Czech far-right leader Tomio Okamura won the post of speaker of the lower house in a vote on Wednesday, the first appointment of populist billionaire Andrej Babis’s newly formed coalition with fringe right-wing groups. The vote was a key step in forming a new government following a parliamentary election won by Babis’s ANO party a month ago. The outgoing centre-right government of Prime Minister Petr Fiala is required to hand in its resignation following the speaker’s election, which it will do on Thursday. But it will stay in office until a new administration is in place. Okamura, 53, has faced criticism as head of the Freedom and Direct Democracy party (SPD), which has campaigned against European Union membership. The SPD is a partner of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany in the European Parliament. Opposition parties have said his views are incompatible with holding one of the highest positions in Czech politics. “I understand that I am not everyone’s candidate, but I promise that if I receive confidence and am elected, I will be an impartial chairman for everyone,” Okamura said during a more than six-hour debate. Babis aims to form a government with Okamura’s SPD and the right-wing Motorists party...
The long-planned renovation of Prague’s Kotva department store has been delayed once again. Generali Real Estate, which owns the landmark building on Náměstí Republiky, has moved the expected completion date of the reconstruction to 2028, extending the timeline by at least a year. The company initially announced that the extensive modernization, which began in February 2025, would finish by the end of 2027. “The rehabilitation of such a large and technically complex building is a long-term process that demands careful coordination and patience,” said Jana Vrábelová from Generali Real Estate. “We appreciate the cooperation of authorities, experts, and the public throughout this stage.” The next step involves selecting a main contractor for the full-scale reconstruction, which will include modernizing the interiors, expanding commercial and office space, and restoring the building’s architectural character. Plans envision six floors dedicated to retail and services, along with two floors of offices. While the façade will be replaced, Generali intends to preserve Kotva’s distinctive brutalist design, including its hexagonal concrete structures and communication towers. The building’s honeycomb-like grid, inspired by architectural structuralism, remains one of its most recognizable features. Kotva, designed by architects Věra and Vladimír Machonin, opened in 1975 as a symbol of modern...
A proposal to rename a future Prague Metro station has triggered a debate among city officials and historians. Deputy Mayor for Transport Zdeněk Hřib has suggested that the planned Olbrachtova station on the upcoming Metro Line D be renamed Ryšanka (a nearby street), arguing that public transport stops should not carry names linked to totalitarian or extremist figures. Hřib, a member of the Pirate Party, said the name change would reflect the city’s effort to maintain neutrality and historical sensitivity in public spaces. The original name, Olbrachtova, comes from a nearby street named after the Czech writer Ivan Olbracht, who was also a member of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. Officials from Prague 4, where the new station is being built, along with Ladislav Kudrná, head of the Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes, have long voiced objections to the name. They argue that it indirectly celebrates a writer with ties to the communist regime. In their view, metro stations should instead honor figures connected to the anti-Nazi or anti-communist resistance, reflecting the city’s democratic values. Under current procedures, naming proposals for Prague Metro stations must first go through several levels of review. The district administration discusses the idea,...
After more than a decade, the Miss Earth crown has returned to Czechia. Natálie Puškinová triumphed in the 2025 Miss Earth competition, held in the Philippines, becoming only the second Czech winner in the pageant’s 25-year history. The first was Tereza Fajksová, who claimed the title in 2012. According to ABS-CBN, the Philippines’ largest television network, Puškinová stood out among nearly 80 contestants from around the world. In the final round, she surpassed representatives from Chile, Brazil, Ukraine, and the Philippines, securing the crown in front of a global audience. The final ranking placed Iceland as first runner-up, Vietnam as second runner-up, and Thailand in third. Puškinová’s victory adds another major success for Czech beauty pageants, following Krystyna Pyszková’s win at Miss World 2024. “This is another huge success for our country,” said Taťána Pánek Makarenko, president of Miss Czech Republic. “We now have two Grand Slam crowns in just two years — Krystyna at Miss World and Natálie at Miss Earth. I’m extremely proud of Natálie. She worked hard, spoke with confidence, and truly deserves this. Her reign will be exceptional, and I’m glad we’ve brought the title back to Czechia.” Visualizza questo post su Instagram Un...
Every year on November 11, the Czech Republic marks St. Martin’s Day, one of the country’s most cherished autumn traditions. It’s a celebration that blends food, fine wine, and good company – a perfect way to brighten the cold days when autumn slowly turns to winter. At the heart of these festivities is the St. Martin’s goose, a dish so symbolic that restaurants across the country, from Prague to Karlovy Vary, fill their menus with it. Who Was St. Martin? The holiday honors St. Martin of Tours, a Roman soldier born in what is now Hungary. Known for his compassion, he famously cut his cloak in half to share with a freezing beggar. His act of kindness made him one of Christianity’s most beloved saints and a symbol of generosity. St. Martin’s Day falls on November 11 – traditionally the time of post-harvest feasts and the start of Advent preparations. Why a Goose? The story behind the goose dates back to legend. When the humble Martin tried to avoid being appointed bishop, he hid among a flock of geese – but their loud honking gave him away. Since then, the goose has become an inseparable part of the celebration. Historically,...
On Saturday, November 8, more than 2,800 retail stores across the Czech Republic will take part in the national food collection, a major increase from last year’s 2,250. The event, organized by the Czech Federation of Food Banks and the Czech Trade and Tourism Association, will run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Donations will include non-perishable food and personal hygiene items, which will later be distributed to families and individuals in need. Starting Tuesday, people can also contribute through six online retailers, where the food collection will continue for two weeks. Organizers say the number of participating outlets has been steadily growing, showing greater public involvement each year. When the initiative began in 2013, donations could be made at 750 stores. That number rose to 1,050 in 2021, 1,470 in 2022, and 2,000 in 2023. Online platforms now account for about 15% of all collected goods. During last year’s autumn round, 684 tons of food and hygiene products were gathered—34 tons less than the previous year. According to organizers, the lower figure may have resulted from earlier donations made in September, when the public responded to flood relief efforts. The food collection takes place twice a year, in spring...
Czech artist Kateřina Vincourová will present a new exhibition at Galerie Rudolfinum, transforming the gallery’s circular layout into what she calls a “landscape of thoughts.” Known for her large-scale installations and unconventional use of everyday materials, Vincourová explores ideas of space, identity, and emotional memory through what she describes as “cages” — structures that attempt to contain the echoes of her own reflections. “I build cages and try to capture echoes of my thoughts in them,” she says. “It’s a pleasure to collaborate with curator Denisa Kujelová, a long-time friend whose support and professional insight I value deeply. I’m also happy to see Galerie Rudolfinum opening its doors to more women artists, both Czech and international, and I hope this continues.” Born in 1968, Vincourová studied at the V. I. Surikov Academy of Fine Arts in Moscow and later at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague. Her career includes residencies in Berlin and California, and she has received the Alexander Dorner Prize (1993) and the Jindřich Chalupecký Prize (1996). Over the years, she has exhibited in cities such as Washington, Brno, Warsaw, Paris, Stockholm, and Hamburg, and her works form part of major public and private collections. Her installations...
The Prague Archbishopric announced that Dominik Jaroslav Duka — Cardinal Emeritus of Prague — died in the early hours of Tuesday, November 4. He was 82 years old. According to the announcement, “today, Tuesday, November 4, at three o’clock after midnight, the Lord of Life called Cardinal Duka … to eternity. May the infinitely merciful God open His arms to him and fill him with His love and bliss.” A book of condolences will open in the Archbishop’s Palace from Tuesday at noon. The public may also pay respects in person at the All Saints’ Church on Thursday, November 13 and Friday, November 14, between noon and 18:00. Cardinal Duka will be laid to rest in the Archbishops’ Tomb within the Chapel of St. Vitus at St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague, awaiting the Resurrection. Funeral details will be published Wednesday. The Mass will take place on November 15 at St. Vitus Cathedral. Born April 26, 1943, in Hradec Králové, Duka entered priestly formation at the Cyril and Methodius Theological Faculty in Litoměřice in 1965. He joined the Dominican Order in 1968 and was ordained a priest in June 1970. Shortly afterward, he served in parish ministry for five years, but...
Residents and tourists will have the opportunity to visit four branches of the National Gallery in Prague for free. The event will take place on Monday, 17 November, from 10:00 to 18:00, coinciding with the bank holidays – the Day of the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy. Czech students gathered on November 17, 1989, to commemorate a protest held on the same day fifty years earlier in opposition to Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia. The student demonstration rapidly turned into a protest against the oppressive communist regime, and it marked the beginning of the so-called Velvet Revolution. This special offer is applicable to all age categories, including Czech citizens and foreigners alike, as stated on the gallery’s official website. The following exhibitions will be accessible without charge: Staří Mistři I (Schwarzenberský palác) – Old Masters I (Schwarzenberg Palace) Staří Mistři II (Šternberský palác) – Old Masters II (Šternberg Palace) Středověké umění v Čechách a střední Evropa 1200-1550 (Klášter sv. Anežky České) – Medieval Art in Bohemia and Central Europe 1200-1550 (Convent of St. Agnes of Bohemia) 1796-1918: Umění dlouhého století (Veletržní palác) – 1796-1918: Art of the Long Century (Trade Fair Palace) 1918-1938: První republika (Veletržní palác) – 1918-1938: First Republic...
Prague Morning readers get 10% off tickets here. Prague’s underground art collective Veil’ Amor is back with another of its immersive all-night events — this time diving into the world of Jungian psychology with “Angels & Demons – A Jungian Journey.” If you’ve been to any of their previous nights like Sin City, ADA, or ALT Odyssey w/ Bloody Mary, you already know what to expect: a mix of music, performance, and philosophy, all colliding in one long, chaotic, and deeply visual night. This new edition promises to take things even further. Spread across two spaces — Bike Jesus and Revolution — the night is built around three themes: The Shadows, Greed, and Identity. Expect dark techno, live art, ritual-like performances, and moments that blur the line between audience and performer. At Bike Jesus, DJs and artists will turn the club into a dreamlike stage. The lineup includes Shurigen, SJ Yellow, Diva and Kawa, with Tigerhead — the Czech-born, Berlin-based techno artist — headlining with a raw vinyl set from 2:00 to 4:00. Schedule – Bike Jesus (Main Venue) 22:00 – 00:00 Shurigen / Demonika 00:00 – 02:00 SJ Yellow 02:00 – 04:00 Tigerhead (Vinyl Set) 04:00 – 06:00 Kawa...
Prague’s Náplavka will once again transform into a lively celebration of young wine, traditional food, and music as the city marks St. Martin’s Day. The annual St. Martin’s Day and Roast Goose Festival, now in its 14th year, will take place on Saturday, November 8, 2025, starting symbolically at 11:11 a.m. The event attracts around 6,000 visitors each year, making it one of the city’s most popular autumn food and wine festivals. Winemakers from across Bohemia and Moravia will present their new vintages, offering more than 18 varieties of young Czech wine for tasting. Alongside the wines, guests can look forward to traditional roast goose, goose pâtés, and even goose burgers, complemented by farm cheeses, sausages, and sweet pastries. All food and drink will be served in a festive riverside atmosphere, with live performances ranging from folk and jazz to country and dance music throughout the day. Wine is served exclusively in festival glasses, which can be purchased or brought from previous years. For those who want to bring the celebration home, fresh goose meat will be sold at the on-site farmers’ market until 2:00 p.m., priced at around 270 CZK per kilogram. The admission is free, and the event...
Starting Monday, November 3, Prague’s commuters will see the city’s newest generation of trams — the Škoda ForCity Plus 52T — entering regular service. The Prague Public Transport Company (DPP) will deploy the first seven units on line 12, running between Lehovec and Sídliště Barrandov, marking a key step in the city’s long-term modernization of its tram network. According to Daniel Šabík, DPP’s head of communications, all 20 trams from the first delivery series are expected to be operational by the end of the year. The acquisition, co-financed through the European Union’s National Recovery Plan, represents an investment of 1.19 billion CZK (excluding VAT). “Production and deliveries of the first 20 Škoda 52T trams are proceeding on schedule. Following test operations in early September and official approval in mid-October, the first seven vehicles received their certificates of competency,” Šabík confirmed. Before being cleared for passenger service, the trams successfully completed 20,000 kilometers of test operation in Prague’s traffic. Having passed all technical requirements, DPP has formally accepted them from Škoda and cleared them for regular use. More new trams will follow in the coming weeks, gradually expanding their presence on additional routes operated from the Hloubětín depot. The long-term agreement...
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