What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Bridge the Gap’? Published on April 29th, 2025

Human-to-human connection, of course, is a central tenet of the global Fab Lab Network. However, the idea of a maker network is still relatively new to the people of Czechia. In fact, as Vojtěch Kolařík of Make More shares, "It's been quite a challenge to explain what 'maker' actually means, because we don't translate it into Czech. There is no direct translation for us." Unsurprisingly, this has represented a significant hurdle in his team's ongoing effort to unite the Czech maker community under a common identity.

To understand this struggle, it's helpful to know a bit about the sociopolitical history of Czechia near the end of the last century and how things have changed since that time. Vojtěch provides some helpful context: "During the Soviet era, people here had to create out of necessity because they lacked technology, or certain goods, or specific tools. And they had to produce in a DIY way. They had their workshops at home, and they created for themselves—for their families or for their households. But they didn't feel the need to share information or know-how with others. The Soviet times really pushed people into a sort of internal exile."

As such, there is a question of self-identity that the organizers of FAB25 hope to address in the maker community. "What's different for us now is that a 'maker' doesn't hide in the workshop but instead comes out, shares information, and joins forums with other makers," observes Vojtěch. "The modern maker is passionate about sharing resources, knowledge, and access. And the special thing about Maker Faire, when we brought it to the Czech Republic, is that it helped people here realize that they can meet other passionate makers in person through the platform that we created for them."

"But, at the same time," he admits, "there's still not that many people here who would actively call themselves a maker." And even fewer people in the Czech community would call themselves Fabbers. While there are more than 60 active makerspaces around the country, only a handful of Fab Labs currently exist in Czechia. "So, we invite everyone to participate in the community, to gain knowledge or experience," says Vojtěch. "And we try to show good examples of how the journey of a maker can evolve."

Vojtěch clearly shares that view: "What brings us together are the ideas, the mindset, and some bigger goals—things that we want to change in the Czech Republic. We share the same ideas about the maker movement, STEAM education, and the educational system in general. That's where it all starts and where we can make the biggest difference. Europe is going through a change. I'm interested in seeing what the future will bring. I'm feeling positive about it."

We can't wait for the makers of the world to come together in Czechia this summer, to share knowledge, learn from one another, and explore new ways to bridge the gaps that exist across our global society.