Podzemní univerzita bohemistiky. Krátká vzpomínka na působení prof. Sticha v rámci projektu večerní univerzity bohemistiky v letech 1988–1991

The unique project of the Underground University of Czech Language and Literature was established in September 1988. It provided a normal educational institution for both teachers and students who could not study or teach during the late normalization period in Czechoslovakia. Its organizers – professors who were not allowed to do their profession – designed a regular university curriculum promoting regular university standards for students. It was the first independent, parallel university of its kind in Czech modern history. As its direct student-participant, I experienced this type of education, which has, among others, opened new, alternative doors to knowledge about language, history and literature to which I have always felt essentially attached. There, I became familiar with key aspects of the educational process which I consider to be the elementary condition for sustaining the quality of education: both students and professors created the space for the non-ideological, dialogical reflection of the culture and society we live in. For me, the period spent studying at this university meant the first and most important demonstration of freedom and authenticity, and unique training in critical thinking within a diversity of perspectives.