Thursday, November 28, 2024
River levels across the Czech Republic are rising rapidly, causing floods in hundreds of towns and villages.
As of 5 a.m. Sunday, authorities reported flooding in 258 locations, with nearly a third of them at stage three, the highest warning level for dangerous flooding.
Approximately 260,000 households in the Czech Republic were without electricity due to adverse weather conditions.
Authorities have advised people to avoid forests and parks altogether due to the heightened risk of falling trees, as wind and waterlogged soil weaken their stability.
Evacuations Underway in Hardest-Hit Areas
The Moravian-Silesian Region has seen the most severe impact, with thousands already evacuated from their homes. In Opava, where the Opava River has overflowed, the situation is particularly precarious.
Residents received urgent text messages from the fire brigade warning them to evacuate immediately. Local authorities are opening more evacuation centers.
Floodwaters could surpass the devastating levels seen in 1997.
River levels continued to rise overnight, with the worst conditions reported in Moravia-Silesia and northern Olomouc, as well as southern Bohemia on Sunday morning.
In the town of Prachatice, water overflowed the Husinec dam, while Český Těšín and Krnov saw evacuations.
Around 40 railway lines have been closed. The main issue is in Studénka, where flooding has halted the major Prague-Ostrava rail corridor.
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Prague is preparing for significant flooding as the Vltava River is expected to reach its peak from Saturday to Sunday, with water levels projected to stay below flood stage three.
Heavy rain and strong winds have already caused substantial disruptions throughout the city. In response, precautionary measures have been put in place, including the closure of Střelecký Island and several playgrounds. Additionally, warnings about the risk of falling trees have been issued in Prague 7 and Prague 11, and the Prague Zoo is closed.
The combination of intense rainfall and strong winds is exacerbating the situation, increasing the risk of falling trees across the city.
The Prague 1 Municipal District has closed Střelecký Island as a precaution. Playground closures are in effect in various parks, and Prague 7 has warned about potential falling trees in Stromovka Park. Prague 11 has advised against visiting Hostivař Forest Park.
“The ground is highly saturated, and the stability of trees is unpredictable, creating a significant risk of falling. It is also dangerous to move around the Hostivař Dam and along the Botič River,” stated municipal authorities.
Deputy Mayor Jana Komrsková (Pirates) announced the closure of playgrounds in Stromovka, Hvězda, Letná, and Petřín.
The Prague Zoo has also closed as a precaution. Miroslav Bobek, the zoo’s director, shared on social media that they are taking preventive measures: “We are filling sandbags among other preparations in case the flooding situation worsens.”
Current Flood Situation in Prague:
The Vltava River is currently forecasted to peak at flood stage two. Other streams and rivers in the area, including Dalejský Potok and Rokytka, are at flood stage one. The Botič River has reached the third flood danger level in Jesenice and the second in Petrovice.
Mayor Ondřej Gros emphasized the ongoing monitoring of the situation and urged residents to remain cautious. “The safety of our residents is our top priority. We are taking all necessary measures to mitigate the risks associated with flooding and adverse weather conditions,” the mayor said.
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Cities across the Czech Republic are preparing for evacuations and reinforcing flood barriers as heavy rains continue, raising the threat of severe flooding.
Some residents have already been forced to leave their homes in flood-prone areas. By this afternoon, thousands of households were without electricity due to trees and branches falling on power lines, primarily caused by the rain and strong winds.
The most critical conditions are expected to hit over the weekend, with rainfall predicted to intensify. The extreme flood alert covers all of Moravia and Silesia, Vysočina, as well as parts of Bohemia.
Even Prague and most of the Central Bohemian Region are bracing for high water levels.
Petr Hladík, the Environment Minister, stated after a meeting of the Central Flood Commission that small streams are most at risk, particularly overnight and into Saturday.
The town of Jeseník is among the areas at highest risk. Local authorities are drafting plans for the possible evacuation of residents. Temporary shelters have been arranged in local high schools, and some residents may be moved to spa facilities or the town’s theatre.
In parts of the Pardubice region, including Chrudim, residents are also being advised to prepare for potential evacuation, with water levels expected to reach or exceed 100-year flood levels.
In Veverská Bítýška, authorities have ordered evacuations from local cottage areas, and residents in nearby streets have been advised to have emergency bags packed, ready to leave at short notice.
Firefighters in Brno safely evacuated 125 people, including 120 students, from a flooded bridge. The evacuation was completed without any injuries, with the group being guided using a safety rope.
In the Central Bohemian Region, the Sázava River poses a major threat, with predictions that its flow could exceed the 100-year water level.
Meanwhile, the Vltava River in Prague is forecasted to peak on Sunday night. Water levels could rise by as much as 60 to 80 centimetres, though the flow is not expected to exceed the second flood level.
With more rain expected through the weekend, there are official warnings that flooding could reach levels similar to those in 1997 or 2002.
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Spectaculare festival will start in February with a magical night full of Icelandic atmosphere, when silence and noise dance in perfect symbiosis.
On February 28, Kiasmos will take to the stage of Prague’s SaSaZu, a duo that embodies the delicate beauty and raw power of the Icelandic landscape and translates the fragility of classical music into timeless dance beats.
Ólafur Arnalds and Janus Rasmussen have created a musical world where minimalist electronica finds its essence in nature and delivers deep emotional experiences. They will bring their new album II and a live show full of Nordic moods and hypnotic beats to Prague.
Kiasmos is not just another electronic duo – it is a symbiosis of two masters of their field. Ólafur Arnalds, a well-known composer and multi-instrumentalist, is a master of piano compositions and gentle, melancholic melodies.
Together with Janus Rasmussen, a pioneer of innovative electronics and synth sounds, he creates music that is technically precise yet utterly emotive. Kiasmos combines the intimacy of classical music with the minimalism of electronics so that every note has its own meaning and space. It is this balance between technique and emotion that makes them considered one of the most significant innovators on the contemporary scene.
Their new album II, released in 2024, has gained critical attention for its advanced sound and ambitious orchestration, accompanied by the Icelandic SinfoniaNord orchestra.
The album is dominated by tracks like “Dazed” and “Flown”, which combine delicate piano melodies with rhythmic textures and ambient nature sounds. Record II is Kiasmos’ third album in 7 years.
According to Ólafur Arnalds, the duo took their time this time around. “We had the space to revisit it, reassess things and gradually get back into the rhythm of creating together.” This process has led to a richer, more layered sound that visitors to the opening concert of the twelfth annual Spectaculare festival will be able to appreciate.
The presale will start online on 13th September.
Tickets: Early bird: CZK 890
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The Prague Comedy Stop, a new addition to the city’s cultural calendar, is set to bring some of the brightest stars of the international comedy scene to the Czech capital from September 12 to 15, 2024.
Organizers have just announced a fresh lineup, including British stand-up sensation Troy Hawke, alongside Matt Brag and Tom Ballard.
They will join the previously confirmed acts of Katherine Ryan, Aurie Styla, and Andrew Mensah, promising a four-day comedy extravaganza that will leave audiences in stitches.
Tickets are available starting at 390 CZK.
For the first time, the Comedy Stop festival is coming to Prague, bringing together comedians from around the globe who have made a name for themselves in the UK, the birthplace of stand-up comedy.
The festival will take place across several venues, from the intimate settings of Rock Cafe and Malostranská Beseda to the larger stage at RockOpera, where the world-renowned Katherine Ryan is set to perform.
Meet the Comedians:
Troy Hawke
Troy Hawke’s journey from a customer service stint outside a TK MAXX in Macclesfield to becoming a rising star in the comedy world is nothing short of extraordinary. Known for his quirky persona and offbeat humor, he has entertained sports personalities, bewildered Premier League footballers, and even crossed paths with heavyweight boxers and Formula One legends.
Matt Brag
Matt Brag’s distinctive “deadpan” delivery and meticulously crafted material have won him fans among audiences, promoters, and fellow comedians alike. A regular at the UK’s top comedy clubs, Brag has also opened for stars like Ricky Gervais, Harry Hill, and Lloyd Griffith. His accolades include being featured in Just The Tonic’s Big Value showcase at the Edinburgh Festival in 2019 and securing the runner-up spot in the Leicester Mercury’s Comedian of The Year 2020 competition.
Tom Ballard
An Australian comic talent, Tom Ballard has been nominated for Best Performance at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards and the Melbourne Comedy Festival. In 2024, he brings a brand-new show packed with sharp wit, electrifying jokes, and razor-sharp punchlines. Ballard’s comedy is known for its ability to make you laugh, cry, and think – often all at once.
Aurie Styla
Award-winning comedian Aurie Styla returns with his biggest tour yet. His latest show, “The Aurator,” will see him delve into the chaos of the modern world and his journey to make sense of it.
Andrew Mensah
Andrew Mensah’s act offers a hilarious and heartfelt account of his life, from growing up in a church environment and becoming a children’s preacher to dodging London gangs and eventually breaking into show business.
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Another global music sensation is set to grace Prague next year.
British-Albanian singer Dua Lipa will perform twice at the O2 Arena on her upcoming “Radical Optimism Tour.”
The concerts are scheduled for May 27 and 28, as confirmed by the event organizer, Live Nation. Tickets will be available starting next Friday, with prices beginning at 1,790 CZK.
The 29-year-old artist has been making waves in the music industry since 2013 and boasts three studio albums.
Her self-titled debut album, “Dua Lipa,” released in 2017, marked her entry into the global music scene. However, it was her second album, “Future Nostalgia,” released in 2020, that catapulted her to the top of international charts.
Her most recent work, the third album titled “Radical Optimism,” was released this past May.
The Prague concerts will prominently feature songs from this latest release, which Lipa is set to promote throughout the tour.
In addition to her Prague dates, the three-time Grammy and seven-time Brit Award winner will also be performing at London’s Wembley Stadium on June 20 next year.
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Prague is gearing up for a potential flood as water levels in the Vltava River continue to rise.
In response, the city has initiated several preventive measures, including the closure of the gates on the Čertovka canal and the installation of an automatic sandbagging machine on Rohanský Island.
On Friday, September 13, the flood gates on the Čertovka canal will be closed at 10 am on Friday and the river embankments will be closed to the public from mid-day Friday. City officials are closely monitoring the situation to ensure swift action if conditions worsen.
Meanwhile, officers from the Prague City Police, personnel from the Police Department, employees of the Service Administration, and volunteer firefighters are on standby to provide assistance.
At a meeting on Thursday, Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda explained that outflows from key tributaries of the Vltava River, such as the Sázava, will be increased to help dams and other waterworks manage the rising water levels.
The outdoor events which were due to be held there at the weekend have been cancelled. Barriers are being erected at high-risk places.
The Vltava River Basin Authority and the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) have predicted that water flow in the Vltava could exceed 450 cubic meters per second. As a result, the river level near Charles Bridge is expected to rise by 60 centimeters.
In addition, ferry services are being adjusted to cope with the anticipated rise in water levels.
From 3:40 p.m. on Thursday, September 12, the P4 ferry (Dostihová – Belárie) was suspended. Other ferries are currently operating as usual, but further changes may be announced depending on conditions.
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On the morning of Thursday, September 12, the first snow of the autumn-winter season arrived in the Czech Republic.
The snow covered Velký Javor, the highest peak in the Šumava National Park, which stands at 1,300 meters above sea level.
Overnight, temperatures at Velký Javor dropped to around +2°C, allowing light snowfall to occur in areas above 1,300 meters. The snowfall, however, was light, with no more than one centimeter settling on the ground.
Meteorologists predict that today’s snow will melt quickly, but additional snowfall is expected on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
This snowfall comes earlier than in 2023, when the first snow was delayed until October 8 due to an unusually warm autumn. The year before, the first snow arrived on September 18.
A video of today’s snowfall:
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Woolworth, a well-known German discount retail chain, has announced plans to expand into the Czech and Slovak markets.
This development was reported by the financial news portal Peníze on Monday, September 9th.
“We can confirm that we are preparing to enter the Slovak and Czech markets,” said Roland Rissel, a representative from Woolworth’s press office. “We are currently in negotiations with property managers in both countries and are working towards finalizing lease agreements.”
While details about the specific locations and number of stores remain under wraps, the company aims to open its first outlets in both countries by the end of 2025.
Woolworth is recognized for offering a wide range of products, including household items, clothing, electronics, cosmetics, toys, and more, all at prices below the market average.
With over 700 stores already established in Germany, the chain is one of the fastest-growing in the country. The management has ambitious plans to increase the number of stores to 1,500 in the medium term.
In the Czech Republic, Woolworth will be entering a competitive market, going head-to-head with other popular discount retailers such as Action, Pepco, and Kik.
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At the end of September, the entire country belongs to the patron saint of the Czech people. They honor the memory of St. Václav on the day when he was murdered by his brother.
One of the most famous monuments in the whole of Prague, and perhaps the whole of the Czech Republic, is the statue of St. Václav on Wenceslas (Václav) Square.
And it’s not just because this Czech prince is watching over one of the largest squares in the Czech Republic from his saddle. Nor is it because he has witnessed, astride his horse, many of the major events in the history of this country.
St. Václav is the patron of the Czech lands and the most popular saint here. His day falls on 28 September, when the Czech Republic celebrates Statehood Day. Come join in.
Saint Wenceslas – the patron saint of the Czech lands
Wenceslas was a Czech prince, who, after his murder, became a symbol of Czech statehood and a Catholic saint. He was born in 907 and was apparently murdered on September 28, 935. There are not sufficiently reliable contemporary sources for a precise reconstruction of the life of Wenceslas. His life can be reconstructed from legends and chronicles, both Czech and the chronicles written in the neighboring countries.
Wenceslas was the grandson of Princess Ludmila and the first historically documented Bohemian prince Bořivoj I. Wenceslas was raised by his grandmother, Saint Ludmila. According to tradition, he received at that time an unusually extensive education for rulers, which apparently consisted in the study of Latin and Slavonic books.
After the death of the father of Wenceslas, the regency government was taken charge of by Wenceslas’s mother, Drahomíra. Wenceslas, along with his younger brother Boleslav, remained in the care of his grandmother. Between the two women, Drahomíra and Ludmila, and their supporters, a power struggle arose in the principality, which ended in the murder of Ludmila.
Legends depict Wenceslas’s mother as a champion of paganism, against which stood the champion of Christianity, Ludmila, whose role as the protector of the faith was later taken up by Wenceslas. He sat on the princely throne somewhere between 921 and 925. At that time, the Czech principality only consisted of central Bohemia around Prague, Stará Boleslav, and Mělník.
Wenceslas is depicted by legend as almost like a monk on the throne – a virtuous ruler who bought slaves, destroyed the pagan temples and at the current Prague Castle, even grew grapes for the production of sacramental wine.
But it is certain that at Prague Castle, he founded the Rotunda of St. Vitus, which became the basis for today’s Cathedral of St. Vitus. However, a power struggle eventually resulted in fratricide. In 935, Wenceslas was murdered by his younger brother Boleslav at the entrance to the church in his royal city – today’s Stará Boleslav.
Events
There are two special seasonal markets for the holiday, at Wenceslas Square and náměstí Republiky, both running until Oct. 9. The markets will offer beer, wine, mead, and food plus some souvenirs. Náměstí Republiky will also welcome people with a cultural program. A big celebration planned for Wenceslas Square on Sept. 28 has been canceled due to security reasons, as a protest is scheduled to take place on the square.
There are some other options to celebrate. Many pubs and breweries are participating in the Days of Czech Beer, an event designed to coincide with the St. Wenceslas holiday that lasts until the end of the month. A map listing participating pubs, many of which are in Prague, can be found on the event’s website.
There are several ways to celebrate the holiday with something more cultural in Prague, where several buildings are open for visits. The government is opening up its office (Strakova akademie) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last tour starting at 4 p.m. You will be able to see historical spaces as well as working areas.
The Ministry of Culture is welcoming people to its main building, Nostický palác in Malá Strana, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. People can expect tours and a cultural program showcasing the many areas where the ministry is active. The building has several paintings by old masters and a library of rare books.
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Prague will host a unique cultural event this September with the premiere of “Splendid Taiwan” by the Formosa Melody Music Center.
The performance will take place on September 28, 2024, at the Large Performance Hall of the Prague City Library, from 16:00 to 18:00.
About the Formosa Melody Music Center
Founded in 1986 in Yilan County, Taiwan, the Formosa Melody Music Center is a celebrated performing arts group known for its innovative approach to music and storytelling.
Over the years, the ensemble has brought its captivating performances to diverse venues, including mountains, beaches, temples, schools, hospitals, and concert halls, spreading comfort and joy to audiences far and wide.
The group specializes in creating multisensory experiences that blend music with visual and cultural elements, offering audiences a unique taste of Taiwan.
Through their performances, they showcase the country’s rich local customs and heritage, from the breathtaking scenery of Alishan to the Hakka culture in “In Love with Tung Blossoms,” and from the simple lifestyle depicted in “Beautiful Lanyang” to the myths and legends in “Blessed Earth” and “The Legend of the Orient.”
Their repertoire also includes “Celebration over the Seas,” a tribute to the hardworking and resilient spirit of the Taiwanese people. These performances have garnered international acclaim, offering unforgettable experiences that leave a lasting impression on audiences worldwide.
Tickets are available here
