Arnošt Lustig Foundation

The Arnošt Lustig Foundation (Nadační fond Arnošta Lustiga) is a Czech non-profit arts and education organization established on 21 August 2020 to preserve and promote the message and work of the Czech-Jewish writer Arnošt Lustig, a Holocaust survivor and author. Based in the Czech Republic, the foundation operates both domestically and internationally, using exhibitions, educational materials, and cultural events to advance a vision of a more just and humane world through understanding, knowledge, and lessons from the past. The foundation's flagship initiative is the international touring exhibition "JÁ CHCI BÝT ČLOVĚK: Zpráva Arnošta Lustiga hvězdám a nejen jim" ("I Want to Be a Human Being: Arnošt Lustig's Message to the Stars and Not Only to Them"). This exhibition, which explores humanity and the contrast between scientific progress and moral development, draws on Lustig's life story—from his youth as a Jewish boy in Prague during World War II, through his experiences in concentration camps, his escape from a death transport, and his participation in the Prague Uprising against the Nazis. In 2024 the exhibition continued its tour across the Czech Republic, returning to Prague and then traveling to Ostrava, with a presentation at the Planetarium among other venues. Beyond the exhibition, the foundation maintains a press kit, organizational brochure, annual reports (including for 2020 and 2021–2022), founding documents, statutes, an ethics code, and materials from its International Honorary Council. It also supports related cultural products such as a film about Arnošt Lustig and interviews with him. A major current project is FestivAL100, a celebration of the 100th anniversary of Lustig's birth, running from autumn 2025 through December 2026. The foundation's work is characterized by a commitment to humanistic values and the universal lessons embedded in Lustig's literary and personal legacy.

The Arnošt Lustig Foundation was established on 21 August 2020 as a Czech non-profit organization dedicated to the artistic and educational legacy of Arnošt Lustig, a renowned Czech-Jewish writer and Holocaust survivor. From its inception, the foundation has operated with the vision of contributing to a more just and humane world through understanding, knowledge, and learning from the past. The foundation's central project is the international touring exhibition "JÁ CHCI BÝT ČLOVĚK: Zpráva Arnošta Lustiga hvězdám a nejen jim" ("I Want to Be a Human Being: Arnošt Lustig's Message to the Stars and Not Only to Them"). This exhibition presents Lustig's life story—from his youth in Prague during World War II, through his imprisonment in concentration camps, his escape from a death transport, and his participation in the Prague Uprising—as a universal call for self-reflection and moral education. The exhibition is unconventional in its approach, highlighting both the capacity of humans to survive unimaginable horrors while retaining their humanity, and the gap between scientific progress and moral "backwardness." Its stated intention is to send a "calling card" of humanism and universal values into the universe, rooted in Lustig's intellectual legacy. In 2024, the exhibition continued its tour across the Czech Republic. It returned to Prague and then traveled to Ostrava, where it was presented at the Planetarium, among other venues. This tour reflects the foundation's ongoing effort to bring Lustig's message to diverse audiences and regions. Beyond the exhibition, the foundation maintains a range of organizational and informational resources. These include a press kit, an organizational brochure, annual reports for 2020 and 2021–2022, the founding charter, statutes, materials from the International Honorary Council, and an ethics code. The foundation also supports related cultural works, such as a film about Arnošt Lustig and published interviews with him. Looking ahead, the foundation is preparing FestivAL100, a major celebration of the 100th anniversary of Arnošt Lustig's birth. This festival is scheduled to run from autumn 2025 through December 2026, encompassing a series of events and activities to honor Lustig's centenary. The foundation's work remains focused on preserving and promoting Lustig's humanistic message both in the Czech Republic and internationally.

• Foundation established

• International touring exhibition continues in the Czech Republic, returning to Prague and traveling to Ostrava

• FestivAL100 celebration of the 100th anniversary of Arnošt Lustig's birth, running from autumn 2025 to December 2026

A non-profit cultural foundation dedicated to humanistic education and the legacy of Arnošt Lustig, operating in the Czech Republic and internationally.

• JÁ CHCI BÝT ČLOVĚK: Zpráva Arnošta Lustiga hvězdám a nejen jim

  International touring exhibition about humanity, based on the life and message of Arnošt Lustig.

• FestivAL100

  Celebration of the 100th anniversary of Arnošt Lustig's birth, from autumn 2025 to December 2026.

1. 1Nadační fond Arnošta Lustigalustigfoundation.cz
2. 2Nadační fond Arnošta Lustigawikidata.org