The Creston Valley Public Library is hosting an evening with author Jan Drabek to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of the Second World War.
As part of the library's Meet the Author series, Drabek will be speaking on at 7 p.m. Sept. 9 at the library about his two recent books, Vladimir Krajina: WWII Hero and Ecology Pioneer and Thirteen: A Childhood in Wartime Prague. He will be available to sign copies of his books following his talk, which is illustrated with a slide show of Second World War photographs.
Vladimir Krajina explores the life of Czech Resistance fighter Vladimir Krajina and his heroic wartime efforts against Nazis. Drabek details Krajina’s many daring escapes from the Gestapo, and his later flight on skis when he eluded the Communists.
Krajina would be personally thanked by Winston Churchill for his critical service and, after immigrating to British Columbia to found the “ecological reserves,” was inducted a Companion of the Order of Canada.
Drabek is also touring with his memoir Thirteen, hailed by the Vancouver Sun as “a highly compelling recollection”. Thirteen describes Drabek’s tumultuous and unconventional upbringing during the theatre of war. Although it is set during one of history’s darkest periods, Drabek retells his childhood with sharp wit and humorous anecdotes.
Drabek immigrated to North America from Prague in 1948. He received his university education in America and served in the U.S. Navy. He has long been active in the Canadian writing scene — he is the former president of the Federation of British Columbia Writers, and has served on the National Council of the Writers’ Union of Canada.
For more information, contact the Creston Valley Public Library at 250-428-4141 or info@crestonlibrary.com.
—RONSDALE PRESS