What began as a seemingly trivial altercation spiraled into a tragic incident. Two groups of tourists clashed in the heart of Prague, leading to a confrontation that escalated beyond mere words and shoves. One tourist, aged 26, wielded a bottle of vodka as a weapon, resulting in a devastating outcome; the victim later died to his injuries in the hospital. The incident took place on Saturday, September 21, along Národní třída and was caught on a security camera. According to police spokesman Jan Daněk, the groups initially appeared to be enjoying a friendly interaction. “At first, everything was calm, and the tourists were chatting normally. Then, an argument broke out between them,” Daněk reported. The argument escalated quickly into a series of events that none of the participants anticipated. “One individual struck another in the head with a vodka bottle. The impact was so severe that the victim collapsed immediately and tragically died in the hospital,” Daněk explained. Given the seriousness of the situation, police launched a search for the perpetrator. Authorities located the suspect outside a hotel in Prague 2, where he had reserved a room. “The 26-year-old man is now facing charges of grievous bodily harm and disorderly...
In an interview with The New York Times (NYT) published on Monday, Czech President Petr Pavel said that Ukraine must be realistic about its war objectives and accept that some territory may remain, at least temporarily, under Russian occupation. Pavel, described by the NYT as one of Ukraine’s strongest supporters against Russian aggression, stressed that Ukrainians and their allies need to face what he called “reality.” “The most likely outcome of the war (…) is that part of Ukrainian territory will be temporarily under Russian control,” Pavel stated during his visit to the United States. He noted that there are “many examples” of territories held by Moscow on a temporary basis. Maximalist Goals Unattainable Pavel argued that neither side—Ukraine nor Russia—will achieve their maximalist goals. “Talking about the defeat of Ukraine or Russia is unrealistic,” he said, adding, “the resolution will lie somewhere in between.” His comments were echoed by Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský (Pirate Party), who admitted that Ukraine is currently unable to reclaim all its lost territory. “That’s the reality we see,” he stated. However, Lipavský clarified that this doesn’t mean Ukraine should be pressured into ceding territory to Russia, thereby legitimizing the aggressor’s claims. Ukraine’s Future...
For the first time ever, the iconic dancers of Paris’ famed Moulin Rouge will perform in Prague this October. The event will take place at the Municipal House as part of the French Touch La Belle Vie gala, an initiative aimed at strengthening economic ties between France and the Czech Republic. Attendees can expect more than just the high-energy cancan—famed French performers like the rock band Indochine, Yan Destal from the duo MODJO, as well as Czech artists Vojtěch Dyk and the band Vesna, will also take the stage. This year marks the 135th anniversary of Moulin Rouge. “It’s a demanding but rewarding job. Moulin Rouge is a family business, and I’m proud to be part of the fourth generation running it,” says Jean-Victor Clerico, the cabaret’s executive director. The venue will host two performances, at 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM. Behind the Scenes at Moulin Rouge With more than 400 employees, Moulin Rouge is a well-oiled machine, requiring the expertise of performers, technical crews, restaurant staff, and theater managers. “What sets us apart is that we create everything in-house. From the sets to the costumes, including headpieces and shoes, we rely on our own artisans and seamstresses,” Clerico explains....
On Monday, Prague’s City Flood Commission confirmed that flood protection measures across the metropolitan area will be gradually lifted this week. On Tuesday, gates at Čertovka will be opened, and the last remaining barriers at Zbraslav and Divadelní Street will be dismantled. By Wednesday, the embankments along the river will once again be accessible to the public, including local businesses, and navigation on the Vltava River is expected to resume. Ferries will also return to operation based on the water flow, with updates provided by Prague Integrated Transport via their website. “There are no signs of the situation worsening, quite the opposite. I want to emphasize once again the excellent preparedness of the experts and teams involved, whose efforts have spared Prague from a disaster. Thanks to their work, the city suffered only minor damage compared to other regions,” said Bohuslav Svoboda, Mayor of Prague. Starting Wednesday at noon, the embankments in Prague’s Districts 1, 2, and 5 will reopen to the public, including the businesses that operate there. The Vltava River is expected to fully reopen for navigation by noon on Wednesday. Previously, boating had only been allowed between Barrandov and Jirásek Bridges. The State Navigation Administration will release...
Starting Saturday morning, 28 September, tram service will resume in the Vodičková – Jindřišská section. The area has been closed for the past three months due to the extensive reconstruction of Wenceslas Square. This update was confirmed by the Prague Transport Company. Tram lines 3, 5, 6, 9, 14, 15, 24, 42, 91, 92, 94, 95, and 96 will be back on their original routes, ensuring better connectivity for both residents and tourists. It’s important to note that the renovation project for Wenceslas Square includes a plan to reinstate tram services to the area. Tracks will run from the National Museum to the Můstek metro station, where they will merge with existing lines connecting Vodičková and Jindřišská streets. LINKA 35 NAPOSLEDY NA VÁCLAVÁK | Dnes s posledním výjezdem 🚋 linky 35 (zhruba o půlnoci) začínáme rozebírat dočasné obratiště a zastávku v Jindřišské ulici, které sloužily od 16. července tohoto roku k dočasné obsluze cestujících mezi Václavským náměstím a Vozovnou Žižkov.… pic.twitter.com/pLN9T1Ou7c — Dopravní podnik hl. m. Prahy, akciová společnost (@DPPOficialni) September 23, 2024 Trams ran in the upper part of the square until 1980, but the previous city administration decided to bring them back. According to previous information, the trams...
Czech Deputy Prime Minister Ivan Bartoš has stepped down as leader of the Pirate Party following a significant electoral defeat over the weekend. The Pirate Party managed to secure only three regional council seats, a steep drop from its previous 99, as the opposition ANO movement, led by former prime minister Andrej Babiš, dominated the elections, winning in 10 out of 13 regions. “Given the outcome of the regional and senate elections, the leadership of the Pirate Party is collectively resigning,” Bartoš announced in a social media statement on Sunday. In addition to Bartoš, other high-profile resignations include vice-chair Klára Kocmanová, MEP Markéta Gregorová, and municipal representative Dominika Poživilová Michailidu. Jana Holomčík Leitnerová, another vice-chair of the party, had already announced her resignation, set to take effect by the end of September. The party plans to elect a new leadership team on November 9. These resignations signal a significant shift not only for the Pirate Party but also for the Czech political scene. Despite the party’s focus on anti-corruption and digital governance, its popularity has waned, reflecting a broader trend of declining support for progressive parties across Europe. “I’m proud of what we’ve achieved, but it’s clear the party needs...
Prague’s iconic Charles Bridge is undergoing a long-awaited lighting overhaul, expected to last until the end of November. The public lighting system operator, THMP, has started a comprehensive restoration of the bridge’s illumination, aiming to repair damage caused by a 2022 storm. Starting Monday, only the historic gas lamps lining the pedestrian pathway will light the bridge. Meanwhile, the statues and arches will remain dark as extensive repairs take place. “We are also dismantling and replacing all the original lighting elements, such as outdated discharge lamps, which used to light the bridge’s arches and statues,” said Simona Kopová, a spokesperson for THMP. The new lighting will use modern LED technology, designed to be more energy-efficient and allow for remote monitoring of any malfunctions. The restoration, with an estimated cost of nearly CZK six million, is set to be completed by November 30. The project involves the renewal of 182 lights on the bridge. These include almost 100 lights in the arches, 24 on the icebreakers, and over 60 that illuminate the statues. Due to the sensitive nature of the location, the removal and installation of the lights will require specialised techniques, including rope, boat, and diving work. Would you like...
The organizers of the renowned SIGNAL Festival 2024 have unveiled the detailed program for this year’s event, promising to dazzle both Prague’s residents and visitors. Running over four consecutive evenings—October 10, 11, 12, and 13 (Thursday through Sunday)—the festival offers an immersive experience, blending cutting-edge light installations with the city’s historic architecture. The main part of the festival will once again take place in the heart of Prague, showcasing spectacular works of art in the city’s streets and squares, all free of charge. What to Expect: 13 Light Installations and Video Mappings Attendees can enjoy 13 stunning light installations, as well as two video mappings projected onto iconic buildings: the facade of the Central City Library on Mariánské Square and the Archbishop’s Palace on Hradčany Square. The video mappings will run daily from 7:00 PM to midnight, with shows repeating every 15 minutes. This provides plenty of opportunities for visitors to catch these mesmerizing displays throughout the evening. Indoor Installations and Ticket Information In addition to the outdoor exhibits, seven art installations will be hosted in various indoor locations such as churches and galleries. While these exhibits require a ticket, they are well worth the admission for those who wish...
The main opposition party dominated Czech regional elections and was ahead in the first round of voting for Parliament’s upper house, according to results released Saturday. With almost all the votes counted, the ANO (YES) movement led by former populist Prime Minister Andrej Babis won 10 of the 13 regions contested in the election on Friday and Saturday, the Czech Statistics Office said. The result reflected a stable support for ANO, which also won 10 regions in 2020 and nine in 2016, and a boost for Babis ahead of next year’s general election. ANO also has the most candidates advancing to the runoffs for 27 seats in the 81-seat Senate. The top two finishers in each district will face each other in a head-to-head vote next weekend. With ballots from 99% of stations counted, ANO had 19 candidates advancing to the runoffs. The Czech Statistics Office said five candidates reached the 50% threshold to win seats outright, leaving 22 seats to be decided in runoffs next week between the top two finishers in each race. The outright winners included two candidates from ANO, one from the Christian Democrats, a member of the governing five-party coalition, an independent representing the coalition...
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...
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