autor Tomki Němec

Tomki Němec – Fototorst Edition, Volume No. 29

This book offers a partial retrospective of my work. It covers the period from the mid-1980s up to approximately 2004. Included are photographs from the era of “Normalization” in Czechoslovakia, early 1990s images from the time I served as the personal photographer to President Václav Havel, as well as documentary series from Cuba, Romania, Slovakia, and more.

Each copy comes signed by the author, along with a postcard of Pope John Paul II at St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague Castle, April 1990.

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Václav Havel visiting his friend Karel Schwarzenberg.
Černínský Palace, Prague, February 15, 2011

One of the last meetings of two close individuals bound not only by friendship, but also by a deep shared understanding of the values of freedom and democracy. It is the year 2011. At the time, Karel Schwarzenberg serves as Minister of Foreign Affairs, representing the Czech Republic in a spirit strongly shaped by Václav Havel’s legacy as president — with an emphasis on Western orientation, human rights, and responsibility.

A few months later, the entire country falls silent. Václav Havel will never learn that his friend would attempt to follow in his footsteps and run for the office of President of the Czech Republic.

Dinner with King Carl XVI Gustaf, Stockholm, May 22, 1991

The Havels. The First Couple. Olga and Václav. I never posed them—they didn’t like it, and neither did I. I prefer photographing spontaneous moments rather than arranging scenes. In this case, however, the President asked me to do so, so it was clear.

Václav had a new tailcoat, probably rented—at least that’s how I vaguely remember it. I wouldn’t swear to it, though. In any case, a beautiful couple. I was not allowed to accompany them to the ceremonial dinner with the King and the Queen Mother. Protocol can sometimes be a photographer’s “enemy.”

Václav and Olga, Dinner with King Carl XVI Gustaf, Stockholm, May 22, 1991

— Tomki Němec

Moments filled with hope at Albertov on November 17, 1989.
Students are just beginning their march through Prague — unaware that they are taking part in a day that will forever change Czechoslovak history. What started as a peaceful student demonstration culminated in a brutal intervention by security forces on Národní třída. This event became the final spark that triggered an avalanche of civic resistance.

The photograph captures the moment when a revolution is being born — later known as the Velvet Revolution.