The latest edition of design festival Designblok will showcase the work of over 178 Czech and international exhibitors including jewellery, glassware, ceramics, fashion and decorative design.
Now in its 24th year, Designblok takes place from 5 to 9 October at Prague’s The Gabriel Loci Monastery in the Smíchov district and the Museum of Decorative Arts in the city’s Old Town.
The five-day festival will showcase the latest in contemporary European design, including porcelain, lighting, glassware, jewellery and fashion.
This year’s overall theme, The Forest, was chosen in reference to the event’s presentation of “a forest of contemporary designers,” according to Designblok.
“Forest is the source of life,” said director of Designblok, Jana Zielinski. “Thanks to plants we can breathe, and greenery is the most natural enhancer of our everyday environment. Forest is also a source of materials, a temple of rest, a paradise for mushroom pickers, a source of inspiration for artists and DIYers, a haunted and magical fairytale place.”
“The forest is the home of Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Gretel, and it is inhabited by the fox, fairies, goblins, trolls, and other creatures. The smell of the forest, wet earth, leaves, needles, meadow flowers are a reason to keep going,” Zielinski continued.
“At Designblok, we will walk through the forest of Czech design, peek into the mysterious wells of knowledge of foreign stars, take a trail following the red, green, yellow or blue signposts, each according to his or her own abilities and tastes. We are looking forward to the enchanted forest of Designblok.”
The Gabriel Loci Monastery will present the work of seven Ukrainian designers and studios in an exhibition named Sláva Ukrajině [Glory to Ukraine], which aims to support artists affected by the war.
The brands and design studios taking part include Gunia Project, Gushka Wool, OLK manufactory – Oksana Levchenya, RE:QUIET, Seri/graph studio and Sergey Zhernov.
According to Designblok, all the chosen studios have an original creative process and values “strongly anchored in traditions, crafts and environmentally responsible production, and their relentless courage to continue working despite the difficult circumstances”.
The space will also be home to an exhibition called Diploma Selection, featuring the work of 30 designers who took part in an international competition in product and fashion design.
The fashion shows will take place on 8 October 2022 at Sacre Coeur on Holečková Street in Smichov and tickets are on sale on Designblok’s website.
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The Prague City Hall has closed the tent city for Ukrainian refugees in Troja due to the cold weather, the CTK news agency reported. The refugees have been moved to hostel facilities in Florenc and Smíchov districts.
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The Slovak prime minister, Eduard Heger, has criticized the Czech authorities for reinstating controls at the border with Slovakia due to a sharp increase in illegal migration. Mr. Heger said the decision had come without warning and needed to be discussed at EU level.
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The Czech minister of foreign affairs, Jan Lipavský, says that EU member states should discuss steps to liberalise visas for citizens of Kosovo this autumn. Mr. Lipavský is due to visit Kosovo this week.
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Over 87,800 refugees from Ukraine with temporary protection visas are currently working in the Czech Republic, most of them in the Central Bohemian Region, Czech Labour Office spokeswoman Katerina Berankova told CTK yesterday.
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One of the new commemorative stamps issued by the UK’s Royal Mail will feature a photo of Queen Elizabeth II taken at Prague Castle in the 1990’s. Approved by King Charles III, it is scheduled to go on sale on November 10.
Thousands of Czechs protested in Prague on Wednesday against the government’s handling of soaring energy prices which have cut into pocketbooks as winter approaches.
The demonstration on a national holiday in Prague’s main square, organised by a number of far-right and fringe parties including the Communists, followed a similar protest earlier in September that drew tens of thousands of people.
The organising group “Czech Republic First!” opposes the European Union and NATO and calls for the country to be militarily neutral.
Protesters held banners like “End the comedy” and many waved Czech flags as the sun appeared after morning rain.
“The Czech nation has risen, and it is taking its country back,” one of the organisers told the crowd as he opened the protest which was streamed online to squares in other cities.
“A government has two duties: to ensure our security and economic prosperity. This government does not fulfill either of these duties,” he said.
High energy prices, fuelled by the war in Ukraine, have piled pressure on governments across Europe to cushion the blow of mounting energy costs for consumers and businesses.
The current centre-right government of Prime Minister Petr Fiala this month adopted a string of measures, including financial aid for companies and price caps on electricity for households.
The group was behind a protest in Prague in early September that was attended by about 70 000 people. Protests are also taking place in several other cities, including Brno, Plzen, Liberec and Česke Budějovice.
The biggest Indian Cultural festival in the Czech Republic is back. This year’s Experience India event will be held on October 5th, 2022, in Pesi Zona Andel (Metro), Prague, from 8 am to 8 pm.
A cultural festival for everybody who wants to travel to India by walking into the heart of Prague.
Experience India 2022 will celebrate India’s 75 years of Independence and is Organized by Indian Community in Czech Republic z.s. in association with the Embassy of India in the Czech Republic.
You can taste several dishes and specialities from India. You can also try saris or turbans or be decorated with henna. Vendors will offer design interior decorations, mahogany furniture and clothes.
Come and enjoy:
* the rich Indian culture, both traditional and modern
* the wellness ethos encompassing yoga and Ayurveda
* the magical handlooms & textiles, assortment of handicrafts
* Vegan and Vegetarian options will be available along with exotic Indian hot and cold beverages.
* Watch how talented dancers perform in strong colors with graceful movements to music ranging from classical, regional to Bollywood.
As the event is held on the auspicious occasion of Dushera, the theme for this event will be ‘Open Air Dushera and Diwali Festival.
Free entrance.
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The Czech power and infrastructure Energetický a průmyslový holding (EPH) has become the sole owner of the Sloe power plant in the Netherlands. EPH bought a 50 percent share in the plant from France’s EDF, a power company that is being fully nationalised.
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A new UK postage stamp will feature a picture of the late Queen Elizabeth II taken at a banquet at Prague Castle in 1996. The stamp is one of four special commemorative by Britain’s Royal Mail.
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One of the favourites to become the next Czech president, Petr Pavel, says he has collected more than the 50,000 citizens’ signatures required to run. Mr. Pavel officially launched his campaign three weeks ago. The election to succeed Miloš Zeman as head of state will take place in January.
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Czechia is temporarily reinstating controls on the country’s border with Slovakia in response to an increase in illegal migration. The checks will start at 27 former border crossings on Thursday.
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On Wednesday, 21 September, acclaimed Czech poet and publisher Zdena Zábranská died at the age of 82. Zábranská was the longtime editor of the Brno publishing house Blok, and the 2015 winner of the Brno City Prize.
The Czech government has imposed temporary controls on its borders with Slovakia to prevent irregular migrants from entering the country.
An increasing number of irregular migrants are crossing the Czech border, most of whom are Syrians coming to the EU from Turkey.
“What we are experiencing is an unprecedented situation in terms of illegal migration. Since the start of 2022, the police have seized a total of 11,000 illegal migrants on the territory of the Czech Republic,” Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakušan informed.
Along with irregular migration comes organised crime like smuggling, which has also recently increased.
To tackle the issue, the interior ministry wants to propose stricter punishment for those actively involved in smuggling.
“We have exhausted all the standard options,” Rakušan said, explaining why the country decided to impose border controls with Slovakia, its closest ally.
The Czech Republic is traditionally a transition country, with most migrants only passing its territory to reach neighbouring Germany. “This situation triggered nervousness even on the German side of the border,” Rakušan explained.
The Czech police authorities will launch border controls for ten days from Thursday (29 September), in line with Schengen codex. During this period, further measures will be considered, including the extension of controls in case of necessity.
The Czech government has notified the neighbouring countries and the EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson.
The government also wants to discuss the issue with its Visegrad partners – Slovakia, Poland, Hungary – as well as with Austria, the interior minister informed. According to the minister’s information, Austria also faces illegal migration influx.
“We, as the (Council of the EU) presidency country call the European Commission to negotiate with all relevant partners, including non-EU ones,” Rakušan added, saying that his aim is to keep migration under control.
Large stores will be closed on September 28, which is a national holiday for St Wenceslas, also called Czech Statehood Day.
The ban on stores being open took effect last year so shop workers could have a day off, like most other people. But some stores choose to defy the ban based on its vague wording.
The only large supermarkets in Prague that will be legally open are Billa stores at Václav Havel Airport Prague and at the train station Praha hlavní nádraží.
Fines for breaching the law can be levied in an amount up to 1 million crowns.
The law closing most large stores on holidays will continue to be in effect on Christmas Eve on Decemeber 24 (in the afternoon), Christmas Day on December 25, and St Stephen’s Day on December 26.
On September 28th Czechs celebrate St. Wenceslas Day
September 28th is a public holiday in the Czech Republic. It is the feast day of St. Wenceslas, the patron saint of Bohemia, and commemorates his death in 935.
Wenceslas was born in 907 and was the son of the Duke of Bohemia. His father died in 921 and Wenceslas ruled from 922, when he was 15 years old. He was raised as a Christian, primarily by his grandmother, Ludmila who had been baptized by the Greek missionaries Cyril and Methodius who brought Christianity to the region.
The reign of Wenceslas is marked by his support of the church, his aim to unify Bohemia and make peace with Germany.
These policies created enemies within his court and even his family. His own brother Boleslav was one of many who plotted against him. Boleslav invited Wenceslas to a church consecration and, on the morning of 28 September 935, on his way to the mass, Wenceslas was attacked by Boleslav and was killed by his brother’s supporters.
After Wenceslas’s death, Boleslav assumed power and reigned for almost fifty years. Later in life, Boleslav felt remorse for his actions and in 972 he had a church devoted to Saint Wenceslas built in Prague.
Having suffered a martyr’s death, Wenceslas was immediately considered a saint. This lead to a cult of veneration with various miracles attributed to him. He was even posthumously made a king by the Holy Roman Emperor, Otto I, which is why the popular Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas refers to him as a king when in life he was only a duke.
Prague’s very own slice of Edinburgh is back!
From Monday 26th September to Saturday 1st October, audiences can enjoy six days of international, multi award-winning, theatre in English, presented by 28 theatre companies from all over the world.
Five unique and atmospheric venues in Malá Strana will be full of high-quality theatre (and more than a smattering of comedy), with tickets cheap enough that you can see more than one show per evening.
Some Prague Fringe favourites returning this year include multi award-winning writer and performer Henry Naylor, straight from a sell-out, highly acclaimed run at Edinburgh Fringe, with his new show ‘Afghanistan is Not Funny‘, a true-story based on his research trip to war-torn Afghanistan in 2002.
El Diablo of the Cards who returns with his mind-bending card trickery! Families can enjoy Jon & Ollie (two thirds of The Latebloomers who took the fringe by storm with their show Scotland! in 2018) with their brand-new show ‘Strictly Come Barking‘.
And Fringe favourite Pip Utton is back after his sell-out run at our 2021 Autumn Fringe (Playing Maggie and Churchill)with two more one-man shows ‘Hitchcock‘ and ‘Bacon‘.
There is also stand-up comedy from Spain, Finland and England, music from Scotland, the USA and the Czech Republic, and theatre from all over the world from Macau to Ukraine, to Northern Ireland, and so much more!
And remember, the Fringe is only 6 days long this year, from Monday 26th September – Saturday 1st October, some shows are only performing for 2 or 3 nights, and our venues are small (some only have 20-30 seats) – so get your tickets booked now – we expect to sell out!
Tickets are all priced at 220 Kč in advance (200 Kč for students and seniors aged 70+), or 250 Kč on the door (no concessions).
Check out the special Fringe Pass which gives you almost 10% discount on advance tickets – and you’ll only pay one GoOut ticket agent service fee instead of five. Full details here.
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Renáta Kellnerová, widow of the late billionaire Petr Kellner, who died in a plane crash in the U.S. last year, has topped the list of the richest Czechs and Slovaks for the second year in a row in a ranking compiled by Czech publication Euro Weekly that was released on Monday.
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Confidence in the Czech economy is at an all-time low, according to data published on Monday by the Czech Statistical Office. It continued to decline in September, falling by four points month-on-month to 90.1.
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Shopping malls across the country had record sales in the second quarter of this year, which were 17.3 percent higher than pre-2019. Year-to-date footfall through August was 11.8 percent lower than three years ago.
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In response to the energy crisis, the Czech Ministry of Health is proposing to reduce the minimum permissible temperatures in the working environment. The draft amendment to the Occupational Health Regulation will be discussed by the government on Monday.
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On Wednesday, 21 September, acclaimed Czech poet and publisher Zdena Zábranská died at the age of 82. Zábranská was the longtime editor of the Brno publishing house Blok, and the 2015 winner of the Brno City Prize.
The City of Prague, in cooperation with Prague City Tourism launches a pilot project of refundable cups for events held on Prague’s embankments and at the Exhibition Grounds.
The aim is to promote the use of sustainable dishware instead of disposable consumer plastics. The city has allocated CZK 2.4 million for the project. After the test phase, the system will operate on a fully commercial basis, without any city support.
The City of Prague initiated the reusable cups project with the aim of strengthening the city’s ecology. Prague City Tourism was commissioned by the city to implement the test phase of the project and distribute the cups at events. This will run from September 2022 to February 2024.
“At the moment, we have established cooperation with the Prague embankments and the Prague Exhibition Centre. We live in a time when we need to think sustainably, therefore we are launching a pilot operation and providing a sustainable and environmentally friendly version of refundable cups for selected Prague events,” says František Cipro, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Prague City Tourism.
During the project, which will last 19 months, 50,000 refundable cups will be available. Throughout this trial period, event organisers can use the cups free of charge.
After the roll-out phase, in early 2024, the city will evaluate the project and decide about future steps. The graphic design of the cups, called “For Sustainable Prague” accentuates the city’s environmental intention. In addition, the colours and symbols on the cups will be updated regularly.
The city is thus building on its previous measures to reduce the use of single-use plastics. The Prague City Council passed a resolution committing the city to not provide any form of support to events using disposable packaging and dishware already in 2020.
All organisers interested in applying for the City of Prague ‘s support are thus obliged to replace disposable cups, plates, etc. with reusable alternatives.
A year later, the Prague City Council also adopted a set of measures to minimise the use of single-use plastic products and prevent generating of large amounts of waste. Under this resolution, for example, only reusable or refundable tableware is now issued at sports, cultural, educational and social events for the public, organised or sponsored by the capital, and the waste is thoroughly sorted.
With these steps, the city is fulfilling its Climate Commitment approved in June 2019 and taking steps to implement the principles of the circular economy.
When you say Prague, most people recall the iconic skyline of Prague Castle, the majestic seat of Czech kings with St. Vitus Cathedral where kings were both crowned and buried.
You can visit the crypt with the remains of Czech kings and queens during the tour of the cathedral. Over the centuries, Prague became the residence of the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire several times.
You can learn about the history at the permanent exposition on the Gothic floor of the Old Royal Palace entitled The Story of Prague Castle where you can see authentic Gothic and Renaissance clothing and dishware used to serve food to kings and emperors.
Kutná Hora: From Czech Tolar to American Dollar!
Royal towns held an exceptional position among Czech towns as they were directly submitted to the ruler. One of the most famous royal towns is Kutná Hora with its silver mines that used to fill the royal treasury with silver and are one of the greatest tourist attractions today.
There are many legends and mysteries about this town. Did you know that the name of the most famous currency in the world, the American dollar, comes from the silver tolar of Kutná Hora? You can learn other interesting facts on a visit to this magical town.
Karlštejn: Why Did the Royal Treasure Disappear?
The majestic castle, the residence of Charles IV, one of the most important Bohemian kings, is set in a beautiful countryside southwest of Prague. It guarded the most precious treasure for centuries – the rare crown jewels, hidden within its walls to protect them from the Hussites.
Travel back in time to the fourteenth century during a tour of the castle and you’ll even have the opportunity to go to heaven! How is that possible? You’ll see when you enter the Holy Cross Chapel with amazing decorations, styled as the heavens, including the Sun, stars and the Moon. All the saints will watch over you there.
Royal Spa
Spas have always been a popular destination for Europe‘s cream of the crop. Famous aristocrats, philosophers and well-known artists enjoyed the comfort, rich social life and countless romances here. Goethe met his beloved Ulrika for the first time here, the famous Beethoven composed the 9th Symphony here, and the Russian Tsar Alexander or the Austrian Empress Sisi came here regularly to draw new energy.
And the tradition continues! Today, celebrities heading to the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival secure the annual excitement. In recent years, for example, Johnny Depp, Robert Pattinson or Uma Thurman have all visited here.
Our Tip!
If you’d like to know what the crown jewels looked like between the fourteenth and sixteenth century, visit the Prague Castle where their copies are on display.
Fifty percent of people have already reduced their spending. Moreover, nine out of ten Czechs expect to tighten their belts even more due to inflation.
More than half of people are actively looking for discounts as their main cost-saving tool and are also cutting back on excessive current spending.
That’s according to a Median survey of 1,022 respondents for Broker Consulting.
A job or second job is being sought by 23 percent of respondents.
The general price increase is felt by 94 percent of Czechs, more than a third of them very strongly, the authors of the survey said.
Therefore, a third of people are also trying to significantly or partially reduce the cost of eating out in restaurants, while a quarter is cutting back on culture or travel.
Every fourth respondent is already planning to cover increased energy costs during the heating season in this manner, and another 35% are still considering it.
Three-quarters of respondents are concerned about the impact of inflation on domestic budgets.
They use savings and current accounts most often for saving, and in one-third of cases, they put their savings into investment or mutual funds.
Nearly three-quarters of Czechs with a reserve of more than CZK 30,000 continue to plan to secure their reserves for old age.