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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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

Sales of new flats in Prague soared by 80% last year, reaching 7,200 units—the second-highest figure in 15 years. See more here. Author: Ruth Fraňková

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...

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

Humanity tends to forget patterns and events leading to tragic outcomes, President Petr Pavel stated at a Holocaust Remembrance Day event at Prague Castle. See more here. Author: Vít Pohanka

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 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...

A new Mucha Museum opened in the beautiful reconstructed Savarin Palace, a late Baroque building on Prague's Na Příkopě Street.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Archaeologists in Prague have uncovered one of Europe’s largest mass burial sites from the Seven Years’ War. The discovery, made in the courtyard of the historic Břevnov Monastery, reveals the skeletal remains of over 1,000...

The National Gallery Prague is Czechia’s foremost and largest art institution. Its goal is to preserve the nation’s artistic heritage and promote it to both its domestic population and an international audience. With that goal in...

A group of hardy climbers set off to the top of Ještěd, the famous mountain outside Liberec, with very limited equipment: shorts, gloves and hats. In temperatures slightly below freezing, they managed to reach their destination in approximately...

The Ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to the Czech Republic, H.E. Mr. Ronald DOFING, organized a New Year´s Gala concert with catchy show tunes from Berlin to Broadway “Let’s Misbehave” performed by an international cast at the...

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP FRESH IMPETUS TO THE VIETNAM AND CZECH TIES

The Czech pavilion is among 20 of the best countries at the Expo 2025, which will open in Osaka – Japan in April 2025. Read the article that was published at blooloop.com – the magazine of Museums & Trust. Copyrights: blooloop.com and...

Prague’s Václav Havel Airport handled 16.35 million passengers last year, marking an 18 percent increase compared to the previous year. At the beginning of last year, the airport had anticipated 15.5 million passengers for 2024, thus...

The American horror film Nosferatu, one of the most talked-about movies of the year, has a unique Czech connection. Not only was it mostly filmed in Prague – it also features traditional Czech Christmas ornaments. Nosferatu, a Gothic tale...

Prizes have been handed out in the 30th edition of the prestigious Czech Press Photo competition. More than 250 photographers competed in eight categories, submitting over 4,500 photographs. A selection of the best photos is now on display at...

A newly restored historic Mevro tram, a distant relative of the legendary trams in Milan, can now be seen roaming the streets of Prague. The 76-year-old veteran is running along one of Prague’s historic routes, attracting tourists and...

On January 16, 1945, the Nazis cracked down on Operation Barium, one of the most successful resistance networks in the Protectorate during World War II. On the night of 3 to 4 April 1944, three paratroopers from the Barium group were parachuted...

The National Gallery Prague is hosting an exhibition, “École de Paris: Artists from Bohemia and Interwar Paris,” from 8 November 2024 to 2 March 2025 at the Waldstein Riding School. It highlights artists like Georges Kars, Othon...

Franz Kafka was born in Prague, but where specifically did the world-famous writer grow up? Where did he draw inspiration, or even go on holiday? See more here.

At the end of December, Eva Kubíková-Bullock, who was one of the surviving children of Lidice, died at the age of eighty-seven. She lived in Canada but visited Lidice repeatedly throughout her life. During the Second World War, the Nazis...

The West Bohemian Gallery in Pilsen has received a collection of 66 works by the world-renowned Czech writer, poet, and artist Jiří Kolář. The works, acquired directly from Kolář in the late 1990s, have been donated to the gallery by ČEZ. I...

The Czech government has moved to liberalize its policy on kratom and other psychoactive drugs. Under a new law that came into force in January, substances considered low-risk will be sold under strict conditions to adults only. However, the...

Visitors to Prague can now experience the fascinating world of space in an impressive light exhibition on the banks of the Vltava River. Space Park Prague in the city’s of Žluté lázně (Yellow Spa) area depicts giant luminous planets, rockets...

Danny Bate talks to Vít Pohanka, the host of “Prague off the Beaten Track.” See more here. Author: Vít Pohanka

Miroslav Wanek is the leader of Už jsme doma, a Czech alternative band who this year are celebrating 40 years of existence. Už jsme doma have performed in over three dozen countries, most notably in the US, where they have notched up a...

Karel Čapek’s villa, located in Prague’s Vinohrady, is undergoing plans for restoration. The goal is to restore the villa to reflect the atmosphere of the Friday gatherings once held there. The renovation is expected to begin in the...

Are bioplastics and plant-based materials safer than conventional plastics? Scientists from Mendel University in Brno have been investigating one type of bioplastic, and their findings are alarming. Even plastics marketed as eco-friendly, can...

The Skiman race from Polnička to Radostín in Žďárské vrchy is not only a sporting experience on historic wooden skis, but also a fun event in period costumes. Fifty enthusiasts successfully conquered the eight-kilometer course this weekend. See...

Researchers at Mendel University’s Faculty of Agronomy in Brno are collaborating with the University of Hradec Králové and the University of Defence to create effective treatments for nerve agent and pesticide poisoning. See more here. Author:...

The Prague Symphony Orchestra’s story is closely intertwined with the history of the Czech capital, and this connection is clearly reflected in their repertoire, which we feature on today’s edition of our Sunday Music Show. Following the...

The Prague metro turned 50 years old last year. To mark the occasion, we explore some of the iconic stations on the Czech capital’s metro network. Metro station Petřiny lies only a short walk away from the Břevnov monastery and the...

The story of Kateřina Ferenčíková: how Czech identity can stretch across borders and generations. Kateřina Ferenčíková is a Czech woman from Ostrava whose life has taken her far beyond the borders of Czechia. See more here. Author: Vít Pohanka

January marks 60 years since the launch of Večerníček, a beloved Czech children’s TV programme that airs every evening. Czechoslovak Television broadcast the first episode of the bedtime series on January 2, 1965, and it has since become a...

The Ambassador of the United States of America, H.E Mr. Bijan Sabet & Ms. Lauren Sabet, hosted at their beautiful residence a farewell reception, to express their heartfelt gratitude for our friendship and partnership. Here are selected...

H.E. Mr. Omer Hussein Thabet SABA'A, Ambassador of the Republic of Yemen to the Czech Republic, passed away at the end of 2024. He was the Ambassador of the Republic of Yemen from 2017.

Prague Zoo commemorates 100 years since the birth of Gerald Durell, a well know writer and natural scientist who advocated for saving of the pink pigeons which Prague zoo successfully raised. One hundred years have passed since the birth of the...

The 2025 concert season will offer Czech music fans pop-music legends, rock stars and a metal icon. Check out what international performers you can look forward to in the coming year on this week’s Sunday Music Show. 80’s pop lovers are...

Beer is the national drink of Czechia and holds the same status in Belgium. This shared cultural importance is why both countries have been at the forefront of efforts to unite European beer nations and resist efforts to classify beer as a hard...

In October 2024, Czechia signed a treaty with the Vatican, becoming one of the last countries within the European Union to do so. Such a treaty has been a long time in the making, having been rejected by the Czech parliament back in 2003. The...

Jakub Hrůša, the acclaimed Czech conductor, has reached an extraordinary career milestone, as he prepares to take over as music director at the Royal Opera in Covent Garden. His current focus, however, is bringing Jenůfa by Leoš Janáček to life...

Over the years, Czech photographer Martin Wágner has taken on a fascinating mission: rescuing discarded photographic negatives and giving them a second life. His efforts have drawn thousands of followers to his Facebook page, Negatives from the...

Archaeologists in northern Bohemia have announced a unique discovery. While conducting a rescue excavation during the construction of an emergency services call centre, they uncovered evidence of a Neanderthal settlement, dating back between...

Driving on Czech roads can be a nerve-racking experience. Speeding, drink-driving, inattention and road rage all contribute to the high number of accidents. And even on a good day, transgressions such as failing to keep a safe distance or break...

The first installment of the Czech video game Kingdom Come: Deliverance has sold more than six million copies globally. The highly anticipated sequel, which continues the story of Henry of Posázaví, is set to be released on February 4. In the...

If you’ve been to Prague in recent years, chances are high that you’ve encountered the work of Pavel Fuksa. The graphic designer is behind a series of official posters welcoming visitors to the city – and encouraging them to be on good...

A team of scientists from Brno’s Masaryk University has set off to the world’s coldest continent, Antarctica, with a second team to follow on January 11th. Ahead of the second departure, Danny Bate spoke to Pavel Kapler, manager of the Czech...

Czech hockey players have won their third consecutive medal at the 2025 World Junior Championship in Ottawa. In their final match on Sunday night, the Czech team defeated Sweden 3-2 in a shootout for the bronze medal. The bronze match between...

Built in 1888, the Prague State Opera has undergone several renovations, with the latest being the most extensive. The stage turntable and air-conditioning system were upgraded, artists received modern rehearsal rooms, and new facilities were...

In this episode of our series on the Prague metro, we head to Vyšehrad, on Line C, to visit one of the city’s oldest and most distinctive stations, renowned for its unique layout and design. Anna Švarc, the architect behind the Prague...

Martin Palouš served as Czech ambassador to Washington, D.C., from 2001 to 2005 and later as the Czech ambassador to the United Nations in New York. After concluding his diplomatic career, he became the Director of Václav Havel Library and then...

A recent survey by the Czech Chamber of Commerce reveals that nearly 70% of Czech companies have yet to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) in their operations. However, over a third plan to integrate AI within the next three years, suggesting...

The first cub of 2025 was born at the Prague Zoo. It was the West African sitatunga antelope. The new addition to the herd was born in the early morning hours and is doing well, according to breeders. The little female became the 442nd cub of...

In his New Year’s address to the nation, Czech President Petr Pavel urged Czechs to have confidence in the future and not to be swayed by scaremongering and populism ahead of the 2025 general elections. The president began his New Year’s...

Prague Zoo will ring the Christmas trees. More than ten species of animals will receive thematic enrichment during special guided feedings. For example, for elephants, bison or porcupines, unsold conifers will not only be a delicacy, but also...

Václav Havel was elected president exactly 35 years ago, on December 29, 1989, more than a month after the Velvet Revolution began. His election marked the final confirmation of the fall of the totalitarian regime. In January 1989, Havel was...