The book by Katerina Solcova presents a very interesting correspondence between Dmitrij Tschizewskij (1894 - 1977), a renowned Slavist of Ukrainian descent, and Milada Blekastad (1917 - 2003), the author of the best so far monograph on Comenius' life and intellectual heritage. Dr. K. Solcova collected und commented twenty-two letters of the Tschizewskij-Blekastad correspondence from the years 1956 - 1971. The book consists of the Forwards, the correspondence in two parts - in German (p. 9 - 71) und Czech (p. 72 - 131), and the index of names. The German part repeats ihe Czech one completely: the Forward and the letters the author provided in both versions for the convenience of a wider audience. Dr. K. Solcova points out that the correspondence she has prepared for publication is "ein Dokument der kulturellen, wissenschaftlichen und auch politischen Landschaft im Europa der sechziger Jahre des vergangenen Jahrhunderts" (p 9). The aim and the structure of the book are reasonably presented in the Forward: "In der einleitenden Studie beschreibe ich zuerst kurz die Lebensschicksale der beiden Korrespondenten, weiter konzentriere ich mich auf die comeniologischen Bemühungen von Milada Blekastad auf dem Hintergrund ihres Briefwechsel mit Dimitrij Tschizweskij. Vor allem im Zusammenhang mit ihrer Arbeit an der oben erwähnten Monographie" (c. 10). Following the aim und tasks, Dr. K. SoIcova briefly turns to the biography of both Dimitrij Tschizewskij and Milada Blekastad, drawing attention to the similarities in their lives as the emigrant scholars. She also addresses the facts in their biographies, connected with comeniology: in 1957 Tschzewskij and Blekastad met in person in Heidelberg (p. 15) und that could be the reason why Blekastad's book of intended 240 pages became a book of 600 pages. Unfortunately, addressing the biography of Tschizewskij, the author has omitted Werner Korthaase's biography of the Ukrainian
scholar and philosopher. Narrowing her research only to the Moscow edition of Tschizewskij's biographical sources. The author only briefly mentions the complexity of character both scholars had. Which east shadow not only an their private correspondence, but also defined the further development of Comenius Studies i Europe. Obviously, it would make sense to reprint Tschizewskij's review on Blekastad's book for a better understanding of the relationship between the scholars. Dr. K. Solcova mentions this review (p. 18) dwelling on its content in detail. As the main drawback Tschizewskij point out the abundance of unorganized facts, which create difficulties for the unprepared reader. Tschizewskij also rebukes Blekastad for providing in her book a number of unchecked facts and groundless assumptions.
Although an extended discussion on the book promised by the reviewer has never appeared in press. Tschizewskij addressed the book repeatedIy, bringing out more
and more critical remarks on Comenius' biography as proposed by Blekastad. In this particular context Tschizewskij writes about fantastic assumptions of Evgenij Medynski (1885 - 1957). A Soviet comeniologist, concerning the influence of regulations in Ukrainian "fraterntiy schools" (brats'ki shkoly) on Comenius' ideas
and views, incorrect references in Blekastad's book on this matter. Tschizewskij
strongly disagreed with Medinski's assumption, while the context of Blekastad's
book suggested the opposite. The book will be interesting for the scholars within Comenius Studies due to its historical background an theoretical aspects. The issue mentioned carlier only proves that the problematics Dr. K. Solcova raises in her book remains interesting and not yet exhausted. Both scholars - Dimitrij Tschizewskij and Milada Blekastad - deserve seperate "comeniologie" monographs, to which a given book may be a good impulse. ROMAN MNICH
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