Newsletter Českého centra - duben 2025

In the editorial of this newsletter I’m a bit untraditionally going to introduce to you an event that is taking place on almost exactly the other side of the globe in Japan. On 13th April the World EXPO 2025 will open in Osaka with over 150 nations participating including Czechia. The main theme of this year’s EXPO Designing Future Society for our Lives will explore how innovation, technology, and scientific advancements across multiple areas will enhance wellbeing and the entirety of human existence. 

As a matter of fact there is a strong connection to London as the first international Great Exhibition, a predecessor of today’s EXPO, took place at Crystal Palace in Hyde Park in 1851. The second connection is personal, as one year ago I joined the EXPO team preparing Czechia’s participation in the exhibition, with responsibility for organising the culture programme. The programme’s underlying theme is Creativity and Talent and I’m very pleased that over 220 artists, musicians, and performers will be presenting the best of Czechia’s vibrant, and in many instances inspirational, culture and art scene. This culture programme will be indisputably the foremost presentation of Czech culture abroad this year which will climax with the National Day celebration on 24th July, the birthday of Alfons Mucha, when artistic creativity and cultural breadth and depth will be presented in a joint performance by the Czech Philharmonic, new circus company Cirk La Putyka, the Czech Radio Children’s Choir and the Czech singer AIKO. 

As I strongly believe that the Czech contribution, with a state-of-the-art wood and glass pavilion as well as its cultural programme, will be among the highlights of this year’s EXPO, I would like to invite you to take a trip to Osaka. I’m aware that whilst it might be too short notice to catch up with the Hanami – the cherry blossom season and the opening of EXPO,  considering travel plans for the summer might be worthwhile, rewarding you with a once in a lifetime experience and enduring memories. 

Well, back to our home turf in London, and our spring season programme focus on presenting the story of Czech graphic design through the multifaceted Identity project and exhibition that is currently on display at the Vitrínka and Bouda Galleries and the recent public UK debut of the film A Czech Graphic Design Love Story. I would like to invite you to a graphically illuminating evening of presentations and discussion - Pioneers of Graphic Design: Mucha, Teige, Sutnar and Šašek. Leading experts will explore, in a panel discussion and Q&A, the impact of Czech design pioneers on contemporary visual culture.  

On a different note though definitely a very pertinent one, especially if you are an ardent follower of the political scene in Central Europe, do join us for the book launch of The Last Peasant War and a discussion on Understanding the Roots of Populism in Central Europe and Beyond with author Jakub Beneš, Associate Professor at the UCL’s School of Slavonic and East European Studies.

Regardless of geographical challenges, I hope to see you at some of our cultural events.

And Happy Easter!

With best wishes,

Přemysl Pela
Director of the Czech Centre