Kubasta, Vojtech. Kubasta – Pop-Up Diorama – Liberation of Prague. (Praha Diorama ABC – Kveten 1945 – Boj a Vitezstvi.) Prague: ABC magazine, 1975. First edition. Large uncut diorama sheet.
Condition: Fine. This original 1975 copy is uncut and never assembled. Note: First three photographs show an assembled example for reference only; your copy is the uncut version shown in image 4.
In 1975, Czech artist and paper engineer Vojtech Kubasta created a special diorama titled “Praha Diorama ABC – Květen 1945 – Boj a Vítězství” (Prague Diorama ABC – May 1945 – Battle and Victory), issued exclusively in the Czech children’s magazine ABC. It commemorates the 30th anniversary of the liberation of Prague at the end of World War II.
This striking diorama is interactive and reversible. Once assembled, it presents a vivid three-dimensional scene of wartime Prague. One side (dated 5 May 1945) depicts fierce street fighting as Czech citizens rise up against the Nazi occupiers. The reverse (dated 9 May 1945) shows joyful celebrations as Soviet tanks and soldiers are greeted with cheers by liberated citizens.
Between the front and back panels is a double-sided center piece that can be flipped to change the tableau. The dramatic composition highlights Prague’s Old Town Hall in ruins, surrounded by crowds and historical symbolism. The entire piece reflects Kubasta’s skill in engineering and composition.
The diorama is notable for its innovative construction: by reversing the interior sliding section, the scene changes from the battle for Prague (5 May 1945) to the celebration of victory (9 May 1945).
This diorama is especially rare in its uncut state. Like Kubasta’s nativity scenes and construction sets, it was meant to be assembled by children.
Collector’s Corner:
Issued as a supplement to ABC, a Czech youth magazine, the diorama depicts a pivotal moment in Czech history: the Prague uprising of May 1945. After seven years of Nazi occupation, citizens revolted on May 5. Following three days of street battles, German forces crushed the resistance on May 8. The following day, May 9, the Soviet Red Army entered the city to mass jubilation. The war was finally over in Prague.The middle section of Kubasta’s diorama flips to show these two moments: the battle on May 5 and the Soviet arrival on May 9. The date “9/5/1945” on the sheet appears transposed and should correctly read “5/9/1945.”
Referenced by:
National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library,
Pop Ups from Prague. https://www.ncsml.org
Smithsonian Libraries and Archives, The Art of Vojtech Kubasta. https://library.si.edu