The Easter markets in Prague’s Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square will officially open on Saturday, April 5, and run until Sunday, April 27. This year’s event will once again transform the city center into a festive spring marketplace, offering traditional Czech Easter decorations, crafts, and seasonal food. “In smaller boxes, we will plant two-and-a-half to three-meter birch trees, which should already be in bloom. These will be decorated with eggs and traditional ribbons. Larger boxes will showcase pansies, daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths,” explained decoration coordinator Tatiana Vomáčková. Another new feature is the Easter gate, located near Železná Street, which will serve as a symbolic entrance to the markets. “The gate will frame the view of Old Town Square and visually define the market area,” said Eva Poláčková, executive director of Decoled, the company responsible for market decorations. Easter photo corners will also be set up for visitors. One Kilometer of Easter Garlands and Interactive Art Boards The Easter decorations will extend throughout the markets, with one kilometer of wicker garlands adorning the Old Town Square stalls and an additional 300 meters of garlands on Wenceslas Square. A new interactive attraction will be available behind the Jan Hus statue, where...
A new report by the energy think tank Ember finds that imports of Russian gas to the EU surged by 18% in 2024. Despite plans to phase out Russian energy by 2027, increased imports into Italy, the Czech Republic, and France drove the rise. Although demand did not grow, imports increased. Moreover, the EU plans to enhance its liquefied natural gas (LNG) import capacity by 54%, with member states seeking alternative gas suppliers. According to the think tank, this expansion occurs despite stable demand until 2030. Analysts warn that such expansion could result in overcapacity, with fossil gas supply expected to surpass demand by 26% in 2030. “This level of overinvestment, amounting to 131 billion cubic meters, matches the combined annual gas consumption of Germany, France, and Poland,” reads the press release. “It is a scandal that the EU is still importing Russian gas,” said Ember analyst Dr Pawel Czyzak. “Instead of investing in true alternatives like renewables and efficiency to cut off Russian imports, Member States are burning money with expensive LNG capacity that won’t even be used.” The analysis reveals that after years of price volatility driven by the war in Ukraine, gas prices surged by 59% in...
On the night of Saturday, March 29, to Sunday, March 30, 2025, the Czech Republic will switch to daylight saving time once again. At 2:00 a.m. Central European Time (CET), clocks will move forward by one hour to 3:00 a.m. Central European Summer Time (CEST). This shift will impact some night transport services in Prague. Many people mistakenly refer to CET as winter time, but the seasonal time change was originally introduced to extend daylight hours and reduce reliance on artificial lighting, thus saving energy. However, the idea is based on assumptions from over a century ago. Modern energy experts argue that shifting the clock has little to no impact on electricity consumption. How Will Prague’s Public Transport Be Affected? Most night routes will operate as usual, but some services will follow modified timetables: No major changes – Night trams and most night buses will run as scheduled. Will continue after the time change – Bus lines 956, 957, 958, 959, and 960, along with night bus 397, will complete their routes after 3:00 a.m. CEST. Special timetables – Bus lines 903, 951, 952, and 954 will follow adjusted schedules. Passengers can find more details via the Prague Integrated Transport...
Delta Air Lines will resume direct flights between Prague and New York (JFK), reconnecting the two cities for the summer season. The service will begin on May 8, 2025, and continue until October 6, 2025. Flights will operate daily, with the route served by a Boeing 767-300. The journey is expected to take approximately 9 hours and 25 minutes. Tickets are already available, with one-way fares starting at 15,000 CZK for the basic fare. This seasonal connection is expected to boost tourism and business travel between Czechia and the United States, offering passengers a convenient non-stop option. Jiří Pos, chairman of the board at Prague Airport, expressed hope that the connection could become year-round. “Before the Covid crisis, over 70,000 passengers traveled between Prague and New York annually, which suggested strong potential for a permanent direct route to the Czech capital,” he said in 2022. However, that plan did not come to fruition. Despite this, Prague Airport remains committed to securing more long-haul connections. “Expanding North American and Asian routes is a key priority, and we have been negotiating with airlines for some time,” said Jaroslav Procházka from Prague Airport. Would you like us to write about your business? Find out...
The Prague Public Transit Company (DPP) is set to restore a historic sprinkler tram, a vehicle once essential for keeping the city’s streets clean. The project involves reconstructing the tram’s chassis to create a fully functional replica of this unique maintenance vehicle. The planned replica will be modeled after historic sprinkler tram No. 2505 from 1925. DPP will install a refurbished water tank onto the chassis of tram No. 2196, originally built in 1929. The restoration process will include chassis leveling, the addition of missing parts, and the integration of both new and reconditioned components, including electrical systems. Once completed, the tram will not only serve as a historical exhibit but will also retain its original gravity and pressurized sprinkling functions. The entire project will be strictly supervised to ensure historical authenticity while meeting modern technical standards. DPP plans to use the restored vehicle for special events, highlighting Prague’s rich transport history and the crucial role these trams once played in urban maintenance. A Glimpse Into the Past Following World War I, maintaining Prague’s streets with traditional trucks proved to be too costly. As a result, the city’s Building Authority commissioned Electric Companies to design special sprinkler trams. The first...
Car imports from China to the Czech Republic more than doubled last year, with Chinese brands now holding 3.3% of the domestic market for new passenger cars. The latest player to enter the scene is BYD, one of China’s largest car manufacturers, which will officially launch its brand in the country on April 1, 2024. Czech buyers purchased 7,675 cars from China in 2023, compared to 3,516 in 2022. The rapid increase in Chinese car sales is driven not only by competitive pricing but also by a notable improvement in quality and technology. As these brands continue to evolve, their share of the European market is expected to grow further. Despite this growth, Chinese carmakers could face obstacles in Europe. Klaus Zellmer, CEO of Škoda Auto, recently pointed out that US tariffs on Chinese imports imposed under Donald Trump’s policies might push Chinese manufacturers to shift their focus toward European markets. This could lead to increased competition for established European brands. BYD’s European Expansion Plans BYD is already making significant strides in Europe. The company is set to decide this year on the location of its third European factory. Its Hungarian plant will begin operations in October 2024, followed...
A new Poesiomat has been installed in the lower part of Wenceslas Square, offering visitors a unique blend of literature and history. The device, resembling a submarine periscope, plays 20 recordings tied to Prague’s past—including poetry, speeches, and key historical moments. Among them are a speech by Václav Havel, the last words of Jan Palach, and the proclamation of Czechoslovakia in 1918. The project was unveiled by Ondřej Kobza, the cultural activist behind Prague’s public pianos and chess tables. The machine, costing 280,000 CZK, was primarily funded by the city of Prague (250,000 CZK), with Prague 1 district contributing 30,000 CZK. Unlike a traditional jukebox, this Poesiomat plays more than just poetry. Visitors can listen to Klement Gottwald’s 1948 speech beginning with the famous words, “I am just returning from the Castle,” or Marta Kubišová’s first public performance in 1989 after a 20-year ban. The selection also includes: Poems by Vítězslav Nezval, Karel Šiktanc, and František Halas A short story by Jaroslav Hašek Popular children’s songs from the Semafor Theater A narration on Wenceslas Square in the 1920s by director Josef Vomáčka A historical account of the square’s architectural evolution, told by historian Richard Biegel Deputy Mayor Jiří Pospíšil (TOP 09)...
The country has been shaken this past week by the heartbreaking story of Madlenka, a two-year-old girl fighting for her life. She has been diagnosed with severe aplastic anaemia, a rare condition in which her body has stopped producing white and red blood cells, as well as platelets—leaving her immune system critically compromised. Her only hope of survival is a bone marrow transplant, but time is running out. Doctors have just six weeks to find a suitable donor. The urgency of her case has sparked a nationwide response. The National Bone Marrow Donor Registry, in partnership with the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKEM), has reported an unprecedented surge in registrations. According to CNN Prima News, Madlenka’s plight has deeply moved the Czech public, prompting a wave of support. Over the weekend, hundreds of people queued outside IKEM in Prague, hoping to be the match that could save her life. On Friday and Saturday alone, 730 new donors registered. By Sunday, another 400 had signed up. Martina Koláčná, a spokesperson for the registry, said interest remains high, and additional recruitment events are being planned. Donors can continue registering at IKEM from Wednesday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 12...
Prague has been awarded the title of European Forestry City 2025, marking the second time the Czech capital has received this recognition, following its win in 2021. The city will also host an international conference, bringing together scientists, policymakers, and forestry experts to discuss urban green spaces and environmental sustainability. One of Europe’s Greenest Cities Prague stands out as one of Europe’s greenest cities, with approximately 4,900 hectares of forested land, covering about 10% of the city’s total area. These green spaces play a crucial role in environmental conservation, recreation, and the overall quality of urban life. The city also manages over 2,600 hectares of gardens, parks, and green spaces, with parks making up 9% of this total. Notable green areas include Stromovka Park, Letná Gardens, and Kinský Garden. Prague’s Expanding Green Spaces Prague is continually expanding its green areas. While forested land was shrinking in the city until the late 19th century, the trend reversed in the 20th century. Since then, the total area of newly planted forests has reached nearly 1,500 hectares. The HUGSI index, which measures urban greenery, reports that each Prague resident enjoys an average of 180 square meters of green space—one of the highest figures...
Food and non-alcoholic beverage prices in Czechia have surged by 26.4% over the past three years, aligning closely with the EU average of 26.9%. While this increase is substantial, food prices have also climbed sharply across the European Union. In terms of the pace of price hikes, Czechia ranks 13th among EU nations. However, recent data from Eurostat suggests that in short-term comparisons—year-on-year or month-to-month—the situation in Czechia is less favorable. “The most relevant comparison is the three-year period from January 2022 to January 2024, as food prices began to spike dramatically in early 2022,” said Miroslav Novák, an analyst at Akcenta. Czechia Follows EU Trend, But Some Items Are Cheaper Abroad Novák notes that in this three-year perspective, Czechia does not stand out negatively, despite the 26.4% price surge. In fact, price growth in neighboring countries has been even higher: Slovakia saw a 37.1% increase, Poland 33.9%, and Germany 27.1%. However, some widely recognized products remain cheaper abroad. Items like Nutella, or Pilsner Urquell beer, often cost less in Germany than in Czechia. When considering salaries and purchasing power, German consumers pay comparatively lower prices for food. The steepest three-year increase was recorded in Hungary, where food and beverage prices...
A new report on alcohol consumption in Czechia reveals concerning figures, with up to 1 in 10 people over the age of 15 consuming excessive amounts of alcohol daily. The annual study estimates that nearly 900,000 individuals regularly drink multiple pints of beer, glasses of wine, or spirits each day. The findings were presented by Pavla Chomynová, head of the National Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Addictions. The report also highlights worrying trends among young people: nearly a quarter of 15-year-olds, 5% of 13-year-olds, and even a small percentage of 11-year-olds have been intoxicated repeatedly. Among teenagers aged 15 to 19, 60% reported drinking in the past month, while 4% admitted to consuming alcohol daily or nearly every day. Gender differences in drinking habits are also narrowing, with studies suggesting that girls are catching up to boys in alcohol consumption. The health consequences are severe, with alcohol-related causes accounting for 6,000 to 7,000 deaths annually. Liver disease and alcohol poisoning alone are responsible for 2,000 to 3,000 fatalities each year. Additionally, hospitals admit between 13,000 and 14,000 patients annually for conditions directly caused by alcohol use. The financial burden on the economy is estimated at CZK 80 billion per year....
Festival Spectaculare has successfully reached its halfway point and continues at full speed. The first part of the festival kicked off with packed SaSaZu after the Kiasmos concert, a sold-out evening with Max Cooper, successful workshops, and full cinemas. All this confirms that the twelfth edition of Spectaculare has firmly established itself on Prague’s cultural map. Now the festival is heading into its second half, promising more unforgettable experiences. “I am extremely pleased with how this year’s edition is going so far. The sold-out events and fantastic atmosphere at the previous concerts confirm that Spectaculare is reaching the right audience. Personally, I am now really looking forward to the Gondwana Records showcase, which promises a truly exceptional musical experience,” says festival dramaturg Josef Sedloň. What’s Coming in the Second Half of the Festival? March 25 – Gondwana Showcase @ Palác Akropolis Fans of modern jazz can look forward to a showcase by British label Gondwana. Performing on stage will be Vega Trails, uniting members from Portico Quartet, Mammal Hands, and Submotion Orchestra. Also appearing will be rising stars Kessoncoda and the project Paradise Cinema, founded by saxophonist and producer Jack Wyllie. The evening will conclude with a special vinyl set...
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