"Here and Now: Contemporary Czech Comics" Exhibition in NLPI: the Artistic Spirit of the Czech Republic
2025 / 04 / 30
The National Library of Public Information (NLPI), in collaboration with the Czech Centre Taipei and the Czech Economic and Cultural Office, proudly launches its first exhibition at the newly established “Windows of the World” on the third floor of the main library. Titled "Here and Now: Contemporary Czech Comics", the exhibition runs from April 29 to August 31, 2025, and features representative works by ten outstanding contemporary Czech comic artists, along with over 30 comic books. This marks the first collaboration between NLPI and the Czech Centre Taipei, opening a cultural window for the public to explore the unique narrative and visual language of contemporary Czech comics, while enhancing international perspectives through global cultural exchange. Curated by Pavel Kořínek, comic theorist at the Czech Academy of Sciences, and Tomáš Prokůpek, Head of the Department of Literary History at the Moravian Museum in Brno, the exhibitionHere and Now presents a comprehensive look at the development and stylistic evolution of Czech comics over the past two decades. Notable works include:Divoši (Savages)by Lucie Lomová who is known for her historical narratives;Drak nikdy nespí (The Dragon Never Sleeps) by Jiří Grus, celebrated for his expressive visual language;Zámek (The Castle)by Jaromír “99” Švejdík, an adaptation of Franz Kafka’s famous novel;Štefánik by Václav Šlajch, a biographical comic about Milan Rastislav Štefánik, a key figure in the founding of Czechoslovakia and the artist behind this exhibition’s visual identity. These works span genres from literature and history to legends, showcasing the rich diversity of Czech comics. Throughout the introduction to these artists, the exhibition presents the dynamic evolution of Czech comics, which, for the first time in history, has been developing freely and without external constraints for over two decades. During this period, three generations of artists have emerged, each contributing to the growing diversity of the local scene. While the Czech market’s size and historical disruptions posed challenges, the creativity and resilience of these artists have led to a flourishing comic culture that is now gaining international recognition. As the first showcase in NLPI’s Windows of the World, all the books featured in this exhibition were generously donated by the Czech Centre Taipei and will become part of the library’s permanent collection for public access. NLPI remains committed to fostering global cultural exchanges and will continue introducing diverse international cultural themes through this exhibition space. The public is warmly invited to visit and experience the fascinating world of Czech culture and contemporary comic art firsthand. Exhibition InformationTitle: Here and Now: Contemporary Czech ComicsDates: April 29, 2025 (Tuesday) – August 31, 2025 (Sunday)Venue: Windows of the World, 3rd Floor, National Library of Public Information