Miners' Stories

When he was thirteen, he was asked by Plavci, Zelenáči and other country and folk bands to play with them. Radislav Jelínek, just like many other boys of his age, bought a Spanish guitar, the book “How to play guitar – fast and easy” and started to bang out his first melodies. Contrary to the others, however, he discovered in himself not only a talent, but also the will to continue working hard and to improve.... more

“Coal dust got in my eyes, my lips turned into rubies, coal icicles hanging from my hair, beard and eyebrow”…“ If only the author of this description of an anonymous miner from “Ostrava“ poem knew that his bequest is upkept by such a person! Jan Šerk is a retired miner operator in coal getting who now takes care of the log cabin of Petr Bezruč, the poet, in Ostravice.... more

With a black and yellow scarf around his neck, Rostislav Špalek, the chargeman of a coal getting team of the northern plant of ČSM Mine arrived at Hlučín since his fourteen year old daughter Veronika was to take part in the International Women's Football Championship as a member of the FC IRP Český Těšín women's football team, the club sponsored by Stonava mine.... more

KARVINÁ – On the Saturday of 22 January the newly reconstructed Družba Municipal House (Obecní dům Družba) was put to the test on the occasion of Karviná Mine Community Ball. Also present was a 63 year-old Josef Grim, the former director of the Company Club of the Revolutionary Trade Union Movement of ČSA Mine who ran this cultural facility until 1990.... more

ORLOVÁ – At parties and feasts, Ján Žyla (53), a mine electrician from the Lazy Mine, prefers drinking a high-quality apple brandy (i.e., calvados). However, he drinks calvados in moderation because he is aware of its potential effects on the human body. Apart from performing a responsible job position in the Karviná Mine, he is also a blood and plasma donor.... more

DARKOV – If there is a good party in the work area, it always means a win. Therefore, the Darkov Mine transport workers cement their team not only at work, but also behind the working hours. There is a group of enthusiasts who offer their co-workers sports and free time activities.... more

HAVÍŘOV – In the Vilém Wünsch Exhibition Hall in the Leoš Janáček House of Culture in Havířov, there is an exhibition of works created by Jindřich Pyško and titled “Retrospective”, which will last until October 29, 2010.... more

KARVINÁ – “Eyes which have not cried do not see”. One of those who can more than agree with this saying is the forty year old anti-dust technician from the “Jih” site of the ČSM Mine at Stonava, Josef Szamaránszký.... more

LAZY – How many times have we already written that the miners’ solidarity is not just an empty word? This time, it was Petr Kubánek, a miner working at the ventilation system of the Lazy Mining Plant, Karviná Mine that convinced himself that it’s true.... more

KARVINÁ – Would you have a Tatra chop steak? Creamy garlic soup? Also such wishes started to be heard by Martina Janíková (40), providing soups and snacks to miners in the Karviná Mine, ČSA Mining Plant. The miners recognize her as an amateur cook who had courage to appear in the “Cloth Laid” culinary contest programme broadcast by Prima TV.... more