Vladimir Babula Czech science fiction writer Date of Birth: 24.07.1919

1. Early Life and Education
2. Political Exile and Return
3. Journalism and Science Fiction
4. "Oceánem světelných roků" Trilogy
5. Notable Works
6. Later Writing and Legacy

Early Life and Education

Vladimir Babula was born in Moravia, present-day Czech Republic, into a communist household. He studied art at the Zlín School of Fine Arts. Before the outbreak of World War II, he pursued a career as an illustrator for children's books.

Political Exile and Return

Due to his communist affiliations, Babula was forced to flee to Switzerland after the onset of World War II. The claim that he was imprisoned in a concentration camp is a misconception fabricated by Soviet sources. After the war, he returned to his homeland and worked as an editor for the North Bohemian newspaper "Mladé fronty."

Journalism and Science Fiction

From 1952, Babula became the editor of "Mladá technika," a science magazine later renamed "VTM-věda a technika mládeži." In 1960, he joined the Central Press Agency and subsequently became an independent journalist. His interest in science fiction was sparked by fellow writer Rudolf Faukner. In 1958, they co-authored "When the Martians Came," popularizing scientific concepts.

"Oceánem světelných roků" Trilogy

From 1954 to 1956, Babula's science fiction novels began to appear in serialized form. These included "Signals from Space," "Planet of Three Suns," and "The Traveler from the Serpent." In 1963, they were combined into the trilogy "Oceánem světelných roků." The novels featured themes of communism and interstellar exploration, significantly expanding the horizons of Czech science fiction.

Notable Works

"Signals from Space" follows the resurrection of Leif Severson, a member of Roald Amundsen's expedition, who wakes to a communist utopia. "Planet of Three Suns" depicts survivors of a space expedition stranded on a planet with both primitive and advanced civilizations. "The Traveler from the Serpent" explores the contact between Earth and an extraterrestrial civilization from Ophiuchus. Despite literary limitations, Babula's trilogy played a pivotal role in the development of Czech science fiction.

Later Writing and Legacy

Babula continued to write science fiction short stories and novellas, many of which were collected posthumously in "Puls nekonečna." His work became widely known in Ukraine through translations in the late 1950s and 1960s. Babula's illustrations by renowned Czech artists František Skála and Zdeněk Burian further enhanced the impact of his writing.