Byl štědrý prosinec – Bystrov Michal (2025)

We present to you a Christmas anthology like no other in a long time. Over fifty authors, classics of Czech poetry, have come together in a large book dedicated to the magical period of the year's end. December, Advent, frost and snow, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Carols, rorates, Christmas trees, nativity scenes. St. Nicholas and Christmas markets, Silent Night, traditions and superstitions. Sleigh rides with bells, building snowmen, and other winter delights. Waiting for Baby Jesus in families both content and poor, with children and without, in peace and during war. Happiness, smiles, memories, or solitude.

And then New Year's Eve celebrations, but also reflections on everything the old year gave and took away. Enjoy the holidays of peace and tranquility with this extensive anthology, illuminated by the verses of Jaroslav Seifert, Fráňa Šrámek, Jaroslav Vrchlický, Jan Neruda, and others.

Editor Michal Bystrov interspersed selected poems with stories about the origins of the most famous Christmas and New Year songs (Good King Wenceslas, Jingle Bells, Auld Lang Syne). Not to mention the story of the first Christmas tree in Prague. Thus, a book was created that has been missing from the Czech market for many years and to which you will often return. Not just during the Advent season.