Vladimír Justl dies aged 81

Vladimír Justl (27 October 1928 in Kladno – 18 June 2010 in Prague) was a Czech editor (eg. Works of Vladimír Holan, František Langer, Josef Škvorecký), literary historian, theatre scholar and leading expert on Czech literature and theatre. In 1948 he was expelled from the Faculty of Arts at Charles University due to his membership in the People’s Party, he then graduated from the Philosophical Faculty at Palacký University in Olomouc.

Justl worked at the State Belles-Lettres and Art Publishing House (later renamed to Odeon), was the director and dramaturge at the Viola Wine Bar (Poetická vinárna Viola), and tirelessly explored artistic delivery. Between the years 1995 and 1999, he acted as the vice-chair of the Society of Czech Writers (Obec Spisovatelů). In 2005 he was awarded the ministerial medal Artis Bohemiae Amicis (Přátelé českého umění, Friends of Czech Art) for life’s work. Two years later – in 2007 – he was bestowed with the Magnesia Litera award for life-long contribution to Czech literature.