The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, signed Decree No. 742/2022 “On awarding the city of Prague with the honorary title of “City Saviour”. The award honors the solidarity of the local authorities, residents and volunteers of Prague with the Ukrainian people, the comprehensive large-scale assistance to the citizens of Ukraine who were forced to leave their homeland as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, as well as the strong support of our state in protecting its independence and sovereignty. “Congratulations, Golden Prague, and thank you very much,” wrote on Twitter Yevhen Perebyinis, Ukraine’s former ambassador in the Czech capital. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, Prague has sheltered more than 100,000 Ukrainians who came to the Czech Republic in search of salvation. In total, the country gave shelter to more than 460,000 Ukrainian citizens. The Czech Republic actively and decisively supports our country in countering the aggression of the Russian Federation and overcoming its consequences. The Czech Republic is also one of the leaders in providing security assistance to Ukraine. Prague became the third city, after Poland’s Rzeszów and Przemyśl, to be awarded the honorary title of City Saviour. Prague mayor Zdeněk...
The great singer and dissident Marta Kubišová – who many Czechs associate with key moments in the country’s modern history – turns 80 on November 1. Singer Marta learned to sing listening to Radio Luxembourg with her brother and tried to play hits on the piano by such artists as Elvis Presley and The Beatles. She had a knack for phrasing lyrics in Czech and a unique, original, distinct color to her voice with the ability to convey emotions when she sang. In 1961, Marta participated in her first talent show called The Search for Talent, reaching the finals. At her audition at the theater in Pardubice, she caught the eye of composer and future Supraphon producer Bohuslav Ondřáček. She went on to sing with the Alfa Theatre for one season before signing a contract with the prestigious Rokoko Theatre in Prague. There, she performed with Czechoslovak superstar Waldemar Matuška as well as Helena Vondráčková and Václav Neckar, who later became part of her trio. At the Rokoko theatre, Marta, Helena and Václav performed in a new musical called Waiting for Fame, which brought them instant success. Marta’s first solo album Songy a Balady was released in 1969, and re-released...
Czech and Ukrainian government ministers met for talks in Kyiv on Monday, despite continued bombing of the capital and other parts of the country by Russian forces. They discussed plans for the post-war reconstruction of the country. The two sides signed memoradums on cooperation in several areas. The country’s constitutional experts say there is no legal obstacle in the way of ANO leader Andrej Babiš running for president despite the fact that he is facing charges of subsidy fraud. Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska thanked the Czech Republic for its support for Ukraine in the face of the Russian invasion, in a video message to a demonstration organised by the Million Moments group in Prague’s Wenceslas Square yesterday. According to police estimates, the demonstration was attended by tens of thousands of people. The average price of electricity in the European Union rose sharply year-on-year in the first half of the year. The Czech Republic had the highest increase, at 62 percent. The Czech Republic was closely followed by Latvia (+59%) and Denmark (+57%). A 74-year-old man is reported to have shot himself dead outside the Czech government building. The incident happened around midday on Monday. The...
If you visit the center of Prague or any Czech town on the 11th of November, you might see a man on a white horse leading a procession… These processions are in honor of St. Martin, patron saint of the poor, and the white horse represents winter and snow. Not only on this day but for most of November, look for restaurants serving goose and St. Martin’s wine (Husa a Svatomartinské vino) which is the traditional food for the feast day. The reason behind this tradition is that it is said a flock of geese betrayed St. Martin’s hiding place and we have been eating roast goose on this day ever since. One of the main celebrations will take place at Náplavka (Rašínovo nábřeží) on November 11. You can look forward to a traditional presentation of young wines from Moravia and Bohemia and goose delicacies such as traditional goose roast with dumplings, lokše (Slovak potato pancakes), or pasta with onion white and red cabbage, goose burgers or goose ragout with vegetables, roasted goose liver, goose soup “kaldoun”, and other goose delicacies. There will be a musical program as well. Wine will be tasted from the festival glasses. This gives the wine a chance to really highlight...
The Czech Republic is probably the most beautiful during fall when all the parks and forests are immersed in fall colors. There are various places to go to enjoy this picturesque season. The following four may be the best spots to enjoy autumn. Bohemian Switzerland This magical landscape is beautiful all year long but during Autumn it transforms into a full-blown fairy tale. The Czech Switzerland National Park is located in the north-western region of the Czech Republic and transcends the Czech-German border. Various castles have been built atop the sandstone mountains. Some of the most famous sights are the largest natural sandstone arch in Europe, a rock ravine, a rock labyrinth and the rock castle. During autumn the scenic mountains are outlined with fall-colored trees. It’s relatively easy to get to this region. It’s a 90-minute drive from Prague or you can take the train up to Decin and then a bus to Hrensko. Website: www.ceskesvycarsko.cz Bezděz Castle Located in the Liberec region just North of Prague, Bezděz combines historic significance and architectural beauty. Founded between 1260 and 1280, the Gothic castle was one of the most important in the Czech Republic until it was destroyed during the Thirty Years...
According to an analysis by Sodexo Benefity, lunch in a restaurant in September cost CZK 172 on average, CZK 5 more than in August and CZK 15 more than in January. People spent the most money on a lunch meal in a restaurant in Prague, at CZK 195. On the other hand, the cheapest price, on average CZK 153, was paid in establishments in the Olomouc region. “Given that the annual inflation rate reached 18 percent in September, and experts expect it to fall below the 10 percent mark by the middle of next year at the earliest, it is certain that people in Prague will pay an average of CZK 200 for lunch later this year. And with a high degree of probability, Central Bohemians will join them,” said Jan Michelfeit of Sodexo Benefity. At the beginning of this year, the average lunch cost CZK 157. The cheapest in September was in the Olomouc Region (CZK 152.6) and the Vysočina Region (CZK 154), the analysis showed. “Lunch prices have been rising continuously for the twelfth month in a row. They headed upwards in autumn last year, shortly after all covid restrictions were relaxed,” Michelfeit pointed out. The price is...
By: Abigail Calandra – Anglo-American University “Power(less)” or “(Ne)Moc” in Czech at DOX Centre for Contemporary Art in Prague’s Holešovice neighborhood is an exhibition that combines works of contemporary and art brut artists offering unique perspectives on power and on mental illness. In Czech, “nemoc” translates to illness or sickness whereas “(ne)moc” means powerless and the exhibition seeks to explore these two central themes by featuring art brut artists. Art brut (“raw art”), or outsider art, is often intertwined with mental illness and it originated in psychiatric wards, as art projects by the patients. These outsiders create art out of a compulsive need— often secretly—rather than following the current trends of contemporary art. One of the exhibition’s three curators Otto Urban says there were several layers behind the creation of “Power(less).” Notably, the curators have sought to explore the themes of power and powerlessness and also to combine contemporary art with art brut in a way that required viewers to question which field the artworks came from. “We still believe that art has its specific power, not to change the world…but to point to certain questions, and certain problems,” said Urban. The extensive exhibition opens with a wall installation of...
Tens of thousands of Czechs gathered in the capital on Sunday to demonstrate their solidarity with Ukraine and their support for democratic values. The rally took place in reaction to three recent anti-government demonstrations where other protesters demanded the resignation of the pro-Western coalition government of conservative Prime Minister Petr Fiala for its support for Ukraine. Those earlier rallies also protested soaring energy prices and opposed the country’s membership in the European Union and NATO. The organizers of the earlier rallies are known for spreading Russian propaganda and opposing COVID-19 vaccinations. The people who turned out Sunday in Prague waved the Czech, Ukrainian and EU flags while displaying slogans that read “Czech Republic against fear” and “We will manage it.” Sunday’s rally at central Wenceslas Square was organized by a group called Million Moments for Democracy, which was behind several rallies in support of Ukraine following the Feb 24 Russian invasion. The group also previously held massive rallies against the former prime minister, populist billionaire Andrej Babis, calling him a threat for democracy. The group said the anti-government protests, which united the far right with the far left. exploited the people’s fear of inflation and the war in Ukraine and were trying...
Andrej Babiš, former Prime Minister and leader of ANO, confirmed yesterday that he will run in the upcoming presidential election in January 2023. Speaking to TV NOVA on Sunday evening Mr. Babiš said the government’s inaction at a time of crisis had led him to accept the challenge. He said he would ask the party leadership to officially support his candidacy on Monday. General Petr Pavel would win the first round of the presidential election according to the latest election model from the Median agency. Pavel is polling at 25.4% support, with Babis at 23.5%. Economist Danuse Nerudova follows in third, with 10%. The poll also indicated that Pavel would win the second run-off round, with 59%. Support for Pavel has been increasing over time, while support for Babis has been stagnating. Respondents were asked which of two candidates they would prefer in the second round, in a variety of scenarios, and Babis would also lose against some other candidates. However, Median stressed that many voters have not yet made their final decision, and so the final result could be different. Senator Pavel Fischer stood at 8% in the poll, union leader Josef Stredula 7.5%, Senator Marek Hilser 5.5%, and...
ANO party leader Andrej Babiš has confirmed that he will run for president in the January 2023 election. Speaking to TV NOVA on Sunday evening Mr. Babiš said the government’s inaction at a time of crisis had led him to accept the challenge. The number of newly diagnosed HIV infections in Czechia between January and September of this year was about 18 percent higher than in the same period last year, the National Institute of Health reported. Health officials have recorded 221 cases of HIV so far this year. More than half of the positive cases registered are foreign nationals. Thousands of Czechs joined a demonstration in support of democracy and Western values on Prague’s Wenceslas Square on Sunday afternoon. The rally held under the motto “Czech Republic Against Fear: Together on Wenceslas Square” was called by the civic association Million Movements for Democracy. The interest of the Czech public in visiting cultural events such as concerts, festivals, theatre and cinema performances is still 30% lower this year compared to the pre-COVID year in 2019, despite a higher number of events, according to data released by the online ticket selling service smsticket. “Kaprkod” directed by Lucie...
For a good many music lovers, Mozart’s Don Giovanni might well be the finest opera ever composed. The composer described it as a comedy, but the comic elements are basically driven by Giovanni’s devious schemes. Nevertheless, through Da Ponte’s libretto and Mozart’s music we are always aware that these schemes will have some rather dire consequence. This brilliant combination of human tragedy and comedy establishes a disturbing ambiguity that stands at the core of this operatic masterpiece. The Don Juan subject had a long history of operatic treatment in Prague, and Lorenzo Da Ponte closely modelled his libretto—some would say copied the text—from a libretto by Giovanni Bertati for the opera Don Giovanni Tenorio, first performed in Venice in early 1787. The opera was originally scheduled for performance on 14 October 1787, for the Prague visit of the Archduchess Maria Therese of Austria and her new husband Prince Anthony of Saxony. However, the production was not ready in time, with the score probably completed on 28 October 1787. At least that’s the day Mozart himself recorded as having completed the opera. The premiere on 29 October 1787 was a resounding success, and a critic reported, “Connoisseurs and musicians say that Prague has...
On the occasion of Czechoslovak Independence Day, President Zeman presented high state distinctions to 78 outstanding personalities from different walks of life, 32 of them were awarded in memoriam. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky received the Order of the White Lion, the highest state honour in the Czech Republic, in absentia. A representative from the Ukrainian embassy in Prague accepted the award on behalf of Zelenskiy. Zeman noted that Zelenskyy “showed courage and bravery. And, although the United States offered him an evacuation, he remained in the capital of his country, where he manages its defense.” The Order of the White Lion (Czech: Řád Bílého lva) is the highest order of the Czech Republic. It continues a Czechoslovak order of the same name created in 1922 as an award for foreigners (Czechoslovakia had no civilian decoration for its citizens in the 1920s and 1930s). It was inspired by the Czech Nobility Cross created in 1814 by the Emperor and King Francis I and awarded to 37 Bohemian noblemen. The state awards ceremony takes place every year on October 28. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, it was cancelled in 2020 and 2021. The Order of the White Lion was also awarded to Josef Mašín, a member of the Czechoslovak Legions in Russia and later a member of...
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