The legacy collection donated by the Orientalist Jiří Bečka, stands as a testament to his lifelong dedication to Persian and Central Asian studies. A distinguished researcher at the Oriental Institute of the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Prof. Bečka’s scholarly pursuits spanned the history, culture, language, and literature of the region. His personal library, consist of primary and secondary sources, reflecting his profound knowledge and passion inPersian, Tajik, and Afghan philology is evident in the collection’s depth and breadth.
Bečka’s donation to the Oriental Institute Library comprises an array of texts that mirror his extensive scholarly works. The collection critical editions, and comprehensive studies on Persian, Tajik, and Afghan languages and literatures. These texts provide invaluable insights into the linguistic structures, literary traditions, and cultural narratives that Bečka explored throughout his career. The books in Bečka’s collection not only serve as vital resources for current and future researchers but also highlight the key themes and areas of inquiry that defined his academic life. They encompass historical accounts, linguistic analyses, and literary critiques, each contributing to a nuanced understanding of the region’s cultural and intellectual landscape. Bečka’s focus on the interconnections between language and culture is particularly evident in the diversity of texts, ranging from classical Persian poetry to modern Tajik prose, and from historical treatises to contemporary linguistic studies.