A burial site containing the cremated remains of over 80 political prisoners has been discovered at the Prague-Pankrac prison. These prisoners died between 1948 and 1965. The individuals buried at this site consisted of regime opponents from various Czechoslovakian prisons, individuals who passed away in the Pankrac prison hospital, as well as soldiers involved in the anti-communist resistance. Ales Kyr, a historian specializing in the Prison Service, shared that the scientists unearthed charred bone fragments in the ground where the former execution site stood between 1947 and 1954. “The area was later cleared, and the gallows from both execution sites were removed. Subsequently, the location remained unused until 1992, when it was designated as a commemorative site,” Kyr explained. In October of last year, a soil survey was conducted, leading the archaeologists to discover traces of organic material within the soil. Subsequent analysis revealed that these fragments were the remnants of burned bones. “We can reasonably assume that these are the remains of individuals whose urns were emptied at this location,” stated Jan Marik, the director of the Institute of Archaeology at the Czech Academy of Sciences. While scientists lack an exact list of the victims interred at the site,...
Prague Airport is calling a concession procedure to select a new operator of currency exchange services and ATMs. The business model will be fundamentally changed and improved by the condition of capping the exchange rates of three core currencies at a maximum of 15 percent spread compared to the midpoint of the Czech National Bank (CNB). This set exchange rate policy is at the lower end of the scale among European airports. The five-year agreement with the current operator terminates at the end of this year, after which a new operator will launch their operations. Jakub Puchalský, Member of the Prague Airport Board of Directors, said, regarding the tender announcement, that the airport has based its conditions on thorough research across other international airports in order to review the offered exchange rates. “We are significantly improving the service with a set exchange rate spread. As part of the concession process, we require the new operator to have experience in providing foreign currency exchange services and VAT refunds at the minimum of three international airports, and that the spread for the euro, dollar, and British pound is contractually set – in our case as the difference between the offered exchange rate...
Last year, a record number of 8.33 million inspections were conducted by controllers in Prague’s public transportation, resulting in 255,115 fines and a collection of 227.9 million CZK by the Prague Public Transit Company (DPP). This marks the highest number of passengers checked and fines collected since at least 2016, according to representatives from the DPP. In comparison, the previous year saw approximately 8.18 million inspections and 219,607 fines issued, amounting to around 172.2 million CZK in fines. In the past year, there was a notable increase in the number of fines issued despite a similar number of inspections, which can be attributed to various factors, according to Petr Witowski, the company’s director. One possible explanation is fares’ high cost, leading people to cut back on ticket expenses. Another contributing factor could be the rise in remote work, resulting in more individuals opting for single-ride tickets or even attempting to travel without a valid ticket. However, Witowski mentioned that in such cases, many fare evaders acknowledge their mistake and promptly pay the fine, often using card payment methods. Compared to the previous year, the percentage of immediate fine payments has increased to 50% from 37.2%. Furthermore, 26.3% of individuals paid...
During the first quarter of this year, the population of the Czech Republic increased by 23,100 to 10.85 million, the Czech Statistical Office revealed on Monday. More people died than were born in this period, so the increase was only thanks to migrants coming into the country, mainly Ukrainians fleeing the war. Archaeologists have discovered the cremated remains of more than 80 political prisoners who died between 1948 and 1965 at Prague’s Pankrác prison, in the area of the former gallows where the death penalty was carried out between 1947 and 1954. Rent prices are on the rise in the Czech Republic. According to European Housing Services, demand steadily increases, resulting in record-high rental prices. The average cost per square meter of rental properties in Prague is now 338 CZK, a significant increase from just a year ago when the cost was 300 CZK. Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem will be performed at the Vladislav Hall of Prague Castle on September 3, the organisers of the Prague Sounds festival said on Thursday. The monumental piece will be performed by members of a number of Czech ensembles and the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra. The consortium of investors headed by Australia’s Macquarie Asset Management (MAM) has started the...
Prague’s Náplavka (Rašínovo nábřeží) will host a beer tasting festival on Friday and Saturday, June 16 and 17. Visitors will have the chance to taste dozens of varieties from 50 Czech micro and small breweries. A stage for musicians will also be set up on the waterfront. Admission to the Pivo Na Naplavce festival and the accompanying cultural program will be free, but the condition for beer tasting will be the purchase of our 0.3L glass mug. “We expect around 4,000 people this year,” said Jiří Sedláček, director of the festival. “Visitors can look forwarded to 15 food stalls which will serve different food. There will be burger stalls, various grilled meat delicacies, Belgian fries, Balkan specialties, artisanal pizza, quality Czech sausages, French sausages, burgundy snails, cheese balls and, in addition, quality coffee,” added Sedláček. The festival also includes a vote for the most popular mini-brewery. More info: Friday – 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday – 10:00 – 21:00
Jsme Fér is an organization fighting for marriage equality in the Czech Republic. Their main goal is to help Czech policymakers recognize the unequal treatment of the LGBTQ community in the country when it comes to the institution of marriage and all the benefits that come with it. As of now, the LGBTQ people can only enter a registered partnership, while also facing multiple other issues. Prague Morning spoke to Filip Milde, the media representative of Jsme Fér, amid the recent Parliament discussions on passing the bill that would legalize same-sex marriage. These discussions officially started at the end of May, but, as of now, have not reached a concrete verdict. “This is the second time that the marriage equality bill was introduced, the first one being in 2018. So far, the MPs spent a little under 5 hours debating the bill. Let’s say that our system is not the most effective when it comes to discussing these bills,” explains Filip. “The most rigid opponents of the bill simply keep avoiding talking about it and the discussion can drag on indefinitely. We are just begging them to push the bill through to the legislative process. Even society is begging them. The debate has been going on for a long time....
Wages across the Czech Republic have decreased by 6.7 percent in real terms over the past 12 months, according to data published on Monday by the Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ). Despite the average gross salary increasing by 8.6 percent year-over-year in the first quarter of 2023, spiraling inflation in recent times has resulted in a decline in purchasing power for Czech citizens. Inflation has slowed more than expected over the past two months. The country recorded an annual inflation rate of 12.7 percent in April, down from 15 percent in March, while analysts had forecast a rate of 13.3 percent for April. However, food prices are still increasing at an annual rate of 17.3 percent, restaurant and hotel prices are 17.5 percent higher than last year, and housing and utility costs are up 17.6 percent; meanwhile, clothing and footwear prices are up 13.1 percent, while the cost of recreational activities has seen a jump of 12.9 percent. Real wage growth depends on consumer price growth. In the first quarter of this year, this reached 16.4 percent, the second-highest value this century in Czechia. The median wage rose in the first quarter compared to the same period of last year by...
The screening cycle Some Like it Czech bids farewell for the summer with one of the most iconic Czech movies of the last century. Screened on the 14th of June with English subtitles, this breezy classic SECLUDED, NEAR WOODS will enlighten you to the secrets of Czech summer cottages, mushroom picking, and DIY magic. Directed by an Academy Award winner Jiří Menzel and penned by Ladislav Smoljak and Zdeněk Svěrák, this film will be your getaway ticket to the Czech countryside. The movie (watch the trailer) follows the Lavička family on their journey to buy their dream summer house while getting themselves into many comical situations caused by their inexperience with the rural life. The scenarists Ladislav Smoljak and Zdeněk Svěrák, a famous Czech duo that also stands behind The Jára Cimrman Theatre, wrote the script based on their own experience while looking for a cottage, which was an unenviable ordeal back in the days. Czechoslovakia was closed off from the world, and almost all citizens sought to escape from the regime to their cottages. Thanks to the real-life inspiration and indisputable talent of the authors, the movie beautifully depicts the love of Czechs for nature, mushroom picking, blueberries picking,...
The star of the 57th Karlovy Vary IFF will be actor Russell Crowe. The concert launching the most prestigious film festival in Central and Eastern Europe will feature not only the star of the movie Gladiator and his band, but also Morcheeba. The new trailer for the festival starring Johnny Depp will also be showcased. Actor and director Russell Crowe will be presented with the Crystal Globe for his outstanding artistic contribution to world cinematography at the opening of this year’s Karlovy Vary Festival. He and his new Indoor Garden Party project will then appear at the opening concert, to be held free of charge for the general public in front of the Hotel Thermal, from 10.45 p.m. on 30 June. And before that you can enjoy another amazing attraction at this year’s KVIFF – a gig by British band Morcheeba! They’ll be playing from 7:00 p.m. To mark the award presented to Russell Crowe, the festival will be screening the period adventure epic Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, made 20 years ago. Another treat for all fans of the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, which ranks alongside other such festivals in Cannes, Berlin and Venice in...
Wizz Air is launching a direct flight from Prague to Tirana, the airline said Friday. The carrier’s aircraft will start operating between the Czech and Albanian capitals from 25 March 2024. The flight will be operated four times a week. Information about ticket prices is not available yet. At the moment, only Czech airline Smartwings flies on this route. 8 things you must do in Tirana Albania’s capital is a Balkan gem, undiscovered by the masses. From the Pyramid of Tirana and Skanderbeg Square, to ornate mosques to museums built inside atomic bunkers, there’s plenty here to uncover… Often a stop-over on the way to Balkan outdoor adventures, there’s no reason to pass up Albania’s quirky capital with curiosities like bunkers and pyramids to explore. An easy flight from London, this inexpensive city offers a relaxing stay devoid of the typical European tourist masses. 1. Ride a cable car up Mount Dajti Tirana’s natural beauty lies in the mountains ringing the city. Take advantage of a clear day to ride up to Mount Dajti. A twenty-minute drive (here’s our tip on how Rent a Car in Albania) or thirty-minute bus ride from the city centre, the ride will take your...
Red Bull Káry, the race of original non-motorized vehicles, is coming to Prague on Saturday, September 16th, 2023. The competition focuses on the creativity and inventiveness of the vehicles, as well as the captivating show they deliver. Racers will not only showcase their skills but also compete against the clock. An esteemed panel of experts will evaluate the performances. Don’t miss the chance to participate and experience the specially built track alongside Erik Cais, a renowned Czech rally driver! Red Bull Káry made its debut in Belgium back in 2000 and has since been held in 52 countries, totaling 138 races. After a 15-year absence, it returns to the Czech Republic, where Brno last hosted the thrilling spectacle with vehicles shaped like mousetraps, tents, and cranes. Prague, on the other hand, saw the event twenty years ago in 2003, as Red Bull Káry raced down from Petřín Hill. This time, the action will take place at Strahov. What is it all about? It revolves around an extraordinary race of handcrafted, non-motorized vehicles where an array of ingeniously designed carts rely solely on human power and gravity for movement. These carts must possess the agility to turn and brake. Participating teams...
The number of people in Czechia who cannot pay their rent is increasing, with cases tripling year-over-year in some areas of the country. A worsening economic situation and inefficient processes in relation to the rental market have led to a concerning rise in non-payments. Tenants often find it difficult to find alternative housing, resulting in an accumulation of debt, while landlords often experienced legal difficulties in evicting non-paying tenants, costing them significant time and financial resources. According to data from the Ideal Tenants service, the number of defaulters rose by 11 percent year-over-year in the last quarter of 2022 before rising by 34 percent year-on-year in January. “In the statistics we present, we consider a tenant as a defaulter when he owes more than one month and at least 500 crowns, in order to filter out possible small arrears that could have arisen through oversight,” spokesman Tomáš Skolek told Echo24. Both landlords and experts at the Ministry of Labor believe that legislative reform is required to enable the market to work more effectively. They claim that by reducing the default period required before a landlord can evict a non-paying tenant, landlords would be more inclined to offer longer-term contracts to tenants,...
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