Jan Těsnohlídek (1882–1928) was a Czech writer, poet, journalist, and translator. He was a prominent figure in the Brno literary circles of the early 20th century and was closely associated with the newspaper Lidové noviny.
Těsnohlídek is most widely recognized for his 1920 serialized novel Liška Bystrouška (The Cunning Little Vixen). The story, which began as a series of captions for illustrations by Stanislav Lolek, gained international fame after being adapted into a renowned opera by the composer Leoš Janáček. His literary work often reflected a blend of regional folk themes, social sensitivity, and a melancholic or skeptical worldview.
Beyond his literary contributions, Těsnohlídek is credited with establishing a significant social tradition in Czechoslovakia. In 1919, while walking in the woods near Bílovice nad Svitavou, he and his friends discovered an abandoned infant. This event profoundly affected him and led him to advocate for the welfare of orphaned and abandoned children. In 1924, inspired by a Danish custom, he organized the first "Tree of the Republic" (Vánoční strom republiky) in Brno’s Freedom Square. The initiative aimed to collect charitable donations for children in need, a tradition that continues in many Czech cities to this day.
The name Jan Těsnohlídek also refers to his descendant, Jan Těsnohlídek (born 1987), a contemporary Czech poet, editor, and publisher. The younger Těsnohlídek is a recipient of the Jiří Orten Award for his poetry collection Násilí bez předsudků (Violence Without Prejudice, 2009) and is known for his minimalist style and involvement in the contemporary Czech independent publishing scene.
