Prague is preparing to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Franz Kafka’s death on June 3rd, 1924 through a series of film screenings, exhibitions, literary events, and theatre productions.
Kafka was born in Prague in 1883 and died in 1924 for tuberculosis complications. He represents an indispensable figure in the cultural landscape of the 20th century. His literary works, together with his short writings and extensive correspondence, have been translated into numerous languages, arousing significant academic interest. In addition to influencing generations of writers, Kafka’s influence has extended to cross sectors such as film, music, and the visual arts.
The City of Prague allocated 1.4 million crowns to support 14 commemorative projects, being Kafka an important figure for the city and representing a frequent reason for tourists, especially from Germany and America, to visit the Czech capital. The commemorative initiative, supported by the City of Prague, will run throughout 2024, in cooperation with Prague City Tourism and the capital’s Municipal Library.
On the occasion of Kafka’s anniversary, the program will focus on the analysis of his literary production and its influences on various forms of artistic expression. One of the most special initiatives is undoubtedly the decoration of a tram with the writer’s portrait and several of his quotations (both in Czech and English), that has been running through the streets of Prague since the beginning of April. Yet, the introduction of this exclusive tram is just one of the many attractions and cultural events that the city organizes in memory of the famous Bohemian author.
In cooperation with the German company Adalbert Stiffer, the Municipal Library has launched an English-language website, entitled Festival-Kafka 2024, documenting Kafka-related events in Prague. In particular, lectures, debates, and various literary and artistic competitions will be organized in June.
Other noteworthy projects include the unique collaboration with the illustrator Magdalena Jetelová, who designed the illuminations with captivating illustrations of the Water Tower of the New Mill in Prague 1, namely a light installation, visible from September to October, created by the visual and conceptual artist Franz John. Additionally, a special dedication of the World Book Festival has been organized with a special focus on Kafka and will be held in Prague from 23 to 26 May.
From May to September, the Goethe Institute will organize several Kafka-themed events, including the exhibition ‘The Kafka Family Photo Album’, which will open to the public on 5 June.
To commemorate the relationship between Franz Kafka and the visual arts, an exhibition will be held from 9 February to 22 September at the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art Prague. Opened on February 8th, with a masterful performance by the KAFKASQUE Orchestra, this exhibition focuses on reflecting on Kafka’s work and poetics in contemporary art. It wants to reflect Kafka’s work through the perspective of the contemporary world, which is situated at a point where the old no longer exists and the new has not been born yet. The exhibition will present works by internationally renowned artists for whom Kafka’s work remains a source of inspiration. Indeed, his work, rich in allegory and metaphor, continues to be a source of inspiration and reflection not only for readers but also for artists.
The commemorative projects are transversal and aimed at a heterogeneous audience, so that everyone can rediscover (or, in some cases, discover) the Bohemian writer through their own passions and inclinations. For this reason, a video game, Playing Kafka, has also been developed, allowing videogame enthusiasts to embark on a Kafkaesque journey through his imaginary world. Supported by didactic materials, this revolutionary video game allows gamers to actively engage in the narrative, creatively learning the various nuances of the author. Available since 2023, the first half of the game is inspired by the novel ‘The Process’, while the second half, influenced by ‘Letter to the Father’ and ‘The Castle’, will be available for free from May 2024 in Czech, English, and German.
In line with the objective of reaching as many people as possible through diverse projects, a comic book titled “Komplett Kafka” created by Austrian illustrator Nicolas Mahler will also be published on 4 June.
Prague is therefore ready to celebrate at best the Bohemian artist through a rich series of cultural events aimed at celebrating his literary and artistic legacy with the city. Through such initiatives, the Bohemian Capital aims to honor Kafka’s memory by promoting the artist’s appreciation, offering the public an opportunity to explore and interpret his creative universe in alternative and stimulating ways.
Sources: https://www.expats.cz/, https://www.ceskenoviny.cz/
