Stáří je mládím světa

In his essayistic book, Old Age is the Youth of the World, Michal Janata (b. 1952) uncovers the title theme in a broad historical perspective of thought and cultural context, and insightfully analyses the systemic disadvantages to which members of the "excluded generation" are increasingly exposed in our contemporary society, which professes the cult of eternal youth and unceasing performance. The deeply erudite yet readable text, whose sarcastic effect is underscored by the contribution of two members of the younger generation, illustrator Anežka Hájková (born 1997) and graphic designer Josefina Karlíková (born 1995), exposes the various forms of ostracization and purposeful abuse of the elderly, while drawing attention to the alarming degree of general indifference that enables these phenomena. In the face of the symptoms of advancing dehumanization, Janata does not succumb to bitter scolding or pained sentimentality, but soberly and sometimes downright amusingly considers the possibilities and chances that even under these conditions offer a person his or her life's finale, which sooner or later awaits each of us.

Czech edition