FROM THE COLLECTIONS: International Hedgehog Day
FROM THE COLLECTIONS: International Hedgehog Day
Pavel Sukdolák, Hedgehog, 1953, etching, handmade paper, 74 x 163 mm, from the collections of the Vysočina Regional Gallery in Jihlava

Today is Hedgehog Day. This fun and educational day was created in the early 2000s and encourages us to learn more about these fascinating animals.

For example, their behavior, how they hibernate, what they eat, how to care for them in case they need it and also the importance of supporting charities that work to protect them. It is dedicated to raising awareness of hedgehogs and their important role in the ecosystem. These charming creatures are universally loved, yet they face increasing challenges in the wild due to habitat loss, climate change and heavy road traffic.

Hedgehog Day has its origins in ancient times. The second of February is associated with omens and predictions of the duration of winter. The ancient Romans used hedgehogs to predict the end of winter and the arrival of spring. It is said that they expected whether the hedgehog would see its shadow when it peeked out of its burrow, which would then be followed by six more weeks of winter.

Hedgehogs are found throughout Europe, Africa and Asia, in our country they are mainly the western hedgehog and the eastern hedgehog. In winter they hibernate, from which they occasionally wake up. Hedgehog cubs are born naked and blind, but 24 hours after birth they develop spines, of which they have an average of about 7 thousand on their bodies. Hedgehogs are active at dusk and at night and find food using their sense of smell. They feed on insects, their larvae, earthworms, mollusks, frogs, reptiles, bird eggs, carrots, mushrooms, roots and berries. As natural predators of various pests, they are therefore an important part of the environment, especially our gardens, because they like to settle near human dwellings.

For us, the people of Jihlava, the hedgehog has another important meaning. It is the symbol of our city, it is depicted on the city ​​emblem and flag of Jihlava, and according to legend, it even gave the city its name. There are many legends and historical studies about the origin of the city's name and how the hedgehog became its symbol. There is no written evidence of this, but the hedgehog appears in connection with Jihlava as early as the thirteenth century, when the city was inhabited by a predominantly German population, and the name may therefore come from the German Igel - meaning hedgehog.

From the gallery collections, we have selected the graphic sheet "Hedgehog" from 1953, which is an early work of the painter, graphic artist and illustrator Pavel Sukdolák (September 21, 1925 – June 12, 2022). This Humpolec native first studied at the Czech Technical University in Prague under Professor Cyril Bouda (1945–1948), then transferred to the Prague Academy of Fine Arts under Professor Silovský (1948–1950). In his free work, he focused mainly on the graphic techniques of multi-color etching and aquatint. He occasionally illustrated books, especially poetry, and designed postage stamps, ex-libris and New Year's cards. Since 1952, he has been a member of the Hollar Society.

Jana Bojanovská, February 2, 2025

curator of collection of paintings and drawings
Mgr. Jana Bojanovská

phone number: 567 217 133; 605 221 763
bojanovska@ogv.cz