The book “Classic Czech Short Stories (Anthology)” was presented in Baku
17.10.2025 / 18:06 | Aktualizováno: 17.10.2025 / 18:33
The book “Classic Czech Short Stories (Anthology)” presents a selection of literary gems of Czech prose from the second half of the 19th century to the present. For the first time, readers in Azerbaijan have the opportunity to get to know Czech culture through original short stories translated to Azarbaijani language directly from Czech. The Czech anthology follows on from a similar collection of Azerbaijani short stories “Sarı Gelin”, published in Czech language in Prague three years earlier. Both books are the result of cultural cooperation and efforts for deeper understanding between nations.
The launch of the book “Classic Czech Short Stories (Anthology)” in Baku on October 2, 2025 was opened by the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Azerbaijan Mr. Milan Sedláček. The book was presented personally by its editor-in-chief, Doc. PhDr. Ivana Bozděchová, CSc. Both “Classic Czech Short Stories (Anthology)” and “Sarı Gelin” were translated by Ms. Shabnam Kondrysova Asadova. “Classic Czech Short Stories” was published by the „Elm və Təhsil“ Publishing House in Baku.
The presentation and launch of the book “Classic Czech Short Stories (Anthology)” in the Caspian Plaza complex (Lotfizadeh Technology Center) on October 2, 2025 was opened by Ambassador Milan Sedláček. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of literary translations for strengthening cultural ties between Czechia and Azerbaijan.
The book was presented by its editor-in-chief, teacher at Charles University, linguist, Czech studies scholar and, last but not least, a long-time lecturer of Czech language abroad, as well as supporter of the rich Azerbaijani culture, Doc. PhDr. Ivana Bozděchová, CSc. The aim of the collection of the Czech short stories is to introduce readers to Czech culture, and Ms. Bozděchová reminded during the evening that reading sparks interest in how people live in other countries, it sparks interest in finding common themes among nations.
Ms. Vefa Abdullayeva-Nabiyeva represented the Azerbaijani publishing house "Elm və Təhsil" and the editor Prof. Nadir Mammadli at the presentation. Excerpts from the book were read by Ms. Bozděchová and Ms. Leyla Begim Jafarova, Head of the Azerbaijani Cultural House in Prague.
The idea of publishing “Classic Czech Short Stories (Anthology)” in Azerbaijan was initiated by Ms. Bozděchová years ago. This book published in Baku now follows on from a similar publication of a collection of modern Azerbaijani short stories in Prague named "Sarı Gelin". "Sarı Gelin", which was also initiated by Ms. Bozděchová, was published in Czech language in Prague in March 2022.
The now-presented “Classic Czech Short Stories (Anthology)” contains works by 14 Czech authors, representing both classical (e. g. Jan Neruda and Karel Čapek) and modern Czech literature. The book was conceived to reflect diversity of Czech literature and to offer a mix of different genres.
One of the stories featured in the book is a story by Ivan Klíma, one of the most prominent Czech authors of the second half of the 20th century, who died on October 4, 2025. His books have been published in more than thirty languages, now also in Azerbaijani…
The book was published with the support of the Czech Ministry of Culture and the AGA Group.
speech by Ambassador Sedláček
presentation of anthology
editor-in-chief Doc. Bozděchová
book Sari Gelin published in Prague
reading - Director of Cultural House of Azerbaijan in Prague
audience - guests
Doc. I. Bozděchová and Doc. V. Abdullayeva
reading the storry "Waterman"