This is Kavka

Get to know Kavka

It might easily seem that KAVKA is all books, beautiful space, and big window displays in that great functionalist building. But it's mostly about these few people, they are Kavka. Without them, Kavka wouldn't be what it is - a place where you go to brouwse through the books and graphic prints, ask about artists you saw on an exhibition somewhere but don't remember the name of, if anything has been published about them and where you could get it. Sometimes you come to an opening, or to a book launch. And these few people always try to make your experience in Kavka worth your visit. Get to know them! We will introduce them to you one by one...

Standa

Standa is a Bookseller with a capital B! The place behind the counter in Kavka mostly belongs to him, he knows exactly where every book is, which of them need to be ordered, and what are the must-have new releases. He likes to keep things in order, and along with the bookkeeper, takes care of the book bills, thank goodness! Standa is the best person in Kavka to provide customer care. Not only does he speak several languages, but he always listens patiently to all our customers, and guides them through our books with great care. He enjoys drinking green tea, mostly chooses indian for lunch, and when he's not at Kavka, you'll probably find him at a drawing class or exploring the urbanism of Prague, sometimes accompanied by architecture students.

Terka

Terka is always on top of things. She's doing an estimated fivehoundreseightysix or so different things at once. At Kavka, she handles the bookstore and e-shop, deliveries, local and international distribution, customer communications, she also writes the prettiest signs, and is the biggest pest to the storage, when it's messy. In addition to studying at UMPRUM, she writes and lectures about architecture in Český Krumlov, where she is from, co-organizes the local festival Jeden svět, works in the theatre, and probably has a few more gigs up her sleeves. She likes architecture, coffee, and when her grandmother cooks.

Ema

If you've ever received one or our newsletter, or you follow Kavka's social media, you know Ema's work well. She takes care of our online and offline promotion, has a flair for all things visual and usually knows exactly what to write (unless it's her own profile). She is the paper master at Kavka. With just a few cuts and folds, she'll customize a box just right to fit the book we're sending, and she's thrilled when you ask her for a gift wrap. Outside of Kavka, Ema is as busy as a bee and she's probably in a hurry to make glasses frames, to the choir rehearsal, or a lecture at university. She always goes on trips with her Canonet camera, so she doesn't miss any of the sunlight's flicker. She bakes the best “dvouctihodné” cakes in the world and her traditional lunch menu is kimchi. 

Kája

Kája or Karlička is a saviour of the situation where it is needed. She always on the go between Kavka and Kafka (Franz Kafka Bookshop in Široká 14), covers shifts, takes cares of Kafka's social networks, helps with the publishing house, understands Google and all those graphs that make all of our's heads spin. Sometimes she is babysitting a doggo called Karlos. For two creatures of such similar names, there couldn't be bigger differences between them, Karlos being the shy antithesis of Karlička's loudness and omnipresence. The signature sign: lots of tattoos!

Maruška

Maruška is the queen of excel spreadsheets, organizing, custom paper Christmas cards, and long hair (choose one that doesn't belong here). At Kavka, she helps in moments of confusion during the monthly billing and expense reporting for grants. Otherwise, she is a full time PhD student in science and also a dancer, and she shares this second passion with the Kavka team by organising Sunday open Latin classes once in a while, which really set the calves on fire!

Karolína

Karolína is our big boss. She flourishes with generosity and great communication with customers. She loves to forward emails and is constantly flooded by invoices. Karolína loves books, horrors, wine, her cottage, and strictly keeps her after-work Friday rest. Karolina founded Kavka in 2014, is the manager and also the head of publishing. She knows just about everyone in the art scene, which is part of the reason our bookstore and gallery are full of beautiful art. You'll find her in Kavka in the back office in her director's chair (which is amazingly comfortable and a vintage NASA piece), or on her way from Kavka and Kafka, our second bookstore on Široká Street, which is worth your visit!