On 16 September 2025, the Atlas české světové literatury (1817–2019) (Atlas of Czech World Literature), authored by our colleague Ondřej Vimr, will be officially presented. Details regarding the time and venue of the event will be announced in due course.
How has Czech literature spread across the world over the past two centuries? Which books, authors, and voices have gained recognition abroad? Can we speak of an international canon of Czech literature – and if so, who defines it, and how does it change over time?
The Atlas české světové literatury (1817–2019) is the first systematic overview of how Czech literature has been received in foreign-language contexts from the early 19th century to the present day. It is based on a unique database of literary translations and employs tools of the digital humanities – quantitative analysis and data visualisation. In addition to analytical commentary, the book features a rich array of visual material: maps, charts, and other infographics that reveal both long-term trends and unexpected connections.
The publication explores how Czech literature can be viewed in a global context – and how many “Czech literatures” there might actually be. What constitutes “international success” for a relatively small literature, and how can it be measured? How did the fall of the Iron Curtain transform the global circulation of Czech writing? And what role does state intervention—such as support provided by the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic – play in promoting translation abroad? The Atlas české světové literatury (1817–2019) offers not only new answers, but also new questions.
