Waldorf schools in the Czech Republic are generally state schools with a separate educational model. But within the state regime each school can create its own profile. The central examinations comprise the subjects of Czech language and literature, one foreign language and mathematics.

In addition each pupil has to sit an exam in a subject of his or her choice. Of the current thirty candidates in the upper school of the Prague/Opatov Waldorf school, twelve have chosen the subject of eurythmy for their examination: nine girls and three boys. During the school year each pupil had to work on a eurythmy solo, duo or trio in sound or music eurythmy and participate in a large group form. In addition there is an oral examination on a eurythmy, music or poetry theme. The themes are distributed by lot. There are intensive days of preparatory and rehearsal work.

Special flair

For the final show, eurythmy teacher Barbara Forbaková rented a wonderful hall in the city library in Prague’s old town which was prepared for the eurythmy with many helpers.

Three pupils had chosen the ballad “The Erlking” by Goethe in German using the forms given by Rudolf Steiner. This was something very exceptional – a ballad in a foreign language with the different eurythmy for the Erlking, the father and the child. The pupils received spontaneous applause at the end of each scene. Another pupil performed three verses from “To the Mistral” by Friedrich Nietzsche in Czech translation.  

There was an outstanding performance of Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in C-sharp minor with a boy as the base line and a girl as the upper part – a convincing performance of the title “Man and Woman” chosen by the composer.

There were moving performances of a series of Czech poems selected by the candidates. And of course there had to be humour as well. There is a Czech Christian Morgenstern: Emanuel Frynta. And it was delightful to see a tale about the English by Frynta and “The dog’s grave” by Christian Morgenstern in Czech. The show started and finished with a Sonata in C-minor which a class twelve pupil, Jonás Stary, had specially composed for the occasion. Everyone was involved in it, including two pupils who had not chosen eurythmy as an exam subject but simply participated for the fun of it.

What moved me, an old eurythmy teacher from Germany who feels a connection with Czech eurythmy, and gave me cause for thought is the freshness which can still be experienced here. Waldorf schools have only existed here in the last twenty years and this Prague upper school only for a few years.

I have been privileged to come across many Waldorf pupils in Germany who were enthusiastic about eurythmy and have seen excellent graduations and pupil performances. And yet these Czech pupils possess a special flair which I hope will remain active for many years to come.

About the author: Angelika Storch heads the Nuremberg Eurythmy Stage.