A Czech court has ruled in favour of Czech ticket seller Kiwi.com against Ryanair in a lingering dispute over Kiwi’s practices for handling passenger data. Ryanair had threatened to reject boarding passes issued by Kiwi.com, but that was unjustified according to Constitutional Court judge Kateřina Šimáčková. Ryanair took Kiwi.com to court over its handling of passengers’ personal data, which Ryanair claimed prevented it from contacting passengers in case of flight changes. The Irish carrier wanted Kiwi.com to be compelled to share more passenger data. But the Constitutional Court has now overturned an earlier ruling by the Regional Court in Brno (and then upheld on appeal at the High Court in Olomouc) which had instructed Kiwi.com to adjust information according to Ryanair’s terms and conditions, and to share customers’ email and residence addresses as well as their payment details. The Constitutional Court ruled that the earlier judgement ran contrary to the freedom to conduct business. Ryanair wants travellers to book tickets only on the Ryanair website, and not through third parties, stating that this is the only way that consumers are guaranteed the lowest rates. However, Kiwi.com believes it should be allowed to sell Ryanair tickets, both individually and in a composite trip. It also uses...
Religion can play a key part in integrating into a new culture for many foreigners. Often, immigrants arrive in the Czech Republic knowing few others from their homeland, and religious communities fill the role of providing an ethnic and cultural haven needed during the transition and inevitable culture shock. The majority of Czechs are not religious, but while the census somewhat reflects the population accurately, an element of governmental distrust pushes some to lie about their religious preferences on official records. Regardless of what the true statistics are, Prague has a selection of places of worship to fit most denominations. The list below is by no means exhaustive, but highlights just a few of the organizations available. Catholicism St. Thomas’ Church- Josefská 8 Catholicism makes up the largest percentage of religious Czechs at a mere 10%, so many churches extend their services to the more devoted expat community. St. Thomas’ has daily services throughout the week and Sunday masses can be found at all times of the day and are conducted in either Czech, English, Spanish, or Filipino. My American friend was in Prague for a semester and regularly attended the 11am English mass and now she recommends it to her...
Švanda Theatre is a theater in Štefánikova street in Smíchov. It continues the long tradition of the previous theater based in this building and its surroundings. The first theatre company which started performing in the garden of an old house „U Libuše“ on 1 October 1881 was the originally touring theatre company of Pavel Švanda from Semčice. This theatre group also performed on the summer stage „V lesíčku“ (at the barracks on the opposite side of the square), and after 1891 in the newly built wooden Arena on the Smichov’s embankment “Hořejší nábřeží” where they had performed until they finished their activities in 1934. The first building was designed by Smichov’s architect and developer Josef Záhorský. There was a major transformation in 1900 when the theatre entrance was built right from the street instead of the garden. The works also involved space conversion of the stage and auditorium realized by the developer Šimek. More adaptations followed in 1908, 1910, 1914, and later in the period of 1918 to 1920; a radical reconstruction of the front façade of the theatre was done according to Ladislav Machoň’s project in cubist style and the building became the main feature of Kinsky square. The most remarkable part of the building in...
When one says the Czech Republic, most people will recall some architectural landmarks. And also a beverage that has the longest tradition in the Czech Republic – beer. Recently, breweries have been experiencing a boom, which has also given rise to microbreweries, looking for new ways in this tradition. We will show you where to go on a trip along a beer trail. Krkonoše Beer Trail The Krkonoše Mountains can be found in the north of Bohemia. The Krkonoše Beer Trail, open until the end of September, connects the most beautiful and the highest parts of the Krkonoše Mountains and excellent beer. The Krkonoše Beer Trail offers visitors a mountain hike that is about thirty kilometres long, with four stops where you can enjoy beer from five local microbreweries (Hendrych Brewery – Friesovy boudy, Pivovarská Bašta with its Krkonošský Medvěd beer, Trautenberk Brewery, Pec Brewery, and Penzion Andula with the Fries beer). South Bohemian Beer Trails In South Bohemia, you can hike or cycle along six beer tourist trails. They include, for example, Budvar in České Budějovice, Samson, Dudák in Strakonice, and a whole range of microbreweries. Six beer trails offer the opportunity to taste different beers and see the nearby tourist destinations, such as the Orlík Chateau, Vyšší Brod Monastery or the Šumava National Park....
The coronavirus pandemic isn’t just a threat to the health of people around the world. It also puts their livelihoods at risk. The number of homeless people in Prague is increasing. The statistics often include people who used to have normal work and housing, points out anthropologist Petr Vašát. Ivan Douda, psychologist and one of the founders of Prague’s “Drop-in Centre”, also confirmed the rise of people living on the streets. Mayor of Prague 5 Renata Zajíčková (ODS) and the mayor of Prague 1 Petr Hejma (STAN) have also agreed during a broadcast at CNN’s Prima NEWS that there’s the need for better communication and cooperation in this situation. “I am contacted daily by citizens who live in the vicinity of the Andêl and the adjacent parks. The situation is clearly unsatisfactory. There are actually more homeless people in this area than before,” confirmed Zajíčková. She added that there are also many drug addicts in the area, who, however, do not necessarily have to be homeless. “Of course, we do our best to take care of the city center where there is a high concentration of homeless people or drug addicts. We are trying to eliminate this phenomenon in a...
Studying abroad for a semester or a year is a great opportunity. You’ll get to visit another country, learn about a new culture, and get new experiences. And Italy is one of the best destinations to choose as it has a great academic reputation while being an accessible and beautiful country. It does seem familiar to many students because they’ve seen movies and probably have some idea about the culture. Yet, it is still a completely different country, which might take some adjusting. If you are going to study in Italy here are some things to know. Be Ready to Explore Italy is conveniently located in the center of Europe. It is a great opportunity to explore and visit fascinating places. There are lots of cheap flight options and an amazing train system for comfortable transportation. So be sure to plan some weekends out in Italy or other European countries. You can always delegate your essay to an online paper writer to get more free time on your hands. After all, such an opportunity doesn’t come every day. Take Care of Documents The only ID you’ll normally need is your passport. Take it with you and have a couple of...
The Czech government is due to discuss approving a third Covid-19 vaccine dose for adults over 65, at-risk populations and essential workers, such as those in the healthcare and social work sectors. “The clinical group has some ideas about it, but it has not been finalized yet. We point out that probably those who have had transplants, chronic patients, or elderly people could be vaccinated, but it is not decided, so it will take some time,” said Babiš. He added that it is also necessary to formulate a policy towards antibodies. Although Czechs can be tested for antibodies, they are not yet recognized as evidence of immunity, unlike vaccination or prior illness. So far, Austria is the only country in Europe that recognizes antibodies. “Let’s hope that soon experts will agree and reach a final decision,” said Babiš. Hungary became the first EU country to offer a third shot of Covid vaccines to its population, with the campaign started on August 1. The booster shot should come at least four months after the second dose, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said, unless doctors advise otherwise. A study conducted by Czech organisation Podane Ruce showed that up to 60 percent of seniors had...
International attendees at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival are split in their opinion on the festival’s decision to host a tribute to Johnny Depp today and tomorrow at the Czech event. Depp presented a screening of Julien Temple’s documentary Crock Of Gold: A Few Rounds With Shane MacGowan, which the actor also produced. On Saturday, he will present Andrew Levitas’ Minamata, which he produced and in which he also stars. The honoring of Depp here and at San Sebastian next month (he is also participating in an-converrsation event at the Deaville Film Festival) has attracted criticism from domestic abuse charities, following much-publicised allegations of domestic abuse against the actor from his ex-wife Amber Heard, which the British High Court found to be ‘substantially true’ in 12 of 14 cases. Depp denies all the allegations. “I really support the criticism – I’m not a big fan of celebrating domestic violence,” said Lithuanian producer Maria Razgute, attending the festival with Andrius Blazevicius’ Runner, which she produced and which had its premiere in the East of the West Competition this week. “If I need to choose a side, I would choose the side which says [the tribute] is not a nice thing to do.”...
“The Czech Republic will certainly not negotiate with the Taliban.” This was stated by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš in an interview with Mladá fronta DNES. According to him, the approach towards a Taliban-led Afghanistan is more a question for the European Council or for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). If the radical Islamist Taliban movement that ruled Afghanistan in mid-August can be trusted, time will tell, according to Babiš. “The Czech Republic will certainly not negotiate with the Taliban. The mission is over for us, we saved the people we needed to save,” Babiš told MfD. “The Taliban are still looking and wanting to show the world that there is no problem in Afghanistan when Allied troops have left. And that there is no reason for Afghans to leave the country. Only time will tell whether we can trust them or not,” Babiš added. One week ago, in response to developments in Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Jakub Kulhánek (CSSD) said that the Czechia would have to accept the reality in Afghanistan after the fall of Kabul and seek more active cooperation with countries that have contacts with the Taliban. Since mid-August, when the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in a...
Architects worldwide are now turning even more of their attention to Prague. The capital city, together with its Institute of Planning and Development (IPR Prague), has officially announced an international architectural competition for the design of the Vltava Philharmonic Hall. In May of 2022, the jury, headed by the internationally renowned Czech architect Michal Sedláček, will choose the winning building design for the new concert hall that will be standing in Holešovice in Prague, near the Vltavská metro station. “We’ll know what the new Vltava Philharmonic Hall will look like in May 2022,” said the organizers of the competition. “Today, at last, a big step has been taken towards adding another culturally significant building to Prague after more than 100 years.” “Starting today, all interested parties may officially submit their competition applications. Five entities, chosen primarily from among the most renowned architectural studios, will be asked to participate directly. These are Diller Scofidio + Renfro, Snøhetta, Ateliers Jean Nouvel, David Chipperfield Architects and SANAA,” stated the Chairperson of the jury, Michal Sedláček. “We also expect a strong showing from Czech architects, because as professionals we view this as an exceptionally open competition, which means they’ll have a great chance to win,” Sedláček added. The deadline for submitting applications is 30...
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier paid tribute Thursday to Czechoslovak paratroopers who assassinated senior Nazi official Reinhard Heydrich in 1942. By laying a wreath at a Prague church and visiting a crypt in which the paratroopers died after a gunfight with the Nazis, Steinmeier became the first German leader to recognise their sacrifice. Like his predecessor Joachim Gauck, Steinmeier also recalled two Czech villages razed to the ground by the Nazis in retaliation for the killing of Heydrich by the paratroopers trained in Britain. The destruction of the Lidice and Lezaky villages were part of a Nazi retaliatory sweep that saw 15,000 people detained, killed or taken to a concentration camp. “These villages were destroyed and there were so many victims,” said Steinmeier, who is paying a three-day visit to the Czech Republic. “When we become aware of this difficult history and the things that unite us, we can be happy that our proximity, partnership and friendship have such solid foundations that are practically independent of our political constellations,” he added, hailing German-Czech relations as the best in memory. “What we are experiencing is something absolutely exceptional, it is a treasure we have to take care of,” Steinmeier said after meeting...
Bulgaria has been crowned as the best European country for women to work. That is according to a study conducted by Reboot Online, which evaluated a variety of factors that contribute to women’s success in the workforce. It created a points-based index to determine which countries on the continent offered the best prospects for female professionals, assessing economic opportunity, including the gender pay gap, women in leadership, and maternity leave. Bulgaria scored 236.6 points out of a possible 300 after offering the best maternity leave package in Europe. It also ranked second-best for women in leadership, losing out only to Norway which boasts one of the most egalitarian societies in the world. Croatia pulled in second place with a combined total of 229.9 points, with the second-highest points for economic opportunity and maternity leave. The country also registered the second-highest points for economic opportunity, losing out to Italy. Rounding up the top five was Estonia, Norway and Slovakia, and the Netherlands, while Slovenia, Romania and Italy ranked sixth, seventh and eighth in Europe. The Czech Republic finished in the 21st spot, scoring 110 points in total. In terms of equal economic opportunities, it ended among the last five countries. On...
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