About the PSI Project
Pavel Šmok Institute</span> Ballet Prague Heritage Overview of Publications
Pavel Šmok Institute</span>
Our project focuses on documenting and digitising materials covering or associated with the productions of (Studio) Ballet Prague and Prague Chamber Ballet. These two ensembles shaped the Czech and Czechoslovak dance and ballet scene in the second half of the 20th century. The project also involves the processing of photographs and video recordings taken of the dance productions and creating an archive of Ballet Prague and Prague Chamber Ballet. Our collection contains diverse accompanying materials, such as production booklets, leaflets, promotional brochures, posters, newspaper clippings and reviews from around the world, etc., which we are gradually sorting and digitising.
Our main activities are as follows:
- Creating the archive in digital and physical form
- Preparation of a video library
- Online database of Ballet Prague and Prague Chamber Ballet repertoire available at balletprague-heritage.cz
- Debates and lectures for students and general public
- Publishing activities: editorial series “Studio Ballet Prague and Prague Chamber Ballet – History and Leading Figures”
Ballet Prague Heritage
At the Ballet Prague Heritage website, we are building a database of choreographies that were staged by both ensembles. The website will feature overviews of the productions and their creators and performers, as well as a brief history of both ensembles and profiles of their leading figures.
From the photo archive: Intimate Letters (choreography Pavel Šmok, dancers Petr Koželuh and Marcela Martiníková), photo Karel Čejka
The virtual gallery available on this website will contain documentation covering the work of Pavel Šmok, who undoubtedly ranks among the greatest personalities of Czech dance and art scene of the 20th century, and part of the work of Luboš Ogoun, a distinctive choreographer, dancer, director, and teacher, who co-founded Studio Balet Praha – the first experimental art ensemble – together with Pavel Šmok and dramaturg Vladimír Vašut.
On this website, we publish the noteworthiest and best-preserved materials, which you can easily view in your browser and use as source material. The prevailing part of the materials will be kept in the digital and physical archive administered by the Pavel Šmok Endowment Fund and Institute, which will be available to researchers at our headquarters located at the Dance Art Centre in Braník.
The BPH website contains the following items:
- Database of choreographies prepared by Ballet Prague and later also by Prague Chamber Ballet
- Database of the profiles of choreographers, dancers and other leading figures associated with the two ensembles,
- Extensive set of visuals: photos, promotional materials, reviews, articles…
- Milestones in the history of both ensembles
Overview of Publications
The Pavel Šmok Endowment Fund and Institute publish the editorial series Studio Ballet Prague and Prague Chamber Ballet – History and Leading Figures under the publishing name Ballet Prague, focused on books about 20th century Czechoslovak and Czech ballet. The illustrated non-fiction books celebrate this noble art and commemorate the creators who shaped it, especially in the period after World War II.
The pilot publication covered the history of the first ensemble, co-founded by Pavel Šmok and Luboš Ogoun: (Studio) Ballet Prague – The New Wave in Czechoslovak Choreography.
The book is available for purchase at our e-shop.
An illustrated publication dedicated to the personality and work of Pavel Šmok was published in 2023 under title: “Pavel Šmok – Choreographer with a Poet’s Soul.
The book is available for purchase at our e-shop.
A biography of Luboš Ogoun was published within the same edition in 2024. The book titled Luboš Ogoun – A Star of Post-War Ballet is available for purchase at our e-shop here.