Czech President Miloš Zeman, who had in the past promoted warm relations with Moscow, said on Thursday Russia’s attack on Ukraine was a “crime against peace” and required a response through harsh sanctions including cutting the country from the SWIFT international payments system. “It is time to reach for much tougher sanctions than those originally planned, by which I mean above all a sanction in the area of the so-called SWIFT,” Zeman said in a speech. “It is needed to isolate a madman, not just defend against him by words, but by concrete measures.” Zeman also expressed support for Ukraine and its people. He recalled that he and Prime Minister Petr Fiala will attend the NATO summit on Friday. “I believe that the situation will calm down, not by a cowardly compromise, but by a decisive response against the aggressor,” he added. Přečtěte si přepis projevu prezidenta republiky 🇨🇿 Miloše Zemana k občanům České republiky: https://t.co/NwsozAzVLM pic.twitter.com/m2L6FRGd6g — Jiří Ovčáček (@PREZIDENTmluvci) February 24, 2022 Latest People gathered on Prague’s Wenceslas Square and at the Russian Embassy in the city on Thursday to express their support for Ukraine following the Russian attack. A large gathering is organized for 5 o’clock in...
The people of Ukraine have been plunged into war as Russia invaded the country in the early hours of Thursday morning, with explosions heard in the capital and other major cities. The military operation has triggered an international outcry and many world leaders have condemned Russian president Vladimir Putin for launching an “unprovoked and unjustifiable” attack on Ukraine. Czech non-profit organizations are announcing new collections or strengthening already functioning aid for Ukraine. These are charities you can donate to in support of the people of Ukraine: SOS Ukraine Organized by People in Need. Collection account: 0093209320/0300 Here you can find a quick link to the collection, where you can contribute online. Charity for Ukraine Organized by Caritas Czech Republic. Collection account 55660022/0800, variable symbol 104 Donor SMS to number 87 777: DMS CHARITASVET 30, DMS CHARITASVET 60 or DMS CHARITASVET 90 More information about the collection on the Caritas CR website. Help Ukraine with the Memory of the Nation Organizes the Post Bellum Memory of the Nation collection. A link to the online portal to the collection, where you can conveniently contribute, here. People in Need People in Need (Člověk v tísni) has already released CZK 1 million from the Club of Friends of...
The Czech government is prepared to ease the way to long-term visas for Ukrainians living in the Czech Republic. There are currently 60,000 Ukrainians living in Czechia on a short-term visa. The Minister of the Interior confirmed that they will have the option to extend them without the obligation to go to Kyiv to arrange it. More info here (Czech only) Latest developments The Czech Embassy in Kyiv has been temporarily closed, the Czech Transport Ministry stated on Thursday morning. The General Consulate in Lviv, Ukraine’s major western city is still open. The Transport Ministry urged Czech citizens to contact the hotline of the Lviv Consulate in emergency cases. Leading members of the Czech government have condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which occurred on Thursday night. Prime Minister Petr Fiala called it an “unjustified act of aggression” and said that it must be met by a hard reaction from the EU and NATO. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Jana Černochová said that Russia had broken international law. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine will have a pro-inflationary effect, especially regarding prices of gas and oil, said Czech National Bank Governor Jiří Rusnok.
It has been two years since the Metronome Festival has been able to bring top-notch musical artists to Prague for their annual summer outdoor fest. They have been trying and they haven’t given up, yet. Headliners for Metronome 2022 (June 23-25) are Beck, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, and Underworld. When Beck first played in Prague in the mid-1990s, at the Belmondo Club at Vltavska, he was a fresh face with a swagger and hip-hop meets street-rock sound in tune for those times. This was the time of his first hit, “Loser,” from “Mellow Gold,” a hurtful insult turned into an anthem. Since then, Beck has calmed down, or rather, evolved to be one of the most innovative and thoughtful composer-songwriters in pop music. Generations have passed since his Prague debut, and not too far from that initial spot; Beck will finally be back, and this appearance has been postponed since 2020, due to you know what. Based for much of his musical career in the hilly and remote Silver Lake area of Los Angeles, Beck has been kind of an outsider on the music scene due to his consistency in crossing genres ala Neil Young, from alternative rock...
The Czech Republic stands ready to rapidly deploy hundreds of soldiers where needed at NATO’s request, Seznam Zprávy news outlet reports. The Czech Ministry of Defence stated that the North Atlantic Alliance is constantly on standby with its collective Rapid Reaction Force, to which Czechia contributes units that change continuously at biannual intervals. The ministry confirmed that Czechia has its units ready in case of need. “By the end of June, Czechia has 180 anti-chemical specialists and about 400 members of the 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade on standby. However, their detachment is not a reaction to the current situation. The soldiers were already preparing for these tasks during the past year,” said Jakub Fajnor from the Ministry of Defence press department. Defence Minister Jana Černochová said on Monday that the deployment of Czech troops in Ukraine is now out of the question. Due to the need for a rapid response to the development of security threats, NATO created the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) a few years ago, which can intervene to help an allied country within a matter of hours. The force consists of approximately 5,000 soldiers at any given time, which support the air, naval and...
The first month of spring in Prague is literally packed with events. You can go for culture, visit gastrofestivals, but also get acquainted with the art of Czech and foreign artists. Treat yourself to unusual experiences and make your cold weekends and weekdays more pleasant. 1. Festival of fine coffee Barista of the Year 2022 – Festival of fine coffee. For all lovers of this caffeine boost, Barista of the Year 2022, a festival of fine coffee and everything related to it, is set for the weekend of 12-13 March 2022. You’ll learn how to mix coffee cocktails, get to know the products of Czech roasters, and hear plenty of coffee-related stories. In addition, on Saturday evening you can enjoy an Oatly party with latte art jam. Head to the historic New Town Hall for the Festival of fine coffee. 2. Matejska pilgrimage in Prague This traditional event starts in February and runs until 11 April 2022. Matějská pilgrimage in Prague is always full of attractions (Czech and foreign), but also refreshments, stalls, and a varied accompanying program. The tradition of the Matějská pilgrimage is very long, with the first records dating back to 1595. It is...
Are you looking for some new places to eat? Here is a list of newly opened businesses. Aux Merveilleux de Fred Address: Revoluční 8, Prague 1 If you have a weakness for the art of confectionery, head to the newly opened Prague branch of Aux Merveilleux de Fred for a tasting. Everything created here is under the guidance of the recipes of the French confectioner Frederique Vaucamps, who built a confectionery network with branches all over the world. The goodies that have so far been enjoyed by guests in France, the USA, Canada and Japan are now also available to Czech guests. Be careful when you set out here – meringues, cakes, waffles, croissants and brioches in Aux Merveilleux de Fred are highly addictive. The Winery Address: Liborova 13, Prague 6 Bistro The Eatery, which has made it to the Michelin Guide thanks to its refined menu, has a freshly opened partner – a wine company called The Winery. The owner David Šindelář arranged cooperation with 29 winemakers from Bohemia and Moravia, Austria, Germany, France and Italy, and the result is this brand-new winery in Břevnov. Judging by the bar they set with The Eatery, it is recommended...
If your day doesn’t start until you’re up to speed on the latest headlines, then let us introduce you to our new morning fix. Leading members of the Czech government have condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which occurred on Thursday night. Prime Minister Petr Fiala called it an “unjustified act of aggression” and said that it must be met by a hard reaction from the EU and NATO. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Jana Černochová said that Russia had broken international law. Czech Health Minister Vlastimil Válek announced after Wednesday’s government meeting that limitations on maximum attendance at mass events will cease from March 1. People will newly also have the right to one free PCR test per month. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine will have a pro-inflationary effect, especially regarding prices of gas and oil, Czech National Bank Governor Jiří Rusnok told Czech Radio on Wednesday. Ukrainian citizens with a short-term visa in the Czech Republic could be able to acquire long-term visas without the need to first return to the Ukraine, the Chamber of Commerce has suggested to Prime Minister Petr Fiala. Brno City Council has approved a package of support for 21 non-profit...
According to Health Minister Vlastimil Válek (TOP 09), the obligation to wear respirators could end first at mass events such as sports matches or cultural productions. Later, people could postpone respiratory protection on public transport and eventually in health facilities and social care homes. Responding to reporters’ questions, Válek said that one of the points he is submitting to the cabinet would concern the phasing out of respirators. “We are going to talk about several places that will phase out the wearing of respirators. It will be step by step. The most dangerous place to stop wearing respirators, for example, is in healthcare facilities; I think we all understand that,” he said. The government will also debate a plan to end reimbursement of preventive PCR tests by health insurance starting in March, according to a statement Tuesday by Health Ministry spokesman Ondřej Jakob. These tests are used by people, for example, when traveling. Only tests based on a doctor or health center request would remain free of charge. Last week, Minister Válek said he would negotiate with insurance companies to cover one preventive PCR test per month.
The Mozart Prague – the beautiful and historical hotel which faces the Vltava River and Prague Castle continues to stun visitors time and time again. The hotel welcomes all guests to enjoy the experience and magic of staying in the famous hotel. We met with Stefan Radstrom, the hotel’s general manager to discuss his own personal journey of how he ended up working for the iconic hotel. Born in Sweden, Stefan always had the ambition to put 100% effort into everything he did. Beginning his hospitality career as a teen during a summer job as a garbage collector in a hotel, he made a promise to be “the best garbage collector the hotel had ever seen.” With his smiley attitude and lease for life, he was soon approached by the hotel manager to move on to start another job within the hotel – the hotel restaurant. With his love growing for interacting with guests and all walks of life, Stefan stayed in the hospitality sector – a journey that allowed him to travel the world. In his career, Stefan has been involved in thirteen hotel openings, including Grand Hyatt Muscat, Paramount Hotel Dubai. His first hotel opening was in Oslo,...
On 21 February, the Czech capital approved Prague Public Transit’s (DPP) project to run a trial of a hydrogen-powered bus. Under this project, the company will deploy the bus on line 170, connecting Jižní město and Barrandov, in the second half of 2022 for a period of 2 years. Sustainable mobility As TheMayor.eu reports, the Mayor of Prague Zdeněk Hřib praised the trial, noting that it is an important step in ensuring sustainable urban mobility. What is more, he revealed that about 50% of the capital’s population currently relies on public transport to move around the city. Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of DPP Petr Witowski commented on Prague’s public transport, sharing that electric traction (e.g., metro and trams) accounts for about 75% of it. As electric buses and battery-powered trolleybuses are on the rise, this percentage is expected to further increase in the future. While this is good news in terms of sustainability, Witowski explains that DPP must invest in diversification: “We must also take energy security into account in order to be able to ensure public transport even in crisis situations, such as metro, tram or train interruptions, blackouts, etc. For this reason, we must keep...
Groups of Czech activists organizing mass demonstrations against COVID-19 measures openly support Russia in its aggression towards Ukraine, and their leader has business ties with Moscow. “The US with its dollar needs a war, Ukraine with its collapsing and corrupt economy needs to find the culprit. Putin is no fool, but if genocide is occurring in the separatist republics, he will eventually have no choice but to intervene,” the most popular Czech anti-vax group, Chcípl PES, posted on its Facebook profile. Czech daily Hospodářské noviny reported that the post was deleted a few hours later by the administrator of the social site. “I’m standing on the side of Russia”, the popular anti-vax activist Patrik Tušl posted on its site with roughly 10,000 followers. According to the Czech elves, an organization of cyber activists fighting disinformation, it is evident that groups opposing COVID-19 measures are rapidly turning pro-Russian. “In all disinformation channels, we can see that the scene moved to an intense support for Russia,” the analysis reads. “Quantitatively and qualitatively, the theme of COVID-19 is receding,” the cyber activists reported. Moreover, the Czech news site Forum24 also pointed out that the head of Chcípl PES initiative has several business activities in...
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