Author: Jan Motyl
Born: 1921
Died: 24 November 1983
Bio: There are two entries to Jan Motyl's biographical information, both extracted from "Dolce Far Niente", the author's book of poems, essays and aphorisms. The first entry below is the presentation notes (that precede the poems). The second entry is the biographical information at the end of the book.

1. Presentation notes from the beginning of the book:

**Jan Motyl, 1921-1983**

Those who were close to Jan Motyl will require nothing further. For others, a few words may be desirable, to portray the man.

His was a questing, searching mind . .. brilliant and analytical ... a vibrant, strong personality, in a robust body ... sensitive and sentimental, eager for Life’s promises. He sensed an emotionally strong tug of bygone ages ... of romanticism and adventure ... he felt alien to this planet ... that he did not belong.

A man endowed with many talents . His poetry and writing possibly gave him the greatest escape from the turmoil within. His hands had the sureness of a surgeon’s as he carved into wood or did leather work, or drew portraits or designs.

A good raconteur ... his untrained but excellent singing voice entertained friends with happy, lusty arias, or could evoke tears by his sensitive, soft rendition of a favorite, lovely, tender Czech lullaby.

All the joys, sorrows and hopes of the world were his . . its magnificent heights and despairing depths. He searched for perfection ... for the ultimate reality ... the victory of the soul.

He periodically fled the city’s mad rush for his favorite haunts ... the deep river valleys and pristine woods of Dolce Far Niente, his own beloved country retreat where he could commune with Nature ... with God ... and find release from his pent-up emotions.

“And in his hands he held a star ... and knew it not.”

By Dorothea Van Velzen

 1. Biographical information from the end of the book:

About The Poet

**JAN MOTYL (1921-1983)**

Jan Motyl, poet and writer, was born in Rakova, Czechoslovakia, in 1921 and came to Canada at the age of eight with his family. They resided on a farm near Edson, Alberta, where Jan received his junior and high school education.

During the Second World War he served with the U.S. Air Force during construction of the Alaska Highway. He entered the writing field shortly after the war when he wrote radio continuity for an Edmonton station.

Jan returned to Czechoslovakia in 1949 to inquire about the status of property owned by his father in that country. He failed to establish owner hip of the property due to the Communist Government regulations and was forced to apply to return to Canada. This was not without problems: his passport had been taken from him at the Czech border because the Czechoslovakian government still considered him a citizen, his having been born in that country.

Jan applied to Ottawa for assistance in extricating himself from behind the Iron Curtain and was aided by Lester Pearson who was, at that time, Canada’s Minister of External Affairs. Jan was permitted to return to Canada in 1951.

Upon Jan’s return to Canada, he resumed his writing career and was made copy chief of the Edmonton branch of a national advertising agency until he left to establish his own public relations and advertising office, Universal Writing Services. In 1956 he went to Regina to take charge of the editing and production of various Saskatchewan government publications. Later, he wrote for the Regina Leader Post.

In 1960 he was appointed commercial production manager of radio station CJDV Drumheller. He continued with his writing career in the 1960s and also tried his hand at politics. He ran, unsuccessfully, as a federal NDP candidate and later ran as an alderman in the City of Edmonton.

From 1967 until his retirement In 1977 Jan worked for the City of Edmonton as an inspector with the Legal Department and the Bylaw Enforcement Department.

Following his retirement he managed his real estate holdings and continued writing. In November 1983 he entered the University Hospital in Edmonton for heart bypass surgery where he died on November 24, 1983, of complications following the operation.

Jan was predeceased by his father Mike In 1961, and his mother Maria in 1983.

He was survived by his sister, Anna Pollock, of Edmonton.

Compiled by Mike Huska and Jim Logan