SCAT Airlines from Kazakhstan is set to introduce a non-stop air service connecting Prague and Astana, starting May 22, 2024. The flights are scheduled twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, as announced by the Prague airport’s press service. Tickets are available for purchase now, with the starting price for a one-way flight at 175 euros (approximately 4300 crowns). The travel duration for this direct route is estimated to be 4 hours and 5 minutes. The Boeing 737-700 aircraft, accommodating 149 passengers, will operate this convenient air link. Here are some of the best things to see and do in Astana. A panoramic tower With its 360-degree city views, Bayterek Tower, in the centre of Nurzhol Boulevard, is the best place to get your bearings. From the top of this landmark building, the new city unfolds beneath you, with eye-catching architecture at every turn. A white tower with a golden sphere at its apex, this ensemble symbolises the tree of life where the samruk, a mythical bird of happiness, lays its golden egg. The enclosed, spherical viewing platform, located at a height of 97 metres, marks the year, 1997, when it was decided to move the capital north from Almaty....
Prague’s iconic rooftop club, DupleX, has secured its status as a global dance music powerhouse by securing a spot in DJ Mag’s prestigious Top 100 Clubs list for 2024. This year’s ranking saw a record-breaking number of votes cast from a staggering 229 countries. DupleX rose an impressive 14 places compared to 2023, landing at the 39th position. The prestigious British magazine DJ Mag describes DupleX as: “Every night of the week, the world’s most prestigious EDM DJs come and play at DupleX, The Rooftop Club, a luxury nightclub overlooking Wenceslas Square. Steve Aoki, Timmy Trumpet, NERVO, Fedde Le Grand, Vini Vici, Purple Disco Machine and Jay Hardway have been a handful of highlights from the past year, not to mention DupleX’s own high-profile resident DJs, who build lasting connections with these international stars. And 2024 is set to be equally ambitious for this leading superclub, with Tiësto recently headlining Easter weekend.” DupleX features two fully conditioned floors, five bars, two chill-out rooms with plush sofas (perfect for people watching) a VIP lounge, and a rooftop terrace with amazing views of Old Town Square, Prague Castle and other Prague sights. The club stays open every week from Monday to Sunday...
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Czech Republic’s entry into the European Union, the creators of the popular webcomic “Opráski sčeskí historje” decided to have some fun. They imagined how Czech banknotes might look if the country adopted the euro currency, adding a unique twist. Instead of the usual European figures and monuments, these banknotes would showcase some of the Czech Republic’s most recognizable cultural icons: Forget the stoic faces on traditional euros. Here, the Brno astronomical clock, a beloved local landmark known for its, ahem, “phallic” features, takes center stage. Move over, fashionistas! The Czech euro features a man rocking the iconic socks-and-sandals combo, a guaranteed conversation starter. No Czech list would be complete without beer, and the euro wouldn’t be an exception. A mug of the country’s favorite beverage would be a refreshing addition to any wallet. European banknotes typically feature historical figures, but the Czechs take a different approach. Their euro would be graced by the image of a the Little Mole (Czech: Krtek, Krteček), a series of cartoons as well as the name of their title character, created between 1957 and 2002. Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more
A new memorial opened on Tuesday in the Czech Republic on the site of a former Nazi concentration camp for Roma, after a communist-era pig farm was removed. The official opening capped a process that took decades and was made possible after the Czech government agreed to remove the farm. “It´s very positive news for me that the whole project was completed,” said Jana Horvathova, the director of the Museum of Romani Culture, whose organization is in charge of the memorial. Roma and human rights activists had long demanded the removal of the farm from Lety, 95 kilometers south of Prague, where some 1,300 Czech Roma were sent between August 1942 and August 1943 during the Nazi occupation of what was then Czechoslovakia in World War II. At least 335 people died there, according to the latest research, the museum said, while most of the others were taken to the Nazis´ Auschwitz death camp. “Most of all, we’re here not to forget because to remember the horrors of the past is the best protection against living though them again,” Prime Minister Petr Fiala said at an opening ceremony that he attended together with President Petr Pavel. The government acquired the...
Prague City has announced a significant budget of CZK 137 million for this year to promote sustainable transportation solutions. Deputy Mayor Zdeněk Hřib and Josef Richter, Deputy Director of the Technical Communications Administration (TSK), unveiled ambitious plans to expand and improve the city’s cycling network. The focus will be on key routes designated A1 through A9, which are vital for connecting different areas of Prague. Major Upgrades on Key Routes One of the main projects includes the expansion of the A1 cycle path in Radotín. To accommodate the growing number of cyclists, the path will be widened, ensuring a safer and more comfortable ride. A new 1,700-meter section will be constructed between the Vyšehrad railway bridge and the new Dvorecký bridge, transforming previously unusable pavement into a cyclist-friendly route. The A2 right-bank cycle route will also see an 800-meter upgrade near Podolský nábřeží. Cyclists can finally rejoice as the long-awaited A7 route will see the addition of a long-awaited 900-meter section linking the Kačerov metro station to the U Labutě cycling hub in Krč, after over 15 years of planning. Local Initiatives Complement City-Wide Plans Complementing these major projects are local district initiatives. Prague 19 is set to refurbish two...
The Respect Festival is a tradition in Prague marking the beginning of summer. It is an open-air weekend of music from across the globe with booths of ethnic foods and a family atmosphere. Generally emphasizing World Music, this year has more Roots, Alt-Folk and Global-Beats. This year’s multicultural event kicks off with Ustad Noor Bakhsh, from Pakistan (the province of Balochistan), who is an 80-year old virtuoso on the zither-like benju. Throughout his life-long career, he has been tied to a vocalist for his performances; however Bakhsh is performing as a solo instrumentalist and without vocals, and so this allows the utter beauty of his instrument to sing out fully on its own without the raining chants or mantras as an aerobic vocal competition. After the opener, the rest of the day is dominated by UK-based musicians or groups, beginning with the alt-folk duo The Breath from Manchester. The voice and flautist of The Breath is Rioghnach Connolly with an unmatchable power and presence on stage perfectly paired with the low-key but sublime Stuart McCallum on both acoustic and electric guitar. Connolly’s voice can be compared to the under-rated Karen Dalton (who was a peer of Bob Dylan’s from the...
Prague is embarking on a transformative journey with a comprehensive suite of construction projects that will fundamentally reshape its cityscape and infrastructure. One of the centerpieces is the new Smíchovské nádraží. The project, started in February 2023, is slated for completion by 2030, with a cost of approximately CZK 12.9 billion shared between the City of Prague and the Railway Administration. Another significant project on the horizon is the Dvorecký Bridge, aiming to establish a connection between Podolí and Smíchov districts by 2025. The project will include a climbing wall, a skate park, and an amphitheater on the Podolí side. A park adorned with unique and artistic street lighting designed by the renowned Czech artist Kryštof Kintera is also planned for the Smíchov bank of the bridge. Wenceslas Square is undergoing a multi-phased revitalization process that started with its lower section in 2023 and will progress to its upper portion by 2026. This redevelopment prioritizes enhancing tram connectivity, pedestrian and cyclist accessibility, and overall aesthetics with the addition of new tree rows. The upper section of the project is estimated to cost around CZK 2.1 billion. Jiřího z Poděbrady Square, a beloved landmark in Prague’s Vinohrady...
Prague 1 is grappling with disruptive behavior by tourists, particularly those at bachelor parties. The district council recently approved a resolution to negotiate with the city municipality regarding a potential ban on outrageous costumes often worn by tourist bachelor or bachelorette (also known as stag or hen) parties. According to Adam Zábranský, the councillor for property, transparency and legislation, a direct ban is not the most suitable solution. “We understand the frustration with pub crawls and drunken tourists,” Zábranský stated, “but imposing a ban on silly costumes seems excessive.” The resolution, proposed by Bronislava Sitár Baboráková, chair of the committee against depopulation and for supporting community life, argues that such costumes exceed acceptable social norms and negatively impact residents, especially children and senior citizens. Prague 1 has long struggled with tourism focused solely on nightlife activities. Tourists are often led on “pub crawls” through the city, with Long Street being a particularly affected area due to its concentration of bars and nightclubs. Politicians from opposition parties in the Prague 1 district accuse incumbent councilors of “not doing enough” to curb night noise. A few years ago, the Prague 1 management considered limiting the opening hours of businesses in the busiest areas of the...
Brazilian music producer Alok will play in Prague at Duplex on Friday, April 26th. In less than a month after the performance by the legendary Tiesto, Duplex is bringing another megastar. Alok has been named the 4th Best DJ in the world, according to the prestigious British magazine DJ Mag Top 100 DJ Poll. He has performed at major festivals around the world, and next week he’ll be playing in Prague. Alok is breaking new ground with his latest project, The Future is Ancestral, an album that transcends music and is a culmination of over 500 hours of studio work and features collaborations with over 50 indigenous musicians. With eight unique tracks sung by various communities, the album weaves a narrative of cultural resurgence and innovation. Each song carries a powerful message, urging us to appreciate and preserve the wisdom of our ancestral roots. The executive production is co-signed by Fernando Garibay, the GRAMMY-award winning and nominated songwriter. In 2020, Alok founded an institute that supports projects in Brazil, Africa, and India. “The Future is Ancestral” continues this mission by raising awareness about the importance of indigenous people in protecting our planet’s biodiversity. Furthermore, the album has been recognized by UNESCO...
Turkish and Czech authorities have agreed to construct a park in Prague 6 to mark the 100th anniversary of the friendship and diplomatic relations between the two countries, the municipal council has announced. “The commencement of diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Czechoslovakia, which we celebrate this year as the centenary, dates back to the early days of the Czechoslovak Republic. Upon a request from Turkish Ambassador Egemen Bağış, a decision-making process reached its final approval. The Czech-Turkish Cooperation Park will be built in Petriny,” the Prague 6 municipality stated in a written statement on April 21. The foundation of the park will be laid on June 6, the statement said, adding that the approximate cost of the project will be around CZK 750,000, with the Turkish authorities “ready to cover half of the cost through sponsors.” The park will be equipped with plaques and other structures inscribed with the remarks of modern Türkiye founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The municipality mapped the area along the street named “Ankarska” by the inspiring Turkish capital Ankara about 20 years ago, with a study prepared to include the structuring and arrangement of the area as a park within the project. The municipality has also...
Czechia will again propose restricting the movement of Russian diplomats in the Schengen area, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský (Pirates, Greens) said in response to the arrest of two Russian agents in Germany on suspicion of espionage and planning attacks. Last week, German federal prosecutors arrested two suspected Russian spies in Bavaria on suspicion of espionage and planning attacks on military targets to undermine support for Ukraine. German diplomacy suspects Russia is recruiting agents to carry out attacks on German soil. “Russian intelligence threat in Europe is a reality,” Lipavský wrote on X on Saturday. Responding to Germany summoning the Russian ambassador and telling him that Germany would not allow Russia to bring its terror to the country, Lipavský expressed full support for the German response and said he wanted to raise the issue of Russian agents at the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) in Luxembourg on Monday. “We must develop new instruments to tackle the Russian spy threat. On Monday at FAC, I will reiterate my proposals to curb Russian spies moving across Schengen. It could be achieved rapidly,” said Lipavský, whose country also has extensive experience with Russian agents who allegedly caused the 2014 ammunition warehouses blast on...
The Czech Statistical Office (CZSO) reported that most staple foods monitored in April increased in price compared to March. The price of apples climbed the most, rising 9.07% to 37.28 crowns per kilogram. Plain wheat flour also saw a significant increase of 7.04%, reaching 21.14 crowns per kilogram. Year-on-year data from the CZSO shows some items even became more expensive. For instance, potatoes, which cost 21.98 crowns per kilogram in April 2023, rose to 27.42 crowns this year, a hike of 24.75%. Out of the 13 items tracked by the CZSO, nine saw price increases in April compared to March. A cup of plain yogurt went up by exactly 3% to 10.66 crowns, while a kilogram of frozen edamame beans reached 180.95 crowns. Roast pork increased by 3.22% to 180.42 crowns per kilogram. Small price bumps of 1-2% were also seen for potatoes, light bottled beer, sugar, and butter. Interestingly, while edam cheese, yogurt, flour, and sugar were more expensive compared to March, their prices actually decreased year-on-year. On the other hand, eggs became cheaper month-on-month in April, dropping around 5% to 43.62 crowns per dozen. Their price also decreased significantly year-on-year, by more than a quarter. Sugar prices saw...
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