90 years on air: Radio Prague International marks the anniversary with QSL cards

Radio Prague International is celebrating 90 years since the launch of international broadcasting this year. To mark the anniversary, it has prepared a new series of QSL cards, which are among the most distinctive visual artefacts linked to the tradition of shortwave radio.

To this day, Radio Prague International has preserved the decades-long tradition of issuing QSL cards—postcards sent to listeners to confirm reception reports. Each year, a new series is created and sent out to listeners around the world.

Discovering the world of QSL cards

Kristýna Marková with this year's collection of QSL cards|Photo: Klára Stejskalová, Radio Prague International

For the past four years, the visual design of the QSL cardsF has been created by graphic designer Kristýna Marková, who brings together tradition and contemporary visual language. She admits that before being approached, she knew nothing about this tradition.

“I regard working on the postcards as both a joy and an honour. Through my visual expression, I can represent our public service media abroad. I really like the idea that someone might put a QSL card on their fridge on the other side of the world.”

From music to the zoo

In 2024, marking the Year of Czech Music, Marková designed a series inspired by major Czech classical composers. The following year, she created a more playful set based on the Prague Zoo.

This year’s anniversary series looks even further back—drawing directly on the history of QSL cards themselves. The set consists of nine postcards, each representing one decade of Radio Prague International’s foreign broadcasting.

“I researched what QSL cards looked like in the last century and picked out key elements—such as colour schemes. Blue refers to Czech Radio, orange-red evokes the national colours, and gold recalls the ceremonial nature of the anniversary.”

Photo: Kristýna Marková, Radio Prague International

While the overall look is clearly modern, the designs also incorporate subtle references to the past.

“For example, on the postcard dedicated to the 1960s you can see foreign postage stamps. There’s one from Cuba or from India, which reflects the visual character of that period.”

Keeping the QSL tradition alive

As many international broadcasters have scaled back or ended shortwave transmissions, printed QSL cards have largely disappeared. Radio Prague International, however, continues to maintain this tradition.

In an increasingly digital world, Marková believes QSL cards may be more important than ever.

“Although the world is highly globalised and we can see 24/7 what’s happening on the other side of the planet, it can still feel alienating. A physical artefact can connect people much more strongly—something digital media simply can’t convey.”

10 photos

Looking ahead, Marková says she would like to focus on themes highlighting important female figures, especially those who have not received the recognition they deserve, such as Czech surgeon Vlasta Kállalová-Di Lotti.