Josef Topol

April 1, 1935

Josef Topol (April 1, 1935 – June 15, 2015) was a Czech playwright and poet, known for his contributions to modern Czech theater. He co-founded the Divadlo za branou (Theatre Beyond the Gate) in Prague in 1965, which was later shut down by the Czechoslovak government in 1972. Topol was a signatory of Charter 77, a human rights declaration opposing the communist regime in Czechoslovakia. His works often explored themes of human struggle, political oppression, and existential dilemmas. Some of his notable plays include Their Day (1959) and End of Carnival (1969). Topol was married to Jiřina Topolová, the daughter of writer Karel Schulz, and had two sons: Jáchym Topol, a distinguished writer, and Filip Topol, a musician and frontman of the underground band Psí vojáci, which became an artistic voice of resistance. Beyond his professional and family life, Topol shared a deep personal bond with Vlastimil Harapes, the celebrated Czech ballet dancer. Harapes revealed that they had lived together for 44 years in the same house on Malá Strana, Prague, and that he considered Filip Topol as his own son, even assisting him in finding an apartment. While Harapes did not explicitly define their relationship as romantic, he acknowledged their unwavering companionship and mutual support, highlighting the significance of their connection.