The Highjump event, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, will take place at the Hřiměždice quarry near Příbram on August 2 and 3. Visitors will enjoy performances by water jumpers from around the world, a rich music program, and plenty of entertainment. Tickets are still available here. Highjump stands out for its unique atmosphere and venue. As always, there will be several categories to compete in. Participants will dive from 12- and 16-meter high towers. A major highlight will be the splash-diving competition, where the winner is determined by who creates the biggest splash. The organizers have prepared a captivating musical lineup across several stages. The main acts include rapper Yzomandias, rising star Rohony, rapper Rest with the band Champion Sound, legends PSH, singer 7krát3 with a live band, and DJs Matamar, TK27, Magenta, Roxtar, and many others. On Friday and Saturday, visitors can look forward to performances by Yzomandias from the Milion+ label and the popular Rohony. PSH, consisting of Orion, Vladimir 518, and DJ Mike Trafik, will deliver their usual outstanding performance. Rapper Rest, a hit last year, returns this year with the live band Champion Sound, fresh from their victory at the Red Bull Soundclash. Also performing...
The Czech Education Minister, Mikuláš Bek (STAN) proposed that all children start learning the English language from the first grade. This reform has been three years in the making and is now approaching its final stage, with both the Education Ministry leadership and coalition politicians focusing on it. The main goal of this reform is to shift from rote memorization to understanding context and the practical application of knowledge and skills. English from Kindergarten? Minister Bek has confirmed that primary school children will still be required to learn two foreign languages. He shared on social network X that English might become compulsory from the last year of kindergarten. “English compulsory from Grade 1, maybe from the last year of kindergarten,” Bek stated. “A second language compulsory from Grade 6, schools would have to offer at least one of a choice of German, French, and Spanish.” This marks a change from the original plan, which proposed only one compulsory foreign language in primary schools, with the second language being optional. Currently, schools must start teaching the first foreign language by third grade at the latest, and the second by eighth grade or earlier. Decision Process “We are clarifying our views and...
Prague has been named the best region to live in the Czech Republic for 2024, while the Karlovy Vary Region is the worst. This conclusion comes from the Místo pro život study, conducted annually by the Datank analytical agency. The ranking was compiled using statistics from official agencies and ministries, and the results of a survey of 1,600 residents in each region. Indicators such as unemployment, salary levels, purchasing power, security, environment, access to medical and social assistance, educational opportunities, infrastructure, and tourism were considered. A total of 75 criteria were evaluated, divided into 8 key areas of life. Prague emerged as the winner for the third consecutive year, boasting the highest average salary, the highest concentration of doctors and dentists, and the highest life expectancy for both men and women. The capital also excels in infrastructure, with the highest per capita capacity of sewage treatment plants, the largest proportion of households with Internet access, and the most public electric vehicle charging stations per 1,000 kilometers of road. Prague has the highest proportion of foreigners and a very high voter turnout. However, the study notes a need for improvement in environmental areas, specifically the low amount of recycled waste per...
Technological progress, globalisation, and demographic trends are shaping the demand for specific skills and knowledge in the Czech market. This is also reflected in the wage levels across various sectors. While some fields are experiencing rapid growth, others are stagnating. Top Professions with High Earnings While the exact ranking of the highest-paying professions for 2024 is still uncertain, trends from previous years and the current labor market situation provide insights into who will likely earn the most. Traditionally, top-ranking professions include IT specialists, healthcare professionals, managers, financial experts, and lawyers. The IT sector continues to thrive, with high demand for skilled professionals such as software developers, data analysts, and cybersecurity specialists. Healthcare also requires a high level of expertise, making surgeons, dentists, and anesthetists among the highest-paid professions. Leadership roles, which carry significant responsibility and require a broad skill set, are also well-compensated. These include positions like company directors, finance directors, and marketing managers. Similarly, the financial and legal sectors, including lawyers, judges, and prosecutors, have long been associated with high salaries. Median gross wage/salary in H1 2023 1. Top executive of a large company (240 690 CZK) 2. Chief executive (140 304 CZK) 3. Surgeon (119 601 CZK) 4....
The Czech Government is pressing ahead with plans to launch Europe’s first fully legal commercial cannabis market, similar to those seen in Canada and many parts of the US. Czechia already has some of the most lenient cannabis laws in Europe. The use, possession and cultivation (for personal use) of cannabis were decriminalised in 2010 while sale and importation are still strictly forbidden and can result in a prison sentence. Czechia was also one of the first countries in Europe to permit a legal medicinal cannabis market, patients began to be issued their prescriptions in 2013. The plan aims to move cannabis entirely away from the legacy market and effectively take control out of the hands of criminals as part of the country’s proposed ‘Cannabis Management Act’. The Czech Government announced it would begin plans to legalise cannabis in line with Germany in late 2022. Since then, drug expert Jindřich Vobořil has been tasked with drafting a bill that would bring about a new law. However, earlier in 2024 it was reported that plans had been scaled down. According to Business of Cannabis, two bills were written, with the weaker plan designed to put pressure on opponents and judge public...
Lidove noviny (LN), the oldest Czech daily in print, is to close down the print version by the end of August. LN’s publishing house Mafra announced in a press release on July 16 that “considering the development on the market” and “internal surveys” Mafra “decided to strengthen the opinion content” of the web version. The changes come less than a year after the Agrofert conglomerate, set up by the Czech opposition leader and billionaire ex-Prime Minister Andrej Babis in the late 1990s, sold Mafra to former PPF manager Karel Prazak’s Kaprain group. The iconic Saturday intellectual supplement Orientace (Orientation) will become part of the Saturday edition of LN’s sister daily MF Dnes, accused by critics of backing Babis’ populist ANO party and serving as its mouthpiece. LN was founded in 1893 and the lengthy list of its editors includes world-renowned Czech writer Karel Capek. LN’s renewal at the end of the 1980s became one of the symbols of the crumbling communist regime, which ended in 1989. Agrofert purchased Mafra in 2013, which is seen by Czech media experts as a milestone year during which local business actors took over much of the media ownership landscape, which mirrored the populist surge...
The 21st edition of Colours of Ostrava kicks off in the Moravian-Silesian capital on Wednesday. Colours of Ostrava is a multi-genre international music festival that has been held in the Dolní Vítkovice area since 2012. As every year, the former site of the steelworks, mines, and ironworks will come alive with a program of over 450 items on 24 open and indoor stages. Visitors can expect concerts by foreign and domestic performers and bands, discussions, theatres, workshops, and much more. The music program will welcome the opulent and extravagant show of Sam Smith, who will perform in the Czech Republic for the first time ever. The lineup also features such names from the music world scene as Tom Morello, Lenny Kravitz, Sean Paul, Zara Larsson, Gary Clark Jr., James Blake, as well as more indie and other genre-diverse music. As part of the accompanying program, visitors can look forward to theatre performances by Losers Cirque Company, Tribes, Bum Bum Comedy Club, and much more. Since 2016, the event has taken place concurrently with the international discussion forum Meltingpot. Among other awards, in 2005 and 2006, Colours won the Musical Event of the Year prize at the Anděl Awards. In 2016,...
Czechia is home to a collection of water bodies, from historic ponds and lakes to scenic quarries, each offering opportunities for swimming, boating, and relaxing. Machovo Lake Lake Machová is actually the largest lake in Bohemia, created during the reign of Charles IV. In summer, visitors can swim, fish, ride boats and catamarans, and rent paddleboats. There are also 30-minute sightseeing water excursions available. The shores boast four large sandy beaches, a water park, and an indoor pool for bad weather. In winter, Lake Machová freezes over, transforming into a natural ice rink. Location: Near the town of Doksy, Liberec region Lake Konetopi Lake Konetopi is a flooded sand pit that was opened for swimming relatively recently. It features a grassy and small sandy beach on one side. The water is clean and clear, but vacationers might spot freshwater jellyfish during the season. Note that dogs are not allowed on the beaches. Location: Between the villages of Konotopy and Drzysy, Central Bohemia region Lake Lhota Located 20 km from Prague, Lake Lhota is a large body of water on the site of a former sand pit. Some areas are as deep as 14 meters, but the water heats up well....
According to reports, interest in moving abroad spiked after the recent presidential debate. So what are the best places to live in the world? Ask the expats—they offer a unique perspective on living in foreign countries, making their feedback invaluable. This year marks the 11th edition of the Expat Insider report by InterNations, which is one of the most comprehensive studies on expat life, gathering responses from over 12,500 expats representing 175 nationalities in 174 countries or territories. The report ranks the best countries to live by analyzing factors such as Quality of Life, Ease of Settling In, Working Abroad, Personal Finance and the Expat Essentials Index (which covers housing, administration, language and digital life). This year, Panama has climbed to the top—an impressive leap from its third-place ranking last year—knocking Mexico to the second spot. Compare these results to 2023 and 2022, when Mexico ranked number one. Unfriendly Czechs, But Transport is Top-Notch The Czech Republic has ranked surprisingly low, falling from 21st place last year to 39th this year in the Expat Insider Index. Survey respondents primarily blame the unfriendliness of the locals. Expats report not feeling welcome and find it hard to make friends among Czechs. In...
Besides hosting major music and film festivals, Czechia is set to welcome some of the big names on the music scene this summer. As always, music lovers of all genres will be heading to the Colours of Ostrava festival (17 -20 July 2024) at Dolní Vítkovice in the city of Ostrava, the industrial heartland of Czechia’s eastern region. Colours of Ostrava will feature Sam Smith, five-time Grammy winner, as well as Lenny Kravitz, who will also be playing songs from his new album Blue Electric Light. Hradec Králové, a city renowned for its culture and entertainment, will host the ladies’ favourite, Ed Sheeran. In response to the great interest shown by fans, he’ll be performing twice in Park 360 in Hradec Králové, on 27 and 28 July 2024. The rap event of the year will be a performance by hip-hop icon Travis Scott at the O2 Arena in Prague on 18 July 2024. The American star will be appearing as part of his UTOPIA – Circus Maximus Tour 2023. In Prague, visitors have a wealth of ways to spend their leisure time, from strolling through the historical centre with the iconic Charles Bridge or visiting Prague Castle to relaxing on the romantic...
Czechia has offered to take in and treat child cancer patients displaced by Russia’s deadly missile strike that destroyed part of Ukraine’s largest children’s hospital in Kyiv on Monday. This assistance was discussed by the presidents of both countries, Volodymyr Zelensky and Petr Pavel, at the ongoing NATO summit in Washington. At least 42 people were killed in the massive Russian daytime barrage in multiple Ukrainian cities. The Okhmatdyt children’s hospital, including its childhood cancer ward, was hit during the onslaught. Pictures on social media showed parents comforting bloodied children and rescuers digging bodies from amidst the building’s rubble. Transporting patients to the Czech Republic is logistically expensive and is usually chosen when adequate care cannot be provided locally. For example, an 18-month-old girl from Lviv, who suffered extensive burns in March 2022, was treated in Prague and eventually discharged home. Initially, Czech representatives also offered Ukraine financial humanitarian aid to repair the destroyed hospital and provide medicines. The Czech Ministry of Health stated they are currently waiting for their counterparts in Kyiv to send a list of needed materials, medicines, and other medical supplies. The Russian strike came before NATO leaders gathered in Washington, DC for a summit this...
Tesla is expanding in the Czech Republic. On July 15, the American carmaker will open a second full-fledged dealership in Brno’s Židenice, on the premises of Nová Zbrojovka. This adds to their existing store in Čestlice near Prague and a pop-up sales center in Ostrava’s Karolina shopping center. The new Brno dealership spans a thousand square meters and includes a service center and a delivery center. Cars will be delivered from the factory near Berlin or from Shanghai in China. Customers can test drive the full range of Tesla models (Model S, Model X, Model 3, and Model Y) and book test drives online or on-site. Opening a second store in the Czech Republic confirms the strength of the local market. The country boasts one of the densest networks of Tesla fast-charging stations in Eastern Europe, with 56 Supercharger stations. Tesla leads the Czech EV sales ranking with 1,713 vehicles delivered in the first half of the year, followed by Skoda (434 Enyaqs), Volvo (332 EVs), and Hyundai (311 cars). The launch of a subsidy program for companies in March spurred growth in EV sales, increasing the share of EVs in total sales from 2.6% to 3.5% year-on-year. “EVs are...
Don’t have an account? Register
[swpm_registration_form level=”6″]
Already have an account? Log In
How Would You Like to Promote Your Business? PR ArticleDisplay bannersVideo productionNewsletter adsJob ListingsInfluencer Marketing
Your Email
We will come back to you within 24 hours with our proporsal
