Kafka’s Bohemian rhapsody revived in Prague

Czech sculptor David Cerný's 10.6-meter-high, 39-ton rotating "Head of Franz Kafka" sculpture, unveiled in 2014, has become a prominent modern landmark in Prague. Located near Kafka's former workplace and a historic Jewish cemetery, the sculpture symbolizes Prague's renewal and the writer's evolving image. Cerný explained that during the communist era, Kafka was a "symbol of resistance," and his work draws inspiration from Kafka's triple connection to German, Jewish, and Czech heritage. The article highlights how Kafka, once overlooked, is now a global icon and a key part of Prague's tourism narrative, especially with the centenary of his death in 2024. Despite the sculpture's popularity, Cerný noted, "No one thanks me for turning Kafka into a symbol of Prague."