The Museum is situated in the building of Sovovy mlýny. Records of its existence date back as far as 1393 and indeed, flour was milled here for 600 years. The building was acquired by Czech philanthropist Meda Mládková after the Velvet Revolution in 1989 and she transformed it into a modern gallery of Central European art. Have a coffee on the terrace and enjoy the view of the Vltava River, Charles Bridge or the National Theatre.
Saturday, November 30, 2024
The 21st edition of Colours of Ostrava kicks off in the Moravian-Silesian capital on Wednesday.
Colours of Ostrava is a multi-genre international music festival that has been held in the Dolní Vítkovice area since 2012.
As every year, the former site of the steelworks, mines, and ironworks will come alive with a program of over 450 items on 24 open and indoor stages.
Visitors can expect concerts by foreign and domestic performers and bands, discussions, theatres, workshops, and much more.
The music program will welcome the opulent and extravagant show of Sam Smith, who will perform in the Czech Republic for the first time ever.
The lineup also features such names from the music world scene as Tom Morello, Lenny Kravitz, Sean Paul, Zara Larsson, Gary Clark Jr., James Blake, as well as more indie and other genre-diverse music.
As part of the accompanying program, visitors can look forward to theatre performances by Losers Cirque Company, Tribes, Bum Bum Comedy Club, and much more.
Since 2016, the event has taken place concurrently with the international discussion forum Meltingpot.
Among other awards, in 2005 and 2006, Colours won the Musical Event of the Year prize at the Anděl Awards. In 2016, The Guardian ranked it among the top ten music festivals in Europe.
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On Tuesday, July 16, the Prague Zoo announced the birth of a baby Nubian giraffe.
Although the baby girl was born two weeks ago, the zoo waited to share the news due to concerns about her condition. Shortly after birth, it was noticed that her left front leg lacked stability.
Fortunately, walking on a hard surface and her mother’s attentive care helped correct the issue without the need for veterinary intervention. Starting today, visitors can see the newborn giraffe in the African House pavilion at the top of the zoo.
“The year of notable births for both visitors and future breeding is far from over. Gorillas, orangutans, wombats, and pangolins have been joined by a baby giraffe,” said Zoo Director Miroslav Bobek.
Male giraffe Johan mated with female Farah in April last year.
The zoo closely monitored Farah for signs of pregnancy. One year, two months, and twenty-nine days later, Johan’s thirtieth and final offspring was born. This is Farah’s fourth calf.
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Czechia is home to a collection of water bodies, from historic ponds and lakes to scenic quarries, each offering opportunities for swimming, boating, and relaxing.
Machovo Lake
Lake Machová is actually the largest lake in Bohemia, created during the reign of Charles IV. In summer, visitors can swim, fish, ride boats and catamarans, and rent paddleboats. There are also 30-minute sightseeing water excursions available. The shores boast four large sandy beaches, a water park, and an indoor pool for bad weather. In winter, Lake Machová freezes over, transforming into a natural ice rink.
Location: Near the town of Doksy, Liberec region
Lake Konetopi
Lake Konetopi is a flooded sand pit that was opened for swimming relatively recently. It features a grassy and small sandy beach on one side. The water is clean and clear, but vacationers might spot freshwater jellyfish during the season. Note that dogs are not allowed on the beaches.
Location: Between the villages of Konotopy and Drzysy, Central Bohemia region
Lake Lhota
Located 20 km from Prague, Lake Lhota is a large body of water on the site of a former sand pit. Some areas are as deep as 14 meters, but the water heats up well. The lake has well-equipped beaches with all conveniences, including the country’s oldest nudist beach. During the summer, lifeguards are on duty. The site offers parking for 2,500 cars, indicating its popularity.
Visitors can reach Lake Lhota from the Černý Most area toward Brandýs nad Labem. On weekends, a shuttle bus from Prague stops 300 meters from the lake.
Slapy
This lake offers excellent conditions for yachting, windsurfing, and water skiing. Swimming and sunbathing are also popular activities. The coast features numerous campsites and paid sand and grassy beaches connected by hiking trails and bike paths. Popular holiday destinations include Nová Rabyně, Ždáň, Měřín, and both Stará and Nová Živohošť.
Slapy is the sixth largest dam in the Czech Republic, standing 60 meters high and 260 meters long. During summer weekends, the historic steamer “Vltava” and the ship “Cecilia” run between Prague and Slapy.
Location: Near the village of Slapy, 33 km south of Prague
Harasov Baths in the Kokořín Valley
The Harasov Pond, with its grassy shore and two sandy beaches, is nestled among sandstone rocks. Although the water is quite cold, it is always clear with a sandy bottom. The Przowka River flows into the pond.
Location: 12 km from Mělník, Central Bohemia Region
Probošťské Lakes
These lakes are former quarries where gravel was mined. The best spot for swimming is a paid sandy beach in a fenced campsite 1.5 km north of Brandis nad Labem. The lakes also host music and cultural events and are popular with windsurfers.
Location: Near Brandýs nad Labem-Stara Boleslav, Central Bohemia Region
Hřímeždice Quarry
Once used for army diver training, this flooded granite pit is now an attraction for extreme sports enthusiasts who dive from heights of 10 meters. Others can enjoy swimming, playing beach volleyball, or sunbathing on the breakwater. Dogs are not allowed.
Location: Near Příbram, Central Bohemia Region
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Legendary American singer-songwriter, pop music icon, and Nobel Prize winner for literature Bob Dylan is coming to the Czech Republic again.
As part of his fall tour, he will perform at the O2 Universum in Prague for three consecutive evenings on October 4th, 5th, and 6th.
He will start his European tour in Prague; after that, he will head to Germany, France, Luxembourg, and the United Kingdom.
Tickets for the European concerts will be on sale from July 19. In Germany, Dylan will perform in Erfurt, Berlin (three times), Nuremberg, Frankfurt (three times), Stuttgart, and Saarbrücken.
These performances are part of his “Rough & Rowdy Ways Tour”, named after his last studio album from 2020. Dylan last performed in Prague in April 2019, also for three nights, with chamber-tuned concerts hosted by Prague’s Lucerna.
Dylan first performed in Prague on July 16, 1994, at a packed hockey hall at the Prague Exhibition Centre, attracting ten thousand listeners. He returned in March 1995 to start his next tour with three concerts at the Congress Center.
Born on May 24, 1941, Bob Dylan is one of the most influential cultural figures, whose impact has transcended the boundaries of music. Over his 60-year career, he has written over 600 songs and sold over 125 million records worldwide.
He is also a respected writer, being the first rock musician to win the Pulitzer Prize, and in 2016, he received the Nobel Prize for Literature.
This makes him one of only nine creators to hold both prestigious awards, joining the ranks of Ernest Hemingway, John Steinbeck, and William Faulkner.
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The Czech and Ukrainian governments will hold a joint meeting in Prague on Tuesday, focusing on cooperation in defense, energy, and migration.
The Government Office announced this on Monday. Discussions will also cover the potential involvement of Czech companies in the reconstruction of war-torn Ukraine.
The two cabinets last met in Kyiv in October 2022, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in attendance. The topics of that meeting were similar, emphasizing Ukraine’s ambitions to join the European Union.
The upcoming consultations will be led by Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
Key Czech officials attending the meeting include Interior Minister Vít Rakušan, Regional Development Minister Ivan Bartoš, Health Minister Vlastimil Válek, Defense Minister Jana Černochová, Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský, Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Síkela, Transport Minister Martin Kupka, Education Minister Mikuláš Bek, Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný, and Science, Research and Innovation Minister Marek Ženíšek.
On Wednesday, the Czech cabinet will hold its regular meeting.
The Czech government also holds joint meetings with the Polish cabinet.
However, the traditional meeting with the Slovak government has been temporarily suspended due to differing views on foreign policy issues, including their stance on aid to Ukraine.
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According to reports, interest in moving abroad spiked after the recent presidential debate. So what are the best places to live in the world?
Ask the expats—they offer a unique perspective on living in foreign countries, making their feedback invaluable.
This year marks the 11th edition of the Expat Insider report by InterNations, which is one of the most comprehensive studies on expat life, gathering responses from over 12,500 expats representing 175 nationalities in 174 countries or territories.
The report ranks the best countries to live by analyzing factors such as Quality of Life, Ease of Settling In, Working Abroad, Personal Finance and the Expat Essentials Index (which covers housing, administration, language and digital life).
This year, Panama has climbed to the top—an impressive leap from its third-place ranking last year—knocking Mexico to the second spot. Compare these results to 2023 and 2022, when Mexico ranked number one.
Unfriendly Czechs, But Transport is Top-Notch
The Czech Republic has ranked surprisingly low, falling from 21st place last year to 39th this year in the Expat Insider Index.
Survey respondents primarily blame the unfriendliness of the locals. Expats report not feeling welcome and find it hard to make friends among Czechs. In terms of how friendly locals are to expats, the Czech Republic ranked 51st, near the bottom.
The situation has worsened compared to last year. Expats also rate the general friendliness of locals towards foreigners poorly. They say living in the Czech Republic is tough without knowing Czech, ranking language availability 52nd. Czech is seen as a very challenging language to learn. Healthcare and food options also receive relatively poor ratings.
However, not everything is negative. In some areas, the Czech Republic shines. Expats highly praise the availability of public transport and the quality of road infrastructure. They are also relatively satisfied with their jobs and value the security of local employment.
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Besides hosting major music and film festivals, Czechia is set to welcome some of the big names on the music scene this summer.
As always, music lovers of all genres will be heading to the Colours of Ostrava festival (17 -20 July 2024) at Dolní Vítkovice in the city of Ostrava, the industrial heartland of Czechia’s eastern region.
Colours of Ostrava will feature Sam Smith, five-time Grammy winner, as well as Lenny Kravitz, who will also be playing songs from his new album Blue Electric Light.
Hradec Králové, a city renowned for its culture and entertainment, will host the ladies’ favourite, Ed Sheeran. In response to the great interest shown by fans, he’ll be performing twice in Park 360 in Hradec Králové, on 27 and 28 July 2024.
The rap event of the year will be a performance by hip-hop icon Travis Scott at the O2 Arena in Prague on 18 July 2024.
The American star will be appearing as part of his UTOPIA – Circus Maximus Tour 2023. In Prague, visitors have a wealth of ways to spend their leisure time, from strolling through the historical centre with the iconic Charles Bridge or visiting Prague Castle to relaxing on the romantic waterfront by the Vltava River or tasting local specialties, including the famous golden nectar.
Classic rock lovers are already eagerly anticipating the concert by the German band Scorpions.
They’ll appear at the Enteria arena in Pardubice, the city of delicious gingerbread and the legendary Grand Pardubice Steeplechase. Their Love at First Sting Tour marks the 40th anniversary of the album of the same name.
One of the most influential bands ever, without whom we wouldn’t have the music of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Radiohead or The Strokes, returns to Prague’s Forum Karlín. The Pixies will be rocking the place out on 10 August 2024.
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A team led by the management of the National Museum (NM) in Prague is developing a concept for a multimedia museum dedicated to world cultures, named Museum of the World – Museum Mundi.
This innovative museum could be built above the roofed tracks of the main station. Investors had previously announced that a public building would be constructed there.
If all goes well, construction could commence within seven years, according to Michal Lukeš, the director general of the National Museum in Prague.
“There hasn’t been a new museum building in Prague since the National Technical Museum. If we want a quality museum with innovative presentations, we can’t use existing premises,” said Lukeš.
“We aim to showcase common human experiences such as birth, upbringing, relationships, home, business, medicine, law, government, conflict, and funerals. This will highlight both unity and diversity. Our slogan will be ‘Unity in Diversity.’ We are searching for a novel way to present human civilization,” he added.
Currently, the collections of world cultures are housed in the Náprstek Museum of Asian, African, and American Cultures, but this space is inadequate for NM’s future plans and is undergoing renovation.
“We concluded that it’s not feasible to house the Museum of the World in its current location due to visitor limits and space constraints. The Czech Republic deserves a new building for these collections,” said Lukeš.
“We support the idea of a new building for the National Museum. The space above the Vinohrady tunnels is ideal due to its proximity to the Museum Oasis. It will not only be a museum but also an educational hub for the young generation,” said Petr Hlaváček, Prague’s deputy for territorial and strategic development.
“This location is perfect for our planned Museum of the World. It will expand the National Museum’s capacity, which sometimes struggles with visitor numbers. The Museum of the World could host lectures, film screenings, and more. We envision a complex with themes of nature, history, and world cultures connected to the main railway station and the metro,” said Lukeš.
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Czech politicians have strongly condemned the assassination attempt on US presidential candidate Donald Trump.
Andrej Babiš, the former Czech presidential candidate and head of the ANO movement, called the act “crazy” on the social network X on Sunday.
Trump was shot in the upper part of his right ear by a 20-year-old during a rally at an amusement park in Butler, Pennsylvania.
One spectator was killed and two critically injured in the shooting.
“Crazy, every normal person has to condemn this,” former Prime Minister Babiš commented on X.
Pokus o atentát na @realDonaldTrump. Šílené, každý normální člověk to musí odsoudit. Přeju mu rychlé uzdravení.
— Andrej Babiš (@AndrejBabis) July 14, 2024
Current Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS) also condemned the attack and wished Trump a speedy recovery. “Politics should be a battle of opinions, violence must have no place in it. I strongly condemn the attack on Donald Trump and wish him a speedy recovery,” Fiala said on X.
Politika má být soubojem názorů, násilí v ní nesmí mít místo. Důrazně odsuzuji útok na Donalda Trumpa a přeji mu brzké uzdravení.
— Petr Fiala (@P_Fiala) July 14, 2024
Czech Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Vít Rakušan (STAN) echoed these sentiments, stating that violence does not belong in politics. He “unequivocally” condemned the attack on Trump, who is running for president again.
Násilí do politiky nepatří. V žádné podobě, nikde na světě. Jednoznačně odsuzuji útok na D. Trumpa.
— Vít Rakušan (@Vit_Rakusan) July 14, 2024
House Speaker Markéta Pekarová Adamová reminded the public that an innocent spectator died during the attack. “I strongly condemn the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, in which an innocent person tragically died. Such an act has no place in a civilised society and is an attack on democracy, where opinions and attitudes are expressed through elections and debate, not violence,” Adamová wrote on X.
Ostře odsuzuji pokus o atentát na bývalého 🇺🇸 prezidenta Donalda Trumpa, při němž tragicky zemřel nevinný člověk.
Takový čin nemá v civilizované společnosti místo a je útokem na podstatu demokracie, kde se názory a postoje vyjadřují ve volbách a diskusí, nikoliv násilím.
— Markéta Pekarová Adamová (@market_a) July 14, 2024
According to the FBI, the perpetrator was 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks from Pennsylvania. The Washington Post reported that he was a member of the Republican Party, but his motives are still unknown.
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Barbora Krejcikova secures the second major singles title of her career and becomes a Wimbledon champion for the very first time!
The 28-year-old Czech and No. 31 seed became the eighth different woman to win Wimbledon in the last eight years when she beat No. 7 Jasmine Paolini, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4, in the ladies final.
It was the second major singles title for Krejčíková, who also won Roland Garros in 2021. She has been primarily a doubles specialist in her career and owns 10 Grand Slam titles in women’s and mixed doubles. She is now 12-3 in all Grand Slam finals.
The winner gets £2.7 million, or just over $3.4 million, while the runner-up receives £1.4 million, or close to $1.8 million.
After getting an early break in the first game, Krejčíková earned a second for 4-1 when Paolini netted a two-hand backhand.
Krejčíková took the first set in 35 minutes, capturing it with a forehand winner that Paolini returned into the net. She only missed two first serves in the set.
13 – Barbora Krejcikova is the fourth player in the Open Era, with 13+ Women’s Singles Major appearances between their first two Major titles after Mary Pierce (20), Arantxa Sanchez Vicario (19) and Svetlana Kuznetsova (18). Pause.#WIMBLEDON | @Wimbledon @WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/jpbAr49gbM
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) July 13, 2024
With the crowd rooting the Italian on, Paolini became more assertive to start the second set and broke for a 2-0 lead when Krejčíková netted a backhand on double-break point.
Paolini broke to take the second set when Krejčíková hit a forehand wide on break point.
But Krejčíková righted the ship in the third and broke Paolini for 4-3 when the Italian double-faulted.
Serving on her third championship point, Krejčíková banged a service winner to become Wimbledon champion.
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Residents and visitors of Prague can enjoy a special week-long discount at several museums and galleries in the city center.
From July 15 to July 21, these cultural institutions will offer a 20% discount on admission as part of the “Cultural Mile” initiative by the city’s authorities.
The project’s aim is to elevate the prestige of fine art in Prague and attract more visitors to its art institutions. This initiative provides a perfect opportunity to explore Prague’s rich cultural heritage at a reduced cost.
Participating museums and galleries include:
One of Prague’s masterpieces of Baroque architecture and a superb example of Baroque living and the aristocratic lifestyle of the time. Ludwig van Beethoven and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart both performed here, for instance.
The building is a work of art in its own right. It was financed by Czech patrons and industrialists and its lavish embellishments showcase the best that arts and crafts in the Czech lands of the 19th century had to offer. You will be endlessly amazed, as are we Prague residents. By the way, the museum building offers a beautiful view of one of the oldest Jewish cemeteries in the world.
Prague City Gallery (2nd floor in the city library)
The architecture, highly functional and modern for its time, houses one of the most beautiful exhibition spaces in Prague, featuring extensive halls and rows of cabinets. Two to three times a year, it hosts the most prestigious exhibition projects of the metropolitan gallery put together by its curators. It is accessible both through the foyer of the Municipal Library and from Valentinská Street, where it is marked by a portal designed by architect Vlado Milunić in 1996.
The Rudolfinum Gallery focuses primarily on presenting contemporary art, both foreign and Czech. The sumptuous architectural design of the gallery’s exhibition halls is complemented by the Artpark educational centre, whose agenda follows up the ongoing exhibitions with the aim of bringing contemporary art closer to children, adolescents and adults alike.
The latest phenomenon on the cultural map of Prague. This stunning industrial space was created through the reconstruction of a former transformer station. Be sure to visit its café, which offers an unconventional view of Prague Castle and the Petřín Lookout Tower. The café also includes a unique cabinet of electrical curios created for Kunsthalle by American artist Mark Dion.
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On September 22, as part of World Rivers Day, the Vltava River and its surroundings will host the first annual multi-genre festival “Know the Vltava,” the largest of its kind in Europe.
Spanning from the Podolská waterworks to the Old Wastewater Treatment Plant in Bubeneč, the event will feature tours, artistic performances, workshops, and special programs for children along the embankment.
This event will bring together over three dozen participants, showcasing the river’s significance in various contexts—from its crucial role in the city’s infrastructure and environmental impact to its cultural and sporting influences.
Currently, 35 companies, organizations, and cultural institutions are involved in the preparations, with more than eighty activities planned.
Organized by the municipal organization Kreativní Praha, in cooperation with the Prague Institute of Planning and Development (IPR Prague), the festival will offer most activities free of charge.
The central theme of the festival is education about the river and its conservation. Visitors will have the chance to explore normally inaccessible areas, such as the recently revealed supply tunnel system of the historic National Theater, leading from the golden chapel to the Vltava River, and the Old Wastewater Treatment Plant in Bubeneč.
The century-old lock in Smíchov will also be open for detailed guided tours of the Vltava Basin. The program includes guided tours of permanent and current exhibitions at the Prague Waterworks Museum in Podolská vodárna, CAMP, and Rudolfinum, along with guided walks focusing on the history of Prague’s bridges.
Children can enjoy art workshops at the Rudolfinum Gallery and Troja Castle, while the Forman Brothers Theater will present a special performance of “The Greek” for the youngest attendees.
Visitors can ride sailboats, explore historic steamboats, view cleaning trucks from Prague Services, and watch demonstrations by the integrated rescue system. Festival boat transport between Holešovice and Bubeneč will be free of charge.
All important information, including the program and a map of the festival locations, can be found on the website and on the event’s Facebook page.
