Czechia

Why is Czech Beer Cheaper in Germany Than in Its Home Country

Beer consumption in the Czech Republic has dropped in recent years, but the falling popularity of this beloved beverage isn’t the main culprit behind lower sales—it’s the rising prices. In Germany, the scenario is quite different. Despite paying more for essentials like meat and vegetables, Germans save on beer. A half-litre can costs around CZK 25 crowns, compared to CZK 31 to CZK 38 in Czechia. According to Tomáš Maier, a brewing expert from the Czech University of Agriculture in Prague, the higher prices are due to Plzeňský Prazdroj’s strong position in the Czech market. The brewery can afford to hike prices. “The Czech beer market is highly concentrated, with the market leader holding over 43 percent share. Pilsner Urquell, in particular, is very profitable,” he explained. In contrast, the German beer market is more competitive, with the leading brand holding less than 12 percent market share. Plzeňský Prazdroj doesn’t have the same influence or marketing power in Germany and can’t command such high prices. Plzeňský Prazdroj points fingers at retailers for the high prices. “It’s about the sales and pricing strategies of individual retailers,” said Zdeněk Kovář, a spokesman for the company. “For most chains, beer is a major...

 by Prague Morning Jun 25, 2024

Severe Thunderstorms Approaching Prague: Firefighters on High Alert

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute has updated today’s forecast, issuing a high-level warning for severe thunderstorms. Storms currently affecting the Tábor and Písek regions are moving towards Příbram, Benešov, Kutná Hora, and even Prague. In southern Bohemia, 5-centimeter hailstones have been reported. Heavy rain is expected, leading to intense water runoff, rapid flooding of small streams and dry riverbeds, and potential flooding of underpasses, basements, and roads. In hilly areas, flash flooding is likely. Strong winds could uproot trees, cause significant property damage, power outages, and traffic disruptions. Prague firefighters announced on the X network that they have reinforced their operations center. “We have reviewed our storm protocols and have 16 volunteer units on high alert,” said fire department spokesman Martin Kavka. He also noted the dangers posed by hail and lightning. Meteorologists emphasized the importance of safety, particularly regarding the risks of lightning strikes and falling or flying objects. They advised securing windows, doors, greenhouses, and loose objects. People should avoid entering or driving through flowing water or flooded areas. If driving is necessary, reduce speed, exercise caution, and stay updated with traffic reports. Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more

 by Prague Morning Jun 21, 2024

Four-Day Work Week: A Growing Trend in Czechia

The four-day workweek is no longer just a reality in Iceland, Belgium, Switzerland, or Germany. Roughly one percent of companies in Czechia have introduced a four-day work week, the news site Novinky reported. Some are also introducing flexible working hours as an alternative. Brno-based Phonexia, a global leader in speech technology, implemented a four-day work week last February and has praised the results. Management aimed to significantly improve employees’ work-life balance, and according to Strategy Director Zuzana Roznosova, this goal has been achieved. Employees appreciate better relaxation, more family time, and the opportunity to pursue hobbies. “I finally have time to do things I enjoy and find fulfilling. Plus, I feel more energetic and think it shows in my work,” said project manager Jan Matoušek. The change has also led to employees coming to the office more frequently, improving cooperation and workplace atmosphere. The company has also seen an increase in job applicants. Another company, Digiskills, which enhances digital literacy and offers technology use advice, has also adopted flexible working hours. Employees can structure their week as they wish, provided they meet agreed-upon goals. Experts estimate that about one percent of Czech companies, roughly a few thousand, offer a four-day...

 by Prague Morning Jun 21, 2024

Viggo Mortensen and Clive Owen Among Big Names at Karlovy Vary IFF

Karlovy Vary will open its doors to the prestigious 58th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival from 28 June to 6 July 2024. Get ready for an incredible week full of cinematic gems, meetings with prominent figures from the film industry, and unique experiences in this beautiful spa town. Big names announced include actor Viggo Mortensen, Oscar-winners Geoffrey Rush and Clive Owen, and director Steven Soderbergh. Stars will grace the red carpet at the opening and closing ceremonies held in the Grand Hall of the Thermal Hotel, a landmark brutalist building in the heart of Karlovy Vary’s spa zone. The opening concert on June 28 features the popular British band Kosheen in front of the Czech Hotel Thermal, with free admission for the public. This year’s 58th Karlovy Vary IFF will feature Oscar-winning star Clive Owen, actor-director Viggo Mortensen, known as Aragorn in Peter Jackson´s The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, or renowned American filmmaker Steven Soderbergh. The main protagonist of the new official festival trailer will be actor and producer, Oscar winner Benicio del Toro. The festival will also pay tribute to Francine Maisler, one of the world’s most renowned casting directors, known for her work on films like Dune,...

 by Prague Morning Jun 20, 2024

Bus Rolled Over With 22 Czech Tourists in Iceland, 5 in ICU

A bus rolled over on the road in Öxnadalur, in the northern part of Iceland on Saturday night. The coordination center for Civil Protection was activated because of the case and traffic across the highway was closed because of the accident. There were at least five police and ambulances along with two fire trucks that went to the scene, Novinky.cz reports, citing the travel agency Adventura which organized the package tour A total of 22 Czech tourists were on the bus. Five were taken by helicopter and medical aircraft to the National University Hospital in Reykjavík and are in intensive care. Two are kept asleep in a breathing machine but they are said to have stable vitals. Further details about injuries are not available to the police at the moment. After a medical examination, the team treated other passengers from the Red Cross’ mass aid center, and assisted in getting a place to stay. “The investigation of an accident like this is very extensive and aims to find out the cause of the accident. The field is photographed, and photos taken from the air with drones, scanned with a stereoscopic scanner, measured up and the distribution of debris recorded. The...

 by Prague Morning Jun 16, 2024

Shells From Czech-Led Initiative to Arrive in Ukraine Within Days

Shells purchased from outside the European Union under an initiative launched by Czechia are arriving in Ukraine “in a matter of days”. Commenting on the progress of the Czech initiative, Lipavský said that “the first batches of ammunition are arriving in Ukraine shortly” and that Prague will be able to purchase and continuously supply “a significant amount of ammunition” throughout 2024. “We have 20 countries that have committed to take part in the initiative. Five of them have already sent money, and now we can conclude agreements and purchase ammunition from various countries and then send it to Ukraine so that it can rightfully defend itself against Russian aggression,” he added. Lipavský refused to specify when the deliveries would take place but reiterated that five countries taking part in the initiative – Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Portugal and Canada – have already sent funding, and the deals they have funded are now in the process of being implemented. “We need to move from promises and sympathy to a signed and funded agreement, which is the challenge today… We know that Ukraine needs a lot of large-calibre ammunition, and we have a great capacity to provide it. Therefore, we hope to...

 by Prague Morning Jun 16, 2024

Czech Beer Consumption Hit its Lowest Since 1963

Last year, the average Czech drank 256 beers, the lowest number since 1963. Despite being the highest in the world, consumption has significantly dropped, and experts predict this trend will continue. The record of 163.5 liters per person in 2005, equivalent to 327 beers, seems unlikely to be matched again. Tomáš Slunečko, executive director of the Czech Brewery and Maltsters Association, explained, “The long-term trend of falling beer sales continued last year. The trend is clear and consumption is declining.” He attributed the decline to the worsening economic situation, which affects spending habits. Additionally, the rising prices of draught beer are driving people to drink at home, where beer is cheaper. “The share of beer sold in pubs and restaurants has fallen to 30 percent, the lowest apart from the Covid years. Consumers are drinking more at home, in their gardens, or garages,” Slunečko confirmed. Fifteen years ago, more than half of Czech beer was consumed in pubs and restaurants. The overall number of breweries also fell last year, barely staying above 20 million hectolitres, a 2.7 percent year-on-year decline. Of this, 15.2 million hectolitres were consumed domestically, with the rest exported. Compared to 2019, Czechs drank 1.35 million hectolitres...

 by Prague Morning Jun 16, 2024

Czechia to Send First Astronaut in Nearly 50 Years to Space

After almost half a century, the Czech Republic will send another astronaut into space. Following in the footsteps of Vladimír Remek, army fighter pilot Aleš Svoboda from the Czech Army’s Tactical Air Force Base in Čáslav will become the second Czech in space. The government received an offer to send him on a space mission last year but considered the project too costly. Now it has agreed to provide the finances. “This is an incredible moment because we’ve waited over 50 years for another person connected to the Czech Republic to go into space,” said Jiří Dušek, director of the Brno Observatory and Planetarium. Svoboda has been visiting the observatory since childhood, just like Vladimír Remek. It could be said that both their journeys to space began there. Czech aerospace and defense companies will contribute to the mission, as will those interested in conducting research or experiments on the International Space Station. “Every crown invested in the space program will return up to eight times,” Kupka added. If all goes according to plan, a Czech astronaut could be launched into space as early as next year. However, economist Lukáš Kovanda insists the expense is unjustifiable. “If it costs 1.5 billion...

 by Prague Morning Jun 15, 2024

The Tropics Are Coming to Czechia: Temperatures to Exceed 30°C

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) has issued its forecast for the coming week, predicting a significant rise in temperatures. The tropical weather is set to start on Wednesday. On Friday, expect partly cloudy skies and occasional morning fog. Cloud cover will increase from the west during the day, bringing light rain to Bohemia. Evening skies will clear up, and daytime temperatures will vary between 19 and 23 degrees. Saturday’s weather will be partly cloudy, becoming more overcast in the afternoon and evening with showers and thunderstorms, particularly in Bohemia. Temperatures will rise to between 24 and 28 degrees, with around 20 degrees in the west. Sunday will start cloudy to overcast, but clouds will decrease from the west throughout the day. Scattered showers are expected, with rain or thunderstorms likely in Moravia and Silesia. Daytime temperatures will be between 21 and 25 degrees, with light variable winds that may strengthen during storms. Monday will be mostly partly cloudy with occasional showers or thunderstorms. Daytime temperatures will range from 24 to 28 degrees. The rest of the week will remain mostly partly cloudy, with isolated showers or thunderstorms. By the end of the week, it will become more overcast. Temperatures will...

 by Prague Morning Jun 13, 2024

Too Good To Go App Now in Czechia: Reduce Food Waste at Great Prices!

Too Good To Go, the world’s largest marketplace for surplus food, has launched in the Czech Republic. With more than 60 local businesses onboard, it aims to fight food waste across the country. The app allows users to purchase surplus food from restaurants, bakeries, and shops at a reduced price. The company is currently partnering with businesses in Prague, including Myšák confectionery, Hilton Old Town Prague, and Costa Coffee. Through the app, users can book and receive a surprise bag of surplus food at a reduced price. They simply need to pick up their order at the designated time and present their receipt from the app. This initiative helps prevent good food from being thrown away. Food waste is a significant issue in the Czech Republic, where 91 kilograms of food per capita are wasted annually, according to Eurostat. Globally, food waste contributes to ten percent of greenhouse gas emissions. Since its launch in Denmark in 2016, Too Good To Go has saved over 330 million meals, preventing 891 billion kilograms of CO2 emissions, 267 billion liters of wasted water, and 924 square meters of wasted space each year.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by...

 by Prague Morning Jun 12, 2024

Czechia Unveils New Portal to Attract One Million Foreign Tech Talent

Authorities in Czechia have recently launched a new portal called ‘Work in Czechia‘ aimed at attracting foreign talent to bolster the skilled labor market. This initiative aligns with the European Institute for Innovation and Technology’s (EIT) Deep Tech Talent Initiative, which seeks to upskill one million individuals in deep tech fields by 2025. The country has been actively inviting foreign professionals with the skills and ambition needed to contribute to an economy that highly values these attributes. This initiative reflects similar recruitment efforts undertaken from Scandinavian countries in Europe. Further emphasizing this strategic alignment, Czechia, according to a statement on the website, is coordinating with other European nations that are actively recruiting tech experts. The portal is available in Czechia.EU, provides a comprehensive guide for foreign professionals, covering all aspects of life and work in the country. This includes detailed information on visa and immigration procedures, as well as tips for cultural engagement. The head of the CzechInvest agency, Jan Michal, highlighted that the platform offers numerous opportunities, particularly in the technology sector. It also provides essential guidance on navigating the visa process, further facilitating the integration of international talent into Czechia’s workforce. “The website provides foreign talents with a...

 by Prague Morning Jun 11, 2024

Russia May be Behind Prague Bus Arson Attempt, Czech Premier Says

Russia may be behind an attempted arson attack on Prague city buses last week, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on Monday. Police said they arrested a 26-year-old man on Saturday in connection with the foiled plot and charged him with terrorism. “There is suspicion that the attack was organised and financed probably from Russia,” Fiala told a news conference. “It is part of a hybrid war waged against us by Russia against which we have to defend ourselves and which we must stop. Russia is repeatedly trying to sow unrest, and undermine citizens’ trust in our state.” The Russian embassy in Prague had no immediate comment. Police said before the arrest the suspect was a Spanish-speaking man from South America. They said he had been in the Czech Republic for five days before the attempted attack on Wednesday night. He failed to carry out the attack due to the alertness of staff at the Prague bus depot, police said. Poland, another NATO member, has accused Russia of attempting to destabilize the country, including through sabotage and arson, because of its role in supplying military aid to Ukraine. Last month, Poland’s Internal Security Agency said it had detained a Pole...

 by Prague Morning Jun 10, 2024

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