On Thursday, February 26, 2026, the National Library of the Czech Republic welcomed His Excellency Peter Reuss, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Czech Republic.
The meeting took place in a constructive and open atmosphere and confirmed the high level of Czech-German cooperation in the fields of librarianship, research and development, and the conscientious preservation of European cultural heritage. The main topics of discussion were the existing cooperation between Czech and German libraries and its further development.
The multi-year partnership project titled “Library Next Door” was particularly well-received; it involved an intensive exchange of expertise among professionals at all levels of librarianship, as well as presentations of inspiring projects by Czech libraries at the largest library conferences in German-speaking countries—in Leipzig, Hamburg, and Bremen. The Director General of the National Library of the Czech Republic also mentioned the close cooperation with the German National Library and the collegial friendship with its director, Frank Scholz, as well as their joint involvement in the leadership of CENL, the association of European national libraries. The possibility of involving the German Embassy in the program of the ABDOS conference, which the Slavic Library is helping to organize, was also discussed. It was noted that a number of activities and professional contacts with German partners are already taking place on an ongoing basis and naturally build on long-standing professional ties. The ambassador appreciated this fact and expressed support for further projects carried out in cooperation between both parties, promising the embassy’s active involvement in future plans. Another aspect of the discussion was the possibility of a joint presentation of contemporary German literature or the legacy of prominent figures in public life, such as R. M. Rilke.
The visit also included a tour of the historic Klementinum complex, including a trip up the Astronomical Tower. The fine weather provided a beautiful view of the Prague skyline and contributed to the overall very positive impression of the visit.
