All of Kunder's French novels have been published in Czech, like the latest Slowdown.

The remains of renowned Czech writer Milan Kundera and his wife Vera were laid to rest in Brno this Thursday, fulfilling the author’s long-standing wish to be buried in his birthplace. The ceremony took place at the Central Cemetery in Brno, where the urns containing their ashes were placed into a specially designed tomb. This final resting place was chosen after Kundera expressed a desire to return to the city where he spent his youth and early adulthood before leaving for exile in France in 1975. The event was attended by family members, friends, representatives of the French embassy, and officials from the city of Brno. According to local authorities, the urns had been stored temporarily in the Moravian State Library in Brno since they arrived from Paris last January.

Milan Kundera passed away in Paris on July 11, 2023, at the age of 94. His wife, Vera Kunderová, died on September 13, 2024. Their remains were transported back to Brno earlier this year, marking the culmination of Kundera's wish to be interred in his native city. Before being placed in the tomb, the urns were kept in the Moravian State Library, which houses part of Kundera’s personal archive, including letters and other documents related to his literary work. The tomb itself was designed by Austrian architect Johannes Paar as the winning entry in an architectural competition held last year. It creates an illusion of levitation, symbolizing both Kundera’s creative imagination and his enduring connection to Brno.

Brno Mayor Markéta Vaňková from the Civic Democratic Party expressed pride in honoring Kundera’s wishes, stating that it was a great honor for the city to allow him to fulfill his final request. She emphasized how deeply connected Kundera remained to Brno throughout his life, despite spending much of his later years abroad. The city has also established the Milan Kundera Library as part of the Moravian State Library, dedicated to preserving his legacy. This library includes not only his books but also critical analyses of his works and parts of his personal correspondence.

Kundera, one of the most significant Czech writers of the 20th century, began his literary career shortly after the communist coup in 1948. He moved to France in 1975 following the normalization period in Czechoslovakia and wrote his novels in French thereafter. Despite living abroad for many years, Kundera always maintained a strong emotional bond with Brno, where he grew up until 1948. His decision to have his remains returned to Brno reflects this deep-rooted connection to his roots.

In addition to the burial, recent developments highlight the continued interest in Kundera’s literary contributions. The latest of his four French-language novels, Pomalost (originally titled La lenteur), was recently published in Czech by the Brno-based publisher Atlantis. This marks the completion of the translation of all of Kundera’s French novels into Czech. The novel, which explores themes of time and the pace of modern life, was translated by Anna Kareninová, who previously worked on translating Kundera’s other French works. Kareninová noted that she initially hesitated when approached by Kundera about the translation due to his previous reluctance to allow translations of his works into Czech. However, she eventually agreed under the condition that she would translate a portion of the first chapter and send it to him for approval.

Kundera’s decision to release the Czech translations of his French novels in reverse chronological order has been notable. For instance, Slavnost bezvýznamnosti, originally published in French in 2014, became available in Czech only in 2020. Similarly, Nevědění was released in 2021, while Totožnost followed in 2024. With the publication of Pomalost, all of Kundera’s French novels are now accessible to Czech readers. This effort underscores the ongoing relevance of his work and the importance of making his literature available to a broader audience in his native language.

Kundera’s legacy continues to influence contemporary Czech literature and culture. As a prominent figure in European literature, his works remain widely read and studied. The establishment of the Milan Kundera Library in Brno ensures that future generations will have access to his writings and personal materials, further cementing his status as one of the most influential voices in 20th-century literature. The recent burial and the publication of his final French novel serve as reminders of his lasting impact on both Czech and international literary landscapes.