What gives life its strength? The dynamism that constantly transforms the world around us. The vitality that drives growth, movement, decay, and the emergence of something new. And also empathy—the human ability to perceive the world, its fragility, and the consequences of one’s own actions.

It is precisely The Power of Life—dynamism, vitality, empathy that is the theme of this year’s Jiří Trnka International Symposium, which will bring together contemporary illustration, animated film, artistic research, and creative work for children and youth at the Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art at the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen. “For today’s students, this is the most important topic of all,” says Renáta Fučíková, the symposium’s artistic director.

The three-day program will feature lectures, presentations, expert discussions, film screenings, and hands-on workshops led by Czech and international artists, illustrators, and theorists. Among other things, the symposium will focus on the relationship between imagery and environmental issues, contemporary illustration, children’s books, and ways to sensitively respond to the changes in the world around us through visual art.

Among the main guests are, for example, Beatrice Alemagna, Juan Palomino, Saki Matsumoto, Studio Agrafka, Miloš Kopták, Luca Tóth, David Böhm, Tereza Říčanová, and Kateřina Coufalová. The program also includes a theoretical conference featuring Czech and international experts.

A key part of the symposium is the ceremonial presentation of the Jiří Trnka Award, which honors prominent figures and institutions associated with contemporary illustration.

This year’s laureates are:

– Beatrice Alemagna – Italian illustrator and author of children’s books,

– Juan Palomino – a Mexican illustrator,

– Internationale Jugendbibliothek – the International Library for Children and Young Adults in Munich.

The award ceremony will take place on October 20 at 7:00 PM at Multilab, Ladislav Sutnar Faculty of Design and Art (Univerzitní 28, Plzeň).

Tuesday, October 20

9:30 AM Conference opening – Multilab

The professional program will open with lectures by Helena Cox, Petra Polláková, Katja Wiebe, Vladimír Kočí, and the collective of Veronika Peslerová, Zuzana Streichsbierová, Marika Zadembská, and Petra Schwarzová Žallmannová.

2:00 PM Artist Presentations – Multilab 

Beatrice Alemagna, Juan Palomino, Saki Matsumoto, Michaela Dušková and Filip Tatýrek, Studio Agrafka, Kateřina Coufalová, Miloš Kopták, Luca Tóth, David Böhm, Tereza Říčanová, and the Internationale Jugendbibliothek.

Wednesday, October 21

9:30 AM Breakfast with a theorist: Helena Cox, Petra Polláková

9:30 AM Film Screening: Luca Tóth

10:00 AM Workshops: David Böhm, Studio Agrafka

1:00 PM Workshops: Tereza Říčanová, Kateřina Coufalová, Bridges to Books

2:30 PM Workshops: Juan Palomino, Miloš Kopták, Mravenčí chůva

6:00 PM Opening reception for an exhibition of works by award winners and guests, Ladislav Sutnar Gallery, Riegrova 11, Pilsen

Thursday, October 22

9:30 AM Breakfast with a theorist: Helena Cox

9:30 AM Film screening: Michaela Dušková and Filip Tatýrek

10:00 AM Workshops: Miloš Kopták, Saki Matsumoto

1:00 PM Workshops: Juan Palomino, Studio Agrafka

2:30 PM Workshops: Kateřina Coufalová, Saki Matsumoto

4:00 PM Student Presentations: Flowerbed

You can register for the Jiří Trnka International Symposium 2026 by October 16, 2026 via the online registration form.

The symposium also features exhibitions that will bring the theme The Power of Life from the academic environment to the broader public. This fall in Pilsen, works by Sutnarka students, winners of the Jiří Trnka Award, and other guests will be on display.

The Power of Life – Students from Sutnarka

Pilsen Region Study and Research Library, Smetanovy sady 179/2, Pilsen

Opening: September 30 at 5:00 PM

October 1–30, 2026

The Power of Life / The Power of Life – Students from Sutnarka

Inkubátor Gallery, Univerzitní 28, Plzeň

Opening: October 14 at 4:00 PM

October 15–29, 2026

The Power of Life – Jiří Trnka Award Winners and Guests

Ladislav Sutnar Gallery, Riegrova 11, Pilsen

Opening: October 21 at 6:00 PM

October 14 – November 3, 2026

Juan Palomino

Klamovka Gazebo, Klamovka Park, Prague
Opening: October 16 at 5:00 PM