As a university professor, Masaryk gave dozens of lectures in towns and smaller villages across Bohemia and Moravia. Invited by various local organizations, he spoke about prominent figures in Czech history (Jan Hus, František Palacký, Karel Havlíček…) and about current social and political issues. Especially in the first decade of the 20th century, his lectures often sparked controversy, particularly due to the Hilsner Affair, his anticlerical stance, or his election campaigns. Listeners often misunderstood him or even feared him (considering him a representative of some dangerous sect), and there were instances when his supporters had to physically protect him from enraged opponents — see, for example, the contrasting reactions to his lectures in Kladno, Louny, or Náchod, which took place around the same time.

 

We welcome texts (articles in the local press, leaflets, memoirs, etc.) that capture these local incidents. The most vivid descriptions will be published on our website and Facebook pages!

 

 

Many thanks to all who help enrich the history of Masaryk’s activities in the Czech Republic and Slovakia!