Czech Centre London

(when) Art Talks: Poet Peasant

The Czech Centres network has launched a long-term international programme called SAFE(R) SPACES. Out There and Within, aimed at creating safe, inclusive, and supportive environments through art and culture. As a pilot project of this initiative, the Czech Centre London is hosting its first Summer Artistic Residency at Bouda Gallery. The residency began on July 11 with the opening of Poet Peasant, an exhibition by London-based poet, writer, and performer SJ Fowler. 

Listen to our latest episode and step into the world of contemporary poetry.

https://london.czechcentres.cz/en/program/poet-peasant

#(when)arttalks #poetpeasant #sjfowler

(when) Art Talks: They All Met in Karlsbad

In our latest episode, curator Valérie Horváth introduces They All Met in Karlsbad, a new exhibition that came to life through a unique art residency in Karlovy Vary. Over several months, seven pairs of young artists were brought together to engage in a creative dialogue. And the result? A series of striking, cross-disciplinary artworks which are now making their international debut at the Czech Centre London’s Vitrínka Gallery.

Join our host, Sabina Tocháčková, and learn more about the vision behind the residency and the stunning art pieces.

https://london.czechcentres.cz/en/program/they-all-met-in-karlsbad

#(when)arttalks #theyallmetinkarlsbad #valeriehorvath

Women in Focus: Sara Polak

The guest of the next edition of the Czech Centre’s Women in Focus series will be Sara Polak, an archaeologist, evolutionary anthropologist, and technology innovator whose work bridges the humanities and cutting-edge AI research.

Polak is a co-founder of the Mobilis Institute and the blockchain educational platform ShellProof, a Visiting Research Fellow and part-time lecturer at the University of Oxford, and leads the CCHAOS Research group at the Faculty of Information Technology, Czech Technical University. Her focus lies in the digitisation of cultural heritage and the simulation of civilisational dynamics. Having spent much of her career in the UK and the USA tech sectors, Polak is passionate about connecting modern technologies with the humanities. She has been named on Forbes’ 30 Under 30, was recognised as a Top Innovator (2022), and received the Business Revolution Award from the UK Department for International Trade. She believes that only through education and interdisciplinary collaboration can humanity fulfil its potential — and perhaps one day survive on Mars. She explores these ideas through the Civilisational Resilience think tank, which she co-founded. 

In her talk Archaeology and AI: the last hope for our survival?, Sara Polak will explore how civilisational resilience — the ability of societies to endure, adapt, and thrive through both crises and everyday pressures — increasingly depends on the synergy between technology and the humanities. She will examine how artificial intelligence and archaeology can enrich our understanding of past societies and offer strategies for a more sustainable future. By combining AI-driven archaeological research with humanistic insight, we can preserve cultural heritage, learn from historical adaptations, and help shape ethical, resilient technologies for generations to come.

Sara will be in conversation with Miky Škoda

Miky Škoda is a serial founder and evolutionary strategist, combining AI, education, and adaptability to tackle complex challenges. As co-founder of the Mobilis Institute, he helps organizations grow through innovative learning, science-based tools and strategies designed to build resilience and prepare for the future.  

 

More information:

 

https://london.czechcentres.cz/en/program/women-in-focus-sara-polak

 

#womeninfocus #airesearch #technology

(when) Art Talks: Identity Meets Sustainability

In today’s episode of (when) Art Talks, you will hear all about the identity of a place, timelessness versus following trends, and sustainability—and what it means for the future of design. Joining the host Sabina Tocháčková is Dagmar Zvoníčková, a co-founder of the creative studios Identity Designers and Novavita.

Tune in and get inspired by her unique approach to recycling waste and building communities through architecture.

https://london.czechcentres.cz/en/program/from-print-to-virtual

#(when)arttalks #identitymeetssustainability #dagmarzvonickova

Women in Focus: Juliet Vopěnka Navrátilová

The next edition of the Czech Centre’s Women in Focus series takes a unique turn—this time delving into the deeply personal and spiritual. Juliet Vopěnka Navrátilová, author, shamanic practitioner, Blue Badge guide, and anthropology student, shares her transformative journey from illness and emotional struggle to healing and empowerment. Through sensitivity, ritual, and connection, she redefines what it means to thrive in today’s world.

About Juliet Vopěnka Navrátilová

Juliet left the Czech Republic at 19 and spent two decades in London after a few years in Berlin. Her lifelong sensitivity, once a burden, became a strength during a deep “alchemical journey of metamorphoses.” This is also the subtitle of her second book, Cesta (ne)mocné Londýňanky (The Journey of a Power(less) Londoner), which explores trauma, healing, and shamanic calling. Her London life included work in Wandsworth prison and as a Blue Badge guide. With degrees in Social and Medical Anthropology from Goldsmiths and UCL, her study focused on consciousness, ecofeminism, and ritual. Her first book, Myslet srdcem (Thinking with the Heart), became a Czech bestseller.  

About the Theme of the Evening – An Empath’s Journey from Rags to Riches

In this edition of the Czech Centre’s Women in Focus series, Juliet Vopěnka Navrátilová offers a deeply personal and spiritual reflection on living with extreme sensitivity. Her “shamanic illness” became the turning point that redirected her path—from illness and emotional struggle to healing, empowerment, and purpose. In this context, “rags to riches” refers not to material wealth, but to emotional, mental, and spiritual abundance gained through self-understanding.

Through travels in Latin America and participation in shamanic ceremonies, Juliet came to see her empathic nature as a gift rather than a burden. Empaths—highly sensitive, neurodiverse individuals—often absorb others’ emotions unconsciously, leading to exhaustion and illness. By embracing her sensitivity, she now helps others reconnect with their intuition and inner power. As a shamanic practitioner, she also energetically cleanses homes and spaces. Her journey is one of transformation through ritual, awareness, and heart-centred connection.

www.thinkingwiththeheart.com 
www.mysletsrdcem.cz

Juliet will be in conversation with Suzanne Edwards

Suzanne has been friends with Juliet for nearly 20 years. She is a published author of three books about spirituality, two of which are on the topic of shamanism. She is a spiritual teacher specialising in dream work and shamanic healing. She is currently researching the subject of ancient dream practices in different cultures including Egypt, Greece, Mexico, China and the Amazon. She is an empath living in London and has had a massage practice there for over 25 years.

Event took place on Tue 13 May 2025 at the Czech Centre at the Czech Embassy Cinema.

More information: https://london.czechcentres.cz/en/program/juliet-vopenka-navratilova

#womeninfocus #shamanic #healing