On Thursday afternoon, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, along with the prime ministers of Poland and Slovakia, and the Austrian Chancellor, in Wroclaw, Poland. The leaders discussed financial aid for European countries hit by devastating floods, with the Czech Republic set to receive €2 billion from EU funds. The meeting, which aimed to address the severe flood damage across Central Europe, was attended by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, and von der Leyen. The Prime Minister of Romania had also been invited but was forced to decline due to ongoing flood recovery efforts in his country. Financial Support Agreed in Wroclaw “In Wroclaw, we agreed that the EU will release €2 billion (CZK 50 billion) from cohesion funds to assist the Czech Republic,” Fiala announced on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). In total, Central European countries will receive €10 billion (CZK 250 billion) to help mitigate the aftermath of the floods. Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the critical need for financial resources to restore the damaged landscapes and infrastructure. She explained that the European Solidarity Fund would be used primarily...
Anyone who recently ate at Hideout, an Asian restaurant on Rybná Street in Prague, may be horrified to learn what was going on behind the scenes. The restaurant was operating under appalling conditions, with cockroaches infesting the kitchen and an overall state of filth. On September 12, inspectors from the State Agricultural and Food Inspection Authority (SZPI) visited the establishment and were shocked by what they discovered. The kitchen was not only extremely dirty but also crawling with live cockroaches, leading to an immediate shutdown of the premises. “Our inspectors found the facility severely neglected in terms of cleanliness, with numerous live cockroaches present,” the SZPI stated. Given these serious hygiene violations, the authorities imposed a complete ban on the restaurant’s operations.
Many travellers will have stayed in a short-term holiday let at some point, but in many popular European cities, the proliferation of holiday lets can lead to higher rents and less housing for locals. Across Barcelona, Madrid, Prague and now central areas in Budapest and Athens, local governments are taking action to curb or even ban short-term let licences. Locals in one Budapest district vote to ban holiday lets from 2026 It looks like the Hungarian capital, Budapest, is also souring on incessant tourism after the publishing of voting results on Monday, September 15th, which showed that residents of the central District VI have narrowly voted to ban short-term rentals with effect from 1 January 2026. So far, this represents only one small part of the city, however, Terézváros (Theresa city), as District VI is officially known, is also one of the most densely populated ones so the impact of Airbnb-style lets there is felt more acutely. After the vote was concluded, according to Euronews, Mayor Tamás Soproni from the centrist political party Momentum Movement said: “The next step is to bring the will of the people of Terezváros to the representative body, and we will create a decree on...
Oscar-winning actor joins Czech swing musician Jan Smigmator on stage for a night of jazz and swing classics. Over the weekend, visitors at Malostranská Beseda in Prague got an unexpected surprise when Kevin Spacey, the Oscar-winning actor known for American Beauty and The Usual Suspects, joined Czech swing musician Jan Smigmator on stage. The unplanned concert was reported by Czech music magazine Headliner. Spacey, who was in Prague on a private visit, had come to Malostranská Beseda for dinner with Smigmator and his wife. Later, to everyone’s surprise, he stepped up to the stage for an impromptu musical performance. According to Smigmator’s Instagram, the two had dined the night before at Sansho, a restaurant where parts of the movie FUBAR starring Arnold Schwarzenegger had recently been filmed. Although Spacey is best known for his acting, he actually started his career in musical theatre and has always had a passion for music. He even played singer Bobby Darin in the film Beyond the Sea, which he also directed and co-wrote. “Kevin is here on a private trip,” Smigmator told the Flash. “Not many people know that he began his career as a singer and still loves music. We have mutual friends...
On the evening of Thursday, September 19, passersby noticed a new act of vandalism on the Charles Bridge. A green inscription appeared on the parapet near the Old Town Bridge Tower, catching the attention of those crossing the bridge. While the exact time of the incident remains unknown, the bridge is under constant surveillance by multiple CCTV cameras. Authorities are confident that identifying the culprit will not take long. According to the Novinky, as of Thursday evening, no formal report had been made to the police regarding the vandalism. This is not the first time the historic bridge has been targeted. In 2021, a pair of lovers left English phrases such as ‘hate you,’ ‘love,’ and ‘sorry’ on the bridge. They were sentenced to compulsory community service and fined. The couple avoided a harsher punishment, but under Czech law, defacing a cultural monument can lead to up to three years in prison. Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more
On Saturday, 21 September, the Czech Republic will host the 19th edition of the beloved “Experience the City Differently” (Zažít město jinak) festival, an annual event that encourages locals to reclaim their streets. This year’s theme, “Slow Down,” is a gentle reminder to pause and savor both city life and community connections. Organized by the AutoMat association, the event will transform streets, courtyards, parks, alleys, and squares into welcoming public spaces. “The Experience the City Differently festival is traditionally held on the third Saturday of September, coinciding with European Mobility Week and International Car-Free Day. It invites residents to explore their familiar streets from a fresh perspective,” explains Barbora Hradečná from AutoMat. The slogan “Slow Down” not only promotes a break from our fast-paced routines but also highlights the importance of traffic calming in urban areas. The organizers encourage participants to linger over casual conversations with neighbors, enjoy refreshments, and forge new connections within their communities. “You can show children what it’s like when streets are theirs to enjoy, free from constant traffic,” Hradečná added. “It’s also an opportunity to think about the barriers that elderly people, or those with disabilities, face in public spaces.” Here you can find the...
The Czech Republic has chosen UK firm Rolls-Royce SMR after assessing seven potential technology suppliers for its proposed small modular reactor programme. The Ministry of Trade said that the applicants were approached “on the basis of their potential suitability for placement in the Czech Republic … Rolls-Royce SMR emerged as the best company with which ČEZ (the Czech nuclear power company) wants to establish a strategic partnership”. The government will now carry out a “safety assessment of the British company” as was done for those who bid for the recent large nuclear units contracts – involving the Ministry of the Interior, Security Information Service, ÚZSI, Military Intelligence and other key institutions to ensure it complies with the state’s security requirements. The first small modular reactor (SMR) is planned by ČEZ at a site near the existing Temelin nuclear power plant in the 2030s, “before the start up of the new large Czech nuclear unit which is planned for before 2040”, the ministry said. ČEZ is also looking at other sites suitable for SMRs, including Tušimice and Dětmarovice where survey and monitoring work is taking place to see if they are suitable nuclear sites. Prime Minister Petr Fiala said: “Small modular...
The fourth annual Spring Wine Festival is set to celebrate the end of the harvest season and the start of a new year for the divine drink—wine. This year, the festival will feature wines from over 30 wineries, a variety of culinary delights, and lively music and dance entertainment throughout the weekend. As the grape harvest winds down, it’s the perfect time to raise a glass to the season’s hard work. The Spring Wine Festival invites you to join the festivities with wine, burčák, and a feast of great food. The event will take place on Saturday and Sunday, September 21 and 22, in the scenic square in front of Písecká brána in Prague 6. What can you look forward to? A selection of top-quality Czech and international wines, fresh burčák, and plenty of delicious food pairings. The entertainment lineup promises something for everyone, including live music, dance lessons, and interactive activities. You can even get your hair styled by a French hairdresser on-site. The musical acts will include the renowned band Chameleon Groove, Tibor Žida, and the folk ensemble Šraml. Dance Perfect school will showcase a special festival performance, and the weekend will culminate with a performance by Xavier...
Whether you are spending your exchange in the Czech Republic, or you have been living here for a while, Czech culture can seem strange or bizarre. Why not tackle it in the most fun way – with movies? The successful screening cycle “Some Like It Czech” from cinema Aero kicks off its fourth season on September 25th with the retro cult comedy “Smoke” (Get your tickets here). What began as a university project three years ago has gradually evolved into an integral part of the Žižkov cinema Aero program. Every month, the iconic green hall resonates with laughter and the English language, as expats gather to learn more about the country they have chosen to live in. The wide selection of Czech movies thoughtfully selected to display different facets of Czech culture and history is complemented with English subtitles and a spoiler-free explanatory introduction ensuring that nothing gets lost in translation. “We want to offer our audience as diverse variety of films as possible, so we don’t just show world-renowned films, but also dramas depicting milestones in Czech history, and beloved comedies that have etched themself into the collective consciousness of every Czech,” says the founder of the project Anna...
The floods of 2002 represent a natural disaster that caused the most damage in Czechia in modern history. The Czech National Bank’s 2002 annual report assessed the impact on GDP and inflation as small, with the floods not significantly affecting the Board’s decision. The macroeconomic impacts, including fiscal ones, were deemed unlikely to be substantial. The report envisaged a slowdown in real GDP growth of between 0.2 and 0.3 percentage points in 2002 while providing an additional positive impulse for the next year, roughly of the same magnitude but with a positive sign. The recent floods seem less damaging than the devastating event of 2002 in terms of economic cost, yet more severe than the 2013 floods. At the same time, several factors prevented higher losses compared to previous floods. Meteorologists provided early warnings, which proved to be very accurate. The individual river basins responded by releasing dams to accommodate the massive water influx. The infrastructure was better prepared than at any time before. Insured losses from this year’s floods are about to reach CZK 17 billion, according to the first estimates of the Association of Insurance Companies. Approximately half of the damages are incurred by households and the other...
Prague will celebrate Oktoberfest with a three-day event planned in Riegrovy Sady! The event is from September 26 to 28 (Thursday-Saturday). The fourth edition of the annual festival will feature six traditional Bavarian beers on tap such as Hofbräu Dunkel, Paulaner, and Löwenbrau as well as several Festbiers including from Germany’s oldest brewery: Weihenstephaner. Typical bavarian food will also be served, with pretzels, radishes, Bavarian sausages, and burgers on offer. Visitors are encouraged – but not required – to come in traditional Bavarian fancy dress. You will also be able to taste Festbiers, for example from the oldest German brewery Weihenstephaner. “There will be typical Bavarian delicacies such as pretzels, radishes, and spread Obatzda or Bavarian sausages. In addition, of course, our traditional large and hearty Burgers. So smeckt Bayern!,” says one of the organizers. “Stylishly dressed welcome. Look in your wardrobes and wear something Bavarian. We open every day at three, we close at 10 pm,” he adds. To ensure a great experience even in bad weather, the organisers will set up heated tents and open fires, complete with awnings, so guests can stay warm while enjoying the festival outdoors. Entry is free and the events will be open each...
Despite the lack of concrete evidence of water contamination from recent floods, Czech Chief Sanitary Doctor Barbora Macková has recommended that all residents temporarily boil tap water before drinking. Speaking to the ČTK news agency on Tuesday, September 17, Macková stressed that while there is currently no confirmed damage to water treatment facilities or pipelines, precautionary measures should be taken. Macková emphasized that residents of private homes—particularly those relying on wells—should avoid using well water and instead opt for bottled water or water from imported cisterns. “At the moment, we have no information indicating any problems. No rise in infectious diseases has been reported in any region. However, floods can create conditions for infections, such as leptospirosis or hepatitis A,” Macková explained. She also highlighted the start of the respiratory disease season, advising people involved in flood cleanup efforts to wear protective gear like sturdy shoes and gloves to minimize health risks. “Since infectious diseases can spread even after water dries, and dust particles containing bacteria can be inhaled, we recommend wearing medical masks or respirators while cleaning or assisting others,” the chief epidemiologist advised. Macková further warned against consuming food that had come into contact with floodwater, citing the...
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