MSc. Jitka Pánek Jurková CULTURAL REPRESENTATION OF A DIVIDED SOCIETY: The Case of Israel in the Czech Republic Abstract: The thesis explores the cultural representation of the State of Israel in the Czech Republic from an anthropological perspective, depicting how the topic of the state is appropriated and represented by different actors. Among its key theoretical statements, the thesis differentiates between cultural diplomacy-governmentally facilitated communication with a foreign audience through whatever is considered as culture-and the cultural representation of a state-the resulting picture of a state that depends on a multiplicity of narratives that emerge when various actors use the topic of the state to publicly assert their self-understanding. In an actor-oriented analysis, based on events observation, the thesis deals with the Israeli foreign policy institutions, artists engaged in cultural diplomatic activities, the Diaspora, audiences, various Czech non-governmental actors including pro-Israeli support groups, BDS movements, and others. The thesis analyzes Czech-Israeli bilateral relations and their impact on current Israeli cultural representation, concluding that while formerly close, the contexts of the two countries are drifting apart, creating "false familiarity" in cultural...

For centuries, art has played an important role as a tool of cultural diplomacy and even now represents an integral part of foreign cultural policy of different countries. Modern and contemporary fine art often reflects the current social and political issues, at both national and international levels. This thesis aims to prove that art, as a means of expression, has its place in international relations, in the context of cultural diplomacy. The intention of this thesis is to explore the many ways that fine art is applied as an instrument of cultural diplomacy and how the use of visual arts contributes to positive relations between nations and to the process of building a positive image of the state abroad. In the context of Czech cultural-diplomatic practice, the art and its employment is analysed on two levels - historical, that examines the use of art in the process of building the Czechoslovak state, and institutional, that introduces both state and private actors, who contribute greatly to the cultural diplomacy of the Czech Republic via the promotion of Czech fine arts. The final chapter focuses on the environment of New York as a world cultural and art center, and engages in representative Czech projects, activities, organizations and individuals who are successful advocates of Czech visual arts in the international context. The main contribution of this thesis is its aim to address an uncommonly debated topic - a specific area of artistic creation, its role and position in international relations and cultural diplomacy of the Czech Republic.

The dissertation "Czech and Slovak Public Diplomacy after 1993: The Transformation of Czech Centres and Slovak Institutes" seeks to compare Czech and Slovak model of public and cultural diplomacy after the peaceful separation of Czechoslovakia in 1993. It seeks to investigate whether the two countries embarked on similar journeys in their foreign affairs and whether the public and cultural diplomacy is at the forefront of their international policies. The dissertation aims to establish whether to accept or reject the hypothesis that the same historical circumstances and transformational similarities inevitably lead to similarities of Czech and Slovak public and cultural diplomacy. The first chapter of the dissertation focuses on a theoretical interpretation of public and cultural diplomacy. The second chapter of the dissertation deals with both countries' historical experience and describes the model of public and cultural diplomacy in each country from year 1993 to now. This part of the dissertation delineates conceptual documentation and describes the institutional dimension of this issue. The third and fourth chapter of the dissertation then separately deal with Czech Centres and Slovak Institutes as the primary players in the cultural diplomacy abroad. The final and core chapter of the...