Thursday, May 2, 2024
SCAT Airlines from Kazakhstan is set to introduce a non-stop air service connecting Prague and Astana, starting May 22, 2024.
The flights are scheduled twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, as announced by the Prague airport’s press service.
Tickets are available for purchase now, with the starting price for a one-way flight at 175 euros (approximately 4300 crowns).
The travel duration for this direct route is estimated to be 4 hours and 5 minutes.
The Boeing 737-700 aircraft, accommodating 149 passengers, will operate this convenient air link.
Here are some of the best things to see and do in Astana.
A panoramic tower
With its 360-degree city views, Bayterek Tower, in the centre of Nurzhol Boulevard, is the best place to get your bearings. From the top of this landmark building, the new city unfolds beneath you, with eye-catching architecture at every turn.
A white tower with a golden sphere at its apex, this ensemble symbolises the tree of life where the samruk, a mythical bird of happiness, lays its golden egg. The enclosed, spherical viewing platform, located at a height of 97 metres, marks the year, 1997, when it was decided to move the capital north from Almaty.
On the upper floor of the observation deck you can put your own hand into a bronze handprint of Kazakhstan’s first president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, and make a wish to a background of patriotic music and flashing lights.
Independence Square
If you head east from the tower, in the distance you’ll see Akorda, the white marble presidential palace that is topped with a blue dome, and across the river lies the city’s largest public space, Independence Square.
The square has a soaring column topped with a golden samruk, that mythical bird of happiness. As with Bayterek, the height of the monument is loaded with symbolism: it rises 91 metres into the sky to mark the year when Kazakhstan became independent from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Around Independence Square there’s a Norman Foster-designed glass pyramid, the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, home to a theatre and art gallery, the impressive Hazrat Sultan Mosque, made with more pristine white marble and the futuristic building that houses the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, made from yet more white marble.
The museum tells the story of Kazakhstan from the prehistoric period to the construction of Astana and beyond in a series of themed halls. It features a giant, mechanised golden eagle, a symbol of Kazakhstan’s independence, flying over a huge map of the country.
The ruler’s marquee
Heading west from Bayterek, Khan Shatyr, another Norman Foster building, looms on the horizon at the end of the boulevard. The transparent, tent-like dome of this shopping and entertainment complex is one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.
Khan Shatyr is designed to have a constant temperature all year round, a major plus in a city that has an extreme continental climate, meaning it has scorching summers and frozen winters.
The complex combines designer shopping and leisure activities, with Sky Beach Club the key attraction. Located within the transparent roof, it comes complete with a beach and an indoor pool: who would have thought you could lie on the sand in a landlocked country while the outside temperature nudges minus 30°C?
Walking Astana
Nurzhol Boulevard is a great place to stretch your legs. Walking along the avenue from Bayterek to Khan Shatyr takes you past Astana Opera, a neoclassical theatre that stands out from the surrounding post-modern architecture.
Alongside classics of world opera and ballet, the theatre performs many local works, such as the ballet Karagoz, a tale of doomed love, and Kyz Zhibek, the Kazakh Romeo and Juliet.
The boulevard also has a number of restaurants and cafes. To sample some Kazakh traditional food, head for Saksaul, just off Nurzhol Boulevard, a restaurant that specialises in meat and pasta dishes, including beshbarmak, consisting of meat piled on pasta squares, laghman noodles and manty dumplings.
In 2017, Astana hosted the international Expo exhibition. A whole new suburb was built here. At its heart is a huge glass sphere that is now an interactive museum. The Expo site hosts a lot of concerts in the summer months.
A stroll along the embankment
The embankment of the Yesil, the river that divides Astana, is perfect for an evening stroll. Funky Atyrau Bridge that connects the two halves of the city resembles a fish twisting through the water, with its covered section decorated with thousands of metal scales, bringing to mind the Caspian Sea beluga sturgeon, the fish that produces black caviar.
In summer, pleasure boats ply the Yesil’s waters and there are seasonal beaches where you can take a cooling dip in the river. In the depth of winter the river freezes over and the ice skating season begins. It’s also a popular spot for ice fishing, look out for snugly dressed anglers huddled over holes drilled into the ice.
* POLITICS:
The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will visit Prague on Tuesday 30 April. Von der Leyen ’s visit is part of her election campaign for the European People’s Party and her own bid for a second term in office as President of the European Commission. In Prague she is to meet with representatives of parties running in the elections, especially from TOP 09 and the Christian Democrats which are in the EPP.
* CLIMATE:
Sub degree temperatures continue to cause problems around the country with monitoring stations reporting night time lows of -10 to – 15 degrees Celsius in some parts of the country and fresh snow in the mountain regions. Farmers are concerned about the effects of the cold spell on this year’s harvest with some predicting losses of up to 40 percent.
* WEATHER:
Thursday is expected to be overcast and cloudy with a chance of rain. Daytime temperatures should range between 4 and 10 degrees Celsius.
* TRAVEL:
SCAT Airlines is set to resume flights between the capitals of Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic on the route Astana – Prague from May 22. Flights will be operated twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays on Boeing 737 aircraft, designed for 186-189 passengers.
* POLITICS:
The European Commission has appointed former Czech environment minister Jan Dusík as Deputy Director-General for Climate Action. The main mission of this department is to support the Commission’s efforts to fight climate change both within the EU and internationally. Dusik, who has extensive professional experience in the area of climate action, is now among the highest-ranking Czech officials in the EU.
Prague’s iconic rooftop club, DupleX, has secured its status as a global dance music powerhouse by securing a spot in DJ Mag’s prestigious Top 100 Clubs list for 2024.
This year’s ranking saw a record-breaking number of votes cast from a staggering 229 countries. DupleX rose an impressive 14 places compared to 2023, landing at the 39th position.
The prestigious British magazine DJ Mag describes DupleX as:
“Every night of the week, the world’s most prestigious EDM DJs come and play at DupleX, The Rooftop Club, a luxury nightclub overlooking Wenceslas Square. Steve Aoki, Timmy Trumpet, NERVO, Fedde Le Grand, Vini Vici, Purple Disco Machine and Jay Hardway have been a handful of highlights from the past year, not to mention DupleX’s own high-profile resident DJs, who build lasting connections with these international stars. And 2024 is set to be equally ambitious for this leading superclub, with Tiësto recently headlining Easter weekend.”
DupleX features two fully conditioned floors, five bars, two chill-out rooms with plush sofas (perfect for people watching) a VIP lounge, and a rooftop terrace with amazing views of Old Town Square, Prague Castle and other Prague sights.
The club stays open every week from Monday to Sunday into the wee hours of the morning. After all, it was clearly not a mere coincidence that Mick Jagger celebrated his 60 birthday at DupleX during his visit to Prague!
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To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Czech Republic’s entry into the European Union, the creators of the popular webcomic “Opráski sčeskí historje” decided to have some fun.
They imagined how Czech banknotes might look if the country adopted the euro currency, adding a unique twist.
Instead of the usual European figures and monuments, these banknotes would showcase some of the Czech Republic’s most recognizable cultural icons:
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Forget the stoic faces on traditional euros. Here, the Brno astronomical clock, a beloved local landmark known for its, ahem, “phallic” features, takes center stage.
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Move over, fashionistas! The Czech euro features a man rocking the iconic socks-and-sandals combo, a guaranteed conversation starter.
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No Czech list would be complete without beer, and the euro wouldn’t be an exception. A mug of the country’s favorite beverage would be a refreshing addition to any wallet.
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European banknotes typically feature historical figures, but the Czechs take a different approach. Their euro would be graced by the image of a the Little Mole (Czech: Krtek, Krteček), a series of cartoons as well as the name of their title character, created between 1957 and 2002.
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A new memorial opened on Tuesday in the Czech Republic on the site of a former Nazi concentration camp for Roma, after a communist-era pig farm was removed.
The official opening capped a process that took decades and was made possible after the Czech government agreed to remove the farm.
“It´s very positive news for me that the whole project was completed,” said Jana Horvathova, the director of the Museum of Romani Culture, whose organization is in charge of the memorial.
Roma and human rights activists had long demanded the removal of the farm from Lety, 95 kilometers south of Prague, where some 1,300 Czech Roma were sent between August 1942 and August 1943 during the Nazi occupation of what was then Czechoslovakia in World War II.
At least 335 people died there, according to the latest research, the museum said, while most of the others were taken to the Nazis´ Auschwitz death camp.
“Most of all, we’re here not to forget because to remember the horrors of the past is the best protection against living though them again,” Prime Minister Petr Fiala said at an opening ceremony that he attended together with President Petr Pavel.
The government acquired the farm, which had some 13,000 pigs and was established in the 1970s, in 2018 from a private owner for some 450 million Czech crowns. Previous governments failed to do it, citing a lack of funding.
After an archaeological investigation, the pig farm was demolished in 2022 before work began on the memorial.
The site houses the records of memories of survivors, as well as details from the effort to remove the pig farm, which began after then-President Vaclav Havel unveiled a monument nearby in 1995.
Only about 600 of some 6,500 Roma living on occupied Czechoslovak territory in 1942 are estimated to have survived the war. The current 250,000-strong Roma minority faces widespread prejudice.
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* EURO:
Czech businesses express overall support for adopting the euro, citing benefits like reduced exchange rate risk and transaction costs. A Deloitte survey underscores the positive outlook of Czech companies towards euro integration, anticipating enhanced trade opportunities and increased investor confidence. The government awaits evaluations on joining the eurozone and aims for a decision by next year.
* CLIMATE:
Sub degree temperatures continue to cause problems around the country with monitoring stations reporting night time lows of -10 to – 15 degrees Celsius in some parts of the country and fresh snow in the mountain regions. Farmers are concerned about the effects of the cold spell on this year’s harvest with some predicting losses of up to 40 percent.
* WEATHER:
Wednesday should bring overcast skies and rain or snow showers around the country. Day temperatures should range between 7 and 11 degrees in Bohemia and 2 and 5 degrees in Moravia and Silesia.
* HEALTHCARE:
pending on healthcare in the Czech Republic has increased by 60% over the past five years, exceeding CZK 456.6 billion last year, according to a report from an analytical commission studying the distribution of finances among insurers and healthcare providers in 2025. In relative terms, the amount spent on home care and nursing care in residential social care facilities increased the most, rising by more than 130%.
* POLITICS:
The Czech prosecutor has charged the former head of the Czech presidential office, Vratislav Mynář, with subsidy fraud and damaging the financial interests of the European Union.After more than three years of investigation, an indictment has been issued in the case involving Mynář’s company, Clever Management. Mynář could face prison and fines if found guilty, Czech media Seznam Zprávy reported on Monday.
Prague is embarking on a transformative journey with a comprehensive suite of construction projects that will fundamentally reshape its cityscape and infrastructure.
One of the centerpieces is the new Smíchovské nádraží. The project, started in February 2023, is slated for completion by 2030, with a cost of approximately CZK 12.9 billion shared between the City of Prague and the Railway Administration.
Another significant project on the horizon is the Dvorecký Bridge, aiming to establish a connection between Podolí and Smíchov districts by 2025. The project will include a climbing wall, a skate park, and an amphitheater on the Podolí side. A park adorned with unique and artistic street lighting designed by the renowned Czech artist Kryštof Kintera is also planned for the Smíchov bank of the bridge.
Wenceslas Square is undergoing a multi-phased revitalization process that started with its lower section in 2023 and will progress to its upper portion by 2026. This redevelopment prioritizes enhancing tram connectivity, pedestrian and cyclist accessibility, and overall aesthetics with the addition of new tree rows. The upper section of the project is estimated to cost around CZK 2.1 billion.
Jiřího z Poděbrady Square, a beloved landmark in Prague’s Vinohrady district, is undergoing a restoration that promises to elevate both its charm and functionality. The project, launched in January 2024, is anticipated to be completed in 2027 with an investment of approximately CZK 478 million. Enhancements include the planting of new tree lines and greenery, designed to provide both aesthetic appeal and ecological benefits.
Furthermore, the construction of the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) headquarters in the previously underutilized Prague 8 Town Hall signifies a pivotal step towards establishing Prague as a hub for space exploration and technology. This project, commencing in mid-2024 and expected to conclude by 2025, carries a price tag of approximately CZK 2.5 billion.
Additionally, the Masaryk Railway Station is slated for a significant upgrade to improve its integration and connectivity with the city. This project, started in February 2024, aims to enhance accessibility and modernize the facilities for an estimated cost of CZK 3.4 billion, with a target completion date of 2027.
Finally, the city will witness the construction of the highly anticipated metro D line, connecting ten stations over a 10.6 km route. This project, launched in 2023, targets first-stage completion by autumn 2029, with an investment of CZK 14 billion.
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Prague 1 is grappling with disruptive behavior by tourists, particularly those at bachelor parties.
The district council recently approved a resolution to negotiate with the city municipality regarding a potential ban on outrageous costumes often worn by tourist bachelor or bachelorette (also known as stag or hen) parties.
According to Adam Zábranský, the councillor for property, transparency and legislation, a direct ban is not the most suitable solution. “We understand the frustration with pub crawls and drunken tourists,” Zábranský stated, “but imposing a ban on silly costumes seems excessive.”
The resolution, proposed by Bronislava Sitár Baboráková, chair of the committee against depopulation and for supporting community life, argues that such costumes exceed acceptable social norms and negatively impact residents, especially children and senior citizens.
Prague 1 has long struggled with tourism focused solely on nightlife activities. Tourists are often led on “pub crawls” through the city, with Long Street being a particularly affected area due to its concentration of bars and nightclubs.
Politicians from opposition parties in the Prague 1 district accuse incumbent councilors of “not doing enough” to curb night noise. A few years ago, the Prague 1 management considered limiting the opening hours of businesses in the busiest areas of the center but didn’t reach an agreement.
One resident has had enough
Local residents, like Štěpán Kuchta, have grown increasingly frustrated by the situation. Kuchta recently began a hunger strike to protest the perceived inaction of local authorities.
Prague 1 previously implemented a nighttime ban on non-delivery vehicles in the Old Town area around Dlouhá Street. However, the measure was criticized and subsequently cancelled by the city municipality. The district also proposed limiting business hours in central areas, but this ordinance was not approved.
Negotiations between Prague 1 and the city municipality are underway to find a solution that addresses disruptive tourist behavior while avoiding an outright ban on costumes.
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Brazilian music producer Alok will play in Prague at Duplex on Friday, April 26th.
In less than a month after the performance by the legendary Tiesto, Duplex is bringing another megastar.
Alok has been named the 4th Best DJ in the world, according to the prestigious British magazine DJ Mag Top 100 DJ Poll. He has performed at major festivals around the world, and next week he’ll be playing in Prague.
Alok is breaking new ground with his latest project, The Future is Ancestral, an album that transcends music and is a culmination of over 500 hours of studio work and features collaborations with over 50 indigenous musicians.
With eight unique tracks sung by various communities, the album weaves a narrative of cultural resurgence and innovation. Each song carries a powerful message, urging us to appreciate and preserve the wisdom of our ancestral roots.
The executive production is co-signed by Fernando Garibay, the GRAMMY-award winning and nominated songwriter.
In 2020, Alok founded an institute that supports projects in Brazil, Africa, and India. “The Future is Ancestral” continues this mission by raising awareness about the importance of indigenous people in protecting our planet’s biodiversity.
Furthermore, the album has been recognized by UNESCO as a relevant action for the “International Decade of Indigenous Languages.” You can learn more about the entire The Future Is Ancestral project here.
Alok started his career when he was just 12 years old. He’s worked with many international artists, including Ellie Goulding and Sigala on their hit song “All by Myself,” which included a sample from Depeche Mode’s “Enjoy the Silence.”
He won the International Dance Music Award for “Best Remix” in 2020, and artists like The Rolling Stones, Tove Lo, and Dua Lipa have all requested his remixing skills.
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Turkish and Czech authorities have agreed to construct a park in Prague 6 to mark the 100th anniversary of the friendship and diplomatic relations between the two countries, the municipal council has announced.
“The commencement of diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Czechoslovakia, which we celebrate this year as the centenary, dates back to the early days of the Czechoslovak Republic. Upon a request from Turkish Ambassador Egemen Bağış, a decision-making process reached its final approval. The Czech-Turkish Cooperation Park will be built in Petriny,” the Prague 6 municipality stated in a written statement on April 21.
The foundation of the park will be laid on June 6, the statement said, adding that the approximate cost of the project will be around CZK 750,000, with the Turkish authorities “ready to cover half of the cost through sponsors.”
The park will be equipped with plaques and other structures inscribed with the remarks of modern Türkiye founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.
The municipality mapped the area along the street named “Ankarska” by the inspiring Turkish capital Ankara about 20 years ago, with a study prepared to include the structuring and arrangement of the area as a park within the project.
The municipality has also added some informative elements about Czech-Turkish bilateral cooperation to the project for visitors.
On the benches and panels in the park, there will be information about the founding leaders of the two countries who established diplomatic relations a century ago, Atatürk and Tomas Garrigue Masaryk, as well as their historical quotations.
The project earlier became a topic of discussion as the Turkish Embassy’s bid to install a 3-meter statue of Atatürk in Prague was turned down by local authorities.
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Czechia will again propose restricting the movement of Russian diplomats in the Schengen area, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský (Pirates, Greens) said in response to the arrest of two Russian agents in Germany on suspicion of espionage and planning attacks.
Last week, German federal prosecutors arrested two suspected Russian spies in Bavaria on suspicion of espionage and planning attacks on military targets to undermine support for Ukraine. German diplomacy suspects Russia is recruiting agents to carry out attacks on German soil.
“Russian intelligence threat in Europe is a reality,” Lipavský wrote on X on Saturday.
Responding to Germany summoning the Russian ambassador and telling him that Germany would not allow Russia to bring its terror to the country, Lipavský expressed full support for the German response and said he wanted to raise the issue of Russian agents at the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) in Luxembourg on Monday.
“We must develop new instruments to tackle the Russian spy threat. On Monday at FAC, I will reiterate my proposals to curb Russian spies moving across Schengen. It could be achieved rapidly,” said Lipavský, whose country also has extensive experience with Russian agents who allegedly caused the 2014 ammunition warehouses blast on the Czech territory.
Czechia has already proposed restricting the movement of Russian agents in the EU in the autumn of 2023, and although the Foreign Ministry did not want to comment on the ongoing negotiations on the matter, the Czech proposal is not yet supported by all countries.
In 2022, the European Union decided that Russian diplomats could no longer benefit from the visa facilitation provisions that gave them privileged access to the EU. However, they can still obtain visas and travel through Schengen countries.
Under the Czech proposal, Russian “diplomats” or secret agents under diplomatic cover who come to Europe for a short time would not be allowed to travel to any EU country other than the one for which they have been issued a visa.
The other option is to make biometric passports mandatory for Russian diplomats at the EU level, as these are more difficult to forge.
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The Czech Statistical Office (CZSO) reported that most staple foods monitored in April increased in price compared to March.
The price of apples climbed the most, rising 9.07% to 37.28 crowns per kilogram. Plain wheat flour also saw a significant increase of 7.04%, reaching 21.14 crowns per kilogram.
Year-on-year data from the CZSO shows some items even became more expensive. For instance, potatoes, which cost 21.98 crowns per kilogram in April 2023, rose to 27.42 crowns this year, a hike of 24.75%.
Out of the 13 items tracked by the CZSO, nine saw price increases in April compared to March. A cup of plain yogurt went up by exactly 3% to 10.66 crowns, while a kilogram of frozen edamame beans reached 180.95 crowns. Roast pork increased by 3.22% to 180.42 crowns per kilogram.
Small price bumps of 1-2% were also seen for potatoes, light bottled beer, sugar, and butter. Interestingly, while edam cheese, yogurt, flour, and sugar were more expensive compared to March, their prices actually decreased year-on-year.
On the other hand, eggs became cheaper month-on-month in April, dropping around 5% to 43.62 crowns per dozen.
Their price also decreased significantly year-on-year, by more than a quarter. Sugar prices saw a steeper decline of 18.39% compared to last year, and semi-skimmed milk dropped 14.27% to 23.85 crowns per liter. Only five items on the list increased in price in April compared to the previous year.
Potatoes were followed closely by beer, which became 5% more expensive. Slight price hikes were also observed for roast pork, apples, and butter.
Looking at broader price trends, data from March by the CZSO shows that industrial producer prices remained flat year-on-year. In contrast, agricultural prices fell by 13.2%, construction work prices rose by 1.6%, and business service prices increased by 4.1%.
On a month-on-month basis, agricultural producer prices rose 3.2%, construction work prices rose 0.3%, market service prices rose 0.7%, while industrial producer prices dipped slightly by 0.1%.
Analysts believe this trend suggests consumer inflation is unlikely to pick up again soon. However, they predict it may slow down the pace of decreasing food prices in the coming months.
