Culture

6 TV Series to Watch in Czech

It should come as no surprise that having fun when learning a language is much more successful than using textbooks. Even though watching TV shows can feel like (or lead to) procrastination, it’s a great way to quickly expand your vocabulary and become familiar with idioms and popular phrases. It’s also the perfect listening practice if you’re not able to put yourself out there and communicate with native speakers. You may also pause and rewind a Czech TV show at any time, as well as write down new words. There are plenty of famous shows you can watch dubbed on Netflix, but in this post, we’ll look at six entertaining Czech TV shows with English subtitles that are available on YouTube and Czech satellite television (HBOgo). 1.Ulice (The Street) Channel: TV Nova Subject: This show is about people who live in the Prague suburbs, their everyday lives, issues, relationships, and affairs. It is slow-paced and not very thrilling. It can become very interesting, humorous, well-written, and addictive once you find your favorite characters. Phrases and vocabulary: The use of common, colloquial Czech language with no strong dialect is the show’s greatest advantage. It’s all about “true people” and “everyday life,”...

by Prague Morning May 20, 2021

Illusion Art Museum Prague — Immersive and Interactive

By Suzanne Scarlett Bessisso—Anglo American University The Illusion Art Museum offers a unique perspective on art by combining modern technology with history. It encourages its visitors to become part of the exhibit by using their smartphones to bring to life the movement of the art as illusions. With its smartphone requirement, this museum gives its visitors a peek at what the future of museums could be. It’s one of the few museums that have adopted this modern and immersive approach to art-making it a fun exhibition especially for kids. The museum takes a new approach to anamorphic viewing. Several of the works on display appear distorted until the viewer stands at a specific vantage point, or uses their smartphone to see what is hidden in the distortion. The most popular is a portrait of Nikola Tesla, created by Patrik Proško, that is made up of Tesla’s inventions, but is only visible when looking at it through a lens positioned at the perfect spot. Other works include trick art, wherefrom a certain perspective a 2D painting can look 3D and the visitors become a part of it. There are several of these related to Czech history, such as the defenestrations that...

by Prague Morning May 17, 2021

[18+] New Prague Exhibition Features History of Erotica in Capital

How did the first strip clubs in Prague appear? What were the sexual toys produced in Czechoslovakia? An exhibition Decadent Prague (“Praha dekadentní”), which teeters on the edge of decency, provides uncensored answers to such questions. The exhibition will run in the Dancing House Gallery until March 31st next year and is only open to individuals over 18 years of age. According to the organizers, this is the most controversial exhibition to date, which, as they promise, will outrage but also educate visitors. “We made this exhibition censorship-free so that visitors could see what was really happening in Prague during the 20th century. No covered naked bodies, no censorship,” said Robert Vůjtek, Dancing House Gallery director, adding that for some visitors the exhibition might prove too bold. Decadent Prague will take visitors to brothels of the First Republic, show the beginnings of striptease in the 1960s in the country or the history of erotic images that were created outside the supervision of state censorship. “We also have a rarity here – medical books of prostitutes, which were preserved in Czechoslovakia in only two copies; we borrowed them from the Police Museum,” added Vůjtek. In addition to themes related to prostitution,...

by Timur I. May 12, 2021

Karlovy Vary Film Festival Plans August Return

Karlovy Vary film festival plans to roll out the red carpet again in 2021, with organizers setting a later opening than usual on Tuesday. Launched in 1946 in what was then Czechoslovakia, the festival is now one of central and eastern Europe’s leading cinema events. It took place online only in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. With vaccinations picking up pace and infection numbers slowing, organizers said they were planning for an Aug. 20-28 event, later than the usual early July start. “We hope that in the coming months, vaccinations will move significantly forward and thus get the pandemic situation under control, so that it’s possible to make the festival as safe as possible for guests and visitors,” the festival’s president Jiri Bartoska said in a statement. He also said that the later start was a one-off and next year’s 56th edition would be scheduled for early July. One of four major film festivals in Europe, Karlovy Vary’s friendly and informal atmosphere attracts tens of thousands of visitors in normal years, many of them sleeping in tents. Stars like Sharon Stone, Robert Redford and Julianne Moore have attended past events. The Czech government has begun easing COVID-19 restrictions, although...

by Prague Morning May 11, 2021

9 Inspirational Women in Czech History

Be it its world-famous politicians, top-class sportsmen, or globally lauded writers and musicians, the Czech Republic boasts many famous natives who significantly contributed to their diverse fields. Here is a list of some of the world-known Czech women who have earned an unparalleled names and an irreplaceable place in the country’s history. Milada Horáková, a politician and underground resistance movement member during World War II, was a victim of judicial murder, convicted and executed by the nation’s Communist Party on fabricated charges of conspiracy and treason. The guilty verdict against Horáková and her co-accused was annulled during the Prague Spring in 1968, but it was only after the Velvet Revolution in 1989 that she received her rightful honours from the nation, being awarded the Order of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk (1st Class) in 1991. Charlotte Garrigue-Masaryk, the U.S. American-born wife of the Czechoslovak president and politician, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, the first President of Czechoslovakia, was an enthusiastic advocate of women’s rights and encouraged women to fully utilize their talents and engage in political activity. Dr. Alice Masaryková or Alice Garrigue Masaryk was one of the best-known women globally in social welfare; founder of the sociology department at Prague’s Charles University and the...

by Prague Morning May 11, 2021

Czech Government to Allow Outdoor Events From May 17

From Monday, May 17, it will be possible to organize cultural events outdoors with a maximum of 700 spectators. The condition for entry would be passing a PCR test, a minimum of 14 days from vaccination or a maximum of 90 days from contracting covid-19. This was stated by the Minister of Culture Lubomír Zaorálek (ČSSD) at a press conference after the government meeting on Monday. Cultural events that take place indoors are likely to be approved by the government a week later. According to Zaorálek, in contrast to the original agreement with the Ministry of Health, it was not possible to enforce the possibility of organizing cultural events within the same date. However, according to him, the government adopted a resolution in the sense that if the favorable trend continues and the development of 75 newly infected per 100,000 inhabitants per week is achieved within the next week, it will be possible to organize cultural events inside which will take begin 24 May. The condition will be a maximum occupancy of 50 percent of the seating capacity, a maximum of 500 people inside and 1000 people outside. again vaccination, test or distance from the disease not longer than 90...

by Prague Morning May 10, 2021

Czech Republic Marks 76th Anniversary of End of WWII in Europe

In most European countries, May 8 is a national holiday that remembers the end of World War II in Europe. This morning, Czech President Milos Zeman, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and other senior officials, including Speakers of the Senate and House of Representatives Miloš Vystrčil and Radek Vondráček, Minister of Defense Lubomír Metnar, will lay wreaths at the National Memorial in Prague to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. The reverent act will be preceded by a flight of two Gripen fighters and the national anthem, followed by a minute of silence for all who died for the Republic’s freedom and independence. Remembrance events will also take place in other locations, for example at the Olšany cemetery. Similar events were also held in several other Czech cities, such as Brno, and České Budějovice. In the afternoon, a convoy of American historic military vehicles will set out from Hořice in the Jičín region to Lázně Velichovky. The Victory Day, or the day Nazi Germany signed the surrender in 1945, is marked in the Czech Republic together with most European countries as a national holiday. The End Of The War In May 1944 Edvard Beneš signed an agreement that the Soviet...

by Prague Morning May 08, 2021

Pilot Concert at Křižíkova Fontána in Prague to Have 2,500 Spectators

According to ČTK, the pilot concert Chance for Culture, which will take place on the 11th of May at the Křižíkova Fontána at the Prague Exhibition Grounds, plan to attend up to 2,500 spectators. The Chinaski group, violin virtuoso Pavel Šporcl and guests will perform at the event held during the dismantling of measures against the COVID-19 pandemic. The concert is organized with the official support of the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The aim is to show that concerts are a safe place if all the recommended precautions are followed. Therefore, viewers must prove that they were vaccinated more than 14 days ago or have a negative PCR result (up to 72 hours) or antigen tests (up to 48 hours) from a professional laboratory. The last option is a written confirmation from the doctor that they had COVID-19 a maximum of 90 days before the date of the concert. Limited testing will also be available on site. The organizers reserve the right to perform a random antigen test on the spot in case of doubt about his/her health. “Together with Chinaski, Pavel Šporcel, and other artists, we want to show that it is normal...

by Sofia C. May 06, 2021

All Cultural Events Planned to Reappear on August 1, Zaorálek Pushes for Earlier Dates

The Ministry of Health has published a plan for the return of cultural events for this year, with entertainment fully resumed by August 1st. The plan is being heavily criticized by Lubomír Zaorálek, Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic, who considers the proposal to be discriminatory against the cultural sphere. In particular, Zaorálek is not satisfied with the fact PCR tests will be required to enter concerts and other events, whereas antigen tests will suffice when going to a barber, for example. According to the Minister, many people, especially of young age, will be discouraged to attend cultural actions due to the cost of the PCR test, which averages at CZK 1,500. “I don’t want culture to be just for the rich or older people who are inoculated, nor do I want young people to not being able to go to cultural events because they can’t afford it,” Zaorálek said. He added: “I want a single system in all areas, not a tougher regime for culture.” Minister also noted that the cultural sphere had suffered greatly and required the resumption of the entire field as quickly as possible. Many countries where the coronavirus situation is similar to that in...

by Timur I. May 05, 2021

Adam Sandler to Shoot ‘The Spaceman of Bohemia’ in Prague

Adam Sandler will now star in a movie adaptation of The Spaceman of Bohemia for Netflix. The book follows a Czech astronaut named Jakub Procházka who is sent to a location near to the planet Venus to retrieve samples of mysterious intergalactic dust. The new film was originally slated to begin production in the Czech Republic in February, but the ongoing coronavirus pandemic delayed those plans. It was unknown if the delay would push the project out of Prague, but new information provided by the Czech Film Commission confirms that The Spaceman of Bohemia is still on schedule to film in the Czech capital. The mission is deemed too dangerous by other space programs, but Jakub and the Czech Republic are determined to complete the mission, so off he goes. Things go off the deep end for the astronaut when he learns his wife is leaving him while in space and he begins to hear a mysterious creature on his ship. The Spaceman of Bohemia is classified as absurdist fiction along with being a sci-fi novel, so there’s definitely room here for Adam Sandler and Carey Mulligan to use their comedic chops in between telling the unique space story for Netflix....

by Prague Morning May 05, 2021

Brejlando: Back into Theatres Through Virtual Reality

With the help of state-of-the-art technologies and borrowed virtual reality glasses, everyone can immerse in watching selected performances from Prague theatres from the comfort of their homes, as well as from a completely new angle – right from the stage, in close vicinity to the actors. The globally unique service called Brejlando has been presented by Prague City Hall together with the Brainz Studios creative group. The uniqueness of Brejlando lies primarily in the manner in which a virtual reality theatrical production is shot. The viewer looks at the scene through the eyes of a 360-degree camera. It is at the centre of everything, the actors move around it and play the scenes towards it. Lighting and surround sound recording are also set accordingly. Compared to a classic visit to the theatre, therefore the spectator has an essentially physical experience, as the actors direct their monologues and views directly at them. Brejlando starts with a recording of the Hamlets of the Na Zábradlí Theatre (directed by Jan Mikulášek) with Petr Čtvrtníček, Jana Plodková, Jiří Vyorálek, Jakub Žáček as well as other actors and Perníková chaloupka (Hans and Gretel) of the Minor Theatre (directed by Jakub Vašíček, Tomáš Jarkovský), with Petr Stach and Monika Načeva. Twice monthly, more productions will be added...

by Prague Morning May 04, 2021

“Mluvíš česky?” Here are the Main Difficulties in Learning Czech

Article by Language Atelier, a language school in Prague. The Foreign Service Institute, or FSI, is an American government agency tasked with teaching foreign languages to US diplomats serving in foreign missions. They teach a wide range of languages and have divided their list into four groups based on how long they believe it would take to learn each one. The FSI teaches languages in an intense classroom environment, where a teacher or tutor works with a group of 5-10 students to achieve high levels of fluency in the language. Having said that, we can use FSI’s numbers to get a rough idea of how complicated the language is. This is how the FSI rating system’s classes look. For a typical English-speaking student, Group One languages take between 5-600 hours in the classroom. French, Spanish, Norwegian, Dutch, and other languages that are similar to English are classified as category one languages. Languages like Swahili, Indonesian, and even German, are included in group two. It is predicted that learning these would take 900 hours in the classroom. Students in the third tier, which includes Czech as well as Thai, Hindi, Finnish, and Russian, will require approximately 1100 classroom hours to achieve...