MRIYA International Fundraising Film Festival, a unique celebration of Ukrainian cinema and culture, has announced its European debut with the first event in Prague. As a testament to the enduring spirit and resilience of the Ukrainian people, the festival showcases a series of short films crafted by talented Ukrainian directors, many of whom are actively volunteering or serving in territorial defense efforts within Ukraine. MRIYA, translating to “dream” or “inspiration” in Ukrainian, embodies the pride, hope, and dreams of the Ukrainian people. Named after the largest cargo plane ever built by Antonov’s Design Bureau in Soviet Ukraine, Mriya has historically represented the undying hope and belief in the best outcomes. Despite the devastating loss of this symbolic plane during a Russian air attack on Hostomel Airport in the early days of the war in Ukraine, the spirit of MRIYA remains unbroken. “At MRIYA, we are not just a film festival – we are a movement, a celebration of Ukrainian talent, and a force for positive change,” said Kateryna Horina, the founder of MRIYA. A passionate Ukrainian national who was living abroad prior to the full-scale invasion, Kateryna was inspired to create MRIYA in response to the struggle of her homeland,...
The long-awaited renovation of the Savarin Palace in Na Příkopě is drawing to a close, scheduled for completion by year’s end and welcoming visitors as soon as this summer. Dating back to 1752 and located in the heart of Prague’s vibrant city center, just a stroll from Wenceslas Square, the palace holds a special place as a historical gem for locals and tourists alike. Since the restoration project started in 2019, spanning over three years, anticipation has been building among residents and passersby, awaiting the unveiling of the palace’s renewed splendor. Reports suggest that a substantial investment of approximately CZK 500 million has been poured into the project so far, with a significant portion allocated to meticulously restoring its Baroque-styled sculptures. Recognized as a cultural monument by the Czech Ministry of Culture, the restoration of the Savarin Palace is being closely monitored by the monument inspectorate body to ensure the preservation of its historical significance and architectural integrity. Plans include the creation of pedestrian-friendly spaces and a direct entrance linking to the Mustek metro station. In a recent interview, Simon Johnson, COO of Crestyl, expressed his admiration for the scale of the project, describing it as “absolutely extraordinary.” He explained...
The Prague City Council will grant CZK 34 million to the Municipal Gallery of Prague for two works of art to be created in the vestibule of the Florenc metro station and under the new Dvorecký bridge between Prague 4 and Prague 5. The Synapse light installation in Florenc by Jana Poše will cost around CZK 18 million, while the entire work on the Dvorecký Bridge will cost the city around CZK 16 million. The luminous work Synopsis won a competition organized by the Prague City Gallery and the Prague Transport Company. It will be created in the passageway linking the north and south vestibules of the Florenc C metro station. The installation on the front wall of the underpass will record the movement of passengers and expand the existing mosaic of the Battle of Sokolovo. At the same time, the transport company is repairing the ceiling structure above the station vestibule due to corrosion at Florenc. “The Florenc metro station, which is currently undergoing extensive modernization, will not only be repaired but also illuminated by a new work of art. It’s important that the metro concourse is not only technically functional but also beautiful to look at. This work...
The American music duo will present The Clancy Tour to Prague fans next April, where they will also present their upcoming album of the same name Clancy. The American music duo Twenty One Pilots, whose work is on the border of alternative rock, indie pop, and rap, will visit the Prague O2 arena again after six years. Since their formation in 2009, Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun have become a phenomenon on the music scene, as evidenced not only by their multi-platinum albums but also their worldwide tours that have attracted millions of fans. The Grammy-Award-winning band has shifted music and culture as an incomparable creative force and with an ever-evolving vision. The duo—Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun— have tallied over 33 billion global streams and counting, sold north of three million tickets worldwide, notched dozens of multi-platinum certifications, and even claimed a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. In historic fashion, their quadruple-platinum breakout LP, Blurryface, took flight as “the first album to notch a RIAA Gold or Platinum certification for every one of its songs,” while Vessel followed suit and achieved the same distinction. They elevated to rarified air as “one of only 18 artists to...
A festival of Japanese culture called Hanami: Cherry Blossom Festival will be held in the centre of Prague at Klam-Gallas Palace on Saturday, 20 April. The festivities will include a Japanese tea ceremony, martial arts and archery, Japanese calligraphy and stencil drawing, kimonos, and much more. For those interested in participating, there will be open competitions for the best traditional kimono, cosplay, and haiku with multiple prizes. And towards the end of the evening there will be a Japanese-inspired fire performance. The festival will also include cosplay contests, a sword-cutting competition, Tameshigiri taikai, and the degustastion of Japanese street food and beer with sakura leaves. Admission to the festival is free, but a voluntary donation of any amount is welcome. On the same day, preceding the main program will be a procession of samurai in historical battle attire. At 12:00, they will gather on Wenceslas Square, from where they will then march along the main streets to Klam-Gallas Palace. Among the Japanese dishes on the menu are Gyoza dumplings, ramen, Okonomiyaki-style beef burgers, and sushi. To sweeten up, delicious macarons from the UwU Bakery, and the highly popular beer ice cream from Angelato. Hanami is an ancient Japanese tradition that...
Easter in the Czech Republic is a colourful mix of Christian and pagan traditions. In this article, however, you will learn about the most… bizarre Czech Easter ones! Whipping women with willow branches During the Easter holidays, men and boys cut willow branches and braid them into whips. Such a whip is called „pomlázka“. It´s made of fresh, bendy branches and decorated with colorful ribbons. With such a whip, you can actually enjoy quite a lot of fun. But only if you are a man. On Easter Monday, men can legally whip all women in the neighborhood. It may sound weird, but it’s an old, most common Czech Easter tradition. The word “pomlázka” (whip) is derived from the Czech word “pomladit” which means “to make younger.” The tradition says that the fresh willow rods are full of spring energy that goes straight into the body. So we would rather stand a little pain and wait for a miracle! Pooping lamb – another weird Czech Easter tradition The tradition of pooping lamb is very popular among women. Much more popular than the previous one. Because “pooping lamb”, believe it or not, is about shopping! The principle of this tradition is to...
The new tourist season officially gets underway in Czechia on Thursday, with castles, chateaux, and other national monuments administered by the National Heritage Institute opening their doors to the public. Most of the privately owned monuments that still belong to their original aristocratic owners also open ahead of the Easter holidays. Visitors can expect a combination of familiar favorites and exciting new offerings, including extended opening hours, newly accessible areas, and special Easter programs at some locations. However, be prepared for slightly higher entrance fees at many state-run castles and chateaus this year. Increased Costs Lead to Ticket Price Adjustments The National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) has implemented price hikes ranging from CZK 20 to CZK 60 at some monuments. This decision reflects rising operational costs and reduced funding from the Ministry of Culture. The good news? Entrance fees remain unchanged at roughly a quarter of the monuments. Additionally, 100 NPÚ-managed sites will be open daily throughout the Easter holidays, with some offering special themed events. Further enhancements are underway at Český Krumlov State Castle and Chateau, with the fully restored Bellarie Summer Palace opening on a new visitor route starting in September. The Golden Crown Monastery will also unveil its...
On March 20, 1393, considered the first martyr of the Seal of the Confessional, St. John of Nepomuk was tortured and thrown into the river Vltava from Charles Bridge, by order of King Wenceslaus IV. The travesty unfolded during the reign of King Wenceslas IV and the Great Schism of 1378 – a split within the Catholic Church which saw two rival Popes, one in Rome and the other in Avignon, France. Wenceslas backed the Avignon-based Pontiff and John remained loyal to Rome. There was simmering tension and the two men clashed when it was time to appoint a new abbot to the abbey of Kladruby, in 1393. The king demanded that the appointment not go ahead and the abbey be transformed into a cathedral. But John had already confirmed the appointment. A brass cross, worn smooth and shiny by the innumerable hands of wish-makers, is positioned around the middle of Charles Bridge. Whether the reasons for the martyrdom were power struggles or accusations of revealing confessional secrets, John of Nepomuk is regarded as a symbol of honesty, reliability, and integrity. He is the patron saint of confessors, pilgrims, happy returns and boatmen and protector against floods. Today, hundreds of...
58 years ago, Věra Chytilová released her movie ‘Daisies’, which displeased the communist dictatorship with its criticism of the materialistic and male-dominated society and was banned by the regime. Although Czech society has made considerable progress since then, calls for equality from Czech women are often silenced, as evidenced by the recent incident involving director Daria Kascheeva at the Czech Lions Film Award ceremony. Where does the Czech Republic stand in terms of promoting gender equality? Join us for a discussion on this burning topic while watching this Czechoslovak New Wave masterpiece with English subtitles at kino Aero on the 20th of March. Purchase your tickets here. In ‘Daisies’ (1966, watch the trailer), Chytilová, who had made her living as a model in commercials before becoming one of the leading figures of the Czechoslovak New Wave, brings a nihilist story about two Maries who decided to be spoiled as the world they live in. They play pranks on men, catwalk down the overflowing buffet table and swing from the chandelier. The bold aesthetic she created with the artist Ester Krumbachová and the metaphorical language was too much for the communist regime and they tried to silence her by locking this...
A Czech invention that brings an innovative twist to the concept of urban furniture. They look like black periscopes sticking out of the ground and observing the urban landscape around them. Or they could be confused with an air pipe that connects to some grid hidden in the Netherlands. Meet the Poesiomats – the urban poetry machines that have taken over most of the cities in the Czech Republic, and recently also other places around the world. The idea behind the Poesiomat, invented by café owner and cultural activist Ondřej Kobza, was to create a sort of publicly accessible jukebox for spoken word culture. The first one of this type was installed in Prague’s Namesti Míru in 2015 and since then they have become a common feature in other Czech cities, towns, villages and even castles. The aim of the Poesiomat is to revive the appeal of poetry by making it easily accessible to the masses. According to the initiative’s website, the poetry machines, however, can also contain lyrics, songs, and sounds related to the specific place they are located in. On Tuesday, 12 March, a Poesiomat was erected in Kaznice, Brno-sever district. Reminiscent of a submarine periscope, this machine...
Roxy Club, known for its focus on cutting-edge electronic music, will feature Scottish DJ and producer Ewan McVicar on March 16th. Originally from Ayr, the Scottish producer and DJ is particularly known for his unique fusion of house and techno. His breakthrough came in 2020 with the release of the “Street Rave” EP on Trick, a label run by one of his idols. The EP’s energetic sound resonated with audiences across the UK. McVicar’s talent gained recognition from established labels like Nervous Records and Shall Not Fade, solidifying his position in the dance music scene. A defining moment in McVicar’s career was the release of “Tell Me Something Good” in 2021. The track garnered him the title of “Best Single of the Year” by DJ Mag and achieved platinum sales status. McVicar is not just a studio artist; he’s a sought-after DJ known for his energetic sets that showcase his diverse influences and love for music. He’s starting to get a lot of bookings around the world, and recordings of his live sets on YouTube attracting a lot of a positive reactions from fans around the world. You’ll find a lot of excellent live performance footage on YouTube (we recommend his Boiler...
This year marks the 600th anniversary of the death of Jan Žižka – a key figure in the 15th-century Hussite movement – and the town of Tábor and the Hussite Museum have prepared a grand celebration in his honor. The program extends throughout 2024, offering a variety of events for all ages and interests. The Year of Žižka commenced with a museum exhibition in February, followed by a documentary film project. A competition for school teams invites students to create short videos about Žižka, while the “Tábor Encounters” festival returns in September, showcasing the town’s rich history. A highlight for history buffs is sure to be the dramatic reenactment of a historical battle planned for July 20th near the Klokoty Monastery. The Plzeňský Landfrýd association will stage the conquest of Příběnice Castle, complete with cavalry, swordsmen, and a historic marketplace. Those seeking a battle experience even sooner can head to the 11th Battle of Sudoměra on March 23rd. Official commemorative events will take place on October 10th, featuring a ceremony at the Jan Žižka monument and a lecture by historian Petr Čornej. The celebrations culminate on October 12th with a public display of the Hussite army encampment in Tismenické údolí,...
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