Like most countries, the people of the Czech Republic descend from multiple genetic groups, and about 90% of Czechs can be traced to other ethnic groups that migrated into the country. Genomac, a Czech firm specializing in genetic analysis, found that their country was about “half Slavic”, otherwise the Czech genome was a very colourful mix of different genes. They found that 20% of people they tested had relatives in another country they had no idea existed, and that some common genetic traits were rooted beyond the middle ages. It’s believed that the people of the Czech Republic are made up of: -37% Slavic peoples -25% Western Europeans, mostly French, German, and northern Italy. -9% Balkans -9% Semitic, (arabs and jews) -7% Germans and Scandinavians -3% from other random parts of the world -10% are “purebred” Czechs whose genetics are almost exclusively found in the northern Czech Basin (české kotlině.) The first known people in recorded history to inhabit the Czech Republic were in fact Celts, who have left behind a visible genetic legacy on the Czech people today. A genetic mutation called G551D which causes cystic fibrosis in Czechs and Austrians can be traced back to Celts. But the...
The condition of pubs in Czech villages is incredibly alarming as more than 1,300 pubs have vanished in the last four years, which accounts for nearly 15 percent of the original number. In 2019 alone, over 250 rural pubs closed their doors, according to data provided by Plzeňský Prazdroj, which categorizes communities with less than 5,000 residents as rural. Although there were 8,929 pubs in March 2019, the number has decreased to 7,604 this year. These figures take into consideration only pubs and restaurants, excluding bistros and cafes. The reasons for the decline in rural pubs are diverse. The significant rise in input prices has adversely affected the gastronomy sector, especially the rural pubs have to decrease the customers” prices because they are open to any increase. Furthermore, many people in villages and smaller towns prefer drinking beer at home than go to the pubs, which has resulted in a difficulty attracting new customers for rural pub owners. Luboš Kastner reiterated that the revenues are increasing only for Prague’s restaurants and pubs, with a 36 percent revenue surge while there is a reduction in business profitability in rural areas. As many rural pubs are shutting down, people living in secluded...
Expat-friendly services in Prague: peer-to-peer carsharing company, HoppyGo, provides expats with effortless car rentals. Since 2017, the peer-to-peer car sharing platform, HoppyGo, has been providing expats in the Czech Republic with access to vehicles without the hassle typical of other car rental companies. Unlike the latter, HoppyGo connects those looking to rent a car directly with the owners, fostering a sense of community while promoting an environmentally friendly way to share unused vehicles. In 2022, HoppyGo was added to Deloitte Technology’s Fast 50 list as the 4th fastest growing tech company in the Czech Republic, and the 11th fastest growing tech company in all of Central Europe. “[We’re] pro-utilisation, pro-expat”, explained Brian Koslowski, HoppyGo’s Chief Operating Officer. “Our company represents true car-sharing. We encourage sharing vehicles that already exist, instead of offering a fleet”. The HoppyGo team presented its service to the expat community at this year’s Jobspin Job Fair, proving to be especially useful for them; providing the community with the convenience of driving, without the commitment or difficulties associated with car ownership. Whether needing a vehicle for moving flats, going on vacation, or simply to try a new type of car, HoppyGo makes life as an expat far...
51,282 crimes were recorded across Czechia up to April, up considerably on the 46,940 registered in the same period last year. Crime across the Czech Republic increased by more than 9 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2023, according to the latest police statistics. By March, a total of 51,282 crimes had been recorded across the country, up considerably on the 46,940 registered in the same period last year. While economic crimes such as fraud and drug-related crimes are down, violent crime including murder rose significantly. In the first quarter of the year, Czech police recorded 47 murders or attempted murders, 12 more than in the same period last year. Authorities confirmed the majority of incidents, some 28 of the cases, involved domestic relationships. The rise in reported murders and attempted murders is a concerning trend across Czechia. Last year, 150 cases were recorded in the country, up considerably on the 105 cases registered in 2021. In January, Czech Police President Martin Vondrášek attributed the increase to the noticeably higher social tension brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and the difficult economic climate. Czech authorities also recorded a far higher number of property crimes in...
Czech Republic announces new measures to ban CBD and other hemp-derived cannabinoid products from the market. Although the country announced plans last year to legalize recreational cannabis, it is now planning to ban hemp-derived cannabinoid products that do not produce psychoactive effects. The Ministry of Agriculture announced on April 25 its intention to set up new measures to remove products containing CBD and other hemp-derived cannabinoids from the Czech market, claiming that foodstuffs containing CBD cannot be placed on the market in any EU country due to the lack of scientific studies on their effects on human health. Agriculture Minister Zdeněk Nekula said in a press statement that food products containing CBB and other cannabinoids derived from hemp cannot be sold unless they are certified as safe by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which provides independent scientific advice on food-related risks. He also admitted that the ban will impact some food business operators. The Czech Republic is the only EU country to allow a THC limit of 1% in industrial hemp, whereas other member states have set the limit at 0.2%, although the EU has recently announced that it will increase the THC limit to 0.3%. The Czech Republic’s...
The Czech government on Wednesday approved a defense military treaty with the United States. The Defense Cooperation Agreement sets a legal framework for possible deployment of U.S. troops on Czech territory and their cooperation with the Czech armed forces. It should make any such moves easier at a time of Russian aggression against Ukraine. “It´s undoubtedly a step to boost our country´s security,” Prime Minister Petr Fiala said. A date for signing the deal by the Czech and U.S. defense ministers is yet to be set. It will then need parliamentary and presidential approval. Defense Minister Jana Cernochova called the U.S. “the most important ally in defense. Therefore, to boost trans-Atlantic ties is in the Czech vital interest.” The U.S. has such agreements with 24 other NATO members, including Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Romania and Bulgaria that form the eastern flank of the alliance. Any particular deployment of U.S. forces will still need approval by the Czech government and parliament.
Brno was liberated exactly 75 years ago, on April 26, 1945, by the Red Army led by Marshal Rodion Yakovlevich Malinovsky in the Bratislava-Brno operation.
The recent figures provided by the European Office for Statistics, Eurostat, have revealed that in February of this year, Germany granted a total of 25,125 temporary protection statuses for Ukrainian refugees, thus becoming the country that granted the most temporary protection so far. Such data also show that second place was taken by Poland with 24,905 temporary protection statuses, followed by the Czech Republic with 9,775 and Romania with 7,920. Based on the Eurostat report, compared to January 2023, the number of decisions granting temporary protection to Ukrainians in February fell in 19 of the 26 EU members. The biggest decreases during February were observed in Poland with -3,540 compared to January of this year. Next comes Germany with -3,080, the Czech Republic with -2,630 and Romania with -1,035. On the other hand, the most significant growth was recorded in Ireland and Finland with +540 and +520 respectively. As of February 28, the highest number of Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection was registered in Germany with 1,000,530 and Poland with 989,080. In addition, compared to the population of each EU member state, the highest ratios of Ukrainian citizens granted temporary protection per thousand people during February were recorded in Cyprus...
Czech gastro is experiencing big change. According to Dotykačka statistics, whereas cafés and bistros have witnessed a considerable increase in sales, the typical Czech pub is shrinking. In four years, the catering industry’s overall sales increased by 32%. “This corresponds exactly to the rate of price increase, so the current situation appears to be not much different from before the pandemic,” says Petr Menclík, the head of Dotykačka. However, only at restaurants does the 32% rise in sales match the total average. Cafés and bistros are booming, with sales increasing from 115 to 127 percent. Traditional pubs are the laggards, with a 30% lower turnover than before the epidemic. People’s perceptions about the ultimate bill figure also have an influence. “Normally, you pay 150 or 200 crowns for a coffee with a cake or croissant in a café, but with beer, the customer looks at every crown,” added Menclík. Menclík feels that if the Finance Ministry’s plan to impose VAT on draught beer becomes law, it will strike another blow to traditional Czech hospoda. “Increasing the price of beer would have a significant impact on demand.” Restaurant revenues increased by 16% in the first two months of the year, 3% more...
After a steady increase in unemployment since June 2022, the job market in the Czech Republic has finally fallen. Unemployment rate in the Czech republic has increased every month since June 2022, but the end of winter marks a shift in these trends. Projections for the unemployment rate in the Czech republic exceeded expectations this spring. Hovering at 3.9 percent during February, the unemployment rate fell to 3.7 percent by March – exceeding predictions that it would only decline to 3.8 percent. Experts attribute the rapid decline of unemployment to favourable weather conditions, which allowed for the resumption of work in the industrial sectors, such as agriculture, construction, forestry, and mining. Regardless, the unemployment rate in March 2023 was 0.3 percent higher than last March, although it remains the lowest among EU member nations. January 2023 marked the first month in a 5 year period where there were fewer job vacancies than reported job applicants. By February, the pressure of the job market eased, although the number of job vacancies exceeded the number of applicants by less than 600. This trend continued to accelerate in March, with the surplus of job vacancies reaching 10,000. Despite unemployment continuing to fall and the job market stabilising itself, the surplus of job vacancies remains substantially...
Drum and bass, jazz, techno, indie, pop, and more – music festivals in Prague and the Czech Republic have it all. Check out the very best the country has to offer here. Prague Rocks Prague Rocks vol. 1 on June 2nd will feature headliners Motley Crüe & Def Leppard, supported by the biggest Czech rock band Kabát. Prague Rocks vol. 2 starts on June 21st with headliners Gwen Stefani & Maroon 5. The Prague Rocks Festival continues on June 21st with more well-known artists from music mainstream. Gwen Stefani and Maroon 5 will be joined by Rag’n’Bone Man, who unfortunately canceled his appearance in Prague last year due to the ongoing COVID epidemic. Let It Roll 2023 When: Thursday 3rd – Saturday 5th August 2023 Where: Airfield Milovice in Milovice 2023 lineup: Chase & Status, Andy C, Camo & Krooked B2B Mefjus, Sub Focus, Wilkinson, Bru-C, Dimension, Shy FX, and many more Big, booming drum and bass festival Let It Roll is the biggest DnB fest in the world and it shows with a belting lineup packed to the brim with the best artists on the scene. Known of course for its sublime lineups, out-of-this-world, elaborate stage design, clear sound, and attracting...
Hot on the heels of Germany, politicians in the Czech Republic have released plans for legalising cannabis for recreational use in a regulated market that would allow individuals to buy up to 5 grams per day. The Czech Republic has put forward a draft bill for a regulated cannabis market that would allow individuals to buy up to 5 grams of cannabis per day for recreational purposes. Under the plans, people who wish to use cannabis recreationally would need to register in a database, while growers and sellers would have to pay annual fees. The proposed legal cannabis market could bring in around CZK 2 billion per year, according to anti-drug policy coordinator Jindřich Vobořil. The proposal is still in its draft form, but it is set to be debated in parliament this month, with implementation potentially starting next year. The possession of small amounts of cannabis has been decriminalised in Czechia since 1 January 2010, but smoking it for recreational purposes remains technically illegal. However, cannabis has been legal and regulated for medicinal use in the country since 2013. Vobořil argues that the main aim of the new regulation is to increase consumer protection and ensure that the cannabis...
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