My Itinerary Has Been Monotonous for Quite a While

„Jirous was unique, a historian, a poet, a rock-and-roll magus, a brave spirit whose life testified that culture is politics.” (Tom Stoppard)

Imprisoned poet, art historian, band manager of the Plastic People of the Universe, and free-spirit under all circumstances, Ivan Martin Jirous (1944-2011) was, together with Václav Havel, one of the key personas of the Czechoslovak cultural opposition, representing its raw side known as the underground. Throughout his stormy life he wrote hundreds of poems often revealing the tender and even pious side of his wild personality.

Sensitively translated by Marek Tomin, My itinerary has been monotonous for quite a while is the first collection of Jirous’ work published in English. The selected poems, often revealing his tender and even pious side, were written while he was in Valdice prison in the 1980s and later published in Czech as the award-winning Magor’s Swan Songs. While imprisoned, he also wrote a book of short stories and poems for his daughters Františka and Marta, some of which are included in this anthology.

The book launch will be introduced by translator Marek Tomin and Czech literary critic Martin Machovec. Followed by a concert featuring members of the famous Prague Agon Orchestra - Ivan Acher and Ivan Bierhanzl (formerly of DG 307 and The Plastic People of the Universe) - and their UK guests. The evening will also present some of Jan Ságl´s Super 8 films documenting the concerts, happenings, author’s readings and daily events of the semi-illegal world in Czechoslovakia behind the Iron Curtain, a world that was possible largely thanks to Magor´s vision, courage and insanity. 

My Itinerary Has Been Monotonous for Quite a While is published by Divus.

line up:

Ivan Acher
video (based on rare Czech underground movies from 70s)

Ivan Bierhanzl
bass (Agon Orchestra, DekadentFabrik, ex- Plastic People of the Universe, Dg 307 etc.)

Chris Cutler

drums (ex- Henry Cow, Art Bears etc.)
http://www.ccutler.com

Walter Fabeck
keyboards (Icebreaker, Michael Nyman Band etc.)
http://www.walterfabeck.com 
http://www.icebreaker.org.uk/members/walter-fabeck/

Tim Hodgkinson
clarinet (ex-Henry Cow, Mike Oldfield etc.)
http://www.timhodgkinson.co.uk

James Poke
flute (Icebreaker)
http://www.icebreaker.org.uk/members/james-poke/

James Woodrow
guitar (Icebreaker, Gavin Bryars Ensemble etc.)
http://www.icebreaker.org.uk/members/james-woodrow/

More information:

Czech Centre London
www.czechcentre.org.uk

Agon Orchestra with Magor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFAk4lVYCLI

The Plastic People of the Universe - The Wondrous Mandarin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXUIAqGFYNw

Initiated and supported by Czech Centre London as part of the 21st Made in Prague Festival.