Posts

SCALE’HER is an EU-funded accelerator programme designed to elevate exceptional women-led deep tech startups and bridge the innovation gap across European regions. Powered by a consortium of partners from 10 countries, our mission is to...

July’s landmark 60th edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival is set to showcase some of the key films in its history and will honour Czechoslovak actress turned diplomat Magda Vášáryová. Václav Havel will also be remembered at...

In this episode of Prague off the Beaten Track, we explore Obora Hvězda, a quiet park in Prague 6 that hides a remarkable story. From its origins as a royal game reserve to the striking Renaissance Letohrádek Hvězda, the site reflects centuries...

The West Bohemian city of Plzeň is preparing for its annual Freedom Celebrations, marking 81 years since its liberation by US troops at the end of World War Two. The six-day event begins next Friday, with a programme combining military history...

The Safari Park Dvůr Králové has announced a rare conservation success – the birth of four cubs of the endangered aardwolf species. Aardwolves are extremely difficult to breed in human care and remain a rarity in European zoos. I asked...

A new bagel shop, simply named Bejgl, has been making waves since opening recently in Prague’s Vinohrady district. It was started by American expat Katie Perkins, who spotted a gap in the market for authentic US-style bagels – and set out to...

When circumstances make travel impossible, an unfulfilled longing for home can become a real source of sadness and pain. Fortunately, these negative feelings can be overcome through art, which can sometimes transport us thousands of kilometers...

Olbram Zoubek, one of the most significant Czech sculptors of the 20th century, was born a century ago this month. Zoubek was responsible for Jan Palach’s death mask and designed Prague’s striking Monument to the Victims of Communism. Olbram...

Composers Summit Prague is rapidly becoming one of the leading global events for film and audiovisual music. It connects established Hollywood composers with emerging talent through concerts and workshops. This year, the summit also puts a...

The latest Amnesty International report points to persistent human rights challenges in Czechia. These include segregation in education, growing pressure on refugee integration, and controversial arms exports. Climate policy, or rather the lack...

The video game Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, developed by the Czech studio Warhorse Studios, has won a BAFTA Games Award for Best Narrative. The game is expected to draw even more fans to the Czech Republic this year, eager to explore the real...

Love them or hate them, Olomoucké tvarůžky are among Czechia’s most distinctive cheeses, known for their strong smell and unmistakable taste. This weekend, the traditional tvarůžky festival in Olomouc marked 150 years since production began...

Prague’s 21st bridge –the Dvorecký Bridge, connecting Podoli and Smichov, was ceremonially opened on April 17. Regular car traffic is not allowed on the new bridge, which serves buses, trams, pedestrians, and cyclists. The construction costs...

On Saturday, April 11, the winners of the Anděl Awards were ceremonially announced at the Křižík Pavilions in Prague, so we have decided to dedicate today’s show to these prestigious awards, organized by the Czech Academy of Music since 1991. A...

On Thursday evening, theatre and film actor Jan Potměšil passed away in his sleep after a prolonged illness. He was 60 years old. Potměšil has been confined to a wheelchair since the age of 23 following a car accident. The son of teacher...

The President of the Republic, Petr Pavel, and the First lady, Eva Pavlova, arrived on an official visit to the Republic of Argentina on Monday, April 13. He discussed deepening economic and security cooperation with President Mileio As part of...

The Embassy of Malaysia in the Czech Republic, and Tourism Malaysia, the Czech Association of Travel Journalists and Publicists, Czech Travel Press CTP z.s., and Pan-European University, a.s. Organized a seminar on the topic – MALAYSIA...

Instituto Italiano di Cultura di Praga organized an event “Bologna between art, culture and music: following the footsteps of the modern visionary Marconi”, in the beautiful Baroque Chapel of our Institute.

The “minimum dignified wage” in Czechia last year was CZK 48,336 gross a month, a rise of CZK 2,500 on 2024, according to experts from the group Platform for a Minimum Dignified Wage. See more here. Author: Ian Willoughby

Treating broken bones could become much simpler in the future. Czech scientists are developing new implants that gradually dissolve in the body, eliminating the need for follow-up operations. Permanent metal implants often mean patients have to...

The former Jesuit college in Prague, with its nearly eight million items, is the largest library in the Czech Republic. At the same time, it serves as the central institution of the entire Czech library network. By law, two copies of every book...

The Czech women’s tennis team is heading to the Billie Jean King Cup finals after a dramatic qualifying victory over Switzerland. The tie was decided in the final match in Biel, where the Czechs came back to secure their place among the top...

On April 7, one of the most distinctive voices of the Czech music scene celebrated a major milestone. Singer Lucie Bílá turned sixty — and with it, more than four decades on stage marked by unmistakable energy, emotion, and a voice that...

In this special episode of Czechast, we take a closer look at Czechia’s defence readiness in today’s rapidly changing security environment. Our guest is Martin Sklenář, analyst and co-author of a new report by GLOBSEC, a respected Bratislava...

The radio play Matko boží, vyžeň Putina (Mother of God, Banish Putin) has won Czech Radio first place at the UK International Radio Drama Festival 2026, held in Canterbury. The play revisits an artistic intervention by a group of young women...

Some Czech media reports suggest that global tensions could redirect tourists to Central Europe, boosting Prague’s visitor numbers. City officials, however, say such expectations are premature. Instead, they point to stable growth and a shift...

A new Globsec report published this week places Czechia among “mid-tier” countries on NATO’s eastern flank. Analyst Martin Sklenář says the country has solid foundations but slower political decision-making. At the same time, its defence...

The Brno City Transport Company has launched the jubilee, 80th navigation season of boat transport on the Brno Reservoir with special sightseeing cruises. See more here.

Příbram, southern Bohemia, was transformed into a motorists’ paradise this weekend when the town hosted its annual “Route 66” car parade. The event brought together hundreds of veteran cars and motorcycles and attracted enthusiasts from across...

One hundred and twenty-five years ago, Leo Haas was born in Opava—a painter and caricaturist whose life story stands as a striking reflection of 20th-century Central Europe. He survived Nazi concentration camps, later became a propagandist for...

In Czechast, veteran journalist Petr Dudek looks back at the 1990s, a key period in shaping modern Czech society and politics. One of the editors that shapúe current affair programs in Czech Public Radio reflects on how the Czech media...

He doesn’t eat, sleep or get paid. He’s always in a good mood, ready to help, knows all the answers and never goes on holiday. Meet Czechia’s first digital mayor –whose arrival attracted both journalists and real-life mayors from around the...

A newly uncovered medieval shaft in Jihlava will open to the public, offering a rare glimpse into the harsh early days of silver mining. The highlight will be a Renaissance-era mining machine likely dating to the reign of Emperor Rudolf II. For...

The National Collection of Bad Habits, which to date has gathered tens of thousands of “confessions” from the public, is an often amusing online project run by leading Czech conceptual artist Kateřina Šedá. Now a book stemming from the...

Holešovická tržnice in Prague’s Holešovice district has undergone a remarkable transformation. What was once a modern slaughterhouse is now a bustling market and cultural hub. Today, it stands as one of Prague’s most intriguing places off the...

This year marks the 32nd Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. The commemoration period, known as Kwibuka (Kinyarwanda for “Remembrance”), serves as a time for Rwandans and the global community to come together...

President Petr Pavel and Mrs. Eva Pavlova received the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, and Mrs. Beate Bender at Prague Castle. President Pavel will host an official lunch in honor of President Mattarella. The Italian...

Marking International Roma Day. The President of the Republic, Petr Pavel, and Mrs. Eva Pavlová, received Romani community leaders and people who collaborate on community work and community organizing projects at Prague Castle. The multi-day...

As castles in Czechia open their doors to visitors, one site enters the new tourist season with the prospect of becoming a Guinness World Records holder in the category of leaning structures. Legend has it the main tower of the Michalovice...

Czech airports handled a record 19.25 million passengers last year, surpassing the pre-pandemic peak of 2019, according to preliminary Transport Ministry data. The figure marks a 7.9 percent increase year-on-year. International travel...

An exhibition of photographs titled Václav Havel: Known and Unknown will open on April 22 at the Czech Embassy in Tokyo. See more here. Author: Daniela Lazarová

WWII Czechoslovak fighter pilot František Peřina, one of the country’s most prominent war heroes, gained recognition mainly during the Battle of France in 1940. His courageous deeds, which won him the nickname “General of the Skies” are being...

Kačina Chateau in Central Bohemia is home to the Chotek Library, one of the most beautiful historic library spaces in the entire world. The library holds a place of honour within the entire early 19th-century Empire-style chateau, which the...

The Elbe River Basin Authority is carrying out technology tests following a reconstruction of the Harcov Dam in Liberec. The renovation work lasted three and a half years and aimed to ensure greater safety of the structure while also increasing...

Pavlína Louženská is a trend forecaster, helping banks, startups and other organisations understand likely developments in the coming years – and plan accordingly. When we spoke, the conversation took in the methods Louženská employs to predict...

Every culture has its stories – and the Czech lands are no exception. Since the beginning of time, people have used stories to explain both natural and social phenomena. Whether based on truth or entirely fictional (though is there any story...

The fate of St. Linhart’s church, standing abandoned on an island in the middle of the Nové Mlýny reservoirs, hangs in the balance. The decaying landmark, which is off-limits to the public, was once part of the village of Mušov, which...

As of this week, children in the Czech Republic have a new advocate: the country’s first officially appointed Children’s Ombudsman. The role is meant to strengthen the protection of children’s rights and give young people a stronger voice...

The Czech Republic has established itself as a significant player in the global computer game industry. Iconic titles such as Arma and DayZ (Bohemia Interactive), Euro Truck Simulator 2 (SCS Software), Mafia (Illusion Softworks/2K Czech), and...

Four male mountain bongos, one of the most endangered large mammals, are preparing to be transported from Europe to Kenya. It is in the Aberdare Mountains that the last few dozen of these antelopes survive in the wild. The aim is to strengthen...

Tourism Leaders Convene on Zero Waste Day, to launch Global “Recipe of Change” “Recipe of Change” is the groundbreaking initiative launched by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and UN Tourism to tackle a major global...

Czechs are clear about how they will spend this spring – they will stay at home and go exploring the Czech Republic. According to current research by the CzechTourism agency, 76% of those surveyed are planning a spring vacation in the country...

The commemoration of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ, symbolized by an illuminated cross, is closely tied to the town of Nový Bor in the Česká Lípa region. According to a local historian, the cross shone here even in times before electric...

Demographers are ringing alarm bells –Czechs are slowly dying out. The birth rate has been steadily declining and last year it reached its lowest level in 240 years. Demographic charts tell the story at first glance –with a steep downward curve...

A survey conducted by Beat Sexism suggests that one in three people in the Czech Republic have experienced drink spiking, 91 percent of them young women. Despite the prevalence of such incidents, drink spiking is still not defined as a criminal...

In the heart of Kroměříž stands the Archbishop’s Castle, home to one of the oldest and most remarkable libraries in the country. Founded in 1694, it was envisioned as a centre of education and has grown into a vast collection of rare books and...

Czechia’s footballers are going to the World Cup for the first time in two decades after a dramatic win over Denmark in Prague on Tuesday night. The Czechs will now face South Korea, South Africa and co-hosts at global soccer’s biggest showcase...

Czech scientists have introduced what they describe as the world’s first probiotic dental nanofloss. It releases beneficial bacteria beneath the gum line and may help reduce gum inflammation linked to periodontitis. I spoke with gum disease...

When the first sound of glass rang out on March 31, 1856, in Kamenický Šenov (then known as Steinschönau) inside the newly established School of Drawing and Modelling, no one could have imagined they were witnessing the birth of an institution...

The National Museum in Prague has received part of the estate of Czechoslovak Olympic discus champion Olga Fikotová-Connolly, including the gold medal she won at the 1956 Games in Melbourne. A ceremonial handover of the items took place at the...

Researchers in Czechia have carried out an unusual experiment to help people living on the streets, testing whether cash support or help from a social worker can improve their situation. The results suggest many were able to improve their...

Coal mining shaped Ostrava and Karviná for more than two centuries. Now, with the last mine closed, that era has come to an end. This Czechast special walks through the Landek Mining Museum and reflects on what remains. See more here. Author:...

Antonín Dvořák’s Rusalka, a lyrical story of longing, sacrifice, and the impossibility of uniting two different worlds, premiered on March 31, 1901, at the National Theatre in Prague. Since then, it has become one of the most valuable treasures...

In the latest Czechast, we travel to Olomouc, where a former railway waiting room has been turned into a small but vibrant cinema. The Waiting Room project offers films and community events just steps from passing trains. In an age of...

On Friday, 20th March 2026, H.E. Ms. Ana Berenice DIAZ CEBALLOS PARADA, the Ambassador of Mexico to the Czech Republic, with the cooperation of Prague 6 City Hall, organized the unveiling of the bust of Lázaro Cárdenas del Río and the 220th...

The Embassy of Estonia in the Czech Republic, the Association of Tour Operators and Travel Agents of the Czech Republic (ACCKA), and the Estonian Travel & Tourism Association (ETFL), organized a B2B workshop. “Visit Estonia. It’s about...

What is the best way to enjoy a cold day? A warm hosting by H.E. Mr. Claudio Javier ROZENCWAIG, the Ambassador of Argentina to the Czech Republic, and his spouse Alegra, at their beautiful residence.

More than forty species of birds, over two hundred species of insects and hundreds of plants. A new biological survey shows that the grounds of Prague Castle are not only a historic landmark but also a surprisingly rich ecosystem. Researchers...

The Lokšany Library was founded in 1557 by Kateřina of Lokšany as part of the construction of her residence. When you visit it, you are struck by its unique atmosphere, created by the harmonious color scheme of the entire space and its...

Prague’s National Museum is sending a mobile digitization lab to Ukraine to help preserve cultural heritage threatened by the war. The specially equipped van will create detailed 3D records of museum objects and monuments directly in the field...

With outdoor tourism on the rise, the national tourism agency CzechTourism has launched a new guide encouraging people to explore the country more responsibly. I spoke with the agency’s director, František Reismüller, and asked him why the...

A major reconstruction of Českomoravská metro station, which lasted 18 months, has delivered new escalators, wider platforms and modern safety systems. It is the largest upgrade of the station since it first opened in 1990. See more here.

In this episode of Prague Off the Beaten Track on Czechast, we explore Klanovice Forest — the largest continuous forest in Prague. Just on the edge of the city, it offers a surprising mix of deep history, quiet nature, and traces of ambitious...

Eighty years ago, on March 22, 1946, the trial of Karl Hermann Frank began in Prague. One of the most powerful figures in the Nazi occupation administration in the Czech lands, Frank served as State Minister of the Protectorate of Bohemia and...

Known as the queen of chanson, Hana Hegerová captivated audiences with her deeply emotional interpretations and unmistakable voice. Five years after her passing, she remains an unforgettable figure of Czech and Slovak music to whom we have...

An unusual object has appeared in the centre of Brno: a giant inflatable bacterium of E. coli. The model draws attention to the Moravian capital’s strong tradition in electron microscopy and the upcoming Days of Electron Microscopy festival...

Joy Kadečková’s life reads like a 20th-century European drama shaped by war, love and political upheaval. After meeting a Czech pilot in wartime Britain, she made a promise that would bring her to Czechoslovakia—and keep her there for life. Her...

On Thursday, Minister of Culture Oto Klempíř (Motorists party) dismissed the Director General of the National Gallery Prague, Alicja Knast. Her term was originally set to end at the end of this year. Although the dismissal complied with the...

At a time driven by profit, productivity, and perfectionism, it can be hard to find something that breaks away from these expectations. Something that chooses solidarity over profit, authenticity over perfection, and community over...

The Czech film Resilience, which its makers describe as a “documentary thriller”, enters domestic cinemas on Thursday. It tracks efforts to uncover the illegal poisoning of birds of prey – and shows the beauty of the country’s landscape, as...

On the occasion of St. Patrick’s Day – Ireland’s National Day, The Ambassador of Ireland, H.E. Mr. Alan Gibbons, and Dr. Ernesto Vasquez del Aguila host a reception at the beautiful Museum of Decorative Arts, in Prague. The event, attended by...

Under the auspices of the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye, H.E. Mr. Metin Feyzioğlu, and the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, H.E. Mr. Peter Matthias Reuss, the Young Philharmonic Orchestra Munich and Chief Conductor...

On the occasion of the tenth edition of the Italian Design Day in the World, the Italian Cultural Institute in Prague (IKI), together with the Italian Embassy in Prague and the Italian Trade and Investment Agency (ICE), organized a two-day...

The Strahov Library is one of the oldest and best preserved libraries in Czechia. According to Tatler magazine it is one of the ten most beautiful libraries in the world. See more here. Author: Juan Pablo Bertazza, Barbora Navrátilová

After nearly two years of successfully organizing sensory concerts for children with special needs, Prague’s Jewish Museum is now expanding its program to include concerts designed specifically for people with dementia. It is the first Czech...

This year’s Oscars brought joy to Czech filmmakers, too, as the statuette for the best documentary went to the Czech–Danish co-production Mr. Nobody Against Putin. On Sunday, March 15, the Oscars for 2025 were awarded in Los Angeles and Czechia...

Women in Czechia earn on average about 17 percent less than men, according to data cited by the Labour Ministry. See more here. Author: Vít Pohanka

Artisan chocolate-makers Lada and Pavel Bartoš from the Lidka chocolate factory in Kutná Hora have won two silver and one bronze medal at the prestigious Academy of Chocolate Awards, often described as the “chocolate Oscars.” They will travel...

The Czech government has approved a budget with a high deficit, and President Petr Pavel says he will sign it—despite reservations that more should go to defense. Helena Horská, chief economist at Reiffeisenbank, argues the key question is not...

What did languages that disappeared centuries, or even thousands of years ago, actually sound like? That is the question linguists at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in Prague are trying to answer. In the Voices of Dead Languages...

Thousands of fans of fantasy, sci-fi and gaming arrived in iconic costumes at Prague’s O2 Universum at the weekend to meet their cosplay creators and learn about the latest news from the world of pop culture. Among the international guests...

The main prize at the 33rd Czech Lion national film awards at the weekend was won by the drama Caravan. Other gongs went to multiple projects, while a notable number of Slovaks and members of the Vietnamese minority also received recognition...

The folk band Nerez holds a special place in the history of Czech popular music. Their distinctive sound was captured on their debut album Masopust, released in 1986, which later became one of the key works of Czech folk and popular music. The...

Exactly 80 years ago, on March 15, 1946, Brno Zbrojovka handed over three Zetor 25 tractors to the first customers. This began the history of the brand, which later became one of the most famous export symbols of Czechoslovakia. After World War...

More than three decades after the Velvet Revolution, the legacy of the communist regime continues to shape debates in Czech society. In the latest episode of the Czechast podcast, Vít Pohanka speaks with Kamil Nedvědický, First Deputy Director...

For the first time in thirteen years, conservationists have bred a chick of the critically endangered Philippine eagle, one of the world’s rarest birds of prey, using artificial insemination. The breakthrough in the Philippines was achieved...

Jana Ciglerová is just about to become Czech Radio’s correspondent in Washington. Unusually the journalist is moving there not from Prague but Florida, where she has lived for the best part of a decade and worked for a Czech media outlet. Ahead...

The 12th edition of the international Bazaar Festival opens today in Prague, bringing contemporary dance and performance from across Central and Eastern Europe to various venues across the capital. I spoke with the festival’s artistic director...

On the occasion of the 69th Anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of Ghana, the Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Ms. Theresa Adjei-Mensah, hosted a reception at the Beautiful Kaiserstejnsky Palace. The event, attended by...

The Ambassador of Moldova in the Czech Republic, H.E. Mrs. Gabriela Moraru, hosted a conference “Women, Cultural Diplomacy and Protection of Cultural Heritage in Europe.” At the beautiful Prague Mayor’s Residence. The conference was opened by...