Degree awarded: BA (180 ECTS)
Duration: 3 years, full-time
Size of cohort: maximum 6 students
Language of instruction: English
Next admissions deadline: January 15, 2027
Next start date: October 1, 2027
Fees: CZK 230 000 per academic year (for 2026/2027)
Course leader: Michaela Raisová, PhD.
BA Authorial Acting offers in-depth study of acting and authorship, or the ability to generate original texts and concepts for performance. You’ll develop your talent and personality, and ability to engage in a dialogue with yourself and the world in a creative way. You’ll cultivate your ability to withstand any public situation in general, not just in an artistic context, and this personal development is done via studying acting disciplines such as movement, speech, voice, and acting. Contextual studies will support you to situate your work in contemporary ethical, social, theoretical and political contexts. Designed for independent artists with something to say, BA Authorial Acting will support you to clarify your artistic point of view and equip you with the skills and psychosomatic stamina to express it.
Based in the Department of Authorial Creativity and Pedagogy at the Theatre Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (DAMU), the programme offers a vibrant, international environment that will inspire and support you to grow into an independent, as well as collaborative artist.
What will I learn?
Teaching and learning on BA Authorial Acting is practice-led and aims to develop your skills as an author and creative individual. You will study the programme’s three core subjects, Authorial Reading, Authorial Presentation and Dialogical Acting with the Inner Partner, throughout your studies. Other required modules include Authorial Acting Training, Individual Voice Education, Awareness in Movement and Body in Motion and Speech as Active Communication. The studies are complemented with theoretical subjects that aim to cultivate critical thinking, understanding dramatic and other texts engaging in discussion. You will also study a foreign language.
Your studies will conclude with the presentation of an original performance of at least 30 minutes in length. You will also write and orally defend a BA thesis and pass oral exams on the history and theory of authorial acting and theatre.
Most applicants will be graduates of college preparatory schools, secondary schools and higher vocational schools abroad or sometimes in the Czech Republic. Applicants should be in good physical and mental health and will be expected to demonstrate an aptitude for collaboration and capacity for further creative development. Applicants will be assessed on their capacity for development in the key disciplines of voice, speech and movement. Assessment of acting skills will include the ability to engage in play, work with a partner, react authentically and improvise. Applicants’ ability to author original texts or concepts will also be assessed.
The application process consists of a written application and an audition. The next admissions deadlines are January 15, 2026. The 2nd call deadline is: March 23, 2026.
Auditions are scheduled for February 2–6, 2026. If an applicant is unable to attend in person, an online audition may be arranged. The 2nd call auditions are scheduled for April 6–10, 2026.
View full admissions information.
Applicants will be asked to demonstrate knowledge of English at CEFR B2 level or above during the audition, but no official certificate is required.
Resources and information for non-EU students is available via the International Office.
Lecturers teaching on BA Authorial Acting are active as theatre practitioners, dramaturgs, pedagogues, scholars, also psychologists, radio moderators, health clowns, writers, playwrights etc. During your studies, you will have the opportunity to engage in Prague’s vibrant performing arts scene.
BA Authorial Acting produces confident, creative and self-aware human beings able to engage in a dialogue with their environment, who are able to act responsibly no matter the field they end up working in. Graduates pursue their own projects in the fields of theatre, literature, art, design, video art, movement, dance and music. They may also work in media, publishing or education, or in therapeutic or other social contexts. Many BA graduates chose to continue their studies at DAMU, or at other institutions. Those interested in deepening their study of the subject may progress to MA Authorial Acting.
Degree awarded: MA (120 ECTS)
Duration: 2 years, full-time
Size of cohort: maximum 6 students
Language of instruction: English
Next admissions deadline: January 15, 2027
Next start date: October 1, 2027
Fees: CZK 230 000 per academic year (for 2026/2027)
Course leader: Michaela Raisová, PhD.
MA Authorial Acting offers in-depth study of authorial acting and psychosomatic disciplines, with an emphasis on authorial creativity and pedagogy. Developed by programme founder Ivan Vyskočil, authorial acting emphasises the performer’s original (or authorial) creativity. The programme will work with your imagination and unique creative capacity as the author of your own concepts, material and performances, and develop your performance skills in voice, speech and movement. Authorship and a cultivated sense of playfulness in performance are explored in ethical, social, philosophical and pedagogical contexts. The programme produces collaborative, original artists, independent and self-aware individuals. Confident in your artistic and inner personal voice, you’ll be equipped with the authorial and performance tools to express your point of view compellingly and creatively.
Based in the Department of Authorial Creativity and Pedagogy at the Theatre Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (DAMU), the programme offers a vibrant, international environment that will inspire and support you to develop your practice.
What will I learn?
Teaching and learning on MA Authorial Acting is practice-led and aims to develop your skills as an author and performer. Advanced training in foundational psychosomatic disciplines (voice, speech, movement, dialogical acting, play) is integrated in the study of authorial reading and presentation, while theoretical subjects provide the border context for creation. Modules, workshops and seminars are taught by practising artists, scholars and theorists from the Czech Republic and abroad and you will be assigned an appropriate supervisor for your final project.
Three core modules, Authorial Reading, Dialogical Acting and its Pedagogy and Authorial Acting (levels I and II) run throughout all four semesters of study. A fourth module, Authorial Presentation, runs in the 3rd and 4th semesters. Other required areas of study include Dialogical Acting Training, Individual Voice Education, Body in Motion, Speech as Active Communication and Awareness in Movement. Public presentation of your work is embraced as part of the learning process and you will have multiple opportunities to present your work, including as part of the festival Autorská tvorba Nablízko (Authorial Creation Up Close).
Your studies will conclude with the presentation of an original performance of at least 30 minutes in length. You will also write and orally defend a MA thesis and pass oral exams on the history and theory of authorial acting and theatre.
Most applicants will hold a bachelor’s degree in a performing arts or humanities discipline. Applicants should be in good physical and mental health and will be expected to demonstrate an aptitude for collaboration and capacity for further creative development. Applicants will be assessed on their capacity for development in the key disciplines of voice, speech and movement. Assessment of acting skills will include the ability to engage in play, work with a partner, react authentically and improvise. Applicants’ ability to author original texts or concepts will also be assessed. The online filled out application must be completed with these annexes:
Applicants will complete an online application, followed by an individual or group (depends on the number of the applicants) audition and interview. Admission interviews will take place in English and cover the applicant’s motivation for study and general knowledge of art, culture, philosophy and current affairs.
The next admissions deadline is January 15, 2026. The 2nd call deadline is: March 23, 2026.
Auditions are scheduled for February 2–6, 2026. If an applicant is unable to attend in person, an online audition may be arranged. The 2nd call auditions are scheduled for April 6–10, 2026.
View full admissions information
Applicants will be asked to demonstrate knowledge of English at CEFR B2 level or above (no certificate required).
Resources and information for non-EU students is available via the International Office.
Lecturers teaching on MA Authorial Acting are active as theatre practitioners, dramaturgs, theorists and scholars. The programme has strong links with artists, ensembles and institutions in the Czech Republic and abroad.
During your studies, you will have the opportunity to engage in Prague’s vibrant performing arts scene.
MA Authorial Acting produces confident, creative artists who apply their skills in a wide range of creative fields in the Czech Republic and abroad. Graduates pursue their own projects in the fields of theatre, literature, art, design, video art, movement, dance and music. They may find employment in mainstream or alternative theatre as actors, directors and dramaturgs, or in media as writers, dramaturgs, commentators and editors. Other graduates pursue careers outside of the cultural sector, such as teaching and counselling. Many students combine their studies at DAMU with prior or subsequent study of other disciplines and become creative innovators in other fields.
Degree awarded: MA (120 ECTS)
Duration: 2 years, full-time
Size of cohort: maximum 8 students
Language of instruction: English
Next admissions deadline: January 15, 2027
Next start date: October 1, 2027
Fees: CZK 230 000 per academic year (for 2026/2027)
Course leader: Petra Hauerová
MA Directing of Devised and Object Theatre (MA DOT) offers advanced studies in theatre-making with a twofold emphasis: devising a theatre performance from scratch and mastery of the visual dimension of theatre production. This practice-led programme will support you to develop your own aesthetic point of view and practical theatre-making toolkit by offering multiple opportunities – culminating in a final MA performance project – to make and present original work. You will study visual, spatial, object and (low tech) media-based approaches to theatre-making and see how these skills can be applied to related forms such as installation, sound performance and other contexts demanding strong visual and spatial dramaturgy.
Based in the Department of Alternative and Puppet Theatre at the Theatre Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (DAMU), the programme offers a vibrant, international environment that will inspire and support you to develop your practice as an independent, collaborative artist.
What will I learn?
You will learn to work with a variety of authentic, found, and created material: poetry, images, fragments of plays, songs, historical events, personal stories, pop culture etc. You will further learn a conceptual approach to research and development of materials, creating specific performance structures (in the sense of narrative, space, and relationship to audience), from specific material, and proposing new ways for the audience to perceive/experience the performance. The course aims to provide the students with skills to become independent authors.
During the two years of study you will be guided in own artistic activity, which is consult individually with pedagogues and at the same time provide feedback to each other. Study is built on theoretical and practical subjects, which are supplemented in each semester by several workshops with Czech and foreign artists.
You have to produce at least three creative performances during the course, one is a graduation final performance and it´s reflected in the state final examination. In addition, part of the state final examination is writing and defending of thesis and oral examination covering the key dramaturgical and theoretical concepts.
Based on this submission, applicants may be invited to a second round, which consists of a creative task (usually submitted by video) and an interview (in-person or via video call). The next admissions deadline is January 15, 2026.
View full admissions information
Applicants will be asked to demonstrate knowledge of English at CEFR B2 level or above (no official certificate required).
Resources and information for non-EU students is available via the International Office.
Lecturers teaching on MA DOT are active as theatre practitioners, dramaturgs and scholars. The programme has strong links with artists, ensembles and institutions in the Czech Republic and abroad, including: Kjartan Fønstelien, Julian Hetzel, Jaha Koo, Jakob Oredsson, Miguel Malgares, Vinny Jones, Wojtek Ziemilski, Rima Najdi, Gert-Jan Stam, Yuka Oyama, Christelle Havranek, Adéla Součková, Dragan Stojčevski, Mali Weil - Lorenzo Facchinelli & Mara Ferrieri, Spielraum Kollektiv - Linda and Mathias Straub, Costume Agency - Sodja Lotker & Christina Lindgren, Branko Jordan, Marta Keil, Ntando Cele etc.
During your studies, you will have the opportunity to engage in Prague’s vibrant performing arts scene by:
The programme graduate will have orientation in the field of contemporary performance practice and theory with focus on most important dramaturgical issues and current trends. They will be able to critically understand them and to create new approaches to developed material, exploring it via performative tools. Further they will be able to designate appropriate methods for specific material, as well as specific ways to create performative space and the relationship to audience.
They will be independent artists critically approaching contemporary theatre and the world, while being able to use their situated knowledge, their own experiences as a tool for exploration of the world issues.
Graduates will further be capable of open and productive dialogues with the collaborators, producers and audiences. The dialogue methods that they will use will not be evaluative, judgmental dialogue but a creative dialogue that is open to difference, while being capable of catering to your own creative needs, with specific focus of looking for performative potentials rather than ‘right and wrong’. For this reason, the graduates will be also able to function as collaborators and dramaturgs for other artists and groups.
Degree awarded: MA (120 ECTS)
Duration: 2 years, full-time
Size of cohort: maximum 10 students
Language of instruction: English
Next admissions deadline: January 15, 2027
Next start date: October 1, 2027
Fees:
Course leader: prof. Mgr. Jan Štěpánek
MA Scenography offers advanced training at the intersection of the visual and performing arts, humanities and technology. Designed to respond to and develop your interests, the programme is flexible and student-led. Lecturers will support and challenge you to clarify your individual artistic interests, priorities and vision through a series of practical assignments supported by technical training and contextual studies. You will choose one of two specialisations: Theatre Scenography or Production Design (Film Design). Theatre Scenography will prepare you for a career collaborating on traditional and site-specific live performance performance projects, while Production Design will equip you with the technical and artistic skills to work in film.
MA Scenography is based in the Department of Scenography at the Theatre Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (DAMU). Founded by Czech stage designer and architect Prof. František Tröster in 1946, the Department is home to the rich, world-leading tradition of Czech stage design, as well as a host of dynamic, contemporary practitioners who contribute to teaching on the programme. This dynamic mix of tradition and innovation offers an inspiring environment for developing your design practice.
What will I learn?
Theatre Scenography
Teaching and Learning in Theatre Scenography is designed to respond to your needs and interests, with lecturers supporting you to develop your own point of view. As you progress through the programme, the work will intensify, with greater demands on your creativity and innovation. Your first three semesters will be devoted to completing the programme’s taught curriculum, which includes the core module Scenography, running across all four semesters, and additional required modules: History of Scenography, Drawing and Painting, and Implementation Practice. Your fourth and final semester is devoted to your MA thesis project.
Production Design
Teaching and learning in Production Design simulates professional audiovisual production contexts as much as possible and you will collaborate with film students from FAMU’s international programme throughout your studies. In your first year of study, you will become familiar with the work of film architects, completing a smaller-scale project involving interior and exterior design work at the end of each semester. In your second year, the third semester is devoted to combining real and virtual scenography. In your fourth and final semester, you will focus on your final MA thesis project: a comprehensive design for a feature film.
Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree in scenography, architecture or a related discipline. Those applying to the Production Design specialisation should demonstrate some prior understanding of audiovisual production. The online filled out application must be completed with these annexes:
Based on the submitted application, selected applicants will be asked to complete a creative task and attend an entrance interview via MS Teams
The next admissions deadline is January 15, 2026
View full admissions information.
Applicants will be asked to demonstrate knowledge of English at CEFR B2 level or above (no certificate required).
Resources and information for non-EU students is available via the International Office.
Industry Links: Local & International
Lecturers teaching on MA Scenography are active scenographers, production designers, and theoreticians. The programme has strong links with artists, ensembles and institutions in the Czech Republic and abroad.
During your studies, you will have the opportunity to work closely with students in FAMU and DAMU’s other international programmes, laying the groundwork for possible future collaborations. You will have the opportunity to engage in Prague’s vibrant performing arts and film scenes.
MA Scenography graduates are confident, multifaceted artists who are sought-after collaborators in diverse creative contexts in the Czech Republic and abroad. Theatre Scenography graduates work as scenographers and costume designers across all types of theatre, including in unconventional spaces and site-specific contexts. Some pursue roles in spatial design, working as set managers, architectural consultants, interior designers, curators, exhibition designers and stage managers. Production Design graduates often go on to roles in film crew art departments, such as set designer, illustration, set supervisor and lead production designer. Graduates may also pursue work in commercials, music videos and the video game industry.
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Programme objectives
Graduate profile
More info about admission
Guarantor
PuppArts is a new international Master’s program (Joint Master Degree) in the field of puppet theatre, created in collaboration with the departments of three leading Central European institutions – the Theatre Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, the Theatre Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava, and the Aleksander Zelwerowicz Theatre Academy in Warsaw. The program builds on the long-standing tradition and international reputation of all participating universities and responds to the growing global demand for quality education in the field of contemporary puppetry. Based on a jointly developed curriculum, founded on semester-long student mobility, a combination of practical creation, theoretical reflection, and interdisciplinary methods, and guidance from leading educators and experts in the field, the program systematically supports the development of creative, technical and theoretical competencies of future professionals. The aim of the PuppArts program, the first joint master's program of its kind in English, is to train professional artists who are prepared for independent and team artistic work. To strengthen the region's role in the area of research and development of puppet theatre, to support innovative teaching methods and the transfer of know-how in the context of current European and global trends. At the same time, to contribute to the preservation and development of a tradition that is confirmed in the Czech Republic and Slovakia by its inclusion on the UNESCO list.
The PuppArts study program was created by a consortium of three Central European theatre academies: The Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (“AMU“), The Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava (hereinafter: “VŠMU“) and The Aleksander Zelwerowicz National Academy of Dramatic Art in Warsaw (hereinafter: “AT“), which for decades have been preparing their students in bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral study programs for careers as actors, directors, dramaturgs, scenographers and technologists in puppet theatre. They draw on the long and deep tradition of puppet theatre in this geocultural space and, at the same time, on the courage of these schools to experiment with established procedures, forms, materials, puppet designs, aesthetics, and theatre operation models. This program is a response to the long-standing and repeated demand from foreign applicants interested in studying puppet theatre in English, which DAMU and other schools in the consortium have encountered. At DAMU, this is also happening in connection with the follow-up master's programme in English, Directing of Devised and Object Theatre at KALD, which does not satisfy those people who are more interested in puppet theatre. The need for such a programme is also demonstrated by the interest of foreign institutions, universities, and UNIMA world centres, which are approached by people from all over the world interested in studying Central European puppetry.
The aim of the PuppArts academic programme is to provide education of theatre artists on a global scale, to develop their talents, skills and abilities necessary to reach a professional level in the field of puppet theatre. Its structure is aimed at developing individual creativity and the realization of an artwork or artistic performance.
Contemporary puppet theatre is a specific kind of synthetic art, which is based on the traditions and contemporary trends of object theatre, figurative theatre, post-traditional puppet theatre, open stage forms and performative practices. The field requires professionally and generally trained creative artists - actors, directors, dramaturgs and set designers - for a wide range of performing and alternative productions and activities, including arts education and relationship-building activities.
The programme will provide graduates with a high level of artistic qualifications that can be applied not only in the field of puppetry and performing arts, but also in other related socio-cultural activities and professions.
At the same time, the PuppArts programme aims to strengthen the strategic role of Central European higher education in the field of puppetry as well as to exchange methodologies and educational approaches in the context of the broad expressive possibilities of contemporary puppetry, including the staging of new materials in the 21st century.
A graduate of the PuppArts academic program is a qualified theatre artist/ puppeteer who has specific professional skills in craft and artistic production. During the course of study, each student's individual talents are encouraged and developed, and their competence is strengthened either towards acting, directing and dramaturgy or stage design or a combination of these. Graduates are able to work in a team. They use a wide range of acting techniques as puppeteers, actors and performers and are familiar with the possibilities of various puppetry techniques, object theatre, mask theatre and other unconventional means of artistic expression such as theatre of animated form. Graduates are ready to start independent artistic creation and are equipped with a wide range of humanities knowledge, especially knowledge in the field of culture, art and social communication. The graduate's profile consists of compulsory courses focused mainly on authorial creation, puppet animation techniques, puppet technology and other technological procedures used in puppet theatre. Students can individually specify their profiles during their studies by choosing compulsory elective courses that deepen the knowledge and skills in the field of directing and dramaturgy, stage design or acting.
Graduates’ expert knowledge:
The graduates have an extended knowledge of puppet theatre in its historical and cultural context and in the context of other artistic disciplines and are able to deepen this knowledge independently. They are familiar with the bibliography of the field, know the styles of puppet theatre (including the latest trends) and their most important representatives and have an excellent knowledge of the technology used in theatre (holistic approach). They demonstrate a deep understanding of the relationship between the practical and theoretical aspects of study and use this knowledge for further artistic development. They have a comprehensive knowledge necessary for original creation with a focus on the specifics of puppet theatre, while possessing a broad knowledge of expressive resources from related artistic disciplines. Graduates are familiar with the possibilities of various puppetry techniques, technology of materials used in puppet theatre, object theatre, mask theatre and other non-traditional artistic expressions applied in live art and have some degree of knowledge of the financial, marketing and legal aspects of running a theatre group.
Graduates’ professional skills
Graduates present themselves as highly developed artistic personalities capable of creative work, expressing own artistic concepts and possessing the skills necessary to implement them. They know the basics of scriptwriting, can work individually with text or other sources and the possibilities of their adaptation for theatre purposes. They are able to carry out independent, individual work such as gathering, analysing and interpreting information within a theatrical idea, formulating a critical argumentation, self-motivation and organizing of individual work. They are able to effectively use imagination, intuition, emotion, flexible and creative thinking and creative work to find solutions and can adapt to new circumstances. They possess a wide range of professional skills that enable the realization of their own artistic concepts. They are able to consciously use the chosen puppet theatre techniques and technologies in the realisation of a work of art. They know effective techniques for improving their own professional skills that enable immediate development through independent creative work. Through study they will gain the experience necessary to realize own artistic actions based on style different concepts. They have the basic organizational skills necessary for the realization of public performances. They are able to formulate (in oral and written form) ideas on themes related to the performing arts.
Social competences:
Graduates are ready to work in a team. They are able to listen to the collaborators and can use their comments to create a collaborative work, which is a theatrical production. They are able to be self-reflective, to control their own behaviour and to face problems arising from public presentations. They are capable of constructive criticism of other collaborators in the creative team. They are able to reflect the social, scientific and ethical aspects of their work. They will be able to transfer the knowledge to others interested in the field.
Requirements for applicants:
Applicants are required to have completed a Bachelor's degree equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in the Bologna system in arts and humanities. DAMU is responsible for the validation of the diploma of the first cycle (Bachelor's degree) in accordance with Czech law.
In addition, an adequate knowledge of English is required, at least at level B2 according to the SERR. The English knowledge shall be demonstrated during the second round of entrance examination. Native speakers are excluded from demonstrating English language knowledge.
The selection of applicants is based on a selection procedure. A standard component of the admissions process is an entrance talent exam. Applicants who did not pass the talent exam will not advance to the next round of examinations and a notification of non-admission to the PuppArts will be sent to the applicant.
Applicants with specific needs have the possibility to request modifications to the admission procedure through the procedures established at DAMU.
Application procedure:
The admission entrance exams consist of two rounds. The first round takes place in the form of the selection according to the annexes attached to the application. The Admission Board will assess the talent prerequisites for study based on the submitted portfolio, the educational level of the candidate, his intellectual background, the width of his interests, awareness in the field of theatre, literature, music, fine art, or other arts, and his motivation. The second round consists of several parts, including a personal online interview and the demonstration of specified tasks. The exact schedule of the online interviews will be published on PuppArts website at least one week prior to the date of the second round.
The selection committee is composed of at least three members, with representation from all three schools of the consortium.
Application:
Applicants should submit their application electronically only at https://prihlaska.amu.cz/apps/kos/prihlaska/.
Annexes to the application form:
- motivation letter
- CV
- a completion of an artistic assignment specified in the admissions announcement
- copy of educational certificate
- portfolio or documentation of artistic work
- 1 letter of recommendation by respected authority in field of puppet theatre or other art field
In addition, applicants send by mail the original or the notarized copy of the document of education level, medical certificate proving the ability to study, and a copy of passport or ID card.
1st round:
The Admission Board will review and evaluate the submitted documents and award them with appropriate score:
- motivation letter – maximum 20 points
- CV – maximum 10 points
- artistic assignment – maximum 25 points
- portfolio or documentation of artistic work – maximum 40 points
- a letter of recommendation by respected authority in field of puppet theatre or other art field – maximum 5 points
The Admission Board selects applicants based on their academic and artistic excellence and motivation.
The total score in the 1st round is 100 points. Applicants who will not reach 70 points will not advance to the 2nd round and will be delivered a decision of non-admission. Maximum of 20 applicants with highest score from 1st round will be invited for the 2nd round.
Applicants selected for the 2nd round will receive an e-mail invitation with the assignment for the 2ns round (Task 1 and 2).
2nd round:
Task 1 - creative assignment based on the given parameters/theme - maximum 30 points
Task 2 - test of general cultural understanding and preferences - maximum 10 points
Task 3 - online interview with the applicant, during which the Admission Board may set the applicant additional short tasks - maximum 60 points.
The total score in the 2nd round is 100 points. Applicants who will not reach 70 points in the 2nd round will be delivered a decision of non-admission.
Applicants who will reach at least 140 points from 1st and 2nd round, can be accepted for the studies, according to score. Applicants who satisfy the admission criteria will be notified of the decision and provided with all other relevant documents.
The maximum number of applicants admitted to study is 9.
Evaluation:
Candidates are registered under the number under which they take the entrance exam and under which the exam results will be published. The Admission Board will compile a record of the exam, which will be signed by all its members.
The results of the admission procedure are entered into the AMU Academic Information System (KOS).
Theatre faculty of Academy of Performing Arts in Prague
Karlova 26
116 65 Prague 1
Registered number: 61384984, VAT number: CZ61384984
Data box ID: ikwj9fx
Contact for media
BcA. Eliška Drbohlavová
tel.: +420 773 032 005
e-mail: eliska.drbohlavova@damu.cz
