Czech Heaven - Jára Cimrman Theater Celebrates 45th Anniversary

Jára Cimrman is a fictional Czech genius originally created by Zdeněk Svěrák, Ladislav Smoljak and Jiří Šebánek. Jára Cimrman started of as one of many mystifications in the hoax radio program “The Spider Non-Alcoholic Wine Bar.” It was a program that pretended to hold live broadcasting from a well-established jazz wine bar.

Šebánek,Smoljak and their friends filled the transmission with fictional news and remarks on non-existent issues. Cimrman soon established himself as probably the only “stable” hoax on the program. From an amateur ice sculptor from 1960′, Cimrman’s character evolved over many and many transmissions into a long forgotten genius from the turn of the 19th and 20th century.

In 1967, Cimrman’s creators established the Jára Cimrman Theatre (Žižkovské divadlo Járy Cimrmana), where Jára Cimrman further evolved into a bold figure of his own stature, and his popularity has been rising ever since. The principal writers of the plays played in Jára Cimrman Theater were Zdeněk Svěrák and Ladislav Smoljak, and they are also rightfully seen as the fathers of Cimrman as he is know today.

Director of the 45th anniversary program at Žižkovské divadlo Járy Cimrmana was Jan Svěrák, the son of Zdeněk Svěrák (one of the founders of the theatre). Jan Svěrák studied documentary filmmaking at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. He and his films have received awards including the Academy Award, Crystal Globe, Golden Globe, and Tokyo Grand Prix.