Almost 70 men, women, and children have taken part in an extraordinary “wild swim” down the River Elbe in Kolin, 80 km from Prague, in an initiative sparked by a UK Channel swimmer, and the daughter of a Holocaust survivor. The Hana Greenfield Memorial Swim was held to commemorate the life and times of one of the few survivors of the Nazi deportation of the 500 Jews of Kolin. Greenfield swam regularly in the Elbe in the 1930s before being deported to Terezin and then to Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen. After liberation, she moved to Britain then Israel, becoming a noted author, journalist, and educator. She helped to keep the memory of Kolin’s Jews alive, instituting an annual prize for school students to write about the town’s Jewish heritage. It took place on Sunday, August 26. The date coincided with the birthdate of legendary Kolin rabbi Dr Richard Feder, who conducted Christian as well as Jewish funerals in Terezin, where he was interned for most of the war. They included Hana’s family, people from the Jewish communities in Prague, the UK and Germany and non-Jewish swimmers from the UK and other countries in Europe. At the event, she addressed the swimmers. She...
In the second week of September European Heritage Days (EHD) will be held in the Czech Republic. Their goal is to make the most interesting monuments of all kinds available to the general public, i.e. architectural, archaeological, sacral, technical, as well as museums, galleries and libraries and even other areas in which incredibly extensive collections of movable cultural heritage are kept. In the context of the European Heritage Days various accompanying events – lectures, concerts, town festivals, as well as competitions and other cultural programs are held. In buildings that are usually accessible to the public and where admission is charged, special programs shall be offered during these days (such as special guided tours, concerts, exhibitions, etc.). Dozens of cities and municipalities are preparing composed programs for its citizens and tourists. Castles, palaces, churches, museums, and theaters are not the only places to visit. Those who are interested can also have a look at industrial buildings like factories, mills, mines, and breweries. A detailed list of all participating Prague sites and their open hours are here: www.historickasidla.cz Prague citizens will have an opportunity to visit the Novomlýnská vodárenská věž, Grabova vila, Libeňský zámek, House at the Golden Ring and many other historical places. European Heritage Days has been held in the...
On the last night in August, most Czech castles and châteaux turn into magical places full of stories and experiences. You can have a look in places where visitors usually never get to see, or you can walk around the château with a flashlight, watch performances. The aim of the event is to introduce the sights in an unusual time with an unusual programme as living places that are worth to come back to. Opening times range from 6 pm-10 pm with many events continuing until 2 am. In Prague, these sights will participate: Palace Gardens of the Prague Castle Chvaly Chateau Castle Slovanka Wallenstein Garden The list of all the participating sights you can find here. The evening is organized by the Ministry of Czech Culture. Author: red
On August 20, 1968, the Soviet Union led Warsaw Pact troops in an invasion of Czechoslovakia to crack down on reformist trends in Prague. The newly elected first secretary Alexander Dubcek appealed to the public to voice support for his proposed reforms: democratic elections, greater autonomy for Slovakia, freedom of speech and religion, the abolition of censorship, an end to restrictions on travel, and major industrial and agricultural reforms. Dubcek declared that he was offering “socialism with a human face.” The Soviet Union and its satellites Poland and East Germany were alarmed by what appeared to be the imminent collapse of communism in Czechoslovakia. Aug. 18: The Kremlin decides on the invasion of Czechoslovakia. The commander of Soviet Central Forces, General Aleksandr Mayorov, relates how Soviet Defense Minister Andrei Grechko stated to the assembled Soviet Politburo and military leaders: “the invasion will take place even if it leads to a third world war.” Aug. 20: Czechoslovakia is invaded by an estimated 100,000 troops from the armies of five Warsaw pact countries (Soviet Union, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, and East Germany) overnight into Aug. 21. Aug. 21, Shortly after 0100: State Radio announces invasion by troops from five Warsaw Pact countries. It says the invasion took place without the knowledge of the Czechoslovak authorities....
14th August 2018, Prague: As part of the Czech Air Force’s events to mark the 100-year anniversary of the founding of the Czechoslovak Air Force, a ceremony was held at the Winged Lion Memorial on Prague’s Klarov yesterday. The wreath-laying ceremony at the statue, which honours the memory of the 2,507 Czechoslovak men and women who served in the British Royal Air Force during World War II, was attended by veterans and dignitaries, including Chairman of the NATO Military Committee Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach GBE KCB DL, serving Czech Air Force personnel including the Honour Guard and Sixtet of the Central Band of the Czech Armed Forces, and members of the RAF including Air Vice-Marshal David Cooper CBE. The date of 14th August is of special significance to the veterans, since it was on that day in 1945 that the majority of them returned to Czechoslovakia. Initially, they were welcomed home as heroes. But tragically, after the communist coup in 1948, they were regarded as a threat to the new regime and persecuted, imprisoned or forced into jobs of hard physical labor. As a part of the ceremony, Major General Boček, who this year celebrated his 95th birthday...
August 12 celebrated the 40th anniversary of Prague’s A-Line. To commemorate the event, the metro is deploying the historic metro tram, the 81-71 series. The 81-71 series was specially designed to conquer steep sections of track, like those found on the A-Line. Although the A-Line’s celebration lasted just one day, its original run from 1978-2009, meaning the trip was conducted for 31 years. The Soviet-made 81-71 series was nicknamed the briquette by its operating staff. Briquette is a coal-based fuel, condensed into a block-like shape. The celebratory metro ride followed the Dejvická-Skalka-Dejvická route, which was first put into operation in July 1990. The trains’ operating staffs were also dressed in the traditional attire. The event lasted from 10:17-15:00, completing five trips in both directions. Author: red
18 marks the ninth year of Prague’s Lunchmeat festival, an event dedicated to showcasing fresh electronic music and new media art. The festival gained a significant momentum since its first edition in 2010 and annually attracts lovers of audiovisual experiences both domestically and from abroad. This year, the event will take place between October 4th and 6th in the atmospheric concrete underground of National Gallery’s Trade Fair Palace (Veletržní palác) and will bring over 25 carefully selected genre-crossing performers to its stages. The earlier hours of each day will see live audiovisual acts, combining concerts with visual performances, while the nighttime line-up promises raves with the accompaniment of internationally accomplished music producers and DJs. Read the full article here (via Prague.TV)
From the viewpoint, visitors can see the statue of Jan Žižka, Karlín, Žižkov, Petřín, Hradčany, the National Museum, Letenské sady, Masarykovo nádraží, Florenc, etc. After the reconstruction, the National Agricultural Museum (NZM) opened its roof for the summer. People can climb the stairs to the green roof garden and take the elevator. It offers a unique view of Prague, a picnic lawn where you can go through a bosque, a flower show. “We also have beehive hives and space for panel exposition. The Czech Nature Photo exhibition is currently on display,” says Lenka Martinková from NZM. Children enjoy themselves by watching trains departing from the tunnel near the main station. From the end of August, the roof of the Lucerna Palace will open for viewing. The rooftop will include Café Ondřej Kobza, film showings, and people will be able to host home-based lectures, as well as dawn or yoga concerts accompanied by Bach’s cello music. The well-known Prague café also plans to build a community garden. “There’s a great thirty-six-degree view across Prague. From August 28 to open the roof for two weeks in a row, then we should be open regularly every Sunday,” says Kobza. The view from Malá Strana roofs combined with top...
Whitney Houston’s life and legacy will be the subject of a documentary by award-winning filmmaker Kevin Macdonald. The project, simply titled Whitney, is the “only film officially supported by the late singer’s estate.” It is expected to provide a definitive look at the legendary singer’s personal and private life. The feature-length documentary will include unreleased recordings, never-before-seen home movie footage, as well as videos of live performances. Macdonald—the man behind projects like Being Mick, Marley, and the Oscar-winning One Day in September—opened up about his intention behind the project as well as working with Houston’s estate, family, and friends. Using never-before-seen archival footage, exclusive demo recordings, rare performances, audio archives and original interviews with the people who knew her best, Macdonald unravels the mystery behind “The Voice,” who thrilled millions even as she struggled to make peace with her own troubled past. Whitney Houston broke more music industry records than any other female singer in history. With over 200 million album sales worldwide, she was the only artist to chart seven consecutive U.S. No. 1 singles. She also starred in several blockbuster movies before her brilliant career gave way to erratic behavior, scandals and death at age 48. To find your closest theater, click...
Czech president Miloš Zeman and his counterpart Andrej Kiska took a symbolic ride on a vintage train from the Czech town of Hodonín to the Slovak town of Topoľčianky (Nitra Region) on July 29. Both towns have a symbolic meaning, as Hodonín was the birthplace of first Czechoslovak President Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, and Czechoslovak presidents used to have a summer residence in Topoľčianky. In Topoľčianky, they dropped in at a first-republic-style fair and visited the National Stud Farm and Topoľčianky Castle. Kiska and Zeman laid flowers at Masaryk’s statue there and signed commemorative papers to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Czechoslovak Republic. The joint train ride is part of celebrations marking the centenary of the foundation of Czechoslovakia; the date of the event was also symbolic as Masaryk visited the Topoľčianky Castle for the first time on July 23, 1923.” If the establishment of Czechoslovakia hadn’t happened at that time, Slovakia wouldn’t have existed in the form we currently know it,” the Slovak president said, according to the newswire. “Czechoslovakia was born one hundred years ago. If it hadn’t, Slovakia as we know it, wouldn’t exist today. A hundred years ago, the founders of Czechoslovakia, Mr....
Part of Alfons Mucha’s Slav Epic goes on display at Obecní dům from today July 19, 2018, to January 13, 2019. Due to size limitations, only the smaller ones will be shown. The remaining larger canvases are currently on display in Brno at the Brno Exhibition Center (BVV) until December 31, 2018. Mucha worked on the Slav Epic in 1910 – 1928. In 1913, Mucha already publicly announced that the work would be donated to the city of Prague, with the condition that the city place the paintings in a special pavilion built at its own expense. Mucha painted the cycle for almost 18 years starting in 1910. It is comprised of 20 large paintings inspired by Slav mythology and the Czech nation’s history. Until 2011, the paintings were on display at the Moravsky Krumlov Chateau, south Moravia. In 2010 they were entered in the list of national heritage. In September of 1928, Mucha gave his work to the mayor of the city of Prague, and the Epic was exhibited in the Veletržní palác on the occasion of the celebration of ten years of independence of the Czechoslovak state. Veletržní palác is one of the places being suggested for permanent exhibition after...
You are all invited to witness the Battle of Vítkov this Saturday 14 July, from 10 am to 8 pm on Prague 3’s Vítkov Hill. Over 100 performers, dressed in historical battle costumes, will remind audiences of the heroic defense of the Hussite garrison. The Hussites were a religious group, who fought for their religious and political beliefs. The group followed the teachings of Jan Hus, a Czech priest, who publicly preached his criticism of the Church for its nepotism, corruption, and violence. His attacks on the Church were received with hostility in Rome. He was arrested after a meeting with the Church Council of Constance, and sentenced to death as an incorrigible heretic. He died at the stake on July 6, 1415. His death today is commemorated as a national holiday. A realistic reconstruction of the famous battle is an annual event honoring the Battle of Vítkov Hill, the most famous battle of the Hussite Wars. On July 14, 1420, a handful of Hussites led by the general Jan Žižka from Trocnov, defeated the Austrian and Merssen Crusaders. The Hussites, though outnumbered by the Crusaders, thus forced Sigismund, the then King of Bohemia and Head of the Roman Empire, to stop his crusade....
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