On Wednesday, 25 February 2026, an inspiring lecture on the topic “The Czech Marco Polo Bohumil Pospíšil” was held with Martin Nekola. The event was organized in cooperation with the Czech Embassy in Jakarta and took place on the embassy’s premises, which lent it a special significance and atmosphere.

Martin Nekola is a renowned Czech historian and political scientist who was given a unique opportunity to explore the fascinating life story of Bohumil Pospíšil and subsequently publish a book dedicated to his travels. During the interwar years, Pospíšil set out on a journey during which, in 1928, he spent several months in Indonesia. He carefully documented his experiences, and as a result, a large number of period photographs have been preserved, capturing everyday life in various locations not only in Indonesia, but also in Cambodia, China, and other countries.

Despite the wealth of materials, many mysteries surrounding his journey remain. Nevertheless, Pospíšil’s adventures remind us that the relationship between the Czech Republic and Indonesia has deep and long-standing roots. Among the Czech figures who had connections with Indonesia more than a hundred years ago, we can find, for example, Bohumil Pospíšil, Konstantin Biebl, and Tomáš Baťa.

This event thus not only brought us closer to the life and travels of one of our pioneers, but also allowed us to better understand the historical ties that continue to influence the current relations between the two countries.

Photogallery