Posts

From glider to fighter: Military pilot...

The world of aviation has long captured the imagination, but the profession is still dominated by men. That said, the field has come a long way since the first Czech woman pilot, Božena Laglerová, became the thirteenth woman pilot in the world...

Czech NGOs have supported 3.6 million...

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Czech humanitarian organizations have supported at least 3.6 million Ukrainians with aid worth over CZK 6.9 billion. The estimate includes donations from Czech donors and international...

Basilica of St. Peter and Paul in Vyšehrad...

Work is underway to reconstruct the roof of the Basilica of St. Peter and Paul in Vyšehrad, one of the most significant landmarks of Prague. The new slate tiles are being imported specially for this purpose from the US and Spain and will be...

“My fear is we now bet on EU for...

Many European leaders have been aghast at American moves to unilaterally agree a Ukraine “peace deal” with Russia and their concerns have only been intensified by an explosive speech by the US vice-president that some say signals a sundering of...

Czech government to release funds for...

The post-war expulsion of Sudeten Germans from the Czech borderlands changed the face of the region. Homes and property were confiscated, and hundreds of thousands of German graves were forcibly abandoned. Some municipalities are struggling to...

Strahov Stadium: a colossal monument to the...

Strahov Stadium is an imposing relic of the past. Once the largest stadium in the world by area, it has seen a remarkable evolution—from a stage for nationalistic gymnastics festivals to a propaganda tool of communist mass exercises, from a...

A Visit to the Ďáblice Astronomical...

Ďáblice Astronomical Observatory, located in the north of Prague, has been welcoming stargazers since 1956. Built by local astronomy enthusiasts, it started as a small project and grew into an observatory with two domes. Led for many years by...

Třinec, the last Czech sea vessel, to be...

Half a century ago, it was the pride of Czechoslovakia’s maritime fleet. Now, the cargo ship Třinec, the last surviving Czechoslovak ocean vessel, is set to be scrapped. However, parts of the ship will hopefully be brought back to its homeland...

Iconic Prager’s Cubes look set for...

The buildings of the Association of Design Studios, known colloquially as ‘Prager’s Cubes’, are a set of modernist buildings in Prague’s New Town that are in desperate need of renovation. Thanks to popular support, that renovation is likely to...

Forgotten Czech Piano Concertos by Prague...

The Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra has received three nominations for this year’s Anděl Awards, due to be handed out in April. Today’s edition of Sunday Music Show will profile one of the CDs, nominated in the Classical Music category. Called...

From Čapek to the Present: 100 Years of the...

Karel Čapek founded the PEN Club with the intention of protecting freedom of speech and the press, becoming its chairman. He was succeeded by figures such as Ivan Klíma, Jiří Stránský, and the current chairman, Ondřej Vaculík. On 15 February...

80 years ago: American bombs fell on Prague

On February 14th 1945, a deadly bombing raid claimed hundreds of lives when the city of Prague became an unexpected target of the US Army Air Forces. In this first part of our series ’80 years ago: How did WWII end in the Czech lands...

Toxic chemicals from ski wax pollute Jizera...

The Jizera Mountains in north-eastern Czechia are a popular destination for cross-country skiers. But scientists have confirmed that ski wax used by amateur skiers is polluting the protected landscape area with PFAS—highly toxic and persistent...

Play Mozart! Innovative Mozart-themed museum...

Recently opened in Malá Strana, the Mozart Interactive Museum offers visitors a unique experience, using up-to-date technology and innovative styles of presentation to tell visitors about the life the Prague-loving musical maestro Wolfgang...

Chinese New Year of the Snake celebration

To celebrate the 2025 Chinese New Year of the Snake H.E Mr. Feng Biao – The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Czech Republic, organized a concert at the CVUT Congress Center in Prague of Classic & Traditional Chinese music...

BRIAN ISAAC PHILLIPS: STRANGER IN A STRANGE...

Get ready for a night of laughter, love, and mistaken identities as the Prague Shakespeare Company (PSC), Divadlo Bez Zabradli and the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company (CSC) bring their hilarious co-production of Shakespeare’s classic...

National Day of the Republic of Serbia

On the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Serbia, the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Berislav VEKIĆ, and Mrs. Sandra VEKIĆ, Hosted a reception at the Beautiful Kaiserstejnsky Palace. Mr.  Eduard Hulicius – the...

VALENTINE’S WEEKEND AT PRAGUE ZOO

Courting, partner coexistence, reproduction, but also harems and jealousy or, conversely, loyalty to the grave. Prague Zoo has prepared special Valentine’s commented feedings and animal encounters for the weekend. During them, visitors...

The secret of Klárov ghost station

The Prague metro turned 50 years old last year! To mark the occasion, we explore a rather unusual station in the capital’s metro network. Classified as confidential for almost sixty years, Klárov was one of the best-kept secrets of the...

Would you drink pure foam? Czech beer goes...

A recent article in The New York Times sparked a debate about ‘mlíko’ (milk), a traditional Czech way of serving beer, which is almost entirely made of foam. A Czech bartender explains what it is and whether he recommends it. In...

Prokop Valley: a natural and historical...

Tucked away in the southwestern part of Prague, Prokopské údolí, or Prokop Valley, is a remarkable blend of history, geology, and nature. This protected landscape, part of the Czech Karst, offers visitors a chance to step away from the city’s...

Grey wagtail named Bird of the Year 2025

The Czech Society for Ornithology has named the grey wagtail as the Bird of the Year for 2025. This decision aims to highlight the crucial role that natural waterways play in supporting this striking, long-tailed bird, as well as a variety of...

Really doing your share at home? Martina...

Martina Dvořáková was so tired of the gender imbalance in household labour in Czechia that she did something about it, creating a Fair Household audit. It’s a questionnaire that helps couples reflect on who does what in the home – and whether...

Celebrating 120 years of Zdeněk Burian, the...

Tuesday marks exactly 120 years since the birth of Czech artist Zdeněk Burian, one of history’s greatest illustrators of prehistoric life. Long before the era of computer-generated imagery, Burian brought the ancient world to life with...

Jizerská 50! Professional and amateur cross...

The legendary Jizerská 50 is a four-day skiing event with eight competitive races. This year, over 8,400 participants, both professionals and amateur cross-country skiers, crossed the finish line at the stadium in Bedřichov in the Jizerské...

Professor Robert Langdon comes to Prague in...

Dan Brown, author of international bestsellers like The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons, has set his next mystery-thriller in Prague. Entitled The Secret of Secrets, it will see the return of academic hero Robert Langdon. A post shared by...

Older than Czechoslovakia: Oldest resident...

Blažena Strachotová, the oldest living citizen of the Czech Republic, is 108 years old. Born on February 9, 1917, in Slavičín in the Zlín region, she now resides in České Budějovice. Throughout her long life, she has witnessed a number of...

Celebrating Czech songs, with Magdalena...

In today’s Sunday Music Show, we present you the recording Czech Songs, sung by Magdalena Kožená. She is accompanied the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, led by conductor Simon Rattle. The selection presents a number of folk songs by Czech authors...

Last Czechoslovak fighter pilot Antonín...

Antonín Fajkus, a war veteran and fighter pilot from World War II, has died at the age of 101. A native of South Moravia, Fajkus spent most of his life in the U.S., and served in the legendary U.S. Air Force’s 40th Fighter Squadron, known...

Ostrava University fourth in world to offer...

The cimbalom is an elaborate stringed instrument of the dulcimer family whose rich, inimitable sound is characteristic of the folk music of Central and Eastern Europe. The Faculty of Arts of the University of Ostrava will soon become the fourth...

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II – a Czech...

The highly anticipated Czech video game Kingdom Come: Deliverance II has taken the gaming world by storm. Released on February 4, after just a few days the medieval RPG quickly became the best-selling game on Steam and covered its development...

“You absolutely have to use AI”: AI...

Today, I am speaking with Lea-Ann Germinder, an AI researcher based in Missouri, US, who focuses on the responsible use of artificial intelligence. Germinder researches areas where AI technologies raise ethical concerns, particularly in how...

February 10th, 1975: Prague’s Kotva...

On February 10, 1975, the Kotva department store opened on Prague’s Republic Square, welcoming its first customers. It quickly became a favourite shopping destination, attracting both local residents and visitors from across the country...

Czechia’s participation at the World...

Ondřej Soška  the Commissioner General of the Czech participation at EXPO 2025, organized a press conference on Czechia’s participation at the World EXPO 2025 at the beautiful Rudolfinum in Prague. At the event, the participants review...

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa...

President Petr Pavel received the President of the Portuguese Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, at Prague Castle, and Prime Minister Petr Fiala met with the President of Portugal at Kramář’s Villa. Watch the video: On Wednesday, February...

Jessica Boone Unveiled: Embracing the...

Prepare to be swept away by the most popular play in Prague Shakespeare Company’s history! Venus in Fur, David Ives’ acclaimed masterpiece, returns to the legendary Estates Theater for one night only this Valentine’s Day...

Prague to host first-ever European display...

For the first time ever, one of the world’s most famous fossils is coming to Europe. The fossilized remains of Lucy, a 3.18-million-year-old human ancestor, will go on display at Prague’s National Museum in August, giving visitors a unique...

Teacher, senator, martyr: Remembering...

On February 5th 1875, Františka Plamínková was born, a woman who would go on to dedicate her life to political causes, most notably the rights of women in Czechoslovakia. Tragically, this activism culminated in her execution by the Nazis in...

Czech scientists in Albania discover...

A team of Czech scientists have discovered in southern Albania the world’s largest underground thermal lake, and have named it Lake Neuron, after the foundation that funded the expedition. Within the valleys of the mountainous borderlands...

Nový svět: peaceful refuge off the Prague...

Just a few steps away from Prague Castle and the grand palaces of Hradčany, Nový Svět (The New World) feels like a secret passage into a quieter, almost forgotten part of the city. With its winding cobbled streets, historic houses, and an...

National Film Archive preserves amateur and...

The National Film Archive in Hradištek near Prague is a treasure trove of famous and lesser-known Czech films, but also contains a collection of family and amateur films. Over the years, the collection was enriched by private donors or came...

Wine not? Czech Dry February campaign...

Alcoholic drinks are a constant presence in Czech life, with some, especially beer, achieving the status of a national symbol. Yet the ubiquity and normality of drinking alcohol can easily lead to a variety of problems. Danny Bate spoke to Petr...

Russian Orthodox Church transfers ownership...

The Russian Orthodox Church has transferred ownership of it assets in Karlovy Vary to its Hungarian branch so as to prevent the Czech state freezing them. This includes ownership of the Church of Sts Peter and Paul which now falls under the...

Rediscovering a lost legacy: American Noah...

Noah Breuer is an American artist with a personal connection to Czech history. His ancestors owned a textile factory in Dvůr Králové, which was confiscated during World War II, and most of his Jewish family perished in the Holocaust. In 2016...

Who owns Czech football?

Trying to decipher the motives behind owning a football club is like putting together a colorful puzzle. Some clubs are owned by very wealthy businessmen, others by cities or even a foreign company. But they rarely, if ever make money and are...

Historic trains get new lease on life:...

Historic trains will probably not receive a red light after all with the arrival of the new European Train Control System (ETCS) signaling system. The system was designed to improve safety and efficiency across European rail networks, but some...

Janské Lázně hosted the first World Ski...

Exactly 100 years ago, in February 1925, Czechoslovakia hosted the very first World Ski Championships. The event, called Rendezvous Ski Races at the time, was held in Janské Lázně in the Krkonoše Mountains. A series of events is taking place...

Nine hours in a hot air balloon to win the...

The Jaroslav Hašek Cup, a competition for the furthest hot air balloon flight, started at dawn on February 1st in Kejžlice near Humpolec. The participants had the task of flying as far as possible from the take-off point within a time limit of...

What will Prague’s new metro line D...

To mark the 50 th anniversary of the Prague metro we explored some of its iconic stations. In conclusion, here is a look at what the new metro line D will look like. In December of last year, a new milestone was reached for work on Prague’s new...

Petr Muk: “His soul was tormented, but his...

Petr Muk (born on Feb 4, 1965) was a Czech pop singer and composer who grew up in communist Czechoslovakia but was influenced by Western bands like the English synth-pop duo Erasure, The Cure and Depeche Mode. At the time, recordings of Western...

35 years ago, the much-feared Czechoslovak...

When in 1990, Minister of the Interior Richard Sacher issued an order to abolish all central departments of Czechoslovakia’s State Security organisation (StB), he brought to an end the more than forty-year period of one of the main instruments...

Cheers! Czech beer culture given status of...

The Ministry of Culture has added Czech beer and brewing culture to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Czech Republic, a step towards its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Czechs may well feel that beer is an inseparable...

Mammoth hunting camp discovered in Ústí nad...

Archaeologists in Ústí nad Labem in northern Bohemia have made a unique discovery: a mammoth hunting camp from the Old Stone Age. The site, covered with thousands of animal bones, includes remains of at least 13 woolly mammoths and other...

Beavers build planned dams in protected...

A beaver colony in the Brdy region has gained overnight fame by building several dams in the Brdy protected landscape area, creating a natural wetland exactly where it was needed. It saved the local authorities 30 million crowns, and has the...

76th Republic Day of India

On the occasion of the 76th Republic Day of India, the Ambassador of the Republic of India, H.E. Mr. Raveesh Kumar, and Mrs. Ranjana Raveesh Hosted a reception at the Beautiful Zofin Palace. Mr. Jiri Kozak – the first deputy minister of foreign...

Polish Presidency of the Council of the...

On the occasion of the opening of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Mr Jacek Gajewski the Chargé d’affaires ad interim of the Republic of Poland in the Czech Republic organized a Jazz concert at the beautiful...

Lighting a candle for Olga Havlova

On Monday, January 27th, at the Vinohrady Cemetery at the grave of Olga and Václav Havel, took place a candle-lighting ceremony for Olga Havel, founder of the Committee of Good Will – Olga Havel Foundation. 29 years since her death. The...

The public can nominate individuals with a...

The Committee of Good Will – The Olga Havel Foundation (VDV) will ceremonially award the thirty-first Olga Havel Award in May. The prestigious award will be given to an individual who, despite their health handicap, helps others. The public can...

80 years since liberation of Auschwitz...

Eighty years ago, Allied forces reached and entered the now-infamous Auschwitz concentration camp. The event provided the date for the modern International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which offers Czechia a chance to reflect on the horrors of...

Is it the beer? Plzeň beats Prague and Brno...

The West Bohemian metropolis is ranked 54th on the Numbeo quality of life index for January, overtaking not only Prague and Brno, but cities such as Oslo, Madrid, Dubai and Berlin. Numbeo is the world’s largest statistical portal that...

Kutná Hora to mark 30 years in UNESCO with...

A series of cultural events will take place in Kutná Hora this year to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the town’s historic center being added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. See more here. Author: Ruth Fraňková

Was Jan Masaryk murdered after all? New...

Police have reopened the case of the death of former Foreign Minister Jan Masaryk who died on the eve of March 10, 1948. Originally believed to be a suicide, the Office for Documentation and Investigation of Crimes of Communism (ÚDV), a unit of...

New high-capacity Škoda trams soon to arrive...

A new model of trams will soon be seen around Prague, as the Škoda ForCity Plus 52T was launched this week for the first time on Škoda’s test track in Plzeň. Ahead of their arrival and test runs in the capital, Danny Bate spoke to...

The Dominator turns 60: Legendary goalie...

On January 29th, Dominik Hašek, considered by some to be the greatest ice-hockey goaltender in history, celebrates his sixtieth birthday. He spoke to Danny Bate about his career, looking back on his early years, his time as a professional...

Czechast special: introducing Prague off the...

A great new way to learn about hidden gems of Prague with Radio Prague International. In this Czechast special we introduce Prague off the Beaten Track, your guide to the hidden gems of Prague – unique places, stories, and cultural experiences...

Student invents new system of communication...

A student at the Prague University of Economics and Business has invented a new speech-to-text system that can help small airports and small aircraft to communicate better. The system has now caught the attention of pilots, airports and even...

Historic furnace discovered in Jindřichův...

Archaeologists in Jindřichův Hradec have made a unique discovery. During reconstruction work at the castle brewery, they uncovered exceptionally well-preserved furnaces dating back to the late 18th century. These historic furnaces, which were...

Brutal murders and prostitution: The dark...

Prague may be known for its many gothic structures, medieval alleyways, quaint parks, and bustling pubs. But “the city of a hundred spires” has a darker side too. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, brutal murders and prostitution...

Belarusians in Czechia continue fight for...

In Belarus, President Alexander Lukashenko claimed victory in his 7th presidential election on Sunday. The 70-year-old autocrat, who has ruled Belarus since 1994, was reported to have won 86.8% of the vote. On Sunday, dozens of people protested...

International ‘mushers’ come to Czechia for...

One of the toughest dogsledding races in Europe, called Šediváček’s Long, is traditionally held in the small village of Jedlová in the Orlice Mountains. This year, around seven hundred dogs and more than a hundred competitors (‘mushers’) from...

Vítězslava Kaprálová: 100 years since the...

For today’s Sunday Music Show, we will be playing you some music by the Czech composer Vítězslava Kaprálová to mark the occassion of her birth 100 years ago on January 24, 1915. Kaprálová was both a composer and a conductor, a rare dual...

Club for Old Prague celebrates 125 years of...

The Club for Old Prague, founded on 28 January 1900, is one of the most important institutions dedicated to the protection of historical and cultural heritage in Prague. At a time of intense redevelopment, when many historic buildings were...

Brothels and Charles IV: Czechast with Dr...

In this episode, we have a truly fascinating guest, Eleanor Janega, an American broadcaster, historian, and author with a deep personal and professional connection to Czech history. Eleanor’s scholarship focuses on the late medieval period...

“I had the best team”: Czech set decorator...

Although neither of the two Czech films that were shortlisted for this year’s Oscars—the historical drama Waves nor the short film The Countryman—received a nomination, the Oscar statuette may still be headed to Czechia this year. Czech...

Czech record label Supraphon acquired by...

Supraphon, the venerable Czech record label specialising in classical and pop music, has this month been bought by the American multinational company Sony Music Entertainment. With a history stretching back to the First Republic, Supraphon is a...

Czech Hall of Fame offers a glimpse into the...

Historic hockey trophies, medals, and iconic sports gear—these are just some of the artefacts on display at the Czech Hockey Hall of Fame. Located on Prague’s Nekázanka Street in the heart of the city, the Hall reopened last year, showcasing...

Podskalí: a gem of Prague’s riverside

Nestled beneath the Vyšehrad Rock on the banks of the Vltava River, Podskalí is a lesser-known but historically rich area of Prague. Once a bustling port village and a vital part of the city’s economy, Podskalí has transformed over the...

Prime Minister Petr Fiala welcomed the Prime...

Prime Minister Fiala: The conclusion of a strategic partnership with Vietnam will strengthen trade, investment, and cooperation in several areas Watch the video from  Monday, January 20, 2025, when Prime Minister Petr Fiala welcomed the Prime...

Guy Roberts Unmasked: Delving into the...

This Valentine’s Day, escape the ordinary and immerse yourselves in a seductive world of power, desire, and theatrical brilliance. The Prague Shakespeare Company presents David Ives’ critically acclaimed masterpiece, Venus in Fur...

Lighting a candle for Olga Havlova

On Monday, January 27th, there will be a candle-lighting ceremony for Olga Havel, founder of the Committee of Good Will – Olga Havel Foundation. 29 years since her death. The memorial meeting will take place at 3:30 p.m. at the Vinohrady...

INDONESIA, AFRICA AND OTHER WARM COUNTRIES...

Prague Zoo invites visitors to heated pavilions. When observing animals, they can expect pleasant temperatures of more than twenty degrees Celsius and comfortable benches in the immediate vicinity of interesting species. For example, people can...

In Memory – H.E. Mr. Omer Hussein Thabet...

Read a few words in his memory written by Mr. Fadhl Ali Ahmed AL-MAGHAFI -CHARGÉ D´AFFAIRES ADINTERIM of the Republic of Yemen to the Czech Republic: Ambassador Omar Saba’a is a dear friend and colleague, brought together by our shared...

CHAMPION OF CAMOUFLAGE AND SAILING. PRAGUE...

Visitors to the Prague Zoo can now see black-bellied flying frogs in the Indonesian jungle pavilion. The webs between their fingers can function like miniature “gliders”, and thanks to them, flying insects can overcome a distance of...

Jewish Museum head Pavla Niklová: When Oct...

Pavla Niklová has been the director of the Jewish Museum in Prague, one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the world, for around a year and a half. When we spoke at her office on the edge of the city’s Jewish Quarter, the conversation...

Czechast with Danny Bate: why Josef is Pepík

Czech language from the perspective of a linguist, broadcaster and soon an author Danny Bate. In this episode, we’re delving into the fascinating world of language with someone who has made it both a profession and a passion – linguist...

Foreign Minister Lipavský: “I expect...

With the eyes of the world on the second presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, Czechia’s Foreign Minister, Jan Lipavský, spoke about what he expects for Czech-US relations over the next four years. On January 20th, Donald Trump returns to...

Prague expected to add 400,000 residents by...

According to a forecast from the Institute of Planning and Development, Prague is expected to have 400,000 more residents by 2050. If this projection is underestimated, the result could be a sharp increase in housing prices, as demand would...

Historian on forgotten WWII heroes: I feel...

Jiří Kluc is a young historian with a profound interest in World War II history and particularly in forgotten war heroes scattered the world over. With time fast running out for the last remaining survivors, he feels compelled to find them and...

Štvanice: Prague crossroads of history and...

Situated on the Vltava River near the Hlávka Bridge, Štvanice Island, is a lesser-known yet fascinating part of Prague. With a rich history spanning centuries and modern activities like river surfing, the island seamlessly combines tradition...

Become a superdialectologist! Young...

The Czech Academy of Sciences’ Institute of the Czech Language is recruiting young language enthusiasts to document dialects and the endangered speech of older generations. Czechia may seem fairly unified in its speech today, but the country...

SATurnin-1, Czechia’s largest satellite yet...

Czechia launched its largest satellite yet, SATurnin-1, into space on Tuesday. Unlike previous satellites, it is not dependent on foreign technology. Its mission will be to take detailed pictures of the Earth for defense and security purposes...

Milovice nature reserve receives Czechia’s...

The Milovice nature reserve is the first in Czechia to win the country’s top three ecological awards. By reintroducing large herbivorous mammals to the area, the project has successfully rewilded the former military zone northeast of Prague...

Czechia faces shortage of train drivers

There is a shortage of train drivers in the Czech railway sector. Many are gradually retiring, with no replacements lined up. This shortage is unlikely to be significantly affected by the decline in demand for freight transport. As a result...

Number of foreign nationals in Czechia...

The number of foreigners living in the Czech Republic has been steadily increasing since the fall of communism. In the past decade, their number has doubled to the present 1.1 million. Due to its geographic location in the heart of Europe, low...

Nikol Bóková and her album ‘Feathers’

In today’s Sunday Music Show, we’ll be listening to pianist and composer Nikol Bóková’s most recent album, Feathers, released at the end of last year. Nikol Bóková was born in the Moravian-Silesian town of Ostrava and trained as a classical...

First public library in Prague opened 250...

250 years ago, the first public library in Prague opened its doors, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the city’s literary history. On January 17, 1775, bookseller Wolfgang Gerle and his brother Ondřej established the first lending...

Háje metro: A cosmic journey through time...

The Prague metro turned 50 years old last year! To mark the occasion, we explore some of the most iconic stations on the Czech capital’s metro network. In this episode, we go to Háje, the southern terminal station of line C. Our guide...