Martin Kanaloš got a degree in art history at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in Prague. During his studies, he worked at the National Gallery and the National Museum, and later at the National Pedagogical Institute as a coordinator of motivational debates for Roma students. He also collaborated with the Albatros Foundation, which supports Roma university students. He was a member of the Czech Government Council for Roma Minority Affairs in 2025. He works as an art historian and lives in Prague.
He has been writing since his school days. He made his debut with the short story "Ty jsi jako já” / “You Are Like Me” in the anthology Samet Blues. Drsná devadesátá v povídkách Romů (Velvet Blues: The Rough Nineties in Romani Short Stories, Kher 2021). In the same year, his short story "Stálo to za to" / “It Was Worth It” came out in the winter literary supplement of the Respekt weekly (51-52/2021). In 2025, the text “You Are Like Me” was reprinted with illustrations by Marie Nakonečná in Thursday's Child (UMPRUM illustration and graphic design studio). In 2025, his young adult debut, Já, Tran a všechno ostatní (Me, Tran, and Everything Else, Kher), illustrated by Sára Paldanová, was released. In the same year, the Magnus magazine, released annually by J&T Bank, carried his short story "Sudetský poustevník" / “The Sudeten Hermit” as part of an issue on soft power.
He has given public readings and participated in debates e.g. at the Book World fair (Prague), the Knihex (Prague) and Tabook (Tábor) small publishers' festivals, and at the Scout Institute (Prague). For his book Me, Tran, and Everything Else, he was named one of the three finalists for the Magnesia Litera Award in the children’s and young adult category and for the Jiří Orten Award.
Photo: Lukáš Houdek
