Musicology Annotation << Back Bohuslav Martinu Ballet "&#352;pal&#237;&#269;ek" in the Context of European Musical and Theatrical Culture Nikiforova Elena The ballet "Špalíček" by Bohuslav Martinů, based on Czech folklore, is primarily interpreted as a work of distinctly national character. However, behind the solid outward facade of the depiction of a Czech folk festival, the composer had hidden more complex pan-European traditions. On one hand, an important quality of ballet is its reliance on the artistic principles of carnival culture. According to their canons, the artistic-poetic, musical, and stage dramaturgies are structured. On the other hand, Martin's score embodied the latest theatrical trends of his time, described in the works of playwright A. Artaud as the phenomenon of the 'theatre of cruelty. Keywords: Bohuslav Martinů, Špalíček, ballet, carnival, theater of cruelty, Antonin Artaud. 10.25791/musicology.3.2026.1476 Pp. 03-12.