Turkish and Czech authorities have agreed to construct a park in Prague 6 to mark the 100th anniversary of the friendship and diplomatic relations between the two countries, the municipal council has announced. “The commencement of diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Czechoslovakia, which we celebrate this year as the centenary, dates back to the early days of the Czechoslovak Republic. Upon a request from Turkish Ambassador Egemen Bağış, a decision-making process reached its final approval. The Czech-Turkish Cooperation Park will be built in Petriny,” the Prague 6 municipality stated in a written statement on April 21. The foundation of the park will be laid on June 6, the statement said, adding that the approximate cost of the project will be around CZK 750,000, with the Turkish authorities “ready to cover half of the cost through sponsors.” The park will be equipped with plaques and other structures inscribed with the remarks of modern Türkiye founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. The municipality mapped the area along the street named “Ankarska” by the inspiring Turkish capital Ankara about 20 years ago, with a study prepared to include the structuring and arrangement of the area as a park within the project. The municipality has also...
The renovation of Prague’s Máj department store on Národní třída Street is nearing its June completion date. Visitors will now have access to nine out of 11 floors, a significant increase from the previous six. This translates to a more spacious retail area of 17,000 square meters. The revamped basement level will house a Tesco supermarket, while the first and second floors will be dedicated to restaurants, cafes, pharmacies, and shops offering flowers, accessories, clothing, and more. Foodies will rejoice at the new food hall, boasting a whopping 750 seats and a diverse selection of quick bites and classic dishes from popular brands like Popeyes, Burger King, Banh-mi, Prima bašta, Misushi, Amerikanos, and others. The upper floors will cater to entertainment with an amusement park and dedicated spaces for cultural and educational events. Crowning the building will be a restaurant with a breathtaking panoramic view of Prague, accessible through the glass roof. The entire project cost the investor a staggering CZK 4 billion. Beyond the interior, the building’s facade will undergo a temporary transformation for one year. Two giant, mobile sculptures designed by renowned Czech artist David Černý will adorn the building’s exterior. The two giant structures, standing several meters...
The American investment group Northwood Investors is selling the Four Seasons Hotel Prague, located near the Charles Bridge. According to Hospodarske Noviny, citing three independent sources, Northwood, which has owned the hotel since 2014, is closest to finalizing a deal with Renáta Kellnerová. While the purchase will be a personal investment by Kellnerová through her recently formed superholding Amalar, it will remain separate from the PPF Group. Market estimates place the Four Seasons at a price tag of approximately CZK 3.7 billion (EUR 150 million). Northwood acquired the property a decade ago for nearly 80 million euros from the Irish investment group Avestus. This sale coincides with a surge in premium hotel offerings on the market, including the Imperial and Sanssouci spa hotels in Karlovy Vary and the Trade Union-owned Imperial Hotel in Prague. Consultancy Cushman & Wakefield reports that nine hotels were sold in the Czech Republic last year, with most investments concentrated in Prague and originating from abroad. The Czech hotel industry experienced a significant rebound in occupancy rates in 2023, approaching pre-pandemic levels. Nationwide occupancy reached 71%, a 7% decrease compared to 2019. Room rates, however, climbed by 10% year-on-year. In Prague specifically, the average nightly rate...
British newspaper The Guardian sheds light on a concerning trend in Prague: a significant increase in homelessness. Their video documentary investigates the factors driving this issue in the Czech capital, which holds the dubious distinction of having the highest number of homeless people in Central and Eastern Europe. The documentary follows Karel, a former sex worker turned homeless person, as he guides the reporter through the city. Together, they visit locations frequented by Prague’s homeless population, including Karlovo náměstí and Wenceslas Square. Karel shares his experiences and sheds light on the city’s history as a haven for sex tourism, which continues to impact lives. The rising cost of living – with inflation pushing people into financial distress – and the ease with which someone can find themselves homeless are highlighted. The documentary explores the vital work of NGOs like Pragulic, which offers guided walks to help homeless individuals reconnect with the city. However, it raises the crucial question: can such initiatives alone solve the crisis? The reporter delves deeper, visiting the Naděje NGO and their day center near the main train station. Here, social workers grapple with limited capacity, forcing them to turn away those in need. Furthermore, the issue...
Virtual School Australia is a leading platform dedicated to fostering global empathy and empowering individuals through education and innovative conferences. The mission is to inspire positive change and create a more empathetic world, through the Global Empathy Conferences. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, Virtual School Australia has been at the forefront of offering transformative Global Empathy Conferences annually. Drawing from the success of past editions held in London, Adelaide, and Seoul, which attracted a diverse and enthusiastic global audience. The 6th Global Empathy Conference is scheduled to take place at the esteemed Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic, on Saturday, May 4, 2024. This prestigious event aims to bring together a diverse audience, including esteemed researchers, academics, writers, and classroom teachers from around the world. The theme of “Empathy in Action” underscores the conference’s mission to share invaluable insights, exemplary practices, and groundbreaking research in the field of empathy in action. The 6th Global Empathy Conference at Charles University in Prague, which will be chaired by Dr Sharmila Roy, PhD, the Chair of the Educational Therapy certificate program at the University of California, Silicon Valley Extension, USA. Conference Highlights: Keynote Speakers: Renowned Professor Robin Banerjee will...
The wait is over for fans of fresh beer and a unique brewery experience! After a winter break, the Staropramen Brewery is reopening its doors to the public for the first “Taps Under the Chimney” event of 2024. Taking place on Thursday, April 25th, at 5 pm, this popular event offers a chance to sample some exciting new brews straight from the source. This year’s event kicks off with the debut of Staropramen’s improved Staropramen Extra Chmel and Staropramen Nealko (non-alcoholic) beers. Visitors can also enjoy last year’s successful addition, Staropramen 10. But delicious beer isn’t the only thing on tap. Attendees can also expect tasty refreshments and live music to create a lively atmosphere. In addition, for those blessed with good weather, a special treat awaits: the chance to climb to the gallery overlooking the cylindroconic tanks for breathtaking views of Prague. The “Taps Under the Chimney” event is a beloved tradition that began in 2017. Recognizing that beer tastes best shared with friends and family, Staropramen opened its brewery for the first time, allowing visitors to gather under the iconic chimney and enjoy a pint in a unique setting. The event’s success was immediate, and it’s become a...
This year, the Prague City Council approved a budget of over CZK 16 million for integration projects for foreigners. “Foreigners and national minorities are a reality; it’s our responsibility to find integration solutions,” stated Bohuslav Svoboda, Prague’s mayor. In 2021, an official agreement aimed at improving mutual coexistence between foreigners and Prague residents was signed. The municipality plans to support cultural, social, and educational events for foreigners until 2025, with additional updates. Various applications focused on activities supporting foreign integration were submitted to the municipality. These emphasized language training, community work, educational activities, and cultural and social projects for foreigners. A total of 92 projects were received, with 74 recommended for subsidization by the expert committee. Future plans include programs to involve foreign children in school groups, Czech language courses, and cultural festival organization. The municipality will fund organizations aiding refugees from Ukraine. “These initiatives promote diversity and cultural understanding, fostering an open and inclusive environment,” stated Jiří Pospíšil, Deputy Mayor of Culture (TOP 09). The focus of these activities is on the Czech Republic’s multi-ethnic nature, allowing foreigners to partake in the dominant culture while sharing their traditions and values. Would you like us to write about your business? Find...
During this spring, the City of Prague Forests (LHMP) will plant more than 89,000 tree seedlings around the city. Two-thirds of the seedlings will be planted in the southeast of the capital near Dubč, where new stands will be established in two formerly non-forested areas. The remaining third of the seedlings will be added to trees in existing forests. Traditionally, oaks and other deciduous tree species suitable for the climatic conditions of Prague predominate in the plantations. Pupils of Prague schools are also involved in the work, helping to establish a forest for future generations. Almost 64,000 seedlings will take root in two areas in the area of Lítožnice and the Říčanka Nature Park between the towns of Dubeč and Běchovice. In this area, the City has been planting repeatedly over the last few years, gradually turning the area into a mosaic of water bodies, meadows, orchards and forests. The upcoming spring planting will target several key locations. The Modřany Gully, impacted by bark beetle infestation, will receive over 3,000 new trees. Cholupice will see nearly 4,000 seedlings planted, while the Satalická Obora grazing land will gain over 2,000. Existing forests throughout the city will benefit from a diverse selection...
Couriers working for delivery companies Wolt and Foodora are gearing up for a protest over ongoing pay cuts and a lack of transparency in their pay system. Scheduled for Monday, April 22, in Prague, the event is expected to draw around 200 participants. The protest is predicted to mirror the sizeable turnout of a similar movement back in February, with the primary grievance among the couriers about what they claim is a vague pay system. “We don’t know how the calculation is done, and the same order often yields different payments,” explained Patrik Svatoň, a Foodora courier and one of the protest’s primary organizers. The demonstrators are demanding the implementation of a minimum payment of CZK 80 per delivery, as well as a transparent system of compensating distance traveled, at a rate of CZK 20 per kilometer. This comes in response to a recent significant change in pay structure, which used to consist of a base fee in addition to a distance surcharge, a system that couriers often found more favorable. The protest is set to commence with speeches and petition signing at Wenceslas Square in the morning, followed by an organized march to the offices of Wolt and Foodora...
Prague’s bus stops could all be on request from summer. Each time a bus stops and starts costs one crown, says city’s transport planning organization Ropid. Prague is therefore proposing that all buses in Prague’s public transportation should stop only on signal from the summer. The aim is to shorten intervals, reduce noise and pollution, and improve traffic flow. The change would also save fuel and money. However, it may be inconvenient for people with reduced mobility. The trial operation could start on Saturday 29 June. There are now about 2,500 bus stops in Prague, 69 percent of which are on request. Since 2011, if a passenger stands at a bus stop on request, the passenger does not have to give the signal, but the driver is obliged to stop. All on-request stops are already in operation in some foreign and Czech cities. According to the document, the advantages of on-request stops are shorter intervals, lower fuel costs, and a smoother ride for passengers. Buses stopping and starting less often would also damage the roads less at stops, and noise and emissions would also be reduced. Many signs could then disappear from timetables, and they would be clearer. The change...
On Sunday, June 2nd, Prague will celebrate World Bicycle Day with a festive mass cycle ride, the Světová cyklojízda 2024. Gear up for a leisurely ride suitable for cyclists of all levels, including families with children. The traditional bike ride will start at 2:00 PM in Riegrovy sady park, located in the Vinohrady district. From there, participants will embark on a scenic 10-kilometer journey (free of any major climbs) towards Štvanice Island. The organizers, AutoMat association and the website NaKole.cz, have prepared an afternoon program for both professionals and families from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Expect a variety of lectures, a picnic area, live music, children’s sports competitions, and other exciting activities. The aim of the event is to celebrate the bicycle as a practical and sustainable mode of transportation and to highlight the importance of safe cycling infrastructure. Bicycles offer a healthy, eco-friendly way to navigate the city, contributing to cleaner air and combating climate change. The entire event is completely free of charge. However, organizers encourage participants to complete a short online registration. This will help them estimate attendance and coordinate with police for street closures. In April 2018, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 3...
Prague’s iconic Wenceslas Square is set for a major makeover, with construction kicking off on June 29th, 2024. The large-scale project, expected to last three years, was officially announced by city officials on April 15th. A key aspect of the renovation is the return of tram service to the upper part of the square. New tracks will be laid, stretching from the National Museum to Můstek metro station, where they’ll connect with existing lines running along Vodičková and Jindřišská streets. However, there’s a temporary downside for tram commuters during the initial construction phase. The Jindřišská-Vodičková tram section will be closed for three months, from June 29th to September 30th, 2024. The Prague Transport Company will provide detailed information on revised tram routes closer to the closure date. About the new project The project’s scope encompasses not only the creation of the new tram line, but also all associated necessities, such as road and sidewalk reconstructions, re-routing of utilities, and essential modifications to subway vestibule ceilings. Compared to its historical route, the new tram tracks will follow the sides of Wenceslas Square, creating a pedestrian promenade in the middle. This redesign comes with widened sidewalks, a dedicated cycling lane, a new...
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