AuthorMartin Hladík

Photo: Radio Prague International

Czechia’s outdated system of construction permits has long been a thorn in the side of developers and building companies. Now efforts to digitize it are threatening the stability of the government.

Czech Deputy Prime Minister Ivan Bartoš from the Pirate Party is under fire from all sides.

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Author: Vít Pohanka

The bramborák, or potato pancake, is a blend of Jewish and Germanic cuisine, drawing on elements of each to appeal to Czech tastes. It can be eaten on its own as a quick snack or a delicious side for stew. And they are super easy to make! Here is how.

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Author: Barbora Navrátilová

Mobi explores the outdoor enclosure of the Dja Reserve from the back of his mother, Duni. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

MOBI IS SWINGING ON A ROPE, GAIA IS STARTING TO CLIMB, AND HARAPAN WILL BE THREE MONTHS

Great ape hat trick – that’s how you could describe the trio of the most outstanding cubs born this year at the Prague Zoo. Both the small gorillas and the orangutan are thriving and showing themselves more and more to visitors. Mobi’s favorite thing to do is to play on the ropes and swing upside down on them, while her younger sister Gaia is sucking vegetables and starting to toddler. Orangutan Harapan, who will be 3 months old tomorrow, already regularly spends time in the outdoor enclosure.

“Never before have three ape babies been seen at the Prague Zoo at the same time,” says chief primate keeper Martin Vojáček. All small primates make him happy, but according to him, it is also interesting to observe the differences between them and also between their parents. “Mobi likes to ride on her mother Duni’s back, but Kijiva, on the other hand, only carries little Gaia in the palm of her hand, as if in an excavator spoon. None of her previous Kijiva cubs had been carried on her back until she had climbed onto them herself at a more mature age. In contrast, orangutans, as arboreal primates, carry their offspring only on their bellies.”

Seven-month-old Mobi’s favorite pastime these days is swinging upside down on ropes. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

The seven-month-old lowland gorilla Mobi, the first granddaughter of the famous Moja, is already moving away from her mother by a few meters these days. Duni is very careful with her first born, but she is now letting her interact with all members of the gorilla family. He also allows her more and more games and pranks. Mobi prefers to swing upside down on lower ropes.

Three-and-a-half-month-old Gaia is newly tasting adult food, especially pieces of cucumber or salad that her mother Kijiva drops while eating. Gaia, the goddaughter of the world-famous Jane Goodall, is learning to climb. Visitors can thus watch her first steps.

Kijivu with his three and a half month old daughter Gaia. Gaia is starting to toddler these days and is also tasting the vegetables that the other gang members drop when eating. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

Harapan will be three months tomorrow. A small Sumatran orangutan tries to grasp objects in its surroundings, such as play materials or vegetation in the enclosure. His mother Diri regularly “exercises” him – lifting him above her head, stretching his limbs, and cleaning his nasal cavity and eyes from sleeping pills. In the last days, she started putting her firstborn on the ground next to her.

Lowland gorillas in the Dja Reserve are best seen when feeding in the indoor exhibit at 10am or 3pm, in the outdoor enclosure the best chance to meet them is before the morning feeding around 9.30am or when the group is enjoying the early evening sun around 5pm. Male orangutan Harapan can be found inside the Indonesian Jungle Pavilion, where he goes to the outdoor enclosure every day after 3pm and spends the rest of the day with his mother Diri and father Pagy.

The small orangutan male Harapan can be seen by visitors to the Prague Zoo in the outdoor exhibit of the Indonesian Jungle every day after 3 p.m. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

All three cubs – Mobi, Gaia, and Harapan – belong within their species (in the case of gorillas within a subspecies), among animals critically endangered according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Photo: Adam Čada, Občanská plovárna

The city of Paris spent huge amounts of money ahead of the Olympics to make the River Seine safe for swimming. Unlike the French capital, Prague already has several public bathing spots along the Vltava. Does that mean that swimming in Prague poses no risk? I discussed the question with Tomáš Hrdinka of the T.G. Masaryk Water Research Institute,

“I can say that swimming in the Vltava in Prague is generally safe.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Michal Šafařík, Czech Radio

Trees do not only improve air quality by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They can also significantly reduce noise levels by absorbing and refracting sound waves. Scientists from Brno are currently investigating how trees could be used as sound barriers against traffic noise.

Being exposed to higher traffic noise has been directly linked to all sorts of health issues, including insomnia, depression and high blood pressure.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: René Volfík, iROZHLAS.cz

A Kantar agency survey for Czech Television found that only 17 percent of Czechs were satisfied with the state of Czech politics. Since the survey was published, austerity policies aimed at tackling the public deficit have added to the general dissatisfaction. Czechs are mainly dissatisfied with the government’s handling of inflation, rising living costs, energy price regulations, and poor public communication.

“First of all, it is important to highlight that the government did not really have good conditions when it came in because the country was dealing with the aftermath of COVID, the [Russo-Ukrainian] war started in the first month of the government, the energy crisis, and inflation.

See more here.

Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Barbora Navrátilová, Radio Prague International

A recent analysis by the Czech Statistical Office revealed that children raised in low-income families often remain in the poorer segments of the population as adults. Over a third of individuals who experienced financial hardship during childhood still find themselves among the least wealthy in adulthood.

The study, presented by statistician Simona Měřinská in “Statistics and Us,” involved a survey asking respondents about their household’s financial situation at age fourteen.

See more here.

Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Countess Diana Phipps Sternberg, a renowned interior designer, philanthropist, and member of the old Czech nobility, passed away in Vienna on July 31, 2024, at the age of 88.

Born in 1936, Diana’s life journey took her to various corners of the world, where she established herself as an accomplished interior designer.

See more here.

Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Since the beginning of the year, when applications are handled exclusively by the Office of the President of the Republic, over 700 have arrived at the Castle. Now the President of the Republic has decided to grant four applicants.

The President of the Republic decided to pardon the remainder of the sentence of less than 300 days to a twenty-nine-year-old mother caring for three minor children. The sentence was imposed on her for a less serious property crime and caused damage in the amount of less than thirteen thousand crowns. The President paid particular attention to the need to provide care for children between the ages of three and seven, who are now being looked after by their father. He cannot go to work, which worsens the family’s already unfavorable financial situation. The competent childcare authority also supported the decision to grant a pardon.

The President of the Republic granted a pardon to a thirty-six-year-old mother who, before her imprisonment, took care of her seven children aged between two and nine. As part of the pardon, she was pardoned the remainder of her prison sentence totaling four years and four months, part of which she had already served. The sentences were imposed on her for theft and unauthorized business, which she committed 10 to 12 years ago. Their father took care of the children. Due to the demanding nature of care, there is a risk of children being taken away and placed in foster care or institutional care. The competent childcare authority also supported the decision to grant a pardon.

A pardon request for a thirty-six-year-old foreigner, a university student, long-term resident, and worker in the Czech Republic, who crashed into two parked cars while driving under the influence of alcohol and caused damage in the amount of less than one hundred and twelve thousand crowns, was also positively processed. He paid this in full, as well as a fine of sixty thousand crowns, and served more than half of the two-year driving ban. However, for the misdemeanor, he was threatened with the cancellation of his long-term residence permit in the Czech Republic, which would be a much harsher punishment for him as a result. He has been living here for seven years, owns an apartment together with his wife, and has created all the necessary family, work, and social background. He pays taxes, has never been registered at the labor office, or received social or other benefits. He has also not committed any other crime or misdemeanor here so far.

The last pardon received was a 76-year-old Czech citizen who was sentenced abroad to a 27-year non-conditional prison sentence for drug smuggling. Due to the applicant’s age, this sentence is de facto a life sentence. The President of the Republic also took into account the fact that in the Czech Republic, the penalty for the same criminal offense is between eight and twelve years. The applicant has already served six years of his sentence abroad, less than two years ago he was transferred back to the Czech Republic, where he is serving the remainder. The granted pardon will reduce the sentence from twenty-seven to a total of eight years, which the convict will complete in November of this year, and will therefore be in line with the lower limit of the criminal rate set in the Czech Republic.

Under the previous president, Miloš Zeman, the power of granting pardons was transferred to the Ministry of Justice. However, the president decided last year to return the agenda of pardons from the Ministry of Justice back to the Office of the President of the Republic.

 From January 1, 2024, applications will be assessed exclusively by the Office of the President of the Republic.

Photo: Ondřej Hájek, ČTK

The Olympic Festival at Lake Most in the north of Czechia runs throughout the Paris Games. Visitors can try out various sports or enjoy a colourful accompanying programme, as well as supporting Czech athletes at the Olympics on two big screens. Medal winners are expected to visit the site toward the end of the Games.

See more here.

The Goodwill Run charity race will be run for the sixth time in September, the balance of which so far is more than gratifying. Over two and a half thousand young and adult competitors took part in the previous five years, who contributed 1,943,327 crowns to help 229 families who found themselves in an unfavorable life situation. Last year’s fifth year of the run alone raised a record 658,800 crowns to help 103 families in need.

This year’s Goodwill Run of the Olga Havlova Foundation will take place on Tuesday, September 10, in the Hvězda nature reserve in Prague 6. All proceeds will again be donated to help families in need, i.e. families who have lost a roof over their heads, single-parent families, and families with medically disadvantaged children.

The goodwill run of the Olga Havel Foundation will once again help families in need Goodwill Committee – Olga Havel Foundation (vdv.cz)

One of them is the family of eleven-year-old Adélka from Ostrava – Krásné Pole, who suffers from a rare form of muscular dystrophy. Because of this, it has almost no strength and cannot do without all-day care. At the moment, Adélka needs a new, larger wheelchair, light and tailored to fit her back twisted by illness. Adélka will use it, especially at school.

Goodwill Run

is a race for the general running public. The circuit, 2.5 km long, leads along the sand paved roads of the Hvězda nature reserve. The race grounds will be located in the forefield near Vypich, the cross-country tracks will lead in the Hvězda nature reserve.

Transport

tram and bus to Obora Hvězda or Sídliště Petřiny stops. Parking is possible to a limited extent around the nature reserve (longitudinally in Na Vypichu and Libocká streets).

Registration – https://www.stopnito.cz/detail-zavodu/852

the online form is used to register for the race. The capacity of the race is limited, so we recommend paying the entry fee as soon as possible. On-site registration will only be possible in case of free capacities. The name on the starting number can be printed for runners who registered online until 8 September 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

Category

adults

Running for women 5 km (2 x 2.5 km)

Women’s 10 km individual run (4 x 2.5 km)

Individual race men 10 km (4 x 2.5 km)

Relays (4 x 2.5 km)

Company run (4 x 2.5 km)

Embassies (4 x 2.5 km)

Juniors 15-18 years (2.5 km)

Entry fee

consists of a registration fee of CZK 100 plus a gift

Children’s races CZK 100

Junior race 200 CZK

Running for women 5 km CZK 700

Individual run 10 km CZK 800

Relay (4 x 2.5 km) CZK 2,500

Corporate run (4 x 2.5 km) CZK 5,500

Embassies Run (4 x 2.5 km) CZK 5,500

The entry fee includes race registration and entry number with name and chip.

Competitors pick up their starting number on the day and place of the race (see time schedule). In addition to the entry fee, women’s and men’s functional T-shirts can be purchased for CZK 380 when registering for the race online.

Virtual entry fee

For those who cannot or do not want to run, but would still like to contribute to a good cause, a virtual entry fee of CZK 700 is intended.

Children’s races

will take place on the paved roads in front of the summer house, categories according to the age of the child:

• children born before September 10, 2021 and parents with strollers 100 m track
• children born in 2020 – 2021 track 400 m
• children born in 2018 – 2019, 600 m track
• children born in 2015 – 2017, 800 m track
• children born in 2010 – 2014 1000 m track

Accompanying program

In addition to the running itself, participants of the sports afternoon can look forward to javelin throwing with Olympian Irena Gillarová, exercise with the USK athletic training camp, the Spejbla and Hurvínek theater, or taking pictures in the photo booth with Olga and Václav Havel. Tasty refreshments will be provided by the Slunce bakery for everyone and cooks from the Homeless Cooks Project, and the Neratov brewery will take care of the drinking regime.

There will be interactive stands of the Ukrainian European Initiative, the public benefit company Bona, which cares for people with mental illness, the Rozkoše bez riska stand, and the Prague 8 Volunteer Fire Brigade.

The patronage of the entire race was taken over by ultra-marathoner Miloš Škorpil, Olympian javelin thrower Irena Gillarová, and, this year, also disabled athlete Heřman Volf, chairman of the organization Cesta za snem and winner of the Public Prize as part of the Olga Havel Award 2023.

More information can be found : https://www.vdv.cz/clanky/novinky/sesty-rocnik-behu-dobre-vule-nadace-olgy-havlove/

Photos from last year by: Jiří Vinš

Photo: Martina Schneibergová, Radio Prague International

Summer holidays in Czechia are firmly associated with one of the most favourite Czech pastimes – mushroom picking. And although the weather might not seem like it, conditions for mushroom hunting are quite good at the moment. At least according to a special map predicting mushroom growth around the country.

Mushroom picking is something of a national pastime in Czechia.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

The South Bohemia Region will launch an online medical emergency service for both children and adults that will be available 24 hours a day, starting on August 1, the governor’s office announced on its website. South Bohemia is the first region in the Czech Republic to offer this service, in response to growing complaints about a lack of general practitioners outside of the big cities. Due to a shortage of GPs in smaller towns and villages it is proving increasingly difficult to maintain emergency services in many areas. The online emergency service will be available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, free of charge. The costs, amounting to around 14 million crowns a year, will be covered by the region.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

The “kulajda” is a rich, creamy, sour-sweet soup perfect for cold weather. Many families have their own recipe for this Czech specialty and you can order it both in pubs and classy restaurants. Watch our video to find out how it is made.

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Author: Barbora Navrátilová

Photo: Khalil Baalbaki, Czech Radio

Rocker Michael Kocáb, who turned 70 on Sunday, is known as front man of Pražský výběr but also oversaw the departure of Soviet troops from Czechoslovakia.

Prague-born Michael Kocáb founded Pražský výběr (Prague Selection) in 1976.

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Photo: Luboš Pavlíček, ČTK

Ten years ago, Czech mountaineer Radek Jaroš successfully climbed the world’s second-highest mountain, K2, and thus completed the ascent of all 14 of the globe’s “eight-thousanders”. He was the first Czech to achieve this feat, and only the 15th person in the world to do so without using supplemental oxygen.

Jaroš climbed his first “eight-thousander” – the 14 mountains recognised by the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation as being more than 8,000 metres in height above sea level, and sufficiently independent of neighbouring peaks – in 1998.

See more here.

Author: Anna Fodor

Illustrative photo: BiljaST, Pixabay, Pixabay License

Czechia consistently lags behind in terms of English proficiency compared to the majority of its European neighbours. Education Minister Mikuláš Bek thinks the key to improving results is starting to teach English earlier, and is proposing that the compulsory age at which children start learning the world’s most widely-spoken foreign language be decreased.

According to the latest English Proficiency Index (EPI) from 2023, conducted by the international education organisation English First and based on the largest sample size of test results in the world, Czechia ranks lower than all other EU countries in terms of English proficiency, with the exception of only France, Italy, and Spain.

See more here.

Author: Anna Fodor

Starting on August 1, people interested in sharing electricity can register with the Electroenergetic Data Center (EDC) in Czechia, marking the beginning of community energy in this country. The EDC system allows for the registration and sharing of locally produced electricity. Full operations, including storage and aggregation services, are expected by mid-2026. Last year’s amendment to the energy law facilitates this by enabling electricity sharing within and between different locations. Households, municipalities, and businesses can participate in two regimes: active customer mode for up to 11 transfer points and energy communities for up to 1000 points within contiguous administrative areas.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: X of Czech Please

The anonymous writer behind the Czech Please social media accounts has been reviewing restaurants in Prague for over a decade and a half. Also going by the pen name Brewsta, Czech Please has built up a large and dedicated following as one of Czechia’s best-known English-language food bloggers. When we met at a cool Prague café, we discussed the city’s dining scene at length – but I first asked Czech Please a little about himself.

When did you first come to Prague?.

See more here.

Author: Ian Willoughby

Photo: Czech Olympic Committee

The Czech House in Paris’s La Villette, which will serve as the country’s public hub for the Olympic Games, was officially inaugurated on Friday afternoon by snowboard cross champion Eva Adamczyk. Just before the opening ceremony, I spoke with the centre’s communications manager Daniela Jurion.

“The Czech House is mainly about connecting athletes with fans.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Burčák, which is partially fermented young wine, should go on sale in Czechia relatively early this year, the Czech News Agency reported on Monday.

One winemaker, Miloslav Machuča from Úvaly near Valtice in the Břeclav region, said that he had already started harvesting his first grapes and would start selling burčák on August 1, the first day the drink may be sold.

This year’s growing season has accelerated the ripening process and the 2024 harvest should be better than those seen in recent years, Mr. Machuča said.

Author: Ian Willoughby

Photo: Petr Kubát, Czech Radio

The internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer Jiří Bubeníček is currently conducting ballet master classes in Český Krumlov as part of an international music festival. These workshops not only culminate in a final concert where the young participants perform, but also provide them with valuable experience from professionals worldwide.

Dancer and choreographer Jiří Bubeníček first conducted ballet master classes at the International Music Festival in Český Krumlov for the second year.

See more here.

Author: Jakub Ferenčík

The global security situation is extremely serious and also has impact on Czechia, the head of the Czech Counter Intelligence Service (BIS) Michal Koudelka said on Sunday on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of its establishment.

In an interview for the Czech News Agency, Mr. Koudelka said the world was “on the brink of a global conflict”. Among the current threats, he cited Russian imperialism, as well as sabotage and intelligence operations by Russia, China and Iran.

He also mentioned hostile propaganda, migration, the threat of Islamic terrorism, the rise of right-wing extremism, the illegal arms trade, cyber attacks and the risk of misuse of artificial intelligence.

According to Mr. Koudelka, the intelligence service will continue to do its utmost to contribute to the protection of Czechia and its citizens.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Barbora Reichová, Czech Olympic Committee

Professional rock climber Adam Ondra, who arrived in Paris on Thursday, is set to compete in his second Olympic Games. In Tokyo three years ago, when climbing was included in the Olympic program for the first time, the Czech finished sixth in an event that combined speed climbing, bouldering, and lead climbing. Ondra says the three radically different disciplines in a single format did not suit him at the time. What will be different in Paris?

This time, the climbing program features two separate events: speed climbing and a combined bouldering and lead climbing event.

See more here.

Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Prya is a young female who just turned two a month ago. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

Two female bison from the Prague Zoo, two-year-old Prya, and six-year-old Oman, are awaiting transport to Azerbaijan. In the Shahdag National Park, it will strengthen the reintroduced population of these ungulates in the wild. Both females left the Prague Zoo today to first get to know the rest of the herd intended for transport in the German Tierpark Berlin. They will head to the vast forests at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains in November.

“The two female bison that left Prague for Berlin today will strengthen the renewed population of these ungulates in the Caucasus in Azerbaijan. In this case, zoos are a modern-day Noah’s ark, which enabled the survival of animals exterminated in nature and their later reintroduction,” said the director of the Prague Zoo, Miroslav Bobek.

Prya, a female born in the Prague Zoo, will settle in the Shahdag National Park this year, which with its 130,000 hectares is the largest national park not only in Azerbaijan, but also in the entire Caucasus. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

Bison were exterminated in the Caucasus in the mid-1920s. The project for their return is supported by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA), of which the Prague Zoo is a member.

“For the transport, the breeding coordinator selected the young female Prya from our Prague stud, as well as the older, experienced female Omana, who will play the role of matriarch in the newly formed herd. Most of the bison candidates for transport have barely reached the age of three. Omana will thus ensure the natural structure of the herd, for the functioning of which the presence of experienced animals is important,” Barbora Dobiášová, curator of ungulates at the Prague Zoo, describes the selected individuals.

Omana is a six-year-old female and will play the role of matriarch in the reintroduced population. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

Prya was born in the Prague Zoo in June 2022 to mother Beatrice originally from Zoo Bratislava and breeding bull Tipita originally from Tierpark Berlin. Omana was born in May 2018 at the Olomouc Zoo and arrived in Prague in September 2019. The second mentioned female Bison can be easily recognized by the broken left corner.

Both females were safely loaded into transport crates around nine in the morning today and thus began their long journey from Prague through Berlin to Azerbaijan. It will arrive at Tierpark Berlin, which coordinates the project together with the German branch of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and collects the animals, today after 2 pm. The Prague Zoo will inform you about the exact date of the air transport.

The loading of both bison went well. In the picture, six-year-old Omana, who can be easily identified by the broken left corner, observes her surroundings from the transport box. Photo by Miroslav Bobek, Prague Zoo

The Prague Zoo has been breeding bison since 1948. Since then, over a hundred cubs have been born here. Prague Zoo has already provided animals from its breeding in the past for reintroduction, not only to strengthen the Caucasian population, but also to the Bieszczady National Park in Poland.

Source: La Biennale di Venezia

Three Czech films are set to screen at the Venice film festival at the end of this summer – including a mixed-reality immersive film set in a Ukrainian living room. Although none of the Czech offerings this year are in the running for the Golden Lion in the main Venezia 81 competition, all are competing in smaller categories.

After Party, the debut film by director and screenwriter Vojtěch Strakatý, about a girl whose carefree life changes radically when bailiffs come to evict her family from their house, will be in the Orizzonti Extra section, which features works of different genres that aim to innovate and demonstrate creative originality.

See more here.

Author: Anna Fodor

UN Tourism continues to deliver on its Agenda for Africa, bringing the region’s Members together around a focus on investments, multilateral cooperation, and education.

The 67th meeting of the UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa took place in Livingstone, Zambia, on 23 July 2024 – welcoming public and private sector leaders from across the region.

The Member States met as Africa’s tourism sector experienced a strong recovery. During the first quarter of 2024, arrivals were up 5% compared to pre-pandemic levels. This positions the continent as the second-best performer globally, surpassing all regions except the Middle East.

Secretary General, Zurab Pololikashvili, stated, “Zambia, as the whole African region, is an excellent example of the positive impact of tourism, which leads to new investments and job creation. Furthermore, our Members come together in Livingstone as Zambia celebrates 60 years of peace and independence, an inspiration as we get set to mark World Tourism Day around the theme of ‘tourism and peace’ in September.”

Read more : https://www.unwto.org/news/new-academies-communications-strategy-and-more-investments-un-tourism-sets-course-for-african-members?utm_source=news&utm_medium=crm

Photo: Ian Willoughby, Radio Prague International

Veronika Tuckerová has been teaching Czech Studies at Harvard University for the past decade. But she has also done extensive research into the Prague German-language author Franz Kafka. Indeed, the academic is currently preparing a book entitled Reading Kafka in Prague: The Reception of Franz Kafka in Czechoslovakia, which mainly looks at changing perceptions of the writer in the communist period, when his works were for the most part banned. I spoke to Veronika Tuckerová at our Prague studios.

“What led me originally to Kafka is simply being from Prague and reading some of his works, which I had access to, even though he was not published in the ‘70s and ‘80s, when I was growing up.

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Author: Ian Willoughby

Photo: Office of Czech Government

The Czech government has decided that the country’s candidate for the next European Commission will be the current minister of industry and trade, Jozef Síkela. Prime Minister Petr Fiala said after a cabinet meeting on Wednesday evening that Mr. Síkela had a proven track record in both the private sector and government. I spoke with Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the Europeum Institute, about the decision and its implications.

So, previously, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said that for its next European commissioner, it would prioritize an economic portfolio.

See more here.

Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Barbora Navrátilová, Radio Prague International

Czech sausages come in a huge variety of different types. Every region, town, village, and sometimes even family has its own! Find out more about “klobásy” and “taliány” in the next episode of our video series Czech food classics!

See more here.

Author: Barbora Navrátilová

Photo: Zuzana Jarolímková, iROZHLAS.cz

Canoeist Jiří Prskavec is one of Czechia’s brightest medal hopes going into the Olympic Games in Paris. The kayak single specialist is current Olympic titleholder, a multiple world and European champion – and Czech number one in a sport in which the country traditionally does well.

Jiří Prskavec has actually been in Paris since the start of July and last Saturday had the honour of taking part in the Olympic torch relay at the Vaires-sur-Marne water sports stadium in the French capital.

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Author: Guillaume Narguet, Ian Willoughby

A ban on cars and taxis at night in part of Prague’s Old Town district will come into force on Wednesday or Thursday, Prague 1 city councillor Vojtěch Ryvola told the Czech News Agency. The measure aims to reduce noise at night in the area around Dlouhá Street, where a large number of night clubs are located and where local residents have long been complaining about noise. The ban on entry between 10 pm and 6 am will apply to the area between the Dvořák embankment, Pařížská street, Old Town Square and Revoluční street.

Prague 1 tried to introduce the ban last November, but it was immediately revoked by the municipal department of road transport after it was criticised by Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda.

Author: Anna Fodor

Photo: Ian Willoughby, Radio Prague International

The ice cube-like New Stage of the National Theatre in Prague is to undergo major renovations, its operators announced on Tuesday. An adjacent building will also get an overhaul, and more use will be made of the small plaza linking the complex to the historic National Theatre.

The now protected New Stage of the National Theatre, whose outward appearance is frequently compared to an ice cube, was designed by one of the most distinctive Czech architects of the modern era, Karel Prager.

See more here.

Author: Ian Willoughby

Photo: Lenka Žižková, Radio Prague International

As every year, dozens of students from all over the world arrived in Czechia to take part in this year’s edition of the annual Summer Czech Course for Expats organised by Charles University’s Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies. For the past few years, the course has been held in the charming spa town of Poděbrady in Central Bohemia. We caught up with some of them to find out about their motivation to study Czech.

Now in its 31st year, the Summer Czech Course for Expats is primarily designed for members of the Czech expat communities abroad, but it is open to anyone interested in learning Czech or getting to know Czech culture and history, whatever their motivations may be.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Official website of Olympijský festival

A mini Eiffel Tower made entirely out of recycled ocean waste has been erected near Lake Most in north Bohemia. The replica will be one of the centrepieces of the Olympic Festival, organised by the Czech Olympic Committee, taking place on the shores of the country’s largest pit lake during the Games.

The 12.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Barbora Navrátilová, Radio Prague International

Maybe you’ve heard of Lenny because she’s the daughter of legendary Czech singer Lenka Filipová. But as we learned from the conversation you’re about to listen to, Lenny is a force of nature in her own right, taking popular Czech music by storm. On this episode of the Faces of Czech Music, the singer and songwriter opens up to us about how she loves to write her own music, the way she deals with criticism, and how she often feels more comfortable in English than in Czech.

See more here.

Author: Petr Dudek, Amelia Mola-Schmidt

The second week of the Krumlov Festival brought experiences full of emotions in the spirit of the motto “Creating and inspiring muses” with an emphasis on original Czech work. At the same time, the 33rd edition respects the fact that this year is the Year of Czech Music and celebrates the anniversary of many composers. 200 years have passed since the birth of Bedřich Smetana in March, the English playwright William Shakespeare was born 460 years ago, and round numbers encourage celebration in connection with Antonín Dvořák, Leoš Janáček and others. Not only their work attracted several thousand people to Český Krumlov and outside the city.

The festival is now halfway through and will reopen to the public today, Wednesday 24th July. The Mucha Trio will perform in the Krumlov Municipal Theater from 7:30 p.m. It consists of pianist Johanna Haniková, violinist Ludmila Pavlová, and clarinetist Anna Paulová. Named after painter Alfons Mucha and Scottish-Czech composer Geraldine Mucha. The concert will feature her Capriccio for flute, clarinet, and piano arranged by Daria Kukal Moiseeva. And also the works of Igor Stravinsky, Aram Khačaturyan, Dario Milhaud, Kateřina Horká, and Ivan Kurz. In addition to the classics, it will also offer a musical and, at the end, a musical-ballet rendition of Romeo and Juliet

“The reaction of the audience to the concerts and events so far is very beautiful, we are excited about them. People appreciate the diversity and quality of the program, as well as the stars, current and future, that we have the honor of welcoming. This year, for example, the world legend Plácid Domingo,” says the director of the Krumlov Festival, Gabriela Rachidi, adding: “With the motto ‘Creating and inspiring muses’, in addition to unique musical experiences, we also think about sustainability and social responsibility, simply: we try to give something back to the environment where we organize the festival. After all, in this year’s logo we have two joined hearts. They symbolize not only the 33rd year, but also the love for music and the exceptional environment of Český Krumlov, which is an integral part of the music festival.”

What happened

…2. festival week? Tribute to Czech composers On July 17, the city theater paid tribute to important Czech music creators. On the same day, a concert at MOLO LIPNO offered jazz for a voluntary entrance fee, the proceeds of which will go to help disadvantaged children. The Spanish Baroque zarzuela, i.e. the central dramatic and musical genre of the Spanish Golden Age, found a temporary home on July 18 and 19 in the unique Baroque Theatre. The magnificent ancient story of the war between the Olympian gods and the giants took place there. On July 19, a tribute to Czech female composers was commemorated in the Jesuit Hall of the Rose Hotel by Czech composers Vítězslav Kaprálova, Zdenka Kendíková, Jana Obrovská, Anna Houdková-Kozánková, Geraldine Mucha, Sláva Vorlova and Matylda Chrudimská. A day later, Night in Hollywood charted film scores and in the Brewery Garden, recalling the most famous tunes of the silver screen. And the 2nd festival Sunday was symbolically closed by the Belfiato Quintet. The Krumlov synagogue was resounded by the harmonically harmonized notes of the flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and French horn.

Festival zone

… is an integral traditional part of the festival. In the Monastery Garden, the public can usually visit it on days when concerts are held. Music performances, music exercises, workshops and other entertainment for all ages can be enjoyed for free.

Support of the venue and those who cannot help themselves,

… is an inherent part of the music festival. Festival Krumlov helps blind children from the Jaroslav Ježek Primary School for the Blind with proceeds from the sale of concert programs and brochures from the Primary School Český Krumlov. It also gives space to young talents and educates the public through thematic lectures. Before the Bruckner / Smetana 200 concert on Thursday, August 1, the South Bohemian National Memory is preparing it in front of the church in the village of Svatý Kámen. Before the final concert of Shakespeare 460: Romeo and Juliet, Professor Martin Hilský will perform in the Study Center of the Krumlov Castle on Saturday, August 3 from 5:00 p.m. The festival also participates in many other projects that benefit the public.

Economic benefit

… the music festival concerns not only the residents of Český Krumlov or the South Bohemian Region, but the whole of the Czech Republic. Tourists from all over the world go to the concerts, in addition to the musical experience, they need somewhere to sleep, eat and want to visit other places as well. The festival thus forms a platform for the exchange and meeting of people from different countries and of different ages.

The Krumlov Festival takes place this year from July 12 to August 3. It offers more than 40 concerts in 13 different venues. Three of them are premieres. The star who already performed at the 33rd edition was Plácido Domingo. He sang the opera gala with two muses – soprano Serena Sáenz and mezzo-soprano Ester Pavlů. All with the Prague Philharmonic conducted by Tomáš Brauner. The opening concert of Smetana 200: Má vlast was in female hands for a change. Conductor Alena Hron led the Ostrava Janáček Philharmonic. And three of the symphonic poems – Vltava, Tábor and Blaník – were enriched by the performance of Les Ballets Bubeníček choreographed by Jiří Bubeníček. It will be possible to watch ballet performances at the end of the festival.

“We are at the Krumlov Festival for the second time and we really appreciate it. The festival is very famous, I think it is one of the biggest and best festivals in Europe. Being a part of this beautiful happening is a great joy for everyone,” says dancer and choreographer Jiří Bubeníček and adds: “In addition to the opening concert, I also conduct Bubeníček Ballet Masterclasses during the festival, the 2nd year of master classes for young dancers started this Monday. At the same time, some of the course participants will perform together with the soloists of the Croatian National Theater at the final concert of the entire 33rd Krumlov Festival, in Prokofiev’s adaptation of Romeo and Juliet.”

You can find out more about the plans of Jiří Bubeníček, who will celebrate a significant life anniversary this fall, from an interview with the Festival camera.

The main partners of the 33rd year are ČEPS and Porsche ČR, the official partners are Madeta, Reticulum and the Český Krumlov Development Fund. The festival takes place with the kind support of the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, the South Bohemian Region, Český Krumlov and Kudyznudy.cz. Thanks go to them and all the other partners.

More information: www.festivalkrumlov.cz

Videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaqY-K0c9k4kLpx_29IZ2jQ

Photo: Khalil Baalbaki, Czech Radio

Lukáš Krpálek, the current Olympic heavyweight judo champion since his victory in Tokyo in 2021, will be competing at the Olympic Games once again in a few days’ time. Aware of the high expectations surrounding him, the most successful judoka in the country’s history is trying to stay grounded as the tournament approaches.

Having returned from a final preparation camp in Japan, the country where he won the biggest title of his career three years ago, Lukáš Krpálek appeared serene in Prague on Thursday when receiving the outfit that he and the other members of the Czech Olympic delegation will wear during the Games’ opening ceremony in Paris this Friday.

See more here.

Author: Anna Fodor, Guillaume Narguet

Photo: Jana Strejčková, Czech Radio

Czechia’s westernmost region attracts visitors with its famous spas, historic towns and beautiful countryside. See how well you know the region in our quiz!

See more here.

The heads of state of Finland, Denmark, Slovenia, Latvia, Montenegro and Serbia will attend the Globsec security conference due to take place in Prague at the end of August and the beginning of September, the organisers announced on Wednesday.

The Slovak-based NGO Globsec, which is organising the event, announced in March that it would be moved from Bratislava to Prague, where it will take place under the patronage of President Petr Pavel. About 2,000 guests from more than 60 countries are expected to attend the conference.

According to Globsec founder and director Robert Vass, the move of the Globsec Forum from Slovakia to Prague is an opportunity for the country to become an important platform for international dialogue and to create a strong debate between different opinions in Europe.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Z Metropole/Czech television

Prague’s fortification walls served as security barriers since the Middle Ages. Today, they are a testimony to the historical importance of the city.

The fortifications of Prague have evolved over the centuries, from early wooden and clay ramparts to the sophisticated brick walls from the era of Charles IV.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Khalil Baalbaki, Czech Radio

Yale historian Timothy Snyder was in Prague last week at the Plus and Václav Havel Library conference Borders of (Un)Freedom. The next day, he was interviewed by Czech Radio journalist Jan Bumba. They discussed topics ranging from the Republican nomination of Donald Trump as presidential candidate; how a Trump election might impact Europe and Russia’s war on Ukraine; and Snyder’s soon-to-be published book On Freedom. This is an edited version of that interview.

Professor Snyder, if I may start with what’s going on now in the United States.

See more here.

Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Vít Pohanka, Radio Prague International

Walking on historical roads and trails is a great way to discover the past and present of Czechia.

I’ve embarked on a long-term journey of walking the historic roads of Czechia.

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Author: Vít Pohanka

President Petr Pavel has decided to display the Bohemian crown jewels every year on the occasion of Czech Statehood Day, which is celebrated on the Day of St Wenceslas, the nation’s patron saint, and falls on September 28. This year, the jewels will be exhibited from 17 to 30 September, the presidential office has informed.

The crown jewels, one of Czechia’s most prized historical artefacts, include the Saint Wenceslas Crown, which was originally made for Charles IV’s coronation in the 14th century, the royal orb and sceptre, the coronation vestments of the kings of Bohemia, a gold reliquary cross, and the sword of St. Wenceslas.

The crown jewels have been displayed at Prague Castle only eight times since the establishment of the independent Czech Republic. Twice under Václav Havel and Václav Klaus, four times under Miloš Zeman, and most recently last January on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the founding of the modern Czech state.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Miroslav Chaloupka, ČTK

The Czech enthusiasm for all kinds of crazy races was in evidence at the weekend when the traditional tractor games – also featuring milling machines – were held in the West Bohemian village of Žebnice. Pictured are factory- and home-made machines taking part in an obstacle event.

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It is known all over the world that since July 1 we have the second baby of Chinese pangolin in Prague Zoo; its photos have been published in media from the United States to India to Japan. But this is how it started – and I happened to be around.

On the morning of November 7 last year, a very active journalist had arranged an interview with me. She didn’t want to talk to me in the office or, God forbid, by phone, but in some more interesting place. That’s why we conducted the interview in the Indonesian Jungle next to the exhibit of our famous Šiška, the first pangolin baby raised in Europe.

At that time Šiska was already separated from her mother Tang and coincidentally, on November 7, her parents were reunited. When we finished the interview and walked by the exhibit with the adult pangolins, we could see that they were definitely not wasting time. See the photo. And they continued in the same way in the following days.

The result is the second pangolin baby, which this time Tang did not deliver in the artificial burrow but under a root out of it. When we checked the baby for the first time, it was obviously more mature and active than Šiška was after birth. Nevertheless, we were worried whether, like Šiška, this second young would also have to be artificially fed.  Fortunately, our fears didn’t come true. Its daily gains were above optimum.  Between the first and the second day 7.2 grams, the next day 8.5 grams, then 6.9, then 11.1 and so on. What a glutton!

At the very first weighting, we of course took detailed pictures of the baby, to be able to determine the sex. However, we were not sure… we asked our colleagues in Taipei Zoo. Female, was the answer. But then there was an addition – maybe… Send more pictures. Only then was it definitely confirmed that it was a female.

Already on July 9 our second pangolin female tried to ride on her mother Tang’s tail, and on July 12 she reached the weight of one quarter of a kilogram. Just to compare – the first she reached three days earlier than Šiška, and the second even fifteen days earlier.

In short, our second pangolin baby female makes us happy. And I can’t wait to be able to talk and write about her using her name. It will be voted on by public, and we will announce it at the christening ceremony on Sunday, July 28. I must admit that I would be happy if the name Pangolina wins.

Pictures by Miroslav Bobek

Photo: Fernando Llano, ČTK/AP

Beach volleyball world champions David Schweiner and Ondřej Perušič will be among the first Czechs to compete at the imminent Olympic Games in Paris. Three years after their Covid-related disappointment in Tokyo, the Czechs are hoping to bring back gold this time.

David Schweiner and Ondřej Perušič are due to play their much-anticipated debut in the beach volleyball competition on Sunday, July 28, two days after the Olympics begin in Paris.

See more here.

Author: Guillaume Narguet, Ruth Fraňková

It will be possible to use money from the Affordable Housing subsidy-loan program for the construction of an apartment building, building modifications or the purchase of a new apartment, which will contribute to solving the current housing crisis.

From October, the State Investment Support Fund (SFPI) will offer preferential loans for municipalities, regions, their organizations, and other legal entities for 7 billion crowns until mid-2026. Next year, the National Development Bank will join it with its instruments for another 3.5 billion crowns. The program targets affordable rental housing for young families, necessary professions, and the so-called middle class in general, and is part of the Ministry of Regional Development’s extensive reform of Housing for Life.

The goal of the Affordable Housing investment program is to increase the share of available rental apartments, both through their reconstruction or construction and in the case of municipalities, also through purchase options. As a result of the sharp rise in real estate prices and the reduced availability of housing loans, it became impossible for many households to pursue their own housing, and therefore the demand for rental apartments increased significantly. This increases price pressure in this area as well. Public support for investments in the construction of affordable apartments with lower than market rent was made possible by the April notification, which the MMR negotiated with the European Commission.

“Thanks to the program, up to 5,000 apartments will be created in addition. At the moment, there is a minimum of them in the property of the municipalities. The new apartments will mainly help young families, but also seniors and people with normal incomes. It will also enable municipalities to better respond to fluctuations in the labor market and recruit or retain workers in certain professions. These are primarily teachers, health workers, social workers, firefighters, or police officers,” added Ivan Bartoš, Deputy Prime Minister for Digitization and Minister for Regional Development.

Funds from the Affordable Housing program can be used to build rental apartments either in newly built apartment buildings or in reconstructed buildings. The program also supports the possibility of purchasing apartments if the applicant is a municipality, region, and a legal entity established by them, a state subsidy organization, a registered church or religious society or a legal entity established by them, and a public benefit legal entity.

“The amount of support can reach up to 90% of eligible expenses, the subsidy can only be provided in combination with a loan,” explains the conditions of the program, Director of the State Investment Support Fund, Daniel Ryšávka. “Details on the conditions of the program are available on the website of the State Investment Support Fund, which administers the program. Regional Centers for the Support of Housing Investments have also started to operate in all regions. They will offer the mayors suitable financing models for affordable housing projects and give advice, for example, in legal and technical areas,” adds Daniel Ryšávka.

Affordable rental housing is a special category (unlike owner-occupied, cooperative, or other forms). It will be provided to selected target groups for a set lower than market rent.

Preparation of housing construction in municipalities

The Czech Republic has been struggling for a long time with insufficient construction of new, especially municipal, apartments. The results of last year’s MMR survey show that only about a third of larger municipalities in our country had any experience with their own housing construction in the last eight years. At the same time, roughly 70% of all municipalities are dissatisfied with their housing stock.

“Unfortunately, the preparation of the construction of apartments in municipalities is often hampered or completely stopped by a lack of funds or a lack of experts. We are therefore trying to remove these barriers. At MMR, we have already supported the preparation of 72 housing projects. However, the interest of male and female mayors is much greater, which is why we released additional funds. They can be used for the preparation of documentation or perhaps for the realization of an architectural or urban planning competition,” added Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Ivan Bartoš.

MMR has already offered a total of over 1.4 billion crowns from the National Recovery Plan for the project preparation of municipalities.

Links

You can find a list of regional housing investment support centers and their contacts in this link: https://sfpi.cz/regionalni-centra-podpory-investic-do-bydleni/

You can get more information on the Housing for Life reform on the Housing for Life website: https://mmr.gov.cz/cs/microsites/bydleni-pro-zivot/uvod

You can find the terms of the Affordable Housing program at Affordable Housing – SFPI: https://sfpi.cz/dostupne-bydleni/

Results of the municipal housing survey: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://mmr.gov.cz/getattachment/c77d59d1-044d-4403-a596-a5e68cffac25/Vysledky-setreni-Obecni-bydleni-2023.pdf.aspx?lang=cs-CZ&ext=.pdf

Photo: René Volfík, iROZHLAS.cz

Like most of Europe, Czechia has seen some extremely hot weather over the past weeks. It is not just people who suffer during heatwaves – zoo animals do too. I talked with Prague Zoo’s spokesperson Filip Mašek to find out just how the animals are coping.

“We have to realise that most of these animals, I would say 99% of them, were born in the zoo.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

People can go to the Africký dom at 10.30 a.m. for a special guided feeding of the popular rakes. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

This weekend, the Prague Zoo will be filled with fresh insect specialties. The menu, served on the terrace of the Education Center near the main entrance, will include locusts in banana batter, crickets in garlic or skewers of several types of insects.

Visitors can look forward to free tastings, commented cooking, and demonstrations of farm-raised invertebrates. People will also learn about the benefits of this somewhat exotic cuisine. But the residents of the Prague Zoo will also enjoy themselves throughout the weekend – meerkats, anteaters or rarely bred lizards from the new Gobi exhibition await special feeding.

Visitors can look forward to free exotic tastings. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

Insect menu

1. Dark people in Indian
2. Cricket on garlic
3. Locusts in banana batter
4. Sweet mealworm with apples
5. A skewer of several types of insects

Special commented feeding

• 10.15 feeding of talapoins – Reservation Dja
• 10.30 feeding of reptiles in the Kattakum desert exposition – Pavilion of beasts and reptiles
• 10.30 a.m. feeding the rakes – African House
• 10.45 meerkat feeding – African House
• 12.30 feeding insectivorous birds – Sichuan
• 13.00 reptile feeding – Gobi
• 14.00 feeding of anthills – Anthills
• 14.45 feeding of rock ibises – Ibises

* standard commented feedings and meetings also take place at the same time

Despite a difficult start to life, the baby giraffe showed a great deal of tenacity and zest for life. Two weeks after birth, it can be seen by visitors to the Prague Zoo. Photo by Miroslav Bobek, Prague Zoo

The little female was born at the beginning of the month. Until now she was with her mother in the back of the African House due to the insufficiently stable position of her left thoracic limb, which manifested itself soon after birth. Now the baby northern Nubian giraffe can be seen at the Prague Zoo. Movement on a firm surface and the exemplary care of the mother played their part and resolved the complication without the intervention of a veterinarian. The new Baby will be introduced to the indoor exhibit and then to the rest of the herd. The cub’s mother is the female Faraa, while the thirty-fold father became the posthumous male Johan.

 “The year of attractive and breed-wise significant young is far from over here. A small giraffe has been added to the gorillas, orangutans, wombats, and sloths,” says the director of the Prague Zoo, Miroslav Bobek. “The famous male Johan mated the female Fara in April last year, so we then closely followed the first signs of Fara’s possible pregnancy. After one year, two months and twenty-nine days, Johan’s last, thirtieth offspring in total was born.”

The cub is the 30th offspring of the male Johan, the 86th giraffe cub at the Prague Zoo and the 99th giraffe in the history of the breeding of these ungulates at the Prague Zoo. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

For experienced giraffe mother Faru, the little female is already the fourth cub. After the birth, which lasted until four o’clock, the cub began to stand up briskly. However, it soon became apparent that the left sternum is significantly bent backwards in the carpal joint. Nevertheless, the female moved very confidently and also drank from her mother. Thanks to the thorough sucking of breast milk and controlled movement, the leg began to gradually strengthen, to the delight of the breeders, and the posture was corrected on its own.

Visitors can observe the giraffes – including a two-week-old baby – in the African House pavilion at the top of the zoo. In the adjacent enclosure shared with zebras, ostriches, and several species of antelope, the cub will look only after it gets used to indoor exposure.

A small female Northern Nubian giraffe stands next to her mother Fara in the background of the African House pavilion. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

This fact is also confirmed by the fact that the prestigious wine tourism conference IWINETC 2025 will take place in the country next year

Wine tourism in the Czech Republic is undergoing dynamic development and is becoming an important part of tourism. There is a growing interest in visiting wine regions that offer not only quality wines, but also rich cultural and gastronomic experiences.

Key wine destinations in the Czech Republic

South Moravia, especially Mikulov and its surroundings, are among the most popular wine destinations in the country. Last year alone, 27% of domestic and almost 43% of foreign visitors to this area decided to enjoy the local region through their taste buds in the form of gastronomic experiences or wine consumption. For comparison – a year earlier it was less than 12% of our citizens and 24.5% of foreigners, and in 2019, over 29% of domestic and 41% of foreign travelers. The area is known for its wineries and traditional events such as vintages and wine festivals. Tourists are looking for authentic experiences here, visiting traditional cellars as well as modern wineries and tasting the wine of local winemakers. Key destinations for wine enthusiasts include Pálava, including the surrounding wine villages and cellar lanes. Velké Bílovice is an equally important wine tourism destination. This largest wine-growing village in the Czech Republic attracts visitors to tastings in family wineries and walks through picturesque vineyards. Another destination famous for its winemaking history and also for its annual historic vintage is Znojmo, which attracts thousands of visitors.

“Wine tourism plays a key role in the development of not only domestic tourism. After all, we can clearly see this in the example of Italy or France, where last year local producers offered over 380 tours and wine tastings per 1 million inhabitants. Close behind these countries in this respect are Australia, Portugal or South Africa. It is from Portugal’s experience that the Czech Republic can draw, because in the last few years this country has systematically focused on the development of wine tourism as one of the priority attractions for foreign visitors, and the data show that it is succeeding in establishing itself among the world’s leading destinations for this type of tourism.” František Reismüller, director of the Czech Tourism Office – CzechTourism, summarizes and adds: “In the country, wine and the culture associated with it are among the main driving forces, especially in South Moravia. The local vineyards combine traditional craftsmanship and modern gastronomic trends. However, the beauty of traveling for wine can be experienced not only in Moravia, but also in Bohemia, for example in Mělnick or Litoměřice and in Velké Žernoseky in Ústeck. The capital city also offers the experience of wandering for wine, where wine lovers can visit, for example, the Vineyard of St. Cláry in Troja or vineyards at Prague Castle. Among the most sought-after wine events are visits to local wine exhibitions, wine harvests, open cellar events or the combination of wine tasting with gastronomy and music.”

Profile of visitors to wine regions

Domestic wine regions are mainly visited by domestic tourists, especially from large cities such as Prague, Brno and Ostrava. They are especially looking for weekend and short-term stays associated with tastings, wine events and visits to wine cellars.

“It is still true that the Czech consumer indulges in wine in connection with food on a special or festive occasion rather than with an ordinary lunch. The French, for example, are famous for this. At the same time, we can say that the popularity of wine consumption, for example during barbecues, is increasing,” explains Patrik Kubát, project manager of the National Wine Center, and adds: “If a person decides to travel for domestic wine, he is also interested in the experiences and emotions associated with it. He is looking for inspiration to discover new wines, varieties and wineries.”

Consumers appreciate the fact that domestic wine is an integral part of the national tradition, has a unique taste, is diverse and colorful. Foreign tourists, most often from Germany, Poland and Slovakia, appreciate the high quality of Czech wines, the hospitality and the authenticity of wine experiences and the traditions associated with them.

According to research by the Wine Fund, 55% of Czech consumers are currently more likely to reach for a specific variety of white wine, for the remaining 45%, the color of the wine is not decisive. The most preferred varieties are Pálava, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Riesling Vlasský. In the case of red wine, a total of 47% of consumers prefer specific varieties. The most popular are Blue Portugal, Frankovka, Merlot and St. Lawrence. When purchasing, the customer makes a decision based on previous experience with the given wine, quality, price/quality ratio, but also recommendations from relatives and friends.

Wine tourism conference IWINETC 2025 in Mikulov

As already mentioned – one of the key cities for wine tourism in South Moravia is Mikulov. And it is there that the prestigious international conference IWINETC (International Wine Tourism Conference) will take place on March 26-27, 2025. It is an event that is considered one of the most important in this area. Held since 2009, it is attended annually by several hundred wine and culinary professionals, including tour operators and representatives of the wine tourism and food travel media from around the world. It has three main objectives: to offer top learning opportunities through plenary sessions and panel discussions with experts, to provide space for business meetings and networking during formal and informal events. Excursions to the wineries themselves or other interesting places connected with wine tourism are also part of the conference program. The conference will thus offer professionals and journalists from all over the world the opportunity to present the Czech Republic as a top destination for this type of tourism, including gastronomy, which is inextricably linked to wine.

“I see the prestigious IWINETC wine conference as a unique opportunity to present to experts from abroad the offer of the entire region and the partners with whom we work to make it more visible. I believe that everyone will leave Mikulov knowing that even in South Moravia we can produce world-class wine,” concludes Martina Grůzová, director of the Tourism Center – South Moravia.

Until August 16, 2024, people can vote for their favorite from the list of finalists, which was created based on nominations by tourism experts. The prestigious award is announced by the CzechTourism agency.

The “Heroes of Tourism” award goes to personalities and projects that, according to experts and the lay public, have helped/helped the tourism industry the most. Voting takes place in three categories:

The biggest support for tourism in the last year – honors individuals who have made a significant contribution to the development and support of tourism in the Czech Republic in the past year.

Long-term contribution to tourism (lifetime contribution) – includes personalities with a long-term and significant contribution to the development of tourism in the Czech Republic.

Discovery of the Year under 30 – honors young professionals under 30 who bring innovative ideas and projects.

People can vote for their favorite online through the voting form located on the website of the CzechTourism agency.

“Heroes of tourism is an important and prestigious award that highlights unique personalities and projects contributing to the development of tourism in our country. And since the best award is the one that really comes from practice and own experience, the opinion of the general public is also an integral part. Anyone can participate in the selection of those who deserve to be recognized for their extraordinary efforts, innovations, and contributions in the field of domestic tourism. In this way, we want to thank those who support and enrich Czech tourism with their work,” says František Reismüller, director of the Czech Tourism Office – CzechTourism.

“In the context of the nominations for Heroes of Tourism, we approached key professional organizations in the field of tourism. The goal was to get suggestions based on the real experiences of real experts. Tourism affects each of us, that’s why the public has the main word in the final,” adds Veronika Janečková, director of the product management, research and B2B cooperation department of the Czech Tourism Center – CzechTourism.

The results of this year’s edition will be announced by CzechTourism at a networking evening on September 10, 2024.

The event will be attended by representatives of the Ministry for Regional Development, the CzechTourism agency, including directors of foreign representations, and partners from associations, destination management and entrepreneurs in the tourism industry.

“Heroes of Tourism 2024” voting schedule:

June/July 2024 – nominations of professional organizations

17/07 to 16/08/2024 – public vote

September 10, 2024 – ceremonial announcement of awardees

FINALISTS NOMINATED FOR TOURISM HEROES 2024 in individual categories:

https://www.czechtourism.cz/cs-CZ/Marketingove-aktivity/B2B-akce-workshopy-veletrhy/Networkingove-akce-a-workshopy/Hrdinove-cestovniho-ruchu-2024/Finaliste-Hrdinove-cestovniho-ruchu-2024

Photo: Khalil Baalbaki, Czech Radio

Sevgil Musaieva, a journalist from Crimea, Ukraine, is the editor-in-chief of Ukrainska Pravda and among the initiators of the creation of the KrymSOS web portal. Ms. Musaieva was in Prague to speak this week at the conference Borders of (Un)Freedom, headlining the event in a moderated discussion with Yale historian Timothy Snyder. I spoke to her about Czech support for Ukraine and her thoughts on how Putin uses propaganda in the region to divert from his true intentions.

How has the Czech Republic supported Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia? More than two years into the full-scale invasion some citizens and politicians in the Visegrad states have become more impatient about the war, others were already not sympathetic; we could think of Viktor Orban, the Hungarian prime minister, with his pro-Russian leaning.

See more here.

Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Ondřej Deml, ČTK

The Czech and Ukrainian governments on Monday signed a number of bilateral agreements opening the way for closer cooperation in arms production and the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said the two countries were building a “strong, strategic partnership” that would make Europe safer.

The Czech Republic has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion more than two years ago and Prime Minister Petr Fiala made it clear at Monday’s joint meeting of the two cabinets that Kyiv could count on continuing support.

See more here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Miroslav Chaloupka, ČTK

The American war veteran George Thompson, who helped liberate Plzeň in May 1945 with the 16th Armored Division, has died at the age of 99. He was the last of the surviving American veterans who liberated the city and returned repeatedly for the annual Liberation Festival. The West Bohemian capital held a memorial in his honour on Monday.

George Thompson joined the US army at the age of 19.

See more here.

Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Kirsty Wigglesworth, ČTK / AP

Barbora Krejčíková lifted the women’s singles title at tennis’s Wimbledon on Saturday – a year after her compatriot Markéta Vondroušová had also become a first-time champion at the All England Club. Just how is Czechia producing so many world class women’s players?

Barbora Krejčíková’s name flashed around the world on Saturday when she clinched the Wimbledon women’s singles title after a hard-fought, dramatic battle against Jasmine Paolini of Italy.

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Author: Ian Willoughby

Photo Kateřina Šulová, ČTK

Czech athletes are currently doing their final preparations for the Olympic Games in Paris, which get underway on Friday next week. But how many medals would be considered a success for the Czech team?

Canoeist Martin Doktor won two gold medals at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and carried the Czech flag in Sydney four years later.

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Author: Guillaume Narguet, Ian Willoughby

Source: Letní slavnosti staré hudby

The annual Summer Festivities of Early Music kick off in Prague on Tuesday evening with a special concert at Prague’s Emmaus Monastery. The performance, featuring rare instruments and music from medieval manuscripts, will bring to life an altarpiece by the famous Flemish Renaissance painter Hans Memling. I discussed the opening event and more with the festival’s director Josefína Matyášová:

“The story behind this project started in 2017, when the Flemish ensemble Oltremontano Antwerpen became the ensemble in residence at the Art Museum in Antwerp.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Ruth Fraňková, Radio Prague International

Two large-scale murals have been officially unveiled on the platform of Prague’s Florenc metro station. The artworks, created by Matěj Olmer and Michal Škapa, are part of Prague City Gallery’s project called C Line 50, celebrating five decades since the opening of the city’s first metro line.

A crowd of people gathered on the platform of the Florenc metro station on Thursday afternoon to see the official unveiling of two giant paintings placed against each other on the walls above the metro tracks.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Christian Democrat MP and head of the European Affairs Committee Ondřej Benešík has accused the British ambassador to Czechia, Matt Field, of describing Czechia and Czechs as being intolerant. In an interview with the Czech daily Deník N published on Friday, he said that the British ambassador was “trying to educate us” about tolerance while his own country, in his words, “tolerates intolerant Islam”.

The interview followed a social media post that Mr Benešík made on X, which has since been deleted, in which he tagged the British ambassador and asked him what he had to say about a video of a recently elected British Muslim MP “swearing in”, or taking the parliamentary oath of allegiance to the country, using the Koran. The ambassador responded by saying he wasn’t quite sure whether he understood the question, but that in the UK, MPs can swear in either using a religious text of their choosing or they can choose to take a non-religious solemn affirmation.

Source

Author: Anna Fodor

Photo: National Technical Museum

For 130 years a unique carousel, the oldest of its kind not only in Czechia but perhaps in the whole of Europe, has stood on the edge of Prague’s Letenské Sady. It had previously been located in Vinohrady, but only for a couple of years.

The merry-go-round is still located on its original wooden pavilion, built on the plan of a regular dodecagon with a span of 12 meters with a pyramidal roof.

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The seventh part of our video series on Czech Music Greats is devoted to the cycle of symphonic poems My Homeland by Bedřich Smetana, one of the greatest musical manifestations of the National Revival. It was composed between 1874 and 1879 and received its premiere in November 1882 at Prague’s Žofín Palace.

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Author: Barbora Navrátilová

Illustration photo: Jan Kubelka, Radio Prague International

One of Czechia’s cornerstone national newspapers is set to scrap its print edition after the summer. Up until now, Lidové Noviny was the oldest Czech daily still in print. But from September onwards, it will only be available online.

The decline of newspapers has been a subject of discussion for decades, and with the advent of online news and search engines, many smaller and local newspapers around the world have gradually closed their printing presses.

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Author: Anna Fodor

Photo: Daniel Pilař, Archeologický ústav AV ČR

Czech archaeologists have discovered a Neolithic settlement near the central Bohemian town of Kutná Hora. Built approximately 7,000 years ago, it has been exceptionally well-preserved, including the floor plans of four long houses. I discussed the details of the discovery with Daniel Pilař from the Czech Academy of Sciences’ Department of Prehistorical Archaeology.

“This site was discovered early this spring as part of rescue excavations.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Markéta Kachlíková, Radio Prague International

Karlovy Vary is the largest and most visited spa town in Czechia. Together with Františkovy and Mariánské Lázně, it forms a so-called West Bohemian Spa triangle, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2021 as part of the Great Spas of Europe. Karlovy Vary boasts magnificent scenery, beautiful architecture and unique spa treatments based on the beneficial effects of the local thermal mineral springs. Another attraction is the world-renowned International Film Festival that takes place in the west Bohemian town at the start of the summer.

Legend has it that Karlovy Vary was founded by the Czech king and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV in the 14th century.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Vít Šimánek, Animal Music

Jazz pianist and composer Tomáš Sýkora and his trio have teamed up with electronica artist Aid Kid to produce Alchemy, a dynamic and highly original fusion of jazz and electronic music. You can listen to it in this edition of Sunday Music Show.

Tomáš Sýkora comes from Nymburk, a small town in Central Bohemia.

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Photo: Michal Krumphanzl, ČTK

A parade of large puppets from Marianske Square to Old Town Square was one of the highlights of the Behind the Door street theatre festival held in Prague last week. The festival offers the best of Czech and international street theatre.

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Photo: Vít Pohanka, Radio Prague International

Your first thought will probably be: what a strange combination of guests. But bear with me.

As I am recording this episode, a NATO summit is in full swing in faraway Washington, DC, and Czechia is, quite naturally, represented by its president, Petr Pavel.

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Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Barbora Navrátilová, Radio Prague International

Czechs have a sweet tooth, and you can find these typical pastries and desserts in every Czech patisserie. Find out what rakvičky (little coffins), větrníčky (little windmills), and věnečky (small wreaths) are in the next episode of our video series ‘Czech Food Classics’!

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Author: Barbora Navrátilová

Photo: Paul-Henri Perrain, Radio Prague International

Prague is in the top 10 most desirable congress and conference destinations globally according to the International Congress Association (ICCA). In 2023, nearly 5,000 professional events were held in Prague, attracting almost 700,000 attendees. But what makes the city such a popular congress destination?

According to the Prague Convention Bureau, the number of foreign congresses and conferences increased by 54% from 2023 to 2024, balancing the ratio of foreign (49.

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Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Source: Warner Bros.

Blade Runner 2099, the upcoming Amazon Prime Video television sequel to the 1982 and 2017 films of the same franchise, has started shooting in Prague. US actress Hunter Schafer and Malaysian Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh are among the big names known to be filming in the Czech capital. I caught up with Czech Radio film critic Kristina Roháčková to find out what else is currently known about the production.

Blade Runner 2099 has just started filming in Prague.

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Author: Anna Fodor

Photo: Ian Willoughby, Radio Prague International

Cycling enthusiast Sergio Almeida has come to public attention in Prague for his clashes with the authorities, both online and on the streets. The Portuguese man, who is 45, criticizes the city’s cycling lanes and aggressive drivers on social media and even streams videos from his bike live on YouTube. The magistrála, the large through-road that cuts across the top of Wenceslas Square, is a regular bugbear of Almeida’s – and when we met metres from it he described run-ins he has had with city officials.

“I was having a normal ride but the city police dropped a siren, to stop, and said, Magistrála – no cyclists.

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Author: Ian Willoughby

Compared to last year’s female pangolin Šiška, this year’s cub is not only tougher, but especially the mother Run Hou Tang now has enough breast milk. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

Only the second baby pangolin in Europe, which was born last week at the Prague Zoo, is a female. The findings of the Prague breeders were also confirmed by experts from Taiwan’s Taipei Zoo based on the photos sent. Readers of the iDNES.cz Portal will decide what the new cub will be called.

“The cub gains about ten grams every day. If everything goes as well as it has so far, he will weigh a quarter of a kilogram this week,” says the director of the Prague Zoo, Miroslav Bobek. “The mother has enough milk and the baby is growing fast. So far, it looks like we won’t have to feed him, as was the case with Šiška last year.”

People can already propose a name for the cub on the iDNES.cz website. Breeders will then choose their five favorites from the public’s suggestions sent by noon on July 16. The final name will then be decided by the public again in the second round of polls. It will last from July 18 to 23. The Prague Zoo is planning a christening ceremony for Sunday, July 28.

The small female Chinese Pangolin is already the second cub of the female Run Hou Tang and the male Guo Baa, who came to the Prague Zoo two years ago. Although the breeding of the only mammals with scales in human care is very demanding, last year the Prague Zoo was the first in Europe to successfully raise a cub, a female Šiška. Endangered pangolins are currently the most illegally traded mammals in the world – for both their meat and their scales.

The Indonesian Jungle Pavilion now remains open, but the mother and cub exhibit is still temporarily covered due to the shutdown. But visitors can go to the pavilion to meet one and a half year old Šiška and her father. The Prague Zoo will inform about the unveiling of the exhibit in the near future.

Photo: National Archive

Seventy years after the execution of Rudolf Slánský, a prominent Communist Party member convicted in an infamous 1952 show trial, a court in Prague has rehabilitated his wife and son in memoriam. The court found that they had been illegally deprived of their personal freedom by the communist regime.

Rudolf Slánský, who had been general secretary of the Communist Party and second only to the then president, Klement Gottwald, was convicted along with several others on trumped up conspiracy charges.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Michal Šafařík, Czech Radio

The Czech satellite Troll can see chlorophyll in plants, pollution in rivers and nutrients in the soil from space. Only the third of its kind anywhere in the world, the Czech-made satellite should be put into orbit this October by Elon Musk’s company SpaceX.

The main thing that makes Troll special among the roughly seven thousand or so other satellites currently orbiting the Earth is the hyperspectral camera it is equipped with, that can photograph parts of the light spectrum invisible to the human eye.

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Author: Anna Fodor

Photo: Radek Petrášek, ČTK

A re-enactment of the siege of Bezděz Castle by Sigismund of Hungary, who arrived in summer of 1402 with his army in an attempt to besiege the castle, took place at the weekend. Visitors were treated to historical fencing, period weapons in action, but also a visit to a torture chamber, a taste of medieval cuisine and period arts and crafts.

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Photo: Pavel Lebeda, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Renowned Czech footballer Pavel Nedvěd, from Cheb in the Karlovy Vary region, known as the “Czech Cannon” and “Czech Master,” gained widespread recognition for his standout performances while playing for the Italian club Juventus Turin and for clinching the prestigious Golden Ball award as Europe’s best footballer in 2003.

“It means a lot to me [to win the Ballon d’Or], but not just for me, it means a lot for my country and for our football.

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Author: Jakub Ferenčík, Vít Pohanka

Illustration photo: Lenka Žižková, Radio Prague International

What are the most common Czech first names of the last century and when have they enjoyed greatest popularity? And in recent decades what names have been inspired by Western pop culture? This information can be gleaned from an online app launched this week by the data team at the iRozhlas.cz news site. I discussed the app’s findings with one of its creators, Michal Kašpárek.

The headline of your piece asks, Was anyone named Amélie born before the film? So, were they?.

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Author: Ian Willoughby

Photo: Rostislav Duršpek, Czech Radio

This time, the Muse on the Water music festival in České Budějovice will be accompanied by the dulcimer music of Milan Brouček. A native of West Bohemia, Mr. Brouček fell in love with the dulcimer as a child during a visit to Slovakia. Despite his parents’ skepticism, he pursued his passion and eventually became a violinist for the Pilsen Philharmonic, founding his own dulcimer band along the way.

The Milan Brouček Cimbalom Music (CMMB) was formed in 2014 and their repertoire includes many genres, including elements of Bohemian, Moravian, Slovak, and Hungarian folklore, Roma melodies, popular film melodies, pop and rock covers, and more.

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Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Moravské zemské muzeum Brno

July 3rd marked 170 years since the birth of Leoš Janáček – a classical music composer with a distinctly Czech style.

Born on July 3, 1854 in the small town of Hukvaldy in Moravia, Leoš Janáček showed exceptional musical talent from an early age and as a young boy he became a choir singer at the prestigious Augustinian Monastery in Brno.

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Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Film Servis Festival Karlovy Vary

The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival has been won for the first time by a documentary: A Sudden Glimpse to Deeper Things. Among the other works honoured at Saturday’s closing ceremony was Waves, which is centred on events at Czechoslovak Radio in 1968 and took the audience award.

The Grand Prix at this year’s Karlovy Vary went to A Sudden Glimpse to Deeper Things.

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Author: Ian Willoughby

Photo: Ondřej Tomšů, Radio Prague International

July 6th is a public holiday in the Czech Republic marking the 609th anniversary of the burning at stake of reformer priest Jan Hus. Masses are celebrated around the country, among others in Jan Hus’ birthplace Husinec and at Bethlehem Chapel in Prague, where the reformer priest preached.

The events linked to the anniversary include theatre performances, debates, music concerts and film screenings dedicated to Jan Hus.

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Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Martina Kutková, Radio Prague International

The promoters of hantec, a unique Czech language variety, spoken by the lower classes of Brno during the 19th and early 20th centuries, would like get it inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible World Heritage List. They are hoping that this might prevent the famous sociolect from completely dying out.

Although hantec no longer exists in its original form, many of the words and expressions, such as šalina (tram), or čurina (fun), have become part of spoken Czech in Brno.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Czech Centers and the Office of the Commissioner General announce an open call for artists and projects to participate in the cultural program of the Czech National Pavilion at the World Exhibition EXPO 2025.

Projects selected by an expert jury can receive up to 100% financial support, including the costs of transport, accommodation, and fees.

Those interested can apply for a unique opportunity to present the Czech Republic at the biggest event of this decade until September 10, 2024.

“We take our participation in the world exhibition very seriously, which is why we emphasize presenting ourselves as comprehensively as possible. In Japan, we naturally want to present Czech companies, Czech artists, and interesting projects in addition to the top-notch architecture and innovative design of the Czech national pavilion. The cultural program will take place mainly in the interior spaces of the pavilion’s auditorium, which can accommodate up to 240 visitors. We are very curious to see who will want to participate in the cultural challenge, and we are really looking forward to all the applications,” says Ondřej Soška, ​​general commissioner of the Czech participation in EXPO 2025, adding: “I firmly believe that the cultural program in our pavilion will not only be an aesthetic experience for Japanese visitors but also inspiration for the global audience at EXPO 2025.”

The call is open to individual creators, art ensembles and entities primarily from the field of contemporary theatre, dance, music and related genres with proven international experience. Applicants must have Czech citizenship or permanent residence in the Czech Republic, while exceptions may be granted to foreigners working in Czech art collectives. The ability to communicate effectively in English with Japanese organizers and partners is also important.

Among the criteria that the jury will take into account during the selection, in addition to the programmatic quality of the project, in particular, the Czech-Japanese cultural-artistic connection and the possibility of co-financing, as well as innovativeness, the use of modern technologies or environmental sustainability. Artists can also find inspiration in the planned eight thematic blocks of EXPA 2025. These will be devoted to topics such as cultural community, mobility and smart cities, sustainability and consumption, health and well-being, education and games, security and human rights, in the form of conferences and workshops—ecology and nature conservation or SDGs and future society.

EXPO 2025 will take place from April 13 to October 13, 2025 on the artificial island of Yumeshima in Osaka, Japan, and will welcome almost thirty million visitors, 85% of whom will come directly from Japan. The central theme of the exhibition is Creating a future society for our lives. The cultural program of the Czech National Pavilion will reflect the theme of Talent and creativity for life, with an emphasis on Czech talent and innovation.

More detailed information about the call, technical specifications of the premises of the Czech National Pavilion, and other details are available here . Those interested can fill out the application form from July 9 to September 10, 2024. The expert jury will then evaluate the projects, and the Office of the Commissioner General and the Czech Center will publish the results in the first half of October 2024 at the latest.

Photo: Martin Frouz, Czech Institute of Egyptology

The work of ancient Egyptian scribes left specific traces on their skeletons, suggests a new study by Czech scientists. It shows that certain degenerative changes to the spine and joints were much more common in scribes than in other men.

Men with writing proficiency enjoyed a privileged position in ancient Egypt, being part of just one percentage of the population that was literate.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Miloš Turek, Radio Prague International

July 5th is a public holiday in the Czech Republic honouring the legacy of Saints Cyril and Methodius who came to Great Moravia in 863 to spread the Christian faith and lay the foundations of literacy with the Glagolitic alphabet.

Thousands of people are expected to attend celebrations at the Velehrad pilgrimage site, which traditionally include an open air mass, exhibitions, lectures and public debates and a charity concert within the Days of People of Goodwill.

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Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Lucie Suchánková Hochmanová, Czech Radio

The first zone of Šumava National Park is an off-limits area dedicated to flora and fauna protection. But while hikers are not allowed to enter the primeval forests, boaters may admire its beauty from the Teplá Vltava, or “warm Vltava“ a headstream in the Bohemian Forest and one of the two main sources of the Vltava River. However paddling through this pristine stretch of the Vltava is a privilege for a restricted number of people.

“I’m Šimon and this is my sister Eliška.

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Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Barbora Navrátilová, Radio Prague International

We can’t talk about Czech gastronomy without mentioning beer! With its bitterness, rich colour, intense hoppy flavour, and an over 1000-year-long history, Czech lager is commonly regarded as one of the best in the world. Find out how it’s made – and how much of it Czechs drink every year – in the next instalment of our video series Czech Food Classics!

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Author: Barbora Navrátilová

Photo: René Volfík, iROZHLAS.cz

ANO leader Andrej Babiš recently founded a new group at the European Parliament with Viktor Orban. Regarded as a far-right bloc, Patriots for Europe also now includes the likes of Marine Le Pen and Geert Wilders – and this week was accused of being pro-Russian by the Czech prime minister. I discussed Mr. Babiš’s move with Viktor Daněk, deputy director of the think tank Europeum.

“It is obvious that in his former political group he was not very satisfied with the political environment he found himself in.

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Author: Ian Willoughby

Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Markéta Pekarová Adamová attended a meeting of the leading representatives of the parliaments of NATO countries in Washington, D.C. In her contribution, she appealed for more intensive support for the defending Ukraine. The deepening of political and economic Czech-American ties was then discussed with representatives of Congress and the organization American Friends of the Czech Republic. The meeting of legislators took place on the eve of the summit of NATO heads of state.

The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, Markéta Pekarová Adamová, led the parliamentary delegation and attended the meeting of the heads of the legislative bodies of the North Atlantic Alliance.

“Our country is leading a munitions initiative, the goal of which is to deliver half a million artillery shells to Ukrainian defenders by the end of the year. Since the beginning of the war, European countries have provided joint aid to Ukraine in the amount of almost two and a half trillion crowns. But we all need to do much more. A Ukrainian defeat would mean a complete disaster for our entire continent. However, Russian aggression is not only a European problem. I am therefore glad that the American Congress understands the urgency of the situation, the most striking proof of which is the recent adoption of a package of economic and military aid to Kyiv,” said Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Markéta Pekarová Adamová in a speech about current security challenges.

In her speech, the president also strongly condemned Russian missile attack on a children’s hospital in the Ukrainian capital. “The barbaric, brutal aggression against the most vulnerable reveals the true nature of today’s Russian regime,” she added.

As part of the work program, the President also met with members of the US Congress in Washington and also held a working meeting with the influential expatriate association American Friends of the Czech Republic.

“Czech-American relations are today in a number of areas at one of the best levels in our modern history. Therefore, at the meeting in Congress, I also raised the issue of obtaining business visas of the E1 type, which would significantly facilitate the access of our entrepreneurs to the prospective American market and thus deepen our mutual economic ties,” added the Speaker of the Chamber of Commerce, Markéta Pekarová Adamová.

The Czech parliamentary delegation also consisted of the chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and Security Pavel Fischer and the head of the Parliament’s Permanent Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, MP Jiří Horák. The meeting of leading lawmakers took place in the US capital on the eve of the summit of NATO heads of state.

“It is literally vital that in the year when our country marks a quarter of a century since joining the strongest defense alliance in the world, our government fulfills its long-term commitment and we contribute the agreed 2 percent of GDP to common defense,” concluded President Markéta Pekarová Adamová.

Photo: Národní hřebčín Kladruby nad Labem

In 1563, the Holy Roman Emperor Maxmillian II of Habsburg founded a stud farm in Kladruby nad Labem which his successor, Emperor Rudolph II of Habsburg, granted a charter in 1579, elevating it to the status of Imperial Court Stud Farm. The stud farm was taken over by the state in 1918 when Czechoslovakia gained independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

On 6 July, the Kladruby stud farm, or the Landscape for Breeding and Training of Ceremonial Carriage Horses at Kladruby nad Labem, as it is formally inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, is celebrating five years of UNESCO World Heritage status.

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Author: Klára Stejskalová

On Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at Prague Castle, the President of the Republic Petr Pavel received the credentials of the new Ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary.

H.E. Mrs. María Pérez Sánchez-Laulhé, new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Spain:

H.E. Mrs. Winnie Natala Chibesakunda, the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Zambia based in Berlin:

H.E. Mr. Raveesh Kumar, the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India:

H.E. Mr. Vasyl Bohdanovych Zvarych, the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine:

Photo: Tim van der Kuip, Unsplash

Research shows that a four-day workweek can significantly reduce stress, illness, and burnout in the workforce. An overwhelming percentage of companies that choose to adopt the shorter workweek stick with it due to its success. But when could Czechia see such a scheme adopted?

“Personally, I would prefer to work less per day but actually five days.

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Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Anna Fodor, Radio Prague International

Thousands of people have flocked to Prague this week for the 17th All-Sokol Slet, a gathering of Sokol branches from all over the world which takes place in the Czech capital every six years. The almost week-long event culminates on Thursday evening and Friday afternoon with mass performances in a huge stadium.

The 17th All-Sokol Slet kicked off on Sunday with a parade through the centre of Prague.

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Author: Anna Fodor

Photo: Patrik Uhlíř, ČTK

The vintage car jamboree in Slavkov near Brno annually attracts thousands of vintage car lovers. On show this weekend were veteran cars, motorbikes, tractors and bicycles. Pictured here is a vintage unicycle.

Source: ČTK

Photo: Tobias Steinmaurer, ČTK / APA

Andrej Babiš’ ANO party, Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party and Austria’s FPÖ have announced the formation of a joint alliance in the European Parliament called “Patriots of Europe”. How much do they have in common and how much influence can they hope to wield? Those are some of the questions I put to political analyst Jiří Pehe.

“I think that they may get enough other supporters to be able to form a faction in the European Parliament, because what they need is deputies from seven countries and a minimum of 25 MEPs of which they already have 23.

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Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: © MZV ČR/ MFA CZ

The Czech pavilion for EXPO Osaka 2025, designed by Apropos Architects, will be the tallest wooden structure without steel support in Japan. What is the motivation behind the project and what challenges will the structure present?

The 12-meter high structure will be a crystal spiral made up of an inner pavilion with a diameter of 15 x 5 metres, surrounded by a tube-like hollow space of a diameter of 90 metres.

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Author: Jakub Ferenčík