The Czech Republic ranks last in the European Union in terms of women working in science, according to a recent report from the National Contact Center – Gender and Science, part of the Czech Academy of Sciences.

The study highlights a concerning trend: despite overall growth in the research sector, the share of women in scientific fields has declined over the years.

The monitoring report analyzed data from 2005 to 2022, revealing that the Czech Republic has failed to leverage the potential of qualified women in science fully.

Over this period, the total number of individuals employed in research and development doubled, yet the proportion of women dropped slightly. By 2022, women accounted for just 28.7% of scientific roles, the lowest percentage in the EU.

Higher Education Trends Favor Women, but Leadership Lags Behind

Women dominate undergraduate and master’s degree programs in the Czech Republic, and their numbers among doctoral students are gradually increasing.

However, this progress is not reflected in senior roles within academic institutions. As Dr. Maříková-Kubková points out, her own institution lacks women in top-level management.

This imbalance extends beyond leadership. Women are frequently employed in administrative positions, while leadership roles are predominantly occupied by men.

Motherhood as a Career Obstacle

Motherhood is another significant barrier to career advancement for women in science. Barbora Pafčo, a scientist at the Institute of Vertebrate Biology, highlighted the difficulty women face when returning to the rapidly evolving scientific field after maternity leave. This disruption often hinders their ability to keep pace with advancements and limits their professional growth.

EU Comparisons Highlight the Gap

Across the European Union, women make up 52% of the workforce in science and research. Lithuania tops the list with 64% female representation.

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The Czech lower house of parliament approved changes in rules for state aid to solar power plants on Wednesday that may reduce support for some projects, drawing criticism from industry representatives who said they violated government commitments.

The bill, which still needs approval by the upper house, requires power plants built in 2009-2010 – when profits were high – to produce annual profitability calculations that will be used to judge if they should get state aid.

It also extends the scope of the calculation to the full lifetime of a plant rather than just the period in which state support is granted.

Lawmakers did not approve some of the most controversial proposals, which would cut the allowed return on investment of solar plants, or halt aid paid for electricity produced at times when surplus production cuts market prices below zero.

The government, which faces a parliamentary election next year, has said it needs to limit state aid to shore up the budget.

Industry representatives said the bill was damaging.

“It is absurd that the government is trying to fill holes in the budget by violating commitments to investors, Czech and European law,” Jan Krcmar, head of the industry group Solar Association said in a statement.

He said the state risked causing an “unprecedented shock for banks” which finance solar projects and that three foreign investors, whom he did not name, were planning an appeal.

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The Powder Gate in Prague has completed the initial phase of its revitalization project.

This stage included a detailed assessment of the tower’s outer facade, enabling restorers to gather critical data about the structure and its architectural elements.

These findings will serve as the foundation for a comprehensive renovation plan. The first phase also included cleaning the tower’s exterior, with the total cost amounting to CZK 5 million.

The follow-up project documentation for the full restoration will begin next year after all survey results are analyzed, with completion of these findings expected by April 2024.

“In December, we will remove all scaffolding from the Powder Gate, which was in place for less than five months,” said Petr Kotalík, head of the Monuments Administration at Prague City Tourism.

“This allowed us to examine the condition of sculptural details thoroughly, especially after cleaning away surface dirt.” Kotalík added that in addition to basic cleaning with a steam generator, advanced methods such as chemical, mechanical, and laser cleaning were tested.

“During our survey, we specifically looked for traces of original polychromy, or colored decoration,” explained Tomáš Rafl, the project’s lead restorer.

“The assumption that the Powder Gate never featured colored decoration was confirmed. By examining the tower’s shell, we acquired essential information from both historical and structural perspectives. Based on our tests, we will select the optimal technological methods for the next phase of repairs.”

The Powder Gate, built in 1475, is among the most iconic examples of late Gothic architecture in Prague. It marks the entrance to the Royal Route, which leads to Prague Castle.

Standing 44 meters high, the tower’s observation deck offers stunning views of Prague’s city center, attracting thousands of visitors each year. In 2024 alone, the Powder Gate welcomed nearly 70,000 domestic and international tourists.

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L. Frank Baum’s “The Marvelous Land of Oz” will be performed as a stage adaptation in Prague on December 20, 2024 at Divadlo D21.

Organized by the theatre group The Mad and Merry Men, the production is a charity event aiming to support victims of the recent floods across the Czech Republic.

Instead of going with the famous first book, this adaptation brings Baum’s second volume in the Oz series to life:

The story follows Tip, a boy fleeing from the witch Mombi, who joins forces with excentric characters like Jack Pumpkinhead, the Scarecrow or the strange professor Woggle Bug – who, just as his name says, is a giant Insect.

Together, they journey to the Emerald City, encountering themes of identity and transformation along the way, making it a timeless story that resonates with audiences of all ages.

„Tip is a peculiar creature of remarkable eagerness and presence of mind, ready to cause mischief for his own amusement”, says actress Rozálie Andělová. „He is relatable, good-natured and well-intending, an embodiment of idealism – something our world is in need of, now more than ever.”

Baum wrote The Marvelous Land of Oz as part of a 14-book series set in the world of Oz, which has inspired countless adaptations in literature, film, and theatre, though many Czech families are unfamiliar with the tales; a thing the Group wants to change.

The Mad and Merry Men, who last performed the baroque spectacle ‘Baron Münchhausen between the Stars’ with a chamber orchestra and opera singers on Vyšehrad in summer, have created a version of the story that remains faithful to Baum’s original while adding their own theatrical flair in their first children’s theatre play: The colourful costumes, hand-painted backdrops and exuberant play all follow the question: ‘How would children imagine this fantasy land?’

Tickets are priced from CZK 250 for Children and CZK 400 for their grown-ups.

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Legendary guitar icons Joe Satriani and Steve Vai have teamed up for the first time in their nearly 50-year musical career to form the SATCHVAI Band, which will visit Prague’s Forum Karlín on July 20, 2025.

The duo, along with each of their respective bands, initially joined forces for their first-ever tour together, outside of the G3 format, this past spring (2024) across select U.S. cities and decided it was finally time to form a band together and bring that winning formula to the live stage, beginning in Europe.

Celebrating nearly five decades of musical friendship, Joe Satriani and Steve Vai made their first musical collaboration debut in March 2024.

“The Sea of Emotion, Pt. 1” showcases the unmatched synergy between these two legendary guitarists as they seamlessly trade solo sections throughout the nearly six-minute opus. Their second collaboration is set to be released just before the European tour, adding even more anticipation for this epic run.

About Joe Satriani

For over three decades, the guitar virtuoso has traveled the world, playing to sold-out crowds as both a headliner and as founder of the all-star “G3” guitar extravaganza. Satriani’s studio and live recordings have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide to date, and of his many solo albums, two have gone platinum and four others went gold, with 15 Grammy nominations between them. Satriani released his 19th studio album, The Elephants of Mars, in April 2022.

About Steve Vai

Steve Vai is a virtuoso guitarist, composer, and producer, considered by many as one of the greatest guitarists of all time. In over 45 years in the industry, Vai has sold over 15 million records, received three Grammy Awards, and recorded with music legends like Frank Zappa, David Lee Roth, Whitesnake, and many more. In the recent past, he has traveled the globe supporting his most recent studio album Inviolate, staging performances in 51 countries across the globe.

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As of late November 2024, 154,500 Ukrainian citizens with temporary protection visas were officially employed in the Czech Republic.

An additional 15,990 refugees were registered with the Labor Office, actively seeking employment. They represent 5.5% of all job seekers registered in the country, regardless of nationality.

The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs released these figures on Monday, December 9.

The highest numbers of employed Ukrainian refugees are concentrated in Prague (27,660 people), the Central Bohemia region (27,479), and the Pilsen region (20,478). Many are working in sectors such as assembly line production, construction, manufacturing, and transportation.

A significant proportion of these workers are women—62%, or 95,619 individuals, according to the data.

Since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, a total of 62,265 Ukrainians with temporary protection visas have registered as job seekers with the Czech Labor Exchange.

Addressing Workforce Shortages but Not Fully Tapping Potential

The Ministry of Labor notes that while Ukrainian refugees have alleviated staffing shortages in some industries, their full potential remains underutilized, particularly in skilled professions. One of the primary challenges is the language barrier, which limits access to qualified positions.

To tackle this issue, the Czech Labor Exchange offers free Czech language courses.

Since the program’s began, 18,054 Ukrainian refugees have enrolled, with 13,681 completing their training.

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The much-anticipated arrival of the American fast-food chain Five Guys in Prague has been marked by repeated delays.

Initially, the chain was expected to open its first restaurant in the reconstructed Máj Národní department store earlier this year. The launch was first planned for late spring or early summer, then postponed to November, according to Hospodářské noviny.

Currently, the Máj Národní management aims for an opening by New Year’s Eve. “We aim to open the Five Guys unit by the end of this year,” said Karolina Ötwösová, leasing director of Máj Národní.

However, the timeline remains uncertain. Sources close to the market indicate the opening might be pushed to the first half of next year.

Five Guys itself has not provided any updates. Despite multiple inquiries, the chain’s press department has refrained from commenting on the exact opening date.

A New Player in Prague’s Competitive Fast Food Scene

Known for its signature hamburgers and fries, Five Guys will directly compete with established fast food giants like McDonald’s and Burger King.

Its entry is part of a broader trend of American fast-food brands expanding into the Czech market, Popeyes, a U.S. chain specializing in fried chicken, is planning to open its third store in Andel on December 19, 2024.

The competition appears unfazed by the arrival of Five Guys. “We generally perceive the entry of new players into the Czech market quite positively,” said Filip Vostrý, marketing manager at Burger King.

“Each new player, like Popeyes or possibly Five Guys, raises brand awareness and grows the fast food market overall.”

Vostrý believes the Five Guys opening will attract more customers to the area, benefiting other fast food chains as well. “Some of these customers might ultimately come to us, as we’re on the same playing field,” he added.

More American Chains Eyeing the Czech Market

The wave of American fast food expansions doesn’t stop with Five Guys. Wendy’s, the third-largest hamburger chain in Europe, also announced plans to enter the Czech Republic. Michael Clarke, Wendy’s head of Europe, described the Czech market as a strategic step for their European expansion. “The Czech Republic is an ideal base thanks to its strong market, rich fast food tradition, and excellent geographical location,” Clarke said.

Via: Penize.cz

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Roman Staněk, a rising star in Czech motorsport, has secured his place in Formula 2 for the upcoming season, joining the prestigious Invicta Racing team.

Often seen as a gateway to Formula 1, Formula 2 is a proving ground for the world’s top young drivers. Staněk will be teaming up with this year’s Formula 3 champion, Leonardo Fornaroli, as they aim for success in 2025.

“I’m thrilled to join Invicta Racing for the 2025 season,” Staněk shared. “The team delivered outstanding results this year and is one of the most sought-after names in the paddock. This brings a level of pressure for both me and Leonardo, but I believe we’re ready to meet this challenge head-on. I can’t wait to see what the new season holds.”

Staněk moves to Invicta Racing after a stint with Trident. His new team is known for developing drivers for Formula 1, with Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto clinching the F2 championship with Invicta this year.

 

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Invicta Racing team principal Andy Roche expressed his confidence in Staněk’s potential: “We’re delighted to have Roman join us for 2025. His previous experience in Formula 2 and other series will bring great value to the team. His partnership with Leonardo looks promising, and their combined strengths will help drive Invicta forward.”

The F2 calendar kicks off with a double-header on March 15–16 at Albert Park in Melbourne, Australia.

As Staněk steps into this new chapter, all eyes will be on him to see if he can continue his journey toward Formula 1.

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Award-winning comedian, actor, writer, and director Ricky Gervais has announced additional European dates for his brand-new stand-up show Mortality in 2025.

He will perform in Prague on October 4, 2025, at O2 arena.

Tickets will go on sale through Ticketmaster and Ticketportal starting December 13 at 10:00. Pre-sale access for Live Nation Club and O2 customers begins on December 11 at 10:00, with ticket prices starting at 1,790 CZK.

A Record-Breaking Comedian

Gervais’s latest stand-up special, Armageddon, not only won a Golden Globe but also became the highest-grossing comedy show of all time, topping Netflix charts globally. Following this success, Mortality will also be filmed for Netflix, further solidifying Gervais’s reputation as one of the most influential figures in modern comedy.

Discussing his new show, Gervais remarked, “We’re all gonna die. May as well have a laugh about it. Mortality looks at the absurdities of life. And death. Bring it on.”

With over 80 work-in-progress shows under his belt this year alone, Gervais is set to deliver another unforgettable tour.

As with his previous tours, a portion of proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to charity. During his Armageddon tour in 2023, Gervais donated £1.91 million to animal charities worldwide.

A Legacy of Laughter

Ricky Gervais is widely considered one of Britain’s most influential comedians, receiving the Charlie Chaplin Britannia Award for Excellence in Comedy in 2016. His groundbreaking work includes creating and starring in The Office, Extras, Derek, and the critically acclaimed Netflix series After Life.

Following the success of his Netflix stand-up specials Humanity and Supernature, Gervais reached new heights with Armageddon in 2023. The special became Netflix’s most-watched show globally and set a Guinness World Record for the highest-grossing comedy gig ever with a sold-out performance at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

Gervais has won countless accolades over his career and hosted the Golden Globes five times.

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A new study has ranked Italy’s Trenitalia as Europe’s best rail operator, with Eurostar coming in last. Germany’s Deutsche Bahn came last for reliability.

Italy’s Trenitalia claimed the top spot in a ranking of rail operators in Europe, according to a new study released on Monday.

The ranking was published by the European NGO Transport & Environment (T&E).

Trenitalia was followed by Swiss operator SBB and Czech company RegioJet. Austria’s ÖBB came in fourth, ahead of France’s SCNF.

“Trenitalia stands out for its travel experience, SBB is the most punctual operator in Europe and RegioJet has some of the most affordable tickets,” T&E said in the report.

Eurostar performs the worst

On the other hand, expensive and unreliable service put Eurostar, which links France, Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, at the bottom of the T&E ranking.

Eurostar “charge nearly twice the European average price per kilometer” but ranked only 14th on reliability, according to the report.

The study assessed 27 rail operators in Europe based on eight criteria, including ticket prices, reliability and booking experience.

European trains struggle with punctuality

T&E highlighted that all companies could improve their punctuality rates.

“The reliability of major rail operators in Europe remains disappointing. Of the 25 operators with punctuality data, only 11 achieve a rate above 80%,” said the report.

Germany’s Deutsche Bahn, which is notorious for train delays and cancellations, ranked 25th — which is to say last — in reliability and 16th overall. Europe’s largest rail operator also ranks “poorly in pricing.”

“Our analysis shows that ticket prices do not correlate with higher service quality,” T&E concluded.

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The iconic “mevro” tram, registered as number 3098, is making a return to Prague’s public transport network after almost six decades.

The Prague Transport Company (DPP) has completed a thorough restoration of this historic tram and plans to deploy it on historic tram routes 41 and 42.

Originally manufactured in 1948, the “mevro” was introduced to coincide with the All-Sokol Festival and the International Radio Exhibition, events that contributed to its famous nickname.

A Pioneering Design in Prague’s Transport History

The “mevro” tram represents a key chapter in the evolution of public transport in Prague. It was the final model of two-axle motor trams designed for passenger service in the city.

What made the “mevro” groundbreaking were its electrical innovations, such as rail brakes powered by a storage battery and advanced signal circuits. At the time, these features set new safety standards and laid the foundation for the later development of PCC concept trams, whose influence is still visible in today’s iconic T3 models.

Historical Roots and Challenges

The tram’s design drew inspiration from Milan’s Peter Witt cars, which have been in operation since 1928 and still serve passengers in Italy today. However, the “mevro” trams had a relatively short lifespan in Prague’s regular service, operating for just 18 years.

By the 1960s, the introduction of four-axle T3 trams rendered older designs like the “mevro” obsolete. Tram 3098 was retired in 1966 and subsequently converted into a measuring car. Its operation was hampered by technical issues, particularly with Praga-type controllers, which struggled to meet evolving demands.

The Road to Restoration

The restoration of the tram 3098 has been a meticulous process spanning over three years. Following decades of inactivity and storage, DPP decided to reconstruct the tram to resemble its appearance during its first decade of service. The project began in May 2021 at a workshop in Krnov, with final adjustments completed by DPP employees.

The restored tram now incorporates modern features like a pantograph and static converter to ensure compatibility with current transport infrastructure.

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Looking for the perfect date night or a cozy evening out with friends?

Kino Eats at Manifesto Market Anděl offers the ideal blend of great food and classic Christmas movies. This isn’t your standard dinner-and-a-movie setup; it’s an opportunity to indulge in global flavors while immersing yourself in the magic of the holidays.

Love Actually on December 11th, and if you can’t make it they’ll screen it again on December 15th.

Home Alone on December 19th.

And the traditional Czech favorite Pelíšky, on December 22nd.

What’s on the Menu?

Kino Eats isn’t about stale popcorn and soda. Instead, you’ll enjoy dishes like:

• Japanese ramen and curry from Taiko and Gohan
• Kimbab and Dosyrak from Bab rýže
• Tacos and Nachos from Alebrijes
• Brazilian bites and churros from Favela
• Comfort food classics like juicy burgers and crispy fries from Dirty Dog and Faency Fries
• A big plate of pasta from Holy Pasta
• Ukrainian classics from Barva
• Delicious poke bowls from NAPOKE
• For our meat-eaters test out the grill at Flame
• Or if you want to grab something easy try the Gyros from Yaya’s

And of course, don’t forget to pair it with some delicious Czech svařák and beer, or our delicious cocktails from Soot bar.

Seats are limited, so book your spot and enjoy this festive experience.

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