New Poesiomat in Prague Brings History to Life with Havel’s Speech

A new Poesiomat has been installed in the lower part of Wenceslas Square, offering visitors a unique blend of literature and history.

The device, resembling a submarine periscope, plays 20 recordings tied to Prague’s past—including poetry, speeches, and key historical moments.

Among them are a speech by Václav Havel, the last words of Jan Palach, and the proclamation of Czechoslovakia in 1918.

The project was unveiled by Ondřej Kobza, the cultural activist behind Prague’s public pianos and chess tables. The machine, costing 280,000 CZK, was primarily funded by the city of Prague (250,000 CZK), with Prague 1 district contributing 30,000 CZK.

Unlike a traditional jukebox, this Poesiomat plays more than just poetry. Visitors can listen to Klement Gottwald’s 1948 speech beginning with the famous words, “I am just returning from the Castle,” or Marta Kubišová’s first public performance in 1989 after a 20-year ban.

The selection also includes:

• Poems by Vítězslav Nezval, Karel Šiktanc, and František Halas
• A short story by Jaroslav Hašek
• Popular children’s songs from the Semafor Theater
• A narration on Wenceslas Square in the 1920s by director Josef Vomáčka
• A historical account of the square’s architectural evolution, told by historian Richard Biegel

Deputy Mayor Jiří Pospíšil (TOP 09) praised the project, calling it a perfect fusion of literature, technology, and cultural education in a public space. “Wenceslas Square is a symbol of Czech history, and this Poesiomat will spark curiosity while teaching visitors about the past through art,” he said.

From Prague to the World

This is the 80th Poesiomat in the Czech Republic, with similar machines in dozens of cities. Beyond Prague, poetry machines can be found in Paris, Dublin, and even Buffalo, New York.

The device is operated by turning a handle to select a recording. Once played, the voice of history echoes through the square, bringing the words of poets, politicians, and revolutionaries back to life.

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