Culture

Navalis to be Held in Prague on May 15

A long time ago, there were regular public religious events in Prague, but the few that reached the 20th century ended in the communist era. Every year on the evening of May 15, Prague hosts a traditional baroque water festival. For more than three hundred years, Prague and international visitors have celebrated and commemorated St. John on this day. Between Charles Bridge, from which Prague’s beloved patron saint was once thrown, and Manes Bridge you can admire lovingly decorated gondolas, authentic dragon boats and colorful ships. The tradition of the Baroque feast was renewed in 2009. Linked to the original baroque tradition, contemporary celebrations include a ceremonial holy mass in St. Vitus cathedral, a procession, a baroque water concert with fireworks on the Vltava river, close to the Charles bridge. Every year there are numerous special events, such as a folklore festival, a regatta of historical and dragon boats, markets, lectures and exhibitions. Venetian gondoliers regularly take part in the event and amaze visitors with their captivating songs. Later in the evening, there will be a beautiful firework display over the Vltava accompanied by fountains and light effects. The program of Baroque festivities on the Vltava River: The Mass at...

by Prague Morning Apr 23, 2021

5 Highlights of This Year’s FAMUFEST

FAMUFEST and its 37th edition are right behind the door and waiting for the next week to come and let it in. From Wednesday 28th April till Sunday 2nd May, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a program that is not only limited to films. What to look for? Here are our five tips. 1) Drive-in cinema vs. online binge-watching On Sunday, May 2, 2021, we will screen the award-winning films of the 37th FAMUFEST festival in-car cinema Autokino Strahov. The screening will bring a joyful and symbolic ending to the whole festival in the most physical form that is legally possible at the moment. Every film will be also available online. Altogether we will present 64 in and out of competition movies which will be categorized into thematic blocks. That means that they are not categorized by their genre or the category they are competing in but according to their main themes or motives. You don’t have to worry about missing your favourite film – every film will be online for 72 hours. 2) Industry programme On Thursday 29th April the industry programme will launch an open forum with the students of Münich film school HFF. Their films...

by Prague Morning Apr 23, 2021

Signal Festival Celebrates “Earth Day” With Light Installation in Holešovice

Signal Festival is celebrating Earth Day in style with a light installation in Holešovice. The 8th year of the Festival was canceled due to the pandemic and yet, the Signal Festival’s director Martin Posta has commented that also 2021 edition is not 100% guaranteed. “No one dares to assume what the situation will be like in autumn”, he stated. “That’s why we’ve prepared these smaller events for this year. We can’t wait to meet the festival-goers. The Czech cultural scene has had a hard time because of the pandemic, and people still miss art. We do have a lot of plans,” Posta said. “We have updated the work, which was originally created for the Italian Triennale Milano, with the support of the Italian Cultural Institute in Prague so that it can be exhibited in a public space on the occasion of Earth Day. With the installation, we follow up on a series of burning environmental topics, which we have already prepared for 2020, and we intend to continue with them,” he added. There is still a chance, that by October of this year, the festival will occur in the streets of Prague. This is obviously highly dependent on the current...

by Marielle F. Apr 22, 2021

Explained: The Significance of Earth Day 2021

Earth Day 2021: This year’s theme focuses on natural processes, emerging green technologies, and innovative thinking that can restore the world’s ecosystems. Today (April 22) is Earth Day, an international event celebrated around the world to pledge support for environmental protection. The year 2021 marks the 51st anniversary of the annual celebrations. This year’s theme for Earth Day is ‘Restore Our Earth’. In 2009, the United Nations designated April 22 as ‘International Mother Earth Day’. “Recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is a chance to set the world on a cleaner, greener, more sustainable path,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres in a statement. “Mother Earth is clearly urging a call to action. Let’s remind more than ever on this International Mother Earth Day that we need a shift to a more sustainable economy that works for both people and the planet”. The importance of Earth Day Earth Day was first observed in 1970 when 20 million took to the streets to protest against environmental degradation. The event was triggered by the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, as well as other issues such as smog and polluted rivers. For over the next half-century, Earth Day continued to play an important role in environmental activism....

by Prague Morning Apr 22, 2021

The Benefits of Raising a Multilingual Child

Article by Vita Cafnik, teacher at Cherry Tree, an English-speaking preschool in the heart of Vinohrady. There are many perks to raising a multilingual child. It’s pretty obvious that multilingualism in itself is an advantage. Being able to speak more than one language in an ever so global world is a valuable asset. However, there is more to multilingualism than what meets the eye. Many studies have revealed some amazing benefits that come from speaking multiple languages, and starting this marvelous journey from an early age, can restructure the brain for the better. So what are the advantages of raising a multilingual child? Children who speak more than one language develop higher cognitive skills: Speaking more than one language provides exercise for the brain, which works as a muscle – the more you work out, the more it “grows”. Bilingualism improves brain’s executive function, which is “the management system in the brain” responsible for directing the attention processes used for planning, solving problems, and performing a variety of mentally demanding tasks. Studies have shown that differences in brain activity related to bilingualism can be spotted as early as 11 months of age. Bilingual kids have higher memory retention Bilingual children tend...

by Prague Morning Apr 21, 2021

České Budějovice european capital culture

České Budějovice Steps Up Preparations For 2028 European Capital of Culture Bid

The European Capital of Culture is a city designated by the European Union (EU) for a period of one calendar year during which it organizes a series of cultural events with a strong pan-European dimension. “When I look at the previous cities that won the competition, it had a very positive impact on everyone and I am convinced that it will also help Budějovice. The project could have a huge impact on tourism and the local economy,” explains Juraj Thoma, Deputy Mayor of České Budějovice. “From the experience of other cities that won the title in the past, it is a good idea to start preparations about ten years in advance and create a separate team fully dedicated to preparing for the candidacy,” he adds. Other towns expected to submit bids for 2028 include Ostrava, Zlín, Liberec. Prague received the title of European Capital of Culture in 2000, and Plzeň 15 years later, defeating Hradec Králové and Ostrava. Cities that have received the title in the past not only saw a high number of visitors in the year of celebration itself, but a steady increase in the number of tourists. The title leads to both increases in local business revenue and...

by Prague Morning Apr 21, 2021

Prague Launches Video Series Featuring Tours of Key Buildings

Viewers can see the Mayor’s Residence, New Town Hall, and Škoda Palace. On 20 April, the municipality of Prague announced the launch of a new video programme called “Prague Stops” (Pražská zastavení). This programme has been designed with the idea of showing both citizens and tourists some of the best-known yet inaccessible places in the city. Currently, there are 5 short episodes of this new series on the City’s Youtube channel. The Prague Stops programme allows people to see the Mayor’s Residence, New Town Hall, and Škoda Palace from inside. What is more, they can also learn about the history of these places as the short episodes feature speakers who comment on the buildings and their use throughout the years. Entertainment and recreation The director of the Media and Marketing Department of the Prague City Hall Jana Berková explained the idea behind the video series: “Last year we were all affected by the coronavirus pandemic and people lost many opportunities for entertainment and recreation, including the open days of municipal buildings. Traditionally, we once allowed the public to see the Mayor’s Residence, the New Town Hall, or the Škoda Lounges in the Škoda Palace. With these videos, we want to at least partially compensate the public...

by Prague Morning Apr 20, 2021

The Czech Republic Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai

Held every five years, expos see hundreds of countries using pavilions to show off the latest in architecture and technology. A number of Expo 2020 pavilions in Dubai have already been completed while work on the others is underway. All the country pavilions are expected to be finished well ahead of the mega event’s highly anticipated kick-off on October 1. The organizers estimate that the EXPO 2020 will have more than 200 participants, as well as multinational companies, educational institutions and non-governmental organizations. The Czech Pavilion Consisting of four volumes using a steel frame system, forming the framework of the object, the Czech pavilion draws the attention of the visitors with its “organic cloud structure that grows out from the garden at the place of the cultivated desert”. Solar-powered technology that can suck water vapour from the air and turn barren deserts into fertile lands will be exhibited. It has tremendous benefits for sunshine-rich nations facing food security issues due to a lack of arable land on which to raise crops. The restaurant, attached to the central space, can also be linked to the garden or to a multimedia conference hall. In fact, all premises may be combined in a single...

by Prague Morning Apr 17, 2021

Mapamátky: New Project Satisfies Ardor for Prague Architecture in Times of Pandemic

Prague can now take pride in yet another creative project. Mapamátky, a brainchild of students Marie Zákostelecká and Ivana Čuříková, is a website with several thematic routes around Prague. Initially a part of the university work at the Prague University of Economics and Business, Mapamátky’s goal is to inspire as many people as possible to explore the splendor of Prague architecture and offer alternative entertainment in times of the pandemic. “The Mapamátky project aims to popularize architecture and present it to people so that they enjoy it and learn something new at the same time. Just choose a route and go for a walk”, the website says. Marie Zákostelecká, a great lover of architecture, came up with the idea of Mapamátky as a part of a university project. “There were ten of us in our team, and I thought that if I could get everyone excited for this project and for architecture at the same time, it would make sense,” Zákostelecká explained to Blesk.cz. Classmates shared her excitement, and the project emerged. Although the university work was successfully completed, members of the team decided to continue the work in their spare time. At the moment, those interested can choose from...

by Timur I. Apr 16, 2021

5 Curiosities You Didn’t Know About Czech Language

Article by Language Atelier, a language school in Prague. Whether you’ve just started to learn Czech or you have already an intermediate level, there might be some little pieces of information about this language that you don’t know. Although it’s a bit difficult, there are some aspects of the Czech language that are really fascinating. Czech used to have more pairs of letters to express sounds. During the Middle Ages, European peoples began to use their languages also in written communication, taking as a starting point the traditions of classical writing: Latin in Western Europe, Greek in the East. However, an alphabet, that is suitable for one language, will not necessarily be suitable for another. Each language has its peculiar sounds and this also applies to Czech. The Czech language tried various solutions to express its sounds, such as the use of the Glagolitic alphabet or pairs of letters, but the best choice was made by Jan Hus in the 15th century. In his task of rationalizing the Czech spelling system, he chose to insert special diacritical symbols. This system is now followed by four other Slavic languages (Slovak, Slovenian, Serbo-Croatian, and Sorbian) and by two Baltic languages (Latvian and...

by Prague Morning Apr 14, 2021

Five Czech Festivals Still on for 2021

Festivals and organizers work as hard as they can to provide this year’s edition. The reality is disappointing as more and more of the biggest festivals are canceled or postponed. This is a list of festivals that is more likely to take place in the Czech Republic. Let it Roll Let it Roll is undoubtedly recognized as the biggest and most influential drum and bass music festival in Europe. The festival’s lineup represents the most important artists, presenting over 300 DJs and producers across its 8 stages, all of which have their own unique theme and vibe. Drum and bass labels such as Hospitality, Shogun Audio, and Technique host their own showcases where you can track your new favourites and the next potential headliners, alongside workshops and discussions with the genre’s expert producers and industry professionals. As the organizers said: “Let it Roll is all about unparalleled, expansive visual and sound production (namely the must-see opening ceremony), ensuring that it retains the mantle of drum and bass’ finest event each and every year.” Where: Milovice Airfield, Milovice. When: 5-7 August 2021 Transmission Festival Transmission Festival is recognized as one of the top indoor dance events worldwide and attracts every year thousands of visitors to the O2...

by Prague Morning Apr 14, 2021

The Lobkowicz Collection Offers Virtual Tours Once a Month

As an antidote to pandemic-induced closures of museums and cultural institutions, the Lobkowicz Collections offers unique virtual experiences to engage with local and international audiences — including live virtual tours of the Lobkowicz Palace at Prague Castle. Join William Rudolf Lobkowicz as your personal guide to explore the Lobkowicz Collections, which feature world-famous paintings by Canaletto, Bruegel, and Velázquez, and hand-annotated manuscripts by many of the world’s greatest composers, including Mozart and Beethoven. Further discover the story of how one of the oldest and most prominent noble families in Bohemia returned to their native country to reclaim their confiscated possessions. The Lobkowiczes were forced to flee their homeland twice under both the Nazi and Communist regimes. With the passage of the Czech restitution laws in the early 1990s, the family returned to their native country and spent over 25 years recovering important cultural heritage objects in the form of castles and tens of thousands of moveable objects. By reclaiming and reassembling the Collections, the family has made these previously hidden treasures comprehensively available to the public, for the first time in history. Today, the Lobkowicz Collections are one of Europe’s oldest, finest, and most intact family collections, dating back over 1,000 years. This live 45-minute virtual tour is enhanced with audiovisual content, including...

by Prague Morning Apr 13, 2021