It explores the extraordinary consequences of political changes in the far from distant future -- where Language Police patrol restaurants, and where Prague (Mayor Šulc's `Inner District') resorts to a helicopter airlift to take passengers to the airport to avoid the random searches and hefty tolls imposed by the Communist authorities. It's one of several stories Adam submitted to the competition that tackle rather different, often unsettling subjects.

Adam is a writer from Canada who now lives in Prague. His latest publication is We Are the New Bohemians: The Post-Communist Collection.

The BCSA aims to raise public awareness in Britain of Czech and Slovak life in all its aspects -- history, politics, science, economies, arts and literature. The competition is for writing about the links between Britain and the lands now comprising the Slovak and Czech Republics, or about society in transition in the Republics since the Velvet Revolution in 1989.

A panel of judges representing Britain, Slovakia and the Czech Republic judged Adam's entry the winner, against an impressive range of entries. Entries came mainly from those three countries but writers in Germany and the USA were also among those taking part.

A second prize, of £100, was awarded to Jarmila Hlavkova, of Žilina in Slovakia, for Home Cooking in Britain and Slovakia- Traditional or International?. This is a most appetising account of some of the high points of Slovak and British traditional cuisine, from the dumplings, sheep's cheese and bacon of Slovenská bryndza, through the thick soup of kapustnica to orange marmalade and the full English breakfast. The essay also reflects on Slovak and British responses to the advance of fast food.

The BCSA has decided to repeat the competition in 2007. For more information e-mail prize@bcsa.co.uk or ring +44 (0) 1892 543206.