The Prague Sounds Festival, previously Strings of Autumn, has evolved into a more adventuresome affair on stages in hallowed venues in November. Its motto is “a festival without limits to genre,” but more importantly, the musical artists of multi-generations are all most highly acclaimed. Before the Festival, there is a special concert Sept. 3, of “War Requiem” by Benjamin Britten at Prague Castle. This anti-war oratorio will be performed by the Prague Philharmonia, Czech Philharmonic and Kyiv Symphony Orchestra along with a children’s choir and international soloists. “War Requiem” was written in 1962 to mark the restoration of Coventry Cathedral in the UK, destroyed during World War II. It is known as a pacifist manifesto with words of the soldier-poet Wilfred Owen, who was killed in the last week of World War I, at the age of 27. His words (and life cut short) inspired Britten’s music. Benjamin Clementine, a young composer and pianist, officially leads off the Festival, Nov. 1st. He is noted for his voice (spinto tenor) and a rags-to-riches story; born in London (1988), lived as a homeless busker on the streets of Paris, till he was discovered by a French talent agent; a triumphant return to...
In response to a fire risk alert issued today by the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute, an ordinance prohibiting the ignition of fires in areas at higher risk of fire is currently in effect in Prague until Saturday, August 26, 2023 (00:00). The Mayor of Prague, Bohuslav Svoboda, stated, “I urge all responsible residents of Prague to adhere to these emergency measures. Safeguarding the safety of our capital and its inhabitants stands as our shared priority.” Jana Komrsková, Deputy Mayor, also shared her thoughts, saying, “In light of recent global fires, the gravity of climate change appears evident to us all. Thankfully, the frequency and scale of fires remain manageable. Prague’s firefighters have responded to over a hundred natural environment fires since early June, totaling more than 540 this summer. I wish to express gratitude to those who comply with the fire ignition ban and approach the situation seriously. Our climate strategy strives to optimize water retention in the landscape and avert future issues.” In accordance with Regulation No. 6/2019 Coll., certain conditions are regarded as fire hazards during times of heightened fire risk, as stipulated by the City of Prague’s regulation ensuring fire protection during such periods: (a) Forest vegetation and...
Two trams collided in Prague on Thursday morning, seriously injuring the driver of one of the trams and one passenger. The collision occurred at the Modřanská rokle tram stop in Prague 12 at around 6:45 a.m. Ten passengers were on board the trams at the time of the crash. The driver of one of the trams was trapped in the wreckage and had to be extricated by firefighters. Medical responders placed the driver in a medically induced coma and took measures to ensure her airway stability. Another injured individual, a passenger with a back injury, remained conscious throughout the ordeal. The cause of the collision is still under investigation. The accident disrupted tram services in the area for over two hours. Tram lines 3, 17, 21, and 27 were all affected. Services resumed at around 9:00 a.m., but Line 21 remained suspended in Braník due to the presence of the crashed tram. In a statement, the authority said: “We are deeply saddened by this accident and our thoughts are with the injured and their families. We are working to investigate the cause of the collision and to ensure that it does not happen again. We apologize for the disruption to...
Prague is the second most attractive market in CEE for hotel operators with a presence or interest in the region. Its popularity is backed up by H1 being a period of healthy recovery for Prague hotels which achieved the second-highest (after Budapest) RevPAR (revenue per available room) among the region’s capitals. In this year’s first six months, it reached EUR 69, which is an increase of 57% versus H1 2022, and already a 5% increase versus the pre-Covid H1 2019. This was primarily driven by the strong ADR (average daily rate) growth, which surpassed 2019 levels by over 20%. Hotel operators are optimistic about the industry’s outlook and keen to expand across the CEE region. However, 28% of planned hotel projects in the region are facing delays or put on hold, mainly due to the increased development costs. Prague: the second most attractive market in CEE In Cushman & Wakefield’s latest Hotel Operator Beat survey, Prague placed as the second most attractive market in CEE, reaching 4.2 points on a 1–5 scale where 5 means very high interest. Budapest is a little step ahead with 4.3 points, and Warsaw, Krakow and Bucharest complete the top 5 markets targeted by hotel...
It’s been two years since the Prague Writers’ Festival held its annual event in the city of a hundred spires. Prominent writers from around the globe swooped into the Czech Republic, spoke about their lives, and shared their work and culture with hundreds of aficionados of literature. And though some time has passed since it whetted people’s appetites for contemporary letters, Moving Center Literary Festival is taking up the reins to continue to harness Prague’s love of literature. The brainchild of American Prague-based poet and novelist Lucien Zell, Moving Center Literary Festival aims to foster literary exchange and help connect Central European writers to the broader world. Incorporating readings, panel discussions, and workshops, this new annual event is meant to welcome people with established interests in literature as well as those more typically left out of “intellectual” spheres. “Milan Kundera asserted that Central Europe is a “laboratory of twilight,” and I think that phrase is significant on a multitude of levels”, says Zell. “Twilight happens twice a day. First at the beginning of the day, with dawn, and then it happens at the end of the day, with night. Central Europe is a laboratory and we are living experiments. What...
At 85 CZK per beer, the price of enjoying a drink in Prague might surprise you… A prime example of this is Náplavka, where beer prices compete with those at Croatia’s seaside spots. On a floating bar, a pint costs 85 CZK. Even if you’re looking for non-alcoholic beverages, you’ll find yourself dealing with higher costs, like paying 75 CZK for a liter of water. And don’t forget about the craft lemonades and cocktails that add up… Riverside Bar not only provides a unique chillout atmosphere but also offers an assortment of refreshing cocktails and light snacks. What could be better than leisurely walking along the Vltava River during the warm months, accompanied by refreshing drinks and summer tunes? However… the cocktails offered by the bar are priced at around 150 CZK each. The popular Cuba Libre is slightly cheaper by ten crowns, and the beloved Aperol Spritz, is priced at 145 CZK. If you’re looking for budget options, you can go for the Gin and Tonic at 135 CZK. For those who aren’t into cocktails, there’s not much relief from the expenses. A half-liter of beer costs 65 crowns, though it’s Dutch Heineken, despite Staropramen being brewed on the...
The Transport Company of the Capital City of Prague has awarded the production contract for two new cars for the Petřín cableway to DOPPELMAYR lanové dráhy, a subsidiary of the Austrian-Swiss Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group. The contract was officially signed today, August 17, with Doppelmayr’s winning bid of CZK 137.7 million, undercutting the estimated contract value by CZK 12.3 million. The competition for the contract involved two bidders, with the Italian company LEITNER S.p.A./AG as the runner-up. The manufacture of the new vehicles is slated to take 11 months, preceded by a comprehensive design study and production documentation phase. Both carriages for the Petřín cable car will be fabricated in Switzerland, involving various entities within the Doppelmayr/Garaventa group. The actual manufacturing will be carried out by sister company CWA Constructions SA in Olten, specializing in cable car cabin design and production, with an annual output of over 2,000 cars. Meanwhile, cableway control and management systems will be developed by Frey AG Stan in Oberdorf, and rope production will be undertaken by Swiss company FATZER AG from the BRUGG Group. The carriages, tailor-made for Prague, will undergo further detailing during project preparation to determine passenger capacity and vehicle weight. Technical Specs of...
Bringing fresh fish to a country renowned for pork and beef, Seafood Prague aims to combine a traditional fish market with a dining experience where you “eat what you see”. The trendy Vinohradská restaurant was once a simple fish shop, before part-owner Jan Brodecký and his business partner Martin took it over last year and “really developed the concept”. Renovating the location and creating a “portfolio of products to offer customers”, Seafood Prague now sells a variety of local freshwater Czech and ocean fish, seafood including calamari, octopus and mussels, as well as a selection of natural wines that have been paired with the food on offer. Speaking to Prague Morning, Brodecký said his desire to open a seafood market and restaurant came from his time spent living abroad. “I fell in love [with seafood] even more when I lived in Australia,” he said. “There they have these products on every corner.” When he returned to the Czech Republic, he got talking with his business partner while sharing some oysters and decided to try to “create something of my own” in Prague. “I liked the style of something that is still new for the Czech market,” he said. “It’s not...
Starting in early August, a tram is operating across Prague’s streets covered with messages promoting Christianity. The goal of the project is to help passengers become more familiar with faith and the Gospel. The funding for this effort came from church donations and cost around CZK 1 million. Passengers will see signs like “Feeling stressed? Get to know the King of Peace” “Want love? Love is searching for you” or “Need a miracle? Meet the God of Miracles.” Josef Bajzík, the person behind the project, explains, “We want to share the Gospel in new, modern ways. We’re saying that Jesus has the answers, and God brings peace and love.” However, not everyone is excited about the idea. Some people on social media and even some church members have criticized the tram. Pastor Karel Berka, for example, says, “I see this tram going through náměstí Míru. I respect it, but I don’t like how it’s forcing itself on people. I think these things need to be handled carefully.” However, the Prague Transport Company views this form of advertising as acceptable, with DPP spokesperson Aneta Rehkova stating, “Upon investigation, we have determined that it adheres to the established regulations.” So, this tram,...
In a significant move, Prague City Councillors allocated CZK 8.5 million towards supporting an array of initiatives within the city. The primary objective of these projects is to facilitate the seamless integration of Ukrainian children who sought refuge in the Czech Republic following the Russian invasion. The approved funding is earmarked for a variety of purposes, including the facilitation of adaptation and integration endeavors led by the Nusle Ukrainian Center. Additionally, a portion of the funds will be directed towards a range of nonprofit causes, spanning music workshops, activities organized by children’s and youth homes, as well as the production of subtitles for theatrical performances. Among the commendable initiatives receiving financial backing is the Pražský majdan, z.s., project. This project, with a subsidy of approximately CZK 3.15 million, is dedicated to aiding Ukrainian refugees at the Nusle Ukrainian center. This center offers an array different services, including an informative hub, healthcare consultations, housing and employment advice, distribution of humanitarian aid, Czech language courses, and personalized psychological counseling. A sum exceeding CZK 1.3 million will be dedicated to diverse cultural activities. Divadlo na Zábradlí will produce theatre courses and Ukrainian subtitles for performances. The Prague Symphony Orchestra plans interactive music workshops...
Czech Design Week Festival is gearing up to mark its 10th anniversary this year with an exciting event called the New Generation project. The festival will take place from September 7th to 10th, 2023 at Prague’s Mánes Exhibition Hall. Czech Design Week will showcase the impressive work of young designers and artists, highlighting their unique talents. In addition to the usual display of contemporary designs from various creators, this year’s festival introduces the New Generation project. It will feature a selection of the youngest artists who are students or recent graduates in the fields of art and design. Thanks to a collaboration with the We’re Next fashion show, the festival will also have a presence at the new UMPRUM Technology Centre building. Lukáš Pipek, the director of Czech Design Week festival, shared, “Our focus at Czech Design Week has always been on discovering and supporting talented designers and artists. Over the past few years, we’ve noticed that the younger generation in our country continues to uphold the distinctive Czech design spirit through their hard work, creativity, and respect for the past. The New Generation project is our way of showcasing this to the public.” This project also strengthens the festival’s...
The number of vehicles in Prague has surged to 1.26 million, marking an annual increase of nearly 41,000, according to the Technical Administration of Communications (TSK). Throughout the city, vehicles covered a distance of 22.8 million kilometers, which was about 140,000 kilometers less than the previous year. Among the registered vehicles in Prague, passenger cars account for one million, with over 208,000 being added since 2016 alone. The most substantial growth occurred between 1990 and 2000, doubling during that time. Traffic patterns have undergone shifts in the past two years. In 2020, traffic decreased by eight percent compared to the previous year. In 2021, it rebounded to nearly match the pre-peak year of 2019, and it maintained a similar level in the subsequent year. While the downtown traffic intensity remained consistent year-on-year, some vehicles decreased within the outer cordon. Despite undergoing repairs and traffic restrictions during the summer, the Barrandov Bridge remained the busiest road last year, with approximately 139,000 vehicles crossing daily, which was around three thousand fewer compared to the previous year. The Jižní spojka section in Chodovská – V koryty followed as the second busiest, serving 129,000 vehicles, while the Jižní spojka between 5. května and Vídeňská...
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