Russia launched a mass drone strike on Odessa during a visit to the city by Czech President Petr Pavel on March 20.

“I arrived in Odessa, Ukraine, which has been resisting Russian aggression since the beginning of the war,” Pavel wrote on X.

Deputy Prime Minister for the Restoration of Ukraine Oleksii Kuleba later said that during his meeting with Pavel, Russia launched three groups of Shahed-type drones at the city.

“It was during our meeting that Russia launched three groups of Shahed on the city. The entire civilized world should see Russia’s crimes against Ukraine,” Kuleba wrote.

Three people were injured during the attack, and civilian infrastructure was damaged, Odessa Oblast Governor Oleh Kiper said.

The officials discussed maritime security, post-war reconstruction, and community development. Kuleba highlighted the urgent need for de-mining efforts, also noting that since summer 2023, Russia has fired more than 450 missiles at Ukraine’s port infrastructure.

Kuleba invited Pavel to attend the Conference on the Reconstruction of Ukraine, which is set to take place in Rome this summer.

The attack on Odesa’s infrastructure comes just two days after Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a partial “ceasefire,” pledging to halt strikes on Ukraine’s civilian and energy infrastructure for 30 days.

Odessa, a key Black Sea port with a population of around 1 million, has been a frequent target of Russian drone and missile attacks throughout the full-scale war.

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Uklidme Cesko (“Let’s Clean Up Czechia”) will once again gather thousands of volunteers for its annual clean-up on 29 March.

The grassroots initiative aims to tackle one of the country’s persistent environmental challenges: illegal dumping and littering.

Volunteers from across the country will gather to clean up public spaces, helping to restore the beauty of their surroundings and raise awareness of the importance of environmental conservation.

It is easy for volunteers to get involved. After registering on the website, they can choose a clean-up group from an interactive map based on location or specific interest and, on the designated clean-up day, gather at their chosen clean-up ‘site’ and work together to restore it.

The range of people attending the event is diverse, bringing together people from all walks of life, including schoolchildren, pensioners, professionals, and even local politicians. From environmental activists to everyday citizens, everyone has a role to play.

The event is organized into different categories depending on the participants and the location. Municipal clean-ups are often coordinated by local governments and focus on cleaning up urban areas and their surroundings.

Schools also get involved by organizing their own clean-up events, where students, teachers and staff join forces to address environmental issues in their local communities.

Corporate teams also participate, with companies encouraging their employees to take responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean.

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Ester Ledecka added another trophy to her collection of silverware when she won the parallel giant slalom at the snowboard world championships Thursday.

The three-time Olympic champion, who won bronze in the downhill at the Alpine Skiing Worlds in February, was in a class of her own.

She dominated qualification then easily defeated all of her rivals en route to the final. There, she beat the defending women’s parallel giant slalom champion Tsubaki Miki of Japan.

It was Ledecka’s first snowboard world title in eight years. The versatile Czech athlete already had two golds and a silver from parallel giant slalom races at the snowboarding worlds in 2015 and 2017.

“It’s awesome,” Ledecka said. “I haven’t competed in a world championships since [2017] because it was difficult with timing because of skiing events.”

Aleksandra Krol-Walas of Poland won the bronze medal race over Ladina Caviezel of Switzerland.

Ledecka famously won Olympic gold in skiing’s super-G and snowboarding’s parallel GS at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games and added another gold on her board in 2022 in Beijing.

A scheduling issue at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics — where the parallel GS in snowboarding and the Alpine downhill are both set for Feb. 8 at venues hours apart — could deny her a chance to replicate that achievement from 2018.

Italy’s Roland Fischnaller, 44, won the men’s title by defeating Stefan Baumeister of Germany in the final. Lee Sang-ho won the bronze medal.

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The Czech Republic remains among the world’s 20 happiest countries, outperforming nations like the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Italy.

This ranking comes from the latest World Happiness Report, published in celebration of the International Day of Happiness.

Czechia Holds 20th Place, Ahead of Germany and Poland

According to the annual World Happiness Report, which evaluates life satisfaction across more than 140 countries, Czechia has secured the 20th position.

While this marks a slight drop from previous years, the country still ranks higher than Germany, Poland, and the United Arab Emirates. Slovakia, on the other hand, lags far behind, coming in 50th place.

Experts attribute Czechia’s strong ranking to its stable economy and robust social support systems. However, greater trust in institutions and society could further boost happiness levels.

Nordic Countries Lead the Way, But Surprises Appear

As in previous years, Nordic countries dominate the rankings. Finland has claimed the top spot for the eighth consecutive year, thanks to its strong social safety net, high-quality healthcare, and economic stability. Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden closely follow.

However, some unexpected nations also made it into the top 10. Despite ongoing conflict with Hamas, Israel ranked eighth, while Costa Rica (6th) and Mexico (10th) secured their highest-ever positions.

At the bottom of the list, Afghanistan remains the least happy country, particularly due to extreme hardship faced by women. Sierra Leone and Lebanon also rank among the world’s least happy nations.

Social Connections Play a Key Role in Happiness

Researchers highlight that happiness isn’t just about health and wealth—it’s also deeply linked to social connections.

Factors like sharing meals, having a strong support network, and living in larger households play a major role. The study found that households with four to five people report higher happiness levels, especially in Mexico and Europe.

Conversely, social isolation has increased. In the United States, the number of people eating alone has risen by 53% in the past two decades. Globally, 19% of young adults reported having no one to turn to for support—a 39% increase compared to 2006.

Trust in Others: A Crucial Factor

The study also suggests that belief in the kindness of others directly affects happiness. A key indicator of societal trust is whether people believe a lost wallet will be returned. Nordic countries rank highest in this category—and their residents actually do return lost wallets at a high rate.

Interestingly, most people underestimate how often others act kindly. The data suggests that lost wallets are returned twice as often as people expect—a reminder that societies where people feel cared for tend to be happier.

Western Nations Are Becoming Less Happy

The report also notes a decline in happiness levels across Western countries. Compared to 2005–2010, many industrialized nations are now less happy, a shift linked to political polarization and declining social trust.

“This year’s report challenges us to think beyond traditional measures like income and health,” said Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, director of the Wellbeing Research Centre at Oxford University.

“We now see that factors like sharing meals and trusting others are even stronger predictors of happiness. At a time of rising isolation and division, rebuilding social bonds is critical for individual and collective well-being.”

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One of Prague’s well-known international schools is undergoing a major transformation. Formerly known as Meridian, it has rebranded as Perrott Hill British School Prague, aligning itself with the respected Perrott Hill School in the UK.

But what does this change mean for students and parents? And how will the school position itself in Prague’s competitive international education market?

A Strategic Shift

Executive Headmaster Dr. Craig Wilson explains that the rebrand is more than a name change—it reflects a shift in approach. By joining the Perrott Hill Education group, which includes schools in the UK, Spain, and Lithuania, the Prague campus is moving into a more collaborative and resource-rich environment.

“This move allows us to maintain our high academic standards while benefiting from the support and expertise of a wider educational network,” Dr Wilson says. “It’s about strengthening our curriculum, broadening opportunities for students, and refining the overall experience for families.”

The school follows the National Curriculum of England, with small class sizes—capped at 16 students in Year 1 and 20 from Year 2 onwards—to ensure individual attention for students. With over 500 students from more than 50 nationalities, it remains one of the most diverse international schools in the Czech Republic.

Plans for Growth

Looking ahead, Dr Wilson envisions steady, sustainable development.

“We’re focused on change whichthe school can sustain without losing its strong sense of community,” he says. Some key priorities include:

• Expanding extracurricular activities, particularly in music, robotics, and competitive sports.
  
• Introducing instrumental music lessons, fostering talent and performance opportunities, and making lives easier for parents.
  
• Enhancing secondary education, with a modifiedcurriculum to better support students pursuing A-levels alongside .
  
• Strengthening sports programs, offering more competitive opportunities both locally and internationally.
  
• Upgrading facilities, with particular focus on the Primary and Secondary Schools and spaces for innovation and recreation.
  

While these developments aim to enhance the school, Dr Wilson stresses that its inclusive, family-oriented culture will remain intact. “We want to grow, but not at the expense of what makes us special.”

 

A Strong Foundation in Primary Education

While much of the school’s expansion focuses on secondary students, primary education remains a top priority. Parent feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with 97% of families stating they would recommend the school to others.

“We’re strengthening our English as a Second Language (ESL) support, recognizing that many of our students come from non-English-speaking backgrounds,” Dr Wilson says. “We also plan to expand our library and innovation lab, fostering literacy and creativity from an early age.”

Collaboration Across Schools

Being part of a larger education group opens up new opportunities for both students and staff.

For students, this means the potential for competitions in sports, arts, and public speaking, as well as the chance to participate in summer programs at Perrott Hill UK. Virtual collaborations with other schools in the network will also enhance the learning experience.

For teachers, shared resources and professional development opportunities will help refine teaching methods. “In my experience, schools thrive when they collaborate. Exchanging ideas across campuses strengthens everyone,” Dr Wilson notes.

What Stays the Same

Despite the changes, the school remains committed to being inclusive and welcoming to families from all backgrounds.

“What won’t change is our dedication to every student’s growth,” Dr Wilson says. “We support children with a range of ambitions—whether they’re aspiring to attend Oxford or MIT, or pursuing careers in entrepreneurship, the arts, or vocational fields. Our role is to help them find their path.”

With its new identity as Perrott Hill British School Prague, the institution aims to balance the best of both worlds: a close-knit community feel with the expanded opportunities that come from being part of an international education network.

As Dr Wilson puts it, “Our goal is simple—we want every student to thrive academically, socially, and personally, and to leave here ready for whatever future they choose.”

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The importance of “Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2” cannot be understated.

Set in 15th-century Bohemia, the title is steeped with accurate representations of buildings, towns, and castles from one of Czechia’s most historically significant regions.

When it launched early last month, the game became something of a phenomenon and quickly became one of the most-played single-player games on Steam.

According to Jan Pechač from LucyTours, the company has seen a rise in inquiries about its Kutná Hora tours, a key location in the game known as Kuttenberg.

While bookings haven’t surged yet, Pechač expects a sharp increase as spring and summer approach, when most tourists plan their trips. Interest is not limited to Kutná Hora—other historical sites like Trosky Castle ruins and Malešov Fort are also drawing attention.

Honza Pavelka from Czexperience confirms the trend, noting that the video game has sparked curiosity about Trosky Castle and Kutná Hora. He anticipates even greater demand as the main tourist season begins in April.

They also have partnered with the Kutná Hora municipality to launch an official Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 tour.

Lenka Lamačová from Premiant City Tour says they have updated tour descriptions to include references to the game’s story, while Real Prague Tours has updated information on two tours to highlight the connection to Warhorse Studios’ work.

Beyond tourism, the video game is making waves in Czechia in unexpected ways. One company recently hosted a medieval-themed feast to celebrate the game’s launch, and a local bank has even introduced special-edition virtual debit cards featuring in-game imagery.

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A five-meter-long, 800-kilogram glass skeleton, the largest of its kind in the world, is set to become the centerpiece of Prague’s Máj department store.

Crafted by master glassmakers in Železný Brod, the skeleton consists of 37 designed glass components, including a skull that alone weighs 200 kilograms.

The project, commissioned by the owners of Máj and their architects, took a year to bring from concept to reality. The renowned Lhotský Glass Studio led the effort, using cutting-edge techniques such as 3D modeling, wax molding, and sandstone casting.

“When they asked us if it was possible, we said, ‘Everything is possible,’” said Martina Kulhavá of Lhotský Glass Studio.

The team used a special type of glass called Banas Glass, chosen for its ability to handle large-scale sculpting. Each piece underwent an extensive process of sanding and polishing to achieve a deep blue hue, as requested by the project’s patrons.

Studio founder Zdeněk Lhotský described the process as extremely complex, using ancient casting techniques revived in the 20th century.

The skeleton will be installed in late March, suspended above a bar area using nearly invisible stainless steel cables.

The custom lighting system, developed by Artglass Studio in Jablonec nad Nisou, will enhance the sculpture’s ethereal appearance, making it seem as if it is floating in midair.

For the glassmakers of Železný Brod, this is yet another landmark project. Their past work includes a glass sarcophagus for the Danish royal family, one of the largest glass sculptures ever made at 4.5 tons.

 

 

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The focus is on Pilsner Urquell in four well-known restaurants: U Pinkasů, U Vejvodů, U Glaubiců, and Lokál U Bílé Kuželky.

These pubs are popular not only among tourists but also with local patrons.

While the cost of beer at U Vejvodů and U Glaubiců has remained unchanged since last year, Lokál U Bílé Kuželky—located near the Charles Bridge—has raised its price for a half-liter of draft Pilsner Urquell by five crowns.

Meanwhile, across the Vltava River, the historic U Pinkasů pub has implemented an even sharper increase of seven crowns per pint.

“We now charge 79 CZK for a 0.47-liter glass of Pilsner Urquell. The price was adjusted in May 2024 due to supplier price hikes, rising operational costs, energy expenses, inflation, and wage increases,” explained František Novotný, director of U Pinkasů.

According to restaurant manager Štěpán Bunzák, the price surge is also influenced by changes in VAT.

Where Is the Cheapest Pilsner?

At Lokál U Bílé Kuželky, a half-liter of Pilsner Urquell now costs 69 CZK. However, the most affordable beer among the four monitored establishments can be found at U Glaubiců, where a half-liter still costs 49 CZK—unchanged from last year.

Similarly, U Vejvodů continues to offer Pilsner Urquell for 57.90 CZK.

Will Beer Prices Rise Again?

Many pub owners across the country are now waiting to see if Plzeňský Prazdroj, the brewery behind Pilsner Urquell, will increase prices again in autumn.

Plzeňský Prazdroj last raised its prices in October 2023 but has not introduced any further increases since then—for both bottled and draft beer. However, the brewery clarified that final pricing in restaurants and shops is always determined by individual vendors.

“If beer prices have gone up in some pubs since autumn 2023, it’s not due to Prazdroj increasing prices,” noted brewery spokesperson Zdeněk Kovář.

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Václav Havel Airport Prague is gearing up for a busy summer season in 2025, with an expanded range of destinations and airlines.

From March 30 to October 25, passengers will have access to 165 destinations, served by 75 airlines. Travelers opting to fly with a travel agency are expected to increase by nearly 5 percent compared to last year.

Among the key additions are a direct connection to Toronto with Air Canada, a capacity boost on the Seoul route through Asiana Airlines, and a new direct flight to Abu Dhabi via Etihad Airways.

Additionally, Air Baltic will expand its short-haul services with a new route to Vilnius, restoring the link between Prague and all three Baltic capitals.

European connectivity will also be enhanced with a new Croatia Airlines route to Zagreb.

The summer schedule will see increased frequency and capacity on over 40 regular routes, including popular destinations such as Greece, Italy, and Turkey. On some routes, airlines will deploy larger aircraft, including the iconic Airbus A380 on the Dubai route.

“The summer schedule reflects the growing demand from travelers and the airlines’ capacity to increase flight availability and open new direct connections from Prague. We expect a record 18 million passengers this season. However, delays are still a possibility, and Prague Airport, in partnership with its airline partners, is actively working to minimize any disruptions,” said Jiří Pos, Chairman of the Board of Directors at Prague Airport.

New destinations include Zanzibar, and Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro

Croatia Airlines is strengthening its service to Croatia, offering direct flights not only to Zagreb, but also to Split and Dubrovnik. The airline will also enhance its capacity with larger aircraft and more frequent flights.

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After a year-long hiatus, Prague will once again have a direct air connection to Bordeaux, France.

Low-cost airline easyJet will introduce the new route, with the first flight scheduled for October 27.

The flights will operate twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays, using an Airbus A320 with a capacity of 186 passengers. Prague Airport is promoting the route as a gateway to France’s renowned wine region, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Flights from Bordeaux to Prague will depart on Mondays at 10:50 AM and Fridays at 12:50 PM.

The return flights from Prague to Bordeaux are scheduled for Mondays at 1:40 PM and Fridays at 3:40 PM. Tickets are already available on easyJet’s website, with one-way fares starting at CZK 759.

The last airline to operate this route was Ryanair, which discontinued flights between Prague and Bordeaux in autumn 2023 when it removed Bordeaux from its network.

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Residents and visitors in Prague will have a rare chance to explore the ceremonial halls of Prague Castle—normally closed to the public.

The Office of the President of the Czech Republic, which oversees the castle complex, announced the special event on Tuesday.

The event will take place on Saturday, April 12. Visitors can enter from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (last entry at 5:30 PM) through Matthias Gate (Matyášova brána). No reservations are required.

Guests will be allowed into the state rooms of the New Royal Palace, where the President of the Czech Republic meets foreign dignitaries and hosts high-level events. Access to these rooms is usually restricted—even to paying visitors.

Security Guidelines: To ensure smooth entry, organizers request visitors not to bring large backpacks, suitcases, or baby strollers, as these items will not be allowed inside.

Other Prague Castle Sites Open for Free

In addition to the ceremonial halls, visitors will be able to explore the following sites within the Prague Castle complex, which normally require a paid ticket:

• The Old Royal Palace
• St. George’s Basilica
• Golden Lane with Daliborka Tower
• St. Vitus Cathedral
• Rosenberg Palace
• The New Royal Palace

These locations will also be open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (last entry at 5:30 PM).

 

 

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The renowned Amsterdam-based hotel chain Sir Hotels has officially entered the Czech market, unveiling its first location in Prague on Monday.

The new hotel, situated in a historic building on Náplavní Street near the Dancing House, features 76 designed rooms spread across five floors.

Beyond its accommodation, Sir Prague offers guests an array of amenities, including a bar, a fully equipped gym, and a tower suite designed for guests seeking an exceptional stay.

The hotel also boasts a multifunctional library and a courtyard, enhancing the leisure experience.

A major highlight of the hotel is Seven North, a renowned Vienna-based restaurant making its Czech debut. This dining concept is known for its Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.

“Prague is a city with a soul unlike any other, and we are thrilled to become part of its vibrant hospitality scene,” said Christine Vespermann, CEO of Sir Prague.

The boutique hotel collection, founded in Amsterdam 12 years ago, has already established locations in Berlin and Barcelona, with further expansions planned for London and beyond.

The Prague location is housed in a neo-Renaissance building dating back to 1884, meticulously renovated to preserve its architectural heritage. The hotel’s interior design, created by renowned British designer Linda Boronkay, takes inspiration from Prague’s rich cultural and artistic history.

A Competitive Prague Hotel Market

The opening of Sir Prague is part of a broader wave of developments in the city’s hotel sector. At the end of March, the renovated InterContinental Prague is set to reopen as Fairmont Golden Prague after a four-year, multi-billion-crown renovation.

The R2G investment group, led by Oldřich Šlemr, Pavel Baudiš, and Eduard Kučera, acquired the hotel in 2018 for nearly six billion CZK and has since invested a total of ten billion CZK in its transformation. The revamped Fairmont Golden Prague will offer 320 rooms, apartments, and serviced residences.

Meanwhile, Prague’s luxury hotel market continues to evolve, with several major properties changing ownership.

Last year, the largest hotel in the Czech Republic, the Hilton Prague, was sold to Renáta Kellnerová, the country’s richest woman, for an estimated 300 million euros (7.5 billion CZK).

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