Originally from Prague, Mgr. Tereza Říčanová, Ph.D., moved to a farm in Mezná in the Vysočina region twenty years ago, and has been living there ever since. She studied illustration and graphics at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague, in the studio of Jiří Šalamoun. She completed her Ph.D. in the studio of illustration and graphics at the same university. Tereza Říčanová's artistic work spans a wide range of disciplines, including writing and illustrating children's books. Among her authored books are To je Istanbul (This is Istanbul) (2018), Obrazy světa (The World In Pictures) (2016), Psí knížka (Dog Book) (2014), Velikonoční knížka (Easter Book) (2012), Noemova archa (Noah's Ark) (2010), Měsíček svítí (The Moon Is Shining) (2008), Vánoční knížka (Christmas Book) (2008), and Kozí knížka (Goat Book) (2005). She performs in a unique theater show about the wolf Šedivák and the Black Lady, and her energetic theatricality extends to leading art workshops. Besides illustrating children's books, she has long been dedicated to painting, where she focuses on plants and dreams. Her dominant artistic techniques include graphics and glass underpainting. Since 2019, she has also embraced the role of a dancer, performing in the Kozí kraviny show at the Ponec Theater with Barbara Látalová. That same year, she received the M. Šašek Foundation Award for the design of the Kravská kniha (Cow Book), which she is preparing for publication. In the past, she has received awards such as the Most Beautiful Book of the Czech Republic and the Golden Ribbon. Her illustrated album Noemova archa (Noah's Ark) was nominated for the Magnesia Litera prize.

Klára Zahrádková studied illustration and graphics at Prague's UMPRUM with Juraj Horváth, interned with Kryštof Kintera and at Berlin's UDK under Henning Wagenbreth. She has authored books such as Návody k použití (Instructions for Use), Kůže kožešina trofej lasička fretka kuna otazník (Skin Fur Trophy Weasel Ferret Marten Question Mark, a photo collection from aukro.cz), Z oceli a větru (Of Steel and Wind), Gewalttätige Rezepte ohne Blut (Recipes of Bloodless Violence), Aroma souznění (Harmony’s Aroma), and Jaro (Spring). She focuses on illustration and graphic design through onkubator.com, and collaborates with the Czech experimental music scene. Living and working in Prague and Leipzig, she co-runs the XaoXax gallery and bookstore with Alžběta Zemanová, Zuzana Bramborová, and Jakub Plachý.

Jan Čumlivski studied Hungarian Philology and Culturology at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University (1998–2005), as well as animation, lettering, and typography at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague (since 2002), completing internships in Budapest, Berlin, St. Petersburg, and New York. He writes, draws, engraves, designs fonts, and prints... all of which culminate in his unique authorial books such as Kvartira 77 (2004), Ni čest, ni slávu / Weder Ruhm, noch Ehre (Not For Honor, Not for Glory)(2005), Palmáre (Attorney Fee) (2007), Union – Ideální stát (Union – The Ideal State) (2008), Kolchoz 2047 (2010), Jesus Gym (2010), Střed (Center) (2011), Žár (Blaze) (2014), Póvl (Scum) (2017)... He earns his living through graphic design and teaching (Typolab at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava and at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague). He co-organizes the Tabook festival and is editor of the Baedeker. In 2017, he held a retrospective exhibition of his work at the Drsná škola exhibition at the Slovak National Gallery in Bratislava.

www.cumlivski.com

Born in 1965, Šárka Grauová is a Czech university lecturer, specialist in Portuguese studies (Romanist), and a translator from Portuguese. She teaches at the Institute of Romance Studies at the Faculty of Arts, Charles University in Prague. Her scholarly interest is primarily in Portuguese literature. She completed her studies in English and Portuguese at the Faculty of Arts, Charles University in Prague, in 1988. Grauová translates works from English and Portuguese, including those by G. Steiner, Machado de Assis, M. de Andrade, V. Ferreira, Ch. Buarque, and Lima Barreto. In collaboration with the publishing houses Torst and Triáda, she manages the Luso-Brazilian Library series, which publishes works by Portuguese and Brazilian authors.

Jiří Dvořák was born in 1970 in Frýdlant and spent his childhood in Prague, aspiring to become either a botanist or an author of adventure novels. In 1993, he graduated in plant biotechnology from the Czech University of Life Sciences, where he realized that a career in science was not his calling. He worked as a proofreader and later as an editor for various publications; currently, he is the editor-in-chief of the magazine "Naše krásná zahrada" (Our Beautiful Garden). Dvořák has combined his love for biology and adventure by writing books that often tell stories about nature. He lives in Prague, enjoys photography, sleeping, and staying quiet.

His books include Plesk! (ABR, 1997), Kvítka z čertovy pohádky (Flowers from the Devil's Tale) (Self-published, 2002), Slepice a televize (The Chicken and the Television) (Baobab, 2003), Zpátky do Afriky! (Back to Africa!) (Baobab, 2005), Minimax a mravenec (Minimax and the Ant) (Baobab, 2009), Stromovka (with Tereza Horváthová) (Baobab, 2010), Rostlinopis (Strange Truths and Fables of the Green World) (Baobab, 2012), Jak zvířata spí (How Animals Sleep) (Baobab, 2014), Havětník (The Beastiary) (Baobab, 2015), Bydlíme! (Home Sweet Home!) (Baobab, 2019), Slunečnice (Sunflowers) (Baobab, 2020).

He has been awarded the Golden Ribbon multiple times, was nominated for the Litera award for children's literature, and received the Grand Prix Bohemia for his radio fairy tales. After graduating from the Czech University of Life Sciences with a degree in plant biotechnology, he worked in various editorial offices as a proofreader and editor. He has collaborated with numerous newspapers and magazines, as well as with Czech Radio.

Juraj Horváth graduated from the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague, where he studied in the Illustration and Graphics Studio under Professor Jiří Šalamoun. He also completed internships in the Photography Studio (doc. Pavel Štecha) and in Lettering and Typography (prof. Jan Solpera). Horváth dedicates himself to drawing, graphic arts, graphic design, illustration, and publishing books for children and young adults through the Baobab publishing house, which he runs with his wife, Tereza Horváthová. He is behind the street project POPROSVET. As a graphic artist and illustrator, he works for publishers such as Argo, GplusG, Labyrinth, Torst, and Triad. He has published in magazines like Souvislosti, Dotyk, Revolver Revue, and Park. Since 2000, he has been in charge of creating the visual style for the International Documentary Film Festival in Jihlava. For the book Příběhy z Parní lázně (Tales From the Sweat Lodge), he received the award for The Most Beautiful Book of the World at the Leipzig Book Fair in 2001. Since 2003, he has been leading the Studio of Illustration and Graphics at UMPRUM in Prague. From 2010 to 2015, he created the exhibition program for the Baobab Gallery, focusing on graphics, authorial books, illustration, along with other currents in contemporary art that are more visual than conceptual. Since 2012 he has worked with Jan Čumlivský to prepare the art portion of the international book festival Tabook.

www.punk-deco.eu/

Sylva Fischerová studied French at a language school in Brno. In 1983, she began studying philosophy at the Faculty of Arts, Charles University, and physics at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University. In 1985, she switched to classical philology at the Faculty of Arts, where she graduated in 1991 with a thesis on Problém jednoty areté u Platóna (The Problem of Unity of Virtue in Plato) on the Protagoras dialogue. From 1995 to 2003, she completed her postgraduate studies there, culminating in her dissertation Mohou Múzy lhát? (Can the Muses Lie?). Since 1992, she has been working at the Institute of Greek and Latin Studies as a senior lecturer. Currently, she teaches ancient Greek literature, religion, and philosophy at Charles University. She is the author of eleven poetry collections and also writes short stories, novels, and children's books. For her book interview with philosopher Karel Floss, Bůh vždycky zatřese stavbou (God Always Shakes the Building) (Prague 2011), she received the Czech Literary Fund Foundation Award. In 2018, she became the first Poet Laureate of Prague.

Alžběta Skálová, studied animated film at the Prague School of Applied Arts under Jiří Barta and later illustration and graphics with Juraj Horváth. She further enriched her artistic experience with internships in Paris and Baltimore. Skálová's artistic repertoire spans painting, with a focus on watercolor, graphic arts, and object art. Renowned as an illustrator and author, she self-published her works with small publishers like Kopr and NaPOLI. At NaPOLI, alongside M. Kupsová and A. Zemanová, she delved into her own creative projects – particularly books, posters, and paper games – making a mark in exhibitions for small publishers and contemporary design both in the Czech Republic and internationally, including Japan. She played a pivotal artistic role in K. Karhánková's acclaimed animated film "Fruits of Clouds" (2017), which garnered multiple awards, including Best European Short Film for Children at the Berlinale.

Skálová has a longstanding collaboration with Baobab Publishing and has published with Labyrint, Albatros, Brod, and the French publisher MeMo. Her illustrations and books have earned her prestigious recognitions like the Most Beautiful Czech Book and Magnesia Litera awards.

Her work is exhibited widely, both domestically and abroad, with her most comprehensive exhibition, "Walking in Twilight," held at the Villa Pellé Gallery in 2019. Skálová lives and works in Prague and the countryside.

František Tichý, born in Prague in 1969, has been working with children and teenagers since he was sixteen, initially as a summer camp and group leader. After earning his degree in biology and chemistry education from the Faculty of Science at Charles University, he co-founded the alternative high school Přírodní škola (Natural School) in 1993, which he still leads. He chronicled the school's unique beginnings in Přírodní škola – cesta jako cíl (Natural School - The Journey as the Destination) (Geum, 2012) and followed up with Výchova jako dobrodružství aneb to se v té Přírodní škole učíte na stromech? (Education as an Adventure, or Do You Learn in Trees at the Natural School?) (Geum, 2017), a reflection on his educational principles and experiences peppered with anecdotes from his time with students. Aside from his educational work, Tichý enjoys playing guitar, singing, cross-country skiing, swimming, hiking, and has interests in astronomy, biology, and modern physics. His writing, primarily aimed at young audiences, includes the samizdat Můj přítel Dominik (My Friend Dominik) (2008), blending Christian theology with fantasy, and Transport za věčnost (Transport to Eternity) (Baobab, 2017), a novel set during the Protectorate era that intertwines the stories of Jewish and Christian families against the backdrop of the Terezín ghetto and resistance activities, based on authentic historical materials. This novel won the Magnezia Litera award in 2018 and has been translated into Polish and Bulgarian.

František Tichý also edited the poetry collection Hned vedle bílá barva mráčků (The White Color of the Clouds Alongside) by Hanuš Hachenburg, a fourteen-year-old Terezín prisoner, with its second English-Czech edition winning first place for the most beautiful book of 2013. He processed the legacy of Josef Jan Kratochvíl, a resistance fighter and founder of radio exercises, in Dopisy z dáli (Letters from Afar). Both figures are featured in his novel Transport za věčnost. Tichý dedicated years to gathering materials on Petr Ginz, culminating in the biography Princ se žlutou hvězdou (The Prince with the Yellow Star) (Geum, 2014), awarded the Golden Ribbon for factual literature for children and youth. Additionally, he wrote and produced three plays with his students: Terezínské zvony (Terezín Bells), set in the Terezín ghetto; Návštěva z pravěku (A Visit from Prehistory), linking Petr Ginz's fate with his eponymous novel; and Podzimní příběh (An Autumn Story), set in Prague at the end of 1989.

Kateřina Klaricová worked at the Museum of Decorative Arts in the 1980s as a photography department specialist, where she prepared exhibitions and authored scholarly publications on photography, including works on František Drtikol. Following the political changes in 1989, she took on the role of cultural section manager at the presidential office. In 1992, she opened a teahouse in Prague's Celetná Street, and later, another in the Náprstkovo Museum, which she established as new, unconventional cultural centers. She is a writer of poetry, short stories, and fairy tales.

Luboš Drtina specializes in book and magazine design, illustration, poster creation, exhibition design, author's books, CD design, and free graphic work. Since 1990, he has been designing book layouts and illustrations for various publishers including Pražská imaginace, ERM, Eminent, Thyrsus, Paseka, Volvox Globator, Knihcentrum, Nakladatelství Franze Kafky, Mladá fronta, Akropolis, Academia, Argo, and others. He has graphically designed over 500 book titles. Since 2003, he has been publishing his own bibliophile edition. He has received awards in both domestic and international competitions and from 2003 to 2013, he worked as a lecturer in the studio of type design and typography at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague.

David Dolenský, grew up in the beautiful region of Podkrkonoší, but now lives in Prague. He often spends time in nature to get away from city life. David is studying Illustration and Graphics at UMPRUM and has completed internships in Birmingham and at Berlin's UDK. His artistic talents don't stop at drawing and illustration; he's also recently taken up tattooing, playing the guitar, and enjoys making various kinds of crafts.

Františka Loubat (née Lachmanová), completed her degree in Illustration and Graphics at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague in 2014. She stands out as one of the most intriguing Czech illustrators, with a notable presence in the comic book scene. Her portfolio covers a wide range of styles, themes, and disciplines. Her work is featured on platforms such as ilustratori.net, Baobab publishing house, artalk.cz with her comic strip starring Custodian Květa, and in Art and Antiques magazine, where her comic Umělec (The Artist), inspired by the fine arts scene, is published. Loubat collaborates with scriptwriter Tomáš Končinský on these projects. She earned the Muriel award for best comic strip with Květa at KomiksFEST! 2014 and the ART BOOK WANTED Edition Lidu award for her noir comic SICKTOWN two years prior. Loubat also gained attention for her project Vážně typický! (Seriously Typical!) in the Charles Square subway station, where she painted large comic strips on the wall, capturing a micro-story between a man and a woman with her distinctive drawing style. Besides comic strips, she designs book covers, illustrations, posters, and is a member of the band Vobezdud.

Eva Maceková, graduated from the Prague School of Applied Arts (VŠUP) where she studied textile design, illustration, and graphics. She sews, paints, draws, and prints. With lively energy, she blends various techniques to create art that is bold and immediate. Eva brings a punk-like virility to her work, making inventive use of any materials at hand. Her art is marked by vivid colors, an oddball psychedelic flair, and a hint of nostalgia.

Nikola Logosová graduated in illustration from the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague (UMPRUM). She enjoys working with various materials and techniques, exploring new artistic expressions. Her work encompasses both everyday themes and dreamlike motifs. She is a member of the audio-visual duo GAUNER.

Jaroslav Tvrdoň graduated in the field of Theory and History of Modern and Contemporary Art from the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague. Since 2010, he has co-directed the RUBATO publishing house with Petr Januš, and since 2020, he has focused his efforts largely on samizdat prints which he publishes under his own brand OFFICINA PRAGA. He publishes essays on book and graphic design, literature, and visual arts, particularly in the magazines A2, a cultural fortnightly, and HOST. He also engages in editorial and publishing work and teaches the history of graphic design and typography. He has been twice awarded in the competition for the Most Beautiful Books of the Czech Republic for his own book designs. Many years ago, he published a collection of short stories Tam, nahoře (Way Up There) (2005). Recently, for his own pleasure, he published the small Manuál rybářského učně (Fishing Apprentice’s Handbook) (2022). He is currently preparing more books for publication.

Magdaléna Platzová grew up in Prague, the daughter of writer Eda Kriseová and documentarian Josef Platz. After studying philosophy and a brief acting career, she worked as a journalist for Literární noviny and Respekt. She is the author of novels such as Aaron's Leap, The Anarchist, and Druhá strana ticha (The Other Side of Silence), two collections of short stories, and a children's book Toník a jeskyně snů (Toník and the Cave of Dreams). Since 2009, she has been living in Lyon with her husband and three children.