Milan Kundera’s archive moved exclusively to Brno library

Milan Kundera, the worldrenowned Czech-born author who has been living in Paris, returns back to Brno. Or rather his lifelong work.

Kundera decided to donate his books and private archive to the Moravian Library (MZK, Kounicova 65a). It is a clear message that Brno is where he still feels at home. On 1 April, on his 94th birthday, a separate study room was opened in MZK that bears the designation Milan Kundera’s Library. The collection was transported from the Kunderas’ apartment.

Born in Brno

Kundera was born in Brno in 1929. He emigrated in 1975 together with his wife Věra and the couple found a new home in Paris. He was stripped of his Czechoslovak citizenship by the

Communist regime four years later and became a French citizen in 1981. His Czech citizenship was only restored in 2019.

More than 3,000 copies

The recently opened library includes more than 3,000 copies of various editions of his books published in Czech and other 50 world languages. How is it possible that Kundera, the enigmatic writer who avoids speaking to the media, donated his archive to his hometown?

As the French put it, cherchez la femme.

Books belong to library

It is thanks to Kundera’s wife that the library is established in Brno. Kundera commented with his usual restraint: “I think that books belong to a library, so it is logical that I put them in the Moravian Library.” Interestingly, it is not far from his natal home in Purkyňova street. If you wonder what a famous writer’s personal library looks like and you want to be among the first people ever to see Kundera’s private archive, you now have an amazing opportunity.

Cosy living room

Milan Kundera’s Library is designed as a cosy living room. There are three computers as the archival material, such as the copies with the author’s proofreading, will be gradually scanned and accessible primarily in digital form. In addition, the library will have audio versions of Kundera’s works in Czech, French, English and German later this year. It’s also to serve as a meeting place offering author readings and attractive lectures and discussions on literary topics. The library is open daily except Sundays, from 10 am until 5 pm. To visit, you need either to be registered at the library (for 6 months, 100 CZK or 1 year, 200 CZK) or obtain a one-time entry pass (that is actually valid for 30 days, 20 CZK).

Written by Anna Macková for the Brno Expat Centre www.brnoexpatcentre.eu/blog