Pejskaři – Erml Richard (2024)

Into the peaceful world of dog owners in Libeň burst news of Russian aggression like a beast ready to slaughter their beloved companions. They couldn't imagine anything worse. How is this possible!? they said to themselves in shock. Meanwhile, they firmly held onto their pints, and it seemed that nothing could disrupt their way of life, indifferent to a society that worships success. Our bachelor beer gang was contentedly unsuccessful, but not indifferent. The story captures the first months following the shocking invasion of Ukraine; in those nearly three years, much has changed, yet the essence remains: how is this possible!? *************** "A constant theme in Richard Erml's prose from Libeň is the world of dogs. I truly do not know – after Vácha's Mystique of Smell – of another such distinctive author who can see the 'dog owner' theme so rawly and empathetically. Dogs become more than equal partners to Erml's outsiders, as if cut out from Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, witnessing all the misery and glory of our proud civilization. In this novella, however, the poet of prose introduces a new theme, a new motif, alongside previous themes of family and relationships, as his characters experience the attacked and suffering Ukraine, which has been enduring for more than two years against the backdrop of our indifference.…