The term “idiot,” originating from ancient Greece, referred to individuals focused solely on private life, showing no interest in politics or public matters, and thus considered ignorant. In modern democratic countries, the presence of “idiots” — those indifferent to public life and politics yet occasionally exercising their civic rights in elections — poses a unique challenge. This phenomenon has sparked debates about the wisdom of letting uninformed individuals influence future decisions through voting. A notable instance of attempting to tackle this issue occurred in Bulgaria in 2016, where electoral law amendments introduced a rule disenfranchising citizens who fail to vote in two consecutive elections of the same type. These individuals are removed from voter rolls but can regain their voting rights by applying for re-enlistment, a measure aimed at encouraging civic engagement and, implicitly, weeding out the uninterested or uninformed. However, this solution doesn’t address the core issue of uninformed voters participating in elections. A proposal by Jan Kubalcík, leader of the Czech Conservative Party, suggests an innovative approach: requiring citizens to pass a basic knowledge test before voting. This test, comprising ten questions randomly selected by a computer from a thousand, aims to exclude those lacking fundamental understanding of...
Spring is here at last and it’s time to get out in the sunshine and see what’s going on in town. The next couple of months have lots happening around the city, not least of which are a number of events of prime gastronomical significance to Prague’s cultural life. Žižkov district will host the traditional and favorite beer festival Žižkovské pivobraní on 31 May and 1 June. Fans of the foamy beverage will find in the Parukářka Park more than a hundred varieties of beer from forty Czech mini-breweries and a rich entertainment program. Classic lagers, ales, wheat, fruit, unfiltered, and other varieties. Sample beer specialties all day long and hang out on the hill in park with an exceptional view and let the kids run wild in the big playground nearby. Traditionally, a wide range of snacks will be presented at the festival. Musical groups of different genres will entertain the guests from the installed stage. Visitors will also be able to vote for their favourite beer in a special competition. Entrance is free. Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more
This year’s March was the warmest in Czechia since 1961, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute revealed on social media site X on Tuesday. The average temperature soared to 7°C, a remarkable 3.8°C higher than the typical range observed between 1991 and 2020. This is the second month in a row to break a temperature record; February was also unusually warm with an average temperature of 5.7 degrees Celsius. Throughout the month, several intervals brought significantly warm weather, with average daily temperatures exceeding the usual range by more than 4°C. While many Czech stations witnessed temperature records tumble in the final days of March, the summer threshold of 25°C remained unbroken. However, April 1st marked the year’s first day exceeding this mark, with Karviná recording a high of 26°C. February also witnessed remarkably high temperatures, averaging 5.7°C – a significant 6.1°C above the 1991-2020 norm. Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more
The Orloj, marking the time since 1410 at the Old Town Square of Prague is the oldest astronomical clock in the world that is still working; it’s also one of the most iconic symbols of the Czech capital. Yet, on 3 April (Wednesday) at 10 am local time, it will briefly stop working – on purpose. The reason behind this unusual and purposeful “glitch” is the so-called No Rush Day (Národní den bez spěchu), an initiative in Czechia, which aims to remind people to slow down and reflect on life. It is particularly linked to the idea that rushing also leads to speeding on the road and this results in unnecessary injuries and deaths. The overall idea of the initiative is to promote a habit of mindfulness and safety on the Czech roads and beyond. Last year, this careless urgency resulted in 138 deaths in traffic. We give people a little more time to slow down and realize that not everything is urgent and that it’s often better to be a few minutes late than to not arrive at all,” explains Jan Matoušek, executive director of the Czech Insurance Association, quoted by Expats.cz. The Astronomical Clock is a popular attraction...
Czechia is not sufficiently prepared for crises and other extraordinary situations, says the Supreme Audit Office (SAO) in an annual report for last year published on Tuesday. The Czech Republic’s crisis readiness was criticized by the Supreme Audit Office (NKU) in its 2023 annual report. NKU warns of insufficient preparation for emergencies, citing mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic and lack of substantive action. Weaknesses in soft target protection and defense spending inefficiencies were also noted. Direct contracts for arms procurement raised auditors’ concerns about potential waste. Minimal practical improvements in crisis preparedness were observed, risking significant damage to public health. A prime example is the recent acquisition of 24 US F-35 fighter jets, the most expensive purchase in Czech military history. While strengthening defenses is crucial in the current climate, the SAO emphasizes the need for efficient use of limited resources. The Supreme Audit Office also said that it was likely that the state would repeat similar mistakes at critical moments; this could lead to significant damage and wasted funding and may endanger the health of the population. The SAO also warns that the increasing national debt places a burden on future generations. This is particularly concerning as inflation erodes...
A festival of Japanese culture called Hanami: Cherry Blossom Festival will be held in the centre of Prague at Klam-Gallas Palace on Saturday, 20 April. The festivities will include a Japanese tea ceremony, martial arts and archery, Japanese calligraphy and stencil drawing, kimonos, and much more. For those interested in participating, there will be open competitions for the best traditional kimono, cosplay, and haiku with multiple prizes. And towards the end of the evening there will be a Japanese-inspired fire performance. The festival will also include cosplay contests, a sword-cutting competition, Tameshigiri taikai, and the degustastion of Japanese street food and beer with sakura leaves. Admission to the festival is free, but a voluntary donation of any amount is welcome. On the same day, preceding the main program will be a procession of samurai in historical battle attire. At 12:00, they will gather on Wenceslas Square, from where they will then march along the main streets to Klam-Gallas Palace. Among the Japanese dishes on the menu are Gyoza dumplings, ramen, Okonomiyaki-style beef burgers, and sushi. To sweeten up, delicious macarons from the UwU Bakery, and the highly popular beer ice cream from Angelato. Hanami is an ancient Japanese tradition that...
A celebration of Czech brewing history is coming to Prague! On Saturday, April 27th, the Břevnov Monastery will host a festival featuring a selection of fresh draught beers from five renowned Czech monastery breweries. Visitors can expect a delightful tasting experience, sampling brews from Klášterní pivovar Strahov, Vorkloster (Klášterní pivovar Porta Coeli), Klášterní pivovar Ossegg, Klášterní pivovar Želiv, and the host brewery, Břevnovský klášterní pivovar sv. Vojtěcha. A special treat awaits beer enthusiasts: a unique collaborative brew created by the festival participants alongside leading specialists from Pilsner Urquell. Free entry. About the Břevnov Monastery The monastery at Břevnov, the first friary in Bohemia, was established by Boleslav II and St. Vojtěch on the 14th of January 993. A legend describes the origin of the monastery’s name according to a beam (břevno in Czech) lying in the fountain at which Boleslav II and St. Vojtěch met. The monastery was rebuilt by Břetislav I around the year 1040, and then again in early-Gothic style in the time of abbot Bavor of Nečtiny around 1300. It was plundered by the Hussites and then again during the Thirty Years War. Today’s Baroque complex was realized gradually in the years 1708 – 1745 according to...
The anticipation surrounding the 24th edition of the Prague Half Marathon has reached fever pitch, as the city prepares to welcome an impressive cohort of more than 15,000 runners from across the globe. With a new start and finish location, this year’s half marathon, (which is one of the prestigious SuperHalfs) promises to bring a new perspective to the scenic beauty of Prague’s streets. The lineup this year boasts an eclectic mix of participants, each with their own story to tell. It will be run by several well-known personalities, such as the most influential sports influencer of 2023, Lisa Migliorini, aka @thefashionjogger. Martin Fiz, the Spanish marathon world champion from 1995, will also take on one of the most beautiful courses in the world in an attempt to win all six SuperHalfs races in the 60+ category. In addition, Slovak national Maroš Kudlík, known as @marosh_the_spartan will be taking part. Maros is a runner who has beaten cancer three times, and only has one leg. Participants can also take part in the vibrant Running EXPO which offers an immersive experience with cutting-edge gear, nutrition essentials, and running innovations. This year, more than half of the participants, comprising 115 nationalities, are...
Protest linked to petition ‘Czech artists for a cease-fire,’ with signatories including celebrities such as Tomas Klus, Vojtech, Bara Basikova, Jana Kirschner, Vladimir518, and band Vesna. A number of Czech artists took an unprecedented stand against the ongoing war in Gaza by calling for a cease-fire at an award ceremony on Saturday. The artists at the Anděl Awards ceremony held a banner with the inscription “Artists for Ceasefire” and wore a red badge with a palm symbol symbolizing a call to end violence. The protest is linked to the petition “Czech artists for a cease-fire,” which asks representatives of the Czech Republic “to call for an immediate de-escalation and cease-fire in Gaza before thousands more people lose their lives.” The signatories include popular Czech celebrities such as Tomas Klus, Vojtech, Bara Basikova, Jana Kirschner, Vladimir518, and the band Vesna. The petition expressed strong reservations about the catastrophic situation in the Gaza Strip and called for an end to the war on humanitarian grounds. Earlier, at the 96th Academy Awards ceremony, US celebrities protested the rising civilian death toll in Gaza as a result of Israeli attacks. The evening’s highlight was a speech by award-winning director Jonathan Glazer. Glazer, who won...
The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ) has declared a smog situation in several regions due to high concentrations of dust particles linked to Saharan sand. The affected areas include the Moravian-Silesian Region, South Bohemia, Brno, and Vysočina. Authorities advise residents to limit strenuous outdoor activity due to potential breathing difficulties caused by the dust. The Czech Hydro-Meteorological Institute said the sand, which increases the concentration of dust particles in the air, may be present in Czechia until Monday. As of Sunday morning, data from the institute’s website revealed dust levels exceeding 100 micrograms per cubic meter in several locations across the country. ČHMÚ declares a smog situation when at least half of a region’s monitoring stations record a 12-hour average PM10 concentration exceeding 100 micrograms per cubic meter, with no improvement expected within the next 24 hours. “The situation’s development remains unclear,” ČHMÚ stated on Saturday, acknowledging the unusual nature of the event. ČHMÚ urges residents, particularly older adults, young children, and those with respiratory illnesses or heart conditions, to avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the smog event. Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more
Easter in the Czech Republic is a colourful mix of Christian and pagan traditions. In this article, however, you will learn about the most… bizarre Czech Easter ones! Whipping women with willow branches During the Easter holidays, men and boys cut willow branches and braid them into whips. Such a whip is called „pomlázka“. It´s made of fresh, bendy branches and decorated with colorful ribbons. With such a whip, you can actually enjoy quite a lot of fun. But only if you are a man. On Easter Monday, men can legally whip all women in the neighborhood. It may sound weird, but it’s an old, most common Czech Easter tradition. The word “pomlázka” (whip) is derived from the Czech word “pomladit” which means “to make younger.” The tradition says that the fresh willow rods are full of spring energy that goes straight into the body. So we would rather stand a little pain and wait for a miracle! Pooping lamb – another weird Czech Easter tradition The tradition of pooping lamb is very popular among women. Much more popular than the previous one. Because “pooping lamb”, believe it or not, is about shopping! The principle of this tradition is to...
Georgian Wings is planning to launch a direct route from Prague to Tbilisi, which the carrier will operate twice a week on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 4 May, using Boeing 737-300 aircraft with capacity for 148 passengers. “We are glad that we managed to resume the direct connection with Tbilisi. This is the second route to Georgia, which is positive news for several reasons, for example in terms of enhancing both inbound and outbound tourism. Travellers from both countries enjoy a visa-free regime,” Jaroslav Filip, Prague Airport Aviation Business Director, said. The capital of Georgia is located at the foot of the mountains and is nicknamed the Pearl of the Caucasus. It offers an unusually large number of opportunities for traditional and non-traditional travel experiences. In the city centre, travellers can visit, for example, Freedom Square with the statue of St. George and Rustaveli Street with the National Museum. Furthermore, the city is home to the Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, called Sameba in Georgian. Also worth mentioning is the Narikala Fortress with the church of St. Nicholas, from where the best view of the city and the Mtkvari river is to be had. The Mtatsminda amusement park, where...
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