Journey of Diplomacy
Alongside the outdoor interactive exhibition entitled 'Journey of the Republic', a newly emerging art project aptly named the 'Journey of Diplomacy'' is being created in the Straka Academy garden, commemorating the significant international relations and partnerships of the Czech Republic. This combines education with beauty, in the heart of Prague, yet amidst nature. And just as the garden will continue to evolve with plants and trees growing, information on the panels and works of art will also accumulate. Because life is growth and no garden ever has a final appearance.
The new exhibition builds upon the restoration of the Straka Academy garden, elevating and enhancing its significance. The Journey of Diplomacy will comprise sculptural works representing individual states. The idea for both exhibitions and maximising the garden accessibility to the public came from the Head of the Government Office, Ms Tünde Bartha.
The first sculptural installation of a lion and she-wolf commemorates Italian-Czech relations. The sculpture, created by promising sculptor Adam Alva Fejfar, was installed in 2019 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of friendly Czech-Italian relations. The artist named it 'Carnevale'. Further statues and sculptures will follow. On the eve of the celebrations on 28 October 2026, a new work of art commemorating Czech-Slovak friendship, aptly named 'Medzi nami' (Between Us) and crafted by prominent academic sculptor Vladimír Durbák, was unveiled.
The Journey of Diplomacy co-creates the genius loci of the Straka Academy. It enriches the existing collection of art works located within the facilities of the Government Office, whether paintings, sculptures or other artistic or handicraft works. It follows in the footsteps of undeniable aesthetic achievements, such as the creation of a large stained-glass window with the Czech national coat of arms in 2018, unveiled on the occasion of the celebrations of the Republic's centenary. Or the recent installation of a dynamically conceived sculpture of Charles IV with the motif of the St Wenceslas Crown on the first floor of the Straka Academy, not far from the office of the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic.
The individual sculptures are positioned throughout the garden with care and in accordance with the binding master plan. For this very reason, the new garden concept was created in cooperation with leading landscape architects Kamila and Přemysl Krejčiřík. The layout of the garden landscaping, including—the placement of statues and the installation of grass pathways, was consulted with heritage conservation specialists. The form of artistic expression is not restricted; the only limitations concern the sight lines, views and volume of the work. New works of art placed in the garden are state gifts and thereby duly registered in the records of the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic.
Just as the garden will continue to evolve as its trees and flowers grow, so too will the Journey of Diplomacy develop, gradually expanding with additional open-air artworks. Through this, the Straka Academy acquires a new dimension. The pinnacle state institution is no longer associated solely with a building, but communicates with the public in the welcoming space of the garden through various social events, ministerial Saturdays presenting individual government departments and, above all, through maximum accessibility to the public. High-quality English translations of texts and expanded captions are prepared for domestic and foreign visitors. Visitors now enter the garden as they would a gallery, seeking relaxation in the midst of a bustling city and pursuing deeper experiences.
Over the past year, 10,137 visitors have walked through the Straka Academy garden. This year, the garden is open every Saturday from 25 April to 28 October, always from 10 AM to 6 PM. Admission is free.
