Ukrainian Debate Series: Information War in Russia

Join us for the fourth edition of the annual Václav Havel European Dialogues, a global series of discussions inspired by Havel’s enduring legacy organised jointly by the Czech Centre London, SSEES and the Research Centre for the Study of Places, Identities, and Memories (PIMs). Over the last three decades, the Central European countries have experienced some of the fastest economic growths in the world. The region has joined the ranks of highly developed countries, and its citizens are wealthier and living longer than ever before. In Czechia, this transformation was closely tied to the democratic ideals articulated by Václav Havel, whose vision of an open society and civic responsibility shaped the country’s path during the early years of transition. Yet, within a generation, Central Europe has also moved from being one of the most egalitarian regions in Europe to one of the most unequal. This indicates that the growth has not benefited all equally. What are the sources of the Central European miracle, and who are its main beneficiaries? What are the consequences of the increasing inequalities for these societies, especially in the context of growing political polarisation? How can we ensure that future growth in the region will be inclusive?  The event will be moderated by Jessie Barton Hronešová and will feature an esteemed panel of speakers, including Zsoka Koczan, Lead Economist in the Office of the Chief Economist at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Lubomír Lízal, economist and former director of CERGE-EI, Prague, Pawel Bukowski, co-director of the new Research Center for the Study of Places, Identities, and Memories (PIMs), and a word of welcome by Přemysl Pela, the director of the Czech Center in London. About the speakers: Zsoka Koczan is Associate Director, Lead Economist in the Office of the Chief Economist at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. At the EBRD, she edits the Regional Economic Prospects, which review the latest economic developments in the EBRD regions, works on the Transition Report, EBRD’s annual flagship publication, and runs the Life in Transition Survey, a large household survey covering 44 economies. Prior to joining the EBRD, she worked as an economist at the International Monetary Fund in the European and the Research Departments, primarily on the World Economic Outlook. She holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Cambridge Paweł Bukowski is a Lecturer in Economics at the University College London and the Polish Academy of Sciences. Also affiliated with the London School of Economics. He is a Co-Director of the Centre for the Study of Places, Identities and Memories (PIMs) at UCL. His research focuses on socio-economic inequalities and labour economics. He has won multiple international research grants, founded an expert group – Dobrobyt na Pokolenia and is a member of Concilium Civitas - a group of influential Polish social scientists working abroad. His book, “Inequalities a’la Polonaise”, won the Puls Biznesu Scientific Economics Book of the Year 2024 and the Marcin Król Prize 2025, given for a significant contribution to the humanities and social sciences.  Lubomír Lízal has been a member of the Czech National Bank Board in 2011-2017; the Board is bank governing body and monetary policy committee. Since 1993 he has worked as a researcher at the Economics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences. In 2003–2008 he has been Director of both the Economics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences and CERGE, Charles University. He is a member of the Scientific Council of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the Czech Technical University, and other scientific boards. He was a member of the National Economic Council of the Government. In years 2018-2019 he has served as the President of the Anglo-American University in Prague. Currently he is an associate professor at the Czech Technical University and at the University of Finance and Administration. Mr Lízal graduated at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the Czech Technical University. In 1998 he obtained a PhD in economics at CERGE, Charles University and in 2006 he qualified as an associate professor in economics at Charles University. In his research he has focused on transition and environmental economics, recently also on energy economics. Jessie Barton Hronešová is a Lecturer in Political Sociology at the School of Slavonic and East European Studies, UCL, and Co-Director of the Centre for Study of Places, Identities and Memories. In her work, she focuses on victimhood narratives, the politics of memory, transitional justice and dealing with the past in Central and Southeast Europe. She is particularly interested in the political uses of emotionally charged and traumatic memories as well as how victims and survivors navigate politics. She is the author of The Struggle of Redress: Victim Capital in Bosnia and Herzegovina (2020) and Post-War Ethno-National Identities of Young People in Bosnia and Herzegovina (2012) and co-editor of The Nexus between Democracy, Collective Identity Formation, and EU Enlargement (2011). From 2019 to 2021 she was the ESRC Postdoctoral research Fellow at the University of Oxford and then a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow at UNC Chapel Hill and Ca' Foscari. Outside of academia, she is a frequent policy advisor and consultant in international development in Central and Southeast Europe. Přemysl Pela is the Director of the Czech Centre London and the Programme Director of Czechia EXPO 2025 in Osaka. Premysl has served as the Director of the Czech Center in New York and worked for, among others, the Charles University's CERGE-EI Institute and the Czech Academy of Sciences. In the private sector, he has held various international top managerial roles. He also headed the Strategy and Innovation Department at the Czech Centre's HQ in Prague and developed innovative projects presenting scientific creativity through advanced digital technology. He holds graduate degrees from the University of Wisconsin and Ostrava University and has completed academic and professional programmes in New York University, Michigan University and the Civil Management College in London. More information: https://london.czechcentres.cz/en/program/vaclav-havel-european-dialogues-2025   #vaclavhaveldialogues #inequality #centraleurope

Inspired by her father’s bedtime stories, Czech Christmas traditions, and the stillness and ever-presence of breath, Czech artist based in Paris Filomena Borecká, created paintings and a sculpture that, together with works by four other artists, fill the spaces of the Vitrínka and Bouda galleries. Today she joined our podcast series to tell us more about her art and sources of inspiration. Silent Systems: Breathing Devices at Vitrínka and Breathing with Breaths – Air Bladders at Bouda run until 16 January and are part of the 29th Made in Prague Festival. Listen to our newest episode and take a glimpse into what’s awaiting you in the Czech Centre London’s galleries! https://london.czechcentres.cz/en/program/silent-objects-breathing-devices https://london.czechcentres.cz/en/program/breaths-air-bladders   #(when)arttalks #filomenaborecka #breathsairbladders #silentsystemsbreathingdevices #madeinpraguefestival

Book launch conversation with Daniela Spenser, chaired by Jana Burešová Join us for a compelling evening with historian and anthropologist Daniela Grollová Spenser, as she discusses her new book Echoes of Exile: A Family’s Odyssey through the Holocaust and Cold War. Blending personal history with political insight, Spenser traces three generations of her family across some of the most turbulent chapters of the 20th century: from the devastation of the Holocaust and wartime imprisonment, through the vibrant intellectual and political life of 1960s Czechoslovakia, to the trauma of exile after the 1968 Soviet invasion. At the heart of the story are her mother, translator Ruth Tosková, and her stepfather, editor and journalist Vladimír Tosek, whose lives intertwined with prominent figures such as Jiří Pelikán and the émigré journal Listy. The book—published in Czech by Argo (2025) and in English by the University of Alabama Press (2025)—offers a deeply human perspective on survival, displacement, and the shifting relationship between political exiles and Czech society after 1989. The conversation will be chaired by Jana Burešová and will open a window into how private lives intersect with history on a global scale. About the author: Daniela Spenser is a fellow at CIESAS (Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Superiores en Antropología Social) in Mexico City. She is also the author of The Impossible Triangle: Mexico, Soviet Russia, and the United States in the 1920sand Stumbling Its Way Through Mexico: The Early Years of the Communist International. Supported by the BCSA. More information: https://london.czechcentres.cz/en/program/echoes-of-exile #czechcentrelondon #booklaunch #conversation

The new exhibition at Bouda Gallery, Design and Transformation, offers a fresh perspective on Czech design by exploring the relationship between design and social change. Showcasing six inspiring Czech companies and highlighting 30 years of both tradition and innovation, the exhibition combines storytelling with behind-the-scenes insights into some of the most iconic Czech brands. Presented as part of the London Design Festival, it captivates visitors with its unique approach. Curator Tereza Vernerová Volná and creative director of the short films Michaela Režová share what makes this exhibition special and why it’s definitely worth a visit! https://london.czechcentres.cz/en/program/design-and-transformation #(when)arttalks #designandtransformation #terezavernerovavolna #michaelarezova

In the latest episode of (when) Art Talks, renowned Czech choreographer Lenka Vagnerová shares her insights into this year’s Fringe Festival and the powerful story behind Panoptikum, a haunting dance theatre performance inspired by the “freak shows” of the late 19th century in the UK and US. Don’t miss Episode 6! https://london.czechcentres.cz/en/ #(when)arttalks #panoptikum #lenkavagnerova

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

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

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

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

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