Czech Vašek (literal. "Czech

Václav Václav () is a Czech male first name of Slavic origin, sometimes translated into English as Wenceslaus or Wenceslas. These forms are derived from the old Slavic/Czech form of this name: Venceslav. Nicknames are: Vašek, Vašík, Venca, Venda For ...

", German: "Böhmischer

Wenzel Wenzel is a male given name (long version Wenzeslaus) as the German and Old English form of the Czech given name Václav or Venceslav, meaning "praised with glory". Variations are Вячеслав (Ukrainian and Russian), Vencel (Hungarian), Wacła ...

") is a

historical figure A historical figure is a significant person in history. The significance of such figures in human progress has been debated. Some think they play a crucial role, while others say they have little impact on the broad currents of thought and social ...

representing the national character of the Czech people used in time of national competition with German nationalism at the end of the 19th century.

Overview

Such figures differ from those that serve as

personifications Personification occurs when a thing or abstraction is represented as a person, in literature or art, as a type of anthropomorphic metaphor. The type of personification discussed here excludes passing literary effects such as "Shadows hold their b ...

of the nation itself, as Čechie did the Czech nation and

Marianne Marianne () has been the national personification of the French Republic since the French Revolution, as a personification of liberty, equality, fraternity and reason, as well as a portrayal of the Goddess of Liberty. Marianne is displayed in ...

the French. He is usually depicted in a

folk costume A folk costume (also regional costume, national costume, traditional garment, or traditional regalia) expresses an identity through costume, which is usually associated with a geographic area or a period of time in history. It can also indicat ...

combining hat from Pilsen region with clothes from different regions. They were used as a negative caricature of Czechs by Germans, symbolising them as street musicians. But also positively by Czech themselves. Czech Vašek is considered a counterpart to

Deutscher Michel (; "Michael the German") is a figure representing the national character of the German people, rather as John Bull represents the English. He originated in the first half of the 19th century. Overview Michel differs from figures that serve ...

, a figure representing the national character of the German people.

References

National personifications National symbols of the Czech Republic {{Culture-stub

Overview

See also

References