Krtek, a Communist Mole in Czechoslovakia

What animal is Krtek? "Krtek" (The Mole) is the Czech answer to Mickey Mouse. Created by animator Zdeněk Miler in 1954, he made his film debut at the 1957 Venice Film Festival with "How The Mole Got His Trousers" and even won a price there in 1966 with "The Mole and the Rocket".

The cartoon mole Krtek found huge appeal as an advocate of friendship, morality and decency when introduced in Czechoslovakia in the 1950s.

Although you may never have heard of Krtek, he's a legend in some parts of the world. Also known as "The Little Mole," Krtek (pronounced KURR-teck) could probably be considered the Czech Mickey Mouse and is an important cultural relic of the Soviet Bloc communist countries during the Cold War. Created by a Czech artist in 1954, Krtek's cuteness weirdly belies his communist origins, not unlike Disney's Mickey Mouse gas masks, but the fact that Krtek is still hugely popular may be a testament to the nostalgia of simpler times.

Communist countries in the 1950s - including the Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc - banned Disney cartoons and other western influences, so communist animators created their own characters. But Krtek became one the most widely popular thanks to his innocence, kindness, and desire to help others, all traits that earned him the respect and love of worldwide audiences even after the Fall of Communism. Today, shops in the Czechia are filled with Krtek merchandise, and he continues to be one of the most beloved characters that many people in the United States and Canada never even knew existed.

Krtek a lízátko - Little Mole and the Lollipop, 1970. (VIDEO)

Krtek malířem / The Little Mole as a Painter, 1972. (VIDEO)

Krtek a vejce - The Little Mole and the Egg, 1975. (VIDEO)

Krteček a autíčko - The Little Mole and the Car, 1963. (VIDEO)

Krtek a paraplíčko - The Little Mole and the Umbrella, 1971. (VIDEO)

Krtek a buldozer - The Little Mole and the Bulldozer, 1975. (VIDEO)

Krtek zahradníkem - The Little Mole as the Gardener, 1969. (VIDEO)

Jak krtek ke kalhotkám přišel - How the Little Mole Got His Trousers, 1957. (VIDEO)

Krtek ve městě - The Little Mole in the City, 1982. (VIDEO)

Krtek filmová hvězda - The Little Mole The Movie Star, 1988. (VIDEO)

Little Mole in a Prague shop.

Moles Are Amazing Animals (VIDEO)

How Hard Do Moles Dig? | ScienceTake (VIDEO)

Krteček flew into space on board of Endeavour in 2011 and on board of Russian Soyuz in 2018 thanks to J. A. Feustel who decided to take the toy with him in honor of his wife’s Czech origin (Indira Feustel’s mother is from Znojmo). On his second trip to space Krteček was a company to the staff of the international space station for over six months. He then traveled to the Czechia to give the toy to Krtek’s creator Zdeněk Miler.

Czech Children's book from the 1960s.

More information about the Little Mole
THE LOST WORLD OF SOCIALIST CHILDREN’S TV
A CZECH CARTOON MOLE'S SOCIALIST UTOPIA 
THE HISTORY OF KRTEK (THE LITTLE MOLE)
MOLE (Animal) - Wikipedia
Zdenek Miler, Dies at 90


By Derrick T

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
    Beautiful Places in Slovakia (Towns, villages, castles, palaces and cities) Bratislava Castle  in  Bratislava , Slovakia. Built in 9th century–18th century. Destroyed by fire in 1811. Rebuilt in 1956–1964. It is now the Slovak National Museum. Old Town with Bratislava Castle in Bratislava, Slovakia. Grassalkovich Palace, Bratislava. A beautiful Baroque building built in 1760 as a summer residence of Count Anton Grassalkovic. Today it is sometimes referred to as Slovakia’s White House as it is the official residence for the President of Slovakia. The changing of the guard at Grassalkovich Palace  in Bratislava , Slovakia, and the residence of the President of Slovakia. The Main Square: Old Town Bratislava.  Roland Fountain from 1572 is the oldest and most visited fountain in Bratislava, Slovakia.  Old Town, Bratislava , Slovakia.   The original tower (Michael's Gate) is seven stories high and built in 1753. Bratislava’s opera house...
Read more
Image
PRAGUE’S 600-YEAR-OLD ASTRONOMICAL CLOCK The Prague astronomical clock or Prague Orloj is a medieval astronomical clock attached to the Old Town Hall in Prague, the capital of the Czechia. Old Town Hall with Astronomical Clock , circa 1860. via Library of Congress Two images from the 1700s. Vintage 19th century drawing of Prague Old Town Hall tower Astronomical clock from year 1410 - Picture from Meyers Lexikon book (written in German language) published in 1908 Leipzig - Germany. Click->  600 years-old & still ticking . The world’s oldest astronomical clock is in Prague. The Astronomical Clock and Tyn Church in the Old Town Square, Prague, Czechia. The Old Town Hall Tower with a height of nearly 70 meters was built in 1338 and is one of the most striking buildings in Prague. The Astronomical Clock and its many statues in Old Town Square. Death skeleton and Turk figure on Prague Astronomical Clock (Orloj Clock). Close up of skeleton that rings bell at every hour. The mediaev...
Read more
Image
FORGOTTEN TOYS OF THE PAST   "MADE IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA"   Under Socialism   From the 1950s to 1980s. Our time of toys and joyful childhood! Vintage Toy Soviet Airplane Tupolev "TU 104" Made in Czechoslovakia from the mid-1950s. ( Click here see Video ) IGRA Prague - Space metal tank with key, Made in Czechoslovakia in 1960s to 1970s. Vintage Wood Toy Train Set 1950s Toia, Made in Czechoslovakia, 8 Pieces. Old retro toy "ARKTID" polar vehicle, Made by ITES in Czechoslovakia, 1960s. Forward-reverse ride, rotating radar, flashing beacon. Vintage 60's Tin Litho Toy Car, Made in Czechoslovakia. VINTAGE TOY MERCEDES C111 BATTERY, 1976 Made by  ITES in  ČSSR . ( Click here see Pictures ) Vintage Toy Doll Czechoslovakia with Original Box from the 1950s to 1960s. Retro Battery Tank T-54, Made by ITES in Czechoslovakia, 1970s. ( Click here see Video )  VINTAGE PAIR CZECH DOLLS LIDOVA TVORBA UHERSKY BROD ORIGINAL BOX Folklore 1977. Vintage Kozmicke Vozidlo Battery ...
Read more