The 59th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival wrapped up on July 12 after screening 108 features, 23 documentaries, and 44 shorts across 465 showings. With more than 128,000 tickets sold, the Czech festival once again cemented its place on the global film calendar, just after Cannes and ahead of Venice. The festival’s top honor, the Crystal Globe, went to “Better Go Mad in the Wild”, directed by Miro Remo (Czech Republic/Slovak Republic). The film’s team received a $25,000 prize. Iran’s “Bidad”, by Soheil Beiraghi, won the Special Jury Prize and $15,000. Jurors praised its bold narrative and genre-blending story of a couple on the run through Tehran, describing it as “shot through with punk energy” and closing on a hopeful note. The Best Director awards were shared between Vytautas Katkus for “The Visitor” (Lithuania, Norway, Sweden) and Nathan Ambrosioni for “Out of Love” (France). Acting awards went to Pia Tjelta for her performance in Norway’s “Don’t Call Me Mama”, and Àlex Brendemühl in Spain’s “When a River Becomes the Sea.” Kateřina Falbrová earned a Special Jury Mention for her role in “Broken Voices” (Czech Republic/Slovak Republic). The audience-favorite Právo Award went to the Czech documentary “We’ve Got to Frame It!”,...
Petr Kotík, the founder of the popular travel site Amazing Places, is launching a new project: Kouzelné Chaloupky (which means Magical Cottages) – a booking platform dedicated entirely to private getaways like cottages, log cabins, glamping spots, and tiny houses. Unlike Amazing Places, which is known for high-end design retreats, Kouzelné Chaloupky focuses on cozy, affordable escapes that prioritize privacy and simplicity over luxury. The platform features only independent, non-shared accommodations, such as standalone cabins and off-grid cottages – no hotels or guesthouses. “Czech cottage culture is a lifestyle – it’s about slowing down, spending time together, and feeling at home even far from home,” said Petr Kotík, who leads the project. “We want to make this experience more accessible to everyone.” The project grew out of a social media community that already counts 160,000 followers, and it’s now evolving into a full-featured booking site. The platform enables users to book directly, use vouchers, and take advantage of the BeAmazing loyalty program. Each listed property goes through a basic screening to ensure quality standards. There’s no need to share spaces with strangers – every stay guarantees complete privacy. Kouzelné Chaloupky also offers benefits for hosts. Accommodation providers can access the...
The Czech Republic is reviving its push to protect traditional meat product names—this time, across the European Union. Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný (KDU-ČSL) has submitted a proposal supported by 18 EU member states, calling on the European Commission to restrict plant-based producers from using terms like “vegan sausage” or “soy schnitzel.” The move echoes existing rules around dairy alternatives, where terms like “milk” or “yogurt” are reserved exclusively for animal-based products. Supporters argue that consumers can be misled by familiar meat-related terms used on plant-based packaging. Critics, however, say the proposal reflects pressure from industrial meat lobbies—not a genuine concern for transparency. At a June meeting of EU agriculture ministers in Luxembourg, Deputy Minister Miroslav Skřivánek claimed such a policy would “protect consumers from misleading information” and reduce fragmented food labeling rules across Europe. Backing the Czech initiative are heavyweights France and Italy, as well as Ireland, Austria, Portugal, and Spain. In contrast, domestic reaction has been mixed. Just one week after the proposal was introduced, a coalition of Czech food producers, retailers, and associations issued an open letter urging Výborný to withdraw the proposal. Signatories included Globus, Rohlik.cz, the Czech Trade and Tourism Association, and the Association of Hotels...
The historic town centre with its numerous churches, all surrounded by medieval city walls, has preserved its Renaissance look and is full of crooked lanes, romantic views and picturesque nooks and crannies. Znojmo is a quiet town in South Moravia that doesn’t get nearly enough attention. It sits near the border with Austria and Slovakia, in a region famous for its vineyards and traditional food. Locals sometimes call it “Moravian Tuscany” because of its rolling hills and charming villages. Last year, South Moravia welcomed just over 690,000 tourists from abroad. That’s a fraction of the millions who visit Prague, which means places like Znojmo stay peaceful and less crowded. Founded around 1226 by King Ottokar I, the town has about 34,000 residents and is just a two-and-a-half-hour drive from the capital. One big draw here is the price. Four-star hotels often charge less than 1,500 CZK per night, and most sights are easy on the wallet. For example, you can explore the town’s famous tunnels for about 100 CZK. These tunnels, carved in the 14th century, run under Znojmo and stretch for 27 kilometers. They were originally built as shelters during times of war and later used for storage. Over...
New data from Eurostat reveals that the average Czech employee works 37.8 hours per week — nearly four hours more than workers in Germany or Austria. Over the course of a year, that adds up to 200 extra hours, or five additional full working weeks. Yet despite the longer hours, Czech wages remain far lower than those in neighboring countries. “Over a lifetime, a Czech worker puts in several more years of labor compared to someone in Germany,” said Jiří Vaňásek, Vice-Chair of the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions. In fact, when those weekly differences are accumulated across a working life, the gap becomes hard to ignore: Czechs can expect to work around four years longer than Germans — and some union estimates suggest the gap may be even wider due to older baseline data and changing trends in working hours. Long Hours, Low Wages The average Czech working life spans about 38 years, though this can vary based on education. And the compensation doesn’t match the time invested. A 2024 report from Mazars shows the average private-sector monthly wage in the Czech Republic was CZK 46,557, compared to CZK 116,682 in Germany and CZK 126,125 in Austria (converted from...
A Czech tourist died on Friday afternoon in the Italian Dolomites after falling from a mountain trail, Italian news agency ANSA and public broadcaster RAI reported. The man had reportedly strayed from his group during a hike and lost his footing. The accident occurred around 2:00 p.m. in the Val di Fassa area of the Trentino region, a popular destination for mountain hiking and climbing. The man, who was about 50 years old, had been hiking with others toward Passo San Nicolò, a mountain pass located at roughly 2,400 meters above sea level. According to early reports, the man accidentally left the designated trail, lost his balance, and fell onto rocks below. Members of the hiking group immediately alerted mountain rescue services, and a rescue helicopter was dispatched to the scene. However, despite swift intervention, the man succumbed to his injuries at the site. His body was later transported down to the valley by emergency crews. The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet confirmed the details, but Czech media report that officials are currently reviewing the case. Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more
Bulgaria is set to join the eurozone in January 2026, after meeting all the necessary criteria. The European Commission, European Central Bank, and EU finance ministers confirmed the country’s readiness in June. Bulgaria’s currency, the lev, has been pegged to the euro since 1999, so this move finalizes its long-standing monetary policy approach and gives the country full voting rights within the ECB Governing Council. However, public opinion in Bulgaria remains divided. Nearly half of the population opposes the euro, mainly due to concerns over price increases — similar to what Croatia experienced after switching to the euro in 2023 — and fears about losing national control over economic decisions. Czechia Maintains the Koruna – But Moves Closer to the Euro in Practice Unlike Bulgaria, the Czech Republic has taken no concrete steps toward joining the eurozone, despite being formally committed to adoption since entering the EU. Along with Poland, Hungary, Romania, and Sweden, Czechia has delayed entry indefinitely, citing political and economic concerns. Support for adopting the euro remains consistently low. In 2024, just 20% of Czechs supported euro adoption, while 80% were opposed. Around half of those were strongly against it. The main reasons include fear of rising...
The pedestrian underpass beneath Legerova Street, once a key shortcut for thousands of pedestrians moving between Wenceslas Square and Vinohrady, is being dismantled. Its demolition marks the next phase in the construction of the long-planned Museum tram line, which will eventually link central Prague more efficiently. This tunnel, located just a few steps from the National Museum, is disappearing from the city’s map after decades of use. The change reflects Prague’s effort to expand its tram network and improve surface transport around the Museum and main station area. Demolition began as part of extensive works that have been underway for several weeks. Crews are currently focusing on the stretch adjacent to the National Museum building, aiming to integrate the new line with the section that will run through Vinohrady. Although the tracks between the old and new National Museum buildings were laid as early as 2018, they remained unused. That 80-meter segment stood isolated, waiting for the rest of the line to catch up. Now, that wait is over. If construction proceeds on schedule, the new tram route should be operational by mid-2027. City officials say the new line will dramatically change the way people navigate the area. “The new...
Czech police have arrested a man suspected of planning a terrorist attack on a military site, reportedly under the direction of Russian intelligence, according to the investigative outlet Odkryto.cz. The suspect—a 52-year-old taxi driver based in Prague—was allegedly preparing to attack a military facility using explosives. While the target is not officially confirmed, sources suggest it was connected to the Czech ammunition initiative, a key defense program. The man reportedly operated a registered company in Prague’s Žižkov district, owned by a Ukrainian national. Although Czech authorities have not confirmed the alleged plot, the Security Information Service (BIS) issued a public statement through the police’s account on X, noting that they are “evaluating information from both domestic and international partners.” They reassured the public that there is currently no specific threat identified. The report comes just a day after BIS released its annual security assessment, which warned of increasing Russian and Chinese intelligence activity in Czechia. According to the agency, Russian operatives are actively attempting to recruit agents across Europe to execute acts of sabotage and disruption. This latest incident echoes the 2014 explosions in Vrbětice, where two GRU agents from Russia’s military intelligence were linked to a deadly ammunition depot...
Bolt’s car-sharing service, Bolt Drive, has been operating in Prague for a year. During this period, it has become a common option for many residents and visitors for short-term car rentals. Users have driven millions of kilometers, with some rentals extending for several weeks. The most frequently used vehicles include compact models such as the Audi A1, Toyota Yaris, and the widely recognized “pistachio” Škoda Fabia. There has also been an increase in demand for premium vehicles. Fabián Strecker, Senior Operations Manager for Bolt Drive in the Czech Republic, notes that the service is now part of daily life for many in Prague. Some users rely on it regularly for work commutes, weekend trips, or short travel, with the most frequent user completing over 1,400 trips in one year. Popular Vehicles and Growing Interest in Premium Cars The Audi A1, Toyota Yaris, and the “pistachio” Škoda Fabia remain the most popular models. One Audi A1 in the fleet logged nearly 50,000 kilometers in a year. Interest in premium vehicles such as the Volvo V90 has also grown, particularly for business travel and weekend use, with users appreciating their comfort and safety features. Trip Patterns Data shows that around 80% of...
The Czech government banned the use of any services of Chinese AI startup DeepSeek in the Czech public administration due to security concerns, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on Wednesday. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said the government acted after receiving a warning from the national cybersecurity watchdog. The watchdog flagged a threat of unauthorised access to users’ data because DeepSeek is obliged to cooperate with Chinese state authorities. The move follows similar steps made by some other countries that aimed to protect users’ data, including Italy, which in January blocked access to the chatbot, as well as Australia. Last month, a German privacy official called on Apple and Google to ban DeepSeek from its app stores over privacy concerns. The Czech government has distanced itself from some Chinese technology in recent years. In 2018, it stopped using the hardware and software made by telecommunications companies Huawei and ZTE after a warning they posed a security threat. DeepSeek and the Chinese embassy in Prague did not immediately respond to requests for comment. DeepSeek shook the technology world in January with claims that it had developed an AI model to rival those from U.S. firms such as ChatGPT creator OpenAI at...
A fast-food restaurant in Prague’s Vinohrady district was shut down this week after health inspectors uncovered severe hygiene violations, including a nearly full waste cesspool and improperly stored meat. The State Agricultural and Food Inspection Authority (SZPI) announced on Wednesday evening that its inspectors had carried out a surprise check at WingHaus, a fast-food outlet located on Vinohradská Street. What they discovered inside was described as a serious health risk to the public. “Our inspectors found major hygiene breaches, especially a neglected waste pit in the restroom area at the rear of the establishment,” SZPI stated. “The facility was in such poor condition that we could not rule out the risk of food contamination or threats to public health. We therefore imposed an immediate ban on the use of the premises.” In the back of the restaurant, inspectors found a flush toilet connected to a waste cesspool, which was almost full and only partially covered. The report noted that no proper waste removal system was in place. According to the official documentation, the pit was secured inadequately, creating both a sanitation hazard and a risk of cross-contamination. Beyond the waste issue, other violations were also documented. The inspectors described grease-coated...
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