The Vltava Philharmonic is moving one step closer to realization. The authors of the winning design of the future Prague landmark, the Danish studio Bjarke Ingels Group, are finalizing a detailed study. The architects will come to Prague to present the new visualizations. “Hundreds of top experts from the Czech Republic and all over the world are working on it, and the result will be detailed documentation that will be used as a basis for design work,” explains Martin Krupauer, head of the Vltava Philharmonic project team, who is managing the project for the capital. The project includes, for example, more green space, but the changes have also affected the main hall. “Studio BIG was very sensitive to all the suggestions and comments we received during the participation and professional workshops. Based on these, the central idea ‘from the river to the roof’ was developed even further,” Krupauer says. It will be located near the Vltavska metro station in Prague’s Holešovice district, and is meant to be more than just a venue for classical music. It will serve as a cultural center and meeting space. The building will be home to the Czech Philharmonic, the FOK Prague Symphony Orchestra and...
The Metronome Festival, set to captivate audiences from June 20 to 22 at the Prague Exhibition Centre, has added another star to its lineup: Michael Kiwanuka. The London-based singer, with Ugandan roots, renowned for his appearances alongside Adele and the soulful backdrop of his song “Cold Little Heart” in the hit TV series Seven Lovers, is set to make a return to Prague. Described by festival organizers as a humble artist unafraid of eccentric expressions, Kiwanuka draws inspiration from the soulful sounds of 1970s American soul. “He is one of Britain’s most respected artists. Imagine Van Morrison meets Curtis Mayfield, and you’re there. His 2016 album ‘Love & Hate’ soared to the top spot in the UK, and in 2019, ‘Kiwanuka’ garnered unanimous rave reviews, hailed as a career-defining masterpiece by Mojo magazine. He is a true artist who pours every ounce of his heart and soul into his mesmerizing live performances. In short, Michael Kiwanuka is a genuine attraction,” attests Rob Cass, Abbey Road Studios Producer, exclusively for Metronome Prague 2024. Born and raised in North London’s Muswell Hill, Michael Kiwanuka’s roots trace back to Ugandan parents who fled President Idi Amin’s regime, also known as the Butcher of...
Come and enjoy your weekend with our selection of the best Prague events and things to do! Parties, family-friendly activities, movie festivals and much more…Enjoy! 24.01-31.01: Scandi Film Fest Scandi is a showcase focusing on contemporary Nordic film. Prague cinemas will present not only premieres, but also thematic sections focusing on the work of specific artists or genres. These films can be found not only in cinemas but also on DVD, VOD and pay TV channels. Enjoy the bits of Scandinavian cinematography from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland to Czech and Slovak cinemas. Where: various locations More info here 27.01-28.01: Czech Aerial Hoop The second year of the Aerial Hoop sport competition, which aims to move the Czech Aerial Hoop Sport to the world level with its rules and expert jury. Where: KD Mlejn, Prague 13 More info here 26.01-27.01: Swap & Hadry Prague Swap, vintage pop-up, workshops & music that will take place in Prague’s Kampus Hybernská. You can look forward to swapping, as well as vintage pop-ups, upcycling workshops, a discussion, a film, and about ten kinds of sustainable-inspired activities. Where: Kampus Hybernská Tickets: 150-200 CZK More info here 26.01: The Prague Burlesque...
A fast train collided with a truck in Karvinsko, killing one person and injuring at least 16 people, officials said. The Czech Railways said the driver of the train was killed. Police said their preliminary information shows dozens could be injured while the Czech Railways 16 people suffered injuries. Emergency services are currently at the scene. The accident occurred early in the morning when a fast train heading for Prague, hit a truck at a crossing near the town of Bohumin. Authorities say an investigation is underway into the cause of the crash. Czech Railways reported the collision on the Ostrava–Žilina line in the Bohumín–Dětmarovice section. The rescue system is fully engaged, and the police have confirmed one fatality, with ongoing emergency response efforts. The Railway Administration expects traffic disruptions throughout the day due to damage to the traction line, derailing of the locomotive, and a wagon. According to firefighters’ spokeswoman Kamila Langerová, 35 people were travelling on the train. Martin Kavka, a spokesman for the Railway Administration (SŽ), said the locomotive and one carriage were derailed after the collision and the overhead wires were damaged. “Traffic may be stopped in the area for the whole day,” he told ČTK....
A new law regulating the entry and stay of internationals has been finalized by Czechia’s Ministry of the Interior, which, by digitalising the residence agenda, will accelerate the residence procedure and contribute to a more transparent legal regulation of the stay of internationals. Confirming that it has revised the existing law related to the entry and stay of internationals in the country, the Ministry of the Interior considered the current law “outdated” and, as a result of frequent amendments, “confusing”. The main change in the law is the digitalization of the residence agenda, while there will not be any substantial changes related to the conditions for granting a residence permit. The Ministry has stressed that in parallel with the preparation of the new law, a new information system is being built. This system will incorporate the creation of an electronic identity and a foreigner’s account designed for non-citizens. “With digitization, we will speed up the residency procedure and reduce the administrative burden. The whole process will be easier and faster. Foreigners will be able to communicate online with the authorities from home and vice versa. This will make it easier not only for our workplaces, which are in charge of...
Candy and confectionery containing psychoactive substances have recently emerged on the Czech market, escaping any legal regulations. This has led to their unregulated sale in various forms, without quality testing, and without restrictions, including to minors. Jindřich Vobořil, the national coordinator for drug policy, has highlighted the potential risks associated with these products. Vobořil draws attention to products containing the new semi-synthetic cannabinoid HHC, which mirrors the effects of THC, the primary natural psychoactive substance in cannabis. He urges vendors to remove these products from the market before the New Psychomodulants Act is enacted. “The consumption of these products, often featuring high concentrations of cannabinoids, poses risks due to potential strong and unexpected intoxication. This can be attributed to the slow absorption of the active substances, their prolonged action, or the difficulty in controlling the course of intoxication after ingestion,” warned Vobořil. He further emphasized that the risk escalates when these products are combined with alcohol, drugs, or other substances with psychoactive effects, particularly in children. Vobořil deems it highly unethical to present these products in an enticing form for children and as food. “I urge manufacturers and sellers of HHC-containing products to reconsider their practices and withdraw such items...
The Czech Republic is known for its rich culture and delicious cuisine, and one tradition that embodies both of these elements is the annual “zabijačka.” This event, which typically takes place in the winter months, is a celebration of pork and community and is steeped in centuries of history and tradition. The word zabijačka literally translates to “slaughter,” and the event is centered around the killing and processing of a pig. Families and communities come together to participate in the process, from preparing and slaughtering the pig to making traditional Czech dishes such as blood sausages and smoked meats. While for some it is a barbaric practice that has no place in the present-day, for others it is an important part of village folklore that brings people together. Domain In the old days, the home breeding and slaughtering of pigs several times a year was an economic necessity. People would stock up on meat for the harsh winter months or slaughter a pig to provide for a big celebration such a wedding or a christening in the family. In addition to being a beloved tradition, zabijačka also has practical benefits. By processing the pig all at once, families can stock...
Thanks to modern technology, it’s easy to get where you need to go by entering the exact address into a navigation system. But how did people navigate before, especially in the days when houses weren’t numbered? The answer to this question can be found in house signs, of which there are many in the historical center of Prague. House signs have been used in Prague for centuries, dating back to the Middle Ages. These signs were originally used to identify the residents of a particular house or building. They were often made of wood or metal and were typically located above the entrance of the building. During the Renaissance period, house signs began to take on more artistic forms. They were designed to be more ornate and decorative, with intricate carvings and sculptures. Many of these signs featured symbols or images that were specific to the trade or profession of the residents. For example, a sign with a pair of scissors would indicate that a tailor lived in the building, while a sign with a hammer and anvil would indicate a blacksmith. As the city grew and evolved, so did the house signs. In the 18th and 19th centuries, many of...
The Prague Transport Company (DPP) plans to launch a competition with an estimated value of 86 billion crowns to automate traffic on the C metro line along with the purchase of automatic trains for the under-construction D line. City councilors approved the move, with representatives yet to vote. The contract will include the purchase of 52 automatic sets for Line C, 16 sets for Line D, and necessary modifications and necessary station modifications. Deputy mayor Zdeněk Hřib (Piráti) emphasized the urgency of announcing the tender promptly due to the testing and homologation needs of the trains. The city aims to select a winner within approximately two years. “Automation will reduce the interval to 90 seconds, significantly boosting the capacity of the C line,” added the deputy. For line D, currently under construction, automated operation is planned from the outset. Preparatory work and car development will occur in 2026 and 2027, followed by the production, certification, and homologation of the first cars between 2027 and 2028. A test run is expected between 2028 and 2029, paving the way for serial production and the delivery of the ordered trains. The primary motivation for automating the C line lies in its high workload,...
Set aside the ordinary and brace yourself for a showcase of luxurious and unconventional brews! The Zichovec brewery has organized an extraordinary event at Gabriel Loci in Prague’s Smíchov district on 27 January, featuring 24 top European breweries offering a staggering selection of 150 different beers. “Winter Affair” is no ordinary beer festival. Instead of the traditional approach of purchasing individual beers, attendees pay a higher price for admission, granting them the freedom to savor a wide selection of beers by the glass throughout the day. The organizers boast an unparalleled selection of beers, with Adam Huml, a beer sommelier from the Zichovec marketing team, stating, “Let’s not beat around the bush. The price tag of over two thousand crowns per ticket may seem steep. However, it’s easily justified because the beers making their way to Prague aren’t your typical industrial lagers. Visitors will have the opportunity to sample a variety of beers comparable to wine and more.” “For one day, to transform the beautiful space of the Gabriel Loci church into a temple dedicated to the best beer, to create an experience, a memory that none of the participants will easily forget,” reveals his vision Miroslav Ostrý, who is responsible not only for...
Czech Masopust celebrations – the period of pageantry and feasting leading up to lent – will begin on February 8th with Tučný čtvrtek (Fat Thursday) and carry on until the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. The history Masopust (also called maškara and in Moravia Fašank) is historically the end of a season of celebration that traditionally begins just after Three Kings Day, on January 6. The folk ritual has been celebrated in the Czech lands for over 700 years. Modern festivities typically begin on the Thursday before Ash Wednesday, creating a six-day period marked with costumes, parades, and festivals. Long ago it was common to have costumed gatherings on both Monday and Tuesday with traditional dances for married couples or costumed people performing minor tasks around the village. ‘Masopust’ is an old Czech word that means ‘meat fast’. It essentially is the Czech word for Carnival or Mardi Gras. ‘Masopustní průvod’ translates to Shrovetide in English. In 2024, Masopust Prague will take place between February 8 and Ash Wednesday which calls on February 14, 2024. Masopust in Prague Prague carnival will delight you with colorful costumed parades, endless parties, masked characters, theater performances, old crafts, carnival...
The Czech Republic is experiencing a notable demographic shift, marked by a substantial increase in the number of foreign workers. Nearly one-fifth of the employed population in the country is now comprised of foreigners, with over 800,000 contributing to the Czech workforce. Of these, nearly 409,800 are from EU countries, while 285,545 hailed from Ukraine, demonstrating a significant growth since 2015. In the past year alone, approximately 30,700 foreigners found employment in the Czech Republic. As of December, labor offices recorded a total of over 823,900 foreigners, indicating a 2.5-fold increase since the end of 2015. According to statistics from the Czech Statistical Office (CSO), the total number of employees in the Czech Republic for the first three quarters of the previous year reached 4.23 million. “The numbers of foreigners are growing gradually, and it’s because they are filling in the gaps in the labor market. We have a very low unemployment rate and growing wages, quicker than the western part of the EU. It looks somehow like a brain drain from Eastern Europe,” said Dalibor Holý, Director of the Labour Market and Equal Opportunities Statistics Department. The aging population in the Czech Republic has prompted concerns about a diminishing...
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