How far away is the airport? What are the hotel options? How much will a drink set you back? All things you might consider when we’re booking our next getaway. But here’s one factor that you might not think about: air pollution. Sure, for a quick trip your destination’s air quality might seem a bit irrelevant – you’re only going for a few days, right? Well, research shows that exposure to high levels of pollution, even just for short periods of time, can have a detrimental effect on our health, particularly our lungs and hearts. A new study has done some research into air pollution levels across popular cities in Europe, and the results might surprise you. Drawing on the World Health Organisation’s air quality guidelines, analysis was done to discover the levels of fine particulate matter: the pollutant which poses the highest risk to our health. The maximum level considered safe is a long-term average of no more than 5 μg/m3 (that’s micrograms per cubic metre). With levels almost four times the safe amount, at 19.7 μg/m3, it’s Milan that is the most polluted city in Europe. In fact, the top five cities all have a long-term average which is at least double the WHO’s recommendation. Athens ranks...
Divorce courts will no longer be concerned with investigating the reasons behind the marriage’s breakdown or verifying the observance of the six-month separation period. In cases where both parties mutually consent to the divorce, the courts will dispense with the compulsory interrogation of the spouses, and the presence of their legal representatives will suffice. MP Ewa Decroix, the project’s author, stated, “The family dynamic is evolving, and cohabitation patterns are changing. However, the current legislation still reflects norms from the 1970s. These revisions are projected to take effect from the start of 2025. The proposal is aligned with the policy statement of the Peter Fiala government (ODS), which committed to promoting “consensual parental conflict resolution.” Uncontested divorces that already exist will be labeled as “amicable” divorces. The MP asserts that the divorce process should become more affordable, expedited, and comfortable. This would be achieved through a combined procedure for divorce and custody matters, a single court fee, and the option for courts to conduct divorce hearings outside traditional courtrooms, such as in a judge’s office. The proposed amendment also eliminates the compulsory interrogation of spouses during divorce proceedings. “If spouses mutually consent to divorce and written documentation confirms their intent,...
The Prague Sounds Festival, previously Strings of Autumn, has evolved into a more adventuresome affair on stages in hallowed venues in November. Its motto is “a festival without limits to genre,” but more importantly, the musical artists of multi-generations are all most highly acclaimed. Before the Festival, there is a special concert Sept. 3, of “War Requiem” by Benjamin Britten at Prague Castle. This anti-war oratorio will be performed by the Prague Philharmonia, Czech Philharmonic and Kyiv Symphony Orchestra along with a children’s choir and international soloists. “War Requiem” was written in 1962 to mark the restoration of Coventry Cathedral in the UK, destroyed during World War II. It is known as a pacifist manifesto with words of the soldier-poet Wilfred Owen, who was killed in the last week of World War I, at the age of 27. His words (and life cut short) inspired Britten’s music. Benjamin Clementine, a young composer and pianist, officially leads off the Festival, Nov. 1st. He is noted for his voice (spinto tenor) and a rags-to-riches story; born in London (1988), lived as a homeless busker on the streets of Paris, till he was discovered by a French talent agent; a triumphant return to...
In response to a fire risk alert issued today by the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, an ordinance prohibiting the ignition of fires in areas at higher risk of fire is currently in effect in Prague until Saturday, August 26, 2023 (00:00). The Mayor of Prague, Bohuslav Svoboda, stated, “I urge all responsible residents of Prague to adhere to these emergency measures. Safeguarding the safety of our capital and its inhabitants stands as our shared priority.” Jana Komrsková, Deputy Mayor, also shared her thoughts, saying, “In light of recent global fires, the gravity of climate change appears evident to us all. Thankfully, the frequency and scale of fires remain manageable. Prague’s firefighters have responded to over a hundred natural environment fires since early June, totaling more than 540 this summer. I wish to express gratitude to those who comply with the fire ignition ban and approach the situation seriously. Our climate strategy strives to optimize water retention in the landscape and avert future issues.” In accordance with Regulation No. 6/2019 Coll., certain conditions are regarded as fire hazards during times of heightened fire risk, as stipulated by the City of Prague’s regulation ensuring fire protection during such periods: (a) Forest vegetation and...
Two trams collided in Prague on Thursday morning, seriously injuring the driver of one of the trams and one passenger. The collision occurred at the Modřanská rokle tram stop in Prague 12 at around 6:45 a.m. Ten passengers were on board the trams at the time of the crash. The driver of one of the trams was trapped in the wreckage and had to be extricated by firefighters. Medical responders placed the driver in a medically induced coma and took measures to ensure her airway stability. Another injured individual, a passenger with a back injury, remained conscious throughout the ordeal. The cause of the collision is still under investigation. The accident disrupted tram services in the area for over two hours. Tram lines 3, 17, 21, and 27 were all affected. Services resumed at around 9:00 a.m., but Line 21 remained suspended in Braník due to the presence of the crashed tram. In a statement, the authority said: “We are deeply saddened by this accident and our thoughts are with the injured and their families. We are working to investigate the cause of the collision and to ensure that it does not happen again. We apologize for the disruption to...
Prague is the second most attractive market in CEE for hotel operators with a presence or interest in the region. Its popularity is backed up by H1 being a period of healthy recovery for Prague hotels which achieved the second-highest (after Budapest) RevPAR (revenue per available room) among the region’s capitals. In this year’s first six months, it reached EUR 69, which is an increase of 57% versus H1 2022, and already a 5% increase versus the pre-Covid H1 2019. This was primarily driven by the strong ADR (average daily rate) growth, which surpassed 2019 levels by over 20%. Hotel operators are optimistic about the industry’s outlook and keen to expand across the CEE region. However, 28% of planned hotel projects in the region are facing delays or put on hold, mainly due to the increased development costs. Prague: the second most attractive market in CEE In Cushman & Wakefield’s latest Hotel Operator Beat survey, Prague placed as the second most attractive market in CEE, reaching 4.2 points on a 1–5 scale where 5 means very high interest. Budapest is a little step ahead with 4.3 points, and Warsaw, Krakow and Bucharest complete the top 5 markets targeted by hotel...
The Czech government is developing a special program to support the voluntary return of Ukrainian refugees living in the country, the CTK news agency reports. The draft of the program was made available to the news agency by the government’s press department. According to the document, the Czech government would provide concrete assistance to Ukrainian refugees wishing to return to their home country and would cover part of the costs. The state would, for example, pay for the cost of tickets and ensure the repatriation of the refugees’ personal belongings. The draft will shortly be submitted to the government, which will set up the necessary financial fund once it is adopted. The document shows that the Czech government would first extend the temporary protection package for Ukrainian refugees by one year, from March 2024 to the end of March 2025. Under a government decision last year, refugees from Ukraine will be granted temporary residence permits that entitle them to benefit from the Czech social and health insurance system. Children will be able to go to school and adults will be free to work. Refugees also receive financial support of several thousand crowns a month for a certain period. Since the invasion...
There is no exaggeration that Prague has the only one café in the world built in the cubist style. Cubism used to be a popular style of painting at the beginning of the 20th Century, but in Prague, it finds its popularity also in architecture. Once you enter the cubistic House of the Black Madonna, see the stairs in the shape of the light bulb and enter the unique Grand Café Orient on the first floor. What is unique about this place is the interior. Grand Café Orient is the only café designed in cubism. You might find numerous cafés in similar styles such as Art Deco and Art Nouveau, but the cubist style café is the only one. In 1912, young architect Josef Gočár designed the whole building together with light bulb stairs and café on the first floor. Because of the small sculpture in the corner, it is well known as the House of the Black Madonna. Unfortunately, the café was open only for several years and then closed because the cubism was not modern anymore. The café reopened in 2005 after extensive renovations according to the original photographs of interiors, so the cubist style is still visible...
It’s been two years since the Prague Writers’ Festival held its annual event in the city of a hundred spires. Prominent writers from around the globe swooped into the Czech Republic, spoke about their lives, and shared their work and culture with hundreds of aficionados of literature. And though some time has passed since it whetted people’s appetites for contemporary letters, Moving Center Literary Festival is taking up the reins to continue to harness Prague’s love of literature. The brainchild of American Prague-based poet and novelist Lucien Zell, Moving Center Literary Festival aims to foster literary exchange and help connect Central European writers to the broader world. Incorporating readings, panel discussions, and workshops, this new annual event is meant to welcome people with established interests in literature as well as those more typically left out of “intellectual” spheres. “Milan Kundera asserted that Central Europe is a “laboratory of twilight,” and I think that phrase is significant on a multitude of levels”, says Zell. “Twilight happens twice a day. First at the beginning of the day, with dawn, and then it happens at the end of the day, with night. Central Europe is a laboratory and we are living experiments. What...
Czechia has tightened the conditions for paying benefits to Ukrainian refugees, bringing considerable savings to its economy during financial consolidation. According to Czech government data seen by Seznam Zprávy, expenditure for Ukrainian refugees has been cut by over a third. In June 2023, the state spent nearly €71 million on humanitarian aid and solidarity grants, with spending falling to around €46 million by July. The savings are linked to the so-called Lex Ukraine law, which overhauled refugee benefits and came into force in July. The Czech government’s move comes when it is intensively discussing the consolidation of public finances and austerity measures. Czech Labour Minister Marian Jurečka (KDU-ČSL, EPP) confirms that the change in the conditions led to a significant drop in expenditures. According to him, some refugees even left the country and returned to Ukraine. Others decided to find a job in Czechia to be able to cover their needs. “Obviously, this has also had an impact on employment, which is still growing,” said Jurečka, as quoted by Seznam Zprávy. Currently, there are 325,742 Ukrainian refugees with temporary protection registered in Czechia – making it one of the European countries that hosts the most Ukrainian refugees per capita. According to the Czech...
At 85 CZK per beer, the price of enjoying a drink in Prague might surprise you… A prime example of this is Náplavka, where beer prices compete with those at Croatia’s seaside spots. On a floating bar, a pint costs 85 CZK. Even if you’re looking for non-alcoholic beverages, you’ll find yourself dealing with higher costs, like paying 75 CZK for a liter of water. And don’t forget about the craft lemonades and cocktails that add up… Riverside Bar not only provides a unique chillout atmosphere but also offers an assortment of refreshing cocktails and light snacks. What could be better than leisurely walking along the Vltava River during the warm months, accompanied by refreshing drinks and summer tunes? However… the cocktails offered by the bar are priced at around 150 CZK each. The popular Cuba Libre is slightly cheaper by ten crowns, and the beloved Aperol Spritz, is priced at 145 CZK. If you’re looking for budget options, you can go for the Gin and Tonic at 135 CZK. For those who aren’t into cocktails, there’s not much relief from the expenses. A half-liter of beer costs 65 crowns, though it’s Dutch Heineken, despite Staropramen being brewed on the...
The Radegast brewery, located in Nošovice, near the Frýdek-Místek region, has accomplished a significant milestone in brewing. For the first time, they have created beer using water extracted from the air’s humidity. This achievement comes through a special batch called Radegast Futur, which aims to raise awareness about the scarcity of water in the Czech landscape. This innovative water-harvesting technology was developed in collaboration with ČVUT and Karbox. A member of the research team, Nicola Pokorný, explained that the EWA (Emergency Water from Air) device is based on the principles of ČVUT’s Solar Air Water Earth Resource (S.A.W.E.R.) system. Designed primarily for extremely hot and dry regions, the EWA device can produce approximately 30 liters of drinkable water per day. Its main purpose is to serve as an emergency source of drinking water during natural disasters or conflicts where water becomes scarce. Unlike most air-to-water systems that cool the air to condense moisture, the ČVUT team developed a unique approach using a specific sorption material. This material collects moisture from the air and releases it through heating, creating highly humid air. This humidity allows for water condensation, even in challenging environments. Beyond conservation, the brewery aims to preserve water within the...
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