Milan Ohnisko, Czech poet and Charter 77 signatory, dies at 61

Milan Ohnisko, a prominent Czech poet, publicist, editor, and signatory of Charter 77, has died suddenly in Prague at the age of 61. Born in Brno in 1965, Ohnisko spent much of his life in his hometown before moving to Prague in 2012.

Throughout his career, Ohnisko published 16 collections of poetry and four books of interviews. In 2017, he received the Magnesia Litera award for his poetry collection ‘Světlo v ráně’ (Light in the Morning). His professional life included various roles as a freelance editor and journalist.

Colleagues and fellow poets have remembered him for his meticulous approach to language and his commitment to civic responsibility. Poet Karel Škrabal noted that Ohnisko’s legacy is defined by ‘civic responsibility and care for freedom, both personal and societal.’