29.04.2026
"In the Footsteps of Tomas Bata and Their Impact on the Present" - that is the title of the new exhibition, which offers the public a unique perspective on the life, values, and ideas of Tomas Bata. The project combines visually striking illustrations with short, impactful texts, offering visitors the opportunity to view Bata’s legacy as a living and inspiring source for the present. The illustrations are by artist Jaromír 99, whose distinctive style lends the exhibition a contemporary and emotional expression.
“Creating comics for an exhibition on the Bata phenomenon was, for me, above all an encounter with transformation - not only of the landscape, but also of human thought. I was fascinated by how something that fundamentally changes the face of cities, work, and everyday life gradually emerges from an unassuming rural setting,” said Jaromír 99, who, as an author, has created, among other works, the comic trilogy Alois Nebel, the comic Emil Zátopek, the story of the Mašín brothers titled Zatím dobrý, and the comic Čáslavská.
The authors of the exhibition’s text section are Gabriela Končitíková, director of the Thomas Bata Foundation, who has long been dedicated to interpreting Bata’s legacy for the present day, and Jakub Malovaný, the foundation’s project and PR manager. “Our goal was to create a project that, through a comic book story, would bring Tomas Bata’s way of thinking and values closer to people so that they could truly understand them and relate them to their own lives. We greatly appreciate the collaboration with Jaromír 99, whose artistic style gives this story contemporary power and the ability to appeal to the younger generation as well,” revealed Končitíková.
The exhibition consists of a total of ten stories, each of which presents a specific principle upon which Tomas Baťa built his approach to business and working with people - individual responsibility, an emphasis on character, the courage to create, discipline, and the ability to constantly work on oneself. The work thus offers not only a historical perspective but, above all, demonstrates how Baťa’s ideas can be applied in today’s world - in personal life, education, and business.
“I’m fascinated by the fact that behind everything the exhibition tells us, there is a specific person and his vision: to build a structure from a small workshop that transcends the local framework and becomes a global phenomenon,” adds Jaromír 99, and Jakub Malovaný adds: “We are delighted that, through Jaromír’s unique artistic style, the story of Tomas Bata can reach a truly broad audience, including, for example, high school students, to whom it may resonate, be understandable, and give them the courage to follow their own path, to create, and not to be afraid to take responsibility for their lives.”
The exhibition also features so-called creative spaces that actively engage visitors and encourage self-reflection. At these stations, people can reflect on their values, identify what they value most about themselves, or choose their favourite Bata motto inspired by Tomas Bata’s ideas. These interactive elements thus enhance the personal experience of the exhibition and transform its message from a source of inspiration into concrete reflection on one’s own life.
The exhibition “In the Footsteps of Tomas Bata” was created as part of the year-long project “Bata 150 – The Desire to Create,” which commemorates the 150th anniversary of Tomas Bata’s birth and aims to reopen the discussion on values-based leadership, entrepreneurship, and human development. The project encompasses a wide range of activities—from conferences and exhibitions to educational programs and the publication of books—and connects both the professional community and the general public across generations.
The exhibition was organized by the Thomas Bata Foundation in cooperation with the City of Zlín, the Zlín Region, and the organization Živý Zlín, whose director, Jana Kubáčová, notes that culture should be a natural part of society and accessible to all: “That is precisely why collaborations on projects that are meaningful and capable of connecting values with the present day are emerging. Thanks to the Thomas Bata Foundation, its team, and the artistic design by Jaromír 99, Tomas Bata’s legacy speaks through the contemporary artistic language. The exhibition presents a unique opportunity to experience this legacy in a new, highly relevant way.”
Traces of Tomas Bata will be on display at the Kolektiv.Haus cultural centre in Zlín until 16 June, after which it will travel to other locations across the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
