Jaroslav Kocian’s ZUŠ and Jiří Tomášek, the pair was inseparable for decades. Last year, however, Jiří Zajíček, head of the literary and drama department, took over from the long-time director. This year’s Kocianka and Heranka are his first as head of the organising school. “I greatly respect my predecessor and architect, Karel Blank, for their achievements. Nobody in the Czech Republic has a building like ours, and of course, the environment increases the credit of both competitions,” he says, praising the facilities. “Everyone in the school knows what needs to be done for the competition,” he notes how well-knit the team of teachers is.
And he supports their charges as well. He does not deny his theatrical soul and regularly attends various school events, but not in a suit. Until now, some children may not know that their favourite clown, Šáša, is their headmaster. “I think I should keep him in my new position. Šáša has a little bit of the silliness that every arts educator needs,” muses Jiří Tomášek’s successor.
So what if Šáša also went to visit Kocianka or Heranka? “I was thinking what that would do, and I don’t know if Lenka Lipenska (the competition director) wouldn’t be so happy,” he laughs at the idea and adds a wish to the competitors. You are all little heroes for me; it is not easy to perform in front of an audience and a jury,” he adds.