Czech Republic Ranks 108th on Global Slavery Index 2018

According to the Global Slavery Index 2018, the Czech Republic ranks 108th out of 167 countries. There are currently over 30,000 people living in “modern slavery” in the country. Offenders use them mainly for seasonal work or in construction. The country sentenced 16 people for human trafficking last year, according to data released by the Ministry of the Interior. The study, conducted by Australia’s Walk Free Foundation, scores nations based on “combining the proportion of the population that is enslaved, the numbers in child or early marriages and the level of trafficking into or out of the country.” While this only consists of 0.36 % of the Czech population of 10.5 million, this is more than 7 times higher than the average of 0.05 % in other Western European nations. The Czech Republic is a primary destination for migrant workers from surrounding European nations, mainly from Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania or Vietnam. Migrant workers are often more vulnerable to trafficking or forced labor. The 2018 edition builds on the Global Estimates of Modern Slavery, which estimated that 40.3 million people were in some form of slavery on any given day in 2016. The Index provides rankings across three dimensions: Size of...

The Fall of Prague

SmartWings to Prague Flies for 2 Hours With One Engine Out

Statue Of Marshal Konev Vandalized

The statue of Soviet Marshal Ivan Konev has been vandalized on the anniversary of the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968. The Prague 6 district said on its Facebook page on August 22, a day after the anniversary, those unknown individuals poured red paint on the statue and wrote with white paint on its base: “No to the Bloody Marshal! We will not forget.” Prague city authorities say police are investigating the act of vandalism. Konev’s statue has been vandalized several times in recent years. Authorities of the Czech capital’s district, where the statue was erected in 1980 to commemorate Konev’s role in liberating Czechoslovakia from Nazi occupation, have suggested moving the statue to a park near the Russian Embassy. Marshal Konev (1897-1973) led Soviet troops that liberated most of Czechoslovakia’s territory and entered Prague on May 9, 1945. In 1946, Prague’s Podebradska Street was renamed after him. Local authorities have been considering changing the street back to its previous name for several years. In 1956, Konev took part in the brutal suppression by Soviet troops of the Hungarian uprising in Budapest. In 1961, he was the commander of the Soviet troops in East Germany when the Berlin Wall was erected, and some historians...

U Bílé Kuželky – Locals Like Lokál Pub

So, I was hesitating to make this suggestion. What if too many people would come here? Then I would lose my favorite place to get the best beer in Prague. Yes, of course, it is Pilsner Urquell, and you can get it in several hundreds of pubs in Prague. But, it is not only beer, but it is also the way it is drawn – and here it is done by experts… Well, and now to the secret. Even though it is located next to the super overtouristed Karluv most, it has still not been discovered by the travel guides. Yes, it can be pretty busy, and people may be sitting on the pavement outside the pub, but if you know that, you should go to the kitchen and discover the stairs (see the picture) leading down to the cellar, where you may find a quieter place. And if you turn right at the end of the stairs and pass the beer tanks, you can even meet me… And back to the beer. Do not ever order just beer, you would look like a tourist – order “shnet” (šnyt in Czech). The beer will come with a big head of foam...

7 Great Films That Feature Prague

The Medieval Skeleton Found at Prague Castle

Used as a propaganda tool by the Nazis and Soviets during the Second World War and Cold War, the remains of a 10th-century male, unearthed beneath Prague Castle in 1928, have been the subject of continued debate and archaeological manipulation. The mysterious skeleton and associated grave goods, including a sword and two knives, were identified as Viking by the Nazis, as a Slavonic warrior by the Soviets and became part of the Czech independence movement in more recent years. The remains were discovered under the courtyard of Prague Castle in July 1928 as part of an excavation project by the National Museum of the newly established Czechoslovakia to discover the earliest phases of the castle. The body was located on the edge of an old burial ground from when a hill fort was built on the site, likely dating to AD 800–950/1000. It was discovered by Ivan Borkovský, a Ukrainian who fought for both the Austro-Hungarians and the Russians in the early 20th century, before escaping to Czechoslovakia in 1920 but he did not immediately publicize or publish anything about the remains or the artifacts. Under the Nazi regime, the remains became “proof” for the Germanic, rather than Slavic, origin...

On September 15 You Can Visit Old Town’s Sewer System

On September 15, you will get the rare chance to dive into Old Town’s sewer system for a guided tour. The sewers lead from Old Town Hall down Pařížska street and underneath the Vltava at Čechův most, continuing under Korunovační street and Stromovka park in Prague 7 before winding up at the city’s Sewage Plant in Bubeneč. The old wastewater treatment plant in Prague-Bubeneč is an important witness to the history of architecture, technology, and water management. Built in 1901-1906, it was used for the treatment of most of the sewage water in the city of Prague until 1967. In the steam engine room, one can view the still-functioning machines from the early 20th century. The water system connects areas of Prague 1, 2, 3 and partially Prague 5, forming a confluence of collectors from Malé náměstí, Melantrichova Street, Železná and Celetná Street. Registration to the event is free and will open on the PVK website (Prague’s waterworks and sewerage company) on August 26; spots are quickly filling up. Total length of the journey: three kilometers. Visitors must bring their printed ticket or show it on their mobile phone. The first tour starts at 9:30, the last one at 16:30. Meeting...

New Body Outlines Appear in Prague to Warn of Tram Dangers

New painted body outlines of fallen pedestrians on tram tracks appeared at the intersection of Spálená and Národní trida and three other locations in Prague. The hashtag #113 symbolizes the number of killed pedestrians in the Czech Republic last year. The campaign aims to highlight the risks of looking at mobile phones while walking around instead of paying attention to the trams. The campaign is intended to remind people that trams have priority at intersections. Because trams are on tracks, they cannot stop quickly, even if the driver sees the pedestrian on the tracks. The project is a joint venture of the Prague Public Transit Company (DPP) in cooperation with safety organization BESIP, the Czech Police and regional transit organizer ROPID. Although the number of traffic deaths has declined over the long run, the Czech Republic is still doing poorly compared to the rest of Europe. Prague had the highest accident rate of any Czech region. Some 103,821 accidents occurred last year in the whole Czech Republic, and 502 people died. This is the lowest number of deaths since 1961 when the police introduced comprehensive accident statistics. The safety campaign is running in Prague, Brno, Pilsen, Hradec Králové, Liberec, Olomouc,...

Czech PM Babiš to Propose New Cultural Minister Candidate

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said on Tuesday that he would withdraw the nomination of Michal Smarda and propose a new Cultural Minister to President Milos Zeman immediately after the coalition Social Democratic Party has the new name, according to local media reports. Zeman previously said Smarda is not competent for the post of cultural minister. On Monday, Smarda decided to give up the nomination. Babiš said he had asked President Zeman to quickly solve the problem concerning the nomination of Culture Minister so that the cabinet could be complete and functional. Communication preceding the proposal of the new candidate must be better than it was in the case of Smarda, Babiš added. The dispute over the replacement of the Culture Minister has been lasting for more than three months in the country. In April, former cultural minister Antonin Stanek dismissed National Gallery head Jiri Fajt and Olomouc Art Museum head Michal Soukup, triggering criticism from cultural fields. In May, Babis proposed that Stanek be dismissed and Smarda as his successor. Zeman was reluctant to dismiss Stanek at first but eventually did so at the end of July without accepting the nomination of Smarda.

From the Airport to City Center by Taxi: Prague is Europe’s 5th-Cheapest

Analysing data provided by Taxi-Calculator.com, the average price to travel from the city centre to the main airport (or vice versa) for 14 European capital cities has been calculated, taking into consideration price per mile, base fares, and distance*. Which cities are the cheapest? For the cheapest airport transfer, results show that Lisbon is the place to be – for a 5.4km journey from the city’s airport to the centre will cost travellers a mere 5.79 euros. In second place is Ankara – Turkey’s capital will set you back only 13.64 euros for a 26.5km journey. Meanwhile, the remaining top countries for cheap travel are as follows: Madrid (18.56 euros), Berlin (20.10 euros), Prague (21.31 euros), Vienna (23.75 euros) and Athens (26.45 euros). Which cities are the most expensive? Taxi2Airport can reveal that, at a whopping 52.07 euros (20.8km journey), Amsterdam tops the table as the most expensive capital city to reach, from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. The next most expensive city is, less surprisingly, London at 50.60 euros for 25.6km – dropping you off at London Heathrow. In third place is Stockholm. The city’s low fares of 1.13 euros (and 4.22 euros base fee) are unfortunately cancelled out by the distance required...

Cyklohráček – The Train for Families and Cyclists

The so-called Cyklohráček is ideal for families with children. This bike and the child-friendly train started its operation in 2014 and it operates at weekends and national holidays until the end of the season. A trained team makes sure children don’t get bored during the journey. There are toys as well as tables with board games such as Ludo, Checkers, and other games. Kids can also borrow jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, or a train dispatcher’s set. “Due to the end of the state of emergency and the expiration of the government resolution on the restriction of free movement of persons, the train Cyklohráček will start its season on Saturday, April 17,” said Filip Drápal, spokesman for Ropid. Cyklohráček was also awarded one of the best consumer-focused projects in the nation. The train consists of three wagons that can hold 116 passengers and 25 bikes: a carriage full of toys designated for younger children; there is also a children’s corner with building blocks, train sets, picture books, and train puzzles. This carriage is also the best if you want to watch the engine driver or to watch the route. The second carriage for cyclists where they can fill up their tires with...