More than one million foreigners are currently living in the Czech Republic, marking a significant increase over the last ten years. This represents approximately 10% of the country’s population, according to the Czech Statistical Office. The number of foreigners has doubled compared to 2013, when roughly 500,000 were registered. The majority of immigrants come from Ukraine, Slovakia, and Vietnam. Together, these groups make up over half of the total foreign population in Czechia. The largest increase has been among Ukrainians, partly due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which prompted many to seek refuge in the country. The number of Slovaks living in the Czech Republic has also risen steadily. Their close cultural ties, shared history, and lack of a language barrier continue to make the Czech Republic an attractive destination for Slovak nationals. The Vietnamese community remains the third-largest group, maintaining a strong presence due to long-standing migration ties dating back to the 20th century. Key Reasons for the Growth The rise in foreign residents is closely tied to economic opportunities and improved living standards in the Czech Republic. Many foreigners relocate for employment, as the country has a low unemployment rate and a growing demand for labor in...
On January 19, 2025, supporters of Ukraine commemorated the Day of Unity (Den’ Sobornosti) by forming a human chain around a large Ukrainian flag on Charles Bridge. The event was attended by Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Zvarych, who emphasized the significance of unity among Ukrainians worldwide. Participants, many donning yellow and blue attire, gathered to express solidarity with Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict. The human chain symbolized the connection between Ukrainians and their supporters, highlighting the importance of unity during challenging times. This event in Prague mirrors similar demonstrations globally, where Ukrainian communities and their allies come together to honor Ukraine’s sovereignty and promote peace. Dnes na Karlově mostě v Praze jsme vytvořili živý řetěz jednoty kolem ukrajinské vlajky! Děkuji všem, kdo byli s námi na této důležité akci. V jednotě je naše síla! V jednotě bude naše vítězství nad ruskou tyranií. #StandWithUkraine #UnitedForUkraine #StopRussianAggression 🇺🇦🤝🇨🇿 pic.twitter.com/2iwWLy00Qg — Vasyl Zvarych (@Vasyl_Zvarych) January 19, 2025 The Ukrainian Unity Day celebrates the anniversary of the unification of eastern and western Ukraine in 1919. Historically, up until 1919, these parts of Ukraine – the Ukraine’s People Republic and West Ukrainian People’s Republic – belonged to different empires. On January 22, 1919, the Treaty...
The Prague Public Transport Company (DPP) has officially signed a contract with Turkish manufacturer Bozankaya Otomotiv Makina Imalat Ithalat ve Ihracat A.Ş. for the supply of 70 partial trolleybuses. The tender, announced in October 2022, covers vehicles intended for gradually electrified routes 131, 137, 176, 191, and 201. The agreement, valued at CZK 1.099 billion (excluding VAT), follows a series of legal challenges and reviews. Domestic competitor Škoda Transportation contested Bozankaya’s win, raising concerns over alleged unauthorized public support and doubts about delivery schedules. Bozankaya’s portfolio includes trolleybuses for cities like Timisoara, Romania, and trams for Naples, Italy. Key Features of the New Trolleybuses The new Bozankaya SNG T12 DPP trolleybuses, fitted with electrical components from Polish manufacturer Medcom, will measure 12 meters in length and feature three doors. They will accommodate up to 82 passengers, including 32 seated, and operate at a top speed of 70 km/h. Equipped with traction batteries, the vehicles can cover at least 15 kilometers on battery power alone, even at full capacity with air conditioning. The supplier guarantees a 15-year minimum service life, with a 10-year warranty covering both the vehicles and batteries, subject to a mileage limit of 600,000 kilometers. The contract also includes...
The popular American fast food chain Five Guys is set to debut in the Czech Republic with its first branch in Prague’s iconic Máj department store on Národní třída. After more than a year of delays, the long-awaited opening is now anticipated to take place in March 2025. Preparations for the branch began in 2023, with initial plans targeting a June 2024 launch. However, the timeline was postponed multiple times, with subsequent estimates pointing to autumn and later the end of the year. According to Karel Samec, spokesperson for Amadeus Real Estate, which manages the Máj department store, the restaurant is now expected to open by March. An advertising banner announcing the upcoming launch has been displayed outside the Máj store for several months. Additionally, Five Guys has launched a Czech-language website introducing its menu and providing job opportunities within the chain. Expansion Across Central Europe The Czech franchise of Five Guys will be managed by Monterock International, a multinational investment holding company involved in private equity, gastronomy, real estate, and sustainable technologies. Monterock also operates two branches of Five Guys in Vienna and has plans to expand the brand further into Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia. Established in Virginia, USA,...
DOX Centre is the largest independent institution focusing on contemporary art in the Czech Republic, which thanks to a private initiative opened to the public in 2008. Since its establishment, DOX has earned a reputation as a forward-thinking space that merges art with social and political engagement. It provides both local and international artists with a stage to explore and challenge contemporary issues, inviting visitors to reconsider the role of art in society through its diverse program of exhibitions, installations, performances, and workshops. DOX was founded by a group of passionate Czech art enthusiasts who envisioned a space where contemporary art could engage with broader societal themes. The building itself is an architectural marvel—a former warehouse repurposed into a modern cultural venue. Its minimalist design, incorporating concrete, glass, and steel, reflects the raw and unpolished essence often found in contemporary art. From its inception, DOX has sought to bridge the gap between art and society by fostering dialogue through interdisciplinary projects. The center not only showcases visual art but also tackles complex issues such as politics, environmental challenges, technology, and social justice. It serves as a meeting place where artists and visitors can engage in discussions relevant to contemporary life....
The eastern edge of Prague is set for a major transformation as the Kyje-Hutě area gears up to become a modern residential district. The city council has approved an urban study spearheaded by the Institute of Planning and Development (IPR), which outlines plans to accommodate 13,000 new residents and up to 4,000 jobs. While private investors will develop a portion of the new housing, much of the land remains city-owned, giving the municipality leverage to shape the area’s development, amenities, and infrastructure. A Modern Approach to Development The urban study provides a comprehensive blueprint addressing transport, infrastructure, and landscape in the Kyje-Hutě area. It will also guide Prague 14 and city officials in managing the interests of developers, landowners, and investors. “This location has long been recognized for its potential to develop into a thriving residential district with excellent access to the city center, thanks to its proximity to major public transport,” said IPR Director Ondřej Boháč. The area benefits from easy access to the newly opened Rajská Zahrada train station, which connects to metro line B and regional rail routes to Lysá nad Labem and Všetaty. Expanding Prague’s Urban Horizons Urban planners are not stopping with Kyje-Hutě. The city...
Relocating to a new country is often an exciting yet stressful experience. Packing your life into boxes, adjusting to temporary housing, and struggling to fit everything into a new, often smaller, home. Sound familiar? This challenge becomes especially common with the rising popularity of micro-apartments in Prague. Whether you’ve moved for work, studies, or to embark on a new adventure, finding a practical solution for your belongings can make the transition significantly smoother. Renting a self storage unit is one of the most effective ways to create extra space. It’s ideal for items that don’t fit in your new home but are still important—whether it’s seasonal items like snowboards holiday decorations, or cherished belongings you want to keep safe. Storage facilities like Less Mess Storage offers secure and private units in a variety of sizes, ranging from compact 0.5 m² spaces to spacious 30 m² units with 24/7 access. This wide selection ensures you only pay for the space you actually need. Should your requirements change over time, switching to a smaller or larger unit is always an option, depending on availability. How to rent a self storage unit? If you’ve never used self storage before, the process is designed...
Appoints.cz is a modern marketplace designed to connect customers with local service providers quickly and effortlessly. With user-friendly filters, diverse categories, and a seamless reservation system, it simplifies the process for customers while empowering vendors with personalized profiles and tools to grow their businesses. Every completed order also contributes to tree planting in collaboration with Sázíme Česko, making Appoints.cz a platform with a purpose. To understand the vision behind this innovative platform, we spoke with Rufat Gafarov, Co-founder of Appoints.cz, about its features, future plans, and environmental impact. A Vision for Simplicity and Connection Q: What inspired you to create Appoints.cz? Rufat: We created Appoints.cz because finding local service providers can be surprisingly difficult, especially if you need someone who speaks your language. To solve this, we introduced a language filter alongside other practical features, making it easier than ever to find the right provider and book their services. Features That Make a Difference Q: What features does Appoints.cz currently offer, and how does it benefit users? Rufat: For vendors, we provide personalized profiles tailored to their selected categories. They can showcase their services, set pricing, add employees, chat with clients, and share photos. Vendors can enhance visibility by adding...
From Thursday, 16 January, to Saturday, 18 January 2025, Prague’s Světozor cinema will host the third edition of KVIFF Classics, a showcase of classic films organized by the Karlovy Vary Film Festival in cooperation with the National Film Archive. As usual, the KVIFF Classics show, with the subtitle Returns of Film Legends, will offer Czech and foreign films that have made an indelible mark on the history of world cinema and can no longer be seen on the big screen. Since most of the featured films have undergone digital restoration, the event continues the tradition of presenting restored films and retrospectives at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival. The festival will commemorate, among other milestones, the centenaries of the birth of three film greats: actors Paul Newman and Peter Sellers, and director Robert Altman. KVIFF Classics will open with Věra Chytilová’s Kalamita, whose restored version was made possible thanks to the financial support of Milada and Eduard Kučer. “Classics belong on cinema screens, and we are happy to continue this mission. The third edition of KVIFF CLASSICS presents a varied genre mix of films that have stood the test of time with honour, among other things thanks to the captivating charisma...
Penny Market’s latest advertisement has turned heads across Prague, particularly in Modřany, where its billboard offering free silicone breast implants has stirred considerable attention. This unusual promotion is part of a broader campaign to raise awareness about breast cancer while providing tangible benefits to the public. The marketing campaign offers a discount of up to CZK 100,000 on breast implants, as well as free purchases of up to 10,000 crowns, provided customers meet the competition’s criteria. Penny Market spokesperson Kamila Kottnauerová confirmed that five winners will receive free plastic surgery as part of the promotion. But the store’s initiative goes beyond mere sales tactics. Penny Market has partnered with a breast cancer prevention campaign, seeking to inform the public about the importance of early detection. In addition to the discounts, Penny Market is offering free breast ultrasound examinations to women who may not have access to them through their insurance. Any woman who books an appointment at the Smíchov Health Center in Prague by the end of January and completes the exam by June 30, 2025, will receive the service at no cost. The response to the campaign has been overwhelming. Within the first day, the available slots for the...
Police are calling for the public’s assistance in locating a young man who witnessed a tragic accident at the Luka metro station. A man died after falling down a flight of stairs, and investigators believe the witness’s account could help clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident. The fatal fall occurred on Saturday, October 5th, in the afternoon. The man reportedly fell down the stairs, remained lying at the bottom, and later succumbed to his injuries. According to police spokesman Jan Rybanský, the witness likely saw the entire event and may have noticed crucial details that were not captured on surveillance footage. “It is possible that the young man observed additional factors, such as the causes of the fall, which are not visible in the seized records,” said Rybanský. Footage from a security camera reveals that the young man noticed the victim lying at the bottom of the stairs. He initially turned to leave but then took photos with his mobile phone before walking away. Police are urging anyone who recognizes the young man, knows his identity, or has information about the incident to contact the emergency line at 158. Rybanský also appealed directly to the witness, encouraging him to visit...
Prague City is revisiting the idea of limiting noise from concerts after 10:00 p.m. City councilor Adam Zábranský (Piráti) revealed plans to draft a new decree addressing the issue and introduce a citywide regulation that includes specific exceptions for designated areas. Addressing a Recurring Issue The debate over concert noise intensified during the pandemic when protective measures led to performances being relocated from Lucerna Music Bar to Prague Open Air in Braník. Nearby residents complained about the frequent loud music, prompting then-councilor for legislation, Hana Kordová Marvanová, to propose a regulation limiting noise. Zábranský now seeks inspiration from similar noise ordinances in other Czech cities, where regulations are already in place for larger metropolitan areas. He proposes extending the ban on certain events, such as concerts, across Prague after 10:00 p.m., with potential exceptions allowing activities until 11:00 p.m. in less noise-sensitive zones. Balancing Noise Control and Cultural Events Zábranský suggests defining exceptions for specific locations where noise complaints are less likely, striking a balance between maintaining cultural events and respecting residents’ rights. “There is an agreement that a specific regulation is necessary because the current situation is unsatisfactory,” Zábranský explained. He emphasized that the decree would directly address music-related...
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