By Maxmilian Wechsler
| HIS Excellency Dr Vítezslav Grepl, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Kingdom of Thailand, is justifiably proud of the tremendous artistic contributions made by the people of that relatively small region in the heart of Europe. Visit the Bangkok Art and Culture Center (BACC) and proof of this pride can be witnessed first-hand in an exhibition he has initiated entitled “The Magic World of Czech Illustrators for Children.” |  |
Held through January 17, this multi-layered exhibition, currently on an Asian tour, features 90 colourful and creative images by 20 Czech illustrators spanning the last 100 years. Soft toy characters from popular children’s books and illustrations are also on display.
“Czech illustrators are distinguished by their boundless creativity and capacity for fantasy,” said Dr Grepl, when he officially opened the exhibition last month alongside Bangkok Governor, M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra. “This is why the popularity of our children´s books reaches far beyond the Czech borders. Now a select sample of these wonderful illustrations has come to Bangkok to delight Thais of all ages.
“The exhibition offers visitors a wide range of approaches to the colorful world of children’s literature illustrated in this distinctive European style. It is a magnificent gift from Czech artists to brighten the lives of millions of children around the world and stimulate their imaginations. An appreciation of art contributes greatly to a happy childhood, but this inspirational exhibition is also for parents, teachers of visual art, creators of children’s TV programs, editors, publishers, artists, animators and so on.
“Before I joined the Czech Foreign Service I worked as an editor in the publishing house Albatros, which specializes in children´s literature. The job was highly creative, imaginative and rewarding, and it greatly shaped my understanding of the world of children. So in a way I am continuing in the first job of my life in my new capacity as ambassador. I also consider that promoting the Czech culture in the countries I am assigned is one of my chief duties.
“Czech illustrators are distinguished by their boundless creativity and capacity for fantasy,” said Dr Grepl, when he officially opened the exhibition last month alongside Bangkok Governor, M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra. “This is why the popularity of our children´s books reaches far beyond the Czech borders. Now a select sample of these wonderful illustrations has come to Bangkok to delight Thais of all ages.
“The exhibition offers visitors a wide range of approaches to the colorful world of children’s literature illustrated in this distinctive European style. It is a magnificent gift from Czech artists to brighten the lives of millions of children around the world and stimulate their imaginations. An appreciation of art contributes greatly to a happy childhood, but this inspirational exhibition is also for parents, teachers of visual art, creators of children’s TV programs, editors, publishers, artists, animators and so on.
“Before I joined the Czech Foreign Service I worked as an editor in the publishing house Albatros, which specializes in children´s literature. The job was highly creative, imaginative and rewarding, and it greatly shaped my understanding of the world of children. So in a way I am continuing in the first job of my life in my new capacity as ambassador. I also consider that promoting the Czech culture in the countries I am assigned is one of my chief duties.
“Culture and art geared toward children has for decades been at a very high level in the Czech Republic. Many of the best Czech artists are dedicated to shaping children’s understanding and vision of their surrounding world and helping them to not only develop and enhance their imaginations, but also to grasp important values in life.
“When I came here I felt the need to share this experience with Thai children and their parents, and also to present a vivid picture of the Czech national identity and what we stand for. And children´s books are very good tools for that. Generally speaking, a good book is one of the best guides for a child, and one that will last throughout his or her life. Books open the eyes and ears of children and help them to perceive the beauty of life around them. Books illuminate the universal human values of friendship, love, loyalty and humility, and at the same time to make a clear distinction between their undesirable opposites. And on top of all that, Czech children’s books are full of so much fun, adventure and joy!
“The exhibition has been a great success everywhere it has gone so far – Malaysia, China, Cambodia and now Thailand. After it closes here the exhibition will move on to Laos, and I believe it will be very well received there too. The response from visitors has been very positive.
“After the exhibition is over at BACC I want to donate a part of the collection of illustrations and copies of the soft toys and films to a children’s hospital or orphanage in Thailand, to make a better environment for kids who are less fortunate. That’s another way the effect of the exhibition will remain long after it’s over.”
Alongside arranging exhibitions, the Czech embassy takes part in the EU Film Festival in Bangkok, and also has a fine program jointly sponsored by Chulalongkorn University to present literature, films and historical perspectives during the Week of Czech Culture planned for February/March 2016.
“We organize events like a painting and drawing workshop for Burmese children at the Mae La III refugee camp, and have a program to present Czech culture and history at Mae Fah Luang University in Chiang Rai,” said Dr Grepl. “The great response from the Thai public to all our events makes me so pleased and happy to be here. I feel that in my role as ambassador to Thailand I am in the right place at the right time.”
www.bacc.or.th
“When I came here I felt the need to share this experience with Thai children and their parents, and also to present a vivid picture of the Czech national identity and what we stand for. And children´s books are very good tools for that. Generally speaking, a good book is one of the best guides for a child, and one that will last throughout his or her life. Books open the eyes and ears of children and help them to perceive the beauty of life around them. Books illuminate the universal human values of friendship, love, loyalty and humility, and at the same time to make a clear distinction between their undesirable opposites. And on top of all that, Czech children’s books are full of so much fun, adventure and joy!
“The exhibition has been a great success everywhere it has gone so far – Malaysia, China, Cambodia and now Thailand. After it closes here the exhibition will move on to Laos, and I believe it will be very well received there too. The response from visitors has been very positive.
“After the exhibition is over at BACC I want to donate a part of the collection of illustrations and copies of the soft toys and films to a children’s hospital or orphanage in Thailand, to make a better environment for kids who are less fortunate. That’s another way the effect of the exhibition will remain long after it’s over.”
Alongside arranging exhibitions, the Czech embassy takes part in the EU Film Festival in Bangkok, and also has a fine program jointly sponsored by Chulalongkorn University to present literature, films and historical perspectives during the Week of Czech Culture planned for February/March 2016.
“We organize events like a painting and drawing workshop for Burmese children at the Mae La III refugee camp, and have a program to present Czech culture and history at Mae Fah Luang University in Chiang Rai,” said Dr Grepl. “The great response from the Thai public to all our events makes me so pleased and happy to be here. I feel that in my role as ambassador to Thailand I am in the right place at the right time.”
www.bacc.or.th
