Beyond Beer and Sausage: How to Be Czech In Forty Posters

A new exhibit illustrates common perceptions of the Czech national character—and challenges them

Expats.cz Staff Jason Pirodsky

Written by Expats.cz StaffJason Pirodsky Published on 21.02.2018 14:18:01 (updated on 21.02.2018) Reading time: 1 minute

How do Czechs perceive their identity and what do foreigners think of them? What are they proud of and what characterizes them?

Curators of a newly opened exhibit say they want to open a public discussion on the Czech image and how it is cultivated at home and abroad.

To get the conversation started, Czech Centres has created, in cooperation with the Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art in Pilsen, some forty posters that comprise CzechImage, now on display at the gallery of the Czech Centres on Rytířská 31.

The exhibit takes place within the framework of events being organized for the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the country.

In addition to Czech icons (Charles IV, Říp, Charles Bridge) visitors will also see images of the Czech “brand” that transcend just beer and sausage (including tributes to fairytale illustration, the black Czech sense of humor, the legacy of Czech inventors, and the national reverence for nature).

Aside from bold visuals, the interactive exhibit offers historical links and fun mobile photo apps featuring Prague monuments.

Similar exhibits are being created with design students in Czech Centres cities abroad including Madrid, Berlin, Brussels, Vienna, and Sofia, where Czechs will be portrayed from the perspective of foreigners.

The exhibit runs through March 15.

See www.czechcentres.cz for more.

For a schedule of other events celebrating the 100th anniversary see here.

Take a sneak peek at some of the whimsical student posters from the exhibit, courtesy of Czech Centres, below:

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