Ondřej Hrabal
- Czech Republic -
Ondřej Hrabal (b. 1995) is a Czech poet—the winner of the 2018 national poetry slam championship, author of three collections of poetry, and one children’s book. He performed his poetry at the largest demonstration in the Czech Republic after the Velvet Revolution, attended by 300,000 people. He is the frontman and lyricist of Bartleby (alternative rap). He organizes cultural events and literary festivals. He got his degree in Philosophy and English Philology at Palacky University (Olomouc, CZ). He also studied Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia (Norwich, UK) and Philosophy at the University of the Basque Country (San Sebastián, Spain). He is the CEO of Nugis Finem Publishing.
Initially, Ondřej Hrabal gained recognition on the Czech literary scene as a slam performer. His performances, marked by a dynamic use of language, rhythm, and intonation, quickly earned him a sizeable following, and in 2018, he won the title of national slam poetry champion. The performative aspect thanks to which his poems, combined with a subtle sense of space and time, are not just literary works but living, breathing entities remains a key component of his poetic identity, even as he transitions into more 'traditional' forms of written poetry with the publication of his debut poetry collection Nezkoušej se usmát (Don't try to smile, JT's publishing house, 2019). The book represents a significant shift in Hrabal's poetic approach, moving away from the immediacy of performance and towards a more reflective and introspective mode of expression, while the poems, for the most part shorter in form, address themes of identity, alienation and the contradictions of contemporary life, particularly in the younger generation. The tension between the desire to be connected and the reality of isolation is just one of the numerous central themes, and while the author's language is at once direct and elusive, playful and witty, mixing humour with a sense of melancholy. This mixture results in a particular duality evident throughout the work, which through its alternation and mastery of expression creates a mellifluous depiction of the complex emotional landscape of contemporary existence, and is well able to reflect the existential uncertainty of the modern world.
In his next poetry collection, Racci (Gulls, JT's nakladatelství, 2020), Hrabal’s exploration of existential themes deepens, with the poems expanding into more extensive forms alongside a series of shorter poems, and adopting a more poetic tone. The title itself, using gulls as a metaphor, signals the collection’s examination of the transient nature of life, marking Hrabal’s shift towards a more reflective lyricism. The texts, imbued with a sense of contemplation and enriched with more intricate poetic imagery, evoke fleeting moments of beauty and introspection, emblematic of the individual human experience. The lyrical subject oscillates between a dream world of harmony, much of which is connected to nature, and the world of technology and media as the main backdrop. Just as in his debut, but with a slightly more subtlety, he also makes important references to interpersonal relationships, reflecting inner processes, evoking social criticism, and painting a picture of world events.
Hrabal’s evolution as a poet, both in form and content, is further evidenced by his third poetry collection, Přenašeči závěsů (Curtain Carriers, Bílý Vigvam, 2023), where his poetic vision deepens, venturing on a journey into near-complete introspection. Unlike his previous work, which focused on broader social contexts, this collection confronts personal and intimate themes, turning inward to explore past experiences and personal relationships. The collection is marked by a fragmented structure and the use of disjointed images, reflecting the nonlinear nature of memory and the complexity of human experiences. The titular curtains serve as a potent metaphor for the apparent boundary between the past and present, the self and the external world. This book can be seen as Hrabal’s most accomplished to date, demonstrating his ability to weave complex emotional narratives with a rich imaginative language, frequently employing metaphors and symbolism in order to convey intricate emotional states. The poems exhibit linguistic inventiveness and fluidity, offering multiple interpretations, as Hrabal delves into the passage of time and how memory shapes our perception of the present. In reexamining the past, he also questions language itself, where the intimate meets the collective, yet communication between them seems almost impossible. Interpersonal relationships and the relation between the lyrical subject and the self become lost in a cacophony of traditions, past stories, and the tensions within contemporary society, torn between the need for engagement and resignation under the weight of modern progress. Ultimately, all that remains for the lyrical subject are memories and fragmented pieces, which hold the key to the search for humanity.
Thus, Hrabal's work addresses profound and significant questions of identity, alienation, and the search for meaning in a world whose neoliberal “progress” often leaves individuals disillusioned and apprehensive about the future. His work effectively captures the spirit of his generation, while engaging with timeless existential human questions, making his contributions both relevant and enduring. Hrabal is a poet whose work defies easy categorisation; his ability to move between the spoken and written word while maintaining his distinctive voice marks him off as one of the most innovative and significant poets of his generation. His versatility is further evidenced by his creation of works for younger audiences, such as the children’s book of poems, Tasemnice hledá byt (Tapeworm Looking for an Apartment, Host, 2022), which combines playful themes with a deeper exploration of identity and belonging, addressing topics that resonate with both children and adults through humor and wit. Ondřej Hrabal's contribution to contemporary Czech writing is therefore important not only for his individual talent, but also for what he represents in the wider literary sphere, as his work bridges the gap between performance and written poetry, proving that these two forms can complement and enrich each other. At the same time, Hrabal's work offers its readers a deep immersion in his expression of personal and social issues, delivered in a unique poetic style combining both linguistic innovation and emotional depth.
Essay written by Aljaž Koprivnikar
Poetry
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not even a bit / ani trošku
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not even a bit / ani trošku
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water level / hladina
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full english / full english
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at the confluence of rivers / u soutoku řek
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ambition / ambice
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serotonin / serotonin
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ciggies without filter / startky bez filtru
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board games / deskovky
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labour productivity / produktivita práce
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the poster boy / kluk z plakátu
