What is the Butterfly Effect?
We asked David Černý to explain the powerful context behind one of his BUTTERFLY EFFECT installations, now resting on the facade of Atelier Bohemia in London.
The original installation, known as the Spitfire Butterflies, can be seen on the facade of the Máj Národní building in Prague. The butterflies’ bodies resemble British Spitfire fighter planes and honour Czechoslovak pilots who served in the RAF during the Second World War.
The London installation continues this story, commemorating the bravery of Czechoslovak RAF fighter pilots and the 359 pilots represented by airplane silhouettes in the pavement.
Brought to Clerkenwell Design Week by Czech Centre London Director Tereza Šídlová, in partnership with Atelier Bohemia, Prusa Research 3D printers, and CzechTrade UK.
See it now at Atelier Bohemia, 3 Clerkenwell Road.
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The Czech Centre London actively promotes the Czech Republic by showcasing Czech culture, innovation The Czech Centre is a member of EUNIC.
The Czech Centre London actively promotes Czechia by showcasing Czech culture, innovations and creativity in the UK. Our programme presents inspirational and vibrant art scene, science, innovations and technology as well as educational activities. The Czech Centre London opened in 1993 and is part of a worldwide network of 26 Czech Centres operating on four continents.
28/05/2026
As always, it was our honour to be part of the European Writers Festival!
This year's edition, which took place at the British Library 15th- 17th May, saw Czech author Jáchym Topol appearing on the panel “Stranger Things”.
Jáchym read excerpts from his book 'A Sensitive Man' and discussed boundaries between reality, fiction and imagination with fellow authors on the panel.
Thanks to EUNIC London for organising and huge thanks to the wonderful, attentive audiences who joined us!
In partnership with EUNIC London, CzechLit - České literární centrum, European Parliament in the UK, European Literature Network, European Union in the UK.
📸 Jam Pond Photography
Today at Czech Centre London, we commemorate the anniversary of Operation Anthropoid.
On 27 May 1942, Czech paratrooper Jan Kubiš and Slovak soldier Jozef Gabčík carried out one of the bravest acts of resistance of World War II: the assassination attempt on N**i leader Reinhard Heydrich in Prague.
The mission was planned with the support of the Czechoslovak government-in-exile here on Bayswater Road in London, where their famous photograph was taken against the brick wall.
Their extraordinary courage continues to inspire us today, and has been powerfully portrayed by artists in the film Anthropoid, directed by Sean Ellis and starring Cillian Murphy and Jamie Dornan, as well as in Laurent Binet’s famous French novel HHhH.
We remember their courage, sacrifice, and fight for freedom.
Source footage used from the official trailer for Anthropoid (2016), directed by Sean Ellis.
Reel by
Sir Michael Burton recalls a royal visit that became a defining moment in Czech-British history. 👑
As the United Kingdom Ambassador to the Czech Republic from 1994 to 1997, he witnessed HM Queen Elizabeth II’s state visit in 1996 first-hand, at a time when the young Czech Republic was reconnecting with Europe after decades behind the Iron Curtain.
Our outdoor exhibition The Queen and the Playwright: A Royal Visit at Prague Castle brings this historic moment back to life through photographs by Alan Pajer.
If you haven’t seen them yet, come and discover this remarkable moment in Czech-British history for yourself.
📍 Public space outside the Czech Embassy, London
📅 On display until 12 June 2026
Free to view 24/7
25/05/2026
2026 marks a crucial year for Czech literature! 📚
And the Czech Republic is the official Guest of Honour at the 2026 Frankfurt Book Fair, the largest book fair in the world!
Which authors should be presented?
The Czech Centres have picked twenty writers who we consider to be relevant in literature both at home and in translation - number 1: BOŽENA NĚMCOVÁ
In partnership with Fakulta designu a umění Ladislava Sutnara ZČU,
Česká centra/Czech Centres.
24/05/2026
Have you seen it yet? 👑
Our outdoor exhibition The Queen and the Playwright: A Royal Visit at Prague Castle is still available to see in the public space outside the Czech Embassy in London.
The exhibition features photographs by Alan Pajer, capturing HM Queen Elizabeth II’s state visit to the Czech Republic in 1996, hosted by President Václav Havel. From her walk across Charles Bridge to a sweet meeting with the Havel family dog Ďula, the exhibition offers a beautiful glimpse into this historic royal visit.
It has already been getting lots of attention from passersby, so make sure to stop by next time you are in the area.
📍 Public space outside the Czech Embassy, London
📅 On display until 12 June 2026
Free to view 24/7
22/05/2026
We're proud to be part of this year's London Festival of Architecture!
Join us on Thursday 11th June for our panel discussion DESIGNED TO BELONG: MODERNISM, INDUSTRY AND COMMUNITY, exploring how architecture shapes belonging, not just by providing shelter, but by structuring everyday life.
Using the Bata village at East Tilbury as a starting point, our panelists will examine how modernist ideals, industrial ambition and community planning created a distinctive model of living.
Speakers include writer and historian Gillian Darley OBE, architect Ondřej Chybík, Mick Pinion from the Bata Heritage Centre, and Milan Balaban from the Tomas Bata University in Zlín.
Chaired by Sir John Tusa.
🎟️ https://bit.ly/DesignedToBelong_LFA_11June
In partnership with London Festival of Architecture, Twentieth Century Society, Nadace Tomáše Bati, Univerzita Tomáše Bati ve Zlíně, Chybik + Kristof Architects, and Bata Heritage Centre.
The talk is an accompanying event to the exhibition Desire to Create: Baťa's Architecture of Belonging, currently on show at the Vitrínka Gallery until 12 June. Also part of LFA.
The final day of his year’s Clerkenwell Design Week is here! Don’t miss the BUTTERFLY EFFECT - a unique installation by Czech artist David Černý, currently resting on the facade of Atelier Bohemia (3 Clerkenwell Rd).
The piece commemorates the bravery of Czechoslovak RAF fighters during the Second World War and also marks the 90th anniversary of the first Spitfire flight.
In partnership with Atelier Bohemia, Prusa Research 3D printers, and CzechTrade UK.
Reel by Rebeka Beckie Jurčacková
20/05/2026
We're proud to bring the BUTTERFLY EFFECT by Czech artist David Černý 'home' to the UK!
We've teamed up with Atelier Bohemia, a wonderful showroom of Czech design and business in London, and the great Czech innovators from Prusa Research 3D printers to enhance Czech visibility at this year's Clerkenwell Design Week.
The installation, which you can currently find at Atelier Bohemia (3 Clerkenwell Road), commemorates the bravery of Czechoslovak fighters of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War and it also marks the 90th anniversary of the first Spitfire flight.
Don't miss it!
W/ CzechTrade UK
Photos by Rebeka Beckie Jurčacková
19/05/2026
2026 marks a crucial year for Czech literature! 📚
The Czech Republic is the official Guest of Honour at the 2026 Frankfurt Book Fair, the largest book fair in the world.
Which authors should be presented? The Czech Centres have picked twenty writers who we consider to be relevant in literature both at home and in translation. Each week until the start of the Frankfurt Book Fair, we will publish a portrait of a famous Czech author we want to introduce to the world – watch this space!
In partnership with Fakulta designu a umění Ladislava Sutnara ZČU. Česká centra/Czech Centres.
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