins in old folklore legends. The idea that the vampire figure has changed over the course of history is not new, but instead of discussing the phenomena influencing, and changing, the vampire motif, this essay will try to shed light on the aspects of the folklore vampire that are still part of the vampire of today. By applying the theory of folklorism (folklore not in its original context, but rather the imitation of popular themes by another social class, or the creation of folklore for purposes outside the established tradition), presented by Hans Moser and Hermann Bausinger among others, this essay attempts to prove that the modern vampire is in fact a folklorism of the old folklore legends. The essay examines the more recent incarnation of the vampire, the literary vampire who emerged during the 18th and 19th century, with the intent to prove that, while it is different from its origin, it has several features in common with its ancestry as well. To show this, examples from Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1897), and the more recent novel Fangland (2007) by John Marks have been chosen to serve as basis for the analysis. Both novels clearly show instances where folklore has been brought into the narrative as a way to define and depict the vampire.

The aim of this thesis is to make a clear reflection of folklorism in the Czech Art Nouveau painting at the turn of 19th and 20th century. This era is characterized by the effort of artists to follow the development in western art as well as to find their own Czech way to the modern art. The establishment of new societies of art and the impact of art critics - leading personalities of cultural life - is another feature of this period. The last quarter of 19th century is the time connected with the national revival era, when the folk culture is seen as pure and original. The culmination of so called "ethnographic movement" is the Czech-Slavonic Ethnographical Exhibition which took place in Prague in 1895. This event was the main reason for the fact that many artist suddenly started to feel sympathies for the folk topics even though in the past they were interested in different themes. In the middle of these two tendencies: desire to follow the western development and the attempt to find an inspiration in folk culture, grew the work of so called "regional painters". This thesis aims to characterize this phenomenon and to exemplify it on the basis of artwork of selected regional artists. Main part of this thesis is dedicated to the life and work of Jaroslav Špillar who was the significant figure of...

The diploma thesis deals with the form and function of folk costume in the Tabor area, with emphasis on the present, the period of the 20th and the 21st century. The thesis follows the research of Doc. Štěpánová and partly applies the author's knowledge gained by the research executed in the bachelor thesis. Qualitative research, carried out mainly among members of folklore ensemble Kovářovan, used anthropological methods, semi-structured interview and attended observations, supplemented by an analysis of material from the collections of the Blata's museum in Soběslav (mainly the inheritance of Marie Prunerová and her family). The focal point of the research was description of current form of costume. The author focused on the particular parts of the costume, how to wear it properly, how to take care of it and furthermore what materials and patterns are used for sewing. As part of the costume's function, the motivation of members of the ensemble was investigated. The author analysed what encouraged them to wear the costume, for how long and what occasions they dressed for. In addition to the members of the ensemble, several teachers of local elementary schools were approached and their knowledge of the ethnographic area itself, the traditional Kozácko's folk costume and the possible influence of...

The concept of this diploma thesis is based on folklore, folklorism, national art, folk customs and traditions, specifically in the region of Moravian Slovakia. In the theoretical part, I define these terms. I point out the misuse of folklore for political or advertising purposes. I introduce artists who have dealt with the processing of folklore in the visual arts, and at the same time I introduce contemporary artists who have been inspired by Moravian Slovakia folklore motifs. In the research part, I chose the method of structured interviews of five respondents active in the field of folklore, and my goal was to subsequently analyze these interviews and identify meaning nodes. What is most important for the respondents is not a surprise to me, but a confirmation and sorting of ideas so that it can be a solid basis for pedagogical activities. The practical part offers a pedagogical portfolio, which is verified in practice, and there is an effort to use its didactic potential in primary school. KEYWORDS folklore, folklorism, qualitative research, folk art, ornament, pedagogy, Moravian Slovakia, traditions and customs, art

The thesis aims to cover the musical work of Jiří Pavlica for young listeners and performers and to find how it could be used during music classes for children in the first years of elementary school. The theoretical part of the thesis includes Jiří Pavlica's biography, the description of the author's and performer's work for children and its relation to folklorism. The theoretical part includes also four methodologies of how to work with a folk song in the elementary school. In the practical part eight preparations for model music lessons are presented, the preparations having been devised using the four methodologies. The thesis includes also testing and commenting on the actual applicability of the preparations.

This dissertation deals with sepulchral artworks of Franta Úprka (1868-1929), the Czech sculptor. At first his life is described. Franta Úprka was born in Kněždub, south-eastern Moravia. Beginning of his artistic activity belonged to the end of 19th century, when he worked as an assistant of two famous Czech sculptors - A. P. Wagner and Bohuslav Schnirch. His own career took place in the first two decades of the 20th century. Name Úprka is best known for Joža Uprka, Moravian painter and Franta's elder brother. Although Franta Úprka lived and worked in Prague from 1890th, the midpoint of his artistic interests and main theme of his sculptures was depicting people, traditions and subjects from his home country, Moravian Slovakia. Moravian Slovakia was specific part of Moravian countryside full of long lasting and still surviving folklore, folk traditions, peculiar vivacious characters and intact nature. As Auguste Rodin said during his visit of Moravian Slovakia in 1902 it was kind a Greek Helada overflowing with bright colours, sunshine and cheerful relaxed atmosphere. On the other side, common people lived there their uneasy rural lives with all ordinary worries and pleasures. Both sights of the issue were solved by Úprka's artworks. Very specific and the most significant part of his chef-d'oeuvre...