On January 21, artists of the Cirk La Putyka circus performed in front of the closed bar window, while the audience watched outside. The aim of the Cirk La Putyka events in Prague during Covid-19 pandemic is to get live art back to people during theatres-closed-time. From mid of October 2020, all theatres across the country have been closed to visitors due to measures adopted by the Czech government to counter a surge in new coronavirus.
Some sources state that the very first traffic lights were first installed in Prague on the crossroads in the middle of Wenceslas Square between Vodičkova and Jindřišská Streets on the 21st January 1930. At that time, almost 19,000 cars passed through the junction at peak hours. The same sources state that the first light signalling facility in Prague was manufactured in ČKD Praha and was installed at the crossroads of Hybernská, Dlážděná and Havlíčkova streets by Masarykovo Railway Station as early as 1927. Traffic control in Prague The control of traffic on the busiest crossroads in Prague began on 2nd September 1919; in those days a policeman simply stood in the middle of the crossroads controlling traffic on Můstek and on the other four crossroads assisted with a cosh. He was using a ‘pendrek’ (baton) to direct traffic. Praguers were staring at him and found it all strange. They began calling him ‘pendrek’, and to this day, traffic guards are called that. Traffic lights were not to arrive on the scene until later on. Initially, a quadrilateral semaphore was hung in the center of the crossroads and used for cars coming in from all directions as well as for pedestrians....
Throughout the course of 2020, a total of 3,665,871 passengers passed through the gates of Václav Havel Airport Prague. The operation of the airport was unprecedented due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular the related restrictions on travel and the worldwide decline in demand for flying. As a result, 79% fewer passengers were handled in Prague compared to 2019. In January and February 2020, there were direct flights serviced from Prague to a total of 111 destinations around the world. In the following months, the offer was limited and continued changing based on the epidemiological situation. Passengers were offered flights to up to 87 destinations on an ongoing basis. Last year, the routes to the United Kingdom were, traditionally, the most popular, with the greatest number of passengers flying to/from London. Václav Havel Airport Prague is ready for a gradual return of air carriers and passengers expected during this year. Currently, passengers can take direct flights to over twenty destinations from Prague. The offer of additional direct connections will primarily depend on the development of the epidemiological situation, which will determine the possible relaxation of the rules for travel. The rate and speed of vaccination of the European population and...
Asian cuisine is becoming more and more popular in the heart of Europe. It is easy to see the trend of Asian cuisine in Prague growing as the number of fine dining establishments, noodle bars, sushi bars, and eateries keep popping up one after another in the many neighborhoods of Prague. The new restaurant PRU58 coming to Holešovice, promises to deliver a menu packed full of Asian cuisine with a modern twist. The founder of Café Buddha and Benjamin Štěpán Návrat is the mind behind the new restaurant. Customers can expect an unforgettable dining experience with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, seasonal menu changes, and food that smacks of flavour without compromising on health. No classic pho bo or bum bo nam bo then, only special Asian-style dishes. An example? Quail cooked on a special barbecue with fried bananas and cauliflower or beef with Bangkok curry. According to Návrat, post-covid gastronomy will offer better quality for several reasons. “I think the market will clean it up in a way. There will be fewer companies, so we will be able to teach customers humility and more organization. In addition to catering, companies will provide other services such as cooking...
Fifty-three years ago this week, Jan Palach united his nation by burning himself to death. Jan Palach’s self-immolation in Prague’s Wenceslas Square was arguably the most dramatic suicide of the 20th century. His death brought hundreds of thousands of people into the streets. A quiet student of philosophy with no history of political activism, Palach burned himself alive five months after Soviet tanks had rolled into Czechoslovakia to end a swelling reform movement. Jan Palach died on January 19, 1969, three days after setting himself alight. Protesters and mourners went to the Karolinum, the seat of Charles University’s rectorate, to bow their heads in front of Palach’s coffin. Later, his coffin was taken to Olsany cemetery, where at least 200,000 mourners attended the funeral on January 25. “His self-immolation was not a form of protest at all,” said Lukasz Kaminski, a historian at the University of Wroclaw, who specializes in Soviet-era Central Europe. Instead, Kaminski said, Palach’s “gruesome death was intended to encourage the Czech and Slovak people to resist the occupation.” It did. Following Palach’s self-immolation, many Czechs and Slovaks went on hunger strike; others took to the streets. They insisted that Palach’s calls — expressed in his farewell letters —...
Despite the coronavirus crisis, this is one brand more than the year before Although the retail segment is among those affected the most by the coronavirus crisis, this does not show in the number of brands newly incoming to the Czech market. Whereas 24 new brands came to the country in 2019, in the crisis year 2020 there were 25. This year, the number of newcomer brands could be even higher – some brands postponed opening their shops to 2021 due to the corona crisis. The global coronavirus crisis has obviously hit the entire world, affecting the high street and major premium shopping centres the most. Still, Prague and the Czech Republic have always been and will remain the most important market for new brands coming to the region. “Prague, where most newly incoming brands are headed, has historically been a preferred tourist destination for a long time – so we expect this major part of the local purchasing power to return once this is possible again. The customer potential is also strong among the local citizens: their purchasing power is growing and they tend to buy more expensive products,” said Jan Kotrbáček, Partner & Head of CEE Retail Agency...
Are you a young entrepreneur? Perhaps you work in a start-up? Is working from home just not working for you? Then Node5 by headmade offers you a solution. From young and ambitious professionals, dedicated and experienced senior employees, to nomads and freelancers, Node5 provides coworking spaces located in the business hub neighborhood of Smíchov (Prague 5). Node5 boasts a multifaceted and dynamic co-working space environment, giving professionals many options to choose from. Additionally, if you are looking to be as productive and efficient as possible, Node5 offers snacks, drinks, and the company’s staff will even order food for you, at your request. Depending on what is best suited for your needs, the different options Node5 provides are tailored for a diverse clientele (all offers are available to see on their website): The ‘Working through the day’ offer is suited for freelancers and small teams. Professionals can sit in an ‘open space’, designed to be shared with other professionals, and this option costs 1300 czk/month (+21% VAT). The ‘24/7 Grab a seat’ offer is designed for professionals who work irregular hours, such as working in the night-time, as Node5’s coworking spaces remain open 24/7. This option will cost you 1900 czk...
As most residents and visitors can attest, Prague is a city brimming with old-world charm and fantastic imagery set against a gothic fairy-tale backdrop. The Czech capital has inspired many notable pieces of literature and continues to do so. What follows is a collection of literary works that attempt to capture the magic of a city that’s history is steeped in the occult, alchemy, and folklore. 1. The Metamorphosis 1915 by Franz Kafka Monuments honoring Fanz Kafka can be seen around Old Town Prague as well as an entire museum dedicated to the author. Kafka’s short story The Metamorphosis contains elements of the supernatural as traveling salesman Gregor Samsa wakes up one morning to discover himself morphed into a large insect or “monstrous vermin”. Both The Metamorphosis and The Trial are among his most famous stories which are both set in the city of Prague. 2. Melmoth 2018 by Sarah Perry Since the publication of Melmoth, Perry has emerged as one of the giants of the post-modern gothic genre. Melmoth portrays Prague’s gothic aesthetic while setting the backdrop for protagonist Helen Franklin who works in Prague as a translator. Helen soon learns about the legend of “Melmoth the Witness”, a...
Due to the current epidemic situation, the Prague Half Marathon will not take place in the traditional term at the end of March, but on Sunday 5 September. The organizers published a press release on Friday, January 15. “We have traditionally started the season in the Czech Republic with the Sportisimo Prague Half Marathon in March. This year, because of lingering safety issues, we have decided to organize it for 5 September 2021,” says Carlo Capalbo, President of the RunCzech organizing committee. “As a reward for your patience, we have decided to turn that weekend into a Running Festival called “The Running Games”. In addition to the Half Marathon, we’ll also host a 5 km, and a 10 km race. More information will be provided in the next few months. But the excitement is already building, and we already know it will be magical,” he adds. Regarding the full marathon which should take place on May 2, the organizers asked for patience. “We are in contact with local and international authorities. We are negotiating with World Athletics, the Czech Athletic Association, the National Sports Agency, hygienic stations, the Ministry of Health, and many others. We are trying together to find...
Prague has been treated to a proper snowfall, making the Czech capital look more beautiful than ever. And unsurprisingly people haven’t wasted any time in capturing the city in all its glory.
The undeveloped space at the Golden Prague Hotel, the former InterContinental Hotel, may take on a new look in the future. The current owner of the land plans to build a four-story building, although some civic initiatives do not agree with it. Architect Marek Tichý from the TaK Architects presented what the hotel and its surroundings could look like after the renovation. Hotel InterContinental was bought by the investment company R2G in 2019. Last year, the operation of the hotel was taken over by the luxury chain Fairmont – a part of Accor hospitality group. The landscape design of the hotel surroundings includes expanding the public space and creating a tunnel connecting the embankment with a pedestrian zone all the way to the Vltava river. The project authors also promise to calm the traffic and parking on the Miloš Forman square next to the hotel, where a smaller commercial building is to be built connecting the area with the nearby Pařížská street. “We welcome the openness of the investor, who understands the importance of the location surrounding the hotel. The transformation of the InterContinental Hotel is one of many other projects aimed at making the city centre a more pleasant place for all citizens and visitors,” says Ondřej Boháč, Director of the Institute of Planning...
British retailer Marks & Spencer said on Tuesday it plans to temporarily close its food shops in the Czech Republic because coronavirus restrictions had sapped foot traffic. The British chain is also having trouble with importing goods from the UK, citing difficulties with Brexit. Large signs adorned now the shelves saying, “We’re sorry that some of your favorite foods are not available. This situation is due to the new UK/EU import legislation. We are working hard to ensure that these missing products come back soon.” As Lidovky.cz reports, on Wednesday afternoon, a long queue formed in front of the M&S store in Nový Smíchov shopping center. “People are insane. As soon as it appeared in the media that we were closing, they started shopping like crazy,” says one store assistant. “Shelves with fresh food have been empty due to Brexit for several days, other food items are gradually selling out. But we still have something,” she added. Before closing all 18 domestic stores, the British company wants to sell as much as possible. Food with a shelf life until the end of January has therefore become cheaper by up to 70 percent, and the Christmas sale continues. Fresh food has...
Don’t have an account? Register
Already have an account? Log In
How Would You Like to Promote Your Business? PR ArticleDisplay bannersVideo productionNewsletter adsJob ListingsInfluencer Marketing
Your Email
We will come back to you within 24 hours with our proporsal
