Japanese clothing giant Uniqlo is preparing to open its first physical store in Prague, according to Hospodářské noviny. The company has been scouting rental spaceman in the city center, aiming to establish a flagship presence in the Czech capital. For several years, Czech shoppers have only had access to Uniqlo through its European e-shop, which delivers to the country. The move into a permanent store marks a major shift in the brand’s local strategy and a response to growing customer demand. Uniqlo, part of the Japanese group Fast Retailing, started in 1949 as a textile manufacturer before transforming into a retail chain in 1984. The brand grew rapidly during the 1990s and has since become a global name, with branches across Asia, Europe, and North America. Its closest stores to Prague are currently located in Berlin and Vienna. Known for its minimalist basics, Uniqlo offers clothing for men, women, and children. Its collections emphasize affordability and quality, often praised for lasting longer than fast-fashion competitors. The company is currently considering three possible locations – two of which are located in historic buildings directly on Na Příkopě Street, and the third in the upcoming Palác Hybernia project opposite the Municipal House,...
Czechs under 35 are increasingly shifting away from traditional alcohol consumption, favoring non-alcoholic options, soft drinks, and ready-to-drink canned beverages. Research by Ipsos reveals that this younger generation is reshaping the country’s drinking culture. According to the study, only 10 percent of 18- to 26-year-olds drink alcohol several times a week. Meanwhile, more than a third consume alcohol sparingly, mostly during holidays or special occasions. By contrast, the 36–53 age group reports the most regular drinking, with around one-quarter consuming alcohol frequently. Non-alcoholic alternatives, including alcohol-free beer and alcohol-free sparkling drinks, are gaining traction, chosen by 41 percent of respondents. Ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages are also growing in popularity, especially among 27- to 35-year-olds, nearly half of whom now prefer these convenient, pre-mixed drinks. Premium spirits are becoming more sought after as well, with about 18 percent of Czechs opting for higher-quality selections. Declining Alcoholic Beer Consumption According to the Czech Breweries and Malteries Association, the average per capita consumption of alcoholic beer fell by 16 liters in 2024 compared to 2019. This marks a continued downward trend in alcoholic beer consumption, despite the Czech Republic maintaining its position as the world’s top beer consumer with 152.1 liters per capita in 2023....
Czech airline Smartwings will launch a major expansion of its network at the start of the winter 2025/26 timetable. From late October, the carrier plans to introduce seven new destinations from Prague and increase frequencies on some of its busiest existing routes. The expansion begins on October 23, 2025, when the airline will add direct flights to Barcelona, Porto and Rome. Barcelona will be served four times a week, giving travellers easy access to Catalonia for short breaks and longer holidays. Porto will operate twice weekly, while Rome will be available four times a week. The following day Smartwings will add flights to Bilbao, connecting Prague with the Basque region twice a week. On October 25 the airline will start services to Toulouse, a key city in southern France and home to Europe’s aerospace industry, also twice weekly. The most substantial increase comes on October 26 with new daily flights to Bucharest and a heavy expansion on the Brussels route. Smartwings will fly to the Belgian capital twelve times a week, making it one of the largest carriers on this connection and appealing both to business travellers and passengers heading to the European Union’s administrative centre. Alongside the new destinations,...
A new gallery has opened on Pařížská Street, adding another cultural address to Prague’s historic center. KodlContemporary, the latest project of the Kodl family, is dedicated to contemporary Czech art while also aiming to connect it with an international audience. Founder Jakub Kodl says the gallery wants to act as both a platform for Czech artists and a meeting point for global art in the city. “Our ambition is to be a gallery that links local artists to the international scene while also serving as a gateway for world art into Prague,” he explained. The initiative continues the Kodl family’s long tradition of collecting and supporting the arts. The gallery was designed by architect Marek Tichý of TaK Architects as part of the reconstruction of the neighboring Farimont hotel. Its transparent façade and flexible interior make it suitable for large and demanding exhibitions. Adjustable lighting and open connections to the surrounding street turn the building into more than an exhibition hall — it becomes a part of Prague’s cultural landscape. The Opening Exhibition: ‘Point 0’ KodlContemporary launched with an exhibition titled “Point 0”, which brings together more than thirty artists who have previously worked with the gallery. Curated by Jan...
One of the most anticipated celebrations in the Indian cultural calendar is coming back to Prague this week. On Saturday, September 27, 2025, the Bharatiya Gujarati Samaj Czech Republic will host a festive evening of Garba and Dandiya dancing at the Top Hotel in Chodov. The event, running from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., promises to be a lively gathering filled with music, dance, and colorful traditions marking the spirit of Navratri, a festival dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga. For many in Prague’s Indian community, as well as locals curious about Indian culture, this night offers a chance to experience one of the most joyful celebrations from Gujarat, India. Garba and Dandiya are traditional folk dances performed during Navratri. Garba is typically danced in circles around a lamp or an image of the goddess, symbolizing the cycle of life. Dandiya, on the other hand, involves rhythmic movements with decorated sticks, creating a vibrant and energetic atmosphere. Both dances are not only a form of devotion but also a way to bring people together, regardless of age or background. Adult entry is priced at 99 CZK instead of the standard 149 CZK, while children under 17 can join for free....
Canada, Australia, and Portugal have joined the United Kingdom in formally recognising Palestinian statehood as Israel plans to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank and intensifies its war on Gaza. In a statement on Sunday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the recognition of a Palestinian state and offered “our partnership in building the promise of a peaceful future for both the State of Palestine and the State of Israel”. “Recognising the State of Palestine, led by the Palestinian Authority, empowers those who seek peaceful coexistence and the end of Hamas. This in no way legitimises terrorism, nor is it any reward for it,” Carney said. He added that the Palestinian Authority provided “direct commitments” to Canada on reforming its governance; holding general elections next year, which Hamas “can play no part” in; and demilitarising the Palestinian state. At the same time, Australia announced that it was also recognising Palestinian statehood. In a statement by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Australia said its recognition alongside Canada’s and the UK’s was part of an international effort for a two-state solution. The Czech Republic Does Not Plan to Do So Now The Czech Republic does not plan to recognize the State of...
A memorial plaque engraved with the names of the victims of the shooting at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in December 2023 was unveiled on Sunday on Jan Palach Square in Prague. The plaque completed the temporary monument erected earlier this year, with adjustments made to the surrounding area to create a space of quiet reflection. The unveiling ceremony included speeches, a remembrance concert on the steps of the Rudolfinum, and moments of silence for both relatives and the public. Among those present were Charles University rector Milena Králíčková, Faculty of Arts dean Eva Lehečková, and members of the team behind the memorial’s design. The three-meter sculpture facing the faculty building was presented in June 2024. It included a QR code linking to personal tributes on the faculty’s website. The addition of the plaque had been planned since last year, following requests from bereaved families. “The monument was always intended as a temporary memorial,” said spokesperson Bumba. “By engraving the names, and redesigning the surrounding space, we aimed to ensure it would become a dignified place for remembrance.” The December 21, 2023, shooting remained the deadliest of its kind in Czech history. Fourteen students and staff members lost...
A rainy summer left many Czech restaurants struggling, with mountain resorts and campsites reporting revenue drops of up to 30 percent compared with last year, according to data from Dotykačka. Beer sales fell by about ten percent as customers avoided outdoor terraces. Yet not all sectors of the industry are struggling. In September, as the weather stabilized, city restaurants and pubs saw customers returning. Kastner expects urban businesses to perform better through the autumn. “Events like St. Martin’s Day and the election season bring people into pubs and restaurants. They want to talk, debate, and share food,” he said. The overall outlook remains weak. Kastner predicts sector revenues will nominally match last year’s, but after inflation, they will fall by three to five percent. Since 2019, dining prices have risen more than 50 percent, while wages lag behind. As a result, Czechs now eat out two to three times a week, down from four to five just a few years ago. The average Czech spends about 4,500 crowns monthly on food and drinks outside the home. Meals Cost More—But People Still Indulge The typical lunch now costs about 200 crowns, compared with less than 140 crowns six years ago. In...
Machine Gun Kelly is set to perform in Prague on February 21, 2026, at the O2 Arena as part of his new global tour, Lost Americana. The concert will showcase songs from his latest album alongside the hits that have cemented him as one of the most distinctive names in today’s music scene. Tickets start at CZK 1,490. Pre-sales open on September 23 at 12:00 for Evropa 2, O2, and fan club members, followed by Live Nation Club pre-sale on September 24 at 12:00 and Spotify pre-sale on September 24 at 14:00. General ticket sales begin on September 25 at 12:00 through Ticketmaster and Ticketportal. The Lost Americana Tour, produced by Live Nation, marks the artist’s seventh studio album and promises the high-energy, genre-bending shows that have become his trademark. Known for blending rap, rock, and alt-pop, MGK has built a reputation as one of the most dynamic live performers of his generation. His previous Mainstream Sellout Tour filled arenas across North America and Europe, including a sold-out stadium show in his hometown of Cleveland. With more than 20 billion streams worldwide and millions of albums sold, MGK’s upcoming tour is expected to be his biggest yet, taking him to...
Písečná, a small municipality in the Pardubice Region, has been named Czechia’s Village of the Year 2025. The title was announced on Saturday, September 20, in Vacov, South Bohemia, which held the award last year. More than 180 municipalities across the country entered the annual competition. Thirteen of them advanced to the national final, including Písečná, which earlier this summer won the regional round and secured one million crowns in support. Písečná lies in the Ústí nad Orlicí District, just five kilometers from the town of Žamberk, below Žampach Mountain. With a population of around 585, the village has long been recognized for its cultural and community life. The jury highlighted the preservation of its traditional landscape, careful management of greenery, and consistent use of planning tools to ensure that new construction respects the original character of the village. The Competition and Its Goals The Village of the Year competition is part of Czechia’s Rural Renewal Program, established in 1995. It promotes active participation of residents in municipal life, encourages sustainable development, and supports the preservation of traditions. To qualify, municipalities must submit a development strategy. The jury evaluates not only public spaces but also community activities, local businesses, and...
What should you know about expat music in Prague? And where can you find it? We met with Nano Tone – a Prague-based synth pop duo consisting of Carl Warwick (UK) and Jack Zagorski (US). The band burst onto the local music scene in 2019, when their song “Let’s Get Digital” aired on Radio 1, the Czech Republic’s foremost alternative radio station. You can catch them on the main stage of Prague’s Expat Culture Festival on Saturday, 27 September 2025, at Cross Club in the Holešovice district. How long have you been part of Prague’s expat music scene? Carl has been involved in the Czech and expat music scene for over 20 years. Shortly after moving here from the UK, he formed a band called Squall with two other expats. In 2002, their album How Things Work was released on Silver Rocket, a prominent Czech alt rock record label. Since then, Carl’s been in a slew of bands with expats, as well as Czechs. Jack made his debut on the local music scene as part of Nano Tone, when he replaced former member Reed Jones in 2021. How big is the expat music scene in Prague? The expat music scene...
At the end of September, the entire country belongs to the patron saint of the Czech people. They honor the memory of St. Václav on the day when he was murdered by his brother. One of the most famous monuments in the whole of Prague, and perhaps the whole of the Czech Republic, is the statue of St. Václav on Wenceslas (Václav) Square. And it’s not just because this Czech prince is watching over one of the largest squares in the Czech Republic from his saddle. Nor is it because he has witnessed, astride his horse, many of the major events in the history of this country. St. Václav is the patron of the Czech lands and the most popular saint here. His day falls on 28 September, when the Czech Republic celebrates Statehood Day. Saint Wenceslas – the patron saint of the Czech lands Wenceslas was a Czech prince who, after his murder, became a symbol of Czech statehood and a Catholic saint. He was born in 907 and was apparently murdered on September 28, 935. There are not sufficiently reliable contemporary sources for a precise reconstruction of the life of Wenceslas. His life can be reconstructed from legends...
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