The Czech Senate took a significant step towards marriage equality on Wednesday morning. Bypassing a potential debate on the issue, lawmakers voted to remove an amendment to the Civil Code from the agenda. This amendment, proposed by the ODS and TOP 09 parties, will grant similar rights as marriage to same-sex partners, effective next year. Despite opposition from the KDU-ČSL party, the Senate approved the move in a 47-to-unknown vote. The motivation behind this action was to avoid lengthy discussions on the rights of same-sex couples. The amendment is expected to be signed by President Petr Pavel within the next month and take effect in 2025. This legislation also eliminates registered partnerships, a legal status currently available to same-sex couples. Registered partnerships offer fewer legal protections compared to marriage, such as limitations on shared property and eligibility for survivor’s pensions. The new law allows adoption for same-sex couples, but with a caveat. Only a biological parent within the couple can adopt a child. Adoption of a child already adopted by one partner would require a separate court decision. This move by the Senate represents a major step forward for LGBTQ+ rights in the Czech Republic, granting same-sex couples the legal and...
On Sunday, June 2nd, Prague will celebrate World Bicycle Day with a festive mass cycle ride, the Světová cyklojízda 2024. Gear up for a leisurely ride suitable for cyclists of all levels, including families with children. The traditional bike ride will start at 2:00 PM in Riegrovy sady park, located in the Vinohrady district. From there, participants will embark on a scenic 10-kilometer journey (free of any major climbs) towards Štvanice Island. The organizers, AutoMat association and the website NaKole.cz, have prepared an afternoon program for both professionals and families from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Expect a variety of lectures, a picnic area, live music, children’s sports competitions, and other exciting activities. The aim of the event is to celebrate the bicycle as a practical and sustainable mode of transportation and to highlight the importance of safe cycling infrastructure. Bicycles offer a healthy, eco-friendly way to navigate the city, contributing to cleaner air and combating climate change. The entire event is completely free of charge. However, organizers encourage participants to complete a short online registration. This will help them estimate attendance and coordinate with police for street closures. In April 2018, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 3...
As always, when visiting beer gardens and other outdoor spaces in Prague, make sure you have cash with you as no one allows you to pay by card and there are not normally bank machines close-by. In addition to drinks, all of these gardens serve the usual Czech grilled food such as sausages, cheese, and sometimes corn on the cob. Na Květnici: This nice beer garden set outside of the center is almost exclusively visited by locals, but all are welcome to enjoy the beautiful space. The restaurant serves cheap and cold draft barrel beer and draft tank beer. Na Květnici 700/1a, Prague 4 – Nusle Parukářka: Sitting on a high hill above an extensive Communist-era nuclear bunker, Parukářka is definitely off the beaten track and a place where you can come into contact with a lot of local color. Take your beer up the hill for a fantastic view of the city, and stay late to enjoy a possible impromptu jam session or other sudden moments of unexpected craziness. Jeseniova 50, 130 00 Prague 3 Hospudka Na Hradbách Looking for a less crowded atmosphere with more locals? Then the beer garden at Vyšehrad might be your best bet. The beer...
Prague’s iconic Wenceslas Square is set for a major makeover, with construction kicking off on June 29th, 2024. The large-scale project, expected to last three years, was officially announced by city officials on April 15th. A key aspect of the renovation is the return of tram service to the upper part of the square. New tracks will be laid, stretching from the National Museum to Můstek metro station, where they’ll connect with existing lines running along Vodičková and Jindřišská streets. However, there’s a temporary downside for tram commuters during the initial construction phase. The Jindřišská-Vodičková tram section will be closed for three months, from June 29th to September 30th, 2024. The Prague Transport Company will provide detailed information on revised tram routes closer to the closure date. About the new project The project’s scope encompasses not only the creation of the new tram line, but also all associated necessities, such as road and sidewalk reconstructions, re-routing of utilities, and essential modifications to subway vestibule ceilings. Compared to its historical route, the new tram tracks will follow the sides of Wenceslas Square, creating a pedestrian promenade in the middle. This redesign comes with widened sidewalks, a dedicated cycling lane, a new...
Now it will offer two days of breathtaking adrenaline experiences, entertainment for children and adults, and the best of the world of cycling. Following last year’s première, when four thousand visitors came to the event, the gates of Prague’s Výstaviště will once again open to all fans and lovers of cycling. On the weekend of 27 – 28 April 2024, all cycling enthusiasts can look forward to the biggest cycling holiday of the year: Prague Bike Fest. Over the course of two days, visitors will enjoy a heaping serving of adrenaline shows, exhibitions, workshops, organized rides with well-known athletes, bike testing, as well as an after-party and gastronomic delights. There will also be a presentation of renowned and new brands that represent the best the world of cycling has to offer. Children will also have something to look forward to. A brand new children’s test circuit will be prepared for them under the guidance of experienced instructors. The cherry on top will be the adrenaline-filled Big Air show starring Teodor Kováč. In the middle of Brussels Road, at a height of up to 7 meters, he will perform his most difficult tricks such as a double-back flip, front flip with...
President Joe Biden urged the U.S. House to immediately take up Senate-passed supplemental funding for Ukraine and Israel on Monday as he hosted Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala in the Oval Office. The visit came as Biden aimed to highlight the efforts other nations are making to support Ukraine. It followed the Czech government’s announcement that it is sending 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition to Ukraine, which Kyiv says is badly needed on the battlefield against Russia’s invasion. “As the Czech Republic remembers, Russia won’t stop at Ukraine,” Biden said. He appealed to Congress to pass the supplemental funding so the U.S. could do its part to help Ukraine. “They have to do it now,” Biden said. Fiala praised the U.S. president for his leadership in support of Ukraine, adding, “We are also doing our best.” He said, “In 1968 I saw Russian tanks in the streets of my town, and I don’t want to see this again.” Biden called the Czech Republican a “great ally” in NATO, as Fiala said his country’s decision to purchase F-35 fighter jets from the U.S. will “make our cooperation and security much stronger.” He also recalled the role of the United States...
Prague faces a significant challenge: skyrocketing apartment prices. The cost of living is impacting even the middle class. Apartment prices have jumped over 50% in just five years. Additionally, a third of Prague residents rely on rentals, which have also seen a 30% increase. This, coupled with a slowdown in construction due to recession, has created a critical situation. To address this, the Prague Development Company (PDS), a contributory organization of the capital city, plans to build up to 8,000 new apartments within the next 10 years. “Prague’s housing prices are comparable to Western Europe, but salaries here are much lower,” emphasizes Petr Hlaváček, deputy mayor for territorial development. “This creates tension within our society.” He adds, “We have the space for up to 80,000 new apartments. We can achieve this by revising spatial planning regulations.” The PDS currently has 50 projects in the pipeline, encompassing over 8,000 apartments spread across more than 800,000 square meters of land. These projects are expected to be completed within the next decade. “Many projects have already received approval, particularly those covering around 200,000 square meters designated for further investment preparation,” says Petr Urbánek, director of the Prague Development Company. “Others are still under...
Czech Railways (ČD), Siemens Mobility and Škoda Transportation unveiled the first fixed-formation ComfortJet push-pull train for cross-border services at Prague main station on April 9. Siemens and Škoda are supplying 20 nine-car 230km/h ComfortJet trains to ČD under a €500m contract awarded in March 2021. ČD also awarded Siemens a contract to supply 50 Vectron multi-voltage locomotives and agreed a 10-year full-service maintenance contract under which ČD maintenance staff will transfer to the manufacturer. The new trains will be maintained at the ČD Prague South facility near Prague Vršovice station, where the construction of a new maintenance building for the ComfortJet fleet is under consideration by ČD. The first ComfortJet unveiled in Prague was formed of eight coaches, rather than the standard formation of nine cars. The second class/bistro car and first class driving trailer were missing as deliveries of these coaches have yet to start. The first ComfortJet is currently running under temporary approval granted by national rail safety regulator Drážní úřad. ČD and the manufacturers are hopeful that the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) will soon grant the Authorisation to Place on the Market (APOM) that is required for the new train to enter passenger service. The...
Celebrated Polish filmmaker Agnieszka Holland has begun production on her latest project, a biographical look at Franz Kafka. This news comes after months of pre-development, with cameras officially rolling in April 2024. Titled “Franz,” the movie will delve into the life of the iconic writer, weaving a narrative tapestry from his birth in late 19th century Prague to his passing in Berlin decades later. Filming is primarily taking place in the heart of Prague, with locations chosen in Malá Strana and Old Town, areas close to Kafka’s birthplace in 1883. The screenplay, co-written by Holland and Czech collaborator Marek Epstein, aims to provide a fresh perspective on Kafka. Rather than a straightforward biography, the film promises a “kaleidoscopic mosaic” that incorporates not only factual elements but also interpretations and even glimpses into Kafka’s dreams and inner world, gleaned from his letters. German-Jewish actor Idan Weiss takes on the task of portraying Kafka in his feature film debut, as confirmed by casting information reported in Variety. Filming in Prague is expected to continue until May, with additional scenes planned for locations in Germany. “Kafka was a man of great sensitivity and ill-suited to his time,” says Holland. “We have a much...
The world’s best cities for exploring by foot have been revealed and it’s Rome that takes the crown with its charming plazas and cobblestone streets. It’s followed by runner-up Budapest, where tourists can explore ‘its every corner on foot’. The 100-strong list is based on booking and search data for 800 cities across 120 countries made on the GuruWalk website between April 2023 and April 2024. The company, which offers free walking tours worldwide, compared the number of bookings and page visits per destination in order to compile the list. Spain is the most walkable country, according to the findings, with 28 cities on the top 100 list. France features seven times while the UK appears three times along with Poland, Colombia and Vietnam. Only one U.S. city makes the cut. Prague is described as the ‘City of a Hundred Spires’ with the “Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, and the Astronomical Clock being all points of interest that captivate visitors. And all three attractions are within a 30-minute walk from one another.” Porto, London, and Amsterdam are among the top 10 cities identified by GuruWalk for their walkability, offering visitors a diverse range of attractions and experiences within walking distance....
After enjoying a taste of spring with unseasonably warm temperatures in early April, the Czech Republic is in for a rude awakening. A significant cool-down is expected across the country, bringing rain, showers, and even the possibility of snow, not just in the mountains but potentially at lower elevations as well. Monday to Wednesday: Cloudy with Rain and Potential Snow Monday will be mostly cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms and showers in some areas. While daytime temperatures will remain relatively mild, ranging from 13 to 17 degrees Celsius, snow is expected at higher altitudes. Tuesday will see cloudy skies persist, with nighttime temperatures dropping to 4 degrees Celsius and daytime highs reaching only 8 to 12 degrees Celsius. Showers, including some snow showers in the mountains, are again forecast. Meteorologists warn that snow may even appear at lower or even exceptionally low elevations later in the week. Wednesday offers a glimmer of hope with skies potentially clearing towards the evening. Overnight temperatures could dip to freezing (0 degrees Celsius), while daytime highs will range from 6 to 10 degrees Celsius, with occasional peaks of 12 degrees Celsius. A moderate north-westerly to northerly wind is also expected. Thursday and Beyond:...
Prague is a city where bars are abundant in nearly every corner, however, for those more adventurous, there are only a handful of places that can offer both good drinks and a unique experience. The Magical Owl (Bar Magická Sova), is one of those places where you can enjoy a nice cocktail with a shot of fun and magic. Located in the beautiful Vinohrady, the bar offers a variety of magical potions and snacks for those daring. Customers have the unique chance to try specially prepared magical potion drinks while also having the opportunity to mix and concoct their own potions. To immerse into the magical world of spells, customers can also roam around the place borrowing hats, cloaks, or wands, to dress up in and get a first-hand experience of wizards and witches on a night out! These magical potions can also be complemented with thematic cupcakes or some quick witchy snacks. Those wanting to take on a challenge and make their own potions will receive a magical vessel (mini cauldron or flask) and a magical letter they unseal, with instructions on how to mix together their enchanted elixir. These drinks are not just limited to alcoholic options as...
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