Habsburgs & Jesuits: Conflict under the Bohemian Crown

Tereza studied Comparative Literature and the East European Studies (with the specialization in Russian Language and Literature) at Charles University in Prague. Her thesis focused on the images of the auctorial subject of four different literary texts which influence the reading of texts in a certain way. Writers taken into consideration are Russians (Limonov, V. Erofeejev), as well as Americans (Charles Bukowski) and Czechs (Bohumil Hrabal). Tereza is also interested in current religious life and the roots of the so called Czech “agnosticism,” which is reflected in the 60% of Czech's who identify themselves as agnostics, as well as the Czech interaction with another religious minorities. She believes that “history repeats itself” and therefore she likes to explore the differences and similarities between “then and now”.

After studying History of Art at Perugia in Italy and at Montpellier and Paris in France, Kateřina Průšová received her PhD from the Institute of Art History in the Philosophical Faculty of Charles University in Prague in 2008. A lecturer at both Charles and Anglo-American Universities since 2009, she is also an official guide of Prague and of the Prague Jewish Museum since 2011, and trains official guides at the Prague Information Service since 2012. Kateřina teaches courses in Art History, Prague Art and Architecture, Alternative Culture, the Jewish Experience in Central Europe, Jewish History, Holocaust, Central European History, and the Cities in Central Europe: Prague, Cracow, Budapest. She is also a lecturer at the National Gallery in Prague and the Gallery of the City of Prague. In addition, she works as a researcher of looted art.

Lenka Philippová is a religious scholar and currently a resident of the historic district of Prague. Born in the northeast of the country and having moved to the outskirts of Prague at an early age, she likes to joke that she keeps moving through peripheries toward the center – the next stop should be the Charles Bridge. Lenka has a Master's degree in Hussite Theology and Religious Studies, and she is finishing her Ph.D. in History at the Centre of Ibero-American Studies of the Charles University in Prague. Since graduation, she has been also teaching at her Alma mater. Her main interest is the intersection of religion, culture and politics and the many ways the past shapes and is shaped by the present. Lenka is a dedicated walker. While marching through the cobblestone streets of Prague, she loves to trace the many histories and memories visible in its architecture and development. She enjoys sharing her insights and providing visitors of her favorite city with context.