I need to go home. Prague always charges me, says Jan Kraus’ sister Eliška. After August 68, she remained in Colombia
As part of her studies, Eliška Krausová left for Colombia in July 1968. It was supposed to be a stay of several months during which she would practice Spanish. The South American state eventually became her second home after the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia a month later.
Also read
“It simply came to our notice then. That’s why I went to the Aliens Police. Coincidentally, there was a general sitting in charge of the entire station. He looked at my papers and said not to go to the Czechoslovak Embassy that it was the territory of Czechoslovakia and they could take me. And then he said, ‘If you behave properly here, you will be happy here. We will always stand up for you. ‘ I really liked that, because until then I felt like I was out of nowhere, ”Kraus recalls her decision to stay in Colombia.
Although she received her doctorate from a local university, she had to re-enter college from the first year. “Official relations between Czechoslovakia and Colombia do not exist. And so they could not recognize my diploma from Prague. They said that I only have a postgraduate study, but from their point of view, I miss it all before, “he says.
“I did it all again. But I announced that I liked the teachings. A few years later, I won the audition and entered the university, “he admits. It was written in 1991 and Colombia was undergoing major changes. “Universities across the country have begun setting up international relations offices. And it occurred to someone that I should do it. And so I set about it and stayed there for 25 years, “he adds.
Teacher career
Although her main job was foreign relations and arranging study stays, she always found time at the faculty to at least help with teaching. For example, French, which she taught in high school for several years.
Also read
“Being a teacher is like being an actor. You have to have talent. And you have to entertain you. It is very important to believe that if you really want something, you will succeed. And as a teacher, you have to pass this on to the young people. They will know when you think well of them, “believes Krausová.
At the same time, I add a warning: “Being a professor can also be very dangerous. Precisely because one can easily convince young people of what one thinks for oneself. About what he thinks is good and what isn’t. “
Return to the Czech Republic
Although she lost her Czech citizenship after her decision to stay in Latin America, Eliška Krausová never betrayed the Czech Republic. “Fortunately, they returned my Czech citizenship. I need to go home to Prague. For some energy reasons. Prague always charges me with energy, “he explains.
Also read
And so, thanks to her, the University of Bogotá established cooperation with Charles University in Prague several years ago. “Now, for a change, we are participating with great vigor in the anniversary of Jan Amos Comenius. Several new subjects were created. We are preparing symposia and conferences not only in our country, but also at other Colombian universities and high schools. We want to show what Comenius’ views can give to pedagogy, philosophy and free thinking in general, “says Krausová.
Come to the Czech Republic with her hobby as well. When the Ministry of Foreign Affairs decided to close the Czech embassy in Colombia, it founded at least a compatriot association with several friends. “It is not very big in terms of the number of members, but we manage to hold several exhibitions a year. And we help, for example, that at least one contemporary Czech writer appears at the second largest book fair in South America every year, ”describes the activities of the association, its founder, Professor Eliška Krausová.
Listen to the whole interview of Vladimír Kroc with Eliška Krausová. You will also learn how the internet and her Czech helped her, how much she missed to emigrate to Canada, or what her acting career looked like on Colombian television.