Since the start of Russia’s invasion, tens of thousands of young Ukrainians have arrived in Czechia. The debate is no longer about whether they will remain, but how well they can be integrated into Czech schools, companies, and communities. If managed effectively, their arrival could strengthen the country’s economy and ease pressure on its labor market. Experts point out that this wave of migration differs from previous ones. Ukrainians are generally closer in language and culture, often have higher levels of education, and show a strong willingness to work. Many are entering professions where Czechia has long struggled to fill vacancies, including healthcare, IT, and skilled trades. The government’s role will be decisive. Analysts stress the need for faster and more efficient administration, particularly in processing residence permits and work visas. Language support is another critical area, requiring sustained funding for Czech-language courses, both in schools and online. Regional coordination also matters, since local labor market needs vary widely. Without a clear national plan, integration risks becoming fragmented and uneven. Employers are already adapting to the new workforce. Some firms have begun offering Czech lessons directly in the workplace, while others encourage mentoring systems to help young Ukrainians adjust. Flexibility...
Blažena Strachotová, the oldest living citizen of the Czech Republic, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 28, at the age of 108. Born on February 9, 1917, in Slavičín, in the Zlín region, she lived through the Austria-Hungary era and witnessed more than a century of historical change. For many years, she called České Budějovice home, where she maintained her independence well into her later years. Even in her final years, Strachotová prepared her own breakfast daily, usually a simple slice of bread with honey. She placed great value on family life, often saying, “Family is the foundation of life.” She was surrounded by loved ones at the time of her passing. “She died peacefully in her sleep, with family by her side,” said Mayor Dagmar Škodová Parmová. “Meeting her was a real experience. She was optimistic, self-sufficient, and truly memorable. Her memory and vitality were remarkable for her age.” Strachotová lived at the Nursing Home on Nerudova Street but used its services minimally, preferring to remain independent. Her work ethic began in childhood. She trained as a butcher and sausage maker and helped run her family’s bakery and farm. “I delivered pastries in the mornings before school,” she recalled...
Czechia has officially entered the global race in quantum technologies with the unveiling of its first quantum computer, located at the IT4Innovations National Supercomputing Center at VŠB–Technical University of Ostrava. The machine, named VLQ, is also among the first of its kind in Europe. At the heart of the device lies a chip only slightly larger than a credit card. Yet to function, the system requires an entire room filled with support equipment, including a cooling mechanism that lowers the chip’s temperature to nearly –273.14 °C, close to absolute zero. “That’s even colder than open space,” said Vít Vondrák, director of IT4Innovations. Superconductivity at such conditions is what makes the computer possible. Unlike traditional computers that process information through bits—set as either 0 or 1—quantum machines operate with qubits, which can represent 0 and 1 simultaneously. This phenomenon, known as superposition, combined with entanglement, enables qubits to influence one another instantly, even across distance. The result is the ability to process vast amounts of data in parallel, tackling problems classical machines cannot manage. Vondrák explained the difference in simple terms: “The factorization of prime numbers, which underpins modern cryptography, might take years for a classical computer. A quantum computer can...
A growing number of Czech schools are tightening their dress codes, banning items such as crop tops, bare shoulders, and sweatpants. The move has sparked debate among students, parents, and teachers about where to draw the line between comfort and appropriateness. At Brno’s Sirotkova Elementary School, principal Dan Jedlička confirmed that new rules were added this year after students themselves raised the issue during the school parliament. “We want to prepare children for their future lives. That includes learning how to dress appropriately in different situations,” he told Czech Television. According to Jedlička, the tipping point came last year when some nine-year-olds began wearing outfits that, in his words, “crossed a reasonable line.” While the school has introduced clear limits—no midriffs, no oversized necklines, and no sweatpants—the principal emphasized that punishment is not the goal. “We won’t send children home or discipline them harshly. The idea is guidance, not sanctions,” he said. Still, the rules have not been welcomed by everyone. Some students argue the ban is too strict. “If you’re not allowed to wear a deep neckline, that’s fine, but there should be flexibility. Straight-cut sweatpants are comfortable and shouldn’t be a problem,” said student Ema Látalová in an...
This fall again, the KRUH association in cooperation with local-based organizations and initiatives is organizing the nationwide festival known as Architecture Day, with many Czech cities engaging in its numerous events. This year’s 15th edition will run between October 2 and October 7. Architecture Day is not just about walks, but also bike rides, cruises, screenings, discussions, workshops for families, art installations, and happenings. And the associated festival Film and Architecture. Historical highlights in Prague are the Judith Bridge Tower on the Malá Strana side of Charles Bridge, the Baroque summer residence Portheimka, and Veleslavín Chataeu. This edition is subtitled This Architecture and focuses particularly on the architectural work of women. It will commemorate well-known names such as Eva Jiřičná, Eva Machoninová and Alena Šrámková, but also a number of neglected female authors. The festival will also focus on new buildings, renovations, and forgotten places. Walks will take interested parties to areas such as the Morušovka villa district in Hradec Králové, Prague’s Baba and Ořechovka, Kylešovský Hill in Opava, the Planýrka area in Brno, or the abandoned workers’ colony Karlov in Plzeň. Examples include the first Czechoslovak architecture graduate Milada Petříková-Pavlíková, the author of the Best Flats Vilas on Prague’s Baba, Hana Kučerová-Záveská, or...
Czechs under 35 are increasingly shifting away from traditional alcohol consumption, favoring non-alcoholic options, soft drinks, and ready-to-drink canned beverages. Research by Ipsos reveals that this younger generation is reshaping the country’s drinking culture. According to the study, only 10 percent of 18- to 26-year-olds drink alcohol several times a week. Meanwhile, more than a third consume alcohol sparingly, mostly during holidays or special occasions. By contrast, the 36–53 age group reports the most regular drinking, with around one-quarter consuming alcohol frequently. Non-alcoholic alternatives, including alcohol-free beer and alcohol-free sparkling drinks, are gaining traction, chosen by 41 percent of respondents. Ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages are also growing in popularity, especially among 27- to 35-year-olds, nearly half of whom now prefer these convenient, pre-mixed drinks. Premium spirits are becoming more sought after as well, with about 18 percent of Czechs opting for higher-quality selections. Declining Alcoholic Beer Consumption According to the Czech Breweries and Malteries Association, the average per capita consumption of alcoholic beer fell by 16 liters in 2024 compared to 2019. This marks a continued downward trend in alcoholic beer consumption, despite the Czech Republic maintaining its position as the world’s top beer consumer with 152.1 liters per capita in 2023....
A rainy summer left many Czech restaurants struggling, with mountain resorts and campsites reporting revenue drops of up to 30 percent compared with last year, according to data from Dotykačka. Beer sales fell by about ten percent as customers avoided outdoor terraces. Yet not all sectors of the industry are struggling. In September, as the weather stabilized, city restaurants and pubs saw customers returning. Kastner expects urban businesses to perform better through the autumn. “Events like St. Martin’s Day and the election season bring people into pubs and restaurants. They want to talk, debate, and share food,” he said. The overall outlook remains weak. Kastner predicts sector revenues will nominally match last year’s, but after inflation, they will fall by three to five percent. Since 2019, dining prices have risen more than 50 percent, while wages lag behind. As a result, Czechs now eat out two to three times a week, down from four to five just a few years ago. The average Czech spends about 4,500 crowns monthly on food and drinks outside the home. Meals Cost More—But People Still Indulge The typical lunch now costs about 200 crowns, compared with less than 140 crowns six years ago. In...
Písečná, a small municipality in the Pardubice Region, has been named Czechia’s Village of the Year 2025. The title was announced on Saturday, September 20, in Vacov, South Bohemia, which held the award last year. More than 180 municipalities across the country entered the annual competition. Thirteen of them advanced to the national final, including Písečná, which earlier this summer won the regional round and secured one million crowns in support. Písečná lies in the Ústí nad Orlicí District, just five kilometers from the town of Žamberk, below Žampach Mountain. With a population of around 585, the village has long been recognized for its cultural and community life. The jury highlighted the preservation of its traditional landscape, careful management of greenery, and consistent use of planning tools to ensure that new construction respects the original character of the village. The Competition and Its Goals The Village of the Year competition is part of Czechia’s Rural Renewal Program, established in 1995. It promotes active participation of residents in municipal life, encourages sustainable development, and supports the preservation of traditions. To qualify, municipalities must submit a development strategy. The jury evaluates not only public spaces but also community activities, local businesses, and...
At the end of September, the entire country belongs to the patron saint of the Czech people. They honor the memory of St. Václav on the day when he was murdered by his brother. One of the most famous monuments in the whole of Prague, and perhaps the whole of the Czech Republic, is the statue of St. Václav on Wenceslas (Václav) Square. And it’s not just because this Czech prince is watching over one of the largest squares in the Czech Republic from his saddle. Nor is it because he has witnessed, astride his horse, many of the major events in the history of this country. St. Václav is the patron of the Czech lands and the most popular saint here. His day falls on 28 September, when the Czech Republic celebrates Statehood Day. Saint Wenceslas – the patron saint of the Czech lands Wenceslas was a Czech prince who, after his murder, became a symbol of Czech statehood and a Catholic saint. He was born in 907 and was apparently murdered on September 28, 935. There are not sufficiently reliable contemporary sources for a precise reconstruction of the life of Wenceslas. His life can be reconstructed from legends...
From November 1, Pražská energetika (PRE) will lower electricity and gas prices for customers without fixed-price contracts, a move expected to affect around half a million households in Czechia. Electricity prices for these customers will fall by up to 10 percent, while gas will be reduced by 8 percent. For households that do not use electricity for heating or hot water, the new price will be CZK 2.89 per kilowatt-hour (without VAT). According to PRE, homes that use electricity for heating—whether through direct heaters or heat pumps—could save more than CZK 4,000 annually including VAT. Those with electric boilers are expected to save around CZK 1,200 per year, while a typical household using electricity only for cooking and lighting will save roughly CZK 600 annually. PRE will set the new gas price at CZK 1.32 per kilowatt-hour excluding VAT. Customers will be notified of the changes by letter or email by the end of September, with the new rates applied automatically. PRE spokesperson Karel Hanzelka said the savings will vary depending on individual consumption: “The annual savings for a typical PRE customer who does not heat with electricity will be about 600 crowns on average. Of course, it always depends...
The Czech Republic is facing a historic labor crisis. Each year, the country may face a shortfall of 70,000 workers, as retiring generations outnumber those entering the workforce. According to Jaroslava Rezlerová, CEO of ManpowerGroup Czechia, about 120,000 people retire every year—but only 90,000 young workers replace them. The gap of 30,000 is forecast to more than double within a decade, leading to an aggregate annual loss of up to 70,000 workers. The Czech Statistical Office reports that the share of people aged 15 to 64 will first stagnate and then decline. The steepest drop is expected among those in their 40s and 50s, with this group’s share shrinking from around 64% to 56.6% over the coming years. Tomáš Dombrovský, from Alma Career (the owner of Jobs.cz and Práce.cz), warns that many firms are unprepared. As more workers age into middle and later stages of life, he says, “the moment companies begin to reject them, we will have a big problem.” Foreign Workers: Partial Solution, But Not Enough Foreign labour has helped cushion the blow. Refugees from Ukraine have filled gaps, but mostly women have arrived, while male migration has declined. Meanwhile, wages in neighbouring countries like Poland, Romania, and...
The Czech Republic is “ready” to send special operations helicopter unit to Poland, according to Defense Ministry statement on Wednesday. “The Czech Republic will support Poland in ensuring defense against current threats in connection with the impacts of Russian drones on Polish territory. It is ready to send a helicopter unit for special operations with specially modified Mi-171S aircraft to the country,” the statement said. It said that Poland requested the deployment of the unit following a phone call between Defense Minister Jana Cernochova and her Polish counterpart Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz. “Poland is our close and reliable ally … It is important that the help comes quickly and that we show Russia our unity. We are ready to send the unit within a matter of days,” Cernochova also said. The move came after Poland shot down suspected Russian drones with the support of NATO aircraft, the first time a member of the alliance is known to have fired shots during Russia’s war in Ukraine. “At the request of the Operational Command of the Branches of the Armed Forces, air traffic restrictions will be introduced in the eastern part of Poland in the form of the restricted zone EP R129,” the agency...
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