The 17th annual Dvořák Prague International Music Festival will kick off on Friday, September 6, with a captivating performance of Antonín Dvořák’s Cello Concerto in B minor and the renowned New World Symphony. The opening concert will feature soloist Julian Steckel and the Bamberger Symphoniker, under the baton of conductor Jakub Hrůša. This year’s Artist in Residence, Julian Steckel, will perform four times throughout the festival, including an open-air concert titled “Connected by Mahler” at the Prague Exhibition Centre on September 11, as announced today by the festival director, Jan Simon. In celebration of the “Year of Czech Music,” the festival will honor not only Dvořák but also Bedřich Smetana and other prominent Czech composers. Every year ending in four is designated the Year of Czech Music, celebrating the anniversaries of famous Czech composers such as Antonín Dvořák (1841-1904), Leoš Janáček (1854-1928), Bohuslav Martinů (1890-1959), and Josef Suk (1874-1935). The central theme this year is the 200th anniversary of Bedřich Smetana’s birth. On September 7, the Czech Philharmonic will perform under principal guest conductor Jakub Hrůša, including Leoš Janáček’s Glagolitic Mass, which recently received acclaim at the BBC Proms. The festival will also see the world premiere of Peter Wajsar’s...
A new street in Prague 7 has been named after Nicholas Winton, who relentlessly cajoled and shamed immigration authorities to provide visas for 669 children, sparing them the horrors of the Holocaust. Jan Čižinský, the mayor of the Prague 7 district, spoke of Winton’s “heroism, courage, and humility”. When complete, the street will pass by the railway station and memorials to “the dark side of world history”. The naming of the street coincides with the 85th anniversary of the last planned Kindertransport from Prague, which was prevented from departing due to the outbreak of the second world war. The 250 children onboard the train were deported to Nazi concentration camps; two survived the war. Winton’s heroic actions were depicted in a recent film, One Life, starring Anthony Hopkins. The former stockbroker, who was knighted in 2003 and nominated for the Nobel peace prize in 2008, died in 2015 at the age of 106. Among those attending the naming ceremony in Prague on Tuesday were four surviving “Winton children”, members of Winton’s family, and a delegation from the Association of Jewish Refugees (AJR). Michael Newman, the chief executive of the AJR, said: “It is hugely symbolic that [Winton’s] endeavours are recognised...
Prague’s City Hall has approved a plan to explore the possible return of the statue of Johann Graf Radetzky von Radetz to Malostranské náměstí. The monument, which originally stood on the square from 1858 to 1919, would be a replica since the original statue is preserved in the Lapidarium of the National Museum. If restored, the statue would be positioned near the tram stop, as trams currently run through the original site. The proposal is controversial and did not receive unanimous support, particularly from the Pirate Party coalition members. The Prague City Council discussed the restoration proposal on Monday and agreed to collaborate with the Gallery of the Capital City of Prague to evaluate the technological and financial aspects of producing a replica of the Radetzky statue. “This step by the Council marks a crucial part of our efforts to return the statue of Marshal Radetzky to its rightful place,” said Jiří Pospíšil (TOP 09). “Restoring this monument will not only commemorate a significant historical figure but also honor the Czech soldiers who fought bravely under his command. We have taken great care to respect the site’s historical integrity and minimize any impact on the archaeological layers. The restoration will...
Prague’s famous FAMU Film School has once again been included in The Hollywood Reporter’s prestigious annual list of the 15 Best Global Film Schools, alongside institutions such as the London Film School and France’s La Fémis. The US weekly described FAMU as one of Europe’s top-tier film schools, which offers one-year intensive programs and two and three year master’s degrees in directing, cinematography and editing, including accredited programs in English. The Hollywood Reporter described the FAMU as one of Europe’s top-tier film schools, offering one-year intensive programs and two- and three-year master’s degrees in directing, cinematography and editing, including accredited programs in English. The magazine noted that the school’s alumni include Milos Forman, Vera Chytilová, Jirí Menzel and Jaromil Jires, “who created a new dark and funny take on life behind the Iron Curtain”. FAMU was founded in 1946 as one of three branches of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. In the 1960s and 1970s, several young directors from Yugoslavia were FAMU students (Rajko Grlić, Srđan Karanović, Emir Kusturica, Goran Marković, Goran Paskaljević and Lordan Zafranović). All of these directors would become very successful in the following decades, prompting the coinage of the term Praška filmska škola (“Prague...
A girl attacked her classmates with a knife at an elementary school in the western Czech town of Domazlice, injuring two, police said on Tuesday. “At the moment, our forces and resources are at the Komenskeho 17 elementary school in Domazlice, because according to initial information, one of the pupils there attacked her classmates with a knife. Two children were injured and their parents have already been informed. We apprehended the suspected girl within minutes,” the police said on social media X in the morning. The two injured children were not in life-threatening condition and were taken into care by paramedics, the police said, adding that one child who was in shock was also handed over to medics. “Currently there is no danger to anyone and a large number of police and criminal investigators are working on the scene,” the police added. The school said on its website that it suspended classes in the upper grades of the school due to “an extraordinary event.” “Students were instructed to leave school safely. All children are safe. Classes in the lower grades are continuing as scheduled,” it said. Responding to the incident, Education Minister Mikulas Bek said on X that violence in...
This summer was the third hottest on record at Prague’s Klementinum observatory since measurements began in 1775. The average temperature from the start of June to the end of August was 22.6 degrees Celsius. Only the summers of 2018 and 2019 were hotter during this period. Compared to the historical average from 1775 to 2014, this summer was 3.6 degrees Celsius warmer in central Prague. The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) reported this on Monday via the X social media platform. August alone saw an average temperature of 23.5 degrees Celsius at Klementinum. Compared to the average from 1991 to 2020, this represents an increase of 2.5 degrees, placing this August as the fourth warmest out of 250 recorded since 1775. When compared to the average from the beginning of measurements to 2014, August was even 4.3 degrees Celsius warmer. Meteorologists have noted that six of the warmest summers in Klementinum’s recorded history have occurred in this century, with five of those in the past decade. The hottest summer at Klementinum since 1775 occurred five years ago, with an average temperature of 22.9 degrees Celsius. The summer of 2018 was slightly cooler, by just two-tenths of a degree. This summer ranks...
The Czech Republic is making a bold move into space exploration, with plans to invest billions of crowns into projects aimed at launching its own satellites and even sending a Czech astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS). Aleš Svoboda, a seasoned military pilot, is poised to become the first Czech to reach the ISS. In just a few years, he will gaze down on Earth from an altitude of 350 kilometers. “Aside from being a childhood dream, this mission is a natural progression in my career,” Svoboda shared. Before reaching orbit, Svoboda will undergo intense endurance training in Germany, including survival courses designed for emergency landings in harsh environments like deserts or mountains. This rigorous preparation will cover everything from winter survival tactics to advanced diving skills. Svoboda’s mission is set to take place within the next five years. Currently, scientists are selecting the research projects he will participate in, which could range from 3D printing to pioneering cancer treatment methods, according to Václav Kobera, the coordinator of the Czech Space Journey project. The cost of sending a Czech astronaut to the ISS is estimated at around two billion crowns. However, Transport Minister Martin Kupka (ODS) argues that the...
Looking for a fun and affordable way to enjoy the apple season? We’ve got the best spots for you to pick your own apples this year! With the apple-picking season in full swing, many are looking for the perfect orchard to visit. Some of the most popular destinations include Libčany in East Bohemia, Starý Lískovec in the South Moravian region, and Skrbeň in the Olomouc region. At these orchards, you can expect to pay around CZK 19 per kilogram, a great deal compared to supermarket prices. Prices may vary depending on the specific orchard, but you can be sure of getting fresher, higher-quality apples directly from a local grower. Plus, you’ll enjoy the unique experience of picking the apples yourself. When to Go Apple Picking The apple harvest in the Czech Republic typically begins in August, peaks in September, and concludes in October. This makes right now the perfect time to head out and enjoy apple picking. Before you go, it’s a good idea to contact the orchard for the most accurate information on prices and to check the weather, which can affect picking conditions. Here are some of the top orchards for self-picking apples: Central Bohemia and Prague: Bílé...
The Czech opposition party, ANO, is the favorite to win local elections across the country later this month, new polling has found. According to a survey by the Kantar CZ and Data Collect polling agencies for Czech Television (ČT), the party of former Czech prime minister, Andrej Babiš, is expected to amass up to nearly half of the vote in some regions. In second place in several regions is Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s “Spolu” coalition comprising his Civic Democratic Party (ODS), KDU-ČSL, and TOP 09. Support for the ANO movement is strongest in the Moravian-Silesian region in the east of the country where 49.5 percent are expected to vote for the party. Similarly, in neighboring Olomouc, the ANO garnered 45 percent, while in the northwest region of Ústí, Babis’ party enjoys support of 47 percent. Other regions with high opposition support include Zlín at 43.5 percent and Central Bohemian and Vysočina, both at 41.5 percent. The party’s support is weakest in the South Bohemian region, with just 13.5 percent of decided voters backing it. Regional elections in Czechia are due to be held on Sept. 20-21 when all 675 seats in the country’s 13 regional councils are to be contested....
In the second week of September (7-15th) European Heritage Days (EHD) will be held in the Czech Republic. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to visit interesting sights that are otherwise inaccessible! European Heritage Days’ goal is to make the most interesting monuments of all kinds available to the general public, i.e. architectural, archaeological, sacral, technical, as well as museums, galleries and libraries and even other areas in which incredibly extensive collections of movable cultural heritage are kept. In the context of the European Heritage Days various accompanying events – lectures, concerts, town festivals, as well as competitions and other cultural programs are held. The event will take place under the patronage of the Association of Historical Monuments of Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia. About 800 state-protected sites are expected to join the event. Most of them (but not all) will be free of charge for the days of the festival. These are not only castles, palaces, churches, monasteries, museums, theatres, old houses, gardens and villas, but also industrial buildings – factories, mills, breweries, craft workshops and mines. In 2024 the main theme of the festival will be ‘Sights unite the world’. A rich accompanying program awaits visitors – classical music...
In response to rising costs, major Czech grocery chains are now offering substantial discounts on fruit and vegetables. Here’s a look at how you can take advantage of these deals. Kaufland is spearheading the initiative with its new “Don’t Feed the Basket!” campaign. The chain is setting up dedicated discount stands in all its stores, featuring reduced-price fruit and vegetables. According to Kaufland, “The so-called discount displays will be gradually installed in all stores. These displays will showcase discounted items from the fruit and vegetable sections. Initially, the stands will feature originally packaged goods from Kaufland’s suppliers, with discount details and final prices clearly labeled on the packaging.” Similarly, Lidl has rolled out its own savings program. Through the “With Lidl We Save on Food” initiative, Lidl offers bundles of fruit and vegetables, such as three kilograms for just CZK 25. Additionally, Lidl stores have special corners dedicated to discounted items that are approaching their expiration dates. Billa has recently joined the trend with its “We’re Not Throwing Away” campaign. This program provides bags of fruit and vegetables intended for immediate consumption. According to spokeswoman Dana Bratánková, “These items are often at a higher ripeness level, which would typically lead...
The Sberatel / Collector fair is the biggest fair for collectors in all fields in Central and Eastern Europe. The 24th edition will be held in Prague at PVA Expo Letňany on 6 and 7 September. Over 230 dealers, auction houses, and postal authorities from around the globe will gather in the Czech capital for this significant event. “Every year, our fair draws around ten thousand visitors, with more than a third coming from abroad. We expect an even bigger turnout this year, as economic uncertainties like war and inflation have sparked greater interest in collecting as a form of investment among Czechs. It’s safe to say that Czechs are becoming a nation of collectors,” said Jindřich Jirásek, the fair’s director. Attendees will have the chance to buy and sell an array of rare items, from family heirlooms to exclusive collectibles. A popular feature of the fair is the free valuation service, where experts assess the value of stamps, coins, autographs, and other curiosities. “Every year, someone brings in an unexpected gem,” said Jirásek. “In previous years, we’ve seen items like the valuable St. Wenceslas ducats, which were later auctioned for tens of thousands of crowns. Once, a woman surprised us...
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