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Zoologists from the Dvůr Králové Safari Park have started researching elephants in the Mkomazi National Park in Tanzania. One of the zoo’s main missions is protecting endangered and threatened wildlife species directly in their natural...

The world-famous Czech composer Antonín Dvořák died 120 years ago in Prague on May 1, 1904, at the age of 62. The 120th anniversary of his death is naturally being commemorated with a host of concerts, but also by us here at Radio Prague...

We’ll hear from two extraordinary Czech women who’ve woven their lives into the fabric of this the vibrant city of London. First up, we’ll meet Lucie Wenigerová, a dynamic film producer who, along with her Northern Irish...

A two-meter-wide stained glass window with the Eye of God, which was most likely hidden by a priest during the communist regime so as to safeguard it, has been discovered and restored to the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in...

May 1 is the Czech equivalent of Valentine’s Day, when couples  kiss under blossoming cherry trees to seal their relationship. Now, however, the custom may be threatened by climate change, which causes trees to bloom much earlier than before...

A competition for draft horses in difficult terrain took place in Brdy, Central Bohemia, at the weekend. The competition trail led through the Jince military training ground, which exceptionally opened to the public on the occasion of the race...

Last year Mason Parker and a group of other US investors bought American football club Prague Lions, the sole Czech team in the burgeoning European League of Football. Why does Parker feel this is the right time to back the sport in Europe? And...

An extraordinary spectacle – two baby lowland gorillas – awaits visitors at the Prague Zoo. The Kijiva female has been lending her offspring to her half-sister Shinda less than two weeks after giving birth. On the other hand, Duni...

Czechia is one of the last countries in Europe to still require transgender people to undergo medical sterilisation in order to legally change their gender – meaning that officially changing your sex is not possible without undergoing surgery...

The South Bohemian Region boasts ancient towns full of life, fairy-tale castles and palaces, unique picturesque villages and literally thousands of fish ponds. See the rest here.

Bedřich Smetana has been in the spotlight recently in connection with the 200th anniversary of the Czech composer’s birth. Smetana is also the subject of a new novel, Friedrich řečený Bedřich (Friedrich, Known as Bedřich), by Milena Štráfeldová...

While the streets of Prague 1 may be breath-taking by day, they turn ugly by night for the city’s residents who are severely plagued by noisy drunk tourists wanting to make the most of their time in Prague. The locals, many of whom have lived...

A new study by the Prague Institute of Planning and Development (IPR Prague) comparing the Czech capital with 11 other European cities has found that there is still a gap between East and West in many respects. The analysis looked at areas of...

Hundreds of people attended the 25th edition of a gathering of vintage car enthusiasts in the Central Bohemian city of Poděbrady at the weekend. One model on display came all the way from Italy. Author: Hana Slavická

The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Markéta Pekarová Adamová, together with the President of the Senate Miloš Vystrčil, participated in the two-day international Conference of Speakers of the Parliaments of the European Union in Spain. One...

The phenomenon of hockey and ice skating in fine art is the subject of a new exhibition of the National Gallery Prague (NGP), which reopens the Kinské Palace on Old Town Square to visitors. The exhibition will present almost a hundred works...

With just over three months to go to the Summer Olympics in Paris, work on the Czech Olympics House is in full swing. Where will it be and what can visitors expect? The popular La Villette park on the north-eastern suburbs of Paris is set to...

The Committee of Good Will – The Olga Havlová Foundation will award the Olga Havlová Award for the thirtieth time this year and the Public Award for the eighth time. The award goes to personalities who, despite their health handicap, help...

Music must be beautiful,” wrote Bohuslav Martinů, “or it wouldn’t be worth the effort.” One of the most prolific 20th century Czech composers wrote around 400 works, drawing inspiration from different styles and genres. His long-lost...

Nicholas Lowry leads viewers through IDENTITA: A Film About Czech Graphic Design, which is set for release later this year. The New York auctioneer, art expert and TV personality seems the ideal man for the job, given his vast knowledge of the...

Art expert Nicholas Lowry has Czech heritage and lived in Prague in the early 1990s. He will soon be seen as the presenter of a documentary on classic Czech graphic design. Author: Ian Willoughby See the rest here.

Roma representatives, top officials and cultural figures attended the opening of a memorial to Romany and Sinti victims of the Holocaust in Lety, south Bohemia on Tuesday. Due to communist neglect, the site of a former concentration camp...

A new monument honouring the courage of those who fought in the May 1945 Prague Uprising has been selected in a public competition and will be erected in the Bubeneč district. It will replace a statue of the Soviet Army commander Ivan Konev...

In today’s episode of our series In Franz Kafka’s Footsteps we are back in Prague to visit places where the famous writer lived, worked and wrote, and also where he spent his free time. This is how Franz Kafka described Prague to his...

While the worst of the winter months are behind us, the need for the services that aid people experiencing homelessness in Prague have not diminished. Homelessness continues to be a significant problem across Czechia’s capital, as Jitka...

After nearly a week of temperatures in the mid-20s Celsius, Czechs are having to put their winter coats back on as the weather dips below freezing. But the sudden change doesn’t only impact our clothing choice – it has an even more detrimental...

The first details about this year’s Karlovy Vary International Film Festival have just been revealed. The 58th edition of the region’s biggest cinema event will feature a special section dedicated to Franz Kafka, while its visual identity will...

We’re diving into the enduring relationship between Czechs and this vibrant city, exploring moments that have left an indelible mark on our nation’s story. Today, we’re focusing on a truly remarkable chapter from World War II...

The innovation of film with sound first made it to Czechoslovakia 95 years ago. The first sound film to be screened in the country was not a feature film, however, but an advert for a factory in Ustí nad Labem. It had its premiere in the same...

Ever wondered what happens to your Christmas tree after the festive season is over? Well, in the case of one particular Christmas tree at least, it won’t end up on a scrapheap or in an incinerator. Apprentice carpenters from one of the...

How would cities look if we designed them with children in mind? That’s the topic of an event hosted by Prague’s Centre for Architecture and Metropolitan Planning (CAMP) taking place on Wednesday evening. The lecture, titled “Start with...

On Wednesday, April 17, 2024, the General Commissioner of the Czech participation in the World Expo, Ondřej Soška, signed a contract with the general contractor for the construction of the Czech national pavilion, the Japanese construction...

The Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in the Czech Republic organized on 18th April 2024 a ceremony at the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic with the theme: Remember-Unite-Renew The commemoration period, commonly...

Czechia is becoming increasingly attractive for international students, and numbers are growing fast, but the bureaucratic challenges faced by prospective students can be daunting. Here you can find some useful tipes and advice to get you...

The Ambassador of Spain H.E. Mr. Alberto Moreno Humet And Mrs.  Blanca Azqueta Oyarzun host at their residence a farewell reception. Here are selected sections of H.E Mr. Alberto Moreno Humet and H.E. Most Reverend Jude Thaddeus OKOLO speeches...

Czechia is becoming increasingly attractive for international students, and numbers are growing fast, but the bureaucratic challenges faced by prospective students can be daunting.  We bring you tips and advice on how to get your diploma...

A telescope in the Štefánik Observatory on Prague’s Petřín hill has been returned after underdoing extensive repairs in Germany for two years. The telescope, which was first placed in the observatory in 1930, allows visitors to observe the...

Písek, a South Bohemian town of around 30,000 inhabitants, was an important town in the Middle Ages and has a well-preserved medieval centre with six churches and a partly preserved Gothic castle, rebuilt into the town hall and a brewery. Known...

When your child isn’t feeling well, the next step any parent would take after over the counter medicine would be a paediatrician – but that’s not so easy any more in Czechia. Today, many Czech parents don’t have a general practitioner for their...

On Thursday, April 18, 2024, at Prague Castle, the President of the Republic Petr Pavel received the credentials of the new ambassadors to the Czech Republic: Source : Hrad.cz Pictures : Tomáš Fongus

In the past year, 43% of foreigners and 36% of domestic travelers visited one of the cultural monuments in the Czech Republic. Castles and chateaux are the most frequently visited. Monuments in Prague play a leading role, and visitors also...

Check-out the fourth part of our video series Czech Music Greats, devoted to the work of one of the most prolific 20th century Czech composers – Bohuslav Martinů. Bohuslav Martinů’s works include 15 operas, 14 ballet scores, 6 symphonies...

The Jewish Museum in Prague has joined an international project called the Library of Lost Books. It invites readers from all over the world to help track down the thousands of books that once belonged to the Higher Institute for Jewish Studies...

One of the places writer Franz Kafka liked to visit was Třešt’. Indeed before he entered the workforce he regularly visited his uncle in the small Vysočina town in summer. We begin our journey in Franz Kafka’s footsteps at the former...

Travelling along Route 66, riding free by plane, going to a casino and taking part in a beer run. These are just some of the many adventures Czech traveller Vojtěch Pechar experienced on a hitchhiking trip across the United States, during which...

The Czech Republic is strengthening its potential as a European golf destination. Golf tourism is one of the important sources of income in the tourism industry. Golf is gaining popularity among both domestic and foreign tourists. In this...

Guitarist David Dorůžka, regarded as one of Czechia’s leading jazz musicians, teamed up with flutist Robert Fischmann and drummer Martin Novák to record an album inspired by Jewish music. Called Gilgul, which means “cycle” in Hebrew, it has...

Czechia joined international condemnation of Iran’s strikes on Israel on Saturday night, backing Israel’s right to self-defense and expressing concern regarding a further destabilization of the region.  The worsening global security...

There were scenes of great joy at Prague airport 20 years ago when three Czech journalists kidnapped in Iraq were reunited with their families. Vít Pohanka, now your Czechast host, was one of them. This special episode is really a Czechast...

This episode serves as a prologue to our upcoming discussions about the deep-rooted connections between Czechs and Britain, particularly through the lens of London. It was the late summer of 1938, and the clouds of war loomed ominously over...

The traditional ceremony of “unlocking rivers” opened the canoeing season in Czechia at the weekend. Pictured here are fans of canoeing in Český Krumlov. Source:ČTK  

Already the Friday before last I published in a newspaper a photo of the gorilla female Mobi “looking out” for a sibling. By that I meant the baby, which Kijivu was due to give birth any day, if not any second. According to data in literature...

Following talks with US President Joe Biden on Monday, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala visited the US Congress on Tuesday meeting with House Speaker Mike Johnson and a number of Democrat and Republican lawmakers ahead of a crucial vote on...

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Czech Republic and the Argentine Republic, the Embassy of Argentina and the restaurant Gran Fierro organized a special event the “Malbec World Day”. The wine tasting...

The President of the Republic, Petr Pavel, continues his visit to Rwanda. The second day of the planned trip was dedicated to commemoration the Kwibuka 30 event, which commemorated the thirtieth anniversary of the beginning of the genocide in...

The first purely Prague elephants Max and Rudi are coming of age and are therefore heading to new homes. Maxmilián, born in April 2016, will go to the zoo in Antwerp, Belgium in June, while Rudolph, who is half a year younger, will still be...

H.E. Ms. Suzilah Mohd Sidek, Ambassador of Malaysia, hosted a Hari Raya Aidilfitri Open House at her beautiful residence.

According to Eurostat, women in the Czech Republic earn on average 17.9% less than men, which means that they work 65 days longer on average to reach the same remuneration as men.

On Thursday, April 11, 2024, the President of the Republic, Petr Pavel, went on a one-day working trip to Vilnius for the summit of the Three Seas Initiative, which unites thirteen countries from Central and Eastern Europe.

Ambassador Bijan Sabet and the Commercial Service of the U.S. Embassy in cooperation with the Czech Franchising Association (ČAF) are organizing a presentation of American franchise brands that are looking for partners/master franchisees in the...

Farah Abou Kharroub has one of those personalities that draws you in from the moment you meet her. That warmth and hospitality is something that she is trying to translate into her new venture, Aleb – a wine bar purveying exclusively natural...

Czechia experienced its first bout of tropical weather this past weekend, with temperatures reaching as high as 30 degrees Celsius in some parts of the country. While the warmer weather is welcomed by some, it’s indicative of a larger problem...

Unusually high temperatures have been leading Czechs to spend their free time by the water and it feels like summer in many places. Pictured are girls on a pedal boat near Prague’s Charles Bridge. Source: ČTK

The name Vlasta Kálalová Di Lotti might not mean very much to you – even many Czechs have not heard of her. But the woman with the exotic-sounding name was decidedly one of the most fascinating figures of the First Republic and had an...

A new laboratory enabling safe work with highly infectious viruses and bacteria opened this week at the Biocev science centre in Vestec near Prague. The state-of-the-art facility will enable scientists to study hepatitis B, HIV, Covid and other...

On April 9, 1624 Ferdinand II issued a patent allowing only the Catholic religion in Bohemia. A few days later he banned royal towns from accepting non-Catholic burghers and also forbade non-Catholics to practice their trade in such towns. The...

The Czech statute books are set for a significant change. After a lower house debate on Wednesday rape will be defined as non-consensual sex, rather than the current forcible sex. The new bill also gives greater protection to the under 12s in...

The great writer Franz Kafka was born in Prague in 1883 and spent his entire life in the city. His early years, and the life of his family, are closely linked to its Old Town district. Today Prague’s Old Town is filled with tourists from all...

Mayors of the center will be offered suitable financing models for affordable housing projects and will advise on legal and technical questions, for example. Experts will work in all regions. The centers are financed from European sources...

With European Parliament elections around the corner, Czechs are gearing up to head to the polls. But how do Czechs, specifically younger ones, feel about the EU and Czechia’s membership? That’s a question that Czech Radio reporter Anna...

Conservationists have applied a special protective paint on one of the Gothic towers on Prague’s Charles Bridge, the city’s most famous landmark. The transparent nano-coating can decompose algae and mosses with the help of light alone, keeping...

Walking through the streets of Czechia, you might spot people sporting tri-coloured sneakers in the country’s national colours; blue, white, and red. Those kicks are from an iconic brand called Botas, originally founded in 1949. Last year, the...

The Czech government has officially acknowledged the term “antigypsyism” with the aim of curbing discrimination towards Roma people in the country. But what does the term mean, and how will its use effect change? I asked human...

The Prague Zoo is currently rearing a young fish-eating owl Ketupa Pelova. It was hatched here at the beginning of this year and after initial fluctuations in weight and occasional reluctance to eat, the bird is now vital and thriving.

Affordable housing has the green light from the European Commission. Twenty years after joining the Union, the Czech Republic can finance affordable apartments from public sources for the first time.

The main season of the Prague Zoo has officially started, and along with it, the public’s questions are multiplying: When is the best time to go to the zoo? How to avoid the queue at the checkout? Are there any discounts available...

Olgoi-khorkhoi – the mythical killing worm from the Gobi Desert – is perhaps better known today in Czech Republic than in Mongolia itself. It happened thanks to Czech enigmologists, who searched for it in local sand dunes. And on top of that...

On this week’s Sunday Music show, we spotlight a classic piece of Easter music – Jan Dismas Zelenka’s ‘Cantata sacra Il serpente di bronzo’. Composed in the year 1730, the piece was first performed on Good Friday of that year in Dresden...

A new work by David Černý – a five-tonne kinetic metal head of iconic movie director David Lynch – was recently unveiled at an apartment complex in Santa Monica, LA. The Czech sculptor is perhaps best known for works that have made their mark...

Join us on a trip to South Bohemia – a region of castles, ponds, and the famous Budějovický Budvar brewery. Check out its dense network of centuries-old fish ponds, its picture-perfect UNESCO heritage villages, and the lush forests of the...

Researchers at the Czech Technical University in Prague are using artificial intelligence to train robots, teaching them to search unfamiliar or hard-to-reach areas. In the future, these intelligent robots could help search for missing persons...

Pavel Bobek gained his first teaching experience in an immigrant neighbourhood in London’s district of Croydon. After two years he returned to Prague and has since been teaching at one of the city’s primary schools. Are the teaching methods...

Revelations a Czech-based Russian influence network was paying politicians in several states have made headlines around Europe. Czechia’s European commissioner says she sensed Moscow was using such dirty tricks – and says steps should be taken...

The Crystal Touch Museum in Litoměřice offers a unique exposition of authentic handprints of famous personalities captured in Bohemia crystal. The exhibition is the work of glass master Jan Huňát who launched the project in 2007. Most people...

In the West Bohemian city of Plzeň there is a modern sculpture that people either love or hate. Its official name is The Panopticon, but in Plzeň everybody calls it “the pink rabbit”. Why is it there? And is it art or a terrible kitsch? The...

Easter egg trees are a popular Central European tradition and the town of Pardubice has one to make the locals proud this year. Whoever guesses the exact number of eggs on it can look forward to a prize! The egg is an ancient symbol of life in...

In the English-speaking world, we know the days during Holy Week leading up to Easter as Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and so on. But, despite also sharing a Christian heritage with Anglophone countries, the Czechs call these days...

Prague’s Hradčany Square right next to Prague Castle is a top-notch address, but with hordes of tourists and ever rising noise levels it is not conducive to quiet contemplation and prayers. This led the community of Barefoot Carmelite Sisters...

The historic astronomical clock in Česká Kamenice has been successfully repaired at the cost of about one million crowns. Its fourteen glass figures were made by students of the glass school in neighbouring Kamenický Šenov. The  astronomical...

Column written by Miroslav Bobek, Director of Prague ZOO.

From 27 March the unique exhibition of the first artistic designs of Czechoslovak banknotes from the 1970s, the satirical Funny Money, and the life stories of contemporary banknotes will be open in the Visitor Center of the Czech National Bank...

More than 200 young people joined the traditional three-kilometer run through Prague’s Stromovka park at the weekend and President Petr Pavel was among them. Source: CTK

The new book Red Tape: Radio and Politics in Czechoslovakia, 1945-1969 takes a fresh look at radio broadcasting in, and to, the country between the end of the war and the immediate aftermath of the Soviet-led invasion. How “Communist” were...

The Municipal District of Prague 1 recently launched an initiative to help residents of the area deal with common problems. The aim is to curb depopulation and reassure residents of the area that the heart of the city is in fact a comfortable...

Arguably one of the most internationally renowned contemporary Czech composers, Miroslav Srnka has wowed audiences across the globe with his original and innovative operas. In 2016, Srnka debuted his double opera, South Pole, which tells the...

On 26 March 1964, the Czechoslovak government decided to liquidate the old city of Most to make way for new coal mines and apartments to house the miners who would be working there. The demolition of the historic centre of the town lasted 23...

The well-known Máj department store in the centre of Prague is soon to re-open following a two-year renovation. The long-awaited reconstruction has already sparked controversy, when it emerged that the façade of the building will be adorned...