Barbora Šťastná, a Czech writer and editor of the 'Memory of the Nation' collection, has released her latest short story collection titled 'Exoti', which delves into the concept of otherness through various lenses such as minority faith, race, sexual orientation, and unique life perspectives. In an interview with Aktuálně.cz, she reflects on the powerful personal stories she encountered while working on the project, expressing how they have deeply influenced her writing and highlighted the complexities of societal acceptance.

Throughout the interview, Šťastná shares her emotional journey in curating these narratives, noting how they often revealed harsh truths about the difficulties faced by marginalized groups. She vividly recalls moments of connection with individuals whose stories resonate with her own feelings of being 'different'. This sentiment is echoed in her book, which aims to challenge readers' perceptions and provoke empathy towards those on the fringes of society.

In her concluding remarks of the book, published by Argo, Šťastná emphasizes that while society has evolved since her childhood in the 1970s and '80s, the struggle for minorities remains significant. She expresses a heartfelt wish to see a world where no one has to endure judgment or ridicule, advocating for acceptance and understanding over indifference towards those who face discrimination.