Posts

On Saturday, Czech scouts lit lanterns with the Bethlehem Light in Linz, Austria, and brought it to Brno by train that evening. The flame, taken from the so-called eternal fire that travels annually from Bethlehem around the world, will be...

The Christmas market on Old Town Square is rated by the world media as one of the most beautiful in the world. Every year it attracts some 750,000 visitors from at home and abroad. So what makes this Christmas market so special and what is in...

Online communication with authorities should be accessible to everyone by law, but in practice, this is often not the case, as Klára Šimáčková Laurenčíková, the government’s human rights commissioner, points out. She explains that people...

Behind the doors of a small workshop in Velvary, near Prague, simple ingredients are transformed into soft, delicious gingerbread. Gingerbread maker Kateřina develops her own recipes and shows that gingerbread can be more than just a Christmas...

A digital replica of Prague’s famed astronomical clock is now on display in the Knights’ Hall of the Old Town Hall. Thanks to the virtual model, visitors can gain a clearer understanding of how the world’s oldest functioning mechanism actually...

Vojta Berka, a Czech artist and illustrator, recently took a trip to the United States and saw it all — from the skyscrapers of New York City, to the vast countryside of Utah. Along the way, he filled his notebook with sketches of American...

Arnošt Lustig, one of the great figures of Czech literature, would have turned 100 next year. On the occasion, FestivAL100 will celebrate his enduring legacy. His powerful message of humanity, even in the darkest of times, resonates to this...

The Czech Republic has dozens of castles and chateaux whose history is well documented and whose interiors are open to visitors. However, some castle ruins have yet to reveal their secrets and modern technology is helping to uncover what lies...

Keep getting lost in Prague’s city centre? Residents and visitors can now find their way more easily thanks to “Prague Walker”, a new pedestrian signage system that shows that sometimes walking really is the quickest way to get around. The new...

The Czech Nightingale Awards, Český slavík, are the country’s annual popularity poll for singers and bands, decided entirely by public vote. This year, Ewa Farna triumphed among female singers for the third consecutive year, also claiming the...

In December 1905, Austrian ophthalmologist Eduard Konrad Zirm performed in Olomouc the first successful corneal transplant in the world. Czech medicine thus became a pioneer in a field that continues to develop even in the modern era – for...

Czechs embrace the Christmas season with enthusiasm, but long-term statistics show that church attendance in Czechia is among the lowest in Europe. In this episode of Czechast, we explore why these two realities coexist — and where the roots of...

After five years of renovation, the main building of the Museum of Prague at Florenc is reopening to the public. Visitors will find a completely new digital and interactive exhibition called City Through Time, based on the museum’s most...

The UNESCO committee has added amateur theater in Czechia to its list of intangible cultural heritage, the Czech Ministry of Culture announced on Wednesday. This is the tenth item that Czechia has on the list. Since Tuesday, the UNESCO...

On the occasion of the National Day of Romania, The Ambassador of Romania in the Czech Republic, H.E. Mrs. Antoaneta Barta, and Mr. Bogdan Barta hosted a reception at Prague – Kaiserštejnský Palác. RNDr. Miloš Vystrčil, President of the Senate...

In the Winter issue of the Czech & Slovak Leaders magazine, we will feature a travel article about Rwanda. Until then, in every newsletter, we will publish a promo for it. Lake Kivu is the biggest lake in Rwanda, with many islands in the...

On the occasion of the 113rd Anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of Albania, H.E. Mr. Ilir TEPELENA – the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the Czech Republic, and Mrs. Marsela Tepelena, hosted a reception at the Oriental...

It’s become a great tradition, to support Ukrainian youth by the Korean Embassy in Prague, at their beautiful hall of events. The concert starts with a Christmas Song performed by H.E. Mr. Youngki HONG, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, H.E...

Excellent news reached us from Riyadh on Friday, November 28, 2025: the winner of the Best Cookbook award at the Gourmand Awards International, during the Saudi Feast food festival, was announced. It was the Indonesian cookbook “Indonesia...

Alfons Mucha’s sculpture “Nature” sold at a major Prague auction for CZK 18.35 million including fees, setting a new domestic record for the artist, according to the European Arts Investments auction house. The bronze bust, created in 1900 and...

The Renaissance chateau in the east Bohemian town of Pardubice will have a new representative hall with a unique wavy bubble ceiling designed by architect Eva Jiřičná. It consists of 1,100 bubble-shaped pieces made of plaster that will ensure...

The Madonna from Havraň, a rare medieval sculpture of the Virgin Mary, has gone on display in the Convent of St. Agnes of Bohemia in Prague. The National Gallery acquired the object three years ago, and it has since undergone careful...

Have you ever wondered where to send your Czech Christmas wishes to? It’s not to Santa Claus at the North Pole, but instead to little Baby Jesus (or Ježíšek) whose “official” Christmas address is the post office in Boží Dar, the highest-located...

Roráty, the centuries-old Advent dawn Masses, remain one of the most distinctive spiritual traditions in Czech and Central European culture. Celebrated in darkness and by candlelight, they offer a quiet moment of reflection before sunrise. A...

Bhutan and Czechia are not two countries we would immediately link together. Yet, they share a 20-year history of collaboration, with Bhutan being UNICEF Czechia’s most consistently supported partner. Current aid focuses on 9,000 young Buddhist...

Exactly 220 years ago, on December 2, 1805, one of the most significant battles in European history unfolded near Slavkov. Emperor Napoleon I of France defeated the joint Russian-Austrian army in a brutal clash that claimed around 60,000 lives...

Czech and US scientists have just launched TerraDrought, the first global system for monitoring drought and forecasting its impacts. To better understand how this tool works, what kinds of data it provides, and who it can help, I spoke with...

In the heart of Olomouc stands the monumental Baroque Holy Trinity Column, a 32-meter landmark consecrated in 1754 in the presence of Empress Maria Theresa. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000 for its exceptional authenticity, it...

A major retrospective of Eva Švankmajerová — painter, stage designer, writer, and a leading figure of Czech surrealism — is now on display at Prague’s DOX Centre for Contemporary Art. Titled Woe to the Painting…, the exhibition spans her entire...

The number of women driving buses, trolleybuses, and trams in Czechia is rising. According to the Association of Transport Companies, there are now 1,293 women drivers, about 12% of all public transport operators. The organization presented a...

Beekeeping has become a surprising new tool in the fight against poverty in Zambia, helping many poor families in rural areas to survive. Beekeeping has big potential but many locals lack the necessary equipment to get started. How is the Czech...

In this episode of Prague Off the Beaten Track, we take you into Stromovka, Prague’s vast Royal Game Reserve. Once a medieval hunting ground, today it’s one of the city’s most beloved and tranquil parks. Just a short walk from Výstaviště, it...

Prague has been pulled into the Stranger Things universe with new installations at the Albertov and Chodovská tram-stops. A looming Demogorgon and a symbolic portal to the “Upside Down” promote the fifth and final season of the hit Netflix...

President Petr Pavel has described the Bedřiška settlement as a unique example of how residents of a socially excluded area transformed their neighbourhood into a thriving community. In his view – and that of many others defending the...

The Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia H.E. Ms. Solangel  ORTIZ MEJIA,hosted the opening ceremony of the cultural exhibition “Gold and Coca Leaf”  and the gastronomic event  “Flavours of the Colombian Caribbean in Prague”, at the at...

In the Winter issue of the Czech & Slovak Leaders magazine, we will feature a travel article about Rwanda. Until then, in every newsletter, we will publish a promo for it. “The way back to the Cyamudongo tourist centre took us about two...

The Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan H.E Mr. Bakyt DYUSSENBAYEV, and his spouse, hosted at the Vienna Diplomat hotel farewell reception. Here are selected sections of H.E Mr. Bakyt DYUSSENBAYEV and H.E. Most Reverend Jude Thaddeus OKOLO...

A Ukrainian delegation, including children returned home under the Presidential program Bring Kids Back UA and civilian women freed from Russian captivity, was received by Pope Leo XIV in The Vatican city. Witnesses of Suffering: Each child and...

A new book has just been released that captures Prague’s famous St. Vitus Cathedral, in remarkable detail. Called St. Vitus Cathedral, The Stone Crown of the Kingdom, it was created by photographer Jan William Drnek and includes photos of...

Archaeologists are concluding a major investigation into the 12th-century origins of Třebíč, a Moravian town about 60 kilometres west of Brno. Their work has already earned the prestigious Patrimonium pro futuro award, presented by the National...

For the first time, visitors in Brno can see the city’s Christmas lights from above. Every Saturday until Christmas, you can hop on a hot-air balloon in front of the Janáček Theatre. See more here.

Porcelain mantel clocks with digital displays or vases shaped like rubber boots — these are just two of the iconic objects created by one of Czechia’s most outstanding designers, Maxim Velčovský. His work is now being showcased in a...

The expulsion of more than three million Sudeten Germans from post-war Czechoslovakia in 1945 not only changed the face of the region but left many German graves abandoned. Some municipalities repair and maintain the graves on regional budgets...

Czechia consistently ranks among the heaviest-drinking countries in Europe. A new addictology screening program aims to identify risky alcohol and tobacco use sooner and guide people to help before long-term harm develops. The online training...

Polish President Karol Nawrocki on Monday paid his first visit to the Czech Republic since taking office. Traditionally strong partners and allies, the two neighbours have been brought even closer together by the worsening security situation...

How do babies learn the language—or languages—of their parents? Can they distinguish between different dialects? And do bilingual children babble differently to their mom and dad? Czech psycholinguist Nikola Paillereau and her international...

Forged from weapons used by Russia in Ukraine, the “bell of freedom” now rings from the north tower of the Church of the Holy Saviour next to the Charles Bridge. Formally handed over by the Dutch royal couple in June, it was blessed last week...

Born in Červený Kostelec, Petr Novotný has become one of the most recognisable foreign outdoor personalities in Taiwan, a place he now calls home. Known as “Beast runner”, he has pushed himself through some of the island’s toughest...

A special smart T-shirt is being developed in collaboration between scientists from the Technical University of Ostrava and Masaryk University. The unique system of sensors will examine Czechia’s space crew’s reactions to stress in orbit...

In November 1985, Czechoslovak Radio made history in global broadcasting. From Prague’s Rudolfinum, a concert by the Symphony Orchestra was transmitted live to Tokyo—for the very first time digitally via satellite. This bold experiment became a...

Fans flock to see rock legends Lucie live as the band marks its 40th anniversary with a huge nationwide tour, promising their most spectacular shows yet. Founded in 1985 by singer-guitarist Robert Kodym and bass player Petr Chovanec (P. See...

In this episode of Czechast, we reveal the unexpected Czech footprint behind one of the world’s most prestigious gastronomic symbols. Smalt Brno company manufactures the iconic enamel plaques displayed by Michelin-starred restaurants across the...

Czechs have improved their English skills, with the country ranking 23rd in the global English Proficiency Index published by EF Education First. Brno performed especially well, surpassing Prague – and even cities such as Oslo, Bern, and...

In 2024, Czechia sent 1.5 million rounds to Kyiv and aims to supply 1.8 million by the end of 2025. This is by far the largest part of Europe’s vital ammunition supplies to Ukraine. Czech support for Ukraine has been steadfast. But can we...

In the Winter issue of the Czech & Slovak Leaders magazine, we will feature a travel article about Rwanda. Until then, in every newsletter, we will publish a promo for it. Kigali is Rwanda capital city. A beautiful city, very clean and with...

The President of the Republic, Petr Pavel, and Mrs. Eva Pavlová welcomed the President of the Republic of Albania, Bajram Begaj, and his wife, Armanda Begajová, to Prague Castle on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. The statesmen discussed mutual...

The night sky over the Czech Republic lit up with northern lights on Tuesday night, visible from many parts of the country. Stunning photos were captured in Pec pod Sněžkou in the Krkonoše Mountains, near Husova Bouda, showing the spectacle...

The six-day Bohemian Switzerland Ridge Trail takes hikers through dramatic rock formations, deep forests and breath-taking views — and it is now officially one of Europe’s most beautiful. The trail has been awarded the Leading Quality...

A new church is taking shape in the central Bohemian town of Neratovice, built with 3D printing technology. Much of the structure will be assembled from concrete pieces that click together like parts of a puzzle. The Church of the Holy Trinity...

The 2nd Prague Comedy Festival is back in November with plenty of laughs to warm you up in the cold. It is organised by the team behind the Prague Fringe held every May and offers a rich programme of comedy from around the world. Radio Prague...

Nearly fifteen thousand songs from all regions of Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia are now freely available through a new online library called Písňovna.cz. The project was created by the Institute of Ethnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences...

The Diaconia of the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren has launched its 15th nationwide Christmas gift collection “Shoebox“. Held under the auspices of the country’s First Lady Eva Pavlová, the project enables people to help light up the...

What was it like for women in Czechoslovakia to live and create under a totalitarian regime? How did they resist, and how did their art reflect their struggle for freedom? Some of the answers to these questions can be found in Women’s Artistic...

A new study by Czech ornithologists reveals why some birds are more scared of humans than others. By examining nearly 70 species in Prague’s parks and cemeteries, researchers found that the key factor shaping a bird’s “fear of humans” is its...

In a special episode of Czechast, we revisit a 2019 discussion on the state of Czech democracy with Jiří Pehe and Tomáš Sedláček. Recorded at a time when Andrej Babiš was Prime Minister, the debate feels even more relevant today. As Czechia...

Did you know that the boats in Game of Thrones, Vikings, The Chronicles of Narnia, or the recent hit musical Wicked were built in Czechia? Specifically in the town of Lipník nad Bečvou, where a new exhibition at the Konírna Gallery showcases...

On November 16, 1880, the Czech Velocipedists’ Club was established in Prague’s Smíchov district. It was the very first cycling club in the territory of what was then Austria-Hungary. It was founded by brothers Josef and František Kohout, sons...

Music doesn’t always have to spring from deep emotions or the beauty of nature. Sometimes, inspiration comes straight from the kitchen. That’s exactly the idea behind an educational concert for children organised by Czech Radio, entitled Music...

In this episode of Prague Off the Beaten Track, we explore Bohnice, a Prague district with a fascinating mix of history, nature, and calm. It’s a place where ivy has reclaimed forgotten graves and trails lead to scenic lookouts above the city...

Three dozen vintage Čechie–Böhmerland motorcycles — often described as the longest in the world — are now on display at Prague’s National Technical Museum. The exhibition marks 100 years since the production of these iconic machines first began...

It has long been known that the liver can regenerate. A new study now shows how: scientists in Czechia have discovered that the liver uses ammonia – highly toxic under normal conditions – and converts it into the amino acid glutamine, which...

On the occasion of the 17th anniversary of Czechia’s accession to the European Space Agency (ESA), a permanent interactive exhibition titled ESA: Earth from Space was officially opened at the Prague Planetarium on Wednesday, November 12. The...

Few diners realise that the coveted plaques displayed by Michelin-starred restaurants are manufactured in Brno. For the Michelin Guide, which has shaped global gastronomy for more than a century, these small signs are an essential symbol of...

The Aussie & Kiwi Film Fest in Prague is special in two aspects: it is organised entirely by volunteers, and a short film precedes each screening. This year’s edition will run from November 14 to 21. What not to miss? Bringing the best of...

In the Winter issue of the Czech & Slovak Leaders magazine, we will feature a travel article about Rwanda. Until then, in every newsletter, we will publish a promo for it. In this video, we have dogs who are being trained to protect against...

Last Thursday, Tomio Okamura (SPD) ordered the removal of the Ukrainian flag from the Czech lower house of parliament shortly after being elected its speaker. The act sparked widespread debate across the Czech political scene. The latest...

Exactly twenty-five years ago, on November 9, 2000, a new chapter of Jewish history began in Liberec. In the heart of the city, the only synagogue built in Czechia since the end of the Second World War was ceremonially opened. The modern prayer...

British music star Jamie Cullum takes the stage at Prague’s O2 Universum tonight, bringing his unmistakable pop-infused jazz to Czech fans. The set will feature beloved hits alongside new tracks from his forthcoming tenth album. Should jazz...

The Chotek Gardens, Prague’s first public park, will undergo a major renovation and redesign, marking the first improvement of any kind to the historic space in thirty years. Residents and visitors can expect to see the first stages of the...

The 27th annual Poetry Day festival opens on Monday in cities and towns throughout Czechia. The event features public readings by Czech and international poets, theatre and music performances, exhibitions, workshops, and activities for children...

Czech cavers discovered what may be the world’s largest spider web in a cave on the Albania–Greece border, home to over 100,000 spiders. The find was made in 2022, but an international team of scientists has now confirmed its significance: it...

In this special episode of Czechast, we revisit a report originally produced for Radio Prague International that tells the story of the Czechoslovak Legionnaires — soldiers who fought across Europe and deep into Siberia to secure their...

Lukáš Dolanský is a well-known journalist who until this year served as Czech Television’s correspondent in the United Kingdom. Dolanský underwent something of a baptism of fire in the posting, arriving just days before the news broke of the...

Nová Bystřice is a small South Bohemian town near the Austrian border. Allegedly the oldest town in the Jindřichův Hradec region, it attracts visitors with its monuments as well as its historic vehicles. In fact, it boasts the largest...

The mushing races, held this weekend at the Pardubice Racecourse, drew 940 competitors from 31 countries. Participants competed in three disciplines: canicross, bikejöring, and scooterjöring. Source

Today, Freedom Week began throughout Czechia. The event is organized by Díky, že můžem (“thanks that we can”) in support of freedom and democracy. More than 80 cultural and educational institutions are taking part in the commemorations...

The feast of St. Martin was still a few days away, but bottles of Svatomartinské — or St. Martin’s wines — were already on sale across Czechia. This year’s record-early launch was made possible by a rule change allowing sales to begin before...

Almost 80 works by leading figures of Czech Cubism are now on display at the Kampa Museum in Prague. The remarkable collection has been built by the Gallery of West Bohemia in Plzeň over more than sixty years — and it’s the first time the...

The Aussie & Kiwi Film Fest in Prague is special in two aspects: it is organised entirely by volunteers, and a short film precedes each screening. This year’s edition will run from November 14 to 21. What not to miss? See the rest here...

On the occasion of the 17th anniversary of Czechia’s accession to the European Space Agency (ESA), a permanent interactive exhibition titled ESA: Earth from Space was officially opened at the Prague Planetarium on Wednesday, November 12. The...

Few diners realise that the coveted plaques displayed by Michelin-starred restaurants are manufactured in Brno. For the Michelin Guide, which has shaped global gastronomy for more than a century, these small signs are an essential symbol of...

In this episode of Prague Off the Beaten Track, we explore Bohnice, a Prague district with a fascinating mix of history, nature, and calm. It’s a place where ivy has reclaimed forgotten graves and trails lead to scenic lookouts above the city...

On the occasion of the birth anniversaries of the founding figures of the Czechoslovak Republic – Tomas Garrigue Masaryk, and Milan Rastislav Stefanik, H.E. Mr. Martin  Muransky, the Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to the Czech Republic...

On the Occasion of the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Mostafa Afifi, the Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt in the Czech Republic, hosted a reception at the unique Alchymist Hotel in Prague. Among the participants...

On the occasion of the Victory Day of the Republic of Azerbaijan, H.E. Mr. Yashar Aliyev, the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Czech Republic, hosted a reception at the President Hotel in Prague. Watch the video with the speeches...

On the occasion of the 71st  Algeria’s National Day and the 63rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Algeria and the Czech Republic, the Ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to the Czech...

Tomáš Koblížek is an expert on disinformation, a phenomenon that has grabbed many headlines in recent years. In a wide-ranging conversation, the philosopher says disinfo isn’t focused only on deceiving people but is also about “boring” them...