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Czech-German Literature Strengthens Knowledge of Czech Culture

The Czech Centre Organizes a Reading of Two Recently Released Books about Prague by Czech Writer Jaroslav Rudiš and German Writer Martin Becker

September 19th, 2016
Martina Hanáková, News from Berlin
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The Czech Centre in Berlin is organizing a reading of newly released books on the 13th September, to take place in the Center itself. Czech writer Jaroslav Rudiš and German author Martin Becker both recently released new books telling the stories of contemporary Prague. They will lead the reader to points outside typical tourist areas and draw them into  worlds which do not conform to the usual stereotypes.

Rudiš´s ‘National Street’ (Nationalstraße) is set in a block of flats in Prague. The story is centred around a thug named Vandams who inadvertently disrupts the order of his suburban life. Martin Becker's book ‘Instructions for Use for Prague and Bohemia’ (Gebrauchsanweisung für Prag und Tschechien) has many diverse themes, such as the Prague metro, fried cheese, and the Czech language.

Both books show that typical Czech humor, which made the Czechs famous, is more than just a cliché. This is shown in the Becker’s work: the German author has been engaged in Bohemia for a long time and is fully involved with life there, as is his fellow writer Rudiš.

Following their great successes at the Leipzig Book Fair, both authors will present their work together in Berlin. Jaroslav Rudiš will present Martin Becker and Becker will in turn present Rudiš. Both will read excerpts from their new books, which will be on sale at the Bücher am Nonnendamm bookstore. No entrance fee is required for this event.

This glimpse into Czech culture from two points of view will provide the German public with a valuable resource for expanding their awareness about the Czech Republic, its citizens and its cultural issues.

References:

News from Berlin