Czechia

May 1 to be Marked as Day of Czech Accession to European Union

Twenty years after the Czech Republic joined the European Union, 1 May will now be a significant day on the national calendar. President Petr Pavel signed the relevant amendment into law on Friday. According to the proponents of the proposal, such as Minister for European Affairs Martin Dvořák, 12 March is already a significant day, marking the Czech Republic’s accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Membership in both NATO and the EU symbolizes the Czech Republic’s shift towards a pro-Western orientation after the post-Soviet era. “This is undeniably one of the most important days in modern Czech history. It deserves recognition as a significant day,” Kupka stated. The idea to celebrate 1 May as the Day of the Czech Republic’s Accession to the European Union, alongside Labour Day, was previously submitted by STAN MPs in the last parliamentary term but did not pass. Currently, the calendar commemorates 17 important days. Recent additions include renaming 17 November as the Day of the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy and International Student Day. History The largest enlargement of the European Union (EU), in terms of number of states and population, took place on 1 May 2004. The simultaneous accessions concerned the following...

 by Prague Morning Jun 08, 2024

Beer Prices in Czech Pubs Surge by Nearly 50% Over Five Years

Data from POS system operator Dotykačka reveals that draft beer prices in the Czech Republic have increased from an average of CZK 36 in 2019 to CZK 53 this year. This represents a nearly 50% rise in five years, significantly impacting consumers in restaurants and pubs. Prices of popular 12-strength beers have seen even sharper increases. In April, the average price of a pint in gastronomic establishments was CZK 58.90, which is CZK 5.60 more than the previous year. Petr Menclík, director of Dotykačka, notes that prices have risen by 10% in the past year alone. Further increases are expected as many pubs have not fully accounted for the January increase of the value-added tax on beer from 10% to 21%. Lubos Kastner from the Czech Beer and Malt Association (CSPS) explains that only 20% of operators had adjusted their prices to reflect the higher VAT by January. Kastner attributes the price hikes to several factors. The industry relies heavily on labor, and as wages have increased, so have operational costs. Despite the national inflation rate being 2.9%, the hospitality sector experiences inflation at around 8%. Additionally, building owners have raised rents by almost 11% due to inflation. High energy costs also contribute...

 by Prague Morning Jun 07, 2024

Czech Republic Considers Stricter Alcohol Policies to Curb Drinking

Experts are preparing a proposal to reduce alcohol consumption in the Czech Republic, which would restrict sales and advertising. National drug coordinator Jindřich Vobořil plans to present the proposal in early autumn. “We could come up with concrete proposals in early autumn. We need to put them into the form of a substantive bill. It remains to be seen how long it will take and whether something can be done in this chamber before the elections,” Vobořil said. The restrictions might include limiting sales and broadcasting advertisements only after 10 p.m. Labels on alcoholic beverages may also carry warnings about their harmful effects. Vobořil mentioned that excise duties and prices could also be adjusted. “These will be rather partial changes. Let’s be realistic. What is not prepared in an advanced form has no hope,” said ODS MP Renata Zajíčková. She described the topic of limiting alcohol availability as “explosive” and considered it a success that the debate on alcohol’s harmfulness has been initiated. The Czech Republic has one of the highest alcohol consumption rates in the world. Up to 1.3 million people over 15 years of age drink in a risky and harmful manner, and each inhabitant drank an average...

 by Prague Morning Jun 06, 2024

At Least Four Dead and 23 Injured in Czech Train Crash

At least four people were killed and more than 20 others injured when a passenger train collided with a freight train in the Czech Republic on Wednesday night, international news agencies reported, citing authorities. Some 20 people suffered light injuries and another three were more seriously hurt in the crash in the city of Pardubice, along the country’s main rail corridor from Prague to the east, Interior Minister Vit Rakusan said. Martin Kavka, a spokesperson for the country’s rail operator, said the number of casualties may increase, Agence France-Presse reported. The passenger train, operated by RegioJet, was traveling overnight from Prague to Chop in western Ukraine, according to the operator’s website. It was carrying more than 300 passengers, citing Fire Rescue Services. Footage after the crash on news website idnes.cz showed at least one carriage off the track, while police showed a line of emergency service vehicles and a helicopter in a post on X. Informace k železniční nehodě v Pardubicích zde: https://t.co/2kxR2gA4nR pic.twitter.com/AplVdmtilS — HZS Pardubický kraj (@HZS_Pardubice) June 6, 2024 Public broadcaster Czech Television cited a fire brigade spokesperson saying the freight train was carrying calcium carbide – a hazardous industrial chemical – although the first two wagons...

 by Prague Morning Jun 06, 2024

At Least 22 Injured Following Lightning Strike in Liberec

All of the patients are expected to make a full recovery. At least 22 people were taken to the hospital in Liberec on Sunday after lightning hit a tree. All of the patients, which included at least nine children, are in stable condition and many have already been discharged from the hospital. One woman was sent to the ICU suffering from minor burns and trouble moving her limbs, but a spokesperson told CT24 her condition is improving. The originally announced 18 casualties, some of whom had to be resuscitated by paramedics on the spot, suffered injuries ranging from severe to light. Three other people were later admitted to hospital on the recommendation of medical professionals and one more injured person, in addition to the originally announced 18, was taken to hospital by ambulance. The injured had been hiding under a tree at a public park when the accident occurred. The lightning strike occurred at a Children’s Day event in the castle park in Vratislavice nad Nisou around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more

 by Prague Morning Jun 03, 2024

UK’s Royal Mail Sold to Czech Billionaire

The owner of Britain’s Royal Mail said Wednesday it has accepted a GBP3.6 billion (USD4.6 billion) takeover offer from Czech investor Daniel Křetínský. Under the deal, Křetínský’s EP Group would buy International Distribution Services, which owns Royal Mail, for GBP3.70 (USD4.72) per share. Including debt, the deal values IDS at GBP5.2 billion pounds (USD6.6 billion). It said EP Group would offer a series of “contractual commitments and intentions” to protect public service aspects of the 500-year-old postal service. Long state-owned, Royal Mail was privatized by the UK’s Conservative government in 2013 and has struggled financially. IDS said no major job losses were planned as part of the deal, which must be approved by shareholders. Under the plan, Royal Mail would maintain its name, branding, UK headquarters and obligation to six-day-a-week mail delivery. Křetínský, who already holds a 27 per cent stake in the Royal Mail’s parent company, has a vast, Europe-wide portfolio of business interests. In the Czech Republic, he owns book publishing houses, a sport daily and magazines, and he co-owns French newspaper Le Monde. He has stakes in companies including Macy’s, Foot Locker and UK supermarket chain Sainsbury’s. He also owns a stake in Premier League soccer team...

 by Prague Morning May 29, 2024

Hiring Now: Explore Careers with Prague’s Unicorn Startups

The Czech Republic has seen an increase in investment in recent years as several homegrown and international businesses have achieved unicorn status. With Czech startups collectively raising $1.7 billion in 2022 and 2023, others are predicted to attain the coveted status soon. Prague is at the centre of the massive growth, with over 700 startups calling it home. While many are still in their early stages, the high-tech and gaming industries are already showing signs of maturity. Let’s dive into some of the unicorns in Czech that are hiring right now. Productboard Check job opportunities here Productboard, founded in 2014 by Daniel Hejl and Hubert Palan, is a game-changer in product management. Born out of Palan’s frustration as a product manager in 2011, the company strives to solve real challenges faced by product teams. The company’s all-in-one product management platform allows distributed teams to understand user needs, prioritize features, and align on a shared strategy. It has the ability to facilitate cross-functional collaboration and product prioritisation processes With a unicorn status achieved in early 2022, Productboard is valued at $1.75B. It currently has more than 6,000 customers and 500 employees. Its platform is used by various companies, ranging from UiPath, Zoom,...

 by Prague Morning May 23, 2024

A Month-by-Month Guide to Music Festivals in Czechia This Summer

With genres reaching high and low from techno, rock, pop, and everything in between, nothing goes unmissed in the Czech Republic. Let It Roll When: Thursday 1st – Saturday 3rd August 2024 Where: Airfield Milovice in Milovice 2024 lineup: A.M.C, Andy C, Bou, Camo and Krooked, Dimension, Hybrid Minds, Koven, Netsky, Rudim3ntal, Sigma, and loads more Going in hard with the list of the best music festivals in the Czech Republic in 2024 is a massive honourable mention; Let It Roll. Known to be the world-leading DnB festival, Let It Roll is the perfect festival to scratch that raving itch you’ve been having. Every year they welcome 20, 000 + imortalz to their layer (a former military airport to you and us), which transforms into a ravers paradise with the wonders of their impressive stage designs. Even better, this year you can expect some titans across the DnB spectrum as they are not only a rocket of a lineup but also, esteemed ambassadors that care about the heavy sounds of DnB just as much as you. Expect deep, minimal, liquid, and more unmissable sounds and undeniable fun. There is also free water available, two food zones, bars, and punters can...

 by Prague Morning May 21, 2024

Czech Republic Holds Open Gardens Weekend 2024

More than 200 private sites and gardens will become accessible to the public!  On 8 and 9 June, residents and tourists in the Czech Republic will be allowed to visit and explore gardens that are otherwise inaccessible throughout the year. On this occasion, the public can get acquainted with the different approaches to the maintenance of gardens and get a new insight into its function and importance in life. It must be noted that, despite the name of the event, various buildings and establishments will take part. In other words, the two-day experience will allow visitors to access numerous private sites including castles, squares, historic cemeteries, monasteries, arboretums, botanical gardens, and flower farms. Over 200 establishments are taking part this year The Open Gardens Weekend event first took place in 2010 when only 3 gardens became accessible to the public. People’s interest rapidly grew with time, and the two-day experience proved to be a success. Now, more than 200 gardens from all over the country have announced that they will take part in this year’s Open Gardens Weekend. What can you experience at the event? According to the event’s website, the aim is to increase people’s awareness of and interest...

 by Prague Morning May 20, 2024

All Aboard! Czech Railways Unveils Summer 2024 Unlimited Travel Ticket

Czech Railways (České dráhy) has revealed its annual campaign for the summer of 2024, introducing the “Jízdenka na léto 2024” promotion. This initiative offers passengers the opportunity to purchase special unlimited tickets for all domestic routes of the carrier, valid for either one or two weeks, at favorable rates. Running from July 1st to August 31st, 2024, the promotion targets travelers intending to explore extensively within the Czech Republic during the summer holidays. Ticket prices remain consistent with the previous year: 1390 CZK for seven days and 1990 CZK for fourteen days. Reduced rates of 695 CZK and 995 CZK are applicable for children under 18, students under 26, and pensioners. These passes afford travelers unrestricted access to the Czech Railways network, spanning almost the entirety of the country. As the largest railway operator in the nation, Czech Railways facilitates unlimited journeys and transfers, excluding only the Pendolino high-speed trains, which necessitate an additional fee for reserving specific seats. Sales for these passes commence on Saturday, June 15th, available for purchase at station ticket counters and via the company’s official website. Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more

 by Prague Morning May 15, 2024

Victor Lustig, the Czech Con Artist Who Sold the Eiffel Tower

The art of the con has a long history, from the classic “rabbit in the hat” trick to more elaborate schemes. One man, Viktor Lustig, a Czech con artist, took these tricks to a new level, becoming infamous for his audacious scams. Born in 1890 in a wealthy family from the Bohemian region (former Austria-Hungary), Victor Lustig studied rather brilliantly. But work do not interest him, and the young man prefers to use his intelligence for a much more lucrative activity: swindling. Victor left Bohemia in 1909 and settled in Paris. He started out as a pimp, then embarked on Atlantic cruises and rip off wealthy old ladies. He settled for a few years in New York, gangland’s ElDorado, and returned to Paris in 1925. There came up the idea of ​​a scam that was as crazy as brilliant. The Eiffel Tower, built for the Universal Exhibition of 1889, is declining. The visitors are fewer, and the criticisms still strong. To counterbalance its lack of tourists, Gustave Eiffel is trying to make it essential by carrying out scientific experiments. But in 1925, Eiffel died, and the City of Paris, owner of the monument since 1910, does not know what to...

 by Prague Morning May 13, 2024

Czechia Among Countries Most Targeted by Russian Hybrid Activities, Says NATO

The Czech Republic is among the countries most targeted by Russian hybrid activities, according to a recent study by NATO. Alongside Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Britain, the Czech Republic faces a significant threat to its security from Russian interference. NATO expresses deep concern over Russia’s use of sabotage, disinformation campaigns, violence, and cyber attacks. Recent events underscore this threat. In the UK, authorities charged two individuals suspected of ties to Russian intelligence for planning attacks on Ukrainian-affiliated businesses. In the Czech Republic, investigations into the Vrbětice warehouse explosion reveal Russian involvement. Moreover, a network dubbed “Voice of Europe” has been exposed for attempting to influence politicians and activists. Similar incidents have occurred across Europe. In April 2024, British authorities charged two individuals with aiding Russian intelligence in planning an arson attack on a facility storing aid for Ukraine. Meanwhile, in Poland, a man was arrested for allegedly spying for Russia and plotting to assassinate the Ukrainian president. In Germany, two arrests were made for planning physical attacks to disrupt German aid to Ukraine. Estonian officials have accused Russia of hybrid operations targeting the Baltic states, including facilitating refugee influxes to pressure EU and NATO borders. Allegations include jamming...

 by Prague Morning May 12, 2024

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