Kulturalis – serie

Eternal Jewels celebrates the World Jewellery Museum's 20th anniversary, inviting readers into the poetic vision of founder Lee Kangwon, whose museum is known as the ‘Jewel of Seoul’. Published here for the first time, the book presents extraordinary pieces alongside Lee's untold stories from her diplomatic travels across four continents.For Lee Kangwon, a collector and poet, each acquisition represents a spiritual journey transcending borders. The museum's aesthetic presentation reflects her poetic sensibilities, rooted in Korean traditions of meditation on beauty as a path to spiritual purity. From Colombian emerald mines and Tibetan temples to her family's royal heirloom jewels, the collection spans centuries and civilisations. Each piece – whether a ceremonial headpiece or intimate talisman – carries profound cultural significance and human connection. Through this carefully curated anthology, Lee fulfills her museum's mission to spread light full of beauty and wonder through jewellery, creating bridges between cultures, past and present, material and spiritual realms.

"...dynamic and insightful images." — Black & White Photography MagazineCherán is a social, political, and anthropological phenomenon without precedent in Mexico. Rebellious Forests gathers together images captured by Pavel Hroch during his travels in the land of the Purépecha in Michoacán, particularly the towns of Cherán, Comachuén, and Cocucho. These photographs show a world confronting global problems such as deforestation, water shortages, and the violence of organised crime while also rebelling against historical changes, driven by a constant desire to endure. The book reflects the Purépecha community’s successful struggle to achieve autonomy and control over their territory after a confrontation that pitted armed locals against illegal loggers and drug traffickers. This resistance led to the expulsion of these invaders and the establishment of Purépecha systems of security and self-government, based on their own cosmology and traditional practices.

Cherán is a social, political, and anthropological phenomenon without precedent in Mexico. Rebellious Forests gathers together images captured by Pavel Hroch during his travels in the land of the Purépecha in Michoacán, particularly the towns of Cherán, Comachuén, and Cocucho. These photographs show a world confronting global problems such as deforestation, water shortages, and the violence of organised crime while also rebelling against historical changes, driven by a constant desire to endure. The book reflects the Purépecha community’s successful struggle to achieve autonomy and control over their territory after a confrontation that pitted armed locals against illegal loggers and drug traffickers. This resistance led to the expulsion of these invaders and the establishment of Purépecha systems of security and self-government, based on their own cosmology and traditional practices.Text in Spanish.

As Khilen Shah states in his foreword to this remarkable book, modern architecture misses the soulfulness and artistry of the buildings and structures of earlier days, which is why it is all the more important to preserve what we have – in reality and in art. This book is an attempt to preserve in memory some impressions of Mumbai’s architectural beauty. It also seeks to correct the image of Mumbai in the minds of both outsiders and those who have lived there, encouraging them to think beyond the city’s slums. The book is intended to showcase Mumbai as a city worth seeing and savouring. Artist Matt Rota brings a unique creative style to this endeavour, which perfectly blends the human and cultural element of the city with its architectural beauty. The result is a sumptuous production that would suit a library shelf or a coffee table, whether in India or abroad.

Hikobae is a book collection of comic works on the border between the genres of sociological comics and comics with a poetic value on the theme of everyday life in Japan. The project is a follow-up to the comic book Iogi (2022), in which the same team focused on ordinary life in Tokyo's Suginami district. Iogi was presented at related exhibitions in Japan and the Czech Republic and won several prestigious awards (a bronze medal in the Japan International Manga Award, the Muriel Award for Best Screenplay, Art Award of the City of Pilsen).In the loose sequel entitled Hikobae, each story focuses on a different region of Japan: from the northern island of Hokkaido to Shimane Prefecture in the southwest of the archipelago, from the mountain peaks of Gunma Prefecture to the seashore of Shikoku Island. The stories deal with the theme of everyday life, far from the stereotypical ideas of the Land of the Rising Sun. The key focus of the book is on the tradition and its transmission: some comics deal with contemporary forms of traditional Japanese crafts, customs or ceremonies (pottery, fishing, the tea ceremony, blueprinting, the traditional saké bio-production).Hikobae is a result of an exceptional collaboration between the author of the script, Jean-Gaspard Páleníček, who brings the perspective of his experience with life in Japan, and students of the Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art of the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen under the supervision of Václav Šlajch. The afterword was written by Pavel Kořínek, an acclaimed comic expert and researcher at the Centre for Comics Studies of the CAS.

Hikobae is a book collection of comic works on the border between the genres of sociological comics and comics with a poetic value on the theme of everyday life in Japan. The project is a follow-up to the comic book Iogi (2022), in which the same team focused on ordinary life in Tokyo's Suginami district. Iogi was presented at related exhibitions in Japan and the Czech Republic and won several prestigious awards (a bronze medal in the Japan International Manga Award, the Muriel Award for Best Screenplay, Art Award of the City of Pilsen).In the loose sequel entitled Hikobae, each story focuses on a different region of Japan: from the northern island of Hokkaido to Shimane Prefecture in the southwest of the archipelago, from the mountain peaks of Gunma Prefecture to the seashore of Shikoku Island. The stories deal with the theme of everyday life, far from the stereotypical ideas of the Land of the Rising Sun. The key focus of the book is on the tradition and its transmission: some comics deal with contemporary forms of traditional Japanese crafts, customs or ceremonies (pottery, fishing, the tea ceremony, blueprinting, the traditional saké bio-production).Hikobae is a result of an exceptional collaboration between the author of the script, Jean-Gaspard Páleníček, who brings the perspective of his experience with life in Japan, and students of the Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art of the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen under the supervision of Václav Šlajch. The afterword was written by Pavel Kořínek, an acclaimed comic expert and researcher at the Centre for Comics Studies of the CAS.Text in Japanese.

The period 1870–1910 saw the heyday of a phenomenon of artist ‘colonies’ which, though centered on Europe, stretched to the USA and Australia. Despite most histories focusing on the urban and avant-garde, this was the dominant mode of international art practice – with its formative role in the emergence of modern tourism having ramifications still now.Although at its core was a yearning and nostalgia for life that was pre-modern and immersed in nature, the authenticity it sought placed artists’ colonies firmly within a modern context. In doing so it set the scene for a qualitatively new encounter between artists and environment.This book on the Staithes colony in Yorkshire is the first to present its activity in the context of painting on that coast, explore its international connections and influences and give a far fuller picture of the inter-relationship of its main artists, including Britain’s first female Royal Academician.

"This is a kind of poetics where precision of lyricism attains a meaning that crosses the boundary of language. And for that, I am grateful." — Ilya Kaminsky, contemporary poet and author of Deaf Republic and Dancing in OdessaPetr Hruška is widely considered one of the most important Czech poets.Based on 'The First Voyage around the World', written exactly 500 years earlier by Antonio Pigafetta, Hruška's I Caught Sight of my Face turns the glorious saga of Magellan's voyage of discovery into an unsettling exploration of human behaviour, showing how man remains an anxious, insecure, sometimes cowardly, evil, xenophobic and violent being.It is an uncomplicated, yet at the same time, deeply profound book, brought to life through illustrations by Jakub Špaňhel (1976), an acclaimed contemporary Czech visual artist, who creates an interesting dialogue between the text and its visual accompaniment.

Running and Returning is the first comprehensive monograph of internationally acclaimed artist Jyll Bradley, whose diverse practice spans over four decades and encompasses photography, film, writing, performance, sculpture and large-scale public installations. A pioneer of adopting commercial lightbox technology in art, Bradley is renowned for her use of minimalist, industrial forms as spaces for exploring identity, spirituality and community. Her ambitious public realm artworks, such as Green/Light (for M.R.) (Folkestone Triennial), Dutch/Light (Turner Contemporary) and The Hop (Hayward Gallery), reflect her innovative approach to sculpture as a potent gathering place of people and ideas.This richly illustrated book features some of the most exciting voices in contemporary art and literature exploring every aspect of Bradley’s multifaceted practice. Running and Returning will provide a vital resource for those familiar with Bradley’s work, while introducing her to new audiences in an accessible, engaging and imaginative way.

The work of photographer Gérard Uféras (b. 1954, Paris) covers a compelling and charming array of subjects, from glimpses of life behind the scenes at the opera and ballet, to marrying couples and their families on their wedding day, to the spontaneous energy and interaction of crowds at carnivals and sporting events. With the discreet but unerring eye of the seasoned photojournalist (he began a long association with Libération newspaper in the 1980s), Gérard Uféras captures people from all walks of life in moments of contemplation, creation and camaraderie, resulting in a body of work that offers a rich and nuanced picture of humanity. Published to coincide with a retrospective of his work in 2025, this book presents the photographer's own choice of some of his finest work from a long and distinguished career. What emerges most strongly from this collection is Gérard Uféras's great passion for favourite themes such as music, theatre and dance, but, perhaps more resoundingly still, his profound empathy and respect for his human subjects.

The work of photographer Gérard Uféras (b. 1954, Paris) covers a compelling and charming array of subjects, from glimpses of life behind the scenes at the opera and ballet, to marrying couples and their families on their wedding day, to the spontaneous energy and interaction of crowds at carnivals and sporting events. With the discreet but unerring eye of the seasoned photojournalist (he began a long association with Libération newspaper in the 1980s), Gérard Uféras captures people from all walks of life in moments of contemplation, creation and camaraderie, resulting in a body of work that offers a rich and nuanced picture of humanity. Published to coincide with a retrospective of his work in 2025, this book presents the photographer's own choice of some of his finest work from a long and distinguished career. What emerges most strongly from this collection is Gérard Uféras's great passion for favourite themes such as music, theatre and dance, but, perhaps more resoundingly still, his profound empathy and respect for his human subjects.Text in French.

The chance discovery of letters from Hester Thrale (1741–1821) to her daughter Sophia provides an opportunity to rethink our understanding of one of the key people in the life of the dictionary-maker and moralist Dr Samuel Johnson. Much-maligned after the death of her first husband for her decision to marry Gabriel Piozzi, an Italian musician and Catholic, Hester has often been portrayed as cold-hearted and lacking in the essentials of motherhood. These letters shed new light on her relations with her four surviving daughters (she gave birth to 12 children in 14 years). They also reveal her desire for recognition as a scholar and poet, and her keen awareness of her shortcomings. They provide a fascinating portrait of a complex woman, determining her independence and that of her daughters, in spite of family tragedy and vicious criticism in the press.

"The collection is an extraordinary one, and the catalog will be of interest to Johnsonians as well as book collectors." —The Johnsonian News Letter"It is elegantly and humanely presented and handsomely produced, and will enrich the field of 18th-century studies." — The Book Collector"...it presents a cornucopia of information that creates a conversation between its numerous entries."— The Colophon BookshopThe Age of Johnson: The Library of Loren and Frances Rothschild brings together the most comprehensive collection of rare books and autograph works in private hands of the 18th-century literary giant Samuel Johnson, together with extensive collections of the works of the other principal authors of the period long-known as the Age of Johnson— including James Boswell, Edmund Burke, Frances Burney, Oliver Goldsmith, Hester (Thrale) Piozzi, Alexander Pope, and Jonathan Swift.An introduction to each of these authors provides information placing the author in his or her historical and literary context, and the descriptive entries for each of the over 900 individual manuscripts, letters, and rare books records bibliographical information, significant facts, and critical information about the work recorded.    The individual entries, when viewed in the aggregate, survey and illuminate the breadth and depth of the literary and intellectual canon of the authors of the Age of Johnson, illuminate their relationships and their works to one another. The text taken as a whole demonstrates why Samuel Johnson, as an individual and as an author, defined the era long named for him.

The Khalili Anīs al-Hujjāj (Pilgrims’ Companion) presents a ground-breaking new exploration of Safi ibn Vali Qazwini's richly illustrated manuscript dating from 1676-77. This beautifully produced volume, with a scholarly introduction by Qaisra M. Khan and translation by Michael Burns, documents the author's year-long journey to Mecca and Medina from Mughal India via the Indian Ocean and Red Sea.Commissioned by Zeb un-Nisa, the daughter of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, this delightfully vivid account belongs to a long-established tradition of guides to the Holy Sanctuaries. It gives comprehensive advice to prospective pilgrims on every aspect of the maritime journey, such as which ships to select, the best foods to consume, rituals to observe, significant places to visit and the people one might encounter.This volume extensively explores the original manuscript's detailed illustrations and text, providing an invaluable window into 17th-century religious practices, maritime travel, and the cultural landscape of the Indian Ocean world.

According to tradition, Saint Mary’s Cathedral Limerick, Ireland, is built on the site of the Viking place of assembly – the thing; subsequently the palace of the O’Brien kings of Thomond, and was given to the Church by King Donal Mór O’Brien in 1168.In the following centuries the cathedral was embellished by the wealthy merchants of Limerick who built the chantry chapels on the north and south sides of the nave – the largest surviving range of medieval chantry chapels in any Irish church. The cathedral boasts Ireland’s largest medieval altar stone and Ireland’s only surviving medieval choir stalls.Later centuries saw the installation of the massive 17th-century Thomond Monument in the chancel, beside the tomb of Donal Mór O’Brien. In the early 19th century, the Pain brothers designed the Bishop’s Throne or Cathedra, the screen to the Glentworth Chapel, and the monument to Bishop John Jebb. The 19th-century stained glass is particularly fine. Saint Mary’s Cathedral is an extraordinarily complex building representing developments from the mid-twelfth century to the later twentieth century – a treasure of Irish religious art. It continues to be a place of prayer and pilgrimage for all who enter its doors and a symbol of faith, hope and love to the city of Limerick.

A lavishly illustrated book on Bayt Al-Greiza from its historical roots during Oman’s Portuguese era through to being rebuilt in the 1970s according to the vision of HM Sultan Qaboos bin Sa’id, as realised by the renowned architect Mohamed Makiya. Bayt Al-Greiza, once used by Sultan Qaboos to house and greet visiting Heads of State, has been fully restored and opened to the public, and its objects – furniture, art, gifts from visitors – have been collected, renovated and returned to their original position within the mansion. Part I gives a detailed history of the building up to its 1970s reconstruction. Part II begins by looking in detail at the restoration efforts involved in preparing Bayt Al-Greiza to be opened to the public. This is followed by a room-by-room and object-by-object walk-through of the restored building. Part III covers all the various ways in which Bayt Al-Greiza will be put to use in the future.

Visions in Silk presents the first comprehensive exploration of exquisite Japanese fine art textiles from the Meiji era (1868-1912), showcasing the unparalleled treasures from the Khalili Collection of Japanese Art.This beautifully illustrated volume reveals how Japanese artists and craftsmen ingeniously adapted centuries-old textile traditions to create innovative art textiles that captivated international audiences, won exhibition awards, and served as prestigious diplomatic gifts.Featuring over 300 spectacular examples, the book examines dazzling works of embroidery, yuzen resist-dyed silk and cut velvet, tapestry, and oshi-e raised silk, ranging from elegant panels, hangings and screens to grand exhibition showpieces. Each represents the pinnacle of artistic collaboration and hitherto unsurpassed technical mastery.Written by leading international experts, this landmark publication provides unprecedented insight into these remarkable yet understudied treasures. Visions in Silk will enchant anyone interested in Japanese art, textile design, Japonisme, and the cultural transformations that occurred during the Meiji era, when Japan opened to the outside world.

City Bridge Foundation is the oldest charity in London still operating under its original purpose. Established over 700 years ago to maintain London Bridge, it now cares for five of the Thames’s great crossings while distributing surplus income to charities across the capital. Worth £1.5 billion, it remains managed by the City of London Corporation. This lively and original book traces the development of the Foundation from its religious origins as the 'Bridge House,' through political intrigue, civic evolution and remarkable acts of giving. Written by legal historian Ian Doolittle, it introduces a little-known but extraordinary organisation whose assets were built from the donations of ordinary Londoners. The Foundation’s story spans medieval craftsmanship, royal interference, and the complexities of modern governance, all while helping shape the physical and civic landscape of London. It is a story of bridges, certainly, but also of money, power, and purpose.

It is a perilous time for the Roman Republic. Victory over her nemesis Hannibal in the Second Punic War and the subsequent conquest of Greece have led to widespread debauchery and mayhem on the Italian peninsula. Into the breach steps Spurius Postumius Albinus, Consul of Rome in 186 BC, who turns detective to investigate a series of crimes attributed to the cult of the wine god Bacchus that, he argues, threaten the very heart of the State.Based on events recorded by the Roman historian Livy and confirmed by a surviving bronze plaque in Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum, Spurius is at once an ancient political whodunit and the first major treatment of a cataclysmic event in Roman history: according to Livy, some 3,500 Romans perished in the witch hunts resulting from Spurius’ investigation. In its finely balanced examination of freedom of belief and expression, and the manipulation of truth in times of national emergency, the novel has great relevance to today’s troubled world.Kulturalis’s edition of David László Conhaim’s Spurius gives the novel a striking and luxurious new treatment. Renowned Argentinian-born illustrator Jorge González’s vivid images - including full-page and double-page illustrations within the text and an arresting slipcase design - brings the graphic events of the novel to life. Based in Madrid, González previously illustrated the edition of William Golding’s Lord of the Flies published by Los Libros del Zorro Rojo and The Folio Society’s edition of Carlos Ruíz Zafón’s The Shadow of the Wind. Working hand-in-glove with González through Maria Cardelli’s IllustrationZone is award-winning hand-lettering artist Ruth Rowland who has designed album covers for Elton John, Kate Bush and Cliff Richard.

Tracing a crescent from Cairo to Khiva, art historian and archaeologist Karen Polinger Foster takes us on four unforgettable journeys East of the Moon – to Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and Central Asia – exploring commonalities and differences in thought and belief, art and architecture, language and literature, tradition and innovation. As her travel experiences unfolded, overarching themes emerged, often from serendipitous inspiration and encounters. From these she has fashioned a beguiling kaleidoscope of photo essays which tessellate into a compelling whole. With a remarkable gift for the telling detail and a photographic eye at once incisive and discreet, Foster’s elegant text and stunning images invite us to a place which, in her words, ‘exists in the atlas of the mind, at the intersection of image and imagination’.

" ...readers will treasure this jewel of a book and surely share it with others in the spirit of Halla Bint Khalid's gift to us."— Doris Sommer, Ira and Jewell Williams Professor of Romance Languages & Literatures, African and African American Studies, Social Studies, Harvard University"The pictures are quite exquisite, by far the best that I have seen in a children’s book" — Happy FamiliesAdam awakes one morning to be greeted by the figures of Qismah and his sister Naseeb. At first, he believes them to be figments of his imagination and then wishes them out of his sight. However, they accompany him on a day which brings all sorts of challenges, helping him on a journey of spiritual self-discovery. As Adam is tested by numerous setbacks, Qismah and Naseeb – embodiments of Fate and Fortune – help him gradually to cast off his selfishness, irascibility, envy and greed, and to learn gratitude, humility, generosity and fairness. By the end of the day Adam has reached a contented acceptance of his lot, and is duly rewarded.Halla Bint Khalid’s engaging moral fable is spun in beguiling prose accompanied by her gorgeous artwork, as we follow Adam, Qismah and Naseeb through an array of enchanting landscapes that draw on locations across the Arabic world. Qismah and Naseeb is a book that will delight children and their parents alike.Ages 9 plus years.

Ireland and the Irish identity have been shaped by migration. People left and still leave the island for many reasons, some pushed by circumstances at home, others pulled by opportunities abroad. No two stories are the same, but many emigrants are linked by common motivations and shared experiences. Today these emigrants and their descendants number over 70 million people. They can be found in all four corners of the globe. Published with EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, this book tells the story of the museum, its local partners and its home in the Dublin Docklands.

This richly illustrated volume, produced by Uzbek publisher Dinara & Co. in partnership with Kulturalis, explores the enduring legacy and contemporary revival of miniature painting in Uzbekistan. Highlighting the work of acclaimed Bukharan master Davlat Toshev, the book guides readers through the intricate brushwork, symbolism and narrative depth of his recent creations. By situating Toshev’s oeuvre within the broader context of Islamic art and the cultural memory of the region, the book demonstrates how these seemingly fantastical images resonate with contemporary audiences. For art lovers, collectors and cultural historians alike, this publication is both a celebration of Uzbekistan’s artistic heritage and a key to unlocking the relevance of miniature painting in modern times.

" ...readers will treasure this jewel of a book and surely share it with others in the spirit of Halla Bint Khalid's gift to us."— Doris Sommer, Ira and Jewell Williams Professor of Romance Languages & Literatures, African and African American Studies, Social Studies, Harvard UniversityAdam awakes one morning to be greeted by the figures of Qismah and his sister Naseeb. At first, he believes them to be figments of his imagination and then wishes them out of his sight. However, they accompany him on a day which brings all sorts of challenges, helping him on a journey of spiritual self-discovery. As Adam is tested by numerous setbacks, Qismah and Naseeb – embodiments of Fate and Fortune – help him gradually to cast off his selfishness, irascibility, envy and greed, and to learn gratitude, humility, generosity and fairness. By the end of the day Adam has reached a contented acceptance of his lot, and is duly rewarded.Halla Bint Khalid’s engaging moral fable is spun in beguiling prose accompanied by her gorgeous artwork, as we follow Adam, Qismah and Naseeb through an array of enchanting landscapes that draw on locations across the Arabic world. Qismah and Naseeb is a book that will delight children and their parents alike.Ages 9 plus years.Text in Arabic.

The Nordic people are often said to be hard-working, dutiful, open to innovation and equality, and trend-sensitive, with a ‘less is more’ attitude when it comes to clothes, furniture and interior design. Nordic histories and cultures have been intertwined for centuries, but what created their distinctive character? Was it the experience of Northern Europe’s four seasons, with cold, harsh dark winters, unreliable springs, bright summers when the sun never sets and beautiful autumns? In this book we meet 32 individuals, neither kings nor queens, but real people whose life stories give insights into historical events and everyday life in the Nordic countries over 500 years. Nordic Stories reveals much about the lives, beliefs and customs of Nordic people from the 16th century to the present day. It is based on diaries, letters and other personal testimony, illustrated with objects from Nordiska museet’s astonishing collection.

Focusing on Calouste Gulbenkian’s determination to preserve his cherished art collection intact after his death, this book tells the story of the creation of the Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon. It begins with the efforts of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, founded in 1956, to reunite an exceptional art collection then dispersed between Paris, Washington D.C. and London. The book examines the legal, diplomatic and practical measures that made this mission possible and follows the planning of a museum shaped by the most advanced museological thinking of the 1950s and 1960s, whereby the artworks themselves guided decisions across architecture, exhibition design and museography. It also highlights the key roles played by the first generation of Portuguese women curators and international consultants, from cataloguing the works to trial exhibitions and final installation. Ultimately, the volume shows how the Foundation interpreted and translated Gulbenkian’s taste and character into museum form, resulting in a unique and enduring institution.

In the seven centuries since its foundation, Clare College Cambridge has enabled successive generations of talented young people to ‘discover and acquire the precious pearl of learning’, and thereby to serve society. To mark the College’s 700th anniversary, 70 for 700: Members of Clare Through the Centuries comprises 70 pen-portraits of individuals associated with Clare through the ages. As well as famous alumni – including such luminaries as Hugh Latimer, Andrew Mellon, Siegfried Sassoon and David Attenborough – there are unfamiliar names and unsung heroes. The College’s impact has been felt around the world, and the individuals celebrated include alumni from Africa, Asia, America and continental Europe, as well as the British Isles. Lavishly illustrated with portraits from the College’s collection, this book highlights the global impact of one of the United Kingdom’s most venerable educational institutions.

The Prague City Gallery (founded on 1 May 1963) is one of the key exhibition and collecting institutions in the Czech Republic; it manages approximately 16,000 items dating from the 19th to the 21st century. Today, its role is much broader than has traditionally been customary for institutions of this kind.Among its additional responsibilities is the care of the buildings entrusted to it, many of which are heritage properties of the highest quality. It also plays an important role in the field of education, organising around 900 programmes each year for children, young people, teachers, senior citizens, and people with special needs.In 2026, Magdalena Juříková will conclude her tenure as Director. This publication serves both as a reflection on an important period in the gallery’s history and as a personal perspective on the shaping of its current identity.