The so-called ‘máničky’ represented the spirit of freedom and resistance to the authoritarian regime “Better late than never”, some might say upon learning that the Czech Supreme Court has overturned a verdict from 1966, which sentenced 14 young men for protesting the forced cutting of their hair by the police. Back in the 1960s Czechoslovakia was part of the Communist-ruled Eastern bloc of Europe, which resulted in a serious curtailment of personal, collective and economic freedoms for the people living there. Government control extended even into things like fashion and grooming. Long hair worn by men was seen as a decadent influence by the West and a political statement of resistance and opposition. In a sense, it was. That decade was a cultural transformation milestone in many countries and the influence of new ideas, music and youth culture permeated even through the Iron Curtain. The Czech government, however, responded harshly against this budding counter-culture movement by instituting a series of measures, such as the prohibition of long-haired men to ride on public transport, enter cinemas, theatres or pubs. This culminated in a campaign, which had police chase and arrest such males, known as “máničky” (a derogatory term likening them to girls) and...
Following the successful launch of the Brussels – Amsterdam – Berlin night train in May 2023, European Sleeper will extend this route to Dresden and Prague from 25 March 2024. The train will then connect four European capitals and even Paris and London are well connected with a single transfer in Brussels. On the way through Saxon Switzerland and the Elbe Valley, the train stops in both Germany and the Czech Republic: in Bad Schandau, Décin and Usti nad Labem. The Dutch-Belgian night train operator European Sleeper aims to contribute to a more integrated and sustainable European transportation network. A night train is significantly more sustainable than other modes of travel and produces (for example) 28 times less greenhouse gas emissions than flying. Another major advantage of a night train is that passengers are travelling efficiently while asleep, reducing long distances to just a night’s journey. The service to Dresden and Prague was postponed in 2023 due to track works between Dresden and the Czech Republic. For 2024, European Sleeper has been allocated an attractive timetable, in which the arrival and departure times of the various stops are well balanced. In parallel, European Sleeper is preparing the acquisition of refurbished...
In the depths of the cave, where the first humans once discovered the fire-lit darkness, a desire for connection, for ritual, for art, for self-expression, for freedom was born. Drums rumbled, fires danced on painted walls, and minds were bent by natural substances. This archetypal moment of indulging in collective ecstasy has now been reborn in the form of the modern rave. A space that gives us an almost therapeutic opportunity to disconnect not only from the problems of the outside world, but also from our own personalities and be at one with others, shrouded in smoke and undulating in an almost sacred rumble. The light installations of today’s rave parties are heirs to those ancient fires, and DJs along with light makers are then our contemporary shamans and druids, priests who guide us through a night of electronic beats – drums for our age. The group exhibition ELEKTROSALON, subtitled From the Rave to the Gallery, presents artists who have evolved in this fascinating environment. They started as visual makers or lighting designers in the rave and club scene, where they had the opportunity to experiment, make mistakes and grow. Growing into original personalities with not only a specific character,...
A magnitude-5.0 earthquake occurred in eastern Slovakia at about 20:23 Oct. 9. The epicenter was about 15 km south-southeast of Stropkov. The tremor struck at the earth’s surface with no appreciable depth. Moderate-to-strong shaking was reported across eastern Slovakia, with weak-to-moderate shaking reported further away from the epicenter in southeastern Poland, northeastern Hungary, northwestern Romania, and southwestern Ukraine. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake; however, some light damage is possible in areas near the epicenter. Based on the preliminary seismic data, the quake was probably felt by many people in the area of the epicenter. In Vranov nad Topľou, Humenné, Snina, Prešov, Michalovce, and Bardejov, the quake should have been felt as light shaking. Weak shaking might have been felt in Trebišov, and Košice. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are likely over the coming days. Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible where shaking occurred.
The heating season has officially started in Prague as of yesterday, Monday, October 9. Most people in Prague have started to get heat in their flats, now that fall temperatures are taking over. The heating season began due to the drop in average daily temperatures and the chilly weather forecast for the following days. By law, the heating season spans from the start of September through the end of May. During this period, heating may be subject to restrictions or interruptions if the average daily outdoor temperature in a given location remains above 13 degrees Celsius for at least two consecutive days. The heating company Pražská teplárenská, stated, that “on Monday, October 9, we kick off this year’s heating season. We are closely monitoring outdoor temperature trends and will adapt as needed in the event of prolonged warmer weather. Our transfer stations are equipped with an automatic control system that efficiently manages equipment operation and can curtail heating if outdoor temperatures rise, preventing unnecessary energy consumption.” Pražská teplárenská stands as one of the Czech Republic’s largest district heating networks, boasting an impressive number of operated facilities. In Prague, Pražská teplárenská supplies heat to over 235,000 households and a number of...
Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas attacks, according to various Czech politicians, with some calling for an end to EU funding for Palestine. “The rocket attacks and the infiltration of Hamas commandos into Israel will block any efforts for a peaceful solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict for a long time. This aggressive action will inevitably provoke a harsh and justified reaction from Israel, which will bring many casualties,” Czech President Petr Pavel commented on the situation, adding that the way to settle the problem is through the negotiating table with “a great deal of goodwill.” Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský (Pirates) spoke with his Israeli counterpart over the weekend, where he “told him that the Czech Republic fully stands behind Israel and its right to self-defence. We also reiterated this position within the European Union,” Lipavský said. MEP Jan Zahradil, a member of the ruling ODS (ECR) party, called for a reduction in European support for the Palestinians. “Our group (ECR) will push for this in the European Parliament. This concept needs to be thoroughly examined and reconsidered. It is completely unacceptable to spread hatred towards Israel with European money,” he said on the social network X. EU...
On Friday, November 3, at 10 am, the American chain Popeyes will open its doors to the Czech public for the first time, bringing its unique New Orleans cuisine to the local fast food market. Popeyes will welcome its first Czech customers on Wenceslas Square, inside the renovated Fashion House (Dům módy), a neo-functionalist structure designed by Josef Hrubý and built in the 1950s on the site of an apartment building that was destroyed by a German air raid during WWII. The location is directly across the street from competitor KFC. Chicken lovers can look forward to a two-story, 700 sq. m. restaurant in the distinctive style of the American South. Enthusiastic Czech patrons can relish the tantalizing offerings, including the unique Cajun fries, the quintessential American biscuit, and the world-famous Chicken Sandwich. “Our meticulous preparations for our Czech debut have spanned almost a year. I am eagerly anticipating our guests’ delight as they immerse themselves in the explosion of flavors we’ve curated,” said Marko Blaževič, Brand President of Popeyes Czech Republic and Poland. Over the coming months, Popeyes plans to unveil at least two more restaurants, one in the heart of Brno and another along a major thoroughfare near...
In September, the unemployment rate in the Czech Republic held steady at 3.6 percent, mirroring the figures from August. The number of people actively seeking employment increased by approximately 2,200 on a monthly basis, totaling 263,000 by the end of September. The number of available job positions rose by around 800, reaching 282,000 compared to the previous month. In a year-on-year comparison, the unemployment rate was slightly higher by one-tenth of a percentage point. The Czech Republic boasts the lowest unemployment rate across the entire European Union. Earlier this year, unemployment had steadily declined to 3.4 percent between March and June. However, there was a slight uptick in July following four months of decline, which continued into August. During September, 47,778 new individuals registered with the Labour Office, marking a 13,135 increase compared to the previous month. The Labour Office reported that 31,326 individuals secured new employment opportunities, with many finding jobs in the education wholesale trade, healthcare, public administration, metal construction, and food products sectors. The highest unemployment rates persisted in the Ústí nad Labem region at 5.6 percent and the Moravian-Silesian region at 4.9 percent. Conversely, the lowest unemployment rate was recorded in the South Bohemian Region at...
Chocolate lovers will be able to enjoy chocolate stalls with various types of chocolates, tastings, creative workshops and a music program in the Galerie Harfa shopping centre. This year’s festival will feature chocolate delicacies from all over the world, and everything can be tasted on-site. Guests will have the opportunity to join chocolate-making classes, partake in the chocolate dessert contest, workshops for children, and much more. Have you ever tried a rosemary sirloin steak with forest fruits and chocolate? Tortilla stuffed with chicken and chocolate sauce? Or chilli con carne made with dark chocolate? If not, you should definitely come and try these unusual flavor combinations! As part of the culinary show, these recipes will be prepared by the chefs of some of Prague’s major restaurants. The festival will be open to the public on Friday, October 18 from 14:00 to 18:00, and on Saturday, October 20 from 10:00 to 18:00. A wide range of musical and dance performances will enhance the festival’s atmosphere. Fun activities, culinary inspiration, and lots of chocolate goodies all in one place! More info here Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more
Czech trade unions will demand salary increases between 8% and 10% next year to compensate workers for the impact of high inflation, the head of the country’s biggest labor union said. Households in the central European country are reeling from the worst cost-of-living crisis in three decades that caused a deep drop in real income. Consumer price growth has been easing from a peak of 18% a year ago, with the central bank predicting it to slow toward the 2% target in early 2024. “Inflation is causing the biggest problems that we have,” Josef Stredula, the chairman of the Confederation of Trade Unions, said in a debate on public TV on Sunday. “Purchasing power is declining.” Central bankers in Prague are closely watching wage trends as a key factor for their monetary-policy deliberations. The bank last month began discussing a plan for lowering borrowing costs, but it listed the country’s tight labor market — the Czech jobless rate is one of the lowest in the European Union — among inflation risks. The central bank forecasts average inflation at 2.1% next year and predicts nominal wage growth of around 8%.
As one of the world’s largest and greenest cities according to the HUGSI index, Prague is stepping up its responsibility to live up to its reputation. An entire fleet of electric buses is now connecting the Metro C Budějovická station with the Brumlovka bus stop in Kačerov, Prague 4. Czechia has struggled recently with meeting the WHO guidelines for air quality and pollution levels, so ushering in new efforts to go green in the country’s busiest city, can spark a difference that may go a long way in the future. Since 2016, two SOR electric buses have been in operation on this bus line, labeled under ‘BB1’ and ‘BB2,’ providing emission-free transport to one of Prague’s most active business districts. Now, a third bus has been in operation since September of this year, making the shuttle service between the two stops 100% electric. It is estimated that 4,500 passengers use the transport in Brumlovka each day. “94% of passengers are satisfied with the shuttle service, mainly due to its cleanliness, sufficient capacity, and connection intervals. Compared to the time before the introduction of electric buses, we have seen an increase in satisfaction by almost 20 percentage points,” said Martina Draper,...
On the night of Sunday, 8th October, the Czech Republic’s Giant Mountains witnessed the first snowfall of the season. Temperatures dropped below freezing early in the morning, creating powdery patches above 1,100 meters. Weather experts assure that this snowy episode is temporary, expecting a return to warmer weather in the coming days. The snowfall is the result of a recent cold front passing over the Czech Republic, which brought temperatures below zero degrees Celsius to areas of high elevation in the country. Compared to previous years, the snowfall arrived later. Last year, the first snowfall occurred on 18th September, and in 2021, it was on 12th October. Temperatures on Sněžka reached as low as minus one degree Celsius this morning, but weather conditions on the mountain can change dramatically. Shortly before 4:00 a.m., the measuring station at the mountain’s summit reported a temperature of nearly eight degrees above zero. In addition to Sněžka and the Krkonoše Mountains, temperatures are also low enough for snow to fall in Czechia’s Jeseníky Mountains. However, meteorologists note that the snow is unlikely to accumulate on the ground. While the Giant Mountains enjoy their snowy makeover, the rest of the country continues its autumnal transition,...
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