On the morning of Thursday, September 12, the first snow of the autumn-winter season arrived in the Czech Republic. The snow covered Velký Javor, the highest peak in the Šumava National Park, which stands at 1,300 meters above sea level. Overnight, temperatures at Velký Javor dropped to around +2°C, allowing light snowfall to occur in areas above 1,300 meters. The snowfall, however, was light, with no more than one centimeter settling on the ground. Meteorologists predict that today’s snow will melt quickly, but additional snowfall is expected on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. This snowfall comes earlier than in 2023, when the first snow was delayed until October 8 due to an unusually warm autumn. The year before, the first snow arrived on September 18. A video of today’s snowfall: View this post on Instagram A post shared by WeLoveŠumava (@welovesumava) Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more
Woolworth, a well-known German discount retail chain, has announced plans to expand into the Czech and Slovak markets. This development was reported by the financial news portal Peníze on Monday, September 9th. “We can confirm that we are preparing to enter the Slovak and Czech markets,” said Roland Rissel, a representative from Woolworth’s press office. “We are currently in negotiations with property managers in both countries and are working towards finalizing lease agreements.” While details about the specific locations and number of stores remain under wraps, the company aims to open its first outlets in both countries by the end of 2025. Woolworth is recognized for offering a wide range of products, including household items, clothing, electronics, cosmetics, toys, and more, all at prices below the market average. With over 700 stores already established in Germany, the chain is one of the fastest-growing in the country. The management has ambitious plans to increase the number of stores to 1,500 in the medium term. In the Czech Republic, Woolworth will be entering a competitive market, going head-to-head with other popular discount retailers such as Action, Pepco, and Kik. Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more
Prague will host a unique cultural event this September with the premiere of “Splendid Taiwan” by the Formosa Melody Music Center. The performance will take place on September 28, 2024, at the Large Performance Hall of the Prague City Library, from 16:00 to 18:00. About the Formosa Melody Music Center Founded in 1986 in Yilan County, Taiwan, the Formosa Melody Music Center is a celebrated performing arts group known for its innovative approach to music and storytelling. Over the years, the ensemble has brought its captivating performances to diverse venues, including mountains, beaches, temples, schools, hospitals, and concert halls, spreading comfort and joy to audiences far and wide. The group specializes in creating multisensory experiences that blend music with visual and cultural elements, offering audiences a unique taste of Taiwan. Through their performances, they showcase the country’s rich local customs and heritage, from the breathtaking scenery of Alishan to the Hakka culture in “In Love with Tung Blossoms,” and from the simple lifestyle depicted in “Beautiful Lanyang” to the myths and legends in “Blessed Earth” and “The Legend of the Orient.” Their repertoire also includes “Celebration over the Seas,” a tribute to the hardworking and resilient spirit of the Taiwanese...
The Staropramen Brewery is marking its 155th anniversary with a special celebration at its renowned “Pub Under the Chimney.” The festivities will take place on Thursday, September 19, starting at 5 p.m., offering visitors not only a chance to savor some of the brewery’s finest beers but also to commemorate this significant milestone in a unique setting. The event will feature the popular Staropramen 10-tank beer, along with this year’s new additions: Extra Hops, Staropramen Non-Alcoholic, and Cool+. The entrance is located on Svornosti Street. Guests will witness the ceremonial tapping of a keg by skilled brewers, showcasing time-honored brewing techniques. Beer lovers will have the chance to enjoy a variety of brews from multiple tap points. In addition to beer and food, there will be live music and a photo booth for visitors to capture memories of the day. Every adult attendee will receive one complimentary beer. If the weather allows, guided tours of the cylindroconic fermentation tanks will be available, offering a unique perspective on Prague from the brewery’s vantage point. Staropramen is the second-largest brewery in the Czech Republic. It was founded in 1869 and the brand name Staropramen, literally meaning “old spring”, was registered in 1911....
Ondřej Kolář (TOP 09), the former mayor of Prague 6, has recently proposed raising the price of Lítačka to CZK 10,000. Kolář argues that this would lead to a more pleasant experience for passengers, preventing situations where drivers “slam the door in the face of an elderly lady trying to catch the tram or bus.” His coalition partners are also considering a fare increase, though the exact amount remains undecided. However, Zdeněk Hřib, the Deputy Mayor for Transport from the Pirate Party, advocates keeping the current fare, which is among the lowest in Europe. Hřib highlights both the environmental benefits of encouraging people to leave their cars at home and the social importance of affordable public transport, catering even to those with tight budgets. The Prague Transport Company reports that only about 15% of the cost of operating the city’s public transport system is covered by ticket sales, with the remaining 20 billion CZK subsidized by the city. The necessity of a functional public transport system is evident; just last week, when the Strahov Tunnel caught fire, the resulting gridlock demonstrated how easily the city’s traffic could grind to a halt without it. The Pirates’ reluctance to increase fares is...
On Wednesday, September 11, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) issued a third-level, maximum flood danger warning across most regions of the Czech Republic. This alert follows predictions of a significant increase in river levels due to continuous and heavy rainfall forecasted from Thursday to Sunday, September 12-15. According to ČHMÚ, the south-eastern regions and mountainous areas in the north and north-east could receive an average of 150 to 250 mm of rain over the four-day period. In some areas, particularly around the Jeseníky mountains, rainfall may exceed 300 mm. In other parts of the country, except for the western and north-western regions, rainfall levels are expected to range between 100 to 150 mm. Extreme precipitation is also expected in the Vysočina, South Bohemia, Hradec Králové and Liberec regions. In response to the escalating situation, Czech Environment Minister Marek Vyborny has scheduled an emergency briefing for 3:00 PM, where he is expected to provide further details on the measures being taken. “These are really extreme rainfalls that may come to the Czech territory,” Environment Minister Petr Hladik told a news conference. He said strong winds may fell trees, threatening lives and property. “There will be saturation of soil, forests, and flash...
It has been a month since Ukrainian doctor Vitaliy Slavnov was fatally injured on Lazarská Street after being struck by a piece of falling ledge. His tragic death has prompted a wave of public support, with more than half a million crowns already donated to his surviving wife and three children. The General Health Insurance Company (VZP), which owns the building where the incident occurred, has also expressed its intention to assist the family. The company suggests that a hidden defect dating back to the construction of the building, 125 years ago, may be the cause of the accident. The tragic incident took place shortly before noon on August 8th. Slavnov was waiting at the Lazarská bus stop, seeking shelter from the rain, when a piece of the ledge detached from a nearby building. The falling debris pierced through the roof of the shelter, killing Slavnov instantly. In the aftermath, firefighters removed an additional hundred kilograms of loose material from the building’s façade. A public donation drive was quickly organized for Slavnov’s widow, Anna, and their children—Zlata, Bohd, and Nastya. As of 1 p.m. today, the account has accumulated CZK 525,000. The insurance company confirmed it holds a policy for...
Brno councilors have approved a request for a ban on the entry of electric scooters and unicycles into the pedestrian zone in the city centre. They expect to finalize the ban by the end of the year. Bolt, one of the companies operating the scooters, has suggested alternative measures such as speed limits to address safety issues. “The council approved the proposal unanimously, and we anticipate it could be implemented by the end of the year,” stated Deputy Mayor Machů. “The ban would cover key pedestrian areas like Svobody Square, Masaryk Street, Česká Street, and nearby locations. We believe these vehicles do not belong in these areas, and our decision is based on regulations already adopted in other cities.” He pointed out that cities like Madrid have announced plans to remove electric scooters from streets by the end of October. Deputy Mayor Machů added that the last discussion with representatives of scooter-sharing companies took place during the summer holidays last year, and since then, there has been no noticeable improvement in the situation. Data from Bolt indicates that the city center of Brno is the most popular destination for scooter users. “Banning shared scooters doesn’t make sense. Instead, we should...
Saturday, September 14, Different Americká Experience (or Zažít Americkou jinak) will take place on Americká street. The event is organized under the multicultural festival, neighbors’ celebration *Different City Experience (or Zažít město jinak). “For this edition, we’ve crafted an event with an unparalleled aura. Beyond bringing local businesses and neighbors together for a day, it fosters a truly one-of-a-kind global community, allowing attendees to savor cultures and delicacies from virtually every corner of the globe,” shares event coordinator Omri Goz. The heart of the festival will be the La Calle Mexicana stage, featuring performances by Prague’s first original Mexican mariachi band, Mariachi Azteca De Praga, groups like Grupo Latinsky and Cumbia Coopeerativa, and several DJs. The program will also include a dance workshop, an antigravity yoga demonstration, and a drummer parade. As tradition goes, there will be an official celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day, El Grito, together with the Mexican and Latin American community, complete with a Piñata made especially for the occasion. At the fountain on the corner of Americká and Záhřebská, the Burza #4 stage will be set up near the establishment of the same name, which has been supporting the event for several years. Several DJs will take turns performing there...
Apple’s latest commercial for the iPhone 16 Pro has once again highlighted the Czech Republic’s captivating scenery, even though the tech giant has yet to open an official store in the country. The ad, which showcases the new flagship phone, features an intriguing mix of Prague’s urban landscape and the natural beauty of the Czech countryside. In contrast to previous ads where the Czech setting was immediately apparent, this time it takes about a minute before viewers can clearly recognize the first location. The initial scene is particularly familiar to residents and regular visitors of Prague. It features the escalator shaft at Jiřího z Poděbrad station, recently renovated to eliminate advertising space. The old escalators visible in the commercial were replaced by new ones in January 2023, indicating the footage was likely shot before this upgrade. The ad then shifts to a historic metro train carriage, specifically the Soviet-era 81-71 type. This model was phased out in Prague fifteen years ago and was last used on the B line before being replaced by the modern 81-71M trains. Apple’s commercial doesn’t limit itself to Prague. It also showcases one of the Czech Republic’s natural wonders: the Prachovské Skály. The footage highlights...
Despite having the lowest unemployment rate in the European Union, the Czech Republic struggles to create favorable conditions for its workers. According to the latest Prosperity and Financial Health Index, the country ranks 18th out of 27 EU members, reflecting a range of issues such as low labor market flexibility and a significant gender pay gap. One key factor contributing to this poor ranking is the limited availability of part-time work in the Czech Republic. Many employees lack the option to work flexible hours, a stark contrast to countries like the Netherlands, where 24% of employees can choose when and where they work through options such as flexitime or teleworking. In the Czech Republic, only 14% of employees enjoy such flexibility. The nation also performs poorly regarding gender pay equality, placing among the worst in the EU for the gender pay gap. Three Years of Decline in Labor Market Conditions The Czech labor market has been deteriorating for three consecutive years. In 2022, the country held the 15th position among EU members for labor market conditions. However, the latest analysis shows it has slipped to 18th place. Countries like the Netherlands, Austria, and the Nordic nations, including Denmark, lead in...
The Czech Film and Television Academy (CFTA) has selected its Oscar nominee for this year, a choice that surprised no one. The CFTA has chosen “Waves,” a film directed and written by Jiří Mádl, to represent the Czech Republic at the 97th Academy Awards. This historical drama revisits the turbulent year of 1968 when Warsaw Pact troops invaded Czechoslovakia under the guise of “brotherly assistance.” “Waves” is inspired by the true story of a group of journalists from the International Life Department of Czechoslovak Radio who risked everything to provide independent news coverage during those critical days. The film had its world premiere at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and has already made a significant impact on the Czech film scene. It hit Czech cinemas on August 15. The selection process for the Oscar nominee took place from August 30 to September 8, with CFTA members choosing from 13 Czech feature films submitted by their producers. Following “Waves” in the voting were Viktor Tauš’s “Amerikánka,” which has not yet been released in cinemas, and Adam Martinec’s “Mord” (in alphabetical order). The 97th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 2, 2025. The Academy will announce the shortlist of...
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