The writer and literary historian Vratislav Maňák will engage in a discussion with students, followed by an experiential programme using visual materials from current exhibitions and the Narrative 4 methodology, which focuses on developing empathy through sharing stories. In his work, Vratislav Maňák explores male identity in contemporary art.

During the FALL festival, school groups will have a unique opportunity to take part in discussions with selected Czech and foreign writers who will share, among other things, how their own life stories are reflected in their work. The accompanying educational programme is inspired by the methodology of the global project Narrative 4 and focuses on developing empathy through sharing stories.

Storytelling, as it is used in the Narrative 4 methodology and DOX’s educational programmes, allows us to experience the sharing of stories with another person in a way that seems simple at first glance – listening and retelling. And there is power in simplicity. Colum McCann, a world-renowned Irish writer and founder of Narrative 4, has named this concept “radical empathy”, and it helps foster understanding wherever people experience life differently and see the world from different points of view.

The foundation of the experiential programme is the participants’ own authentic stories – and authenticity is essential. The personal story, a childhood experience, should be on the topic of “transformation” and should be no more than five minutes long. And because it is meant to be shared, each participant can decide whether to choose a story that is sad, happy, serious, or light-hearted. Participants will prepare their stories in advance.

The discussion will be hosted by Karolína Kočí.
It is also possible to attend the discussion without taking part in the educational programme.

Vratislav Maňák is a Czech writer, journalist, and literary historian. He teaches at the Faculty of Social Sciences of Charles University in Prague. He made his literary debut with the collection of short stories Šaty z igelitu (Plastic Dress, 2011), for which he won the Jiří Orten Award. His novel Rubikova kostka (Rubik’s Cube, 2016) was nominated for the European Union Prize for Literature. In his subsequent books, Smrt staré Maši (The Death of Old Masha, 2022) and Goethe v Mariánských Lázních (Goethe in Marienbad, 2024), he explored themes of intimacy, memory, and the conditions of existence in central Europe. His books are also regularly published in German. In his latest book, S Wittgensteinem v gay sauně (With Wittgenstein in a Gay Sauna, 2026), he combines reportage with a personal perspective and reflections on homosexuality, corporeality, and the queer experience. This autumn Maňák is also curating an exhibition at DOX titled Andros, which explores the theme of the male body in contemporary central European art.