Culture

Švanda Theatre Celebrates 140 Years

The Švanda Theatre Celebrates 140 Years

Švanda Theatre is a theater in Štefánikova street in Smíchov. It continues the long tradition of the previous theater based in this building and its surroundings. The first theatre company which started performing in the garden of an old house „U Libuše“ on 1 October 1881 was the originally touring theatre company of Pavel Švanda from Semčice. This theatre group also performed on the summer stage „V lesíčku“ (at the barracks on the opposite side of the square), and after 1891 in the newly built wooden Arena on the Smichov’s embankment “Hořejší nábřeží” where they had performed until they finished their activities in 1934. The first building was designed by Smichov’s architect and developer Josef Záhorský. There was a major transformation in 1900 when the theatre entrance was built right from the street instead of the garden. The works also involved space conversion of the stage and auditorium realized by the developer Šimek. More adaptations followed in 1908, 1910, 1914, and later in the period of 1918 to 1920; a radical reconstruction of the front façade of the theatre was done according to Ladislav Machoň’s project in cubist style and the building became the main feature of Kinsky square. The most remarkable part of the building in...

 by Prague Morning Aug 29, 2021
JOHNNY DEPP karlovy vary

Karlovy Vary Guests Divided on Contentious Johnny Depp Tribute

International attendees at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival are split in their opinion on the festival’s decision to host a tribute to Johnny Depp today and tomorrow at the Czech event.  Depp presented a screening of Julien Temple’s documentary Crock Of Gold: A Few Rounds With Shane MacGowan, which the actor also produced. On Saturday, he will present Andrew Levitas’ Minamata, which he produced and in which he also stars. The honoring of Depp here and at San Sebastian next month (he is also participating in an-converrsation event at the Deaville Film Festival) has attracted criticism from domestic abuse charities, following much-publicised allegations of domestic abuse against the actor from his ex-wife Amber Heard, which the British High Court found to be ‘substantially true’ in 12 of 14 cases. Depp denies all the allegations. “I really support the criticism – I’m not a big fan of celebrating domestic violence,” said Lithuanian producer Maria Razgute, attending the festival with Andrius Blazevicius’ Runner, which she produced and which had its premiere in the East of the West Competition this week. “If I need to choose a side, I would choose the side which says [the tribute] is not a nice thing to do.”...

 by Prague Morning Aug 28, 2021
Vltava Philharmonic Hall

Prague And IPR Launch International Competition For New Vltava Philharmonic Hall

Architects worldwide are now turning even more of their attention to Prague. The capital city, together with its Institute of Planning and Development (IPR Prague), has officially announced an international architectural competition for the design of the Vltava Philharmonic Hall.  In May of 2022, the jury, headed by the internationally renowned Czech architect Michal Sedláček, will choose the winning building design for the new concert hall that will be standing in Holešovice in Prague, near the Vltavská metro station. “We’ll know what the new Vltava Philharmonic Hall will look like in May 2022,” said the organizers of the competition.  “Today, at last, a big step has been taken towards adding another culturally significant building to Prague after more than 100 years.” “Starting today, all interested parties may officially submit their competition applications. Five entities, chosen primarily from among the most renowned architectural studios, will be asked to participate directly. These are Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Snøhetta, Ateliers Jean Nouvel, David Chipperfield Architects and SANAA,” stated the Chairperson of the jury, Michal Sedláček. “We also expect a strong showing from Czech architects, because as professionals we view this as an exceptionally open competition, which means they’ll have a great chance to win,” Sedláček added. The deadline for submitting applications is 30...

 by Prague Morning Aug 27, 2021

The Agreement To Divide Czechoslovakia Was Signed 29 Years Ago

The agreement to divide Czechoslovakia was signed at Villa Tugendhat by Czech Prime Minister Václav Klaus and the Slovak Prime Minister Vladimír Mečiar on 26 August 1992. As of the first of January 1993, two new countries came into being in Europe, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Villa Tugendhat was a government building at the time. The negotiations regarding the separation took place here, partially somewhat symbolically as Brno lies approximately halfway between Prague and Bratislava. The main point of contention was (and will remain) the question of whether Czechoslovakia was to hold a referendum. It is possible today to argue that the decision not to hold a referendum was fortunate. First, in a country consisting of two nations of unequal size, one referendum, on a federal level only, would not work. Holding two referendums, one in each republic, was also problematic, as no one seemed to know what would happen if one republic voted in favor of the country’s split and another would be against it. The two republics proceeded with separation negotiations in an atmosphere of peace and cooperation. By late November, members of the National Assembly had voted Czechoslovakia out of existence. Both republics promulgated new constitutions, and at midnight on...

 by Prague Morning Aug 25, 2021
Respect Festival 2021

August 28-29: Respect Festival 2021 — World Music and More

The 24th annual Respect Festival was moved to the end of August (28th and 29th) due to Spring Covid-regulations; traditionally, this two-day, open-air and family-friendly festival in Prague has kicked off the summer. Inspired by Womad and Womex, Prague’s Respect Festival is devoted to first-rate World and eclectic folk music and a local community of tolerance and diversity. Headlining on Saturday is Les Triaboliques; African groove, the Saharan blues, Latin American folk and the angular guitar sound of English post-punk or rock should not be a good mix, but this UK guitar trio does just that. Ben Mandelson played briefly with Magazine, then moved onto theatrical ethno-pop explorations inspired by the sounds of the Balkans and the Middle East.  Lu Edmonds played briefly with The Damned then joined forces with Mandelson. Justin Adams is the best known for playing with the former singer of Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant, and with Jah Wobble, the bassist of Public Image Ltd. Altogether this is a captivating World Blues by elder British gents: it is their take on the blues from another angle, generation, and vision. Also on Saturday is Sushella Raman, a British-Indian vocalist influenced at her earliest age by South Indian Tamil...

 by Tony O. Aug 25, 2021
Reconstruction of Occupation documentary

‘Reconstruction of Occupation’: Powerful Czech Documentary Bears Witness to 1968 Soviet Invasion

Karlovy Vary Film Festival: Director Jan Sikl builds his film out of long-lost footage of the occupation, and screened it on the 53rd anniversary of that event. It’s hard to imagine a more well-timed and well-placed documentary than Jan Siki’s “Reconstruction of Occupation,” which debuted on Saturday, Aug. 21 at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival in the Czech Republic. The film had its world premiere 53 years to the day that Soviet tanks and military vehicles rolled into what was then Czechoslovakia, and it screened in a theater, the Kino Čas, that sits on streets that saw those military vehicles in August 1968. Much of the footage stems from a time when the new wave of Czech films was flowering, with landmarks like Jiri Menzel’s Oscar-winning “Closely Watched Trains,” Milos Forman’s “The Fireman’s Ball” and Jan Nemec’s “A Report on the Party and the Guests.” And it came at the end of the Prague Spring, the eight-month period that began when Alexander Dubček became head of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia and instituted liberal reforms and increased freedom of the press and freedom of speech. Those reforms met with a chilly reaction in the Soviet Union, which held sway over...

 by Prague Morning Aug 23, 2021
rondo cubist house prague

Rondo Cubist House – Unknown Gem in Holešovice

Letná, part of the Holešovice (Prague 7) district, is known as an exciting place where everyone would like to live. The Academy of Fine Arts in Prague and other important cultural institutions are part of this genius locus that people like to talk about. The place comprises interesting architecture, urbanism and people with artistic backgrounds. Let’s have a look at one of the facades, in rondo cubist style, at Kamenická street No 35. One of the best-known examples of rondo cubism was designed by architect Otakar Novotný in 1923-1924. The facade of the six-floor residential building is reminiscent of the principles of dynamic baroque architecture. Its very unusual appearance has a basically rhythmical geometrical composition and compared to cubist architecture is rather simple. The building was originally named the Rental House of the Association of Prague Teachers. Nowadays its apartments are mostly family heritage. It is also fascinating to see it in the context of the other buildings in its neighborhood. If the term rondo cubism sounds strange to you, you should know that it is used to describe the characteristic style of architecture and applied arts that was developed in the ’20s in Prague.  Don’t be afraid to admire this particular one of the many houses on the street, even if the uninterested people...

 by Prague Morning Aug 22, 2021

The Day the Music Died: Inside COVID’s Devastating Effect on Live Music. Part III: Music Festivals

The summer season and music festivals are synonymous with the live music fan. Large-scale festivals throughout the Czech Republic routinely pack in thousands of revelers every summer. This year, just like 2020, was marked by a wave of cancellations. At its core a music festival is dependent on attendees forking out money to see acts from all over the world. Once that’s removed there can be no festival. The past two years are perfect examples.  This is the third and final installment – focusing on large music festivals – examining COVID’s impact on live music in the Czech Republic. The first installment examining club culture is here, while the second part on live indoor concerts is located here. Prague Morning had the opportunity to speak with Jiří Sedlák, head of press and media for Colours of Ostrava, on a diverse array of topics including the realization that festivals were cancelled for a second straight year, government aid, and the continuous search for the “new normal” that will finally allow the return of music festivals, among other issues.  This is the second straight year virtually all festivals were once again cancelled. At what point did you realize this year was not...

 by Prague Morning Aug 19, 2021
busking festival pilsen

Plzeň Busking Fest 2021 to Revive the City’s Streets in September

The 8th edition of the Pilsen Busking Fest 2021 will take place on 2-5 September. City’s residents can watch a variety of up-and-coming performing artists on 2-5 September. With this festival, the city’s streets will finally see the return of artists, singers, and performers who have struggled tremendously since the outbreak of the pandemic. According to the festival’s website, Pilsen Busking Fest typically searches for young and lesser-known talented individuals. For this reason, this event differs greatly from other festivals which feature famous artists and talents. As such, Pilsen’s residents will get the chance to witness new and exciting performances by up-and-coming individuals. Some of the performers feature the Irish/German band TAU which has reportedly promised visitors a “hypnotic experience”. The festival’s attendees can also enjoy Caribbean rhythms, reggae, and ska performed by La Orquesta Informal from the Canary Islands. In addition to these entertainers, the German band Beranger Grasse will perform alongside drummer Todd James. Aside from musical entertainment, the festival will also host shows by circus performers and acrobats. More specifically, Afrika Indux Malax Akrobatic is set to entertain visitors with fire, human pyramids, etc. What is more, The Electric Brothers will juggle and unicycle. Finally, the Polish firebreather Plucie Ogniem will also perform and astonish the festival’s attendees. Although the event is free of charge,...

 by Prague Morning Aug 18, 2021
rolling stones prague 1990

VIDEO: The Rolling Stones Played in Prague 32 Years Ago Today

 The Rolling Stones first played in Prague 32 years ago, on August 18, 1990, at Strahov Stadium. More than 100,000 people attended the show, which became a symbol of the country’s new-found freedom. It was a special moment for Czechoslovaks, who could finally see live on stage stars they had only read about and whose music they knew from bootleg cassettes. The date is no accident: it almost coincides with the twenty-second anniversary of the Soviet invasion of 1968. And everybody is in disbelief, stuck in that electric moment that always precedes the unimaginable. Arriving in Prague on a government-supplied Tupolev Tu-154 plane on August 17, band members stayed at the Hotel Palace, a stone throw away from Wenceslas Square, and later had dinner at the invitation of Havel’s wife Olga Havlová in the restaurant Na Rybárně (which doesn’t exist today). The evening continued with a visit to the renowned Jazz Club Reduta and a party in their hotel suite. When suddenly the dense darkness is pierced by a cone of light. Silence breaks down into a roar. And like a mirage personified, Keith Richards, in blue jeans and a pink jacket, begins to caress his guitar strings. The first notes...

 by Prague Morning Aug 17, 2021
concert prague soviet departure

30 Years Without Occupants: Prague to Celebrate Departure of Soviet Troops with a Concert

On August 18, the rock band Pražský výběr are set to perform a concert with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra to mark the 30th anniversary of the departure of Soviet troops from Czechoslovakia. The concert will take place at Křižíkova Fontána – Výstaviště Holešovice. A show by the group back in 1991 symbolically confirmed the soldiers exit. Their pullout was overseen by Pražský výběr singer Michael Kocáb, who was then in politics. On February 26, 1990, Václav Havel was in Moscow meeting with Mikhail Gorbachev, and the pact on the total withdrawal of Soviet troops from Czechoslovakia was signed. “In my mind, the Soviet occupation of 1968 is the deepest wound,” said Havel on that day. “But it is a thing of the past, I believe, especially this evening when the treaty on troop withdrawal was signed. “Gorbachev and I agreed the best way to deal with the dark pages of our past is to look forward.” That very day, the first soldiers began pulling out, as a brass band struck up the “Internationale”, while outside the garrison gates locals bid them a less-than-fond farewell. According to historical records, the first railroad flatcars were loaded with Soviet soldiers and their...

 by Prague Morning Aug 14, 2021

Karlovy Vary is Celebrating Today. Charles IV Gave City Privileges 651 Years Ago

On 14 August 1370, Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor gave city privileges to the place that subsequently was named after him, according to legend after he had acclaimed the healing power of the hot springs. In the 14th century, Czech King Charles IV was often riding his horse around the Krušné (Ore) Mountains and the Slavkov Forest in Western Bohemia. Thanks to a chance his retinue one time apparently discovered the hot spring, to which the emperor soon attributed its curative power. He convinced himself about it with his own skin. Using the water from the spring he was able to heal his injured leg. According to a legend he ordered to build a town around the miraculous spring, which because of its springs still thrives and enjoys the fame far beyond the borders of our country. The hot springs were developed by Charles IV who, in August 1370, granted the mainly German-speaking spa town city privileges and named it “Carlsbad”, literally meaning “Charles’ baths”. But the spa’s great popularity dates primarily from the 19th century, when the main baths, colonnades, hotels, and sanatoria were built. The city soon became a gathering place for Europe’s wealthy invalids. The number of visitors...

 by Prague Morning Aug 14, 2021

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