I still remember the exact day I made the rather spontaneous decision to move to Prague. It was December 1, 2018 – a cold, sunny winter’s day. I had just opened an exhibition with fellow artists in a gallery in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, and planned to spend a few days in the Czech Republic on my way back.
I stayed on the outskirts of Prague, in a simple yet charming hotel on the grounds of the Břevnov Monastery. Early in the morning, I was awakened by the familiar sound of shovelling snow – a sound that immediately brought back childhood memories. I felt happy because I love snow, especially when it stays and covers everything in a thick, fluffy layer. After breakfast, I set off on a long walk through the snowy city. As I wandered through the streets, I reflected on the past few months – a time filled with intense experiences but also exhaustion and frustration.
My long-term relationship had been struggling for a while, and despite a wonderful holiday in New York, it simply wasn’t working anymore. Artistically, I was working tirelessly, opening a new exhibition practically every two weeks – either my own or someone else’s – yet I felt like I was standing still, unable to move forward. On top of that, my job as the head of a children’s art studio was in jeopardy because the funding for the next year had not been approved.
I found myself at a crossroads, unsure of how to move forward. Somewhere near the then-dilapidated Nusle Brewery, I suddenly felt my inner compass shift. The needle pointed to Prague. And why not?
Since my first visit twenty years earlier, it had been my absolute favourite city. In 1999, I had even “run away” there for a week. Back then, however, the economic gap was too wide, and moving there wasn’t an option. But things had changed. Salaries had increased, unemployment was extremely low, and people with German language skills were in demand. Plus, I had been taking Czech classes at the adult education centre for years just for fun, and through numerous trips and projects, I had come to know the country and its people well.
And so, on that day, I made a decision that would profoundly change and enrich my life. That very evening, I met my future landlord and good friend. Six months later, I moved to Prague. What followed were three years full of ups and downs – friendships, Prague’s nightlife, concerts, jealousy, the COVID pandemic, isolation, and further life crises. More dramatic than any soap opera.
And then, yet a new chapter began: life in the countryside.
There is still so much to tell – about what is great here, what isn’t, what life as an artist in the countryside is like, and much more. But I’ll save that for the next blog entries.
