Holistic leisure education through the Czech Rapid Arrows comics

Abstract

This paper focuses on a topic interconnecting the potential use of comics in education processes. While previous research demonstrates such a link in formal education, from pre-school institutions up to the middle grades, particularly with regard to the development of arts and literacy, the educational impact in informal education has been neglected. The text analyses the main aspects of the content of the comics series on the example of the Czech Rapid Arrows comic and its author Jaroslav Foglar, the values of which are physical activity and health, a romantic landscape and dwelling in nature, the ethical aspects of morality and goodness, selfless work and helping others, a holistic framework of activity, the importance of romance, adventure and challenges. The stories are, therefore, ‘everyday adventures’, inspiring to the reader to experience his own adventures without needing a fantasy stage. The text also points out previous reflections, not only in the dialogue of papers on comics, but also in the fields of literary science, pedagogy and religious studies. Therefore, the article emphasises that comics can be used in informal leisure education, with the holistic development of the entire personality in various aspects of human existence. © 2020, © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.