Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature in partnership with Quentin Wilson Publishing and Dunedin Public Libraries was thrilled to launch Jindra Tichý’s long-awaited memoir Prague in My Bones.

The audience was treated to a beautiful slideshow of Jindra’s native city Prague and these images made the occasion all the more poignant. Prominent speakers gave insight into the adaptations Jindra and her family faced in exile, first in Exeter (UK) and then in Dunedin. Remarkably Prague, Exeter and Dunedin are all part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network: all three are designated UNESCO Cities of Literature.

Czechoslovakian born and bred, Jindra was working as a lecturer in Philosophy at Charles University in Prague when her country was invaded by Soviet troops in 1968. In 1969 she was forced to flee her homeland with her young son Peter (then aged 6); they left on one of the very last trains to depart the country before the border was sealed. During the evening we gained insights into how perilous this time was and the many obstacles the family needed to overcome to become accustomed to life outside a communist regime.

Through hard work, determination and career guidance, Jindra became a lecturer in Political Studies at the University of Otago. In 1989 she was able to return to Prague after twenty years in exile and continues to travel back regularly.

In 2012, Jindra Tichý was voted number eleven on a list of the most influential personalities among the two million Czechs living abroad. She is the author of 19 novels, and her short stories have been published in Czech literary journals. In recognition of her mana the launch was attended by the Czech Honorary Consul, Lada Nobilisová, who spoke about Jindra’s many achievements and who read congratulatory messages from the Czech Embassy in Canberra, and the Czech Consul in Sydney.

Guests were officially welcomed by Deputy-Mayor Christine Garey who spoke about Dunedin’s UNESCO City of Literature status and that of Prague, and of Dunedin as City for new beginnings for immigrants and refugees.

Geoff Walker, who was Jindra's guide in writing her memoir, helping her every step of the journey, entertained the crowd with details of their close working relationship and their shared passion for Jindra’s story to be told. Associate Professor Charles Pigden, from the Department of Philosophy at the University of Otago, spoke of Jindra’s University career and read excerpts from the book. Gillian Tewsley spoke about how through the intensive editing process she and Jindra had become firm friends.

The evening was a real celebration and guests were treated to generous Czech warmth and hospitality.