The popular American fast food chain Five Guys is set to debut in the Czech Republic with its first branch in Prague’s iconic Máj department store on Národní třída. After more than a year of delays, the long-awaited opening is now anticipated to take place in March 2025. Preparations for the branch began in 2023, with initial plans targeting a June 2024 launch. However, the timeline was postponed multiple times, with subsequent estimates pointing to autumn and later the end of the year. According to Karel Samec, spokesperson for Amadeus Real Estate, which manages the Máj department store, the restaurant is now expected to open by March. An advertising banner announcing the upcoming launch has been displayed outside the Máj store for several months. Additionally, Five Guys has launched a Czech-language website introducing its menu and providing job opportunities within the chain. Expansion Across Central Europe The Czech franchise of Five Guys will be managed by Monterock International, a multinational investment holding company involved in private equity, gastronomy, real estate, and sustainable technologies. Monterock also operates two branches of Five Guys in Vienna and has plans to expand the brand further into Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia. Established in Virginia, USA,...
DOX Centre is the largest independent institution focusing on contemporary art in the Czech Republic, which thanks to a private initiative opened to the public in 2008. Since its establishment, DOX has earned a reputation as a forward-thinking space that merges art with social and political engagement. It provides both local and international artists with a stage to explore and challenge contemporary issues, inviting visitors to reconsider the role of art in society through its diverse program of exhibitions, installations, performances, and workshops. DOX was founded by a group of passionate Czech art enthusiasts who envisioned a space where contemporary art could engage with broader societal themes. The building itself is an architectural marvel—a former warehouse repurposed into a modern cultural venue. Its minimalist design, incorporating concrete, glass, and steel, reflects the raw and unpolished essence often found in contemporary art. From its inception, DOX has sought to bridge the gap between art and society by fostering dialogue through interdisciplinary projects. The center not only showcases visual art but also tackles complex issues such as politics, environmental challenges, technology, and social justice. It serves as a meeting place where artists and visitors can engage in discussions relevant to contemporary life....
Andrej Babiš, leader of the ANO movement, told Echo24 that if he is elected to government, he intends to implement a 100% tax on real estate purchases by foreigners from non-EU countries who do not actively occupy the properties. He cited Spain as a model for this policy. Babiš argued that the tax should apply not only to houses and apartments but also to land, as foreigners often buy property and land using dubious funds. According to him, this move would ensure that non-EU buyers are discouraged from using Czech property as an investment tool without contributing to the local community. The tax would affect nationals from countries such as the UK, Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. Babiš emphasized that the goal of his proposed tax policy would be to collect taxes effectively and reduce them where possible. He criticized the current Czech government, led by Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS), for what he described as ineffective tax collection and increasing tax rates. Spain has already introduced a similar proposal, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announcing plans to impose a tax of up to 100% on real estate purchases made by non-EU citizens who do not plan to live in the...
TasteAtlas has unveiled the planet’s worst-rated foods, based on 600,000 ratings. Topping the list is Blodplat, a dish traditional to Sweden and Finnish Lapland of rye or barley flour and (wait for it) animal blood dumplings, which is usually served as a side dish to fried bacon, pork, butter and lingonberry jam. Interesting. In second place was bocadillo de sardinas, a sardine sandwich native to Spain. Surprisingly, despite Spain being the land of paella, croquettes, tapas and churros, three Spanish dishes are included in the top 10: angulas a la cazuela is a Basque Country dish of spicy eels, and faves a la Catalana is broad beans cooked in stock and served with blood sausage. Three Czech dishes appear on this list, offering a perspective on how certain traditional recipes are perceived beyond their home country. Czech bread soup (Chlebová polévka): This simple bread soup is a traditional Czech dish prepared with a combination of stale bread, water, onions, and a variety of spices. The more refined versions are occasionally thickened with eggs and may incorporate flavorful broths or various root vegetables. Characterized by its rustic appeal and thick consistency, chlebová polévka is a common home-cooked dish that is traditionally...
Chronic issues with data connectivity and mobile signals on trains in the Czech Republic are set to receive an unconventional solution. Last autumn, mobile signal repeaters and window modifications were introduced in an attempt to improve connectivity. While these changes were expected to make a significant difference this year, Czech Railways has now announced an additional measure: satellite-based internet. According to HN, testing is expected to begin in early spring, likely in February. “We are using technology directly provided by Starlink, negotiating with them without intermediaries. Our costs will only cover partial modifications to the trains.” This new system will feature a significantly larger and more powerful terminal compared to the one used by Ukrainian soldiers on the frontlines. The terminal, measuring 56 by 63 centimeters, will be installed on the roof of each train. Starlink is a satellite constellation system that aims to deliver global internet coverage. This system is ideally suited for rural and geographically isolated areas where internet connectivity is unreliable or nonexistent. The testing in Europe will be particularly significant for the manufacturers. In the United States, Starlink’s deployment focuses mainly on independent traction, such as diesel trains that don’t run on electric power lines. A SpaceX initiative...
The eastern edge of Prague is set for a major transformation as the Kyje-Hutě area gears up to become a modern residential district. The city council has approved an urban study spearheaded by the Institute of Planning and Development (IPR), which outlines plans to accommodate 13,000 new residents and up to 4,000 jobs. While private investors will develop a portion of the new housing, much of the land remains city-owned, giving the municipality leverage to shape the area’s development, amenities, and infrastructure. A Modern Approach to Development The urban study provides a comprehensive blueprint addressing transport, infrastructure, and landscape in the Kyje-Hutě area. It will also guide Prague 14 and city officials in managing the interests of developers, landowners, and investors. “This location has long been recognized for its potential to develop into a thriving residential district with excellent access to the city center, thanks to its proximity to major public transport,” said IPR Director Ondřej Boháč. The area benefits from easy access to the newly opened Rajská Zahrada train station, which connects to metro line B and regional rail routes to Lysá nad Labem and Všetaty. Expanding Prague’s Urban Horizons Urban planners are not stopping with Kyje-Hutě. The city...
Relocating to a new country is often an exciting yet stressful experience. Packing your life into boxes, adjusting to temporary housing, and struggling to fit everything into a new, often smaller, home. Sound familiar? This challenge becomes especially common with the rising popularity of micro-apartments in Prague. Whether you’ve moved for work, studies, or to embark on a new adventure, finding a practical solution for your belongings can make the transition significantly smoother. Renting a self storage unit is one of the most effective ways to create extra space. It’s ideal for items that don’t fit in your new home but are still important—whether it’s seasonal items like snowboards holiday decorations, or cherished belongings you want to keep safe. Storage facilities like Less Mess Storage offers secure and private units in a variety of sizes, ranging from compact 0.5 m² spaces to spacious 30 m² units with 24/7 access. This wide selection ensures you only pay for the space you actually need. Should your requirements change over time, switching to a smaller or larger unit is always an option, depending on availability. How to rent a self storage unit? If you’ve never used self storage before, the process is designed...
Appoints.cz is a modern marketplace designed to connect customers with local service providers quickly and effortlessly. With user-friendly filters, diverse categories, and a seamless reservation system, it simplifies the process for customers while empowering vendors with personalized profiles and tools to grow their businesses. Every completed order also contributes to tree planting in collaboration with Sázíme Česko, making Appoints.cz a platform with a purpose. To understand the vision behind this innovative platform, we spoke with Rufat Gafarov, Co-founder of Appoints.cz, about its features, future plans, and environmental impact. A Vision for Simplicity and Connection Q: What inspired you to create Appoints.cz? Rufat: We created Appoints.cz because finding local service providers can be surprisingly difficult, especially if you need someone who speaks your language. To solve this, we introduced a language filter alongside other practical features, making it easier than ever to find the right provider and book their services. Features That Make a Difference Q: What features does Appoints.cz currently offer, and how does it benefit users? Rufat: For vendors, we provide personalized profiles tailored to their selected categories. They can showcase their services, set pricing, add employees, chat with clients, and share photos. Vendors can enhance visibility by adding...
From Thursday, 16 January, to Saturday, 18 January 2025, Prague’s Světozor cinema will host the third edition of KVIFF Classics, a showcase of classic films organized by the Karlovy Vary Film Festival in cooperation with the National Film Archive. As usual, the KVIFF Classics show, with the subtitle Returns of Film Legends, will offer Czech and foreign films that have made an indelible mark on the history of world cinema and can no longer be seen on the big screen. Since most of the featured films have undergone digital restoration, the event continues the tradition of presenting restored films and retrospectives at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival. The festival will commemorate, among other milestones, the centenaries of the birth of three film greats: actors Paul Newman and Peter Sellers, and director Robert Altman. KVIFF Classics will open with Věra Chytilová’s Kalamita, whose restored version was made possible thanks to the financial support of Milada and Eduard Kučer. “Classics belong on cinema screens, and we are happy to continue this mission. The third edition of KVIFF CLASSICS presents a varied genre mix of films that have stood the test of time with honour, among other things thanks to the captivating charisma...
Penny Market’s latest advertisement has turned heads across Prague, particularly in Modřany, where its billboard offering free silicone breast implants has stirred considerable attention. This unusual promotion is part of a broader campaign to raise awareness about breast cancer while providing tangible benefits to the public. The marketing campaign offers a discount of up to CZK 100,000 on breast implants, as well as free purchases of up to 10,000 crowns, provided customers meet the competition’s criteria. Penny Market spokesperson Kamila Kottnauerová confirmed that five winners will receive free plastic surgery as part of the promotion. But the store’s initiative goes beyond mere sales tactics. Penny Market has partnered with a breast cancer prevention campaign, seeking to inform the public about the importance of early detection. In addition to the discounts, Penny Market is offering free breast ultrasound examinations to women who may not have access to them through their insurance. Any woman who books an appointment at the Smíchov Health Center in Prague by the end of January and completes the exam by June 30, 2025, will receive the service at no cost. The response to the campaign has been overwhelming. Within the first day, the available slots for the...
Russia will no longer be able to ‘blackmail’ the Czech Republic, Prime Minister Petr Fiala told reporters. The Czech prime minister said Tuesday his country no longer needed to import Russian oil, following the completion of an expansion of the Transalpine Pipeline (TAL) from Italy. The contract to expand the pipeline was signed in May 2023, more than a year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine led to sanctions on Russian energy imports. “The construction of this expansion has now been completed. Russia can no longer blackmail us and we have a guarantee that we can completely supply ourselves with oil from the West,” Prime Minister Petr Fiala told reporters. TAL brings oil from the Italian port of Trieste to southern Germany, where it connects to the IKL pipeline to the Czech Republic. The expansion has doubled oil capacity for the EU and NATO member to eight million tons a year. Finance Minister Zbynek Stanjura said the expansion cost 1.5 billion Czech koruna ($61 million) and was financed by state-run oil transit company Mero. The country has already completely weaned itself off Russian natural gas. The Czech Republic gets most of its oil via the Druzhba pipeline from Russia, launched in...
Police are calling for the public’s assistance in locating a young man who witnessed a tragic accident at the Luka metro station. A man died after falling down a flight of stairs, and investigators believe the witness’s account could help clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident. The fatal fall occurred on Saturday, October 5th, in the afternoon. The man reportedly fell down the stairs, remained lying at the bottom, and later succumbed to his injuries. According to police spokesman Jan Rybanský, the witness likely saw the entire event and may have noticed crucial details that were not captured on surveillance footage. “It is possible that the young man observed additional factors, such as the causes of the fall, which are not visible in the seized records,” said Rybanský. Footage from a security camera reveals that the young man noticed the victim lying at the bottom of the stairs. He initially turned to leave but then took photos with his mobile phone before walking away. Police are urging anyone who recognizes the young man, knows his identity, or has information about the incident to contact the emergency line at 158. Rybanský also appealed directly to the witness, encouraging him to visit...
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