The Czech Parliament’s lower house approved a proposal drafted by Communist lawmakers to tax the compensation that the country’s churches receive for property seized by the former Communist regime. After the Communists seized power in Czechoslovakia in 1948, they confiscated all the property owned by churches, which were allowed to function only under strict state control. According to a 2012 law, the nation’s churches, including the Roman Catholic Church and the Jewish community, are to receive around 75 billion crowns over 30 years to compensate for property seized by the state. A power-sharing deal that Babiš, signed with the maverick Communists last year gave them a role in governing for the first time since the country’s 1989 anti-communist Velvet Revolution. The taxation was one of the Communists’ key conditions. Babiš argues that the compensation is too generous and needs correction. The upper house, which is controlled by the opposition, is expected to reject the Communist plan. But the Communists and the coalition formed by Babiš’ centrist ANO movement and the leftist Social Democrats hold a majority in the 200-seat lower house and can override such a veto. The anti-migrant, populist Freedom and Direct Democracy party also joined forces with the Communists....
Prague City Hall plans to make the city’s public transport and bike share system free on the smoggiest days in a bid to drive down pollution levels and meet EU air quality regulations. The idea is to encourage more people to use public transport. Formally, the decision has not yet been made. The city council will discuss it at the next meeting, but since the initiative comes from the ruling coalition itself, its approval is almost a resolved matter. A smog emergency is declared when a concentration of PM10 airborne particles exceed the limit of 100 micrograms per cubic meter for longer than twelve hours and do not fall below that limit for 24 hours. Research shows that the more space you give to cars, the more cars you attract. Indeed, most car-friendly cities are also the most congested. By giving backspace to pedestrians and cyclists, cities can create places where people meet and connect. In the coming months, Prague City Hall also intends to conduct an advertising campaign aimed at informing citizens about air pollution levels and risks. Author: red
This year the Prague City Hall will have a project to repair the Charles Bridge. At the same time, the city is looking to obtain a stone from a suitable quarry so as to begin repairs. Journalists were told by Mayor’s Deputy Adam Scheinherr that it is unclear as to how much work will go into the repairs and when they will begin. The surface of the bridge consists of roughly 66,000 blocks. According to Scheinherr, the city will find a suitable stone to replace the irreversibly damaged stone parts of the bridge. The exact schedule of the work schedule or the cost of the reconstruction will come from the project documentation. The poor condition of the arch moves the Charles Bridge into the classification of the Technical Communications Administration into a worse category than it would be if it was a good condition. On a scale of one to seven, when seven is a state of emergency, it is now classified in the sixth category. The construction of the bridge began on July 9, 1357, at the instigation of Charles IV. stone master Otlín, who gained experience in building an older stone bridge in Roudnice nad Labem. The founder...
The house is definitely not just a café, it is so much more. The memorial-protected half-timbered cottage in Stromovka is home to the community centre for the elderly, Domus Vitae. It is a place where friends, mums with children, young and old meet in the picturesque garden, just everybody, regardless of age, to relax for a while and enjoy the beauty around (and have a cake or ice cream whilst at it). When the weather isn’t pleasant, you can hide inside, where you will find seating between old photographs. You will also find a play area, books, and a computer. Internet café and everything else is here for you, so do not be afraid to use it all. The non-profit company Domus Vitae was founded in 2015 and its founders are Kateřina Čihařová and Ivan Dvořák. Both who have extensive experience both in health and social care, but also in the preparation and implementation of projects funded by national and international grant programs. Kateřina Čihařová had always had a dream of opening a place that would be pleasant and safe space for seniors and their loved ones. But when the former Stromovka railroad house was offered to her by the...
A hostel in Prague run by two Canadians that offers home-cooked dinners tops a new list of the best hostels in the world 2019. Online hostel-booking platform Hostelworld released the winners of the “Best Hostels for Solo Travelers” in their annual “Hoscars” awards, which are based on the guest scores and reviews. Unlike their first property The MadHouse, which attracts young party-goers, The RoadHouse is more laid-back in vibe. To help solo travelers meet new people, the hostel organizes daily activities that include nightly family dinners at the table, visits to local festivals, and soirées at neighborhood wine bars and pubs. “The RoadHouse is an amazing place. It’s run by the loveliest people, the hostel itself is beautiful and it really does feel like you’re staying at a friend’s (really cool) apartment with a bunch of rad travelers,” reads one of the several glowing reviews. If a backpacking trip is on the horizon this year, check out the top hostels of 2019 for solo travelers: 1. The RoadHouse Prague (Prague, Czech Republic) 2. Soul Kitchen (St Petersburg, Russia) 3. Hostel One Miru (Prague, Czech Republic) 4. Cozy Nook Hostel (Da Lat, Vietnam) 5. Adventure Q2 Hostel (Queenstown, New Zealand) 6. Adventure Queenstown Hostel (Queenstown, New Zealand) 7. The House of Sandeman – Hostel & Suites (Porto, Portugal) 8. Hostel Lullaby (Chiang Mai, Thailand) 9. Hostel Majdas (Mostar, Bosnia and...
Kino Světozor‘s ‘Catch-Up Tuesday’ and English language film blog Movie Barf, by popular demand, are going to present a second English friendly screening of the new Alfonso Cuarón film ROMA in the big screening hall. ROMA chronicles a year in the life of Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio), a quiet young maid for a wealthy family in Mexico City in the 1970s, who falls pregnant after an unfortunate affair. Her journey only becomes more complicated when it becomes caught up in the violence of Mexico’s politics. Based on a true story and directed by Mexican auteur Alfonso Cuarón (Gravity, Children of Men), the critically acclaimed ROMA has already won multiple awards for its stunning portrayal of the life and the political turbulence in Mexico at that time, and its masterful use of black and white and captivating cinematography. The film recently won two Golden Globes and is also set to sweep the Oscars. ROMA is undeniably one of the best films of 2018. The screening will have both Czech and English subtitles. Catch-Up Tuesday presents contemporary foreign films with English subtitles every Tuesday in Kino Světozor. Author: red
Prague Councillor Jan Chabr is preparing a press conference for Council deliberations to propose termination contracts to some city centre shops that do not benefit the metropolis. The crackdown comes on currency exchange and souvenir stores that trade unfairly. The proposal also mentions the first of the changes in Železná Street. “The capital has prepared a review of the contractual relations concluded by the municipal company Trade Centre Praha and has given instructions for the termination of selected rental contracts, the purpose of which is the establishment of a currency exchange office and the sale of souvenirs,” Jan Chabr, City Councillor, describes. He claims the shops do not benefit the city. The exact number of businesses to be affected has not been determined. Shops around Charles Bridge, for example, are filled with Russian military hats, stacking dolls and other imported items that have little to do with Prague, as well as sweatshirts and magnets with often inappropriate slogans. Not all such outlets are going to be affected, though. Some sell stylish goods, some promote young Czech artists, and some have kept a traditional range of goods, such as original Czech china, for decades. Lease contracts with such shops are not...
The Prague City Council approved the composition of a new commission led by a “night mayor” to regulate nightlife and deal with problems such as noises from bars and pubs. The new body will be chaired by Jan Štern and comprise representatives of the Prague 1 district in the historical centre and the municipal police. The major task is to deal with complaints about noises from bars, pubs, and restaurants and promote a safe and vibrant nightlife that benefits businesses and residents alike. Jan Štern, a co-founder, and operator of a cultural center, is one of the initiators of the idea of creating a team for nightlife. To fulfill their task, the team will work on a combination of immediate and long-term measures. The first step will be increasing the presence of police officers in the places where the Prague people cannot sleep properly. The next step will be a directive to enable the Prague districts to set closing times of establishments in selected localities. The commission will also engage in systematic communication with representatives of nightclubs and operators of major cultural events. The aim is, among other things, to strengthen their self-regulation, said the city council. Author: red
Are you a culture enthusiast? Or just looking to try something new? Here are a few of our recommended exhibitions this year in the Czech Republic: Galerie Rudolfinum Exhibiting at the prestigious Rudolfinum Gallery here in Prague. You can enjoy the audio-visual project of American artist, cinematographer, and filmmaker Arthur Jafa up until March. The artistic display reflects on the history, culture, and contributions of African-Americans in the US. It is incredibly moving. The installation is presented part of his European tour; after London in 2017, the exhibition was held at the Julia Stoschek Collection in Berlin in summer 2018, currently, in Prague, it will continue to Moderna Museet Stockholm in early April. Veletržní palac National Gallery in Veletrzni Palace will offer a photo exhibition from March art group ASA 400, whose members include Tomki German, Elizabeth Jungrová and Antonin Kratochvil whose photography focuses on the present and realism. Pražákuv Palac (Brno) Vladimir Boudnik was a graphic artist, photographer and a key figure in Czech post-war art, and a representative of the “explosionism” movement. Vladimir Boudnik has never had a ‘good’ show. Mostly he exhibited his works in the factory where he worked, where the audience were his co-workers. Pražákuv...
Residents across Europe will be treated to a lunar eclipse right before the moon sets late Sunday night, where the weather cooperates. The time when the moon will turn rusty orange or red, will be seen from Greece, western Ukraine, Belarus and points to the north and west. The moon will set before totality is over across Turkey and southwestern Russia. A clear sky should offer residents in the Czech Republic, northern Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg a perfect opportunity to view the eclipse. Sunday night’s total lunar eclipse will appear similar to those in the past but has been given the unofficial nickname of the “super blood wolf moon.” “Although it’s a bit of a silly-sounding name, it does have a basis in some real phenomena,” said Caleb Scharf, director of astrobiology at Columbia University. The term “blood moon” has emerged in recent years due to the color the moon turns during the height of a total lunar eclipse. “‘Blood Moon’ is not a term used in astronomy. It’s more of a popular phrase, perhaps because it sounds so dramatic. It simply refers to a total lunar eclipse,” according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac website. This eclipse also falls during the first supermoon of...
A Czech man set himself on fire in Wenceslas Square today, just days after the anniversary of student Jan Palach’s immolation in 1969 to protest at the occupation of Czechoslovakia, police said. “The man born in 1964 set himself on fire around 3 pm using a flammable substance,” Prague police said on Twitter, adding that passersby put out the flames. The flames were doused by passersby. He was taken to hospital minutes later. According to a witness, the man stood in front of St. Wenceslas statue with a sign with some inscriptions. According to early reports, the man suffered burns to 30 percent of his body. “In all likelihood the man did not want to commit suicide,” Prague’s police spokeswoman Eva Kropacova said. “He said it was a remembrance to Jan Palach.” January 19th 2019 marked the 50th anniversary of student Jan Palach’s death after self-immolation to protest about the invasion of Czechoslovakia by Warsaw Pact troops. About half-past one on January 16th, Jan Palach doused himself in petrol and set himself on fire near the fountain at the National Museum in Wenceslas Square in Prague. After several minutes, those passing managed to extinguish the living torch. The seriously burnt student was taken to the Faculty Hospital in...
Italian customers from the local service provider Iliad obtained a tariff of 204 Kč (€7.99) in addition to unlimited calling and texting they also have 50GB of mobile Internet. The price of this package includes a one-time activation fee of 255Kč, but even so, the offer Iliad provides is more favourable than comparable packages provided by Czech operators. Domestically used company T-Mobile for example, in order to have an unlimited plan with 60GB, requires 2,499Kč, which is six times more than the Iliad offer. Lliad only expanded on the Italian market last May and has already kick-started a price evolution. So much so from June to September last year, the traditional network leaders of the market which includes Vodafone, Wind and Tre operator, were the competitors to react quickly. According to Wired.it prices throughout the market had declined by 20% and the three companies launched a campaign seeking to lure its customers back from lliad. Vodafone launched a low-cost sub-network named Vodafone-mobile offering an unlimited plan with 50GB for 153Kč (plus an activation fee of 255 Kč) The cheapening pressure of price battles was not only being engaged in Italy but across Europe too. In France, there is virtual mobile...
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