Roman Catholic priest Zbigniew Jan Czendlik, who became a new member of the Czech Radio Council at the end of March, recorded eight episodes of the Czech Television travel documentary In an RV Across Poland last year, and he took me on a tour of his native country, albeit a virtual one.
In March 2025, the Senate elected you to the Czech Radio Council. What was your motivation for running?
I told the senators I’d like to represent the interests of minorities in the Council – both national and religious. I’m a minority myself, in both senses, and I think it’s appropriate for these groups to be represented by someone who’s one of them. The Council should reflect society, and the society we live in is diverse and colourful. That’s why I believe I can contribute to the diversity of the Czech Radio Council.
What exactly is the Council of Czech Radio responsible for?
By law, it has nine members. It appoints and dismisses the Director General, approves the budget and annual reports, and also handles complaints about violations of Czech Radio’s Code of Ethics. But many people mistakenly believe that the Council is one of the management bodies of Czech Radio and directly influences what gets broadcast. That’s not the case. The Council has an oversight role – it deals with complaints and listener feedback and can relay those to the Director General. It’s also meant to shield the broadcaster as much as possible from political, economic, and other kinds of influence. The primary aim of public service media shouldn’t be ratings or audience size, but quality.
You spent ten years at Czech Radio as the Sunday host of the show Jak to vidí. Is that an advantage for your work on the Council?
It’s not essential for the role. I studied sociology and psychology, and I think I have a good grasp of how societal processes work. I’ve always had an interest in media, but being a good presenter doesn’t automatically make you a good council member – and vice versa. To lighten things up, I’d say the main thing I gained from my presenting days is that I know where the toilets are, where the studios are, and where the Council meets. [laughs] I’m just starting out…
What’s your opinion on the possible merger of Czech Television and Czech Radio, as proposed by the ANO movement?
At this point, I can only give a personal opinion, because whether the two will be merged or funded from the state budget is ultimately up to the politicians. But personally, I don’t think a merger would benefit either Czech Radio or Czech Television. The world today is becoming more professionalized and specialized, and in my view, these are two quite different media types. Merging them “into one building” wouldn’t be ideal. I remember about fifteen years ago when print media companies started cutting costs, and print journalists were forced to take their own photos – usually on their phones. And photographers, after covering an event, had to write the story. I feel that’s when the quality of newspapers began to drop. With few exceptions, journalists couldn’t take professional photos, and photographers couldn’t write professional articles. I think something similar could happen if the radio and television were merged.
Artificial intelligence is already making inroads into both radio and television. What’s your take on that?
AI can be a good servant but a bad master. That’s true of everything. When motorbike season begins in spring, I always tell riders: “You have to be the master of the bike – you can’t let the bike master you. That would be a disaster!” It’s the same with AI. Yes, use it, but don’t let it take over.
Speaking of bikes – in the series In an RV Across Poland, filmed by Czech Television the summer before last, you even rode a quad bike. Had you ever driven one before?
Never! That was my first time, and I had to learn how it's done. Riding across sand dunes was quite an experience. I had a radio so the director could give me instructions. I was riding around and happy that I wasn’t getting any directions – I thought I must be doing great! [laughs] And then I found out I’d lost the radio. So, somewhere in the Błędów Desert, a Czech Television walkie-talkie is buried in the sand.
The shooting lasted forty days. Did you enjoy living in an RV for that long?
I wasn’t in the RV the entire forty days, of course. It was just a way for us to showcase the beauty of Poland – its culture, landmarks, and nature. I’m not the type of person who would choose to spend their holiday in an RV. It’s a particular lifestyle, but not for me.
Your journey started in the Subcarpathian Voivodeship. You visited the Bieszczady Mountains, the Pauline monastery at Jasna Góra, the majestic Eagle Nests Trail, and the largest Gothic brick building in Toruń. What other memories stand out?
Polish cities – they’re vibrant and colourful. I was especially taken with Warsaw and its modern district, which the locals call the Polish Manhattan. It’s a complex of skyscrapers right in the city centre, and there’s real life happening beneath them – great restaurants, bars, cafés. People dress up, arrive in fancy cars, and live it up. I remember one evening sitting in a restaurant, just watching life unfold around me – and it felt like being in Miami, Florida. Polish cuisine is also worth noting – it’s underrated, but Poland has excellent food.
What would you recommend to Czechs visiting Poland?
The beautiful Masurian Lakes – although they didn’t make it into the RV series. The Baltic olan also warming up, and summers there are different than twenty years ago. Sandy beaches are a big plus – kids can build sandcastles, so it’s great for families. The shallow water olan d ideal – you can walk fifty metres out and still only be knee-deep. A vacation in olan dis a good choice for Czechs because they’ll feel at home. Poles like Czechs, there’s no major language barrier, and people generally understand each other. And another plus – Poland’s major cities are now connected by wonderful roads. The road network has completely transformed – for the better. I’ve experienced it first-hand.
What are you looking forward to this summer?
I have two family weddings coming up. My nephew is getting married by the Baltic near Gdynia, and my niece in the Polish Beskids. I’m really looking forward to it, because Polish weddings have a unique charm. I’m happy the whole family will be together again – there’ll be fun, good food and drink, and great entertainment. And each wedding will have its own regional flavor.
CV BOX
Zbigniew Jan Czendlik, known as Zibi (born September 6, 1964, in Brenna, Poland), is a Roman Catholic priest of Polish descent living in Czechia, and has served as the dean of Lanškroun since 1992.
He is well known in the media thanks to his friendships with various prominent figures.He has worked as a presenter, notably for Czech Radio’s Jak to vidí and hosted the Czech Television series Uchem jehly. In March 2025, he was elected to the Czech Radio Council.
He enjoys sports. He actively participates in various charitable and social projects.
In October 2016, he and Markéta Zahradníková published a book titled Postel hospoda kostel (Bed, Pub, Church), which won the Readers’ Prize at the 2017 Magnesia Litera Awards.
In late 2018, a book of transcripts of interviews from Uchem jehly: Zbigniew Czendlik and His Guests appeared, followed by a second volume two years later. In autumn 2019, he co-authored a cookbook titled Farská kuchařka (The Parish Cookbook).
In 2021, he appeared alongside Bolek Polívka as a priest in the film Gump – the Dog That Taught People to Live, and again in the sequel Gump – We’re a Team. In 2024, he hosted the Czech Television travel documentary series In an RV Across Poland.
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