Architecture
Bor, Walter (1 of 29) National Life Stories Collection: Architects' Lives
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Type
sound
Duration
00:31:31
Shelf mark
C467/13
Subjects
Architecture
Recording date
1997
Recording locations
Interviewee's home, London
Interviewees
Bor, Walter, 1916-1999 (speaker, male)
Interviewers
Brodie, Louise (speaker, female)
Abstract
Part 1: Walter Bor [WB] Although Czech, born in Vienna in 1916. Father, from Prague, a chemical engineer, served in Austro-Hungarian army. Mother from north-west of Czechoslovakia. Moved back to Prague at age one. Father’s personality type, not a close relationship. Mother very outgoing, good relationship with WB. Jewish parents but not religious and WB opted out of religion at school. Future dangers of fundamentalism. Paternal grandparents, hated grandmother, description. Grandfather’s health. Maternal grandfather was a talented painter, grandmother was keen on music. Relationship with sister. Predicted Germany would march into Czechoslovakia. His decision to leave. Memories of Prague and description of their flat. A happy childhood. Excelled at school except in maths with bullying teacher. School was politically anti-Fascist. Left wing politics – social democracy v radicalism. The need for political reform. WB not affected by the Depression. Free schooling, chose academic/technical school. Discussion of politics with his parents. High standard of living in Czechoslovakia, Masaryk.
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