Unleashing Creativity: Exploring Jiří Trnka’s Renaissance Garden of Versatility

Jiří Trnka (24 February 1912 in Pilsen – 30 December 1969 in Prague) was an exceptionally talented individual who excelled in many artistic areas, including being an artist, puppeteer, illustrator, painter, sculptor, writer, scriptwriter, designer of theatre sets and costumes, and director. His contributions significantly impacted almost every realm of art, particularly through his Puppet and animated films and book illustrations, which have inspired countless generations with their rich creativity and poetic expression. From 1938 to 1958, he resided in the beautiful Košíří at the Turbova estate. After that time, he relocated to the Baroque-style Huml’s house located on Kampa, right alongside the Čertovka River. This picturesque area, not far from the home of his good friend Jan Werich, became his residence until he passed away.
Did Trnka derive inspiration from the very garden in Kampa that sparked the creation of the recognizable book The Garden? And where did the entire idea originate from? Join us as we explore the enchanting garden hidden behind the tall wall, where boredom dissolves in the series of Czech tales!

Trnka’s Garden: A Dream from Childhood

Even though Jiří Trnka did not see himself primarily as a writer, he had entertained the concept of creating a fairy-tale story for quite a while. The idea blossomed in 1962, and he chose a straightforward title for the book: The Garden. This book resembles The Little Prince (1943) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry or the book Tibet: The Secret of the Red Box (2005) by Peter Sís. The narrative, which involves five boys venturing into a magical garden, is largely targeted at children, but Trnka intended for adults to appreciate it too.
Trnka’s Garden, woven with elements of mystery where nothing is as it appears, has found favor with both critics and readers. The New Books magazine described the book as a blend of a modern fairy tale and an adult’s nostalgic dream of childhood. His long-time friend František Hrubín wrote to Trnka: “Your tales are truly excellent; there were moments I laughed like a child, which kids will definitely enjoy, though perhaps the teachers might not be as thrilled, but you are someone that they can’t overlook.”

Notably, the esteemed French poet, painter, and filmmaker Jean Cocteau remarked about Trnka: “Trnka – this is the realm of childhood and poetry.”

Kampa is another kingdom of poetry. This delightful part of Prague was given its current name only in the 18th century, although its history stretches back much further. The Strouha River already separated it from Mala Strana by the 12th century. Numerous mills, such as Hutsky, Zlomkovsky, Stepanovsky, Odkolkovsky, and Sovovsky, used to be located here. By the 16th century, artisans who needed water for their crafts, including potters and tanners, began to populate the area. Interestingly, the history of the present Werich Villa, which previously housed a tannery, began around that same time.

The Journey to the Garden of the Turbová Homestead

Kampa used to be filled with gardens, many of which belonged to nobility and remained inaccessible to the public. A notable garden was the Michnovsky Palace (still recognized today by the Michnovsky Summer Palace), along with others like Odkolkovská garden, Kaiserštejnská garden, and Nostic. These gardens eventually merged to form today’s park. Trnka discovered an old, rust-covered iron gate set against a tall stone wall in another location.

The renowned illustrator and filmmaker initially lived with his first wife in Koširi at the Turbova estate, before moving to Kampa near his friend Jan Werich in 1958. It was four years later that The Garden was born. Legend has it that Trnka found inspiration for the enchanting tale in the garden belonging to a basket maker’s homestead. The historic gardens and winding streets of the Lesser Town likely sparked fond memories of a lost childhood paradise, where a whale, a dwarf, a cat, and dogs would play amidst the vibrant, whimsical scenery.
The enchanting garden shared by the boys, the cat, and the dwarf lingers within our minds as a magical, unattainable space—yet you won’t find such charm in the Basketry industry anymore. The Baroque vineyard estate Turbová, located on Jinonická Street near the intersection with Vrchlického Street, had fallen into disrepair for a long time; now, new modern homes are being developed where the old Trnka garden once thrived.
The book, centered on the enchanting garden involving a group of boys and a troublesome cat, inspired a captivating five-part puppet movie. This film was created by the same talented team behind the well-known animated stories of two bears meeting near Cologne, titled Come on, sir, let’s play. With its unique blend of creativity and mystery, The animated series The Garden has an atmosphere similar to a children’s horror story. You can watch it at your convenience on the Czech Television website.

Discover the Life and Works of Jiří Trnka

Jiří Trnka was a remarkable Czech artist whose talents spanned multiple fields—he was a puppeteer, illustrator, painter, sculptor, writer, screenwriter, and animation director. His innovative contributions greatly expanded the horizons of Czech art and animation.

Trnka is best known for his acclaimed puppet films, including Zvířátka a Petrovští, Staré pověsti české, Osudy dobrého vojáka Švejka (The Fate of the Good Soldier Švejk), and Sen noci svatojánské (A Midsummer Night’s Dream).

One of his celebrated literary works, The Garden, tells the enchanting tale of five boys exploring a mysterious garden. While intended for children, the book’s charm also resonates with adult readers. Inspiration for The Garden is believed to have come from the garden at the Turbová estate in Košice, although Prague’s historic gardens and the enchanting streets of the Lesser Town may also have influenced his storytelling.

The Garden has earned glowing reviews from both critics and readers, praised as a captivating blend of modern fairy tale and a nostalgic dream of childhood.

In his final years, Jiří Trnka lived in Huml’s house on Kampa Island in Prague, where he spent time with his close friend, Jan Werich.