In October, a unique book about Czechs in Berlin will be published.

Diplomats and punks in one city

The book captures a colorful mosaic of Czech fates in Berlin. Readers will become acquainted with stories of bothcultivated diplomats, and inhabitants of squats. Interviews with them have many parallels, but notalways do they mean the same. Some are enamored with the freedom and diversity of Berlin, whilefor some it is a city that is too big. „Every story is unique and together they create a fascinating picture of how Czechs adapt and live in one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Europe," says the author Jana Kománková, a Czechjournalist and author of books about culture. „Berlin is indeed a truly world-class metropolis, but you can get there from us in just a few hours by train, that is unique.

Rich visual material and historical context

The publication is supplemented by rare photographs from personal archives of protagonists and historical shots of Berlinby prominent Czech and foreign photographers, including Ivan Pinkava and Robert V. Novák. Part of the book also includes unique shots from agency photographers from Switzerland and Germany fromthe period before the fall of the Berlin Wall or shots from the inhabitants of the legendary squat and artistic center Tacheles and other squats. „The book thanks to the visual material comes alive and without those 311 pictures it wouldnot have told so much,“ adds the author.

The book also contains a historical chapter on the first Czech emigrants from the 18th century, who fledfrom the Jesuits, supplemented with unique photographic materials from ancient archives. Interestingly, some houses from that time in Berlin still stand today and in the book you will learn what they look like today.By the way, Franz Kafka was also seduced by Berlin. „His desire to be there alone and freeis reminiscent of Czech punks, says the author. „Kafka's diaries sometimes sound like somethingfrom the notes of the 90s of the 20th century.

„The essence of the book is, however, the contemporary stories,“ adds Jana Kománková. „Peopleé ask me, if there is anything in the publication about the period of the Second World War, but that is a topic that is better captured byeducated historians,“ she replies.

In the book voices are noted not only of long-term Czech inhabitants of Berlin, but also of those who set out to the cityfor study or creative scholarships and Berlin has changed them forever and they might have done so for example in a year. Their experiences are shared by for example the writer, dramatist and screenwriterJaroslav Rudiš, the writerPetr Borkovec or the artist Michal Cimala. There are also chapters about Berlin as an inspiration forworld artists, tips on interesting places and unexpected stories from behind the scenes.

The book Czechs in Berlin - Life beyond the borders will be published in October 2025 and will be ceremonially christened on the 21st of October2025 in Prague's GoetheInstitute and on the 28th of October from 6 PM directly in Berlin in the gallery Hošek Contemporary. Subsequently, it will be available in regular bookstores, distribution networks Kosmas andin selected stores with music and design. It is published by Protišedi s.r.o. Graphic processingis ensured by the studio Kapitola, printed by the printing house Helbich awarded with prizes for the most beautiful book of the year.

„Many people have already asked me what I have in store next,“ says the author. „I have already started to collect material for a book about ice cream. There is no proper one in the Czech Republic and even abroad, I have not reallyfound what I think a proper book on such a topic should have. I would like to present it in 2026.“

The project is supported by the Czech-German Future Fund and the Ministry of Culture.

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