Michal Fleischmann comes from a diplomatic family, and he lived and studied in France. After returning to Czechoslovakia, he founded and managed the fi rst Czech private radio station and subsequently managed a French media group in the Czech Republic. In 2018, he received the highest French state decoration, the Legion of Honour. In 2020, he became the Czech ambassador to France.
Czech-French relations can be traced back to the Middle Ages. At what level are they today, and what are the
challenges ahead?
You are right. Relations with France have long roots. I would single out the diplomatic missions of George of Poděbrady in the mid-15th century when the Czech king appealed to King Louis XI of France and other countries to unite in a “community of nations” and protect “Europe” from Turkish raids. There has not been a century when Czech lands were not aligned with France. Also, Czechoslovakia came into being de facto on the territory of France when, in 1918, the President of France, Raymond Poincaré, accompanied by Edvard Beneš, presented Czech and Slovak legionnaires in Darney with a banner with which France, as the first great power, confirmed the right of the Czechs and Slovaks to independence and a state of their own. There are countless memories of our soldiers from the Second World War, fighting alongside the French. The post-war period was a time of incredible interconnection of our cultures, which we can see right now in the highly successful Toyen exhibition, which, after Prague, will be presented in March at the Musée d’Art Moderne in Paris. This includes anyone who wrote, painted, sculpted or travelled between Prague and Paris, such as the likes of Breton, Aragon and Sartre. Economically, France was already the most important partner between the wars. Then there was silence. We must not forget François Mitterand’s visit in December 1988 and his meeting with dissidents led by Václav Havel, an inevitable signal that the communist regime was running out of breath. In summary, I would say that our relations today reflect all that has gone before and are at the level of a close partnership. George of Poděbrady succeeded. We are together in the European Union, so we have one fundamental common interest: a strong and resilient Europe. France is the Czech Republic’s fifth-largest trading partner, and trade figures are growing steadily. Around 500 French companies are operating in the Czech Republic and, in turn, our companies are increasingly establishing themselves in France. We share common challenges, such as the recent stunning success in jointly promoting clean nuclear energy within the EU. Our authors have literary and artistic achievements, such as the writer Lenka Horňáková-Civade, Patrik Ouředník and Pavel Hák. Milan Kundera, considered by the French to be one of the world’s greatest writers, lives in Paris. In sculpture, Vladimír Škoda, for example, and in painting, Filoména Borecká and Tereza Lochmannová, as well as Brigita Zrůstová in performance art. As I have worked in radio for a long time, I have to quote Denisa Kerschová, who presents a daily programme about music on Radio France Musique. There are many who represent our Czech values in France, and there are not enough pages here to cite all our achievements. Indeed, there should be many more.
„France and the Czech Republic clearly have a common understanding of the importance of cultural background.“
You are close to France, personally. How is the Czech Republic perceived in France today?
Having lived in France for many years and then between the Czech Republic, I can only state and be glad to say that the view or knowledge of the Czech Republic has shifted incredibly. In my youth, most French people had to look for Czechoslovakia on a map. Then 1968 came, and we were at least in Central Europe for a while. Then, after the invasion, silence, nothing. Here and there, hard-won articles in the newspapers or programmes on the radio. And fortunately, the stunning success of the so-called Czech New Wave, which persists to this day, along with the phenomenal success of Milan Kundera. Hrabal, Škvorecký, my father (a writer), the translators Francois Kerel and Milan Kepel all made significant contributions referring to the existence of our country. Then the “fight for Havel” of Czech exiles, informed about the unfortunate state of the country. Today, the vast majority of the inhabitants of the land of the Gallic rooster can identify Prague and the Czech Republic. Prague is considered one of the most beautiful cities, after Paris, of course.
We are under no illusions — we are not the centre of attention, but we are in the European Union and are equal partners. Our reputation is excellent for those who know us a little more. When one says Czechs, those French who have worked with them applaud the professionalism, the diligence, the friendliness and the respect for European values. Sometimes, it is said that they do not write enough news, that they do things their own way, but we can also say that about the French. What has fundamentally changed is France itself. That the Czech Republic has changed, we know that well ourselves. But that France will be so open to Europe, share knowledge and experience, and recognise the quality that comes from elsewhere — that is a transformation. I observe the students (my daughter studies in Paris at the Sorbonne), and I fi nd them similar or even equal. I have had considerable experience, as far as the French administration is concerned, and it too has made great strides. It has stopped being self-centred. This does not mean that it does not defend its own interests, but it listens to what the other side says, has dialogue, and is in anticipation of what, for example, we Czechs might say on topics that influence the real world. It is up to us to come to this knowledge of the “new” France and learn to assert ourselves more, name our achievements, and communicate them better and more without a complex. In many issues, this is happening, such as in science or the number of start-ups.
You have worked in private media, and you know what corporate management is. What are the possibilities and opportunities for Czech companies in France today?
We are in the European Union, and that is essential. The possibilities and opportunities correspond to this fact. What is possible in the Czech Republic is possible in France. It is the same pattern here. Of course, there are diff erences due to history or sometimes ignorance of EU rules, but these are slight variations. We are strong in the automotive industry and have expertise in the nuclear industry. We are a country with an advanced industrial base. As an export country, we know how to trade. Not a day goes by when we do not receive an enquiry from the embassy about possible cooperation with Czech companies and vice versa. We organise meetings, seminars and presentations of Czech business plans, from furniture production and hospital beds to young innovative companies. The CzechTrade agency — which also has a representation in France — maps, assists and makes considerable eff orts to ensure that Czech entrepreneurs have stands at French trade fairs. We cooperate closely with CzechTrade, and our services complement each other. Where our expertise is at a high level, the Czech business sector in France will succeed. Just believe in yourself and do not be afraid.
This year could be called the “French-Czech Year for Europe”. What are the common themes?
It looks like it, and it is happening. France will hold the presidency of the Council of the EU from 1 January, and the Czech Republic will take over the proverbial sceptre on 1 July 2022. Many topics will still lie on the table, and they are taking a firm shape. I have already cited nuclear energy, that is, where the so-called taxonomy belongs, the protection of our external European borders, but also our presence in the Sahel. We are having intensive discussions on integrating the Western Balkan countries into the EU. We are looking for common ground on the internal market, defining a common understanding of so-called European autonomy. We represent a similar view on the taxation of large internet corporations and rules for online communication. We share a similar view on the rule of law. The issue of self-sufficiency and everything related to the COVID-19 pandemic is an EU-wide issue and, therefore, under the Czech Presidency of the EU Council, our priority challenge. There are many topics, and France has planned a very ambitious agenda of issues that it would like to either complete or open up.
How is Czech culture known in France, and are there any joint projects for this year?
I have already mentioned the importance and knowledge of Czech culture. France and the Czech Republic clearly have a common understanding of the importance of cultural background. There is no economic success without cultural knowledge. Culture is a marker of a common understanding of the world, of what is called common European values. We are planning travelling exhibitions of Czech artists in Paris and other cities, and we are negotiating with Radio France and Czech Radio about a joint concert. I have a promise from France-Culture for a night of Czech radio plays, and France Inter will report every week on what is happening within CZ PRES. On the outdoor “fence” of the Czech Embassy in Paris, we want to present several exhibitions for passersby. Naturally, Toyen will be a highlight of our Presidency in Paris. We want to make a replica of the John Lennon wall in Prague and display EU artists who express themselves through “street art”. We will hold a piano concert of Czech music at the Bibliotheque Nationale de France in Paris. The UNESCO headquarters will host the Lidice exhibition and a concert by Dan Bárta. We are negotiating with the City of Paris to install a „Václav Havel Bench“ in the Latin Quarter. Around fifty events are being prepared in rue Bonaparte in Paris, where the Czech Centre is located. These include exhibitions, concerts, performances and theatre shows. There are many projects, and I would not like to mention them all now until they are fi nished. It is a lot of work, and it is not certain that we will do everything during the French and our presidencies. The important thing is that we are cooperating with the French side and looking for what would best express Europe from the point of view of the Czech Republic and France, because holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU does not just mean presenting our partial interests, but the interests of the European Union.
Thank you for the interview
