, also known as The Little Mole , is a beloved Czech animated character created by artist Zdeněk Miler . The character was born in 1956 when Miler, looking for a new animal protagonist for an educational film about flax, stumbled over a molehill during a walk . Unlike many cartoons of its era, Krtek is famous for its lack of dialogue; Miler wanted his creation to be understood worldwide , so he replaced speech with non-verbal exclamations , giggles, and sounds provided by his own daughters. The Debut: "How the Mole Got His Trousers"
Over nearly five decades, Krtek starred in more than 50 short films and appeared in over 80 countries. His adventures often highlight themes of kindness and curiosity as he navigates the modern world, encountering everything from automobiles and rockets to telephones.
The first short film, released in 1957, is the only episode where Krtek actually speaks. It tells the charming story of the Mole wanting a pair of blue overalls with large pockets. To get them, he enlists the help of various forest animals—the flax plant provides the fibers, the frog soaks them, and the spider spins the thread—demonstrating a message of cooperation and hard work . This debut was an instant success, winning the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. A Global Icon
Krtek 🆕 Official
, also known as The Little Mole , is a beloved Czech animated character created by artist Zdeněk Miler . The character was born in 1956 when Miler, looking for a new animal protagonist for an educational film about flax, stumbled over a molehill during a walk . Unlike many cartoons of its era, Krtek is famous for its lack of dialogue; Miler wanted his creation to be understood worldwide , so he replaced speech with non-verbal exclamations , giggles, and sounds provided by his own daughters. The Debut: "How the Mole Got His Trousers"
Over nearly five decades, Krtek starred in more than 50 short films and appeared in over 80 countries. His adventures often highlight themes of kindness and curiosity as he navigates the modern world, encountering everything from automobiles and rockets to telephones. , also known as The Little Mole ,
The first short film, released in 1957, is the only episode where Krtek actually speaks. It tells the charming story of the Mole wanting a pair of blue overalls with large pockets. To get them, he enlists the help of various forest animals—the flax plant provides the fibers, the frog soaks them, and the spider spins the thread—demonstrating a message of cooperation and hard work . This debut was an instant success, winning the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. A Global Icon The Debut: "How the Mole Got His Trousers"