In an unconventional approach to cleaner streets, Prague 3 has introduced its very own superhero — Exkreman — to remind dog owners of a simple responsibility: pick up after your pet. Throughout June, residents of Žižkov began noticing stickers on pavements that read, “Exkreman sees you. Whoever doesn’t pick up — let them be ashamed!” The slogan, paired with a bold “EE” logo, marks the arrival of a new public awareness campaign that’s both playful and pointed. The brain behind the character is filmmaker František Loukota, while the costume was crafted by artist Olivia Dorůžková. Exkreman, with his unmistakable costume and satirical tone, is designed to promote cleaner public spaces in a way that’s hard to ignore. “I often observe dog walkers, and I’d say 99% of them carry bags and clean up properly,” says Prague 3 Mayor Michal Vronský. “That certainly wasn’t the case five years ago. It shows that these types of campaigns do have an effect.” Vronský believes the superhero concept will resonate even more with the public. “I’m glad we’re continuing with this initiative in a fresh, original form,” he adds. The city district has a long track record of blending humor and civic responsibility in...
For the first time ever, Colombia’s Independence Day will be officially celebrated in the Czech Republic. Organized by ASOCOLCZ and the Embassy of Colombia in Prague, the event will take place on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at Betlémské náměstí 269/1, right in the heart of the city. The full-day celebration, running from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., promises a colourful mix of Colombian music, traditional food, and cultural activities — all infused with the warmth and energy of Latin America. This marks the first official recognition of July 20, Colombia’s national holiday, on Czech soil. While informal gatherings have taken place in the past, this year’s event is a milestone for the growing Colombian community in Prague and across the country. Organisers have confirmed several performances and food stalls, with more announcements expected in the coming weeks. The event is free and open to all — locals, expats, and especially anyone who wants to experience the rich flavours and rhythms of Colombia. “It’s not just a celebration of independence; it’s a celebration of identity and community,” said one of the organisers. “We want to share our culture with everyone in Prague.” The event is part of the 5th Colombian Week...
Power has been fully restored across the Czech Republic following a widespread blackout that disrupted electricity supplies to Prague, parts of eastern Bohemia, and several northern and central regions, including Liberec, Ústí nad Labem, and the Central Bohemian Region. According to ČEPS, the national transmission system operator, all substations are now operational, and electricity distribution is gradually stabilizing across the affected areas. The outage struck around midday on Friday, causing extensive disruptions in both residential and public infrastructure. In Prague, large areas went dark, with two-thirds of the city temporarily without electricity. “The outage primarily hit the right bank of the Vltava River,” said Jan Bílek, spokesperson for Pražská energetika (PRE), in a statement to Czech Television. Substations in Malešice and Chodov were among those knocked offline. For a brief period, Řeporyje was the only operational substation serving the capital. By around 2:15 p.m., ČEPS confirmed that all Prague-area substations were back online. PRE’s Petr Holubec reported that by 2:30 p.m., most districts in Prague had their power restored. He acknowledged that some outer areas, including Letňany and Černý Most, might have experienced delays, but were also expected to be reconnected shortly. However, as of 2:50 p.m., households in Vršovice...
A widespread power outage brought large parts of Prague to a standstill on Friday morning, leaving residents without electricity, halting metro service. Prague Energy (PRE) confirmed the outage was caused by a failure at the ČEPS substation in Chodov. Firefighters responded to a high number of people trapped in elevators, particularly in residential buildings. Energy analysts reported a sudden 30% drop in grid load. According to Miroslav Řezáč, spokesperson for the Prague Fire Department, emergency units were dispatched to Chodov, Horní Měcholupy, Střížkov, Žižkov, and Vysočany. Blackouts were also reported in Letňany and several nearby areas. The city’s public transport system was severely disrupted. Metro lines A, B, and C were all out of service for several hours. Multiple tram lines and trolleybuses were also affected, causing widespread delays and forcing commuters to seek alternative transport. Residents also reported problems with non-functioning ATMs and other digital services reliant on the electricity grid. The outage is one of the most serious to hit the Czech electricity grid in recent memory. “We are currently investigating the extent of the outage and the complications it has caused,” Czech Interior Minister Vít Rakušan posted on X. Live updates: Traffic lights at key intersections —...
As temperatures in Czechia climb to dangerous levels, Prague officials have extended the city-wide ban on outdoor fires until further notice. The decision, announced following a fire danger warning by the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute on Wednesday, aims to reduce the growing risk of wildfires in the region. The ban was initially set to expire on Tuesday, later extended to Wednesday, and now remains in effect indefinitely. The extension applies to all areas deemed high-risk for fire ignition and spread, as outlined by city regulations. According to fire safety rules defined by the Prague City Hall, the following areas are considered at increased fire risk: Forests and areas within 50 meters of their edges Parks, forest parks, gardens, and other vegetation zones Hay and straw storage areas and their immediate surroundings Agricultural fields where dry crops could ignite easily In these areas, several activities are strictly prohibited during periods of elevated fire risk: Starting or maintaining an open fire, such as burning leaves, branches, or waste Smoking, with the exception of electronic cigarettes Using fireworks, firecrackers, or other pyrotechnics Lighting flying lanterns, torches, or similar ignition sources Discarding burning or smoldering objects, including cigarette butts Operating steam locomotives without approved fire...
Czech lawmakers are backing a plan to increase the nightly accommodation tax for short-term visitors to align Czech tourist destinations with other European cities. A group of MPs has introduced an amendment to the tourism business law that would allow municipalities to raise the maximum nightly fee from 50 to 100 Czech crowns per person. The measure, if passed, would affect stays of up to 60 days and leave the final decision on pricing to local governments. One of the amendment’s backers, Michal Zuna of the TOP 09 party, argued that the increase brings the Czech Republic more in line with its European peers. “It’s a 100 percent increase, from 50 to 100 crowns. Four euros — that’s a mid-range amount in the European context,” he explained. The proposal has broad cross-party support and is signed by MPs from several parties, including STAN, ODS, and TOP 09. They argue that the current cap, set in 2021, is outdated and fails to reflect the financial demands posed by modern tourism, especially in areas dominated by short-term rental platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com. Supporters of the hike say municipalities are struggling to fund infrastructure and public services in the face of mass...
A 70-year-old man from Prague has fallen victim to an elaborate online romance scam, losing more than six million Czech crowns—and eventually even his home. The victim first connected with the fraudster through a social media platform, according to police spokesperson Kristýna Zelinková. What started as friendly online chats soon evolved into a full-blown virtual romance. The scammer, posing as the American actress Sandra Bullock, promised marriage, a personal visit, and even a shared future in the United States. Despite all communication happening entirely in Czech, the victim never questioned the reality of the situation. Over time, the perpetrator deepened the deception, frequently asking for money under various pretexts. “In most cases, it involved buying and sending gift cards,” said Zelinková. The victim didn’t just part with his savings. In desperation to fulfill the scammer’s demands, he began selling his personal property and eventually lost his house. The man contacted the local police department in Prague 4 in the first half of June. Prague police are now investigating the case as fraud. If caught and convicted, the scammer could face up to eight years in prison. Authorities are again urging the public to exercise extreme caution when forming online relationships...
Visitors to Prague are being warned about extremely high prices in some shops and taxis around the city center. A recent investigation by tvnoviny.sk, a Slovak news website, shows how easily travelers can pay far more than the usual rate for everyday items and short taxi rides. The reporters started their test at Prague Main Station, looking for a taxi to Wenceslas Square. According to local taxi apps, the trip should cost around 120 CZK. However, one driver refused to take such a short trip, while others offered the ride for at least 500 CZK, more than four times the normal price. When asked for a receipt, one driver became nervous, lowered the price, but still refused to give any proof of payment. After the journalist revealed she worked for the media and started speaking Slovak, the driver returned the money and quickly left the scene. 900 CZK for Bottled Water, 150 CZK for Beer The investigation also looked at prices in small shops near Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square. In one store, a six-pack of bottled water was selling for 900 CZK. A single can of beer was priced at 150 CZK. When the journalist asked why the...
Summer in Prague isn’t just about sightseeing and crowded tourist spots. The city offers a wide range of free cultural events where both locals and visitors can enjoy theater, history, and music without spending a crown. Here are five top picks for July 2025. Puppets and Circus at Strossmayerovo náměstí – Every Wednesday From July 2 to August 27, the space behind the Church of St. Anthony on Strossmayerovo náměstí will transform into a lively open-air stage. Starting at 4 PM every Wednesday, families can enjoy a series of puppet shows and creative performances. Expect everything from circus acts and vegetable ballets to magical cabarets and forest fairy tales designed for children but entertaining for adults too. A Rare Glimpse Inside the Liechtenstein Palace – July 5 For one day only, on July 5 from 9 AM to 4 PM, the usually closed Liechtenstein Palace on Kampa Island will open its doors to the public. Normally reserved for government and diplomatic events, the historic 16th-century building will offer guided tours throughout the day. Visitors will hear stories about the palace’s famous guests, including Queen Elizabeth II, King Juan Carlos of Spain, and Emperor Akihito of Japan. No registration is required,...
On Saturday, July 5, we celebrate the arrival of the Slavic evangelists Cyril and Methodius in the Czech lands, and on Sunday, July 6, we commemorate the Day of the Burning of Master Jan Hus. On March 1, 2016, a law restricting sales in areas of more than 200 square meters was enacted. It typically applies to large shopping centers and supermarkets, excluding small convenience stores, “večerky,” gas stations, and pharmacies. Will the shops be open this year? The answer is yes, for most. These public holidays are not subject to the Retail and Wholesale Sales Hours Act, which came into force on 1 October 2016. According to this law, stores over 200 square meters must be closed during designated public holidays. In addition to stores, second-hand stores, pawnbrokers and similar shops must remain closed. The law also divides public holidays into two categories according to whether or not the stores are closed. Public holidays when stores must be closed: January 1 – New Year’s Day April 1 – Easter Monday May 8 – Liberation Day September 28 – Statehood Day October 28 – Independence Day December 24 – Christmas Eve (after 12:00 pm) December 25 – Christmas Day December 26 – 2nd Day of Christmas Public holidays when stores can be open: March 29 – Good Friday May 1 – May...
Prague’s public transport network is set for a major upgrade in passenger comfort. Over the next six years, the Prague Public Transport Company (DPP) will install air conditioning in 123 Škoda 15T trams that currently lack this feature. The city has already issued a public contract for the work, with an estimated value of CZK 431.5 million (excluding VAT), according to DPP spokesperson Daniel Šabík. At present, 127 of Prague’s 15T trams are air-conditioned, out of roughly 770 trams operating across the city. In addition, all new Škoda 52T trams, currently being tested on Prague’s tracks, will come equipped with air conditioning from the start. “In the summer, tram travel will become much more comfortable,” said Zdeněk Hřib, Prague’s Deputy Mayor for Transport (Pirates party). “In the coming years, we expect to have up to 450 modern, air-conditioned, and barrier-free trams operating in Prague. Passenger comfort matters because public transport isn’t just about punctuality, but also about making the ride pleasant.” The DPP plans to sign a six-year framework agreement with the winning contractor. Under the contract, the supplier will upgrade at least 20 trams annually. When evaluating bids, DPP will base 80 percent of the decision on price and...
Prague locals and tourists were met with an unusual sight on the Vltava River over the weekend. As part of a global promotion for the upcoming third season of Netflix’s Squid Game, two large inflatable dolls—resembling the show’s infamous Red Light, Green Light doll—floated down the river, drawing curious onlookers and dozens of pedal boat crews. The figures, drifting past landmarks like the Charles Bridge, quickly became a photo magnet. Dozens of people on pedal boats steered closer to get selfies with the oversized dolls, which towered several meters above the water surface. The Prague installation is part of a wider Netflix global marketing campaign for the new season of Squid Game. Similar pop-up events have appeared in recent weeks across cities including Tokyo, New York, Bangkok, Berlin, Rome, Jeddah, and Jakarta, according to Netflix’s official website. One of the biggest gatherings took place in Seoul, South Korea, where thousands of fans assembled for a large-scale event. Although Prague’s floating dolls didn’t involve such crowds, the stunt still grabbed social media attention, with photos and videos circulating widely. Poland’s capital Warsaw also joined in, showcasing Squid Game dolls and photo zones for fans. Meanwhile in Australia, viewers got the chance...
Don’t have an account? Register
[swpm_registration_form level=”6″]
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