Czechast with Martin Tlapa, Czech Ambassador to Canada
Czechast talks with Martin Tlapa, Czechia's Ambassador to Canada, who grew up in Prague's blue-collar neighborhoods during Communist rule.
“I was born in Kobylisy, a district in Prague 8. It was a working-class area—not quite like Dejvice, which is known for its famous residents, diplomats, and wealth. Later, I moved to Vršovice, another working-class neighborhood, and spent some time in Libeň, a traditional blue-collar part of the city. My life has always been centered around these hardworking communities.”
Today, Martin Tlapa serves as the Ambassador of Czechia to Canada. Before his posting in Ottawa, he enjoyed a distinguished career in various Czech administrations, often as a deputy minister responsible for foreign trade and economic relations. I’ve always wondered what inspired individuals like him to pursue economics and international trade while growing up under the shadow of Communist Czechoslovakia.
“Perhaps my interest in foreign travel was a form of escape, a way to glimpse the world beyond our borders. There wasn’t much support for travel, especially to the West. That might have sparked my fascination with foreign affairs.”
Whether or not we have listeners in Canada, Ambassador Tlapa has a message for them:
“I would encourage Canadians to visit Europe more often, including the Czech Republic, to explore our shared history and values. Understanding these connections helps us learn from one another.”
Join us for this episode’s Ambassador Martin Tlapa on Czechast!
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Czechast, Radio Prague International
Czechast is a regular RPI podcast about Czech and Moravian culture, history, and economy.
