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Prague Zoo’s director receives HIGHEST STATE AWARD from Mongolia

Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh awarded Miroslav Bobek, Prague Zoo’s director, the “Order of the Polar Star” – the highest state decoration a foreign national can receive. The president’s advisor, Erdenetsogt Odbayar, presented the Order on the president’s behalf, and thanked Mr Bobek for his outstanding contribution to Mongolian nature conservation and the development of Czech-Mongolian relations.

Under the leadership of Miroslav Bobek, Prague Zoo, in cooperation with the Czech Army and a number of other organizations, has carried out a total of nine air transports of Przewalski’s horses to western Mongolia. However, it has also been supporting the long-term sustainability of their return to the wild and is now preparing a reintroduction project for eastern Mongolia.

“The awarding of the Order of the Polar Star is a great honour for both the current and past staff of Prague Zoo. They have contributed decades of hard work to rescuing the Przewalski’s horse and returning it to its original homeland,” said Miroslav Bobek on this occasion. “This award comes at a time when the twenty-nine mares we transported to Gobi B by CASA aircraft not only have had over eighty foals, but also ten grandchildren and even their first great-grandchildren. Our mission in western Mongolia is accomplished, we are now turning east.”

Miroslav Bobek went on to say that Prague Zoo’s projects for biodiversity conservation would be unthinkable without the support of the zoo’s founder and the public. He pointed out that five Czech crowns from every entrance fee to the zoo go to these projects.

Jan Vytopil, the Czech Ambassador to Ulaanbaatar, highlighted this award’s significance by stating “The award shows just how much Mongolia appreciates this Czech project for reintroducing Przewalski’s horses. The project is all the more important in a world that is facing a major decline in biodiversity everywhere.”

Przewalski horses in the area where they survived the longest and where they successfully returned – the Dzungar Gobi – also thanks to our zoo

Prague Zoo’s director shares his experiences regularly with the readers in his books. The first was published 10 years ago and was called “Bobbles from Bobek”, the latest came out this September under the Czech title “Ryšavý knihovník a jiné zápisky” and its Czech version is already on sale. The full English version is now on sale as well. In the Czech & Slovak Leaders magazine, you can find the four chapters dedicated to wild horses:

The Last Wild Horse (Hopefully) without Question Marks
Wilderness in the Scenery of the Metropolis
A Century after Ali’s Arrival to Prague
The Return of the Wild Horses – Heading East!

1) The Last Wild Horse (Hopefully) Without Question Marks

The scientific paper published last year by Timothy T. Taylor and Christina I. Barrón-Ortiz may not have a very catchy title – Rethinking the Evidence for Early Horse Domestication at Botai – however, it is very interesting. After reading it, I remembered one of my favourite kaleidoscopes. Simply turn it around and the coloured glass would rearrange to form a new, radically different pattern. The work in question is also like turning a kaleidoscope. Suddenly, it gives us a completely different picture.

It was assumed for quite a long time (although not everyone agreed) that the roughly five and a half thousand-year-old skeletal remains of horses found in northern Kazakhstan might well be the oldest evidence for their domestication. That it was the people of the Botai culture who bred and used these horses as livestock and riding animals, and that maybe it was these horses that gave rise to modern domestic horses. Examples of the evidence for the domestication of the Botai horses were provided by marks from bits on the preserved teeth or the vestiges of pits filled with decayed vegetative matter, which was thought to be the remains of horse dung.

A significant change to the majority view of Botai horses came in early 2018 with the work of 47 authors led by Charleen Gaunitz. It was entitled “Ancient Genomes Revisit the Ancestry of Domestic and Przewalski’s Horses”. Based on genetic analyses, it showed that the horses from the Botai culture were not the ancestors of our domestic horses (including mustangs and all other feral forms) and that they were much closer to another lineage – namely Przewalski’s horses. According to one of the extreme interpretations of the results obtained, Przewalski’s horses could even be the feral descendants of the domesticated horses of the Botai culture. If that were the case, then the Przewalski’s horse would be the only remaining representative of a unique lineage of horses, but not the “last wild horse”.

Cut and change the image again, now directly related to the work cited in the introduction. In it, Taylor and Barrón-Ortiz recapitulate the reasons why Botai horses cannot be considered domesticated. One of the weightier ones is the fact that the animals’ age composition, deter- mined from the skeletal remains, does not correspond to the age structure of horses in captivity. The authors then focused on assessing the damage to the teeth that was thought to have been caused using a bit. Amazingly, they found identical damage on the teeth of wild Pleistocene equids from North America! Thus, they were able to state that the damage found on the teeth of the Botai horses was probably caused by natural developmental defects and wear, rather than by contact with a bit. This is, of course, a very strong argument in support of their claim that the Botai horses were not domesticated; rather they were wild Przewalski’s horses that had been hunted extensively by the people of the Botai culture. What’s more, the bone finds come from places that seem to be made for such hunting.

Now the likely theory is that the Przewalski’s horse is not a feral descendant of a horse that was domesticated aeons ago, but it is, in fact, what we have always considered it to be: the last, and therefore currently the only, wild horse.

2) Wilderness in the Scenery of the Metropolis

On Monday afternoon, we released four Przewalski‘s horse mares into the almost twenty-hectare enclosure at Prague’s Dívčí hrady. Shortly after, when I saw two of them on the horizon with Prague’s Pankrác district in the background, I felt like I was in Nairobi National Park, where the high-rise buildings of the Kenyan capital loom behind giraffes.

As expected, releasing the mares, transported from our breeding station in Dolní Dobřejov, attracted considerable media attention. Another activity, which took place two days earlier, we didn’t even announce as it was far less conspicuous, although it was equally important to us: We released about one hundred and sixty crucian carp into the former mill race on the grounds of our zoo. It was the first step to help the return of this once completely common, but today extremely endangered fish, not only into our grounds, but, hopefully, into other Czech rivers and water bodies.

Releasing the Przewalski‘s horses at Dívčí hrady and the crucian carp in the former mill race in the zoo are both examples of our efforts to preserve the biodiversity of the local fauna and flora. Although our activities aimed at global conservation have gained far more renown, at least so far, our domestic efforts also have a relatively long history. For the most part, however, they have focused mainly on Prague Zoo’s grounds. For instance, the European ground squirrels did not simply turn up in the area below Sklenářka, it was all due to our colleagues, who released them there and then spent many years ensuring that their colony prospered.

An exemplary illustration of these activities is the revitalization of the zoo’s rock massif. Here we laboriously cut down false acacias and other unwanted vegetation, so that the bushy rock steppe and the vineyard once planted here could return. This restored environment has given many plant and animal species a valuable foothold, with perhaps the most visible indicator being the increase in the population of the critically endangered European green lizard. Just as a reminder: the main aim of releasing the Przewalski‘s horses at Dívčí hrady was also to restore the local steppe habitat.

Even though, despite the pandemic of COVID-19, we continued in 2020 and 2021 our efforts to develop our conservation projects around the world, our appetite for our domestic ones also increased. Having released the Przewalski‘s horses at Dívčí hrady, in the southwestern part of Prague, we started planning and later also undertook preparations to place European bison into a corral in the northeast of Prague. Now that’s something to look forward to!

The mares of Przewalski horse with the background of urban scenery, in the enclosure at Dívčí hrady

3) A Century after Ali’s Arrival to Prague

Three weeks after Prague Zoo celebrated its ninetieth birthday on September 28, 2021, a century had passed from the day when the first Przewalski’s horse arrived to Prague. It was Ali, the stallion, which the hippologist Prof František Bílek obtained from Halle. Bílek accommodated him to a school farm in Netluky at Uhříněves. It happened on October 17, 1921. Later, on January 23, 1923, the mare Minka followed. And these were the two Przewalski’s horses who became the founders of Prague breeding. Thus began the long journey which culminated with The Return of the Wild Horses to Mongolia.

However, in relation to one hundredth anniversary of Ali’s arrival to Prague let’s have a look not on what followed, but on what preceded the event. What was the journey of the last wild horses from central Asia to the West? General Nikolaj Przewalski obtained the first skull and skin of a Przewalski’s horse in 1878; the scientific description was done three years later. The first living Przewalski’s horses came to the natural reserve Askania-Nova (then in the Russian empire, today at the occupied part of Ukraine) in March 1899, and later more individuals followed them to Russia. However, at that time, the biggest and from our point of view the most important expedition was already underway, financed by German animal dealer Carl Hagenbeck. Its goal was to bring Przewalski’s horses to the West.

Hagenbeck entrusted a merchant Wilhelm Grieger with the organization of the entire event, who, after various mishaps, set off to Kobdo, todays Khovd, in the winter of 1900 – 1901. At that time, it was a Chinese fortress with about 1,500 inhabitants; today it is an administrative centre of the ajmag of the same name in western Mongolia with 30,000 inhabitants. As Hagenbeck later described, Grieger reached it by taking first the Siberian railway by Moscow to Ob, then from Ob by sledge about 250 versts (one verst is 1,066.781 metres) to Biysk and then with a lot of supplies and material he continued 700 versts on horses and camels. In Kobdo then with a help of Russian merchant Asanov, who already arranged capture of Przewalski’s horses for Baron Falz-Fein, he hired one hundred of Mongols and set off with them to look for wild horses.

The captures of the horses occurred at three places from 250 to 300 versts south of Kobda, in the area where we are returning the horses now. The capture process Carl Hagenbeck later described as follows: “The horses have a habit to lay down at the watering hole for several hours. Hordes of Mongols with their horses sneak to- wards them, taking cover, and at a given signal the entire company loudly shouting pounces on the resting horses that jump up and race into the steppe in terror. Only a huge cloud of dust can be seen. And from this cloud of dust individual spots start emerging in front of galloping riders, these are the poor foals that cannot yet run fast enough, and soon, when their strength is drained away, they remain behind the herd. They stop, with their nostrils flared by exhaustion and fear, frantically panting, and they are caught by a loop connected to a pole.” Let’s mention that many adult horses were shot down during that process…

It is curious that Grieger was successful beyond expectations, and because the original order was only for six foals, he drove two thousand kilometres on horseback (plus four days on a boat) to send a telegram to Hagenbeck with a question if he would be allowed to bring more horses to Europe. He was. In the end he set off for the return journey from Kobdo with 52 foals.

If the capture of Przewalski’s horses itself was apparently a horrifying spectacle, the transport of the foals was as just bad. Hagenbeck writes: “A large caravan that includes besides the captured animals their wet nurses (mares of domesticated horses – a note of M.B.) as well as animals transporting the travellers and their luggage, and thirty hired natives sets off for the long journey home. Heavily worried about the lives of the young animals Grieger slowly advances across mountains and valleys, in rain and sunshine, in heat and cold, to the nearest place connected to the world. In many mountains regions there is warmth of thirteen to twenty degrees during the day, while at night the temperature drops to the freezing point. For many of the young animals the hardships of the journey are too severe, they perished on the way despite all the care.”

Just the journey from Kobdo to Ob, from where it was possible to continue by boat, took according one of the later accounts fifty days. Pairs of foals were carried by camels. It is surprising that 28 alive foals of Przewalski’s horse arrived at Hamburg on October 27, 1901.

Two from these twenty-eight foals – a stallion later marked 11 M Biysk and mare 12 F Biysk – were purchased by Emperor William for the Agricultural Institute of Halle University. Two decades later the grandchildren of this couple of horses arrived at Prague: first the stallion Ali on October 17,1921, followed by the mare Minka, on January 21, 1923.

An aerial shot of Orkhon river in Mongolia

4) The Return of the Wild Horses – Heading East!

As soon as we arrived in Ulaanbaatar, the director of the Great Gobi B Protected Area, our long-time collaborator, Ganbaatar, gave me the best news I have heard since our transports of Przewalski’s horses started in 2012.

A third-generation foal has just been born in this reserve in western Mongolia! Shivers ran down my spine… In 2012, we transported four Przewalski’s mares from Prague to the Gobi by CASA military aircraft. One of them was Anežka. She had a daughter, Dodo, who gave birth to a filly, Sunder. Well, Sunder now has her own foal, Anežka’s great-grandson!

Naturally I was yearning to head west as soon as possible, to the Gobi B, but we’d flown to Mongolia to go in the opposite direction, to the easternmost part of the country. Why? When I was writing this column in Ulaanbaatar, there were exactly 938 Przewalski‘s horses in Mongolia (including the 100 foals born this year). They are found in Gobi B and Khomyn Tal in western Mongolia and in Khustain Nuruu in central Mongolia. This successful return of Przewalski‘s horses to Mongolia began in spring 1992, when two planes carrying “Przewalski‘s” from Europe landed in Ulaanbaatar shortly after each other – one with a shipment of horses for Gobi B and one for Khustain. However, there is a certain irony in the fact that much earlier serious consideration was given to returning the Przewalski‘s horses to eastern Mongolia. It never happened and only now is it being planned – by Prague Zoo in cooperation with many Czech and Mongolian organizations.

Just two days after our Ulaanbaatar meeting with Ganbaatar, we were criss-crossing the steppes of eastern Mongolia in off-road vehicles. We had returned to the Dornod area after more than two and a half years. This time, however, we were in far greater numbers. Not even COVID had stopped us working on our plan to return the Przewalski‘s horse to eastern Mongolia. Several Mongolian experts had gotten onboard – and now we finally had the opportunity to meet up and assess the pre-selected sites together.

Will there be suitable food for the horses? What about water sources? Where do the herders’ families live and where are their wintering grounds? What sort of profile does the terrain have and what are the winters like? What diseases might the Przewalski‘s be exposed to? Etc. etc. It wasn‘t always easy – for example, even the venerable professors were up to their thighs in mud to extricate a Toyota that had got stuck in the bog – but all in all, it was a great success. Next time, we will only take in two sites. One, with its scattered pine groves, is near the battlefields of the ‘opening battle of World War Two’ at Khalkhin Gol. The other, where bright yellow poppies were in full bloom at the time of our visit, is somewhat further southwest, near the Snake River.

There is still endless work ahead of us, but we believe that within a few years the Przewalski‘s horses will also return to eastern Mongolia. And I hope that one day I will see the foals of Anežka’s xth generation of descendants in the steppes there.

The very best buildings are both functional and beautiful

Text: Ivo Nahálka; Photo: Archina Design Studio Prague

Architects must remember that they create something for real people

Despite the building activities performed for the sake of experts, winning prizes in various (architectural) competitions, or building a personal monument, it does not work that way in everyday life. The real humility lies in the fact that I am going to create something – which I have to realize, as much as any other architect – for people, no matter what their preferences and tastes are, what they tend to like best, or what their feelings are. That environment is going to influence them greatly throughout their lives – both through the exterior for the people who walk around it, and for the people who are to live, work, and entertain themselves in that building.

The energies, in this case, are just a given reality. It is true that there are qualities of energy that people do not see but they are far more important to our healthy – both physical and spiritual – lives. An architect is given a gift of talent to create buildings on earth that have, embedded in themselves, all the principles of how such a building should properly look like. Geometrically, in placement, proportion, layout, relative details, color composition, etc. These are the supporting pillars 88 of architecture, like the five elements. That is why there are at least five laws in architecture as well. And one of them is function.

All ideas have potential – you just need to deploy it the right way

The energy comes from the universe in the form of an idea, when one is sitting over a blank piece of paper and has to come up with a building for a certain place that should meet certain criteria and functionalities. You put the first idea on paper, which has basically everything encoded in it, and you just need to develop all the elements of what makes architecture the regular architecture – proportion, size, and shape. Shape, of course, is associated with the flow of energies, where the ideal shapes in the universe are a circle and an oval. This is because the energy in these shapes flows in a vibration system that is close to a human being and has a very positive effect on people’s health – both their mental and physical state.

It is a comprehensive view – all in one. And it is also a view as I perceive it. I feel that I am just a facilitator who gets an idea, develops it on paper and adds some expert knowledge to it. My experience of seeing ideas come in has always convinced me that they already have the potential, that you just need to deploy it in the right way – and it all fully works. You just check the shape, size, and placement. If you look at historical buildings, they all have a function encoded in them, and their appearance indicates, “I am a hotel / a railway station / a town hall / a block of flats”.

Without criticizing, the buildings that have deviated from the path I have just described are very technical. Such buildings have no potential for beauty in detail or colour, they are basically just a purposeful result. In fact, the building has been guided from the beginning by the idea that it will be made of glass or concrete, so it suppresses the regularities as unimportant or secondary. The result is then a uniform building, which basically has no potential for anyone to recognise whether it is a block of flats or an office building, because the glass creates a very anonymous, cold, impersonal envelope, and the architect does not reflect a human being at all – people’s ability to perceive the beauty of the building, the details, the colours. These buildings are basically the same everywhere in the world.

Buildings should make us feel good

I like to go and look at the works of other architects and admire them – not as an architect, but as a person. Unfortunately, I have no reason to go and look at a glass building again. I do not want to criticize this approach, lest anyone takes it personally, but it makes me sad since I cannot see the good that should be there for people, to make them healthy, to make them better, when they work from morning until night in that environment.

At the same time, it is also related to ecology. Most buildings like this do get awards for being environmentally friendly, for being friendly to people – it is true, but unfortunately only on the outside. This is because the materials that are now mostly used are glass, concrete, and iron, which are basically incapable of storing energy – neither heat nor cold. Even if it is freezing outside and the sun shines on the building, it suddenly becomes so warm that it has to be cooled. And cooling is the biggest consumer of electricity, therefore 80% of what is paid for energy consumption goes into the cooling of such buildings. Not to mention the impacts on people’s health. The elements of Feng Shui that relate to how nature heals us – no matter who we are, what our tastes are, how old we are – work well. When people come into nature, they can feel the energy of beauty – with its diversity and vibration, which makes all people feel good immediately – begin to affect them. And buildings should have the same ability, so that we can leave some uplifting heritage behind us in this world.

Speaker of the House: EU needs Moldova and vice versa

Markéta Pekarová Adamová, Speaker of the House was received by the President of Moldova, Mrs. Maia Sandu

Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

October 19, 2022 – The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Markéta Pekarová Adamová, made an official trip to Moldova as the head of the parliamentary delegation.

The main part of the program was a working meeting with the Speaker of the Moldovan Parliament, Igor Grosu, with whom she discussed cooperation between the two countries‘ parliaments on Moldova‘s path to the EU. „Moldova‘s entry into the European Union, which has had candidate status since this year, is important not only for Moldova itself, but for the entire Union. The Czech Republic, as the country holding the presidency of the Council of the EU, can help Moldova in this by sharing its rich experience with cohesion funds and the accession process. Our future is common and should take place in one family of EU member states,“ said the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Markéta Pekarová Adamová, after the meeting.

At the subsequent meeting with Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilita, the two politicians mainly discussed strategic issues of energy and current raw material security in the context of the Russian war in nearby Ukraine. Czech- Moldovan economic cooperation was also a topic. The Czech Republic is the fifth largest market for Moldovan exporters, and mutual trade is growing every year.

The Speaker of the Chamber was also received by the President of the Republic, Maia Sandu. The work program also included a discussion meeting with international relations students of the state university or a visit to a refugee facility and the organization SOS Autism. It helps local children with autism spectrum disorders. These projects, together with around five dozen others, are implemented as part of long-term development cooperation with the financial support of the Czech Republic.

One of the projects is also located on the border of Transnistria, where the parliamentary delegation headed at the end of their business trip. Transnistria is an internationally unrecognized region, which is formally still part of the Republic of Moldova, but which is de facto under strong Russian political-military influence. The Czech Development Agency has been financing the operation of the Hippocrates health and social center in the village of Dorotcaia since 2009.

„Moldova is very negatively affected by Russian aggression against Ukraine. In terms of population, the most war refugees go there. In addition, it has Russian occupation troops on its own territory. From our modern history, we ourselves know a similar situation all too well. It is therefore our moral duty to continue and support not only Moldova‘s pro-Western orientation in humanitarian and development projects, but also its territorial integrity,“ concluded Markéta Pekarová Adamová.

Tomáš Podzimek

“Magic is art and it is hard to judge yourself”

Tomáš Podzimek, Magician

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

Tomáš Podzimek is an example of what may happen when your child gets a magic kit for his 9th birthday. Now, he is 18, finishing high school, and at the same time performing at places such as the Dubai Expo and the Four Seasons, Prague. He talks to us about his school, family, best friend, and of course magic… especially about magic. He also recommends a popular trick to learn: “Making money appear is generally a good thing. Everybody can make it disappear.”

Dear Tomáš, can you please tell us about yourself?

I’m 18 years old. I started doing magic when I was 9. Since then, I’ve been practising and performing magic. I’ve discovered my passion for card magic, and nowadays I also like to perform on stage. I study electrical engineering and automation in Jičín. In February 2022, I performed at the Dubai Expo 2020, at the Czech Pavilion, and also did an interview for the Dubai national television, Dubai One. Later that year, I had a show at the Four Seasons hotel in Prague. Currently, I perform mostly at company events and team buildings, but also at conferences, celebrations, and weddings.

What made you become a magician?

When I was 9 years old, I got a magic kit as a Christmas gift from my aunt. I immediately opened it and started practicing the first tricks, and I performed them later that day. This was the day that sparked my passion for magic.

I will remember it for the rest of my life. After this, my long magical journey had begun.

You are 18 years old and still a high school student. How do you manage your student obligations along with your shows?

In elementary school I always managed to have good marks, and in high school as well. My dad likes to say, as a joke, that I got good logical thinking skills from him. When I need to perform magic after school, that is okay. But a small problem can come up when the magic show takes place at a time when I have my school classes (sadly every weekday from 8am until 2pm). It wasn’t a problem in the past though – I used to only miss a few school days a year due to magic shows. This year, however, is a bit different because I’m in the fourth year of high school, and in May I’ll have my final exams. On top of that, I’ve got more shows now. But I know that I can always go and communicate that to my school. I am really lucky to have great teachers. Also, studying electrical engineering helps, especially in magic.

Do your family, friends, and colleagues support you?

Yes, they have always been there for me. I’m so grateful to have very supportive family and friends. When I started with magic, I needed to get to magic conventions somehow. My granddad and grandmother were always taking me to these conventions and lectures, they enjoyed them, and they saw my progress in magic. Dad drove me to my shows. Sometimes it was in the next village, other times it was far from home. That was a huge help, without which it would have been so difficult to improve in magic.

Nowadays, I can drive a car, so I usually travel to shows with my amazing girlfriend. Luckily, I also have amazing friends – for example, my best friend Leopold Novák. He is kind, helpful, and supportive anytime I need advice. That’s because he is an amazing card magician, so he understands magic too, and we can help each other. Overall, that is a crucial thing in every industry – to have somebody who you can discuss your projects and share successes and failures with, and also learn from them together.

What was the first magic trick you ever learned?

The first trick that I learned was something simple, with a small piece of rope. It was the one from the magic kit.

I remember it wasn’t that good, although it was good for magic beginners. When I performed it for my first audience, my family, they liked it. When somebody asks me for a simple trick for beginners, I usually suggest card tricks. That ́s because basic card tricks are usually easy to learn, yet they are pretty effective. There is just one problem with card tricks – you need to carry cards with you all the time. So maybe, especially in the case of little kids wanting to start with magic, my suggestion would be a simple coin trick, like, for example, ‘vanish’ – people usually carry one or more coins with them. Making money appear is generally a good thing too. Everybody can make it disappear.

When did you perform your first magic show?

My first magic show, in public, took place in a magic competition in Jičín. Luckily, Jičín was just 20 kilometres from my home so my granddad didn’t have a problem driving me there. I was eleven and was pretty nervous. I had never performed in public or in front of other magicians before.

I prepared four card tricks, and competed with them. I came in 3rd in the juniors’ competition. Fortunately, the magicians there were so generous, and they gave me suggestions afterwards on how I could improve my magic. So, I’ve been doing magic for 9 years, and have been performing it in public since 2015. I was always a diligent student of magic, but had always taken it as a hobby. At the beginning of 2020, I flew to London for a magic convention because, as a young magician, I got free entry. The only thing I had to do to get (my free entry) was to perform in a charity show, which I did in Jičín again. This London event was one of the biggest magic conventions in Europe. Besides me, there were, I think, 10 other magicians from the Czech Republic, and, in total, around 700 magicians from all parts of the world. It was a full 3 days of magic performances, talks, and lectures. I never saw anything like that before, the atmosphere was so great. There, I realized that I’d love to do magic full-time, as a professional magician. From then on, I’ve been practising for many hours a day, every day.

What is your favourite magic trick, and why?

I’m gonna talk about two if that’s okay. The first one is for my stage show. In this trick, everybody in the audience gets four different cards. They shuffle the cards and throw one card away at a time. In the end, everybody is holding just one card. And the card is the same for everyone. I love this trick the most because everybody in the audience takes part in it. The only downside is that if I have a show for 500 people, then I would need 2,000 cards. On the other hand, the more people do this trick, the more powerful the trick is. Imagine seeing all the people with one card that matches yours – that is just a wonderful moment, which you rarely see in magic tricks. When you watch a magic show you usually don’t get involved in the magic trick, so it’s nice to have something like that.

Another favourite trick of mine is great for just a small group, or perhaps one person. I borrow their phones and make them disappear. No, just kidding, people don’t like it when you make their phones disappear. I borrow their phones and find a celebrity in them. Then they are asked to think of any celebrity. I correctly guess which celebrity it is, and voila! It is in their phone, which I haven’t touched from the beginning. Since nowadays we use our phones for many hours a day, magic with smartphones is very popular, and I try to incorporate and invent tricks with phones more, and include them into my magic.

What is magic? Is it science, art, a trick, or reality?

That is a difficult question. The answer may depend on the way each magician perceives magic. In my opinion, magic is art. That is because you aren’t just inventing a secret – how the trick is done – but also, which is more important, (you invent) how to present the trick to the audience. If I want to include a new trick in my show, I first must think about the presentation, so that it fits nicely into the show. I then must think about the effect and how to achieve it – the secret of the trick. Or, a company might want me to invent a custom magic trick, for example, like the appearance of their new product for product launch. I can’t only think of the secret and how to make it appear, but also need to think of the presentation so that it is engaging and memorable for the audience. And yes, some people do perceive magic as reality, as something that I can do. This happens very occasionally, but those people exist. It is hard to convince them that I don’t have any magical power, any gift from God. In the past, doing magic tricks meant just one thing, that you are a witch.

Do you consider yourself to be a good magician? What is it that makes a good magician?

I’d consider myself a good magician nowadays. If you’d asked me a year or two ago, I’d have probably said no. The biggest leap for me has come this year. Generally, it is hard to judge yourself, especially in the field of magic. If you are, for example, a programmer, then you are good when you write code fast and efficiently, and the code works great and with no bugs. In magic, there are many different aspects of being good. If the spectators laugh, are amazed, clap, if you have many shows, repetitive bookings, if people like your magic, and many more. After the show, I usually sit in a quiet place with a cup of coffee and try to think about what went fantastically that night, if there were any mistakes, and what things I could improve for the next show. I always put 100% of my energy into my show, sometimes 110%. Taking all those aspects into consideration, I’d consider myself a good magician, who, of course, has a lot of space for improvement.

Who do you consider to be the greatest magician in the world?

There are a lot of magicians that I like and admire. The greatest magician in the world for me would be David Copperfield. He is very well known all over the world because of his TV performances and specials. Nowadays, he performs almost every day in his theatre in Las Vegas. He is 66 years old, and has around 600 shows each year. That means two or three shows per day. And still, he invents new tricks, and improves his show all the time. Of course, he wouldn’t have to do as many shows as he does, but this tells you one thing – that he really loves magic art. Besides that, he collects magic, and has the biggest museum of magic history. His museum is a private one, but if you get lucky, you can visit. One day, when I get to Vegas, I’d really love to see his show. I believe it’s the greatest one in the world.

Can you share just one magician’s secret with us?

I never reveal any (magic) secrets. Or, actually, I do have a little secret. If you want something, dream it, and go for it. This secret is behind the greatest tricks of all time. There was an idea, at the beginning, a dream. Through a lot of effort, it was possible to form it into reality. Sometimes, it is impossible to reach it alone, or you might need help to achieve it. I once dreamt about having a show in the Four Seasons hotel in Prague. And after a few months of planning, it happened. The secret of magic for me is that anything is possible when you know the right way.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years, at the age of 28?

Celebrating my 28th birthday! No, really, that is a difficult question. But I’ve got one idea on my mind. I’d love to do a big stage show, not just for theatres, but also for big arenas. The show would be magical in every sense, a true experience. Suitable for people who speak English, as well as those who don’t. Generally, I think that a show like this could do well. This would of course take a lot of work, maybe even a big team. This idea might take more years than 10, or maybe less, I’m gonna see.

In the coming years, my goal is to perform more all around the world. For example, in the summer, I’d like to entertain hotel guests at different hotels. I’ve already been to Dubai, London, and Prague of course, and I’m very much looking forward to where the magic could take me next!

Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies in the Sejm: The key to Ukraine’s victory is Czech-Polish solidarity and intransigence against evil

Meeting of two Parliament Speakers: Markéta Pekarová Adamová and Tomasz Grodski

Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, Markéta Pekarová Adamová, led a parliamentary delegation on an official trip to neighboring Poland from November 7 to 9.

Together with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, and a number of other foreign guests, she first took part in a memorial service on the grounds of the former complex of Nazi extermination camps in Auschwitz. The gathering was held to mark the anniversary of the anti-Jewish pogrom known as Kristallnacht.„The memory of the Holocaust has become part of our collective identity. And the names of those who were murdered in Auschwitz and elsewhere will not be forgotten. However, in today‘s world, hatred, and intolerance are increasing and we must increase our efforts to stop them,“ said Markéta Pekarová Adamová, in her speech.

From Auschwitz, the parliamentary delegation moved to Warsaw, where a working meeting followed with the Speaker of the Polish Sejm, Elzbieta Witek. „Our common strategic goal is the victory of Ukraine. The key to this is Czech-Polish solidarity with Ukrainian refugees and coordinated action against the Russian aggressor. Speaker Witek and I also agree that active parliamentary diplomacy plays an important role in all of this today. At the end of our meeting, I invited the Speaker to visit Prague,“ said Markéta Pekarová Adamová.

A meeting was also held in the Polish Parliament with Senate Speaker Tomasz Grodski. „The main topic of our meeting was the joint effort for complete raw material independence from Russia and the energy security of Central Europe. The construction of the Stork II gas pipeline would make a very significant contribution to both, the financing of which we are now working intensively together with our Polish colleagues from European sources,“ added the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Markéta Pekarová Adamová.

The work program also included a meeting with the Czech diaspora, representatives of the Belarusian opposition, and an excursion to the Warsaw Transport Company, where they are now using subway cars from Škoda Transportation.„I see the supply of train sets for the Warsaw metro as one of the most visible export successes of a Czech company on the Polish market in recent years.

I am glad that the products of the Czech company will serve the inhabitants of the Polish metropolis in their daily lives. At the same time, it is proof of the dynamically developing trade and economic relations between our countries,“ concluded speaker Markéta Pekarová Adamová.

National Day of Turkey

Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Shubhranshu Chaudhary

On the occasion of the 99th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Türkiye, the Turkish Ambassador to the Czech Republic, H.E. Mr. Egemen Bagis, along with Mrs. Beyhan N. Bagis, held a reception at the Grand Bohemia Boat in Prague.

In front of many Ambassadors, government officials, members of the Czech Parliament and Senate, and distinguished guests, H.E. Mr. Egemen Bagis greeted everyone in the name of Turkish President, His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and his.

It is a great and fortunate coincidence that the two nations celebrate their national days one after another on the 28th and 29th of October. Allow me to express our sincere thanks to the military band of the Czech Defense Ministry, Director of the Ankara State Opera & Ballet Ms. Feryal Türkoğlu and the head pianist of this esteemed institution Ms. Esra Poyrazoğlu, for their performance of the Turkish and Czech national anthems.

October 29, 1923 marked the dawn of a new era for Turkey as the proclamation of the Republic was greeted with applause in our Parliament. The Republic‘s founding father Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who led Turkey to victory in the War of Independence, was unanimously elected as our first President. Ever since the proclamation of the Republic, my country has achieved comprehensive and far-reaching political, economic and social reforms which have firmly anchored Turkey among the democratic and modern nations of the world.

After decades of peace, the conflict in Ukraine has once again brought war to Europe’s doorsteps. The repercussions of this war can be felt all across Europe and the world, as soaring inflation and the food and energy crisis impact everyone. It is times like this where humanity must work together to overcome shared challenges.

The main pillar of Turkish foreign policy is based on Atatürk’s visionary foresight ‘‘Peace at home, Peace abroad’’. Since the beginning of the war, Turkey has maintained a balanced position and worked hard to serve as a diplomatic outlet to bring the parties together. Through our cooperation with the United Nations, and under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, our country was able to broker the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which unblocked over 9 million tons of grain, which we hope will resume again soon. Turkey also mediated a prisoner swap, bringing more than two hundred Ukrainians and Russians home to their families. Our country hopes to build on this diplomatic success and work towards ensuring a ceasefire.

The common values that we share with the Czech Republic, coupled with common objectives on many foreign policy issues, constitute the essential ingredients of the cooperation between our two countries. Despite the pandemic, I am pleased to announce that bilateral trade between Turkey and Czechia will exceed the target of 5 billion USD by the end of this year.

There is every reason to believe that relationship between our countries will become even stronger in the years ahead.

It is an exceptional honor for me to express my heartfelt gratitude to Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, founder of the Republic of Türkiye, our War of Independence, martyrs and all our fallen heroes.

From right: H.E. Mr. Ilirian Kuka, Albanian Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Kevin Peter, Nigerian Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Egemen Bagis, Ambassador of Turkey and his wife Mrs. Beyhan N. Bagis, wife of the Hungarian Ambassador, H.E. Dr. András Baranyi, Ambassador of Hungary

H.E. Mr. Egemen Bagis, Ambassador of Turkey and his wife Mrs. Beyhan N. Bagis

From right: Mr. Radek Linhart, H.E. Mr. Hideo Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan and his wife Mrs. Atsuko Suzuki, H.E. Soren Kelstrup, Ambassador of Denmark and his wife, H.E. Daan Huisinga, Ambassador of the Netherlands and his wife Anne, H.E. Mr. Egemen Bagis, Ambassador of Turkey and his wife Mrs. Beyhan N. Bagis, H.E. Mr. Shahzad Aryobee, Ambassador of Afghanistan, H.E. Mr. Khalid Jamali, Ambassador of Pakistan and his wife Mrs. Zahra Ahmed, Mr. Sadun Saran, Turkish Businessman and Ms. Aylin Saran, H.E. Dr. Gunta Pastore, Ambassador of Latvia, H.E. Tanja Strnisa, Ambassador of Slovenia and her husband Anthony Strnisa, H.E. Mr. Alberto Moreno Humet, Ambassador of Spain

From left: Czech Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Jaroslav Kurfurst, H.E. Mr. Egemen Bagis, Ambassador of Turkey and his wife Mrs. Beyhan N. Bagis, former Czech President Václav Klaus and his wife Livia

H.E. Alberto Moreno Humet

“Spain is a country of great diversity”

H.E. Alberto Moreno Humet, Ambassador of Spain

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

The new head of the Spanish Mission to Prague, Mr Alberto Moreno Humet has just arrived in the country. During our brief interview we unfortunately forgot to ask his opinion on the common Czech meal “španělský ptáček” (Spanish birdie), but have managed, on the other hand, to learn a bit about his first impression of the Czech Republic, the diversity of Spain, and the increasing possibilities for learning the Spanish language at Czech schools.

You have just arrived in the Czech Republic. Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your first impression of this country?

I was born in Barcelona, and have studied Journalism and International Relations. I became a diplomat in 1985, and have made most of my career in Europe. Only at the beginning, when I still was a young diplomat, I was sent to Angola. Since then, I have always been appointed in Europe: Luxembourg, Belgium, Andorra, France, and currently here in the Czech Republic.

Czechia is a wonderful country, and I am impressed by the city of Prague, where walking around is a pleasure. Clean, nice, and with a great care given to the houses and the monuments. There are also many parks. It is a nice place to get lost in.

Besides the possibility of getting lost in a strange city, are there any other difficult parts of being an ambassador?

In my opinion, there is no part more difficult than the rest. It really depends on the country you are sent to, on the level of bilateral relations, the existence of an open conflict, etc. What you have to do as an ambassador is to deal with these situations and be prepared for any changes that may occur.

I admit Angola was difficult in 1985, and there were many situations we could talk about, but overall, it was an interesting experience.

Spain, with its sea, mountains, and cultural heritage is a great holiday destination. How do you promote your country in this regard?

We try to show the great diversity of our country. Spain is a country of beaches and sun, wine, guitar, and flamenco, but Spain is also so much more. We drink wine, but we drink even more beer, we play the guitar, but we also play the bagpipes, we have a lot of sun, but also big mountains and a lot of rain in the north. We speak Spanish, but also Catalan, Galician, and Basque, we have a very rich culture and many different cultural traditions. That is Spain. And much more.

How do you characterize the status of Czechia-Spain relations?

The relations are very good, and they are further improving. We are strengthening our political and economic ties. Both countries are an important partner for each other.

Spanish tourists are coming to the Czech Republic in large numbers, and we hope that very soon we will reach the level we had before the COVID-19 situation. The same can be said in relation to Czech tourists coming to Spain.

The presence of Spanish language and culture in the Czech Republic is constantly increasing in the formal school system and in higher education. There are six Czech-Spanish public bilingual secondary schools all over the country as a result of the great cooperation between both countries, and Spanish is studied as a second or third foreign language in more than 150 primary schools and 250 secondary schools.

The presidency of the Czech Republic in the EU Council started in July. What are you, as a representative of your country, expecting?

I expect a good presidency, and the Czech government is succeeding in doing so. Our prime minister and many ministers have already been here, and everything has been very well organised. So far, we have had no problem. We are following the Presidency very closely, because all this experience will be useful to us soon since Spain will hold the EU Presidency in July 2023.

For a diplomat, being present in the presiding country always means even less free time than usual. Therefore, I cannot rest much right now, and my hobbies, like walking and spending time with my family and friends, will have to wait. Now, as I was saying before, our relations are very good, but I would like to improve them even more.

H.E. Andreas Künne

“We are neighbours cooperating in the heart of Europe”

H.E. Andreas Künne, Ambassador of Germany

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

For a diplomat, it is “a top priority, getting to know people and establishing networks. Something which proved to be somewhat complicated in the beginning of my term here because of COVID-19”, points out Mr. Andreas Künne, German Ambassador in Czechia. Nevertheless, he describes his appointment here as having “a very dense agenda with a number of highlights”. What moments have been the most remarkable for him so far? Does he consider the United Nations useful? And how does he view the current Czech Presidency of the EU Council?

What brought you to the profession of ambassador?

Being curious, fascinated by other languages, cultures, and countries, being a bit of a policy aficionado, and never having lived in any place for longer than seven years even as a child all combined to make the foreign service a logical choice for me. And when joining the diplomatic service, to eventually be an ambassador probably is top of the wish list for any hopeful young diplomat. It definitely was the case for me. Then again, when you look back at a career, especially a somewhat successful one, things appear to be inevitable – but they are not. Saying that dedicated, hard work made me become an ambassador would thus be just part of the answer. Having had the good fortune of being at the right place at the right time is at least an equally important part.

You have been in the Czech Republic for over a year. Can you share some of your impressions and highlights of that time?

A diplomat’s job description includes, as a top priority, getting to know people and establishing networks. Something which proved to be somewhat complicated in the beginning of my term here because of COVID-19. Fortunately, it seems that this pandemic is no longer dictating our daily lives, and I make full use of meeting people wherever and whenever I can.

Since I arrived in August 2021, we have had a very dense agenda with a number of highlights. For me, it all started with the successful and fruitful visit of Federal President Steinmeier in August 2021. Right after the elections in our two countries last fall, we had a truly historic number of bilateral visits here in Prague. Chancellor Scholz was here twice, as were Foreign Minister Baerbock and Vice Chancellor Habeck, to name but a few. The sheer number of delegations coming to Prague and the Czech Republic over the last fifteen months underlines the high quality of our relations. This also holds true for relations between the neighbouring federal states Bavaria and Saxony and the Czech Republic. Both Prime Ministers met Prime Minister Fiala, and almost all cabinet members from both Dresden and Munich visited their Czech counterparts over the last ten months. This is all the more important since cross-border relations are at the heart of our relations – the more stable and sustainable they are, the more resilient our relations are also on the national level.

On a lighter note, I am very happy that, after a long COVID-induced pause, we were able to invite the public to an open-door day at our embassy at Lobkowicz Palace, when we welcomed over 5,000 visitors. Having a flash mob orchestra and choir perform the Czech, German, European, and Ukrainian anthems at Lobkoviwcz’s historic balcony was truly a ‘goosebumps’ moment and a very special highlight.

What is the most difficult part of being an ambassador in Czechia?

The most difficult thing is learning Czech. I am afraid it will take me ages to come to a point when I am satisfied with my linguistic proficiency… Having said that: I am pleased that many young Czechs are learning German, and that the number of Germans learning Czech is increasing as well. This reflects the traditionally close cultural and economic ties between our two countries. We are very important trading partners for each other, have strong cultural and interpersonal ties, and a long common border. In addition, being a convinced advocate of multilingualism, I hope that at least two foreign languages will remain compulsory subjects at Czech schools. In a united Europe, languages are the key to good relations.

Coming to geopolitics, it is crystal clear that the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine is a defining moment for our future in Europe. In these times, it is essential that Berlin and Prague are in constant contact on this. My main role as an ambassador is to deepen mutual understanding of our respective positions, to act as a kind of interpreter. It’s not always easy, but it is definitely a crucial element of my job here.

You love your job and times are busy. However, do you manage to enjoy some hobbies too?

Honestly, there is not enough free time for discovering the Czech landscape and culture. The Czech Republic is a wonderful country, with inspiring people. I am a fan of both classical and jazz music, and the range and diversity Prague has to offer in this respect is just amazing. Plus, I can sometimes combine work and satisfy my cultural appetite at the same time, for example when I attend the ground-breaking performances of long-forgotten works by authors oppressed and killed by the Nazis, which the Národní divadlo, under Per Boye Hansen’s leadership, has been bringing back to the Czech and Central European cultural scenes. The Federal Foreign Office supports this in the framework of the “Musica Non Grata” project. For me, personally, this is a highlight of our cooperation, and I warmly recommend attending one of the operas, concerts, and other performances until the end of 2023.

H.E. Andreas Künne, Ambassador of Germany

You served as a representative of your country to the United Nations for many years. In your opinion, is the UN still relevant today?

If we did not have an organization such as the United Nations, we would have to invent it. The UN is the only truly international organization, and it is the only organization capable of bringing together the world’s leaders. Consequently, the UN, its agencies, and its organizations are indispensable when it comes to trying to find global solutions to global challenges, such as climate change, safeguarding biodiversity, or global health, to cite just a few examples. Given how diverse we are on the planet, it is inevitable that the solutions we manage to find are compromises, sometimes just the lowest common denominator.

Obviously, the UN has its issues. It is quite clear, for example, that the UN Security Council urgently needs reform. That an aggressor gets away with his aggression just because he happens to be a permanent member of the Council is a relic of times we had believed long gone. We need to put even more effort into reforming the UN. The Czech Republic and Germany can play an important role in safeguarding the UN’s achievements while, at the same time, pushing for reforms.

What is the current status of Czech–German relations?

Our relations have never been better. Thanks to the dedicated efforts by both sides, contacts are deepening not only in politics and diplomacy, but also in trade, science, culture, education, and many other sectors.

The German Embassy in Prague is a good example of this.

We are working to ensure that our cooperation in the heart of Europe is beneficial for both the Czech and German sides. Just a few cases in point, as illustrations: We support student exchanges and cross-border student internships, including by improving language proficiency. We host a number of events at Lobkowicz Palace, such as scientific workshops, discussions with Czech and German leaders on strategic issues, and seminars concerning Czech-German relations. Contact and networking between Czech-German experts and the public are very important to us. Thanks to this, I see how people, especially young people, truly appreciate contact with their neighbours across the border. But then again, stating that our relations are better than they have ever been does not mean that they could not improve even more. The Czech Republic and Germany can be crucial factors in moving our common European agenda forward. I believe we still have some untapped potential here. And it is our job at the Embassy to move this forward, together with our Czech and German partners.

The presidency of the Czech Republic in the EU Council started in July of this year. How do you, as a representative of your country, feel about our performance?

The Czech presidency is taking place in very turbulent times. We’re still grappling with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the war in Ukraine, the energy crisis, and inflation have become the most pressing issues. I believe the Presidency is extremely successful. Sometimes, I do have the impression that the tremendous efforts and the truly great successes of the Czech negotiators on all levels are not sufficiently recognized by the Czech political and media scenes. As an outside observer, I cannot but congratulate the Czech Presidency. It is thanks to the Czech negotiating skills in Brussels that good progress could be made on many important dossiers. Czech negotiators paved the way for coming to terms with the Russian aggression, concerning both our position vis-à-vis Moscow and getting our own European house in order.

What are you wishing for your country and for the Czech Republic?

I would wish that we further expand and intensify our relations and our cooperation. Whether in politics, business, science, or culture. Above all, however, I would like to see this cooperation and dialogue involve more and more citizens, and especially young people. In the border regions in the first place, but also beyond them.

I hope that we will intensify efforts to learn each other’s language, enabling us to get to know each other even better. This includes being absolutely clear and fair about our history, on both sides. We have so much in common, as we both are in Central Europe.

We owe it to our children to lay the groundwork for a joint future in a strong, resilient, and successful Europe. Therefore, I wish us all that we become true Europeans, being proud of our national identities, proud of where we come from, but being just as proud of our common European heritage. Looking at the near future, as the festive season approaches, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year.

Algerian National Day Reception

H.E. Mr. Belkacem Zeghmati, Ambassador of Algeria

Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

On the occasion of the 68th Algeria’s National Day Celebration The Ambassador of Algeria H.E. Mr. Belkacem Zeghmati, hosted a reception at Diplomat Hotel Prague.

Here are selected sections of H.E. Mr. Belkacem Zeghmati speech at the event:

The first of November 1954, and related events in Algeria, on the internal and external levels, was a historical and articulated turning point that changed radically and deeply the history course of the Algerian people.

My country, Algeria, since its restoration of its full national sovereignty, has been working hard to continue the battle of development and construction, and as an active member of the international community, has never spared any effort to contribute to achieving international peace and security around the world. The Algerian diplomacy, thanks to its historical depth and long experience, has never contributed to the exacerbation of disputes between countries, peoples and nations. On the contrary, it always stands at the same distance from the parties to disputes, calling each time to give priority to dialogue and negotiation as a civilized manner in the sense of resolving disputes and avoiding all forms of violence and use of force.

Ambassador Mr. Belkacem Zeghmati during his speech and Mr. Moustafa Dahou, First Secretary of Foreign Affairs at the Embassy of Algeria

H.E. Pasi Tuominen

“The business is changing”

H.E. Pasi Tuominen, Ambassador of Finland

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

Finland has been one of my favourite countries ever since my Finnish friend Maarit told me a long time ago that she only had a studio apartment, but with its own sauna, of course. Now, the new Ambassador of Finland to the Czech Republic, Mr. Pasi Tuominen, follows tradition by saying, “I really like ice swimming and will continue it here if possible”. We’ll keep our fingers crossed for you, Mr. Ambassador.

You were officially accredited as Finland’s ambassador to Czechia in July of this year. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your impressions so far?

Regarding myself, I can say that I feel almost as young as I was when entering the foreign service in 1997. Recently, less than twenty years ago, I have found some grey hairs. My daughter has grown up and studies in Helsinki, and we are enjoying Prague with my wife Marjut Kuokkanen. I love ice swimming and will continue it here if possible. Like all Finns, we have a summer cottage back home, to be precise actually two, one at a lakeside and the other with a field view.

And my impressions of the Czech Republic? Friendly, polite, and welcoming. It really feels good to be here and sense that Finland is an interesting partner for Czechs.

In my free time, I like to learn about Czech and Slovak society. I have recently taken up Czech lessons, so I try to work on my language skills. The study of languages is my big passion. My wife and I have been living in the Czech Republic for quite a short time yet, so we like to walk around the town a lot and explore not just Prague but the whole beautiful Czech Republic.

What is the most difficult part of being an ambassador?

Leaving the country where one has served. In four years, you have learnt the local politics, colleagues, and culture, and are now able to navigate through society. You have most likely made friends as well. And then, all of a sudden, you are in another culture because of the rotation system. However, I must admit, this is one of the best, nicest, and most rewarding parts of being an ambassador at the same time, too.

Before coming here, you were assigned to other countries by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and prior to that, you were in Lebanon with UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon). Based on your experience, can you give a piece of advice to the next generation of ambassadors, please? The business is changing, be interested in everything around you, especially in digitalization. Next-generation diplomats must understand not only human interaction but also the digital environment. You may not have a car and driver, so be prepared to use public transport or a bicycle.

Your country applied for NATO membership. What benefits can be expected from that?

NATO membership will strengthen Finland’s security in the changed security environment, and improve stability and security in the Baltic Sea region and Northern Europe. Finland’s strong defence capability and resilience to crisis will also strengthen NATO and the collective defence of the Alliance. With Finland and Sweden becoming NATO members, the threshold for using military force in the Baltic Sea region will rise, which will enhance the stability of the region in the long term. NATO is a stabilizing actor in the Baltic Sea region.

When Finland and Sweden join NATO, all the Nordic countries will be NATO members. This means that the Nordic countries can advocate together for issues important to them within the Alliance.

Finland is a holiday destination favourite. How do you promote your country?

By now, everybody knows that Finland is cool. It is a good destination in the summer because it is not too hot, and in the winter because it is nice and cold. Nature is one of the advantages of Finland, but you can also find fine dining and cultural events in the middle of nowhere. As an example, I can mention Mänttä-Vilppula, a fantastic culture town about 300 kilometres north of Helsinki. In the middle of the forests.

The presidency of the Czech Republic in the EU Council started in July this year. What are you, as a representative of your country, expecting?

Success.

Indeed. What about the status of Czechia-Finland relations, can you evaluate that?

Bilateral relations are excellent. We are very much like- minded partners, the cooperation is based on shared values, and EU membership, plus Finland’s and Sweden’s accession to NATO, will further deepen our relations.

This interview is done on the occasion of your National Day. What comes to your mind in this context?

Independence has never been self-evident in Finland. We have a country, which is worth defending, and I hope that the will for that becomes even bigger. Trust in authorities and politicians has been very high and I hope it remains this way. The future must be built by new generations, and climate change requires us to find sustainable solutions and the replacement of fossil energy. It is important also for our security.

H.E. Ilirian Kuka

“The Czech EU Presidency always marks a major event for Albania”

H.E. Ilirian Kuka, Ambassador of Albania

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

The current Albanian Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Mr. Ilirian Kuka has been with the embassy here since 2014. In our interview he, among other things, drew attention to the fact that Albania’s greatest European Union integration milestones both happened during Czech presidencies. “We are very pleased with the strong support that all Czech political parties have shown towards Albania’s EU integration aspiration. We have found a strong ally in Czechia”, said the Ambassador appreciatively.

Before becoming an ambassador, you had an interesting and successful corporate career. How did that change come around?

To start from the very beginning, let me talk about Tirana, my hometown. Here, I was born, grew up, and in 1993 graduated from the University of Tirana, Albania. After this graduation, I moved to Italy to continue my studies at the University of Bari, graduating there in 1997 with the diploma of Doctor of Sciences in Engineering. Later that year, I moved to Boston, Massachusetts in the USA to further my education and start a working career. After working in different multinational companies such as State Street Corporation, Gillette Company, Procter & Gamble Co., etc., I moved back to Tirana in 2005 to take over the role of General Director of AlbTelecom a.s., the state-owned, largest telecom company in Albania. The government at the time hired me to run and prepare the company for privatization, which was completed in 2007.

In 2008, I founded and managed an investment company focusing on investments in CEE and the Balkans region, with the main investment activities being in Albania, Kosovo, and the Czech Republic. From 2014 to 2018, I assumed the role of counsellor at the Embassy of Albania in Prague, focusing on economic diplomacy. In 2018, after completing the posting, I returned to Tirana just to be assigned as an Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to Czechia, presenting my credentials to President Miloš Zeman on 6th December 2018.

Joining the embassy in Prague 8 years ago, you must have had plenty of time to experience this country. What is your impression?

I have a strong attachment to the Czech Republic, and to Prague in particular. As you said, I was posted here for the first time in March of 2014, being in charge of business and economic affairs between Albania and Czechia. Prague is my favourite, with its architecture, parks, museums, services, small coffee shops, and nice restaurants. I have been to many places here, but if I am to name but one, I can say that I am very much attached to “Staroměstské náměstí” with its magic and history that almost every old building can offer. It simply surprises me every day anew.

I have also visited many places outside of Prague, but feel that I have not travelled enough. Every time I go to a new place, I promise myself that I will have to come back because of the nice feeling I get during the visit. I have visited all regions, but in the South Moravian region I still have a few cities that I need to see.

Do you enjoy your ambassadorial role? Does it fit your preferred lifestyle?

Serving as an ambassador is a very demanding engagement with strict boundaries, but at the same time it is also very rewarding. It is a position that gives you the possibility to make a difference on many levels, especially in the relationship between countries. The Czech Republic is a very central country, and has become a very important factor in the regional and European political scene, which has also intensified our work as an embassy and increased the number of activities that we need to follow. As a result, we all have less time for our families, which I think has a major impact on our lifestyle.

Albania is a NATO member state, and wants to join the EU as well. Do you feel supported in your efforts?

Albania became a full member of the NATO Alliance on 1st April 2009. For EU membership, we applied on 28th April the same year, during the first Czech presidency, and on 19th July 2022, during the second Czech presidency, Albania was approved to officially start the EU integration negotiations. It is quite interesting that both of Albania’s integration milestones happened during Czech presidencies. We are very happy for the strong support that all Czech political parties have shown towards Albania’s EU integration aspiration. We have found a strong ally in Czechia, one that is always pushing back the sceptical countries in order to complete the integration of Albania and all other Western Balkan countries (into the EU).

NATO membership and EU integration are not just about benefits, economic or political. It is more about a place of belonging. With the fall of communism in the 1990s, we got a taste of what the democratic world can be. Albanians have gone through a very harsh dictatorship during the time of communism. This is a reminder for our experience to not be repeated, and this is one of the reasons why 94% of the Albanian people are in favour of joining the EU.

H.E. Ilirian Kuka, Ambassador of Albania

You have mentioned the current presidency of the Czech Republic in the EU Council. Is there anything you would like to add?

We had been expecting a stronger focus on the integration process of the Western Balkans, and this materialized from the first days of the Czech presidency. We were very supportive of the European Political Community summit, organized very well by Czechia. The political agendas of our countries are similar, focusing on promoting equality, prosperity, and protecting human rights. Albania has been promoting these values during our current term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, and Czechia has been doing the same during its EU presidency term. Both our countries have aligned fully in supporting Ukraine and strongly condemning the Russian aggression.

Considering all you have said so far, can we evaluate the status of Czechia-Albania relations as being very good?

Indeed, the status of our bilateral relations is at its highest level. As I have already mentioned, Czechia has been a strong supporter and advocate of Albania’s EU integration process. During the Czech EU presidency, it was decided to organize two major events in Albania:

– The Ministerial of Interior and Justice EU / Western Balkan, taking place in Tirana on 3-4th November 2022 and
– The Summit of EU / Western Balkans being held in Albania in December of 2022.

Both events reflect the importance given to the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU, and the great status of the political relationship between Czechia and Albania.

What about the relations between common people?

Czech people have been discovering Albania in recent years. Before the pandemic, the number of Czech visitors was increasing by double digits every year. This year, we have seen the same energy in visitors, and direct flights were increased to four times per week during the summer season. The flights were almost fully booked, which makes us believe that upcoming numbers will be even higher than pre-pandemic ones. In Albania, Czech tourists are discovering our nature, mountains, sea, culture, and food, but more importantly, they are discovering the friendliness and harmony of the Albanian people. I am very happy that many Czechs are falling in love with Albania and are becoming our returning visitors. Of course, the Embassy has done media campaigns and participated in different events, presenting to audiences what Albania has to offer. We can already see the supportive role of the positive feedback coming from people that have already visited Albania. These satisfied visitors are not returning alone from Albania, but are bringing along their positive experiences.

You are giving this interview on the occasion of your National Day. Do you have a special wish for your country?

This year, on 28th November, we will commemorate 110 years of Albania’s independence. My wish for Albania is to prosper as a dignified member of Europe, together with other democratic countries, in a safer world without war and with less injustice.

2022 is also the year of the 100th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Albania and Czechia (Czechoslovakia). On this anniversary, I wish for us to continue the strong relationship between our countries, for the benefit of both our peoples.

Let’s invite natural stone back into our interiors

Text: Dmitri Babich; Photo: Archive

How to choose the right stone

Natural stone has been one of the most used elements in construction since the beginning of time, due to its excellent characteristics. Today, we can see a great comeback of natural stone, and the key to keeping the current trend fresh is using it in small doses, by which I mean in accents and statement pieces (rather than in amounts that overwhelm the eye). In this case, less is infinitely more.

How do you choose the right stone for your project, though? Well, the choice is greatly based on your personal preference. There is a wide spectrum of colors and patterns, so choosing the right color of stone is vital. Some shades can subtly tie the whole project together, whereas others draw in your eye and attention. Lighter shades expand the space, while darker hues add mood. Each stone has a distinct personality, and it is important to find the one that the project resonates with the most.

There are also practical aspects to selecting your stones, however. Not all stone is suitable for all jobs. For example, it is not recommended to use marble or onyx on a kitchen countertop, as the materials are softer than granite or quartzite and will require a lot more looking after. Therefore, when choosing the right stone, it is important to consider the purpose of the project and consulting about your ideas with a natural stone specialist. Budget is another important factor to consider, as the range in price of natural stone is almost as huge as the range of available colors.

Nature is strong in creating uniqueness

Materials like marble, granite, quartzite, and onyx are not only practical, but are also beautifully unique. No two slabs are identical, and every piece has its own character – this is what makes natural stone so attractive, as it allows every project to have its own uniqueness, without the need for a special design. Mother nature still holds the upper hand in this. What’s also interesting about natural stone is the fact that flat surfaces are not the only way they could be utilized – with the right tools and skills it is easy to work on them to create amazing, curved shapes, sculptures, and carvings.

Another reason why natural stone is such an amazing material is that it has such a huge range of possible finishes, resulting in the same material looking completely different with a different surface finish. Almost no engineered products have such a choice in surface finishes. Besides the standard polished and honed finish, there are also flamed, brushed, leather, acid washed, split faced, sandblasted, tumbled, textured, sawn, and custom 3D design surfaces. This gives designers and projects such an amazing tool to be able to use the same material in different parts of the same project, as each finish can also create a completely different 58 look if applied horizontally or vertically.

Natural stone wins over engineered materials

Natural stone has many advantages over engineered materials. Firstly, as we already mentioned, natural stone is more unique in its colors and patterns, and can be more beautiful than anything man-made. Secondly, natural stone can be just as durable as any engineered material, and sometimes withstand even more. It can be restored, re-polished, and repaired, though that is not possible to do with quartz or porcelain. Thirdly, the cost of natural stone in comparison to engineered materials can be considerably lower. You can find quarries of natural stone all over the world, which makes some materials cheaper because logistically they have lower costs. Last but not least, natural stone is a “green” material. The process of quarrying, cutting, and processing has a much lower carbon footprint than many alternatives.

Natural stone can sometimes be considered a luxury product but it is not always expensive, and thanks to modern technology it can even be cheaper than many other types of products for interiors or exteriors. For example, 2cm-thick slabs of Italian white marble could cost as low as €50-60/m2 (1.250-1.500 Kc/m2) in Prague. Obviously, materials like Onyx or Brazilian quartzite can easily cost over €500/m2 (12.500 Kc/m2). Of course, you need to consider the cost of work as well, but with the right natural stone supplier, controlling all the costs is easy.

Dmitri Babich

Dmitri Babich,

founder and CEO of KNF Marble & Granite s.r.o., is a natural stone specialist with over 17 years of experience in the industry. The company supplies natural stone for private and commercial clients in the CR and Central Europe, and delivers, as well as develops, custom projects with natural stone in both exterior and interior aspects. www.knfmarble.com

Viva MEXICO Viva Republica Checa

Mariachi Azteca de Praga

Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Carlos Casasola

On the occasion of the 212th Anniversary of the Independence of Mexico, and 100 years of diplomatic relations with the Czech Republic, H.E. Ambassador Leonora Rueda hosted a special reception at the beautiful Bohuslav Martinů Hall of HAMU.

Here are selected sections of H.E. Leonora Rueda’s speech at the event:

212 years ago, in the early morning of September 16th of 1810, Mexicans started the Movement of Independence, at the call of Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, nurtured by the ideals of freedom and self- determination that had been emerging in Europe and North America, as well as by the conditions of living of the natives. After 11 years of fiercely struggles, in September 1821, Mexico raised as a free sovereign country.

H.E. Mrs. R. Leonora Rueda, Ambassador of Mexico, Mr. Martin Tlapa, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic

Mrs. Valeria Gaona and Mr. Carlos Ruiz

From left: Mr. Carlos Ruiz, Mrs. Valeria Gaona, H.E. Mrs. R. Leonora Rueda, Ambassador of Mexico, Mr. Martin Tlapa, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Mrs. Nuria Cazorla García

Happy Hearts Chorus

From the top left: Mr. Aitor Veitimilla, Mr. Eric Cervantes Martínez, Mr. Jaroslav Jiřík, Mr. Hugo Juarez Carrillo, Mr. Carlos Quiroz, Mr. Miguel Angel Vilchis Salgado, Mrs. Miroslava Eichnerová, Mr. Attila Tanka, Mrs. Stanislava Řánková, Mrs. Štěpánka Kristová, Mr. Martin Chmel, H.E. Mrs. R. Leonora Rueda, Ambassador of Mexico, Mrs. Dominika Bernáthová, Mrs. Patricia Chumacero, Mrs. Marbella Michel Arias, Mrs. Kenya Arroyo Navarrete, Mrs. Natálie Kepková

During the 20th Century, after the Revolution and the establishment of the Constitution of 1917 – in force up to the date, Mexico solidified its integration as a democratic federal republic. Today, when we talk about Mexico, we refer to a country of 128 million people, with an ancient heritage, a cultural richness and a solid macroeconomic framework on the rise, despite pressing global conditions like climate change, international organized crime, the aftermath of COVID-19, and the impact of the war in Ukraine.

Today, it is the 15th largest economy worldwide and a leading exporter: the 11th in the world and the 1st in Latin America.

With Europe, we have an ongoing and successful Free Trade Agreement signed in 1997. But after more than 22 years, things have changed. That is why we hope that the Modernized Global Agreement Mexico-EU, coping with those changes, gets the necessary ratification under the Czech Presidency of the EU Council.

This would be the “cherry on the cake” for the celebrations this year of the Centenary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between our two countries. Throughout these 100 years, Mexico and the Czech Republic have maintained excellent friendly bonds, based on mutual respect, understanding and economic cooperation. The birth of Czechoslovakia in 1918 is tied in time with the consolidation of the Mexican republic.

The communion of interests and ideals between our countries were revealed in many of the historical processes during the 20th century. Let ́s just recall President Lazaro Cardenas’ allegations against the Pact of Munich of 1938 at the League of Nations; the Mexican condemnation of the Soviet intervention in 1968.

In the XXI century, the dynamism of our economies has positioned Mexico as the main trading partner of the Czech Republic in Latin America, with around 1.8 billion dollars last year and a growing interest regarding investment opportunities. Likewise, Mexico remains on the list of Czech tourism; the scientific and technological cooperation has enhanced and the student exchanges are steadily increasing, as well as an important inter-parliamentary dialogue.

Despite the geographical distance, I am convinced that we will continue working, hand in hand, for the construction of more bridges of friendship and cooperation for many centuries ahead.

The war started in Crimea, it will also end in Crimea!

Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

October 25, 2022 – Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Markéta Pekarová Adamová spoke and actively participated at the First Parliamentary Summit of the International Crimean Platform which took place in the building of the National and University Library in Zagreb and was attended by more than four dozen heads of parliaments and their delegations representing signatories of the International Crimean Platform from around the world. In her contribution, she emphasized the need for continued support for defiant Ukraine and the establishment of an international criminal tribunal for crimes of Russian aggression. In addition, the Speaker of the House signed a memorandum of understanding with her Ukrainian counterpart Ruslan Stefančuk in Croatia. „The main purpose of the memorandum is to support the principles of parliamentary procedures and to build the institutional capacity of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in connection with the post-war reconstruction and integration process of the country into the European Union. Specifically, it is mainly about the issue of increasing the openness of the parliament to the public, training professional staff and sharing experience and knowledge between individual legislators,“ concluded chairperson Markéta Pekarová Adamová.

The opening of the summit included speeches by the speakers of the Croatian and Ukrainian parliaments, Gordan Jandroković and Ruslan Stefančuk, as well as Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the summit via video greeting.

„I am convinced that all criminals must be held accountable. I therefore insist on the establishment of a special international criminal tribunal for the crimes of Russian aggression in Ukraine. If we fail in this effort, it will be a severe blow to the international order based on shared humanistic values,“ said the speaker of the House of Representatives, Markéta Pekarová Adamová, among other things, in her contribution to the conference. Among the special guests of the conference, together with the Speaker of the Czech House, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the Federal Assembly of the Federal Republic of Germany Bärbel Bas and the Speaker of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Gerald E. Connoly spoke. At the end of the summit, a joint declaration was approved.

The Crimean Platform brings together international partners from 2021 with the aim of jointly facing the effects and threats of the illegal occupation of Crimea by the Russian Federation.

H.E. Phasporn Sangasubana

“When you find a like-minded friend, you want your relationship to grow”

H.E. Phasporn Sangasubana, Ambassador of Thailand

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

“…Thai cuisine, Thai massage, and the Buddhist way of life. All of these are a perfect combination for a holiday destination,” promotes her country the Ambassador of Thailand, Mrs. Phasporn Sangasubana, and I have no doubt that many of us Czech people are nodding our heads in agreement. Meet the eldest child of a diplomat’s family, who had no passion for this profession at first, but then ended up proudly serving her country for three decades.

We have briefly revealed some information regarding your background already. Can you tell us more about yourself, please?

As you said, I was born into the humble family of a diplomat. I am the eldest child of the family which means I am the boss. My parents have always encouraged me to have confidence in myself, and thanks to that I love to have adventures and challenges in my life. In the same way, due to the love and care that I received from my family, I was taught to perceive life in its fullest form. The truth is that nothing is just rosy in life. However, together with my family, I am proud to be Thai and I love to contribute as a member of Thai society.

As a child of a diplomat, I had no passion for the idea of me becoming a diplomat myself, as I had seen my father’s working life since my early childhood. In the hard times, though, my father asked me to do just that, and I gave him my promise. Voila! I passed one of the most challenging exams of my life, and became a full-fledged diplomat in 1987. Since then, three decades have passed. And in 2017, I was promoted to Ambassador of Thailand.

You have been serving in the Czech Republic for one year so far. What is your experience of a diplomat’s life in our country and elsewhere?

First, I have to say that Prague is not an unknown place to me, as I have visited this beautiful city many times as a tourist. I am certainly honored to have the opportunity to live and work in the Czech Republic. I appreciate the Czech Republic for its beauty in historical, cultural, and natural aspects, and the good and hospitable nature of the people. During my 35 years of service in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, I have been posted in six countries. I am very happy that the Czech Republic is where I serve my last posting before retirement.

The professional background of 35 years of service certainly gives you the right to give advice to the young generation of diplomats. Can you share some of your experience with our readers?

As a member of a diplomat’s family, I have been groomed to the challenging and hectic lifestyle of this profession since childhood. The position of an ambassador is another honorable hat that I am wearing. In all positions, I have been committed to full responsibility and dedication.

One (piece of advice) is to do your very best every day, and with an open mind. Challenges can be changed into opportunities by this mindset. You need to be observant, to be able to have “a good story to tell” in all circumstances. It also helps if you enjoy travelling and being exposed to new people and environments, as I do.

Thailand is known as a popular holiday destination. How do you promote your country?

Thailand is fortunate to possess a treasure of natural landscapes from beaches to mountains, as well as a rich cultural heritage such as Thai cuisine, Thai massage, and the Buddhist way of life. All of these are a perfect combination for a holiday destination.

Even though you can say that a good product sells itself, we, in fact, owe a big part of our success to the efforts of the Tourism Authority of Thailand and their offices all over the world. More precisely, Team Thailand, which comprises of the Royal Thai Embassy and other government offices in a particular country, regularly collaborate on organizing events about Thailand. And what they all have in common is including tourism elements in their context.

I would also like to mention that Thailand now positions our tourism as green travel. We are the first country to implement the UNESCO Sustainable Travel Pledge nationwide. More than 500 hotels have signed the pledge to eliminate single-use plastic and promote local culture, such as using local elements for decoration.

What is the status of Czechia – Thailand relations?

Both Thailand and the Czech Republic have enjoyed amicable relations for almost 50 years, but our connections can be dated back to the time of the royal visit of King Rama VII and Queen Rambhai Barni to Czechoslovakia in 1934, or even earlier to the historical record of the first presence of Czech missionaries to Thailand in the 17th century.

Both countries share common values, from human rights and democracy to a sustainability approach. Certainly, when you have found a good like-minded friend, you expect your relationship to grow into a partnership.

That is what is being promoted by both sides. There are more areas where we can create synergies – Thailand can provide food security, share the concept of sustainable development through the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy for development, and collaborate on cyber security and the space program. At the same time, Czechia can become another education destination for Thai students, as well as a partner in two-way tourism.

In any case, I look forward to celebrating the 50th anniversary of Thai – Czech diplomatic relations in 2024.

H.E. Phasporn Sangasubana, Ambassador of Thailand

The Czech Republic started its second EU Council presidency term in July. What are you, as a representative of Thailand, an ASEAN member state, expecting in this regard?

I applaud the outward-looking perspectives of the Czech Republic. The Prague high-level dialogue on the Indo-Pacific has expanded beyond the policymakers to engage with the business and academic sectors, resulting in the well-reflected views of society in the region. I myself witnessed the Czech Republic’s approach of transforming “words” from dialogue into “actions”.

I appreciate the Czech Republic for forging practical relationships with non-EU countries like Thailand and other ASEAN member states, on contemporary agendas like environment, space technology, and cyber security. My expectation is that Czechia is able to instil many constructive initiatives, Indo-Pacific being one of them, created under its presidency into the EU agenda so that they are active and will become more meaningful under subsequent presidencies. ASEAN is a dynamic and high-potential region that has a lot to offer – for example, abundant resources (especially human capital), and growing markets.

So, I look forward to the 45th anniversary of ASEAN-EU relations, occurring under the presidency of the Czech Republic in the EU Council, at the end of this year.

You are giving this interview on the occasion of the National Day of Thailand. Do you have any wishes for your country on this special day? And maybe for the Czech Republic too?

I think I may sound like a beauty pageant contestant now, but let me share my wish for peace all over the world, including for both Thais and Czechs. Whenever a conflict arises, no matter which corner of the world, everyone is affected by its ripples.

H.E. Gunta Pastore

“It is extremely easy to work with Czech partners”

H.E. Gunta Pastore, Ambassador of Latvia

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

If you are Czech and haven’t been to Latvia yet, chances are that after reading our interview with Latvian Ambassador Ms. Gunta Pastore you will suddenly feel the urge to change that. Not only does she give us a list of things we have in common and explains what “Sveiks, Švejk!” means, but she also expresses her high appreciation of the beauties of both countries… which, of course, produces the same effect in the recipient. And through all this beauty, a whiff of the current situation in Europe suddenly penetrates, as she speaks about the most positive element of our cooperation.

You are a career diplomat, working for the Foreign Ministry of Latvia for almost 30 years. Can you tell us more about yourself?

I am from a beautiful place in Latvia, called Piebalga. It resembles your Moravia, with scenic landscapes and deep-rooted cultural traditions. I have a great family, with many traditional get-togethers that usually bring us to my grandparents’ place.

I have always been interested in foreign policy and international relations. I have earned a PhD in International Relations in parallel to my day-to-day work – apparently, my job is also my hobby. Before the Czech Republic, I was posted to Denmark, Sweden, and the UN in Geneva, while a big part of my working life was spent in the Ministry headquarters, including the time when Latvia sought accession to the European Union. Therefore, I understand the great value of European cooperation.

You arrived in the Czech Republic four years ago. What has been your impression of it?

I am fascinated by the vibrant cultural life of Prague and its rich architecture. It is impressive how Czechs take care of their cultural heritage. I also get a certain feeling of home in Prague because the same exact Škoda trams that rumble through the city are also the ones we have in Riga.

During my stay here, I have seen most of Czechia, and its beauty never stops surprising me. But most of all I admire the Czech people. They are proud to be Czechs. They are hard-working and creative, and they also know how to enjoy a glass of beer. I love the very special Czech humor. During my stay here in Czechia, I have made great Czech friends.

It is extremely easy to work with Czech partners – they are open, supportive, and efficient. And, of course, in Prague, we have a very active diplomatic life, with so many great colleagues. A very special diplomatic activity here in Prague is the annual joint Nordic-Baltic National Days celebration, which brings our region closer to the Czechs. This year we celebrated it for the 14th time.

You mentioned that you love travelling. What else do you do in your free time?

Usually, I love doing sports and travelling – in Latvia and elsewhere. And as I engage in all this in Czechia,
I am inspired to do it even better. Czech people are great at sports, they know how to bike, to hike. Riding a bicycle has also allowed me to explore different parts of Czechia which are not in the typical travel guide.

Your country is a beautiful holiday destination. What can you tell us about your homeland in this respect?

While living outside Latvia, I have come to appreciate the beautiful nature of my country even more – the Baltic Sea with its coastline of white sand, the vast forests. There are not that many countries in the world where people can go to the forest to pick berries and mushrooms.

Nature is what binds Latvian people to their land and culture. Singing is another local tradition that unites Latvian people both at home and abroad. The Latvian Song and Dance Festival is an official part of the UNESCO Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. It gathers around 50,000 choral singers, folk dancers, and tens of thousands of viewers.

Latvian cities, especially Riga, offer plenty of options for those who enjoy walks, lively cultural scenes, iconic art-nouveau architecture, and medieval buildings in Old Riga.

Like Czechs, Latvians love beer. Although they drink less of it in a year than the Czechs do, they still cannot let go of the frothy drink. When Czechs crave the taste of home while visiting Riga, it is available on almost every corner, sometimes even in stylish settings, such as a pub called Sveiks, Švejk! (Hi, Švejk!).

Both Latvia and the Czech Republic are ice-hockey nations. Next year, Latvia is hosting the World Championship, and the year after it will take place in Czechia.

Celebration of Latvian National Day at the Embassy in Prague, with the Latvian diaspora and Czech friends

What is the current status of Czech – Latvian relations?

We have excellent and friendly relations, and I am sure we will continue to build strong bonds in politics, economy, security, culture, and people-to-people contacts.

The most positive element of our cooperation is the presence of Czech soldiers in the NATO mission in Latvia, where they are together with nine other nations in the Canadian-led battlegroup.

Cultural cooperation is particularly prominent. Artists and musical bands perform in concert halls, while museums and galleries exhibit visual arts. Joint co-production of films has gained momentum, and Latvian movies were shot at Barrandov Studios.

The presidency of the EU Council is one of the most important rights and demanding tasks of EU member countries. How do you rate our current performance?

The Czech Presidency of the EU Council is doing impressive work in a complicated international environment.

Latvia shares all of the Czech Presidency priorities, but most of all we appreciate the very firm support that the Czechs are offering to Ukraine.

The Czech Presidency is really fulfilling its motto, “Europe as a Task: Rethink, Rebuild, Repower”, and showing its leadership in the European Union.

This interview is for your National Day. Can you make a wish on this occasion?

My wish goes to people in both Latvia and Czechia – cherish your legacy of independence, and safeguard the statehood of your country! Whatever we do and wherever we go, let us remember our roots.

Filip Křesťan

“Metrostav operates in more than 15 European countries”

Filip Křesťan, Production and Technical Director of Metrostav

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

To find a Czech person who has never heard of Metrostav is a mission impossible. It is the biggest Czech construction company, with a 50-year-long history, originally founded to build the Prague metro. Later on, it successfully expanded its activities into other segments of the construction market as well. Since 1991, it has begun to establish subsidiaries, and further development has continued. In this interview, we talked to the Production and Technical Director of Metrostav, Filip Křesťan.

Can you tell us about yourself and your work with Metrostav? Why did you choose this company?

I joined Metrostav back during my studies at the Faculty of Civil Engineering. The world of the so- called “big construction” fascinated me so much that I immediately knew what I wanted to do in life. I am a person who likes to see materialized work behind me, and this is what makes our field unique.

What I specifically like best about Metrostav is the people. Our company is based on our people and a respect for their work. Many of our employees have been working here for decades. We are always trying to develop our technologies and set the trend in the construction industry. We give space to young colleagues to find employment with us, and to develop. Experienced builders teach young people the craft of building, and young people in turn bring in the new trends of modern times.

Before we come to modern times, what about a few words about Metrostav’s history?

Metrostav was founded in 1971 as a spin-off of the national company Vodní stavby, with the purpose of building the metro in Prague. In 1991, it was transformed into a joint-stock company, and gradually began activities in other sectors of the construction market.

Now, it operates in all segments of the construction industry, constructing not only underground structures but also transport, civil, ecological, and industrial structures. Metrostav continues to focus on its original segment – underground construction. Excavations are also carried out, using NRTM Drill&Blast, and TBM technologies. We are one of the few companies that excavate tunnels, subways, collectors, and other specific projects, while also using traditional mining methods.

You became the company’s Production Director last year. Has it changed anything in your life?

I have been in this position since July 2021. The view of the construction environment is more complex. In my work, I encounter a more diverse character of buildings, some of which I did not have much experience with before. Fortunately, the basic building principles are the same everywhere, and I can follow them.

In my free time, I keep my old habit of active relaxation. I am an active person and enjoy all kinds of sports, but mostly you can see me biking or skiing. When I exercise, I best clear my head, and get the best ideas too.

Today, Metrostav is the largest construction company in Czechia, and the third largest in Central and Eastern Europe. How many countries does Metrostav operate in?

Currently, Metrostav builds all over Europe. Most of our projects are in Scandinavia, in the segment of bridges and tunnels. We have other projects in Germany, for example. We operate in over 15 countries in Europe. The current situation is very complex, mainly because it is unstable and difficult to predict. I hope that the situation will stabilize soon, and that the decline in construction production expected today will not be so great. Metrostav will definitely handle this difficult period, and will be much stronger and more resilient once again.

Metrostav certainly is a big player in the market. What will happen if you could not participate in new public contracts for some time? How will it affect the construction market situation?

From my point of view, non-participation in public contracts will affect the entire Czech construction industry. During the celebration of 30 years of the Czech Chamber of Authorized Engineers and Technicians, when the chamber selected the 30 most important buildings of the last 30 years, Metrostav’s signature was on half of them. From this point of view, the construction market will be significantly affected.

What has been your greatest construction adventure so far?

The construction profession is all about implementing technical solutions, so we need to be prepared to carry out construction and we don’t like adventures. From a technical point of view, a very interesting building was the construction of the building above the Strahov Tunnel, where we built a residential house on the steel bridge, which spanned the two tubes of the tunnel.

I know it is like asking a father which child he loves best, however, is this the project you are most proud of?

I like all of the buildings, each of them was a great experience for me. Among those that influenced me the most was the above-mentioned Sacre Coeur 2 project above the Strahov tunnel, and for example the River Diamond in Prague Karlín, the River Park hotel Kempinski in Bratislava, and the Medvědín apartments in Špindlerův Mlýn. Even more than individual buildings, I am influenced by the people I work with and gather experience from. I have been very fortunate to have colleagues like that, and I thank everyone for their cooperation.

What is the biggest challenge and opportunity that you see ahead of the company right now?

We live in uncertain times, which we have not been used to for a long time. Dealing with the specific problems of the present will be difficult and complex, but Metrostav will certainly manage this time, just as it has managed many complex and demanding periods and constructions. Regarding technical and implementation challenges, we have plenty of them all the time. However, it will be very important for us to maintain and develop our construction art so that we are still able to carry out challenging projects, and at the same time also attract new and young technicians and craftsmen into the industry.

H.E. Abdulla Abdullatif Abdulla

“Being an Ambassador means being the face of your country abroad”

H.E. Abdulla Abdullatif Abdulla, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

The Kingdom of Bahrain is a small, archipelagic country on the Arabian Gulf, mostly known to Czech people as a holiday destination. Bahrain’s economy benefits greatly from its rich natural resources, but it is also leading in its financial services, technology innovation, logistics, and tourism sector to diversify its oil-based economy. It is also home to the world’s largest aluminium smelter ex-China. Since 2019, the Non-Resident Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the Czech Republic has been Mr. Abdulla Abdullatif Abdulla.

This interview is done on the occasion of your National Day. Do you have any wishes for your country?

On the occasion of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s celebration of the National Days, in commemoration of the establishment of the modern Bahraini State as an Arab and Muslim state, founded by Ahmed Al Fateh in 1783, and the anniversary of His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne, I congratulate His Majesty the King, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and the peoples of the Kingdom of Bahrain on this national celebration, and wish my country further prosperity and progress on all levels. I also wish the Czech Republic and its people happiness, health, and prosperity.

Can you please tell us about yourself?

I have a Master’s Degree in Business from Strathclyde University in Scotland. I am a humble and social person, which I believe are important characteristics for being a successful Diplomat. Aside from serving in London as a diplomat and Deputy Head of Mission, an Ambassador at the Permanent Representation of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations offices in both Geneva and Vienna, and Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, I also served as Undersecretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2009 to 2017. Holding the position of undersecretary was an exceptional opportunity to serve my country, and had allowed me to learn a great deal in the diplomatic field.

What made you become an Ambassador?

Hard work, dedication, and passion towards what you do are always the driving factors. The desire to not only represent Bahrain on a bilateral or multilateral level but to increase knowledge about it, and also to promote Bahrain and all the existing opportunities it has to offer (the rest of the world).

You are the Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, Finland, Romania, and Slovakia, with a Residence in the Federal Republic of Germany. How often do you visit the Czech Republic?

Since I have been appointed as the Non-Resident Ambassador to the Czech Republic residing in Germany, I have visited the Czech Republic numerous times. My most recent visit was in October, by invitation of His Excellency Miloš Zeman, President of the Czech Republic, on the occasion of the National Day of the Czech Republic. During the two-day event, His Excellency the President of the 38 Czech Republic held a meeting with ambassadors to the Czech Republic, and a ceremony to honour Czech and international figures for their service in various fields.

How many countries have you served in so far?

I served in London as a Deputy Head of Mission for five years from the year 2000 to 2005. In 2006, I was appointed as the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United Nations offices in Geneva and Vienna, and Non-Resident Ambassador to Austria, until 2009. In October 2017, I was appointed as Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, and Non-Resident Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, Finland, Romania, and Slovakia.

Can you give a piece of advice to the next generation of Ambassadors?

Being an ambassador means being the face of your country abroad. Everything you do, do it with passion and love for your country in mind. Building bridges and new relationships, seeking opportunities that will benefit your country and people, as well as the other (country), and reflecting the true Bahraini values while abroad is of utmost importance for any ambassador.

How does being an ambassador fit into your lifestyle?

Learning about the different histories and cultures of countries has always been interesting to me, and it is something I like to experience hands-on. Being the Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany, and a Non-Resident Ambassador to seven other countries, all of which I have visited whether for work trips or on holiday, has given me this opportunity.

Bahrain is known as a great holiday destination. How do you promote your country?

Bahrain has always been a tourist destination for people all over the world. The diversified historical and cultural aspect of Bahrain, along with its archaeological and historical sites, which reflect its rich history and civilization, has been the main attraction to tourists travelling from both the East and West. Bahrain is known for its religious tolerance and freedom. The historic visit of His Holiness Pope Francis and His Eminence Sheikh of Al-Azhar to Bahrain this month reflects the Bahraini values of peace, coexistence, and mutual acceptance. Tourists and visitors to Bahrain, no matter their faith, religion, or background, will feel the authenticity and openness of Bahrain. Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims of all sects all have their highly respected places of worship.

The Kingdom of Bahrain also hosts international events, which witness thousands of visitors and attendees from all over the world, like Bahrain’s success in hosting and organizing the Formula 1 World Championship since 2004, and many more international exhibitions ranging through economic, cultural, and environmental (themes), like the Bahrain International Air Show.

What is the current status of Czech – Bahraini relations?

The Kingdom of Bahrain and the Czech Republic first established diplomatic relations on 14th June 1994, and since then both countries witnessed the building and strengthening of their bilateral relations in many fields. Up until now, both countries have signed a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding in various sectors, like investment, transport, health, and others. Our relations have also witnessed the exchange of high-level visits. The Kingdom of Bahrain acknowledges the potential in strengthening and increasing our bilateral relations with the Czech Republic to further heights, and in exploring new ways in which our countries can work together to advance our shared interests.

The presidency of the Czech Republic in the EU Council started in July this year. What are your opinions in this regard, as a Bahraini diplomat?

Firstly, let me congratulate the Czech Republic on assuming the important role of the Presidency of the EU Council and dealing with a lot of challenges successfully. The European Union is one of the main partners of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the GCC countries, and these relations are continued by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain in Brussels and the European Union Delegation to Bahrain based in Riyadh. On the 21st of November, the Kingdom of Bahrain hosted the second meeting for EU Ambassadors to Bahrain with the participation of His Excellency Dr. Abdullatif Bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, where both sides discussed ways to further improve cooperation. There are still further areas of cooperation between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the EU that should be studied and discussed, not only with Bahrain but also at the level of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), in order to gain a stronger and more strategic partnership. I would also like to mention the mutual interests and shared values between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the EU in preserving peace and security in the region and beyond, the post-COVID-19 economic recovery, and promoting coexistence and tolerance.

H.E. Bettina Kirnbauer

“The relations between Austria and Czechia are the best they’ve ever been”

H.E. Bettina Kirnbauer, Ambassador of Austria

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

“History shared by Austria and the Czech Republic still has a role to play,” says Ms. Bettina Kirnbauer, Ambassador of Austria, and continues: “however, my strongest impression is how future-oriented our bilateral cooperation is”. In our interview, she speaks about her 30 years in diplomatic services, the relations between our countries, and recommends reading the Austrian- Czech history book “Nachbarn-Sousedé” to learn more about our common past.

Tell us about yourself, please.

I grew up in Vienna, a city I am very fond of. I studied law and German literature at the University of Vienna, and then joined the Austrian Foreign Service. I must confess that in spite of working as a diplomat for over 30 years, I still find my work exciting and rewarding. There are so many interesting topics and impressive people to meet, really a lot of diversity. I am still learning something new each day.

What made you become an ambassador?

I have always been fascinated by international affairs, and by the opportunities to use constellations of influence and mutual interest to contribute to a better world. I had not really planned to become a diplomat until, during my internship at an Austrian court of law, I one day saw the announcement for the entrance exam for the diplomatic service of the Republic of Austria, the so-called examen préalable. I immediately decided to go for it.

You have been in the Czech Republic for two years already. Can you share some of your impressions and highlights of that time?

My strongest impression is how future-oriented our bilateral cooperation is. This is for instance reflected in the growth of mutual Czech and Austrian investments. As of 2021, Austrian direct investments in Czechia amounted to almost 17 billion Euros, and thus secured jobs for around 100,000 employees in the Czech Republic.

Due to the complex history shared by Austria and the Czech Republic, the past, to a certain degree, still has a role to play. The history book Neighbours “Nachbarn – Sousedé” (2019 in German / 2020 in the Czech language), written jointly by Austrian and Czech historians, was a milestone in this respect. Another important step was the recent unveiling of a memorial plaque at the Terezín Memorial for Jewish Austrians who had been deported to the Theresienstadt Ghetto by the Nazi regime.

Can you compare your current time in the Czech Republic to 1998-2001, when you served here as Deputy Ambassador?

As neighbouring countries, Austria and Czechia have always closely cooperated. However, the accession of the Czech Republic to the European Union has taken our cooperation to a new level. Nowadays, we are partners in the EU.

How does being an ambassador fit into your lifestyle?

Being an ambassador is almost a lifestyle. There is little free time. However, I like to read science fiction. Recent books I enjoyed were by Neil Gaiman and Vladimir Sorokin.

What is the best adventure you have had?

Being part of the Austrian team responsible for the organisational support of the Iran nuclear talks in Vienna in 2014-2015 was a challenging and intense time for me. When Iran and the P5+1 confirmed the agreement on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action JCPOA on 14th July, 2015 at the United Nations in Vienna, this was a very special day for me.

What is the most difficult part of being an ambassador?

The most difficult part of being an ambassador in a neighbouring country such as the Czech Republic
is that there is so much to do and so little time to do it. Since so much more could be done to further our relations, I sometimes have to make hard decisions on what to focus on.

You are a traditional holiday destination for Czech people. How do you promote your country?

The scenic beauty of the Austrian Alps, which in winter offer one of Europe’s finest skiing, as well as the cultural richness of cities such as Vienna and Salzburg, attract many Czech guests. We try to make our Czech guests feel at home in Austria. The long-standing Austrian hospitality expertise and the quality of service of our hotels offer a unique experience to our guests.

What is the current status of Czechia – Austria relations?

The relations between Austria and Czechia have never been as good as they are now. Let me mention, for example, the exemplary cooperation during the terrible tornado that hit Southern Moravia in 2021. Austrian Red Cross helpers were immediately on the scene to help treat the injured.

The presidency of the Czech Republic in the EU Council started in July. How would you rate it?

The Czech Presidency is doing an excellent – and difficult! – job in tackling the daunting challenges Europe is currently facing. Supporting Ukraine in view of the unacceptable Russian aggression is the top priority of the Czech Presidency. The Czech Presidency really promotes an EU consensus towards Ukraine and the brutal Russian attacks.

This interview is done on the occasion of your National Day. What do you wish for your country? And for the Czech Republic?

Given the war in Europe, my wish for both countries is that freedom, peace, and democracy shall prevail. To quote the Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen: “Our solidarity, our compassion, our common will to live in freedom and peace are stronger than any aggression. We stand with Ukraine.”

Cornel & Kristina Boda

“There’s definitely a lot to look forward to”

Cornel and Kristina Boda, Owners of Cobra

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

We met the co-owners of the Cobra family company, Cornel Boda and his daughter Kristina Boda, for a joint interview about themselves, running the family business together, and their field of expertise – doors. The moment in the interview that might bring a smile to the faces of many is Kristina talking about herself 10 years from now, saying “I see myself in the company, maybe with a little successor of my own”. This is yet to be disclosed. For the time being, we can only inform you about the birth of Cobra, which was back in 1991.

Cornel, you come from Romania. How did you build the largest supplier of door hardware in the Czech Republic?

I was born in Bucharest, Romania, and grew up there. After I finished the compulsory military training, I applied to university and was enjoying my younger years.

I met a girl from the Czech Republic and we got married, that’s how I ended up here. I didn’t forget where I came from, either. The truth is, in the beginning, I didn’t have much contact with Romania, but then I started seeing my sister there and we reunited. I began thinking about starting a business there as well, so I expanded Cobra to Romania. I opened a real estate business there, which blossomed into the construction of a new modern apartment building, right in the downtown area.

Kristina, how did the story go for you? How did you join your family business?

Well, my parents wanted to give me the best possible education, so I studied at an English College here in Czechia right until I graduated, and then did my bachelor’s degree in London. However, since I was always around Cobra from my early childhood, I knew I wanted to continue the legacy. You see, for me, it was absolutely obvious I would return to Prague and work here.

Can you tell us more about “door hardware”, and your clients?

Our biggest clients would be door manufacturers, because that’s who will offer you our door handle the moment you choose this element for your future apartment. We also sell to door and kitchen design studios etc., where people also come to choose their doors and handles for a new apartment or a reconstruction. Last but not least, our great clients are the DIY hobby markets. Altogether, we have customers from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Austria, and Croatia.

How should we go on about choosing the right door hardware? What are your expert tips?

Good question. Door hardware is a part of everyday life, and therefore it is necessary to pay adequate attention to its purchase. Both design and finishing play a big role in the final choice, however, there is an abundance of shapes, types, and combinations of fittings on the market. What you need to do is to choose a type that matches the interior design and expected use. What matters is timing. It often happens that you want to choose something too late because the items were already chosen by someone else, and you can’t decide on anything different.

What are your hottest products right now? And what can we expect in the future?

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, we launched a collection of premium Q handles – Ultima, Spectra, and Infinity. In cooperation with the renowned designer Petr Novague, we developed handles that are modern, elegant, timeless, and solid. And what is most important – they are user- friendly and fantastically ergonomic. The entire collection has won the world’s most important design awards, including the Red Dot, which we are really proud of.

As of now, we are working on adding more products to this line, such as pull handles and fixtures for sliding doors. We are also working on a new variation of security- focused, easy lock handles. There is definitely a lot to look forward to!

Are you going to expand to new fields? Security systems, smart locks…

For that kind of security system and smart locks, you need to have a special team who knows how to set it up, and especially service it, which is not convenient for us at the moment.

Cornel, how is it to run the company that you founded, together with your daughter?

As a founder, I often have a certain point of view, and Kristina does not. It is exactly because she is not burdened by the past like me, and therefore has a fresh eye. But then again, things often need to be looked at from both perspectives.

What about you, Kristina, how do you feel about working with your father?

As he says, sometimes it is difficult to see eye to eye, but when we talk it through and lay all perspectives on the table, we always come to an agreement. We don’t live together, but we talk about work whenever we see each other, which means not only at work. When we disagree, we both try to push our opinion forward, but, in the end, we talk it through.

One more question for you, Kristina. Where do you see yourself and the company in 10 years?

I see myself in the company, maybe with a little successor of my own and my father overlooking it from a house in the Caribbean, where we could all come for a holiday. And as for the company, I still see it as number one on the market in its field, with a growing turnover.

It’s the end of 2022, can you both have a New Year wish to conclude our interview with?

We wish for everyone to stay healthy, because that is the most important thing of all. And secondly, we hope that the war and economic situation will return to normal, and we will all be able to continue to live and carry on doing business in peace.

Welcome to the new DJA Reserve in Prague Zoo!

Text: Miroslav Bobek; Photo: Archive

The Dja Reserve, as we called the new gorilla pavilion, is open! It is a culmination of years of work, to which many of us devoted a piece of our lives.

Our journey to the new pavilion

The impetus to start preparing and promoting this project arrived in the form of the floods that affected the lower part of the Prague Zoo grounds in June 2013. In the summer of the same year, I picked a place where the pavilion could stand. It had to meet two main conditions – to have a favourable microclimate and to enable the construction of a sufficiently large building and enclosures. This was matched by terrain depression below the vineyard house Sklenářka covered with natural seeding vegetation, at the end of the giraffe enclosure.

And then the real martyrdom began. Even though we had expert studies done that made it clear that the new pavilion would not disturb the landscape character of the Troja basin or degrade the distant views, we had to fight a long fight to overcome all objections against its construction. After all the delays, we finally started building in October 2019.

We designed the new pavilion to give visitors the experience of travelling through Cameroon. After all, we named it the Dja Reserve after the area in Cameroon where we help protect lowland gorillas and nature in general. Its construction was not easy, as it is a completely atypical and, in many ways, innovative complex… In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic made our situation even more complicated. But this year in April, we got the much-desired approval, and we were able to start finishing work and settling the pavilion with animals. The last to arrive in September were a male gorilla Kisumu and Moja ́s daughter Duni.

A walk through the Dja Reserve

Even before entering the Dja Reserve, visitors already find themselves on red African soil, and children can participate in our programs on the Wandering Bus. It is an authentic vehicle that transported hundreds of schoolchildren between the Dja forests and the Cameroonian capital city of Yaoundé. When it reached the end of its life, we had it moved to Prague.

The entrance part of the pavilion interior is designed to evoke a journey along the unpaved roads of the Cameroonian countryside to a village on the edge of the forest. This is represented by a school classroom, which, by the way, is equipped with authentic desks. In this stylized village, there is also the first exhibition with animals. Visitors are introduced to Gambian pouched rats and fruit bats. Behind the village, a tropical rain forest begins, first the secondary one – i.e., grown after the original vegetation was cut down – and behind it the primary one, almost untouched by man. We did our absolute best to create its believable illusion. The modelled trunks are complemented by a number of live plants, and sprinkling with water ensures the appropriate humidity. The surround sound mixed from authentic recordings made in the Cameroonian forest then further strengthens the credibility of this illusion. On the way through this „Trojan“ forest, visitors pass an exhibition of African porcupines and Gabon talapoins and a 3D wall with animal models, after which a view of a „clearing“ opens in front of them, which is now inhabited by the colourful De Brazza monkeys.

The highlight of the indoor tour is, of course, the extensive exhibition of our family group of gorillas, accompanied by mantled guereza. I don ́t know if there is an indoor exhibition for gorillas with a comparable area anywhere in the world… and I think the visitors ́ area with the auditorium is surprisingly generous too.

This is followed by the exit part of the pavilion with a souvenir shop, complete with authentic artifacts from Central Africa.

Outside, visitors come to the spacious enclosure of the gorilla family group which includes the two new gorillas, Kisumu and Duni. It is dominated by a fallen forest giant and several mature trees. An auditorium and other attractions have been built here as well, especially a view of the Dja Biosphere Reserve ranger station.

Miroslav Bobek

We are waiting for you!

Before it opened, our Dja Reserve was twice visited by the British zoo expert and evaluator Anthony Sheridan. After his second visit he wrote to me:

“I congratulate you on the really magnificent Gorilla exhibit which is the best I have seen in its truly immersive experience for visitors; its link with the Dja Reserve in Cameroon is very well presented and is a real contribution to educating your visitors about the need for in-situ conservation measures there. Amongst several notable features in the indoor exhibit are the special multi-layer glass windows enabling the Gorillas to escape the sounds of visitors whilst the visitors still being able to hear the Gorillas! The sounds of the forest are another great feature. I believe this milestone exhibit will be of great interest and help to other Zoos wishing to invest in new and improved developments for Gorillas and other primates.”

Let’s hope so… Of course, we are anxious to hear what you, the visitors, have to say about the Dja Reserve. I hope you like it at least half as much as Anthony did.

National Day of Romania

H.E. Mr. Roberto Alejandro Salafia, Ambassador of Argentina and H.E. Ambassador Antoaneta Barta with her daughter and husband

Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Adriana Elena Bunea

On the occasion of the National Day of Romania, H.E. Ambassador Antoaneta Barta hosted a special reception at the beautiful Kaiserstein Palace.

H.E. Mrs. Cliona Manahan, Ambassador of Ireland, H.E. Ambassador Antoaneta Barta and her daughter

H.E. Mrs. Tanja Strnisa, Ambassador of Slovenia, Mr. Toni Strnisa, and H.E. Ambassador Antoaneta Barta

Here are the highlights of her speech:

It is the first National Day reception after a two years break caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the first one I am hosting in my capacity as Ambassador of Romania to the Czech Republic, which gives me an additional reason to be particularly pleased to have so many Romanian and Czech partners and friends here with us.

This year was marked by the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which was a good opportunity to intensify bilateral meetings in the margins of the informal Councils held in Prague. The Czech Presidency H.E. Mrs. Tanja Strnisa, Ambassador of Slovenia, Mr. Toni Strnisa, and H.E. Ambassador Antoaneta Barta has been a trigger for more bilateral cooperation between Romania and the Czech Republic in several fields, from trade and economic cooperation, to justice and home affairs, tourism or energy.

H.E. Mr. Hideo Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan and H.E. Ambassador Antoaneta Barta with her husband

H.E. Mr. Alexandru Codreanu, Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova and Mrs. Svetlana Codreanu, H.E. Ambassador Antoaneta Barta, her daughter and husband, and Valerica Bojan, Deputy Chief of Mission

Eva Anderová and Meshulam Zisso, Czech & Slovak Leaders

H.E. Mr. Alexis Dutertre, Ambassador of France , H.E. Ambassador Antoaneta Barta, and Vít Rakušan, First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior

2022 has been therefore a very good year for the bilateral relations between Romania and the Czech Republic, both at political level and in the economic field. In terms of trade, the Czech Republic is a significant economic partner for Romania, ranking 8th in the EU and 10th worldwide in our foreign trade. In 2021, the total volume of trade between Romania and the Czech Republic has reached a record level 5.1 billion Euros, 15.8% higher than the previous year.

This year was also marked, unfortunately, by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, a war that is literally at our border. Romania, like the Czech Republic, is very strongly engaged in supporting Ukraine.

H.E. Ambassador Antoaneta Barta with guests of honor: Vít Rakušan, First Vice Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, and Jaroslav Kurfurst, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

H.E. Ambassador Antoaneta Barta, her daughter and husband, with H.E. Mr. Gregoire Cuvelier, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium and Mrs. Bernadette Cuvelier on the left

H.E. Mrs. Antoaneta Barta, Ambassador of Romania at her speech

The team of the Embassy of Romania in Prague

2022 is also the year of several important anniversaries for Romania: 15 years since we joined the European Union and 20 years since we received the official invitation to join NATO, at the NATO Summit which took place in Prague, in 2002 and 160 years since the establishment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania. 160 years of modern Romanian diplomacy – 160 years of concrete and valuable contribution to the development of Romania‘s international relations, to the democratic path of the Romanian state. On the occasion of the National Day of Romania, I wish for both Romania and the Czech Republic to stay strong together in defence of our shared values, and to remember past solidarity and common history as a strong impetus for closer cooperation in the future.

H.E. Antoaneta Barta

“Romania and Czechia are traditional partners that need to rediscover each other”

H.E. Antoaneta Barta, Ambassador of Romania

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

The relationship between Romania and Czechia has solid foundations. We can mention the historical Czech minority in the Romanian Banat region, the contribution of the Romanian army to the liberation of Czechoslovakia in the Second World War, the decision of Romania not to participate to the Soviet bloc invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968 and the current increasing political and economic cooperation. The fact that the two countries are members of the European Union and NATO creates the framework of a close coordination, especially given the fact that both strongly support Ukraine in the context of the Russian aggression. Romania’s Ambassador to the Czech Republic is Mrs. Antoaneta Barta, who gave us this interview on the occasion of the National Day of her country.

Becoming an ambassador is a career highlight and dream of many diplomats. How did you become one?

I joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania in 1999 after completing my studies in Political Sciences and European Studies at the University of Bucharest. It was 10 years after the fall of the Iron Curtain, a completely new situation that opened a whole different world and perspectives that I was eager and curious to explore as a career diplomat.

Since then, I have had several management positions in the MFA headquarters, focusing on EU issues. Becoming an ambassador was, therefore, a result of a 22 years-long diplomatic career, during which I had accumulated experience and expertise in several fields, with a focus on EU affairs and bilateral relations.

You were appointed Ambassador of Romania to the Czech Republic in January 2021. Can you share your impressions of representing your country here?

I feel very glad and honoured to serve my country in the beautiful capital of the Czech Republic. Despite the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic I have had a very positive impression of the city and its people, and have enjoyed getting to know many Czech interlocutors, promoting my country and our bilateral relations with the Czech Republic. I also feel very privileged to work in a beautiful building, right in the historical heart of the city, in Malá Strana, on Nerudova street. The Embassy of Romania is hosted in one of the most impressive Baroque palaces of the area, the Morzin Palace. It has been the property of the Romanian State since 1937 during the mandate of Nicolae Titulescu, a visionary minister of foreign affairs, a most distinguished European diplomat, and twice elected president of the general assembly of the League of Nations. Living and working in Prague, a city bearing so many testimonials of Europe’s medieval and contemporary history, is a very special experience.

I enjoy taking walks through the mysterious narrow streets of Malá Strana up to Prague Castle, where one can find enchanting museums, restaurants, and maybe the best panoramic views of Prague. Crossing the Charles Bridge and taking a stroll through the Old Town, passing the Square and taking a glimpse at the astronomical clock, admiring the elegant facades and boutiques with hidden antiquarian gems in Josefov, or attending the extraordinary performances at the Rudolfinum or Národní divadlo, are some of the many pleasant and rewarding activities. I also admire the passion of our Czech friends for nature, and enjoy taking long strolls with my daughter Teodora and our dog Aris through the generous green parks and surrounding forests.

Are there any difficult parts of being an ambassador?

As an ambassador in a very friendly country with a long and rich tradition of cooperation with Romania, I am in a fortunate position of not having a difficult task in fulfilling my mandate.

The profession of a diplomat is mainly about building bridges, opening doors, and finding new ways of cooperation. I am happy to say that during the encounters I have had so far in the Czech Republic

I have met a lot of openness and interest towards my country, as well as willingness to further extend our bilateral cooperation in the fields of political coordination, economic and commercial exchanges, and people-to- people contacts.

Of course, there are challenges that need to be tackled – and I would mention, for example, the assistance for the Romanian citizens transiting or residing in the Czech Republic during the COVID-19 pandemic – but with a good team at the embassy, and in cooperation with our Czech partners, we managed to solve these issues.

Does fulfilling your mandate also include promoting your country as a tourist-worthy holiday destination?

Indeed, Romania is a great destination for tourism, with an important tradition in this country. Many Czechs used to travel to Romania during the communist times, to enjoy the beautiful beaches of the Black Sea or to hike in the Carpathian Mountains.

Today, Romania still represents a generous and diverse destination for Czech tourism, offering adventurous hiking trails in high mountains, preserved natural landscapes, archaic villages, the unique Danube Delta and the Black Sea, historic cities, diverse food, and great wines. One of our objectives is to give a new impetus to cooperation in the field of tourism, and we are in contact with professionals from both countries to find the best ways of increasing the number of Czech tourists to Romania and diversifying the offers for the Czech market. Geographic proximity and people-to-people connections, including the Czech minority in Banat, also play an important role in boosting tourism.

Can you elaborate a bit further on the overall status of Czechia-Romania relations?

Romania and the Czech Republic are traditional partners in the region, with very good bilateral relations favoured by common history, similar recent paths, convergent opinions, and evaluations regarding the current European and international agenda. We are both strongly pro- European and pro-transatlantic countries, which defend the same fundamental principles and share common interests and values.

Major historical events such as the establishment of the Little Entente, the participation of the Romanian army in the liberation of Czechoslovakia in the Second World War, or the refusal of Romania to participate in the invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968 represent solid premises for enhanced cooperation. In 2020 we celebrated an important moment for our bilateral relations: the anniversary of 100 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. Last year, we celebrated 100 years since the creation of Little Entente between Romania, Czechoslovakia, and the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes.

Romania and the Czech Republic are strongly connected by the growing Romanian community in the Czech Republic and the historical Czech minority, present in Banat, in the Western part of Romania. They play a significant role in bringing us closer to each other by creating special people-to-people bonds.

The Czech Republic is also a significant economic partner for Romania, ranking 8th in the EU and 10th worldwide in our foreign trade. Economic cooperation is an important pillar of our bilateral relations, which we are interested in developing further. In 2021, the total volume of trade between Romania and the Czech Republic has reached a record level 5.1 billion Euros, 15.8% higher than the previous year. The current geopolitical and economic developments offer new opportunities for cooperation at a bilateral level in new and significant fields such as energy, transportation and logistics, tourism, agriculture, and food security.

The Romanian-Czech relations therefore have a solid foundation, a lot of potential, and a strong impetus for more cooperation in the future. As I like to say, we need to rediscover each other and work more closely together, because we have all the right premises to do so.

Romania has a long border with Ukraine. How is the war there affecting your country?

Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has fundamentally changed European security and has had a multidimensional impact on our countries. It is a game changer that should prompt us to cooperate even more closely together – in the region, in the EU, and in NATO. Romania and the Czech Republic are both strongly engaged in supporting Ukraine – politically, militarily, and with humanitarian aid – in the context of the Russian aggression.

Moreover, the impact of the war in Ukraine became the top priority of the Czech Presidency of the EU Council, in all its aspects – support for territorial integrity, humanitarian assistance, and post-conflict reconstruction. Romania, as a frontline state having the longest external border with Ukraine, acted quickly and efficiently in support of our neighbouring country, both at the governmental level and at the level of civil society. We have sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine and received refugees on our territory, offering them support, accommodation, medical assistance, and support for social integration. In addition, we have set up a logistic hub in Suceava to collect and transport international humanitarian donations to Ukraine. We have taken all steps to streamline transit at the border crossing points and increase the capacity of our ports on the Danube and to the Black Sea, which became the main transit hubs for Ukrainian grain export.

The aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine has extremely strong effects on the Eastern Neighbourhood of the EU, especially Moldova, which you also share a border with. Does Romania take any actions in this regard?

The Russian aggression has increased the risk of regional destabilization, and the Republic of Moldova is the most vulnerable neighbour of Ukraine in the current context of this illegitimate war.

Given the special relations we have with the Republic of Moldova, based on the community of language, culture, and history, we have stepped up our bilateral support and raised awareness at the European level about the need to step up the engagement in support of this country with a pro-European leadership, in order to avoid further deterioration of the socio-economic situation.

A historic decision was the granting of candidate status to the Republic of Moldova at the June European Council, a decision for which Romania made sustained efforts, and which demonstrated the unity and strategic vision of the EU.

I would like to mention here another important initiative of Romania – the launching, together with Germany and France, the Moldova Support Platform. After the first meeting in Berlin in April, Romania hosted a second meeting on 15th July in Bucharest. We were satisfied to see the important financial support pledged by the participants – 615 million EUR, including 432.3 million EUR as direct grant assistance, which comes on top of the 659.5 million EUR of direct financial support for Moldova pledged at the inaugural Ministerial Conference in Berlin.

We are already working with the Republic of Moldova on the implementation of a 100-million-Euro project-based grant. At the same time, we recently disbursed direct budgetary support of 10 million Euros, announced in the framework of the Moldova Support Platform wit a view to assist Chisinau and its economy through these troubled times.

Also, on 14th October 2022, among other measures to help the Republic of Moldova ensure its stability in the energy sector, Romania started delivering electricity to the Republic of Moldova, after Ukraine stopped its supplies to the country in the context of the Russian attacks on Ukraine’s critical power plants.

We will continue and intensify our efforts to stimulate international financial assistance and to support the reforms, which are particularly relevant now, given the Republic of Moldova’s accession path.

As a child, I remember big Romanian ports, especially Galați, my hometown. Can Romania once again become the gate to Europe from the East?

I am glad you asked this question, since transport routes on the Danube and the Black Sea are subjects of growing interest in the dialogue between Romania and the Czech Republic. As mentioned in my previous answer, one of the consequences of the Russian aggression against Ukraine is that the Black Sea port of Constanţa, as well as the port of Galaţi, on the Danube, have become main transit hubs for Ukrainian grain export, and not only that.

The increase in fuel prices, the major disruptions in transports and supply chains for various goods caused by the war in Ukraine, and the overcrowding of the traditional west-European sea routes justify the interest in shipping goods to and from the Czech Republic and the wider Central Europe region using the facilities of our ports, the Danube, and the interconnected railway networks in a more efficient way.

I am glad to recall that, in June of this year, the Embassy of Romania organized a conference entitled “Romania‘s Black Sea Port of Constanta – a Strategic Hub for Europe”, with the participation of many officials and companies. The conference focused on promoting the strategic location of the port of Constanţa and the ports on the Danube River, and gave the opportunity for important business contacts.

H.E. Antoaneta Barta, Ambassador of Romania

On 11th October, Romania was re-elected as a member of the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 period. What are the implications for Romania, and your priorities as a Council member?

Romania was proud to experience impressive support for joining the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 mandate. In the General Assembly, an overwhelming majority of UN member states voted in favour. Romania will serve for the third time in the Human Rights Council, after our successful mandates in 2006-2008 and 2011-2014.

Our future membership is consistent with our commitment to multilateralism, the rule-based international order, and the comprehensive approach to peace and security, and also sets in a wider global engagement for democracy and human rights.

We have a strong determination to focus on those main priority areas, where we believe our experience and proven commitment may generate positive transformations and a meaningful impact on the work of the Council. These include fostering democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, protecting and promoting the human rights of women and girls, countering discrimination, xenophobia, and racism, and enabling freedom of expression.

Another important date to mention is 1st July this year, the beginning of the Czech presidency in the EU Council. What expectations do you have, and will Romania become part of the Schengen area anytime soon?

As I mentioned, the Czech presidency of the Council of the European Union was deeply marked, and rightly so, by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, as well as its consequences.

Romania has expressed its full support for the Czech Presidency and the successful accomplishment of its objectives, which we fully share. This support was also reconfirmed during the visit of the Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bogdan Aurescu, to Prague, on 18th August 2022, when the two ministers had an in-depth exchange of views on the main topics on the agenda of the Czech EU Presidency.

We welcome the fact that the Czech government has succeeded in promoting and maintaining unity and solidarity among EU member states. Our expectation is that the EU remains united and committed to defending its own values during these challenging and volatile times.

We can say that the success of our host country at the helm of the EU is a success for Europe as a whole. Regarding Romania’s Schengen accession, we appreciate the strong support of the Czech authorities for this legitimate objective of my country. We are also grateful to the PRES CZ for having included the subjec of enlargement of the Schengen Area among the Presidency’s top priorities, and for actively pursuing this goal. At the same time, the resolution adopted by the European Parliament on 18th October sends an important political signal, and reiterates the broad institutional support for this objective.

As you know, Romania has already been fulfilling all the necessary criteria for joining the Schengen space since 2011. Also, in the context of the Ukrainian crisis, Romania proved, once more, that it has both the capacity and the commitment to face major challenges and to ensure effective management of the EU external border. Completing the integration of the Schengen Area will not only be a response to our country’s legitimate expectations over 15 years after its accession to the EU, but will also represent a step forward towards meeting our common goal, which is building a stronger, more resilient, and more cohesive Union.

You gave this interview on the occasion of your National Day. What do you wish for Romania? And for the Czech Republic?

Both Romania and the Czech Republic celebrate on their National Days historic events that marked a new geo-political era – the creation of the modern Romanian State on 1st December 1918, and the creation of Czechoslovakia on 28th October 1918, after the end of the First World War and the dissolution of the Austro- Hungarian Empire. 104 years later, we are experiencing turbulent times once again, with a war in Europe, at our borders.

In such times of crisis, I wish for both Romania and the Czech Republic to stay strong together in defence of our shared values, and to remember past solidarity and common history as a strong impetus for more cooperation in the future.

To my fellow citizens here in the Czech Republic and to all Romanians I extend my best wishes for peace, health, prosperity, and personal accomplishments.

La mulți ani România!

EU meeting

Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Markéta Pekarová Adamová organized a meeting of chairpersons of EU parliaments in Brussels to discuss the situation of Ukrainian refugees. The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Speaker of the Ukrainian Legislative Assembly, Olena Kondratiuk. The main topic of the meeting was the issue of Ukrainian war refugees. At the end of the meeting, a joint position was adopted condemning Russian attacks against the civilian population in Ukraine.

Joint statement condemns the wave of Russian attacks against civilian targets in Ukraine.

Barbaric rocket attacks on playgrounds, footbridges, energy facilities, museums and busy streets of Ukrainian cities are unjustifiable and will never be forgotten. It is time that we all support a special international tribunal that will hold all perpetrators of war crimes accountable. Impunity for war crimes cannot be tolerated.

In this context, we recall the resolution of the European Parliament of October 6, 2022 on the escalation of Russian military aggression against Ukraine, which calls for the prosecution of Putin and all relevant Russian civilians and military officials and their representatives responsible for the preparation, initiation and conduct of the war in Ukraine.

We call for continued support for Ukrainians in Ukraine and other countries, including women, children and the elderly, who have been forced to flee their homes as a result of brutal Russian aggression.

Embassy of the Republic of Korea house – from an ugly duck to a beautiful swan

Text: M. Zisso; Photo: SIAL architects and engineers – Liberec

Few weeks ago the Embassy of the Republic of Korea celebrated the Grand Opening of the New Chancery of the Embassy The Ambassador H.E. Mr. Tae-jin Kim hosted an event attended by the Prime Minister Mr. Petr Fiala, Presidential Envoy and Minister for Trade of the Republic of Korea Mr. AHN Dukgeun, members of the Parliament and the Senate of CR, Ambassadors and other distinguished guests.

We are bringing a special story of this beautiful building. The project of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Pelléova Street in Prague 6 uses the concept of the reconstruction of the original villa in the street front and the construction of a new wing in the garden part of the property. The restoration of the neo-Renaissance form of the villa corresponds to its original state before 1909. The new mass of the west wing is designed as an architecturally contemporary building.

The story of this project began in the archives of the National Institute of Monuments, where we discovered that the site and the ruin standing on it have a long and interesting history, although the current state did not in the least indicate such a thing.

From left: The Ambassador H.E. Mr. Tae-jin Kim, Prime Minister Mr. Petr Fiala and Presidential Envoy and Minister for Trade of the Republic of Korea Mr. AHN Dukgeun

Prime Minister Mr. Petr Fiala and Presidential Envoy and Minister for Trade of the Republic of Korea Mr. AHN Dukgeun

From right : The Ambassador H.E. Mr. Tae-jin Kim, Prime Minister Mr. Petr Fiala and Presidential Envoy and Minister for Trade of the Republic of Korea Mr. AHN Dukgeun

From left: The Ambassador H.E. Mr. Tae-jin Kim, Prime Minister Mr. Petr Fiala

The historic facade and its elements of existing building were almost completely destroyed, and only tiny and innumerable relics reminded of its original beauty. However, the original main structure of the villa survived, hidden under insensitive recent modifications.

The idea of rejecting total demolition, removing only the worthless later additions and returning the house to its original appearance and beauty suddenly became more and more clear and obvious. Even though such a solution is always more complicated and more time consuming, architects and the client were together convinced about the rightness of their decision to respect the history and genius loci of the site and its surroundings. The way to the realization of the project was thus opened…

The historic street villa was restored and preserved as an independent separate building, which is connected with the new building of the west wing by a subtle glass neck.

The restoration of the neo-Renaissance appearance of the villa corresponds to the original state before 1909. The basis for the design was the original documentation of the building in the various stages of construction. Historical morphology and details were returned back on the facades. The most valuable interior parts of the villa were renovated using the preserved original elements or their copies.

The new mass of the west wing is designed as an architecturally contemporary building with a flat roof, the design of the facades reflects the villa and residential character of the surrounding buildings. Facade travertine cladding is provided with vertical grooves, transparent parts are formed by low-reflection glazing.

From left: “SIAL architects and engineers – Liberec” design company key personnel, project director: Jiří Tauš, chief architect: Jiří Buček, cooperative architect: Jiří Chmelík, construction drawings: Petr Kadavý, chief structural engineer: Zdeněk Dřevěný, interior design: KPEC EU – MAPGROUP (Korea)

The garden part of the embassy is adapted for social events. The grassy parts with existing mature trees are complemented by residential decks.

H.E. Feng Biao

“Each country has its own historical traditions”

H.E. Feng Biao, Ambassador of China with Miloš Zeman, President of Czech Republic

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

“China has a history that includes a million years of humanity, 10,000 years of culture, and more than 5,000 years of civilization”, proudly says the new Chinese Ambassador in the Czech Republic, Mr. Feng Biao, and continues: “It is important to seek common ground while shelving differences, and to achieve harmony without uniformity.” How is the new Ambassador feeling in Czechia? What does he say about the relationship between the two countries? And how does he see the relationship between his country and the world?

Mr. Ambassador, you arrived in the Czech Republic on 14th October this year. Before, you worked in Chinese embassies in Syria, Egypt, and Sudan. What were your first impressions of our country?

Thank you for asking this question. It is a great honour for me to be the new Chinese Ambassador to this beautiful country. Actually, I feel at home here. First of all, my hometown is in the south of the Yangtze River of China, which has a similar climate and environment to that of the Czech Republic, with beautiful scenery, frequent rain, and moist air.

Secondly, both our countries have time-honoured cultural traditions and good aspirations for the prosperity and development of human civilization. Our two countries have rich cultural resources for exchange, and can work together to promote dialogue and mutual learning among civilizations.

Thirdly, China and the Czech Republic enjoy a traditional friendship. Czechoslovakia was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the new China in 1949. In the early days of the People’s Republic of China, the Czech Republic donated agricultural machinery and equipment to China. During the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, China and the Czech Republic supported each other, and China helped provide a large amount of pandemic-prevention supplies to the Czech Republic. China and the Czech Republic have helped each other through difficulties in different historical periods, demonstrating the friendship between our two countries and two peoples. I hope that in the new era the two countries will continue to strengthen their friendship and cooperation, for the well-being of both countries and peoples.

What do you consider the most difficult part of being an ambassador?

As the title itself suggests, an ambassador is a representative from one country to the other in order to promote friendship and ties between the two countries and peoples. The most difficult thing about being an ambassador is having the way of thinking needed to deal with problems and resolve conflicts. Each and every country and nation has its own historical traditions, cultural heritage, basic national conditions, and ways of thinking. It is important to seek common ground while shelving differences, and to achieve harmony without uniformity in order to bring people closer to each other. During my tenure, I will do my best to consolidate mutual political trust, expand economic cooperation and trade, and strengthen people-to-people exchanges between China and the Czech Republic. I will make unremitting efforts to promote the steady and long- term development of the China-Czechia strategic partnership, improve the well-being of our people, achieve common development, and write a new chapter of China-Czechia friendship.

China is a large country that has a lot to offer to travellers. Can you introduce the natural and cultural heritage of your motherland, please?

Thank you for your interest in my motherland. As one of the countries with the longest history in the world, China has a history that includes a million years of humanity, 10,000 years of culture, and more than 5,000 years of civilization, and the Chinese civilization is the only civilization in human history that has lasted for over 5,000 years without interruption. For a long time, the Chinese civilization has exchanged knowledge with other civilizations and learned from each other, contributing to the world with profound systems of thought, rich achievements in science, technology, culture and art, and unique institutional creations. As a matter of fact, the Chinese civilization has profoundly affected the progress of world civilization. Today, China has a rich and profound cultural heritage, with 518 items in the first batch of the national list of intangible cultural heritage, and 42 items recognized as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. Chinese literature, calligraphy, music, drama, tea ceremonies, porcelain, etc. have a unique sense of beauty, and reflect the peaceful, optimistic, and open traits of the Chinese people.

As you said, China is a vast country, and covers an area of over 9.6 million square kilometres. It has a beautiful landscape, with 318 national 5A-rated scenic spots and 45 national tourist resorts. By July 2021, the total number of China‘s world heritage sites had reached 56, among which 38 are cultural sites, 14 are natural sites, and 4 are mixed sites, including the Great Wall and the Forbidden City of Beijing. Different regions in China have various scenes and customs, and China’s regional cultures are diverse and colourful.

Moreover, China has enjoyed a rich food culture since ancient times, which emphasizes the seasonality, appearance, meaning and nutrition of food. The renowned Eight Cuisines of China are Anhui, Guangdong, Fujian, Hunan, Jiangsu, Shandong, Sichuan, and Zhejiang. These cuisines have distinctive culinary styles, and I believe our Czech friends will find their favourites among them.

With this interview, I would like to extend a warm welcome to our Czech friends to visit China, and experience a real and wonderful China.

Thank you for this really nice overview of the enjoyable features that are part of the colourful country of China. Now, can you describe the current status of Czech-Chinese relations?

This is an important question. The Czech Republic was one of the first countries to recognize the People‘s Republic of China. This year marks the 73rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, and the 6th anniversary of the establishment of a strategic partnership between China and the Czech Republic. History shows that friendly cooperation has always been the mainstream of China-Czechia relations, and mutual benefit and win-win results are the foundation of bilateral cooperation. In particular, since the Czech Republic joined the Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries (the China-CEEC Cooperation) in 2012, the China-Czechia practical cooperation has continued to reach new levels.

According to the Czech Statistical Office, the bilateral trade volume between China and the Czech Republic increased by 120% from US$17.4 billion in 2012 to US$38.3 billion in 2021. Currently, the Czech Republic is China‘s second-largest trading partner in Central and Eastern Europe, while China is the Czech Republic‘s largest trading partner outside the EU. In addition, according to the statistics of the Chinese Embassy in the Czech Republic, Chinese investment in the Czech Republic increased from less than US$300 million in 2013 to US$1.7 billion in 2021. There are now more than 50 Chinese enterprises in the Czech Republic, covering traditional manufacturing sectors such as automobiles, machinery, home appliances, and chemicals, as well as emerging sectors such as information technology, new energy, and e-commerce.

China attaches great importance to the development of its relations with the Czech Republic, regards the Czech Republic as an important cooperative partner, and firmly believes that maintaining and growing a sound relationship between China and the Czech Republic best serves the common interests of the two countries and two peoples. For some time now, a small group of people in the Czech Republic, out of ideological prejudice and other reasons, have been interfering in China‘s internal affairs, undermining China‘s interests and causing adverse impacts. It should be pointed out that this group of people are incapable of preventing the people of the two countries from further developing friendly relations, let alone blocking China‘s development and progress. China stands ready to work with the Czech side, on the basis of the principles of mutual respect, equal treatment, and mutual benefits, to strengthen friendly cooperation in various fields, promote the sustained, sound, and steady development of bilateral relations, and create more benefits for the people of both countries.

The waiting time for a new electric car in Czechia has now exceeded one year. Since China is a leader in the field of new energy vehicles, I would like to ask when we would be able to find them, and especially the BYD SUV atto 3, on sale here.

This is a very interesting question. Thank you. In recent years, China has been making great efforts in developing a new energy vehicle (NEV) industry, and has more than 70 NEV brands. Now, there are around 600,000 NEV-related enterprises operating in China. In 2021, the output of new energy vehicles in China reached 3.545 million units, with a year-on-year growth of 159.5%. The sales volume was 3.521 million with a year-on-year growth of 157.6%, ranking the first in the world for seven consecutive years. The Chinese NEV industry strives to innovate technology, reduce costs, optimize services, and improve their brand image, and is rewarded with an increasing reputation in the global markets. In 2021, China exported 310,000 new energy vehicles with a year-on-year increase of nearly three times, accounting for one third of the world’s export volume and making China the largest NEV exporter in the world. From 2021 to 2026, China’s production and sale of new energy vehicles are projected to grow at an average annual rate of over 40%.

At present, there are several Chinese NEV brands selling in the Czech Republic. SAIC MG is one of them, and the sales volume of SAIC MG has been nearly 300 units in 2022. Some other brands are actively exploring the Czech market at the moment. I hope Czech customers could have the opportunity to buy the BYD atto 3 and other models from local dealers in the near future, and we look forward to more and more trade and investment cooperation between China and the Czech Republic in the field of new energy vehicles.

H.E. Feng Biao, Ambassador of China with Miloš Zeman, President of Czech Republic

This interview is given on the occasion of the National Day of China. What wishes do you have for your motherland, and for the Czech Republic?

In the 73 years since the founding of the People‘s Republic of China on 1st October, 1949, and especially in the over 40 years of reform and opening up, China has made impressive achievements in development, and both its comprehensive national power and the living standard of the Chinese people have improved significantly. We have completed the historical task of eradicating absolute poverty and finishing building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, and have embarked on a new journey toward building a modern socialist country in all respects. In 2021, China‘s GDP reached 114 trillion yuan (approximately CZK 376 trillion) and accounted for 18.5% of the world economy. China has firmly remained the world’s second-largest economy. It has entered the ranking of the most innovative countries of the world, with the second highest nationwide R&D spending and the largest cohort of R&D personnel in the world, and has achieved major successes on multiple fronts, including manned spaceflight and Moon and Mars exploration. China has built the world‘s largest education, social security, and healthcare systems, and is recognized as one of the safest countries. The average life expectancy of the Chinese people has risen to 78.2 years.

Just as China cannot develop in isolation from the world, the world needs China for its development. In 2021, the total value of China‘s trade in goods and services grew to US$6.9 trillion, the stock of its investment in foreign countries exceeded US$2.6 trillion, and the cumulative foreign direct investment in China exceeded US$2.6 trillion. From 2017 to 2021, China ranked second in the world in attracting foreign investment for four consecutive years, and its outbound investment flows were among the top three in the world. China has become a major trading partner for over 140 countries, and has contributed up to 38.6% on average to and has become the main engine for world economic growth. We‘ll be steadfast in deepening reform and opening up across the board, as well as in pursuing high-quality development, and will create many more opportunities for the world through China’s own development.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish for my great motherland to be strong and prosperous, for my compatriots to be happy and healthy, and for the early realization of the Chinese dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Meanwhile, I sincerely wish the Czech Republic peace and prosperity, and a brighter future for China-Czechia relations.

H.E. Antonios Theocharous

“After 5 years it is time for farewell”

H.E. Antonios Theocharous, Ambassador of Cyprus

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

Mr. Antonios Theocharous, Ambassador of Cyprus, has successfully represented his country in Czechia for five years. In his farewell interview, we asked him to share his point of view on the time of his mission here, as well as some other issues. Enjoy the reading… and who knows, it might even inspire you to learn more about the Ambassador’s homeland, and spend your next holiday in Cyprus – a warm, friendly island country in the Mediterranean Sea.

Can you please introduce yourself a bit to our readers?

I was born in 1971 in Limassol, where I lived until 1989, attending elementary and high school. Those carefree school years were interrupted by serving in the Cypriot army, due to the consequences of the Turkish invasion in 1974 and the ongoing occupation.

This was followed by university studies in the UK, in the field of economics. At the end of my studies, and after passing all the stages of both the written and oral exams, I joined the diplomatic service of the Republic of Cyprus. I wanted to serve my country by communicating the Cyprus issue, and discovering different possibilities for strengthening the relations of Cyprus with other countries. This was only possible with hard work and effort.

You have been in the Czech Republic for five years instead of the usual four. How did that happen?

I arrived in Prague in September 2017 with the instructions from Nicosia to re-operate our embassy, which had suspended its operations due to the financial crisis in 2013.

Thus, the first two years were mostly spent on the administrative and organizational issues related to the operation of the embassy. At the same time, the embassy was promoting bilateral cooperation with the Czech Republic, as well as serving the public – especially Cypriot citizens. A turning point that will not be forgotten was the pandemic, and, as it was throughout the whole world, its negative consequences on the economy and society in general. This was also the reason why I have stayed in the Czech Republic one year longer than expected.

How many countries have you served in before coming to Prague?

So far, I have been based in five countries: Austria (with parallel accreditation to Slovakia, Croatia, Slovenia, Liechtenstein, OSCE, and the UN Office in Vienna), Greece (Consul General in Thessaloniki), Germany, Hungary (with parallel accreditation to Bosnia and Herzegovina) and currently the last mission has been to your country, the Czech Republic.

As I already mentioned before, the period of the COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly had the biggest impact on my duties in Czechia. Since the airports and means of transport were closed, several Cypriots were stranded in the Czech Republic and the embassy had to intervene to help them return to Cyprus.

Does the role of ambassador affect your lifestyle?

Of course, being an ambassador has both positive and negative effects to one’s lifestyle. It’s a matter of dealing with them in good spirits and always being optimistic. Living far away from your hometown and family is not easy, but it is also challenging in terms of meeting new people and making new friends. The little free time I have I mostly devote to my loved ones and to relaxing by watching TV – Greek comedies and series.

Cyprus is an attractive holiday destination for Czech people. How do you promote your country?

Cyprus organizes promotional events in collaboration with local agencies. For example, in the summer the Botanical Garden of Prague presented an exhibition with plants from Cyprus, as well as the book „Botanical Journeys through Cyprus“. The embassy also hosted an event and presented Cypriot flavors by offering Cypriot halloumi cheese and the alcoholic beverages koumandaria (sweet wine) and zivania (shots). That is what the person visiting Cyprus will see, smell, and taste.

In previous years, the Embassy of Cyprus took part in the Festival of Embassies, where people could taste traditional food of different countries. Furthermore, we distribute quite a lot of promotional material on every occasion, like the European Day, Festival in Brno etc.

The EU Council presidency of the Czech Republic started in July. What are your expectations in this regard?

Cyprus expects the Czech Republic to lead the effort to restore peace in Ukraine, remove Russian occupation troops, and show respect for Ukraine‘s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Having said that, we expect that the Czech Republic will do exactly the same and without discrimination in the case of Cyprus, which has also been under occupation since 1974.

This interview is a farewell after your five years in Prague. Can you make a wish for our countries on this occasion?

Let me say that our bilateral relations within the framework of the EU are at a very good level, with the prospect of further improvement. I wish both of our countries freedom, peace, security, and prosperity.

Let’s act together to create a CLIMATE-RESILIENT LANDSACPE

Text: Eva Volfová; Photo: Archive

Why we need to protect biodiversity

Healthy ecosystems provide food and food security, clean water, carbon sinks, and protection against natural disasters caused by climate change. They are essential for our long-term survival, wellbeing, prosperity, and security, as they are the basis for Europe’s resilience. But despite EU and international efforts, biodiversity loss and the degradation of ecosystems continue at an alarming rate, harming people, the economy, and the climate.¹⁾ During the Czech presidency of the EU Council, we started negotiations on the new European Nature Restoration Law. It admits that nature has been degraded to a large extent, and that we need to restore it in order to survive. Climate and biodiversity crises are two sides of the same coin, which is the “unsustainability” of our civilization’s way of life.

Political will and funding can be mobilised

Tackling biodiversity losses, protecting our nature, and doing everything possible to maintain sustainability are one of our most important common goals. Biodiversity is the absolute basis of life. Protecting and restoring biodiversity is the only way to preserve the quality and continuity of human life on Earth. The COVID-19 pandemic has once again shown us the fundamental importance of ecosystems and biodiversity for our health, and for our economic and social stability.

The rapid and massive response to the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that enormous political will and funding can be mobilized when humans perceive an existential threat. It is imperative that the climate and biodiversity crises be communicated as similar threats as well.²⁾

Protecting biodiversity is a global challenge, and the next decade will be decisive. Our wilderness is disappearing before our eyes, and more species are being put at risk of extinction than at any other point in human history. In the last four decades, global wildlife populations fell by 60% as a result of human activities³⁾. Global efforts have largely been insufficient up until now. Climate change is largely negatively affecting biodiversity in all ecosystems, including critical and vulnerable ones, as well as intact and wilderness areas. Nature cannot afford any half-measures or lack of ambition. In this spirit, the EU and Czechia, as the current Presidency of the Council, are committed to doing their utmost to reverse the negative trends.

We must shift from theory to action

For decades it has been known what we need to do. We have had a lot of international conventions, strategies, commitments, and instruments, but for a long time it has been obvious that it is still not enough. In the 30 years of its existence, our law on nature and landscape protection has never been fully implemented. We have settled for half-measures in nature conservation, which have only slowed the decline, but real change is admitting that the negative trends have not been reversed and coming up with a truly viable solution, which will finally reverse decades of exploitation.

It is evident that political attention and will is indeed shifting towards more recognition of nature and climate-related issues. We need to shift from theory to action.

If we are to have any chance at all of halting the decline in biodiversity, mitigating climate crisis, increasing water retention, being more resilient to climate change, etc. then we need large-scale implemented local solutions involving all actors. Conservationists alone cannot “save nature” on their own, despite their best efforts. They can offer experience with sustainable practices, but these cannot be merely applied in protected areas. The concept of sustainable land use, which can go hand in hand with nature conservation, is also appropriate given the current priority of food and energy security.

Sometimes, we have to just let nature do its job

Sometimes, we only have to let nature do its job for transformative regeneration to occur. A good example is the forests of the National Park in Bohemian Switzerland, which was hit by a strong fire this year. A natural phenomenon is taking place there, which will help start the natural regeneration of the area and will allow for the creation of multi-species, resilient forests in place of the former spruce and pine monocultures. This restoration is already underway there.

As a species, humankind only has a limited amount of time left to effectively use the knowledge we have accumulated to collaborate broadly in order to restore landscapes and ecosystem services so that we can survive on this planet.

¹⁾ https://environment.ec.europa.eu/publications/nature-restoration-law_en.

²⁾ Prague Manifesto for Biodiversity Conservation – ECCB 2022.

³⁾ https://ec.europa.eu/ environment/biodiversity/business/biodiversity/index_en.htm

Mgr. Eva Volfová

She studied environmental protection at the Faculty of Science of Charles University in Prague. Currently, she works as a Deputy Minister of the Environment. She worked as an adviser to the deputy for the environment at the Regional Office of the Pilsen Region. She is a forensic expert in the field of nature protection. She was involved in the preparation and implementation of Natura 2000. she did field mapping of habitat types, expert site proposals, management plans, monitoring, appropriate assessments. She is a member of non-governmental organizations: Ametyst, Czech Botanical Society, and Czech Ornithological Society.

Issue 04/2022

New book by Miroslav Bobek is now available in English!

A new book written by Miroslav Bobek (Prague Zoo Manager), which was recommended by word-renowned primatologist and conservationist Jane Goodall is now in available English.

Read our full article about it here.

Josef Čapek: Avantgarde Czech painter inspired by Cubism

Josef Čapek was a Czech painter, writer, photographer, graphic designer and book illustrator. He is the elder brother of the writer Karel Čapek, with whom he worked closely, and contrary to popular belief it was Josef who coined the word “robot”.

See the rest here.

Czechs increasingly attracted to “digital nomad” lifestyle

“Digital nomad” is a phrase that many of us have been hearing increasingly frequently in recent years. In 2021, Merriam-Webster even added the term to their dictionary. And Czechs are no exception to this trend – more and more of them are getting a taste for the digital nomad lifestyle too.

26-year-old Martin Koudela works as a freelancer, doing marketing for luxury hotels and managing development projects, and is currently working remotely while travelling in South-east Asia. He told Czech Radio how he likes to arrange his day.

“I probably wouldn’t like to be in one place for half a year; I prefer travelling a little then working a little – that kind of combination of working for three or four hours in the morning, then going exploring, working again for a while in the evening, then moving somewhere else…”

See the rest here.

Author: Anna Fodor

A Stitch in Time: Part 5 – On Cowsheds and Velvet Dresses

Photo: archive of Johana Trejtnar

In this episode we have four stories set in the Czech or Moravian countryside, tales of ordinary people living through times that were anything but ordinary. Three of them take us back to the Stalinist years of the early 1950s in Czechoslovakia, and the fourth story is more universal, a tale of good advice well taken.

In her story The Blue Velvet Dress, seventeen-year-old Johana Trejtnar tells us about a dress made by her great-grandmother, who was a seamstress in the mountains of north-eastern Bohemia. “I feel that a lot of what I live today comes from everything that my ancestors went through,” Johana says.

The following extracts gives us a flavour of Johana’s writing:

She touched the soft material for the future dress, buried her fingers in it, imagined her daughter, walking down the street in the beautiful blue velvet, and for a moment she got lost in the back of her mind, in a maze of spools and buttons and years long past. Only the toll of the faraway church bell urged her to get up, blow out the candle, carefully fold the fabric into the darkness of a closet to be continued the next day and get to bed.

The dress has remained in the family to this day – and was the inspiration for the title of this whole series: A Stitch in Time.

See the rest here.

Author: David Vaughan

December 1922: Artists Květa and Jitka Válová are born

Photo: GASK

The acclaimed Czech artists Květa and Jitka Válová, who were twins, were born 100 years ago, on December 13, 1922.

The sisters shared a date of birth, a lifelong home in the formerly industrial town of Kladno, near Prague, and great artistic talent.

That said, the large-format paintings of each are different, bearing a personal signature and style. The pair were part of the art group Trasa, which also included sculptor Olbram Zoubek, among others.

After the war the Válová girls studied under the great Czech Cubist artist Emil Filla.

They were financially supported by their mother (they had lost their father at a young age) and artist friends. Jitka painted on the ground floor of their Kladno home while Květa had a studio on the first floor.

Jitka was interested in animals and their fight for survival, nature and man. Květa’s art is more spiritual.

However, in the 1950s, no artist who did not work in the socialist realist genre had it easy. Communist writer Marie Majerová said they were a black stain on “red Kladno” and they were barred from exhibiting.

Czech classical music great Antonín Dvořák

Photo: public domain

Along with Bedřich Smetana, Antonín Dvořák is perhaps the best known Czech composer. Contemporary accounts from the time of his life show that it was not just Dvořák’s music that made an impression on people, but his character as well.

The musical legacy of Antonín Dvořák is one of the bastions of European cultural heritage. During his lifetime the composer became one of Europe’s most important symphonists and writers of oratorios and chamber works. From the 1880s onwards his music was performed by leading artists in the most celebrated venues of Europe, the United States, Canada, Russia and Australia. Towards the end of his life Dvořák was frequently described as the world’s greatest living composer.

New Issue Preview

Josef Mánes: the pioneer of modern Czech art

Photo: Národní galerie Praha

Josef Mánes left a rich legacy to the Czech Republic – but also fell afoul of a mysterious curse. What is the identity of the woman with the mysterious smile in his painting Josefína, “the Czech Mona Lisa”? And what is the curse of the astronomical clock? Find out more in the first instalment of our new series on Czech painters.

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Clay Sculptures: Terracotas by 15th⁠–⁠19th Century Italian Masters

Clay Sculptures: Terracotas by 15th⁠–⁠19th Century Italian Masters in the Collection of the National Gallery Prague organised by the National Gallery Prague in collaboration with the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague and the Institute of Archaeology of the Czech Academy of Sciences.

This small exhibition will offer visitors insight into the research methods used for the analysis of works of art not only from the artistic and historical points of view, but also from the perspective of natural sciences. The exhibition’s attractive format will be instrumental in revealing the benefits of the interdisciplinary collaboration among art historians, restorers, natural scientists, and specialists from the University of Chemistry and Technology. Only thanks to their joint work, and with the help of technology and the latest non-invasive analyses, can visitors look beneath the surface of artworks, learn the essence of material analysis processes, and especially discover the contribution of research to restoration and day-to-day care of cultural heritage. The theme of the exhibition responds to the long-term interest of permanent exhibition visitors in exact research and the methods of art restoration. The project will present the collaboration of researchers in humanities and natural scientists as well as their joint results.

Curator: Olga Kotková

Representatives from the global multi-stakeholder community discussed the Future of the Internet in Prague

Photo source: Twitter

A High-level multi-stakeholder event on the Future of the Internet took place in Prague, Czech Republic, on 2 November 2022. The event included plenary sessions as well as workshops, where government representatives together with stakeholders discussed concrete actions to deliver on the internet’s promise of connecting humankind and helping democracies to thrive, as reflected by the principles in the Declaration. The second bloc of the event was focused on disinformation.

The event, organised by the European Commission in coordination with the European External Action Service and the Czech Presidency of the to the Council of the European Union, bringed together representatives from the global multi-stakeholder community to promote the overarching DFI (Declaration on the Future of The Internet) partners endorsed vision for an Internet that is open, free, global, interoperable, reliable, and secure. The event was focused on sharing solutions to implement the principles enshrined in the Declaration on the Future of the Internet (DFI).

Photo source: Twitter

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said :

“The Internet has brought humanity together, like never before in history. Today, for the first time, like-minded countries from all over the world are setting out a shared vision for the future of the Internet, to make sure that the values we hold true offline are also protected online, to make the Internet a safe place and trusted space for everyone, and to ensure that the Internet serves our individual freedom. Because the future of the Internet is also the future of democracy, of humankind.”

Photo source: Twitter

Disinformation in the region of Central-Eastern Europe, addressed in the event

Against this background, the event included plenary sessions as well as workshops, where government representatives together with stakeholders discussed concrete actions to deliver on the internet’s promise of connecting humankind and helping democracies to thrive, as reflected by the principles in the Declaration.

The second bloc of the event was focused on disinformation. It showed how to translate the DFI principles into concrete actions, with a particular focus on pro-Russia related disinformation in the region of Central-Eastern Europe. During this part, a presentation made by policy makers and experts in the field provided an overview of the main issues related to disinformation, followed by a high-level panel that will engage policy makers platforms and civil society organisations to discuss how such issues can be addressed through the new co-regulatory framework and the strengthened Code of Practice on Disinformation.

The agenda of the event can be accessed here.

NGI: A program that funds solutions in the fields of the DFI

Next Generation Internet is an initiative of the European Commission, which aims to shape the Internet for the future as a powerful, user-centric (Internet of Humans) ecosystem that meets the fundamental needs of the population.

The NGI programme is supporting solutions in the fields of the DFI and it funds the best research and innovation projects in the field of the Internet, ultimately addressing the need for a more fair, safe, resilient, sustainable, human-centred and decentralized internet. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion are the backbones of this envisioned future.

So far the NGI has funded more than 600 innovators with inclusive and trust-based complementary technology building blocks including services, applications, decentralized ledger technologies such as blockchain, data portability, AI, machine learning, networking, hardware and open source software.

Projects cover a broad range of subjects from private search, instant messaging and remote working tools with data privacy, health, energy, finance, supply chains, research, knowledge management and responsible media platforms.

Czech NGI-funded projects:

https://www.ngi.eu/discover-ngi-solutions/?country=1685

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How was the International Trebbia Award created?

Photo: Archive

In 1143, the Premonstratensian Canon founded the Strahov Monastery on the Prague hill Hradčany. In the years 1602–1612, the Premonstratensians and Emperor Rudolf II had a church built in gratitude for Prague having avoided the plague. This church was named after the French Saint Roch, who, at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries, helped wherever the plague appeared. When Saint Roch himself fell ill, he left France and went across the Alps to northern Italy, where he lived for many years in a shack on the banks of the Italian river Trebbia. According to the legend, an angel visited him and healed him from his illness.

In 1993, the MIRO Gallery, founded in Berlin in 1987, moved to the Church of St. Roch on Hradčany in Prague. In 2000, the MIRO Company initiated the formation of an international award named after the Italian river Trebbia. This award was created as an expression of gratitude to entrepreneurs, patrons, and artists across all artistic genres. The Trebbia Gala Evening has been one of the most prestigious international events in the Czech and Slovak Republics over the past 20 years. The Trebbia International Awards are presented annually to laureates from many countries around the world in a live broadcast by Czech and Slovak Television, and on the Trebbia Foundation YouTube channel from 20:00 CET, with a simultaneous English translation. A replay of the Trebbia Gala Evening was broadcasted a week later on TV Noe in the Czech and Slovak Republics.

Between 2001-2022, the International Trebbia Awards was awarded to 118 laureates from 31 countries around the world (Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Czech Republic, the People‘s Republic of China, France, India, Ireland, Italy, Israel, Japan, Cambodia, Kenya, Kuwait, Laos, Hungary, Mexico, Monaco, Mongolia, Poland, Austria, Russian Federation, Slovakia, United Kingdom, Federal Republic of Germany, Spain, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine, USA, and Venezuela).

2Oth anniversary of the TREBBIA International Awards. Sunday 12 June 2O22, Spanish Hall of Prague Castle. Broadcast live on Czech and Slovak Television, broadcast worldwide in English via the Trebbia Foundation YouTube channel and replayed on TV Noe

Petr Nečas, ex-prime minister of the Czech Republic with his wife

Anton and Inga Karaseva, 1OO CZ Company; Viktoria Sion, publisher of Statuss magazine and René Sion, CEO of Dallmayr

From left: Václav Pavlas – Prague ZOO, Dhalia Yaari – a businesswoman from Israel, Meshulam Zisso – Czech & Slovak Leaders Magazine, Hana Březovská – LL.M. and Jiří Březovský – VIP financial consulting

The charity cheque was received by Chantal Poullain, founder of the Archa Foundation

The painting “Nostalgic Poeticon 93“ by Jiří Anderle was auctioned by Vladimír Lekeš, owner of Adolf Loos Apartment & Gallery

Soprano Alena Miro and tenor Štefan Margita performed at the benefit gala evening, accompanied by the Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra, lead by conductor Leoš Svárovský

The painting “St. Roch with a dog“ by Barbara Barbar Kysilková was auctioned by Jana Chmelařová

Pavel Šmíd’s painting “Pregnant“ was auctioned by Vladislav Stanko, founder of the European Institute of Business and Public Education

Painting by Martin Šárovec “Thank God! The view of Charles Bridge 2” was auctioned by Roman Knap, the CEO of the Czech Post

The gala evening included a benefit auction in favour of the Archa Chantal Foundation and the TREBBIA Foundation. Miro Smolák, bidder and founder of the Trebbia International Award

The TREBBIA International Award in the category for lifetime achievement was awarded to Soňa Červená, opera singer. The award was presented to her by Eva Blahová, professor of opera singing, director emeritus of the Janáček Opera Brno, member of the Trebbia INJ, and Jiří Heřman, artistic director of the National Theatre Opera Brno

The TREBBIA International Award for Contribution to the Dialogue of National Cultures was awarded to Papia Ghoshal, a versatile artist, publisher, and producer from India. The award was presented to her by Mrs. Seema Kotalwar, wife of the Ambassador of the Republic of India to the Czech Republic, and through a video greeting by H.E. Hynek Kmoníček, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the USA, member of Trebbia INJ

The TREBBIA International Award for Contribution to the Dialogue of National Cultures was awarded to Phanuel Osweto, a parish priest from Kenya, working in the Czech Republic. The award was presented to him by Leoš Ryška, parish priest, director of TV Noe and Daniel Peter Janáček, O.Praem., abbot of Strahov Monastery

The TREBBIA International Award for Support of Culture and Arts was awarded to Roman Bělor, the long-time director of the Prague Spring Festival. The award was presented to him by Ilja Šmíd, former Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic and René Zavoral, general director of Czech Radio

Laudatio for the 2Oth anniversary was delivered by Daniel Peter Janáček, O.Praem., abbot of Strahov, Royal Canon of the Premonstratensians

The TREBBIA International Award for Creative Activity was awarded to jazz singer Jana Koubková. The award was accepted on behalf of Ms Koubková by her friend, independent journalist and chairwoman of the Czech Roots Association, Martina Fialková. The award was presented by MUDr. Martin Jan Stránský, a doctor, pedagogue, publisher, and publicist, member of the Trebbia International Nomination Jury

The TREBBIA International Award for Creative Activity was awarded to composer Juraj Filas In Memoriam. The award was received by Katarína Szabados and Šimon Lomský, the daughter and grandson of the laureate. The award was presented by Ivan Ženatý, violin virtuoso, and remotely via video greeting by Stanislav Kotyza, an American entrepreneur and philanthropist of Czech origin. The gala evening was moderated by Jitka Novotná (Czech Television) and Ľubomír Bajaník (Slovak Television)

Ivo Nahálka

“A hotel tests your skills until the last minute”

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

In the historical center of Prague, it is quite an impossible task to find an architecturally uninteresting building, and it is right here where the Archina Design Studio is located, in the Mozarteum building. The interior of the studio itself is inspiring as well, which is further supported by the list of project designs the company has in its portfolio. The list is rather long, but let us name some well-known hotels, such as Don Giovanni, Imperial, King’s Resort, Palace Hotel, and Crowne Plaza Prague Castle. Ivo Nahálka is the long-time leader of the studio and a renowned architect, especially in the hotel construction sector.

You are well respected as an experienced hotel project design studio. Why have you focused on this demanding sector? Do you enjoy challenges in life?

First, let me set one thing straight. Sometimes, the public – even the professional public – thinks that our studio focuses solely and specifically on hotels. This is not the case. However, if you look through our list of implemented project designs, you will see that our main professional focus has come about by coincidence. In my second year of university, I chose a very complex design in Pankrác, Prague, next to the Congress Center. I took part in several competitions with that design. Right after graduation, I joined a team of architects who were designing the hotel in the end, and the project was implemented. This is the key point where my professional career really started, and this project was followed by more and more hotel project design implementations, addressing investors and hotel companies with something that the hotel world needed. It is the difference, the beauty…

What is it that makes hotel project design so challenging and unique?

A hotel is your second home when you are travelling, and you need to feel comfortable there, no matter what your preferences are. It is not a question of taste, style, or services at all. If the services provided are of high quality then it is a regular upgrade and guests are likely to come back. But it is primarily about how they perceive the hotel – the building, its interiors, and how everything is arranged to make them comfortable to sleep, work, attend a conference, go out for entertainment, swim, exercise, enjoy good cuisine there… The complexity of hotel construction is high because several functions are accumulated in one building – basically, all the normal activities that people do from morning to evening, and from evening to morning, in some rather short periods of time and in one place. Hotel construction tests the architect in a highly challenging way. The result should support the success of a particular hotel project so that its guests will be happy to return there. The architects will actually support the hotel’s operations, in terms of the hotel’s economic results, with their design. Then, the investors will come back to you as well. Making a mistake – or multiple mistakes – in a hotel design means that no one will ever award such a job to you again. Given the number of international hotel companies, the awareness of who is really able to create a successful product in this sector is spreading rather quickly.

You have been in business for so long that you actually now get contracts to redesign hotels that you have already once designed years ago. How do you feel in such situations?

It is very satisfying to go back to an original project design and replace the interiors with new ones. Honestly, I am really very happy when the interiors are just changed in a routine way so that their basic design remains virtually the same. A large part of the clientele appreciates when the interior is the same, and guests return to the environment they are used to. It is the same as at home – or at least it used to be the case – that the basic character of the interior is the same, and you do not tend to keep changing things in order to follow the latest trends and fashions. Architecture did not work that way before.

This was due to the fact that the buildings that were constructed were unique, one-of-a-kind, and filled with beauty and high-quality materials. The details were crafted with great quality, which means that the buildings, in terms of their exteriors and interiors, survived for hundreds of years. You can only come in and replace something if it is damaged in some way. But nobody tended to change anything fundamental because they knew those buildings were successful and always worked well economically. Therefore nobody changed the key features and functionalities.

It actually came back to me in a good way as well, in the sense that not only are the hotel owners coming back to us (as long as they are the same ones who built the hotel), but all those buildings are still hotels today – they have survived two waves of crisis and they are still functioning. As an example, I was recently at the Don Giovanni Hotel and could not find a parking space there at all. In spite of 94 the times being what they are, the hotel is exceptionally successful. It is, of course, created by the clientele, but also by those who run the hotel and have been able to sell that added value of service, of good cuisine. It is just that the hotel is so beautifully alive, it is full… It makes me happy from the point of view that not only can I afford to replace the interior, but I am able to honor the spirit that has been set up there from the beginning. This is the answer to your question.

Some buildings, including hotels, are entirely the work of a single architect, who designed them down to the smallest detail, including wallpapers, tea service, and spice sets. Are you in favour of such an approach?

Yes, I am, and let me explain why. Not only is it my personal conviction, but also if we go back to the past, we can see that there was no distinction then either between who was the architect of the building and who arranged for the interiors. Investors expected the architect they approached to design the building completely, down to the last doorknob. It exudes a tremendous power of beauty, which is extremely important for the joy and quality of life. Plus, there is another powerful energy hidden there and that is the unity of expression. It is basically what makes buildings unique.

I always like to mention the Municipal House as an example. When you go through the building as a whole, letting go of all opinions and tuning into your own feelings, you are bound to be amazed at the end of your tour of the building. Just how could it ever have happened that someone, like the two architects (Osvald Polívka and Antonín Balšánek), managed to design such a beautiful building, where even the interiors are absolutely perfect? It is like walking through a dream where everything is in harmony, in accord, with no contrasts anywhere. At the same time, it is never about something being boringly repetitive. On the contrary, it has such a huge power that you do not even think that there should be anything else since the synergies completely engulf you. And it is the work of the whole orchestra around the architect – the craftsmen, the artists – who create that harmony, because the architect wanted to enrich the building and he approached well-known artists to create a great result. It is more than just a unique building because it includes unique artworks that give it an even greater stamp of originality and beauty. That is how I think all buildings should work, and why I love working on designs where investors give us their confidence by ordering the design of the interiors as well. That is also precisely the wonderful challenge of being able to finish a building completely. We also design the place settings and chinaware, and take it down to the last detail. That is why you enter the house, and even after a while still feel that you are in a harmonious environment.

You mentioned investors. Have they changed during your time in the building and architecture industry?

In essence, the investor who wants to build a hotel does not change. It used to be more about the investor having their own professional team, and quite often they were also hoteliers. Today you can meet multiple entities; it is usually an investor that wants to invest but does not fully understand hotels, who hires a hotel company, and awards the construction contract to a construction company. Still, otherwise, the essence is always the same. For me, the challenge is always to create – whether it is an extension, an annex building, a refurbishment, a combination, or a newly constructed building – a product that meets the expectations of the investor, as well as those of the hotel company. It means meeting the standard requirements and creating an original building that is able to attract people with its good energy, which people also love to come back to. This just shows that beauty makes sense, because it will also support economic success. In the case of a hotel, it is a regular disaster when something goes wrong. It means throwing out the entire interior, or redesigning the layout. A hotel tests you until the last minute – through construction and interiors, where mistakes are immediately apparent and cost big money. This means that it is not about some “what I would like” type of creation, but that it must have the appropriate inherent attributes.

Philippine Embassy National Day and Farewell

Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

The Philippine Embassy celebrated the National Day and farewell to H.E. Ambassador Ombra T. Jainal at Augustine Hotel.

From left: Meshulam Zisso (Czech & Slovak Leaders Magazine), Minister and Consul General Indhira C. Bañares, H.E. Ambassador Ombra T. Jainal, and Mr. Vincent Soriano (Managing Director, Art of Travel)

Officers and Staff of the Embassy of the Philippines in the Czech Republic: (front) Minister and Consul General Indhira C. Bañares, H.E. Ambassador Ombra T. Jainal, Ms. Irina Hovhannisyan; (back) Mr. Manuel Gascon, Ms. Lina Catbagan, Ms. Glea Saunar, and Labor Attaché Llewelyn Perez

From left: H.E Ambassador Mr. Nestor Francisco Popolizio (Peru), H.E. Ambassador Rosaura Leonora Rueda Gutierrez (Mexico), H.E. Ambassador Luis de Almeida Sampaio (Portugal), Minister and Consul General Indhira C. Bañares (Philippines), and Mr. Meshulam Zisso (Czech & Slovak Leaders Magazine)

From left: Mr. Moustafa Dahou (Chargé d’affaires, a.i. of Algeria), H.E. Ambassador Phasporn Sangasubana (Thailand), H.E. Ambassador Kenssy Dwi Ekaningsih (Indonesia), H.E. Ambassador Egemen Bağış (Turkey), H.E. Ambassador Abdullah Muteb A. Alrasheed (Saudi Arabia), H.E. Ambassador Ilirian Kuka (Albania), H.E. Ambassador Ombra T. Jainal (Philippines), H.E. Ambassador Hemant Harishchandra Kotalwar (India), H.E. Ambassador Kim Taejin (South Korea), and Mr. Kioumars Kazemi (Chargé d’affaires, a.i., Iran)

Mr. Aldrin Dionisio sings Filipino songs to the guests at the National Day of the Philippines reception at the gardens of Augustine Hotel on 15 June 2022

From left: H.E. Ambassador Ombra T. Jainal delivers his speech, with guest of honor Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Martin Dvořák, Czech Ambassador to the Philippines Jana Šedivá, and the Philippines ́ Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Jaime Victor Ledda

H.E. Ambassador Ombra T. Jainal delivers his speech, with guest of honor, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Martin Dvořák and Czech Ambassador to the Philippines Jana Šedivá, and the Philippines ́ Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Jaime Victor Ledda

Guests wait for the Philippine National Anthem to begin the celebration of the 124th Anniversary of Proclamation of Independence of the Republic of the Philippines at the gardens of the Augustine Hotel on 15 June 2022

From left, Officials of the Embassy of the Philippines in Prague with spouse of the Ambassador and Assistant Secretary for European Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs Jaime Victor Ledda: Labor Attaché Llewelyn Perez, Consul General, a.h. Břetislav Skácel, Minister and Consul General Indhira C. Bañares, Assistant Secretary Ledda, Mrs. Jainal, and H.E. Ambassador Ombra T. Jainal

From left: Ms. Jeehan Jainal and Mr. Qaisir Jainal (children of H.E. Ambassador Ombra T. Jainal), and Mr. Aldrin Dionisio

From left, the ASEAN Committee in Prague: Dr. Phone Lin Kyaing (Chargé d’affaires, a.i. of Myanmar), H.E. Ambassador Phasporn Sangasubana (Thailand), H.E. Ambassador Kenssy Dwi Ekaningsih (Indonesia), H.E. Ambassador Ombra T. Jainal (Philippines), H.E. Ambassador Thai Xuan Dung (Vietnam), and Mrs. Farashima Aini Binti Mohd Ali (Chargé d’affaires, a.i. of Malaysia)

From left: Naoyuki Ito (Third Secretary, Japan), Gaeun Lee (Second Secretary, South Korea), Orawan Permpoon (Counsellor of Thailand), Llewelyn Perez (Attaché, Philippines), Břetislav Skácel (Consul General, a.h., Philippines), Indhira C. Bañares (Minister and Consul General of the Philippines), Jaime Victor Ledda (Assistant Secretary for European Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippines), Mrs. Elsie E. Jainal (spouse of the Ambassador, Philippines), H.E. Ambassador Ombra T. Jainal (Philippines), H.E. Ambassador Thai Xuan Dung (Vietnam), Farashima Aini Binti Mohd Ali (Chargé d’affaires, a.i. of Malaysia), Prairie Maharwati (Counsellor of Indonesia), Zhang Maoming (Chargé d’affaires, a.i. of China), Long Nguyen Hoang (Attachê of Vietnam), Natthaphon Sapsinsoonthon (Minister-Counsellor, Thailand), and Dr. Phone Lin Kyaing (Chargé d’affaires, a.i. of Myanmar)

Celebrating with Turkey

Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Özgür Öztürk

H.E. Egemen Bağış, the Turkish Ambassador to the Czech Republic, is very well known for his hospitality

15th July was the anniversary of the most important Turkish day – Democracy and National Unity Day. A special event was held at the Turkish Embassy residency on 30th August, with over 200 leading intellectuals, business people, politicians, and diplomats in attendance to celebrate the victory day.

H.E. Egemen Bağış read a special message from Turkish President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan for this important day.

First Counsellor of Turkish Embassy Mrs. Isil Gurler, Ambassador Egemen Bağış, Military Ataché Colonel Cem Tekin, his daughter Cemre, his wife Mrs. Ceyda Nur Tekin, and Commercial Counselor Ms. Berat Demirci Cörüt welcomed the guests

Turkish Airlines country representative Mr. Gokhan Çetin and his colleagues from the Prague office of Turkye ́s national airline congratulated the Military Attaché of the Turkish Embassy Colonel Cem Tekin who received a rank promotion

H.E. Egemen Bağış, Turkish Ambassador and Meshulam Zisso, Czech & Slovak Leaders Magazine

TRT World Senior Editor Yusuf Erim and Turkish Ambassador H.E. Egemen Bağış

Ambassador Egemen Bağış officially placed a new star on the uniform of his military attaché Colonel Cem Tekin

Guests enjoyed the ceremony

Ambassador of Azerbaijan H.E. Adish Mammadov and Ambassador of Pakistan H.E. Khalid Jamali with his wife Mrs. Zahra Jamali

Turkish Ambassador Egemen Bağış delivers his speech and reads the message of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

The next generation

H.E. Mr. Nestor Francisco Popolizio, Ambassador of Peru, H.E. Mr. Shahzad Aryobee, Ambassador of Afghanistan, Mrs. Eva Anderová, Czech & Slovak Leaders Magazine, H.E. Mrs. Sonia Regina Guimaraes, Ambassador of Brazil, Meshulam Zisso, Czech & Slovak Leaders Magazine, and H.E. Mrs. R. Leonora Rueda, Ambassador of Mexico

Taiwan must remain an island of FREEDOM

The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Markéta Pekarová Adamová and the Chairman of the Legislative Court of the Republic of China (Taiwan), You Si-kun

Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Markéta Pekarová Adamová, held talks with the delegation led by the Chairman of the Legislative Court of the Republic of China (Taiwan), You Si-kun.

The main topic of the meeting was closer mutual cooperation at the parliamentary level.

“Despite the considerable geographical distance between our countries, we and Taiwan share a very strong bond of shared democratic values. From our own history, we remember all too well what it is like to live in the sphere of influence of a usurping totalitarian power,” pointed out Speaker Adamová.

Among the specific areas of intended closer cooperation, the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies specifically mentioned the exchange of know-how in the field of cyber security and hybrid threats. In the future, educational exchange visits of office employees would also be considered.

At the end of the meeting, the speaker of the Taiwanese legislature officially invited the speaker of the Czech House of Representatives to visit Taiwan.

The Chairman of the Legislative Court of the Republic of China (Taiwan), You Si-kun and Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Markéta Pekarová Adamová

„I really appreciate the invitation. I am sure that such a journey will follow on seamlessly from the mission of Senate President Miloš Vystrčil 2 years ago, and will contribute to the further deepening of the promising cooperation between our parliaments. At the same time, we will use this route to develop our business relations, and the political delegation will also be supplemented by representatives of Czech businessmen,“ added Speaker Adamová.

Karolína Křížová: People in Czechia are starting to take the problem of sexual violence seriously

Photo illustrative: Michaela Danelová, Czech Radio

When the #MeToo campaign resonated in the Western world many Czechs were openly sceptical and even ridiculed what they considered to be a typical excess of Western feminism. Then two cases of multiple rape made media headlines – one involving Dominik Feri, at the time the youngest MP in the lower house of Parliament, and the other Jan Cimický, a well-known and respected psychiatrist who is now charged with 28 cases of rape committed mostly on his patients over the years. These cases appear to have been an eye-opener for many in the country.

I spoke to Karolína Křížová from Konsent, an NGO which focuses on preventing sexual violence and creating a safer environment for women, to find out her take on these two cases and the public response to them.

“It says a lot about how things are shifting in the society. Because when the first affair happened – which was the case of the young politician – many of the victims who came forward were denigrated and there were doubts among the general public about whether they were not making false accusations, whether it was not a conspiracy to bring him down. That must have been very difficult for all the victims.

See the rest here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

Independence Day celebrations in Czechia mark country’s 104th birthday

Photo: Tomáš Adamec, Czech Radio

October 28th is Czechoslovak Independence Day, marking the establishment of Czechoslovakia in 1918. Czechs will commemorate the 104th anniversary of the birth of the Czechoslovak Republic with a host of events, including the traditional ceremony at the Vítkov Memorial, remembrance events for the country’s first president and an award giving ceremony at Prague Castle.

Czechoslovak Independence Day traditionally starts with a commemorative ceremony at the Vítkov Memorial in Prague attended by the president, government officials, parliament representatives, church dignitaries and cultural figures who lay wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to pay homage to those who laid down their lives for the country. President Miloš Zeman, who had to miss last year’s event due to ill health, has confirmed that he will attend the ceremony this year.

In the course of the day, Czechs around the country remember Czechoslovakia’s first president T.G. Masaryk. Official wreath-laying ceremonies take place at Masaryk’s graveside in Lány and his statue on Prague’s Hradčany Square but people also make their way to the hundreds of busts, statues, monuments and plaques dedicated to Czechoslovakia’s co-founder in towns and villages around Czechia to lay flowers and light candles. Often, a live band will play President Masaryk’s favourite song Ach, synku, synku.

A ceremonial change-of-guard at Prague Castle at midday traditionally attracts a crowd of onlookers. Meanwhile, inside Prague Castle President Zeman will appoint new army generals. In previous years, Miloš Zeman attended the swearing-in ceremony of army recruits on Hradčany Square on the day of the national holiday. This year, however, the event took place in the barracks in Brno a day earlier.

The Czechoslovak Legionary Community will honour fallen legionnaires on Emauzy Square and in the evening the Prague Symphony Orchestra will perform a Concert for the Republic at the Prague Municipal House.

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Author: Daniela Lazarová

Thousands attend Prague rally in support of LGBT rights

Photo: David Taneček, ČTK

Thousands of people gathered on Wenceslas Square in Prague on Wednesday evening to call for an end to prejudice against LGBT+ people, which led to the homophobic murder of two young men in Bratislava earlier this month.

Several thousand people gathered on Prague’s main square on Wednesday evening to raise their voice against homophobia. Human rights activists, singers, actors and public figures denounced the murders and blamed the Czech and Slovak governments for dragging their feet in giving LGBT people equal rights, which they say fueled prejudices and hatred against them.

Viktor Heumann from the NGO Transparent said the system itself was intended to root out anyone different.

“What occurred outside the queer bar Teplaren in Bratislava two weeks ago was hatred in its worst form. Hatred that is directed against all of us who are different, against the whole LGBT community. This terrorist act, which ended the life of Juraj and Matuš, stems from an evil that is not visible, a systemic violence which is part of the order we live in, the legal order that impacts our everyday lives. This system aims to erase our trans-identity, aims to make us invisible and force us out of the majority population. It aims to “normalize” our appearance, our behavior and our bodies. “

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Author: Daniela Lazarová

Museum of Literature opens in Prague

Photo: Anna Pleslová, Museum of Literature

After nearly seven decades, the National Literature Memorial has left its premises in Prague’s Strahov Monastery and moved to its new headquarters in the district of Bubeneč. Last week it opened to the public under the name Museum of Literature.

The National Literature Memorial was established in Czechoslovakia in the 1950s and for nearly 70 years it was located in the Strahov Monastery. After the building was returned to the Premonstratensian monks, the institution started looking for new premises.

A few years ago, it acquired the so-called Third Pestchek Villa located in close proximity to the city’s Stromovka Park, built by the wealthy Jewish family in 1930.

After extensive renovation, it opened to the public under the new name of Museum of Literature. Along with the name the institution also introduced a new concept of exhibiting its many valuable items.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

140 years since the premiere of Dvořák’s opera Dimitrij

Dimitrij, which premiered in Prague at the New Czech Theatre on October 8, 1882, was Antonín Dvořák’s most ambitious grand opera. Set to a libretto by Marie Červinková-Riegrová, with a plot derived from Ferdinand Mikovec’s Dimitr Ivanovič – itself based upon Friedrich Schiller’s incomplete Demetrius – the opera was a great popular success.

In the early 1880s, Dvořák was breaking into the international scene with his Moravian duets and Slavonic Dances. Negotiations about the foreign release of his latest comic opera The Cunning Peasant were looking promising, and the composer was looking for a sufficiently ambitious libretto on a universal theme which he could write a serious opera about. He was offered the libretto Dimitrij, written in 1877 by Marie Červinková-Riegrová, daughter of the politician František Ladislav Rieger, and was immediately enthusiastic about it.

He began composing during May 1881, and after a brief interruption in October 1881 to write a string quartet, he completed it in September 1882. When composing the music, Dvořák often consulted the librettist and made a number of adjustments, the most significant of which was the omission of the last act (a traditional grand opera has five acts, but Dimitrij atypically has only four).

The story is based on an episode from Russian history, the short reign of the first pretender to the Russian throne, known as Lydimitri I, a fugitive monk who pretended to be Dimitri, the son of Tsar Ivan IV, and who with the help of the Polish military took control of part of Russia after the death of Tsar Boris Godunov.

See the rest here.

Hello, Prague!

Photo: Samantha Cristoforetti, ISS, Mission Minerva

Last week the European astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti greeted the Czech capital on Twitter from the International Space Station, attaching a picture of the city from space. Prague was hosting the European Space Week at the time.

Source

Václav Havel Human Rights Prize goes to jailed Russian dissident Vladimir Kara-Murza

Evgenia Kara-Murza, centre, wife of Russian opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza, holds the the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize won by her husband, awarded at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg | Photo: Jean-Francois Badias, ČTK/AP

The Václav Havel Human Rights Prize was awarded on Monday to Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian dissident who is currently in jail for speaking out against Putin’s war in Ukraine. Michael Žantovský is head of the Václav Havel Library, one of the founders of the award, and sits on the panel that chooses the laureate. I spoke to him after the winner was announced and asked how he felt about the awarding of the prize to the Russian dissident.

“I was very pleased by the outcome – I have known Vladimir Kara-Murza for some time and have nothing but respect and admiration for his courage and for his steadfastness in defending freedom and democracy in Russia, and also in protesting against Russian foreign policy and, in particular, Putin’s aggression against Ukraine.

“He is now in prison awaiting trial and has been charged with treason as of last week. He is facing perhaps 20 years in prison. The courage that it takes to face a murderous regime like Putin’s is mind-boggling – incredible.”

Author: Anna Fodor

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Mental health centers proving very effective but struggling with lack of funds

In the wake of worrying reports regarding the quality of care for patients in Czech mental hospitals there is a push to expand the existing network of mental health centers, which help people to avert the onset of serious problems requiring hospitalization.

Reports of inhumane practices in mental hospitals, including overuse of mechanical restraint, tranquilizers and isolation, have resulted in experts on mental health ringing alarm bells regarding the need for reform. While that goal may take years to implement there is a faster solution at hand – expanding the network of mental health centers around the country, which would serve as an important first tier and prevent many patents from reaching a stage where hospitalization is inevitable. It would also help overburdened mental hospitals who are struggling with a shortage of staff.

The mental health centers in different parts of the country were established several years ago as a pilot project aimed at addressing the lack of psychiatrists in Czechia which resulted in patients having to wait long months for an appointment.

Mental health centers provide help much faster but also work in an environment that builds trust and offers all-round support in dignified conditions. They speak of “clients” instead of “patients”, and meet with them in surroundings they consider safe – their home, a café or workplace. Clients are given counselling by multidisciplinary teams including a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a social worker and a peer counselor.

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Authors: Daniela Lazarová, Petr Král

Ski resorts in Czechia facing uncertain season due to record high energy prices

While the Ještěd ski resort in the north of Czechia started making artificial snow this week in preparation for the winter season, other ski centres around the country are facing the prospect of a shorter season or are closing down altogether.

The decision of the Ještěd ski resort to switch on the snow cannons amid the current energy crisis has drawn a number of negative comments from the public.

Artificial snow production presents one of the highest costs for ski operators as it is requires large amounts of power. As a result, many are currently weighing the costs of making artificial snow.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Czechia closes borders to Russian tourists, approves reconstruction package for Ukraine

The Czech government has responded to Russia’s intensified bombing of civilian targets in Ukraine by closing its doors to Russian tourists with Schengen visas. The cabinet also approved a plan for Czechia’s participation in the reconstruction effort of the war-torn country.

As of Tuesday, October 25, Russian citizens with a valid Schengen visa issued by any EU member state travelling for tourism, sport or cultural purposes will be barred entry to Czechia. The decision was announced by Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský following Wednesday’s cabinet meeting.

“We cannot close our eyes to the fact that Russia is unscrupulously bombing civilian targets in Ukraine. We need to take measures that will send a clear signal to Russia that this is not acceptable.”

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Author: Daniela Lazarová

Property prices in Czechia expected to stagnate or fall next year, as demand plummets

Property prices are expected to fall or stagnate in Czechia next year, Czech Television reports, citing statistics from the Czech Banking Association as well as statements from the country’s leading developer companies. The stop to more than a decade of rising prices is mainly down to fewer people looking to purchase their own home, as average mortgage interest rates are at a 12 year high.

The year-on-year decline in sales is at around 65 percent, which is two thirds,” the spokesman of developer Ekospol, Filip Sušanka, told Czech Television. His company is currently selling flats in newbuilds on the outskirts of Prague.

According to the regional director of real estate agency Sting, Michal Dvořák, the decline in demand is not just visible in the Czech capital. “In Prague, demand has fallen by 60 percent, in the rest of the country it even reaches 100 percent in some places, when compared to last year,” he told Czech Television.

Amid rising inflation and interventions from the Czech National Bank, the average mortgage rate in the country has risen sharply, reaching 5.83 percent in September, the highest it has been since the beginning of 2010.

According to data from the Hypomonitor statistics of the Czech Banking Association, Banks and building societies provided mortgages worth CZK 7.2 billion in September, a decline of 30 percent when compared to the previous year. In terms of year-on-year comparison, the fall is more significant – reaching 82 percent.

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Author: Thomas McEnchroe

H.E. Muhammad Khalid Jamali

“Pakistan offers huge possibilities for investments”

H.E. Muhammad Khalid Jamali, Ambassador of Pakistan

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

At the beginning of its existence, Pakistan had a population of about 32 million. Now, it stands at 230 million, with estimations for the year 2050 being around 366 million. The median age in Pakistan is 22.8 years. Besides other potentially promising areas of cooperation, “there are huge opportunities for investments in supply chain and logistics”, says H.E. Mr. Muhammad Khalid Jamali, Ambassador of Pakistan.

You have been in the Czech Republic for three years. Can you please share some highlights of your Czech experience with our readers?

Czechia is a beautiful country, and Prague is the most beautiful and romantic among European capitals. Czechia, except for Prague, is an unexplored destination among Pakistani tourists. My family and I have enjoyed our stay here, and visiting the beautiful countryside. Czechia’s immense strength in the sciences and its university system were hitherto unknown in Pakistan. It is an area that we are now in the process of strengthening through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Technical University of Prague and the National University of Science and Technology, Islamabad.

I believe that Pakistan is not that well explored by Czech tourists either. What can your country offer in this regard?

Pakistan is very lucky to have beautiful alpine, desert, and coastal topography. We are in the process of developing the tourism infrastructure in Pakistan to facilitate domes- tic and international tourists.

Buddhist tourism has been significantly developed in the past decade with the cooperation of the Republic of Sri Lanka, South Korea, and Thailand. For the first time in Pakistan ́s history, a group of Buddhist monks gathered at Dharmarajika Stupa in Taxila, Pakistan, for the annual rain retreat – vassa. They also performed the ritual commemorating the first sermon in Budhism, which was broadcast live in 32 countries. Taxila is the seat of the Gandhara Civilization, which is more than 2,000 years old.

Pakistan’s alpine tourism, with its rugged landscape, apart from professional mountaineering, is on the rise, and more and more local operators are developing small international standard hotels and tours. Due to the pan- demic, some of these efforts have been hampered, and international investments delayed. We are hopeful that as the world economy picks up, investments in this area will resume and a steady stream of international tourists will start coming in regularly to Pakistan.

Is it difficult to be an ambassador? Does your schedule allow you some free time?

The ambassadorial assignment is an honour, despite the cost of being away from family and friends. I do have some free time and I prefer to spend it at home with my family, listening to Urdu classical and film music, and reading books. I also enjoy wandering through the streets of Prague and discovering beautiful buildings and Prague culture. Besides that, my family and I plan short trips around the Czech countryside.

In the past, you held diplomatic assignments in Pakistani missions in Brussels. The EU Council presidency of the Czech Republic started on 1 July 2022. What are you, with your experience and as a representative of your country, expecting?

Czechia takes on the Presidency of the EU at a critical juncture in contemporary European history. The unfortunate conflict in Ukraine has brought to the forefront the critical issues of refugees and the cost of war. We wish the Czech Republic a very successful presidency despite these challenges. We are hopeful that Czechia will be at the forefront to work towards a diplomatic and peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine, and work towards a united and strong Europe, ensuring its energy security and stabilizing the economy and the development of democratic values.

We are confident that the rights of the people of Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir will also be safeguarded during its term of the presidency. Pakistan, specifically, looks forward to Czechia’s support in the renewal of Pakistan’s GSP and preferred market status with the EU. Dialogue and resolution to the crisis in Afghanistan are also of great interest to us as the largest host to Afghan refugees for some 40+ years since the invasion by the USSR, as it comes at a huge humanitarian and financial cost for both Afghans and Pakistanis.

H.E. Muhammad Khalid Jamali, Ambassador of Pakistan

The Czechia-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce was created and registered in 2020. What can Pakistan offer to Czech business and industry?

Pakistan is a resource-rich country with a youthful population of 52% between the ages of 19-29. With the Sino-Pakistan economic corridor firmly established, there are several areas of opportunity for Czech businesses to consider investments, particularly offering to derive benefits from the tax holiday regime.

There are huge opportunities for investments in supply chain and logistics, agriculture, and eco-friendly housing. The Czech-Pakistani Chamber of Commerce, under the patronage of the Embassy, is actively working to bring a Czech agricultural machine manufacturer to Pakistan. What ́s worth noting is the fact that, every year, Pakistan produces 20,000 English-speaking software engineers who can provide high-quality services to technology and software firms in Czechia. Additionally, Czech firms will find special incentives to set up operations in software parks. Business visas are now issued on arrival to facilitate interaction. The MoU on the Pakistani-Czech economic cooperation and business promotion was agreed on principally and will be signed in the third quarter of 2022. The Czech-Pakistani Chamber of Commerce was launched in 2020 with the objective to facilitate the activities of businesspersons from Czechia and Pakistan, and to promote the common economic interests of the two sides. We firmly believe that with the signing of the economic MoU this year, this chamber would further augment our business and trade relations, and its members would feel more secure about their investments.

H.E. Kenssy Dwi Ekaningsih

“Our countries have different charms”

H.E. Kenssy Dwi Ekaningsih, Ambassador of Indonesia

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

Just imagine a country whose people inhabit nearly 6,000 islands, and I am sure you will clearly understand the fitting wisdom of the Indonesian motto “Unity in Diversity”. Living in the landlocked Czech Republic brings along with it a different life experience, which the Ambassador of Indonesia Mrs. Kenssy Dwi Ekaningsih has had an opportunity to live through for about three years. Does she think the two countries are totally different? What is The Ten New Bali project about? And which major world organization is Indonesia chairing this year?

You have been stationed in the Czech Republic for three years. Can you please share some of your impressions with us?

The Czech Republic really is a beautiful country, with a beautiful landscape. It may be the exact opposite of Indonesia, where Indonesia is a country of thousands of islands and beaches, while Czechia is landlocked. Certainly, they both have different charms. For example, in Indonesia we cannot find the beautiful medieval architecture that is widespread throughout the Czech Republic. But on the other hand, Indonesia is also rich in the various natural conservations that you cannot find in other places.

Another highlight would be how both countries share a history of colonialism, and how it projected certain societal behaviours that were quite communal but are now growing to be capitalistic and individualised. Both countries also still need to improve the way they deal with the free flow of money and people, and to facilitate and oversee this process, so that it works for sustainable development.

I am here in the Czech Republic for my last assignment before retirement, so I like to spend my free time doing what I like. I enjoy playing the piano (particularly jazz-style music), Indonesian traditional dancing, and singing. I was born into a family of artists, so I have a keen interest in music and art performances. Therefore, I enjoy going to the theatre whenever possible.

Indonesia is quite an attractive destination for Czech people. How do you promote your country?

Indonesia is indeed a popular destination to visit. With nearly 6,000 inhabited islands, my country is blessed with both natural and cultural wonders. Our government has an official initiative known as Wonderful Indonesia, which focuses on sharing information and promoting five main attractions: Nature, Culinary & Wellness, Arts & Heritage, Recreation & Leisure, and Adventure. Since 2016, we have been working on a massive investment project called The Ten New Bali to redistribute incoming tourists and reveal some of the other wonders in Indonesia that had been previously hidden for many, as opposed to other well-known destinations.

We as an embassy strive to be part of the promotion as well by organising cultural events where the public can interact with Indonesian culture, including arts and food. In the last few months, we prepared our own musical based on old Indonesian legends, and organized the screening of the only Czechoslovak-Indonesian movie with Indonesian snacks-tasting, just to give you an example. Furthermore, we regularly participate in the Holiday World exhibition, which is another event where we focus on promoting tourism.

How do you assess the Indonesia-Czech Republic relationship?

Our relations have been very friendly and lively since the very beginning. In fact, Czechoslovakia was one of the first countries in Europe to recognize Indonesian independence. Even though we are geographically two very different and distant countries, as democracies we share a lot of focus and dedication within our respective regions.

The two countries have had some intensive meetings between government officials, from Indonesia to the Czech Republic and vice versa. On the economic level, we have recently been working on increasing mutual trade by investment, as well as searching for opportunities in sharing know-how and the transfer of technologies.

On the political level, we signed a memorandum of cooperation related to environmental issues last year, and we had the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs visit her counterpart in Czechia in June 2022.

The presidency of the Czech Republic in the EU Council started on 1 July 2022. This is one of the most important rights and demanding tasks of EU member countries. What are you, as a representative of Indonesia, a member of ASEAN, expecting from our Presidency?

As one of the founding fathers of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), Indonesia is committed to making the relations between the two regional organisations work for both countries’ prosperity. We know that the EU has been helping ASEAN establish a seamless economic integration within the region through its projects, called ASEAN Regional Integration Support from the EU (ARISE) and ARISE-Plus. We greatly appreciate how the EU is sharing its best practices with the ASEAN on how to form a regional economic community.

Not only that, but the EU has also established another framework of the EU project for Enhancing Security Cooperation In and With Asia (ESIWA), an initiative to promote regional stability in Asia. This framework may be intended for the Asian region; however, the EU has made ASEAN countries the priority for projects under ESIWA, namely Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Therefore, we greatly appreciate the EU‘s continued deep interest in ASEAN. We expect that through the deepening of ASEAN and EU relations we will be able to collaborate by creating projects aimed toward sustainable development and for the people’s prosperity.

This interview is taken on the occasion of your national day. Would you like to convey a wish to Indonesia, and perhaps also to the Czech Republic?

Both of our countries are currently facing so many challenges in the global and domestic spheres. For Indonesia, after declaring our independence on 17 August 1945, we still had to fight against the military aggressions of the colonials. And after the external threats were settled in 1959, we had to fight not with the colonials anymore, but within ourselves. Fighting against corruption, injustice, and poverty.

Indonesia has come a long way since then. This year, we are currently holding the G20 Presidency, as one of the top 20 biggest economies in the world. We have been struggling during our 77 years of independence, yet we keep holding onto our founding fathers’ vision for this country. Soekarno and M. Hatta formulated Indonesia’s founding ideology to be a non-aligned country, a multicultural society that goes out into the world to work towards peace and prosperity, by God’s blessing.

For the Czech Republic, our wish is for the government and the people to have a productive EU Presidency. We learnt the history of the last Czech EU presidency, and sincerely hope that this time it will be a successful one, establishing regional stability and mitigating the internal and external crises. We also hope that with Czech assistance, the EU will address several pending matters regarding the Indonesia-EU relation, such as the Indonesia-EU CEPA and palm oil, particularly related to the proposed EU rules on deforestation.

H.E. Sashko Todorovski

“Czech people have a long historical memory”

H.E. Sashko Todorovski, Ambassador of the Republic of North Macedonia

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

Mr. Sashko Todorovski, Ambassador of North Macedonia, acknowledges the respect of the Czech people for the past and our ability to maintain a link between our past and present. He believes that “the Czech Republic, which has a long history of dealing with aggression from the USSR, is particularly significant in this moment of incredible aggression on European soil in the 21st century”. How does he describe his life journey leading to the post of ambassador in Prague? What does the EU symbolise for him? And what does he wish for his country?

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey to the post of North Macedonian Ambassador in the Czech Republic, please?

At the time of my studies, the importance and status of diplomacy were at their peak! Various world crises and so-called political “hotbeds” were being solved by really magnificent diplomatic efforts and results. The dissolution of inherited international concepts, such as the Cold War or the superpowers and bipolar structure as a basic assumption, promisingly led the world into a better future. We had the privilege to witness détente and jus contra bellum (de-escalation and the right to oppose war), the OSCE and Vienna Documents, the rise of the collective legal mind in the Council of Europe and its European Human Rights Court, and many other diplomatic and international achievements, unthinkable until then. Hence, it was in some way only natural for me to see myself as part of this, particularly while studying law and being good at languages.

Maybe a fortunate coincidence was that, at that time, both the then SFR Yugoslavia and SR Macedonia were introducing very strict criteria for recruiting future diplomats. Hence, I could and did enter diplomacy on my own merits and not by means of a political (or any other) criteria. Seven years later, I had to undergo an even more demanding procedure to transfer from the Macedonian to the Yugoslavian Diplomatic House. Finally, once the dissolution of the SFR of Yugoslavia had begun, a group of Macedonian diplomats in Belgrade refused to be advocates of a failing and flailing rampant Yugoslavia (already without Slovenia and Croatia), and so we fought our way back into Macedonian, now North Macedonian diplomacy.

Can you share some of your strongest impressions from living among Czech people?

The first thing you notice in the Czech Republic is respect for the past and for nature. The Czech people have a long memory, a tumultuous history, and many witness accounts of that history. You manage to establish a link between the past and places, buildings, and even the most everyday things, creating a clear picture of continual development. The Czechs are proud of their history and build stories around it, stories about battles and everyday life, about being similar and different to other people, stories that have the power to engage any visitor to the Czech Republic.

Everywhere you go, you can see a different moment from the cultural development of this country, a continuum of people that have built the present, which is so filled with culture and art. Every monastery has a story to tell, as does every castle, street, wall, house, and secret garden, and all the extravagant art pieces that seem to be scattered throughout Prague and other cities. It is noticeable that the Czech people like to talk about their history and are very knowledgeable about their past.

As noticeable is also your relationship with nature and your green heritage. Forests, parks, and gardens are all part of the Czech Republic and are hugely respected. Every park and every forest has its own unique characteristics. You can see subtle traces of human care everywhere, a cross- generational effort to preserve the natural beauty, to enrich and expand it.

I dare to say that having a tumultuous history is not that rare in the European area. Does having NATO, which you joined in March 2020, and the EU, where you received a candidate country status in 2005, help?

To be a NATO member is, first and foremost, a question of security. With the spectre of war looming even on the European continent, and when certain old ideologies and terrifying scenarios are being revived, NATO is a structure that offers a sense of security. The EU is a symbol of unity, while respecting differences. It is a symbol of the highest-level value system that humanity has currently achieved. This value system, the basis of the EU, is the greatest possible guarantee of protecting human rights and freedoms, but also of development and change, that considers both the present and the future.

North Macedonia entered the Euro-integration processes with huge enthusiasm, and still believes that the EU is where it belongs. Unfortunately, the road to the EU turned out to be complicated and burdened by a past that some of the EU members are struggling to let go of.

There is undoubtedly support from a lot of EU members, however, it is currently insufficient to escape the trappings of history.

What do you expect from the Czech EU Council Presidency?

The Czech Republic, which has a long history of dealing with aggression from the USSR, is particularly significant in this moment of incredible aggression on European soil in the 21st century. The Czech Republic knows what it is like to fight for your independence, for the ideology of human rights and for democratic values – specifically against one of the greatest aggressors, one that is currently harking back to the past instead of being part of progress and the future. In that sense, the Czech presidency of the EU right now means that there will be a clear idea of the true values we are defending, of the lessons to be learnt from the past, and what the future should look like. The priorities set by the Czech Republic for its presidency are all in this direction, and clearly confirm the country ́s important role in the further progress of the EU.

In the case of North Macedonia, the Czech Republic has always been a friend to our country, with a great understanding of the problems that we have faced, a clear view of past injustices, and the potential traps history has laid out for us. Therefore, North Macedonia believes that the Czech Republic will be a very important partner on our journey to join the EU, supporting and easing the process.

Tourism plays a significant role in the economy of North Macedonia. What are some attractions your country can offer to its visitors?

One of the most difficult tasks in promoting touristic North Macedonia is doing justice to the variety of things on offer. Often, people have only heard of Ohrid Lake and the capital city, Skopje. In reality, North Macedonia packs quite a lot in a relatively small area, from wonderful mountains suitable for sports activities any time of year, to hidden gems of natural beauty such as the Smolen Waterfalls, Kuklice, or the lakes on the Pelister mountain top. It also offers an opportunity to explore history from antiquity, specifically the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, in rich archaeological sites.

North Macedonia is a place where the west and east meet, and you can see this through the architecture, music, food, and traditions. It is a unique experience, rarely replicated. Hopefully, next year, once the Czech EU presidency is over, there will be further opportunities for us to fully embark on our tourism promotion!

How do you rate Czechia-North Macedonia relations?

The relations between the Czech Republic and North Macedonia have always been friendly, respectful, and supportive. Currently, North Macedonia considers the Czech Republic one of its greatest friends and supporters on its journey to join the EU. There is of course always more work to be done, and improvements could be made in the areas of economic and cultural cooperation.

North Macedonia can learn so much from your country on dealing with a complicated history and developing democratic structures, and hopefully the Czech Republic can make use of our experience in building a multicultural and multi-confessional society.

This interview is taken on the occasion of the national day of North Macedonia. Would you like to wish something for your country, and maybe for the Czech Republic too?

It is a lesser-known fact that Macedonia has been an independent country from 2 August (the National Day) 1944 until the beginning of 1946, when it joined the Federal Peoples Republic of Yugoslavia. It joined voluntarily and willingly, unlike the countries that joined the Warsaw Pact. In the same peaceful and voluntary way, the then Socialist Republic of Macedonia decided to exit the SFR of Yugoslavia on 8 September (the Day of International Independence), 1991. So, in a way, we have two national days, but it seems that the people still prefer the first one – 2 August.

History aside, I wish for my country to continue its progression towards the best European values, and to further develop its cultural diversity and the unique way of existence of many ethnic groups in such a small piece of this Earth. I also wish my country a speedy entry to the EU, where it belongs geographically, historically, and by the values it has chosen to follow. To Czechia, I wish for further growth, maintaining its distinctiveness, and fitting that distinctiveness into the broader tapestry of the EU.

H.E. Sônia Regina Guimarães Gomes

“Brazilian history is permeated by important Czech figures”

H.E. Sônia Regina Guimarães Gomes, Ambassador of Brazil

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

Brazil is the 5th largest country in the world, about double the size of the EU, covering almost 50% of the South American continent. It is the largest country with Portuguese as its official language. The coldest month is July, and the hottest is January. It is a country of over 214 million people, with excellent football, Amazon rainforests, diversity, and coffee. It is the country of H.E. Mrs. Sônia Regina Guimarães Gomes, Ambassador of Brazil.

Please tell us about yourself and your journey to become a diplomat.

Well, this may be a bit too long to answer in detail, so I will make it brief. I must confess that becoming a diplomat was not my first career plan. As a kid I wanted to be a biologist. Later on, I fell in love with history, but it was just when I went to college that I discovered International Relations and decided that a diplomatic career was the right path for me.

I enjoy discovering what can bring people together, rather than focusing on their differences. When you exercise openness to new cultures, to a different world view, you discover that underneath we have much in common. Take Brazilians and Czechs: we share common values, and I like to think that as a diplomat I must try to emphasize these common traits.

During the hearing at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in November, you said: “We are going to have fairs with more products, and focusing on Brazilian regions…”. Can you tell us more about your plans?

It is not only Brazilian products that I want to bring to the Czech Republic. I also want to promote Brazilian culture as well. Brazil has such a richness and diversity, but also cultural experiences that are sometimes similar to those of the Czechs. I have recently discovered that the Brazilian Cordel literature (Cordel in Portuguese means string, and these booklets are displayed hung on a string), which is popular and grassroot chapbooks sold in fairs to entertain and educate people, is like the art of storytelling known here from the medieval period. I intend to make an exposition showing both forms of art and what they have in common.

I also want to work together with our Portuguese friends to help promote the Portuguese language. We intend to have a lot of activities for people of all ages next June, when we celebrate Portuguese Language Day.

How would you describe the relationship between Czechia and Brazil?

The Czech Republic and Brazil relations go back a long way. Sometimes I joke and say that we have always been by your side, no matter what your current geographical configuration or political status was. Our countries have had political relations since 1921. Brazilian history is permeated by important Czech figures, especially from the period when Brazil was still a young empire and received Czech naturalists, painters, and artists. We have cities in Brazil created by Czechs, and, as is well known, we had a highly regarded President that was of Czech descent, Jucelino Kubitschek.

But, of course, we can always build more on top of this solid foundation. Brazil is a country that can offer opportunities to businesses and universities. It is a source of renewable energy, the third largest food producer in the world, and we also have a vibrant tech sector, so there are lots of opportunities to be explored by companies of both countries in a myriad of fields.

You have served in many countries. Can you share with us an adventure you have had?

As diplomats, we have many lives. Each country and each city give us an opportunity to discover new things, not only about the region but also about ourselves. We are touched by distinct kinds of beauty, curious ways of living, and new ideas. But for me, the Republic of Cabo Verde was where I learned more about our planet and about myself. I remember a trip to one of its islands, Fogo, a still-active volcano. I saw the most amazing night sky there, absolutely studded, as if you were near the stars there. But it was also in Cabo Verde that I thought I’d get stranded on one of those islands, when the car that we rented broke down in the middle of nowhere and we had no cell phone. Fortunately, we found someone to help our group! But you realize that some comforts are not common or given, and that we must be prepared to use our resources in curious ways.

President of Israel Isaac Herzog’s visit to Prague

On 11 July, the President of the State of Israel, Isaac Herzog, together with his wife, First Lady Michal Herzog, came to Prague on an official state visit. It was a reflection of the close relations between the two nations, who “share historical affinity that has found expression in moments of crisis and difficulty”, according to President Herzog.

The presidential couple was welcomed to the Czech Republic with a state welcoming ceremony and an honor guard at Prague Castle.

Following a tête-à-tête meeting with the Czech President and the bilateral talks of the delegations, President Herzog once again highlighted the close ties between the two countries: “It is no secret that for several decades, Israel and Czechia have been true partners, learning from each other, supporting each other, and relying on each other.”

Underlining President Zeman’s deep friendship with the Jewish People, his consistent support for Israel on the international stage, and his “zero tolerance“ policy toward terrorism and antisemitism, President Herzog awarded his Czech counterpart the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor, presenting this honor for the first time in his presidency.

During his one-day sojourn in the Czech capital, President Herzog also met with the Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, President of the Czech Senate Miloš Vystrčil, and the Speaker of the Czech Chamber of Deputies, Markéta Pekarová Adamová. The President also met with Holocaust survivors, and had a tour of the Jewish Quarter. Ambassador of Israel to the Czech Republic, Anna Azari, was very happy to see the renewal of mutual visits, paused by the pandemic, carried out on such a high note: “Being an Ambassador for a long time, I have been part of many high-level visits. However, this one was by far the nicest.”

From left: Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic Markéta Pekarová Adamová, President of the State of Israel Isaac Herzog, Head of the Parliamentary Friendship Group Israel-Czechia and member of the Knesset Michal Shir-Segman, and Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Jan Bartošek | Photo: Haim Zach, GPO

President of the State of Israel Isaac Herzog and President of the Senate Miloš Vystrčil | Photo: Haim Zach, GPO

President of the State of Israel Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala | Photo: Haim Zach, GPO

First Lady of Israel Michal Herzog, President of the State of Israel Isaac Herzog, President of the Czech Republic Miloš Zeman, and the First Lady Ivana Zemanová | Photo: Haim Zach, GPO

President of the State of Israel Isaac Herzog and the First Lady unveil a plaque commemorating the state visit | Photo: Haim Zach, GPO

President of the State of Israel Isaac Herzog and President of the Czech Republic Miloš Zeman | Photo: Haim Zach, GPO

President of the State of Israel Isaac Herzog and the First Lady with Ambassador of the State of Israel to the Czech Republic H.E. Anna Azari and her husband rabbi Meir Azari | Photo: Haim Zach, GPO

H.E. Ashot Hovakimian

“Diplomacy is irreplaceable for building an understanding among peoples”

H.E. Ashot Hovakimian, Ambassador of Armenia

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

The Ambassador of Armenia to the Czech Republic, Mr. Ashot Hovakimian, joined the diplomatic service immediately after his country gained independence, meaning exactly 31 years ago. “One can never overestimate the significance of the diplomatic service for building an understanding among peoples, and this service requires 24/7 dedication,” he is still convinced of the high importance of his work for humanity. A powerful message from the representative of a country that had experienced a horrible genocide in the past, and currently suffers from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

You have many years of experience in diplomacy. Can you share some of your assignments with us, please?

I joined the diplomatic service immediately after Armenia gained independence. As a specialist in Balkan and Slavic Studies, I was invited for consultations with the newly established Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, from which I received a proposal to join the diplomatic service. Since then, I have been posted to many diplomatic missions.

Among my first assignments was Greece, where I opened the Armenian Embassy in 1993. Then followed Poland, where I served as an Ambassador for almost eight years, simultaneously covering Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. Directly from Poland, I was transferred to Austria, where my mission lasted for over five years. From Vienna, I served as a non-resident Ambassador to Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, as well as Permanent Representative of Armenia to the OSCE and the international organizations based in Vienna. After Vienna, in 2011, I returned to Armenia, where I was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and served in this capacity until my appointment as the Ambassador to the Czech Republic at the beginning of 2019. I am currently a non-resident Ambassador to four other countries: Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, and Montenegro, and I have recently been appointed also to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

How would you describe your work to future ambassadors?

One cannot overestimate the significance of the diplomatic service in the sense of building a viable statehood. It is not just meant to establish means of communication with the governments of other countries but is in actuality the most powerful tool in presenting your country, your people, and your culture to the outer world. It is a means to attaining understanding and acknowledgement on the part of others, and, in this sense, it goes way beyond the simple function of communication, becoming an irreplaceable tool for building understanding among peoples, promoting human rights and universal values.

This service requires 24/7 dedication, and at times diplomats and their families are exposed to all types of extreme pressure. This pressure is multiplied in the case of Ambassadors, who not only have to act on the frontline but also take responsibility for their team. So, I advise the upcoming generation of Ambassadors to make sure they understand the whole scope of responsibility that rests on their shoulders.

You have been posted in Czechia for over three years now. How do you see our current relations?

As I mentioned, this is not the first time I am accredited as Armenia’s Ambassador to Czechia, to which I served as a non-resident Ambassador from Austria for several years before. Of course, being a resident Ambassador opens up more possibilities for enhancing the political dialogue we enjoy with the Czech Republic.

We see Czechia as a like-minded country, with which we not only share the same humanistic values but also relations, which are anchored on sustained democratic traditions, historical friendship, and mutually beneficial cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral formats.

In the bilateral dimension, we have quite active inter-parliamentary cooperation, as well as an ongoing inter-governmental cooperation framework with an inter-governmental commission on economic issues, operating through regular sessions and discussions. Armenia and Czechia also have mutually beneficial cooperation within multilateral formats, including the UN, OSCE, and CoE. This is extensively complemented by the Armenia-EU cooperation framework, including the implementation of the EU-Armenia Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement. The active role taken up by the Czech Republic in promoting the EU Eastern Partnership framework is commendable, and we stand ready to join efforts in further maintaining this cooperation platform.

Are your expectations for the future equally positive in this regard?

We see an untapped potential in further deepening our cooperation with the Czech Republic both in the bilateral and multilateral formats, as well as within the framework of the European Union, whilst the Czech presidency of the EU Council is an additional asset to this end.

Armenia is keen to work towards not only expanding the political agenda but also fostering educational and intercultural exchanges, and activating the mobility between the peoples of our countries in terms of tourism, promoting trade and mutual investments.

We are also keen to work towards joint endeavors in the spheres of IT and high-tech solutions, a field full of potential and aspirations for both of our countries.

Next year we will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Armenia and Czechia, and this will be a good opportunity for re-evaluating and further enhancing our dialogue in all fields of mutual interest.

The Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs visited the Czech Republic quite recently, at the end of July. What does this visit indicate?

We have established good traditions of cooperation on the level of Foreign Ministries. The most recent visit of our Minister, Ararat Mirzoyan, indicates the reciprocal willingness of both sides to further promote bilateral political dialogue and cooperation within the European dimension, amid Czechia assuming the Presidency of the EU Council.

We are thankful to the Czech Republic for its approach to humanistic issues of importance, not only for the Armenian people but also for humanity in general. Both chambers of the Parliament of the Czech Republic have officially condemned and recognized the Armenian Genocide. Czech parliamentarians were also among those who explicitly raised their voice on the issue of the Armenian prisoners of war remaining in Azerbaijani custody.

The Czech side has also been a supporter of the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship, which plays a key role in reaching a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

You are also acting as an Ambassador to Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, and Montenegro. How can you manage so many countries?

It is my “motto” to create a new, more comprehensive image of the status of a non-resident Ambassador. I travel to each of the non-resident countries at least 4-5 times a year, combining official meetings with cultural and economic events, organizing different receptions, and providing a chance for a better understanding of my country, its politics, its economic possibilities, alongside creating a strong bridge between our friendly states. Some state officials even sometimes joke, telling me that I meet them more frequently than some of the resident Ambassadors do. Our task is to discuss, research, find mutually beneficial areas for our cooperation, and do our best for their further development. Of course, sometimes many things overlap – you cannot be present simultaneously in the different countries, and you have to choose your priorities – but, very often, personal contacts and my knowledge of the languages of the region prove helpful.

Turkey and Azerbaijan are not among the countries where diplomatic relations were established by Armenia. Would you like to give us a picture of this situation?

Since proclaiming its independence 31 years ago, the Republic of Armenia, following the principles of universal values, has been building its statehood and active communication with the outside world. We have joined and actively participated in the work of around two-dozen international organizations, and established diplomatic relations with around 180 countries. Turkey and Azerbaijan are not among those countries due to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The border between Armenia and Turkey was unilaterally closed by Turkey in the early 1990s. As you probably know, the special representatives have now been appointed for the normalization process and a few meetings have already been held where the sides decided to move forward without any preconditions, with the goal of opening the borders. To give a positive dynamic to that process, the Foreign Minister of Armenia recently accepted the invitation of the Foreign Minister of Turkey and travelled to Turkey to participate in the Antalya Diplomatic Forum, where he met with his counterpart on the margins of the Forum.

We believe that in order to achieve normalization it is necessary to have a political will and readiness to undertake concrete steps. The Armenian side has repeatedly demonstrated both, and we expect the same from the Turkish side. Despite all the risks and the fragility (of the situation), there is a chance for opening an era of peaceful development in our region, and Armenia will continue its efforts to contribute to the realization of that chance.

And in the case of Azerbaijan?

With regards to Azerbaijan, it should be noted that the waning years of the USSR were marked with the expression of the peaceful appeal of the people of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) to exercise their right to self-determination, but the lawful demands of these people were, unfortunately, responded to with violence, deportations, premeditated massacres, and, eventually, wars. Thus, it was not surprising that, instead of promoting peace in the region and committing to the resolution of the conflict through a peaceful negotiation process, on 27 September, 2020, Azerbaijan, with the direct support of Turkey, and with the participation of foreign terrorist fighters from the Middle East, unleashed a large-scale war against Artsakh.

The growing anti-Armenian hatred, xenophobia, and intolerance, which have been cultivated for decades in Azerbaijan and promoted at the highest political level, never being properly addressed, eventually found their manifestation in the war crimes perpetrated against the Armenian population and the Armenian historical- cultural heritage during and after the last war in Artsakh, where hospitals, schools, kindergartens, and residential buildings were deliberately targeted, and mass atrocities, extrajudicial killings, as well as the destruction and the illegal expropriation of churches, cemeteries, and religious symbols, became ordinary practice.

Did the trilateral statement, signed between the leaders of the Russian Federation, Armenia, and Azerbaijan on 9 November 2020, not help?

The statement put an end to the fighting, and provided for the stationing of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh, creating conditions for ensuring the comprehensive security of the population of Artsakh. But this did not provide for the final settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Moreover, even after two years, Azerbaijan, along with other key provisions of the document, continues violating the provisions of paragraph 8 of the statement on the exchange of prisoners of war, hostages, and other detained persons, in gross violation of the Geneva Conventions and International Humanitarian Law. With false and fabricated trials against the Armenian POWs, Azerbaijan uses human lives as a political bargaining chip, whilst the xenophobic attitudes prevailing in Azerbaijan continue to pose a direct threat to our compatriots, currently under Azerbaijani custody.

The realities based on the use of force, mass violations of human rights, as well as the consistent actions of a similar nature by Azerbaijan following the war, including the infiltration by Azerbaijani armed forces into the sovereign territory of Armenia, cannot create a sustainable foundation for regional peace and security. Only agreements reached within the framework of a peace process can open a new page for peace, security, and development in the region. We stand for the full- fledged launch of the peace process of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within the framework and mandate of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship (US, France, and Russia).

H.E. Ashot Hovakimian, Ambassador of Armenia

Do you have anything else to say on this sad topic?

Unfortunately, Azerbaijan continues blocking the access of humanitarian organizations and other specialized bodies to Artsakh, which is of vital importance in the context of a comprehensive and effective solution to the humanitarian crisis resulting from the war.

The settlement of humanitarian issues, including the repatriation of all prisoners of war and captured civilians, addressing the cases of enforced disappearances, as well as ensuring the protection of the Armenian historical- cultural heritage fallen under Azerbaijani control, all require an urgent solution.

Moreover, whilst Armenia is trying to engage in open discussions and negotiations on the opening of regional communications to the benefit of all countries in the region, Azerbaijan continues pursuing its expansionist agenda through the misinterpretation of a so-called “Zangezur Corridor”. The existence of any extra territorial corridor inside the territory of Armenia is ruled out. This is not even up for discussion. Our discussions are exclusively about opening and unblocking roads, transport, and economic communications.

Has the war in Ukraine had any effect on the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh?

Azerbaijan continues its policy of provocative actions and its threats of using force. After the situation in Ukraine unfolded, the Azerbaijani armed forces invaded the village of Parukh in Nagorno-Karabakh, which was preceded by the constant shelling of villages and civilian infrastructure, urging the peaceful Armenian population of the neighboring villages to leave their homes under the threat of the use of force, disruption of the operation of the gas pipeline for several weeks amid the unprecedented cold weather, etc. The provocations and aggression by Azerbaijani armed forces newly intensified in the beginning of August, resulting in deaths and casualties. Currently, when the world focuses its attention on Ukraine, Azerbaijan may be tempted to launch a large-scale provocation at any moment. Hence, it is extremely important for the international community to undertake effective steps to prevent the attempts of destabilizing the situation in the South Caucasus.

Nevertheless, we think that peace, not war, is the solution, and Armenia continues its efforts aimed at establishing peace and stability in the region. We’ve repeatedly stated that we are ready to start negotiations on comprehensive peace with Azerbaijan, which will also include the lasting settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, including the protection of all rights of the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, and its final status. Nagorno-Karabakh is not only a piece of territory; it is a people, whose dignity should be respected.

During the meeting of leaders in Brussels on 22 May, it was agreed to start work towards the delimitation and security of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, to finalize talks on opening the transport infrastructure in the region, and to work on the preparation for comprehensive peace talks. If Azerbaijan demonstrates a constructive approach, and refrains from creating hurdles along the way like they have many times before, I think we can move forward. Let me repeat that Armenia is ready for a constructive dialogue on peace and collaboration, free from preconditions and threats. Only when all these issues are properly addressed, prospects for sustainable peace and development in our region will become visible.

As a Jew, I cannot ignore the historical genocide against the Armenians. How is this affecting modern Armenia?

As you know, every year on 24 April, Armenians all over the world commemorate the Armenian Genocide, known as the first genocide of the 20th century. The evil act, meant to exterminate a nation, not only failed in its mission but even strengthened the will of the Armenian people to live and create a better future.

Today’s huge Armenian Diaspora of over 7 million people is mostly comprised of the descendants of the survivors of the Armenian Genocide, who were not only given shelter and care in various friendly countries, but were also provided opportunities to preserve their national identity and organize their own cultural and political life whilst actively engaging in their host communities. We are grateful to all those who stood by the Armenian people during the tragic pages of our history.

Ever since, the Armenian people, both in Armenia and the Diaspora, have pledged their commitment to raising awareness of genocidal crimes and protesting against denialism.

History has shown us that inappropriate condemnation of past crimes and avoiding punishment create fertile ground for denial and justification of genocide, and, eventually, lead to recurrences of mass atrocities. Denied justice on its part pursues generations of genocide survivors and hinders genuine reconciliation.

Feel free to elaborate on this.

Unfortunately, even after a hundred years, the Armenian people see history reminding them of their painful past, with the genocidal intent demonstrated during the 44-day war in Artsakh, and the developments that followed. This includes the situation with the Armenian POWs, as well as the continuous intentional destruction by Azerbaijan of Armenian historical-cultural heritage in an attempt to eliminate all traces of Armenians from the territories that have fallen under its control.

Nevertheless, a small nation, that in just a little over 100 years has survived genocide and faced three wars waged upon its mere existence, does not give up on its fight for justice, and continues to lead international efforts towards the “Never Again”campaign by traditionally introducing the Resolution on the Prevention of Genocide at the UN Human Rights Council, where, quite recently, on 31 March, the fifth of such was once again adopted by consensus. Upon Armenia’s initiative, the UN GA has proclaimed 9 December as the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide, and of the Prevention of this Crime. Commemoration and respect for the dignity of the victims of genocide and genocidal crimes are not just expressions of solidarity, but are amongst the most important actions in the prevention of such crimes in the future. Year by year, Armenians are joined by the international community and their friends worldwide in not only commemorating the over 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide, but also bringing together efforts in condemning and preventing such grave crimes against humanity. To this end, I would like to once again thank the Czech Republic for joining this big family – the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament adopted a resolution condemning and recognizing the Armenian Genocide back in 2017, and the Czech Senate adopted a similar resolution quite recently in May of 2020. Each year on 24 April, when honoring the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide here in the Czech Republic, we also pay tribute to famous Czech traveler and writer Karel Hansa, and to prominent Austrian-Bohemian novelist of Jewish origin Franz Werfel, one of the first in Europe to have documented the horrors of the Armenian Genocide.

A few months ago, you were very upset that some interviews with you were censored. Am I correct?

Unfortunately, I will have to confess that Indeed, we had such incidents, especially during the last war in Artsakh and the period that followed, when the Embassy and I as the Ambassador were on some occasions not only refused the opportunity to voice the official position of my country, but were also often deprived of the right to reply. Moreover, my authorized texts were several times subjected to censorship in the most hideous way, whilst in other cases we were prompted on what exactly should be said in order to be able to get ‘space’ in the media. Such misconduct on behalf of some media outlets has only deepened our concerns that the latter (outlets) were not merely pursuing their commercial interests, but were being guided by the political interests of third parties, and subjected to the influence of those third parties in their activity.

Traditionally, we ask the Ambassadors at this moment of an interview to voice their wishes for their country. I think Armenia is one of those where the wish is rather obvious.

So, I will describe it a little more broadly. Armenia is one of the cradles of ancient civilization, with roots going back into pre-historic times. We have millennia- old heritage, not only in terms of tangible, but also intangible, cultural and religious heritage. Armenia is the first country that adopted Christianity as a state religion, which, together with the Armenian language and traditions, has played quite an important role in preserving the Armenian identity throughout the centuries, especially in the times of the absence of Armenian statehood. 31 years ago, through the expression of the united and collective will of the Armenian people, the modern-day Armenian statehood came into existence. Our nation, which possesses a centuries-old history, having passed through many hardships and trials and having survived genocide, not only withstood all those challenges but also restored its statehood in its historical homeland. Even in this short period of time, we were still challenged to fight for the preservation of our identity and for the right to live in our homeland. The Artsakh wars and the achievements and losses of the Armenian people are once again a testament to the strong will of the Armenian people to live and create in their native homeland, and to the unbreakable faith in building a bright future for the new generations.

Do you have a wish for the Czech Republic as well, to conclude our interview?

The Czech Republic is one of the countries with which Armenia shares good traditions of friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation, anchored on sustained democratic traditions and universal values. A few years ago, Czechia festively celebrated the 30th anniversary of the establishment of statehood through the democratic path. Czechia is a country which has officially taken the course of pursuing the legacy of Václav Havel, underscoring human rights, democratic development, strong civil society, and multilateral collaboration. The wave of peaceful transition that started off in the Czech Republic over three decades ago has years later found its reflection beyond its borders. In Armenia, we also pursue these values, which was reflected in the non-violent “velvet revolution” that took place in our country a few years ago, and which is currently visible in the ambitious agenda of democratic reforms and transformations that the Armenian Government is currently undertaking. The Czech Republic is a reliable partner for us in this sense, in sharing its experience and supporting Armenia on its democratic path.

I would therefore like to use this opportunity to wish the Czech Republic the utmost success in all of its endeavors, including its EU presidency, and for our countries to benefit from the flourishing friendship between our two friendly nations.

National Day of Vietnam

Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

On the occasion of the 77th Anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Ambassador H.E. Thai Xuan Dung and Mrs. Nguyen Thi Thien Nga held a reception at the Grandior Hotel Prague.

Hundreds of people – politicians, diplomats, business people, and the Vietnamese community – celebrated the event. The Ambassador H.E. Thai Xuan Dung, Deputy Foreign Minister of Vietnam H.E. Mr. Pham Quang Hieu, and Deputy Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic Mr. Martin Tlapa all made special speeches for the occasion.

From left: H.E. Mr. Pham Quang Hieu, Deputy Foreign Minister of Vietnam, Mr. Martin Tlapa, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic, Mrs. Nguyen Thien Nga, spouse of Ambassador Thai Xuan Dung, and H.E. Mr. Thai Xuan Dung, Ambassador of Vietnam

From left: H.E. Mr. Shahzad Gul Aryobee, Ambassador of Afghanistan, H.E. Mr. Luís de Almeida Sampaio, Ambassador of Portugal, H.E. Mr. Muhammad Khalid Jamali, Ambassador of Pakistan, H.E. Egemen Bağış, Ambassador of Turkey, H.E. Mr. Thai Xuan Dung, Ambassador of Vietnam, H.E. Mr. Ilirian Kuka, Ambassador of Albania, H.E. Mr. Hemant Kotalwar, Ambassador of India, H.E. Mr. Pasi Olavi Tuominen, Ambassador of Finland (right up), and H.E. Mr. Said Hindam, Ambassador of Egypt (right down)

From left: Ms. Farashima Aini binti Mohd Ali, Charge d’Affaires a.i./Counsellor, Embassy of Malaysia, H.E. Ms. Phasporn Sangasubana, Ambassador of Thailand, H.E. Mr. Pham Quang Hieu, Deputy Foreign Minister of Vietnam, H.E. Mr. Martin Tlapa, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic, H.E. Mrs. Kenssy D. Ekaningsih, Ambassador of Indonesia, Ms. Indhira C. Bañares, Charge d’Affaires a.i./Minister, Embassy of the Philippines, and Ms. Nguyen Dieu Linh, Deputy Chief of Mission, Minister-Counsellor Embassy of Vietnam

H.E. Thai Xuan Dung

“Hard-working Vietnamese people integrate ever more successfully”

H.E. Thai Xuan Dung, Ambassador of Vietnam

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

According to official estimates, there are now around 96,000 Vietnamese people living in the Czech Republic. Mr. Thai Xuan Dung, Ambassador of Vietnam, describes the community as “industrious, tolerant, hard-working, dynamic, creative, and extraordinarily studious”, and, based on my experience as a Czech person, I fully agree with him. In this interview, Mr. Dung offers an insight into his positive feelings about our country, the local Vietnamese community’s support for people in need, the development of the tourism industry in Vietnam, and the bilateral trade opportunities for businesses of both countries.

How long have you been in the Czech Republic? Can you please share some of your impressions?

I am a diplomat with over 35 years of experience working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the Czech Republic in July 2020. The first impression I noticed is that Prague is an ancient, beautiful capital, filled with so many spectacular monuments and stunning architecture like Prague Castle, Old Town Square, and Charles Bridge. Besides Prague, I also visited some other cities in the Czech Republic such as Karlovy Vary, Brno, and Ostrava. The more I learn in terms of history, architecture, culture, and cuisine, the more I am amazed by the cultural and historical landscapes and friendly people here. After spending over two years in the Czech Republic, it goes without saying that it is one of the safest and most beautiful countries I ever had the chance to live in. Czech people are modest, pleasant, friendly… and also very enthusiastic when it comes to festivals. In summary, the Czech Republic is a country worth living in and has many aspects to explore.

There is a big Vietnamese community in our country. How do you evaluate their situation here?

I can say that the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic is one of solidarity and responsibility, complying with local laws, gradually overcoming language barriers and thus integrating more deeply, widely, and sustainably.

In 2013, the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic was recognized by the Czech government as an ethnic minority in the Czech Republic. The community ́s willingness to share local difficulties and contribute to Czech society is highly appreciated by common Czechs as well as the local authorities, and the Vietnamese are being recognized as a community that brings many benefits to the Czech Republic. Most of the Vietnamese here have jobs and stable incomes, their children are well educated, and many have been very successful in the business environment.

Can you give some concrete examples of how the Vietnamese in the Czech Republic benefit our society?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, from the very beginning, the Vietnamese community across the Czech Republic has shown solidarity and actively supported the local authorities and people as a response to the pandemic.

Let me mention things like donating face masks, medical supplies, cash, and providing free meals and drinks for the pandemic prevention and control forces. Another example is donating essential consumer goods and cash to the people of Southern Moravia, who suffered serious damage from a tornado at the end of June 2021.

Since the war in Ukraine broke out in February of this year, which led to the humanitarian crisis with millions of refugees from Ukraine escaping to Europe, the Vietnamese community has promptly implemented several activities to support the refugees, both Vietnamese and Ukrainian. A committee has been established by the Embassy of Vietnam and the Association of the Vietnamese people in the Czech Republic to help evacuate Vietnamese fleeing war zones in Ukraine. The committee has regularly updated the latest regulations and instructions set out by the governments of Czechia, Ukraine’s neighboring countries, and the EU on the entry of those from Ukraine. Announcements have been published by the committee on the official website of the Vietnamese Embassy and on social media in order to help them better understand local rules.

The committee has raised nearly 20,000 EUR, which was spent on food, medicine, and other necessities for those fleeing to Poland and Romania. Additionally, it has collected donations of food, drinking water, blankets, clothes, and medicine from local people for the needy people from Ukraine. Many expats have voluntarily driven the Ukrainian Vietnamese from the borders with Ukraine to temporary shelters in Czechia, while others have given accommodation and food.

Vietnam is gaining more and more attention from the Czech people as a holiday destination. How do you promote your country?

Firstly, I would like to appreciate the fact that Czech people choose Vietnam as one of their holiday destinations. Recently, Vietnam‘s tourism industry has been putting all of its efforts into restoring its operations after a long struggle of being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Vietnam is one of the six countries that achieved the highest COVID-19 vaccination coverage rates in the world.

Back in time, 20 years ago, Vietnam was not a popular destination for tourists. The situation has changed significantly in recent years. At the moment, besides the big known cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, other provinces have also gradually renovated their landscapes, infrastructures, and customer services to become a favorite holiday destination for tourists from across the globe.

The campaign “Live fully in Vietnam” was created to help promote Vietnam’s outstanding values of culture, heritage, and landscapes, as well as the premium services of Vietnam tourism, offering international visitors a full experience in Vietnam. Besides, we also focus on implementing digital technology to improve the efficiency of our promotion activities and ensure safe tourism. In particular, we will continue promoting tourism in Vietnam via digital platforms such as websites and social networks. In addition to online activities, in 2022, Vietnam’s tourism industry will organize and participate in international industry events and fairs to reconnect with international tourist markets and target key markets in Europe, such as the Czech Republic. At the same time, programs will be deployed to promote Vietnam‘s tourism on major international media channels such as CNN and CNBC. We are ready to welcome the wave of tourism recovery and all Czech friends in Vietnam now, in 2022.

What is the status of Czechia-Vietnam relations?

The Czech Republic and Vietnam enjoy a traditional and long-lasting relationship, established over the past 70 years, that is constantly being consolidated and developed in all fields. The Czech Republic is one of Vietnam’s priority partners in Central Eastern Europe. The two sides have maintained regular exchanges through hundreds of delegations at all levels, and a variety of other means. Our countries have maintained regular meetings of the Intergovernmental Committee on Economic Cooperation to implement economic cooperation activities since 2006. The most recent one was successfully held in Prague on 29-30 June 2022, with the signing of a protocol of the 7th meeting. Those exchanges and meetings have contributed to further promoting political and diplomatic relations, expanding economic trade and investment relations, and also promoting cooperation in the field of security, defense, education-training, and encouraging discussions on international and regional issues of mutual concern. Figures presented at the seventh meeting show that bilateral trade between Czechia and Vietnam has reached the record value of 2.0 billion USD in 2021, a major increase of 37.9% in comparison to 2020. The Czech Republic currently has 41 investment projects in Vietnam, with a total registered capital of more than $92 million, ranking 49 among 139 countries and territories investing in Vietnam, focusing on the fields of real estate, beer, electrical equipment, building materials, etc. Recently, Czech businesses have been very interested in the Vietnamese market in the fields of traffic and its supporting industries, production of automobiles and spare parts, electric railway cars, beer and wine, cyber security, defense industry, etc. In addition, Vietnamese businessmen in the Czech Republic are also quite successful, and make a significant contribution to promoting trade and investment cooperation between our countries, thereby promoting economic relations between Vietnam and the European Union.

I assume the cooperation with the EU as a whole and the Czech Republic as a member country go hand in hand, am I right?

Sure, the implementation of the EVFTA (EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement) has brought many benefits to Vietnamese-EU businesses and people, including the Czech Republic. The EVFTA and EVIPA (Investment Protection Agreement), approved by the Czech parliament, are of strategic importance to economic, trade, and investment cooperation, not only between Vietnam and the EU but also between Vietnam and the Czech Republic. The agreements will help Czech and EU businesses access the market of nearly 100 million people – a young market with 65% of people under 35 years of age, very dynamic, creative, and knowledgeable. Besides, Vietnam will be the door for Czech enterprises to access ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and East Asian markets in the near future.

We can see that the mutual relations of our countries are friendly and on the right track. What else can we wish for?

You are right. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations on 2 February 1950, the relations between Vietnam and the Czech Republic have been cultivated by generations of leaders and people of the two countries, and have continuously flourished, becoming traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation relations. Although I am more than 10,000 kilometers away from Vietnam now, I still feel close and cozy like at home because we have such a strong and close relationship. Now, I am very proud to call the Czech Republic my second homeland.

And for that friendship and strong foundation, may I wish the traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between Vietnam and the Czech Republic to continue to strengthen, develop, and achieve greater heights; and also prosperity and happiness for the citizens of both countries.

How to holiday in Vietnam

Frequently visited and highly recommended by international tourists are, for example, these locations:

Ha Long Bay – for its emerald waters and more than 1,600 limestone towers and islands topped by rainforests. Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vietnam. The place is ranked fifth among the ten most beautiful places around the world in 2022, according to Canadian travel site The Travel.

Quang Binh – for its natural caves and mountainous interior, with Son Doong Cave – the world’s largest natural cave settled deep within the remote and well-preserved jungles of central Vietnam’s Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site. The New York Times listed Son Doong Cave as the 8th among 52 must-go destinations in 2014. In 2019, the cave ranked 3rd in the 11 amazing attractions by the leading tourism magazine Telegraph.

Hue – for its royal mausoleums, imperial citadel, and iconic pagodas, Sapa – for its towering peaks, steep rice terraces, and picturesque villages, Nha Trang – for its picturesque beaches, which offer a backdrop of towering rock cliffs and are stunningly beautiful, Mekong Delta – for its vast rice fields and innumerable waterways, Phu Quoc – for its white powder beaches, turquoise waters, palm tree forests, mountains, and waterfalls,

On top of that, the Vietnamese cuisine is distinctive, with a unique fusion of ingredients, and it is very affordable and easy to buy. Tourists can choose from a wide variety of food like Phở – a delicious Vietnamese noodle soup cooked in chicken, beef, or even vegetarian broth, Bánh Cuốn – a scrumptious roll made from rice flour with a hearty filling of pork, mushrooms and shrimp, topped with some crunchy onions, Bún Chả – a combination of sliced pork, vermicelli noodles, fresh garden herbs, and fish sauce, Bún Bò – a symphony of textures prepared with vermicelli noodles, peanuts, bean sprouts, fried shallots, and chilli peppers.

Luboš Drobík

“We can handle everything because we stick together”

Luboš Drobík, Owner and President of the Prague Business Club

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Prague Business Club

It is a natural need of a human being to have a safe, supportive place where you can relax, express yourself freely, and enjoy the company of like-minded people. Many Czech entrepreneurs have found such an inspiring oasis at Prague’s Wenceslas Square, on the premises of the Prague Business Club, which was founded 20 years ago by Luboš Drobík. How did it all start? What is the mission of the Club and its founder? And is it still possible to improve the club after 20 years of its successful existence?

Nowadays, the Prague Business Club hosts over 100 club discussion dinners a year. Is this what you were planning at the beginning?

I didn’t really plan anything about the club that much at the beginning, I did not even plan to start it in the first place. The best things in life seem to come to you by accident. Just as a woman enters your life and becomes your destiny, so did the club enter my life and become mine. It happened twenty years ago, when, as a family, we rented a beautiful villa in Bubeneč, Prague, and realized that some great events could be held there. Talking about it, I feel like it was only yesterday, but looking at my own face in the mirror proves me wrong.

So, you had a great place for meetings, waiting for the first guests to arrive. Who did you invite?

Good question because I can tell you that, at the very beginning, this wasn’t an easy part at all.

I didn’t have any personal contact with famous people, and I didn’t really know whom to invite. Then I remembered that I used to play football as a student for Tatran Střešovice sports club, and a certain Pavel Bém, the mayor of Prague 6 at the time, played with me. So, I invited him as the main guest. But still, I didn’t know whom to invite as participants in the meeting. I decided to open the Yellow Pages, because the Internet wasn’t quite there yet, and started with the letter A. I mean, I simply started inviting all the business owners who ran a business activity starting with A, e.g. automobile repair shops and antenna manufacturers, and the (hall) capacity for our event quickly filled up. And it was great fun when they found out at the meeting that almost everyone was doing the same thing. (laughter)

Luboš Drobík with Petr Kolář and Petr Pavel

Twenty years of the club have passed. How are you doing today?

We gradually became more professional and started inviting representatives from other fields of business, and much more interesting main guests. I remember my audacity when I decided to invite a government minister for the first time. I found an email for the minister, and, then and there, sent an invitation saying that “a top prestigious club invites you to a debate”. And it went well, the meetings got better and better, and we finally started selling memberships. Today, I think we are really the most prestigious club in the Czech Republic. Since the beginning, we have organized more than two thousand meetings. I personally know almost everyone in this country, and I am extremely happy to be at our club meetings and to soak up the wisdom of all the main guests who come here with their topics.

Can you tell us who your members are, and what benefits they gain by joining the club?

They are primarily owners of Czech companies. They are great people who have achieved something and find their equals in the club. You know, it is not easy at all to be the owner of a successful company. You immediately become the center of attention, people cling to you who want to take a piece of your success and money, and others envy you and do not wish you success. You feel quite alone, and develop a desire to connect with someone who is going through similar things in their life. And our club is the place where you can find such people. Here, no one envies anything, no one bothers anyone, and no one pushes their products and services on others. You feel that you are in a place with others like you. It’s like you’re coming home, among your own kind of people. You belong here and feel the friendship and support of others.

Václav Havel

There certainly is great value in meeting like-minded people in person. How did you survive the online COVID era?

You’re right. It is proven that the more social connections you have, the happier your life is. With the Prague Business Club, I create space for these ties to develop, and I am really happy when members come to me and say that, thanks to the club, they got to know this or that person, and together they did this or that. I can see how important the club is to them and that is the best reward for me. COVID has disrupted our personal meetings a lot. We couldn’t be together for almost seven months, and only met online once a week, always with a guest. However, the members are very loyal and have supported their club financially, so today we are back at full strength, and going full throttle with almost 150 events in one year.

We gained the important experience that this is not something that should be taken for granted. We value our meetings more, and are grateful that we can meet. Everything is so fragile, and the COVID crisis showed us that. Now, there are other challenges again, like the war in Ukraine or the energy crisis, but now I know that we can handle it all. We stick together.

Is it possible to find new ways to further develop the club’s activities, even after twenty years?

Of course. I am a person who is constantly full of new ideas and challenges. During these past twenty years I have always felt that I am at the beginning, and that there are many things ahead waiting to be realized. Twenty years were added to the book of my life, the club gave me a lot, and, of course, took something away. But I have learnt that my mission is to connect people. Right now, we are creating club sections for members based on their interests. So, we are launching a gourmet section for wine and good food lovers, an investment section for investors, a golf club section for golfers, etc. Everyone has the opportunity to further develop and enjoy their hobbies and their own interests. There is still a lot of room to explore.

I think we are unique, and we want to be even better.

It looks like you have found your calling in life. Do you have a message for Czech entrepreneurs?

If I can tell them something, I would say: Please, do your business consciously, as a service not only to your family and ego but also to your employees and the whole of our beautiful Czech country. Remember to give a large part of your profit to non-profit projects that cultivate society and help others achieve a better and happier life. It is always advisable to be aware of our finite existence, and the fact that we cannot take our success to the afterlife. Always conduct business honestly and ethically. Don’t be afraid to lose, and put up with a little (difficulty) sometimes. We are not here to fight and destroy others, but to cooperate as much as possible and work for a higher cause – not only for money, which is always fleeting anyway.

H.E. Alexandru Codreanu

“Moldova is a European country with European values”

H.E. Alexandru Codreanu, Ambassador of Moldova

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

Mr. Alexandru Codreanu started his mandate as Ambassador of the Republic of Moldova to the Czech Republic two years ago. Among many other assignments, including positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration, he has represented his country in Hungary, to the Holy See, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg and worked with the OSCE Mission in Tajikistan.

The major achievement of which Moldova takes pride in was attained this year on 23 June: the European Council granted Moldova the EU candidate status. “The Republic of Moldova is firmly determined to remain part of the free world. International support for the European future of Moldova is, and will be, highly appreciated,” the Ambassador expresses in gratitude.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your diplomatic career?

I joined the diplomatic service of my country three decades ago, soon after the independence of the Republic of Moldova was proclaimed. On my part, this required further graduation studies in the field of international relations, as well as additional diplomatic training during my first years at the Foreign Ministry. Over the years, I have had many opportunities to promote the interests of the Republic of Moldova in the multilateral and bilateral cooperation settings, including on various assignments at the Ministry ́s headquarters in Chișinău, the capital city of Moldova, and in diplomatic missions abroad.

For my diplomatic mission in Prague I am accompanied by my wife Svetlana, since my adult son, Dinu is already settled down with his own family.

How long have you been in the Czech Republic and what is your impression of it?

I presented my letters of credence to the President of the Czech Republic, Mr. Miloš Zeman, in October 2020, two years ago. Since then, I have enjoyed the welcoming attitude and cooperation of the Czech officials and people. I have had several opportunities to discover the rich heritage of the country, both in Prague and in other regions. Since the entire world has been struggling with the pandemic over the last two years, I appreciated the solidarity and supportive approach of the Czech partners towards Moldova in these challenging times, when humanitarian aid was provided for the healthcare sector in my country. However, my current mission is not my first encounter with beautiful Czechia. Several years ago, I already had the opportunity to visit here, though briefly, as part of the Moldovan governmental delegation. I also attended the spring OSCE Forum at the Czernin Palace, and, on a different occasion, as a tourist, had spent a wonderful Christmas holiday in Prague with my family.

Your country has made long-term efforts to join the European Union. How do you evaluate the process so far?

Moldova is firmly determined to remain part of the free world. The freedom and the dignity of our people make us a country with a strong European identity, which we deeply value. Moldova is a European country, with a European language, a European history, and a European political system.

The Republic of Moldova has had European aspirations since its independence was declared on 27 August 1991. Three years later, the EU-Moldova Partnership and Cooperation Agreement was signed. In 2014, the EU- Moldova Association Agreement, including a deep and comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, strengthened Moldova’s political and economic ties with the European Union even more. By signing this agreement, Moldova committed to reforming its domestic policies based on EU laws and practices. In April 2014, Moldova became the first country in the Eastern Partnership to benefit from a visa- free regime. Since then, more than 2.5 million Moldovan citizens with a biometric passport have travelled to the Schengen Area without a visa, which has fostered tourism, business relations, and people-to-people contacts.

…and the most important advancement took place this year…

Certainly. In March, the Republic of Moldova submitted the application for membership of the European Union, and on 23 June 2022 the European Council granted us the candidate status. The Council will decide on further steps, including opening of accession negotiations, once all conditions specified in the Commission‘s opinion on the membership application are fully met.

The fact that the Moldova candidate status decision was taken quite soon after its application clearly reveals the support of all EU member states for the European perspective of my country.

I believe the Czech Republic belongs among these supporting EU countries. Can you explain some benefits resulting from Moldova’s integration into the EU?

Indeed, the Czech support for Moldova’s efforts to join the European Union was clearly stated during the official visit of the Moldovan Minister of Foreign affairs and European Integration, Nicu Popescu, to Prague in May 2022. The Foreign Minister of the Czech Republic, Jan Lipavský, also emphasized that Moldova’s European aspirations will be supported during the Czech Republic’s presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2022.

By carrying out this ambitious EU integration agenda, the Republic of Moldova benefits from substantial EU support. The European Union supports Moldova on its democratic path, the aspirations of our people to live in peace and prosperity, integrating the country into the EU single market, and enhancing sectoral cooperation. Some important effects refer to the increased diversification of markets for Moldova’s exports, with access to the enormous EU market. The EU is by far Moldova’s main trading partner, and accounts for 56% of its total trade – around 63% of Moldovan exports are destined for the EU market. It is also the largest investor in the country. Moldovan citizens are enjoying the visa liberalization for short-term stays.

How would you describe the status of Czechia-Moldova relations?

Diplomatic relations between our states were established 30 years ago, on 1 June 1992. We have enjoyed an excellent development of our mutual relations over the past three decades. The recent visits to Prague and to Chișinău by the two foreign ministers, Nicu Popescu and Jan Lipavský, highlighted the existing relations of friendship and very good cooperation. The interparliamentary dialogue is advancing as well, including planned visits at the level of the Speaker of the Parliament. As I have already mentioned, another significant area of cooperation is the Czech support for Moldova’s efforts to join the European Union. In this regard, Prague will be visited by several Moldovan high-level delegations during the Czech Republic’s presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2022. Indeed, an important aspect of my mandate as Ambassador in Prague is to enhance the Czech support for the European future of Moldova. Bilateral trade and investment have increased over the years. The volume of Moldovan-Czech trade reached 194 million USD in 2021. The biggest Czech investment in the Republic of Moldova is a major company in the energy sector.

The Republic of Moldova is one of the priority countries for the Czech development assistance, focused on the sustainable management of natural resources, good governance, inclusive social development, agriculture, and rural development. The Moldovan authorities appreciated also the valuable Czech aid to meet challenges of the large inflow of Ukrainian refugees in our country in recent months.

On this occasion, let me reiterate that the Republic of Moldova has condemned Russia’s war against Ukraine and reaffirmed its full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, is providing help to the refugees from the neighboring Ukraine and will continue with humanitarian support.

The presidency of the Czech Republic in the EU Council started on 1 July 2022. What are you, as a representative of your country, expecting?

We appreciate the continuing Czech support for Moldova’s European aspirations. Following the recent decision to grant Moldova the EU candidate status, there will be a more active participation of Moldovan officials at the Czech presidency events. In July, Moldovan officials attended the informal meeting of EU Justice and Home Affairs (EU JHA) ministers, the Conference of Parliamentary Committees for Union Affairs of Parliaments of the European Union, and the Eastern Partnership Youth Conference. A major result was the launch of the “EU Support Hub for Internal Security and Border Management in Moldova” by the European Commissioner for Home Affairs and the Moldovan Minister of Internal Affairs, in the margins of the informal EU JHA. The Embassy is anticipating the participation of the Foreign Minister and other Moldovan officials and experts at the EU meetings hosted by the Czech Republic during the forthcoming months of 2022.

This interview is taken on the occasion of the National Day of Moldova. Can you share your wishes for both Moldova and Czechia?

The Republic of Moldova declared its independence on 27 August 1991. Since then, Moldova has consolidated its democratic political system, developed its international relations, and made significant advances towards its European future. The June 2022 European Council decision to grant the candidate status to Moldova is the most important progress of the year.

I wish the Republic of Moldova and its citizens much success on our European path and the fulfillment of our aspirations to live in peace and prosperity. I wish for the Czech Republic to accomplish its EU Presidency objectives, and also wish peace and wellbeing for its citizens.

Veselin Vačkov

“A true media professional has only one master – the reader”

Veselin Vačkov, Managing Editor at LIDOVÉ NOVINY

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

Not many people know Czech media better than Veselin Vačkov, the managing editor of the country’s oldest daily LIDOVÉ NOVINY. A quarter of a century ago, he started writing for the paper as a foreign correspondent from the Balkans and the UK. Later, he went through several editorial positions to end up at the very top one in 1999. Surprisingly, he made a career in Czech media without being Czech himself. Born in Bulgaria, he came to Prague in the late eighties to study at Charles University. He continued his studies at Oxford University, and achieved a PhD degree in computational linguistics. Today, he does not regret his decision to substitute academia for the newsroom. He believes strict professionalism is the answer to the challenges and pressures the media faces today: “A media pro has only one master – the reader, viewer, or listener.”

You started a career in academia but then changed direction. What made you become a journalist and editor?

I feel a huge respect towards scholars and scientists. Both my parents were university professors. However, working in academia seemed to my younger self in the nineties a bit too solitary and lacking clear perspective. Journalism – especially back then – offered much more dopamine. Yet, my academic training influenced my approach to journalism. I have always been interested in the power of language. As a scholar I studied the way it is structured and generated, while as a journalist I use its potential to influence people’s thinking. Especially in Europe, languages are absolutely central to our culture and identities. Working in journalism for me is an experiment in applied sociolinguistics. I really enjoy it.

You run the oldest Czech newspaper, but you are not Czech. How did you master the language?

I came to Prague in 1988 to study at Charles University.

I was almost 20 years old then, and did not speak a word of Czech. In theory, it was too late to achieve native speaker’s proficiency at this age. It took a lot of hard work, and apparently a grain of talent. I spent one whole prep year at a Czech language academy run by the university. After school, I regularly bought the evening newspaper “Večerní Praha” and read the whole of it, including the sports and crime sections. This helped me a lot. Socializing with my Czech schoolmates was also crucial.

With his wife Blanka on this year’s Karlovy Vary film festival

You started working for LIDOVÉ NOVINY in the nineties. How much have the newspaper and the mass media as a whole changed since then? Do you feel it was a change for the better?

When I started working in the newsroom, the paper was black and white, and the internet was something only geeks were interested in. Under my watch, LIDOVÉ NOVINY moved into full colour print, launched several supplements, magazines, and most importantly the news site Lidovky.cz. The internet and the digital distribution of news content were game changers in the industry. Unfortunately, old media embraced the internet without any clear business plans, giving away valuable content for free and not investing in technology. Tech giants invaded the media market and rewrote the rules. Old media houses lost revenue and influence. At first, it was heralded by many as a process of democratization of the media landscape. Today we know that it had a downside – fake news, atomization of the society, political discord.

You don’t sound very optimistic.

Not at all. Many consumers rediscover the value of quality journalism done in newsrooms with rules, standards, and responsibility. Yes, it is costly and not all content can be offered for free. More and more readers are willing to pay for good content on the internet. We offer a subscription on our website Lidovky.cz as part of the iDNES Premium paid service. The total number of its subscribers surpassed one hundred thousand in April. This makes me optimistic about the future of traditional media brands.

What is your role as managing editor?

I have one foot in the editorial office and the other in the publishing house. Together with the chief editor, I set the agenda on a weekly and daily basis: which main stories we are going to pursue or who we are going to interview, what will end up on the front page, or what should be the paper’s position on important issues. Sometimes I even choose front-page photos and the main headline. This is the part of my job I still immensely enjoy after so many years.

The rest of my responsibilities concern the bottom line of all the media, under the brand of LIDOVÉ NOVINY: the printed newspaper, the website Lidovky.cz, and our magazines Pátek and Esprit. It means taking care of hiring and firing, marketing plans, events, important advertising clients, etc. As LIDOVÉ NOVINY is part of MAFRA, one of the biggest media groups in the country, many of these activities are shared between brands. This makes coordination even more important.

During your long career, the owners of the newspaper have changed several times. How difficult is it to resist the owners’ pressure and defend journalistic integrity? Do you sometimes feel like you are in Carlo Goldoni’s comedy “The Servant of Two Masters“?

A true media professional has only one master – the reader. Owners and editors come and go, media brands remain. LIDOVÉ NOVINY is a strong legacy brand, and our readers have very clear expectations. If we do not meet them, the readers will simply leave us. No owner or editor wants this.

In your opinion, will print survive? Will there be printed media 25 years from now?

The future is digital. In the last 25 years, I have observed the rise of digital media and it is unstoppable. This doesn’t necessarily mean that print will totally disappear. For example, well-profiled niche magazines like yours will be around for many years to come. Printed daily newspapers are in a more difficult situation. For them, digital transformation is the key. 25 years from now, there may not be a printed LIDOVÉ NOVINY anymore, but I’m positive that its media brand will exist in different form.

Can you give some advice to the next generation of journalists?

I would prefer not to. I was given no advice myself and learned the craft by experience. This is the best way for anyone who really wants to be a journalist.

The Czech Republic took over the presidency of the EU Council in July. It is an important and demanding task for the Czech government. How do you expect it will be handled?

The EU presidency could be a white elephant for any national government – it is big and prestigious, but the maintenance costs are rather high. I do not mean the financial costs, but the political ones. If the government becomes too preoccupied with European matters, the voters may gain the impression that it does not care enough for domestic issues. Especially in dire economic times as the ones we live in. To answer your question, I believe the Czech government, and especially the Czech diplomats, will handle the presidency well. The more interesting question for me is – what will the political costs be?

What do you do in your free time?

I am a long-distance runner – figuratively and literally. I run almost every morning, five or six times per week to be more precise. I used to run marathons and half marathons in the past, but later on I adapted my routine to my age and time constraints. Now, I run shorter tracks but on a regular basis. The body and mind benefits are immense. In addition, my wife and I are frequent opera and cinemagoers.

Mucha: The Family Collection

Exhibition at the Waldstein Riding Hall of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic.

Photo: Jana Jabůrková, Jiří Turek

John Mucha, founder of the Mucha Foundation and chairman of its board of trustees and Eva Jiřičná, Czech architect in her speech

Miloš Vystrčil, Chairman of the Senate

ohn Mucha, founder of the Mucha Foundation and chairman of its board of trustees and Eva Jiřičná, Czech architect

Eliška Hašková-Coolidge, former Director and Special Assistant to the USA Presidents, Helena Leisztner Kroftová, Multimedia Artist, and Meshulam Zisso

The exhibition MUCHA, The Family Collection presents the works of Alphonse Mucha in a way he has never been presented before. The story of the globally revowned and celebrated artist is told through selected paintings, sculptures, photographs, and advertising works from the private collection of the artist’s family, with some originals to be seen by the public for the very first time. Like Alphonse Mucha, Eva Jiřičná has a strong reputation wordlwide and is therefore a very prestigious connection. The impressive charm of this connection lies mainly in the fact that Eva is known for her minimalism, while Mucha is renowned for his lush, decorative style.

This cross-secetional exhibition maps out the most important stages of Mucha ́s life. From his chilhood years in South Moravia to his studies in Paris, including his friendships with Paul Gauguin and Auguste Rodin, his time in America, his return to Czechoslovakia, and the creation of one of the most important works of art in Czech history – the monumental Slav Epic. Mucha longed for a world in which people from different cultural backgrounds could live together in peace and harmony. That desire is particularly poignant in today ́s troubling world; it is brought to us through Mucha’s universally relevant message of hope.

H.E. Shahzad Gul Aryobee

“I represent the people of Afghanistan in a difficult time”

H.E. Shahzad Gul Aryobee, Ambassador of Afghanistan

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

Mr. Shahzad Gul Aryobee has been the Ambassador of Afghanistan to the Czech Republic since September 2019, and it was his decision to serve the suffering Afghan people right here. Before his current assignment, he was the Minister of Communications and Information Technology of Afghanistan, and also worked with Afghanistan ́s World Bank, USAID, and UN systems for 14 years. This interview is not an easy one, however, the Ambassador does not give up. “The Embassy of Afghanistan in Prague still represents the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, flies a three-color national flag, and I am an accredited Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the Czech Government,” he says.

I have already introduced you briefly in the opening paragraph – can you add some more details about yourself, please?

Well, I am from the remote area of Zazi Aryob of the Paktia province, and I am currently stationed in your country.

I am here representing the people of Afghanistan in this difficult time, trying to maintain and promote friendly economic, commercial, and cultural relations among nations.

Before that, I served as the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, and as the Executive Chairman of the Afghan Telecom board in Kabul, Afghanistan.

I am also the founder of the Asan Khedmat project, a one-stop shop for public services that I led under the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Finance. In addition, I served for about 14 years with Afghanistan’s WB, USAID, and UN systems. I have an advanced degree in Business Administration and IT. Along with my responsibilities as head of the diplomatic mission, I have obtained a Master of Art (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics – PPE) from CEVRO Institute Prague. I have a Language Proficiency Certification in English, speak my native Pashto, am fluent in Dari, speak Urdu, and understand Arabic.

Can you describe the situation that brought you from the Kabul government to the Prague embassy?

As I mentioned earlier, I was the minister for two years… and during that time, I had difficulties aligning with some major issues. I therefore submitted my resignation from the minister position. Our former President, Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, nominated me as Ambassador and as Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary; however, it was I who selected the Czech Republic as the country of my tenure. I began my mission on 26 September 2019, and presented my credentials to Mr. Miloš Zeman, His Excellency President of the Czech Republic.

You have been in the Czech Republic for three years. What ties can you see that connect our two countries?

In the past, Afghanistan and former Czechoslovakia’s historical political and trade relations from 1928 laid the groundwork for the signing of a friendship agreement between the two countries. Czechoslovakia opened its political representation in Afghanistan in 1949, and on 24 July 1960 it upgraded these political representations to the level of embassies.

Recently, both countries had intensive cooperation in the air force and military sphere. I was pleased to see that both the Czech government and the private sector perceived Afghanistan positively. We were working on many economic and defense cooperation projects. Economic contact was already a long-standing tradition, with increased interest among Afghan officials and private entities to strengthen the positive trend in trade exchange. We envisioned that the trade could develop more robust and better relations. We found the Czech Republic to be a good market for dry fruits, organic crops, unique handicrafts, and the mineral resources of Afghanistan.

A high-level delegation visited Prague, and Afghan traders were ready to export products that meet the highest world and EU standards. Vice versa, Afghanistan could be an ideal place for technology, machinery, and investment from the Czech Republic.

I would also like to mention the fact that the Czech Republic trained 420 Afghan pilots in Pardubice, and that the Czech Army was a part of the ISAF forces and Provincial Reconstruction Teams. The Czech police forces had also been training their Afghan counterparts. Unfortunately, in August 2021, Afghanistan’s republican system dramatically collapsed, and our planned economic and defense cooperation and activities stopped.

What exactly is the current status of Czechia-Afghanistan relations?

For the last two decades, the Czech Republic has been actively involved in Afghanistan, both at the bilateral level and as a NATO member, contributing to development and security cooperation. Since the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan last year, no country in the world has recognized its government, including the Czech Republic. However, so far, the Czech Republic still has its Ambassador for Afghanistan based in Prague and has a humanitarian aid package for the people of Afghanistan. Sad to say though, Afghanistan is no longer among the Czech foreign-policy priorities. The Embassy of Afghanistan in Prague still represents the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, flies a three-color national flag, and I am the accredited Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the Czech Government.

It has been almost a year since the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan. How do you analyze the existing economic, security, and political situation in your country?

After one year, there is still no clarification on the country’s fundamental issues, such as the constitution, internal legitimacy, international recognition, and state structure. There is concern about the security situation, including the latest threats and attacks. The resurgence of ISIS-K and the resumption of the bloody war and blasts in Afghanistan are major concerns. Another concern is that the so-called second wave of resistance has already announced the activities of its anti-Taliban fighters. Another highly prominent issue is the economy. Afghanistan faces a development crisis. There is no basic plan for economic development that would allow for economic growth, employment, eradication of hunger, and provision of basic public services. Unemployment has risen, and people are frustrated. If we analyze the political situation, the fact is that the Taliban has made no effort for good governance and mutual accountability. They have not taken any steps to involve the people in decision-making, and have not provided a dignified life and environment for all individuals. The Taliban government has not yet gained internal legitimacy nor taken any concrete steps (towards one). They do not try integrating the available water management, mining, and trade resources. Some embassies opened in Kabul, the Taliban had engaged with the international community, and still has an office in Doha, Qatar, for dialogue.

What do you expect from the future and the world?

We have so many lessons learned in the last four decades; therefore, we must avoid repeating past mistakes. I believe that, through dialogue, there is a way for reconciliation and political settlement to reach a lasting peace and stability. At the same time, there is also an opportunity to prevent the country’s economy from collapsing, and from more violence occurring. If the government goes into isolation it will be impossible to save the country from civil war, and the country will once again become a center of terrorism and extremism.

To end the current crisis, establish a legitimate government at the national and international level, use the vast potential of human energy, and prevent the loss of economic opportunities for Afghanistan and the region, the international community must meditate to open a new chapter of dialogue with the Taliban’s caretaker government. The Afghans are tired of war and terrorism. War, resistance, and internal conflict do not solve the country’s current problems and challenges but will once again pave the way to civil war, terrorism, and extremism. Therefore, we can see the only way out being through a dialogue addressing the current crisis, issues, and conflict in Afghanistan. The inter-Afghan negotiations require mediation, strong support, and coordination of Afghanistan’s neighbors, regional and international partners, the UN, OIC, and other relevant organizations. Only then will we be able to reach a comprehensive and inclusive political settlement in Afghanistan.

On top of all this, a few weeks ago, Afghanistan suffered from a large magnitude earthquake that caused many casualties. What is the humanitarian situation now?

Afghanistan already faces negative development, and the humanitarian crisis has affected a large percentage of the population. The latest devastating earthquake and its strong tremors in June struck mainly the Paktika and Khost provinces. In these areas, people had already suffered from a series of natural disasters, severe droughts, and a severe lack of critical infrastructure. As a result, the earthquake killed over 1,000 people, 1,600 were injured, and 2,600 homes were reportedly destroyed and damaged. Yes, most countries and some international organizations announced their humanitarian aid, some of which were delivered and some of which are still on the way. The Czech NGO People in Need pledged five million CZK, and at the same time we have officially requested (assistance from) the Czech Republic’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but have not received their response yet.

This interview is taken on the occasion of your national day. Please, use this opportunity and make a wish.

On 19 August 1919, King Ghazi Amanullah Khan made great history and officially achieved independence from the then British government, recognizing Afghanistan as an independent country. I can’t forget that, despite the country’s insecurity and wars, the government and civilians have always proudly celebrated this day with great respect, grand ceremony, and national traditions. I have no idea whether or not there will be any national day celebrations this year, but the day certainly is in everyone’s hearts. Everyone knows the value of the country’s freedom and will always keep it fresh by passing it on to future generations. Regarding my wish, well, I wish to live in a free, peaceful, stable Afghanistan, and have our three-color national flag be raised in ceremonies throughout the country again.

I wish to organize the national Attan dance, and host a special reception at the Embassy. Right now, the Czech Republic is holding the presidency of the EU Council, which means that it can play an important role by supporting Afghanistan during its humanitarian crisis, finding the way towards economic cooperation, and mediating for political resettlement.

Slovenian Statehood Day

Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

On the occasion of the Slovenian Statehood Day, H.E. Mrs. Tanja Strniša, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to the Czech Republic, hosted a reception.

From left: Mr. Anton Strniša, H.E. Mrs. Tanja Strniša, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia, H.E. Mr. Egemen Bağış, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey, and Mrs. Beyhan N. Bağış

From left: Mr. Mikuláš Bek, Minister of European Affairs, Mrs. Markéta Beková, H.E. Mrs. Tanja Strniša, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia, and Mr. Anton Strniša

From left: H.E. Mr Egemen Bağış, Ambassador of Turkey, Mrs Beyhan Nilser Bağış, spouse of Turkey’s Ambassador, H.E. Mr Ilirian Kuka, Ambassador of Albania, H.E. Mr Luís de Almeida Sampaio, Ambassador of Portugal, Mikuláš Bek, Minister for EU Affairs, Mrs Markéta Beková, Minister’s spouse, H.E. Mrs Tanja Strniša, Ambassador of Slovenia, H.E. Mrs Yosra Souiden, Ambassador of Tunisia, H.E. Mr. Daan Feddo Huisinga, Ambassador of Netherlands, Mrs Anne Francoise Daniéle Paret, spouse of Mr Huisinga, H.E. Mrs Rosaura Leonora Rueda Gutierrez, Ambassador of Mexico, Mr Anton Strniša, spouse of Mrs Strniša, and H.E. Mr Philippe Gérald Guex, Ambassador of Switzerland

Here are some highlights of Mrs. Tanja Strniša’s speech:

„The Republic of Slovenia was founded in 1991. Over three decades, the country has made substantial economic and social progress, and succeeded in joining the European Union, NATO, the Schengen Area, and the Eurozone.

Over these past 30 years, Slovenia has been a reliable and credible member of the UN family. We are proud that after having successfully completed our second Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2021, Slovenia launched its candidacy for its second non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council for the period of 2024–2025.“ „The Slovenian government is committed to further supporting EU policies and stronger EU integration, promoting European values and rule of law. We will continue to support the enlargement of the EU as a powerful tool for reforms and stability, and assure that Slovenia will be a supportive and constructive partner to the Czech EU Presidency.

Whilst we are delighted to be celebrating the anniversary of our independent and democratic state, we have to be considerate of the fate of the countries on the European continent that are still striving for the full implementation of EU values, and for becoming members of the European family. Allow me to continue with this thought, by saying that we cannot forget about the suffering of Ukraine and its heroic fight for its freedom and the freedom of all of us.

When speaking about Europe, let me be encouraged by the same speech of former Czech President Václav Havel, which was an inspiration for the motto of the Czech Presidency: Let us aspire for a Europe that, and I quote President Havel, „represents a common destiny, a common, complex history, common values, and a common culture of life. And more than that, it is also, in a way, an area characterised by a certain behaviour, a certain sense of will and responsibility“. Allow me to be a dreamer and express my Lennon-like thought:„Imagine all the countries of the European continent being part of a united Europe of peace.“

Finally, yet importantly, I would like to outline the excellent and friendly bilateral relations between the Czech Republic and Slovenia, which have sound ground in centuries-long historical and cultural ties. This year, we celebrate 30 years of our diplomatic relations and 150 years of the birth of Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik, who was entrusted to be Prague Castle‘s main architect by the first Czechoslovak President Masaryk.

I am confident that Slovenia and the Czech Republic will continue building strong bonds so that we will be able to also commemorate many common valuable achievements in the future.“

H.E. Philippe Guex

“There is not even a single ‘IRRITANT’ in our bilateral relations”

H.E. Philippe Guex, Ambassador of Switzerland

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

As a true lover of skiing and snowboarding, who was lucky enough to experience the atmosphere of the Zermatt mountain resort, I have a soft spot for Switzerland. This makes me even happier than usual to hear the Swiss Ambassador, Mr. Philippe Guex, say that the relations between our two countries are extraordinarily excellent – to the extent of having literally zero issues on the list of bilateral irritants.

You have a doctorate degree in business management. What made you switch over from this field to diplomatic service?

It was a coincidence that after my studies I started a career in the diplomatic service. As you say, everything was planned for me to engage in a career in banking. Not only did I have a doctorate degree in business management, but I was also the assistant of a professor of financial management. By chance, I spent a few months in Zaire (now the Republic of Congo), where I discovered the diversity of the tasks of a diplomat.

I really liked this diversity. The fact that there were just a few candidates with an economic education certainly helped me to succeed at the diplomatic exams and join the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Can you share some of your impressions from the Czech Republic during your tenure in our country?

I arrived in the Czech Republic in September 2020. The first thing that struck me was the beauty of the city of Prague, which is a jewel of baroque architecture and art nouveau. The discovery of the different regions of the country of 1,000 castles” was then my second wonder. Finally, as a history lover, I am fascinated by the richness of the historical past of the Czech lands through the centuries. I like to research the historical links between the Swiss cantons and the Kingdom of Bohemia, historical links that go back to Emperor Charles IV.

The EU Council presidency of the Czech Republic started on 1 July 2022. What are you, as a representative of Switzerland and former deputy head of the Swiss Mission to the EU, Brussels, expecting?

It is obvious to everyone that the priorities of the Czech Presidency of the EU Council had to be redefined in light of the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army. For instance, the joint management of the refugee crisis, the reconstruction of Ukraine, redefining the continent‘s energy security, and the strengthening of European defense capabilities. But personally, I think that the main challenge for Prague will be to keep all EU countries united behind its Presidency in the European Union‘s common efforts to support Ukraine.

How do you see the current status of Czech-Swiss relations?

I will not surprise you by saying that our bilateral relations are excellent. What did surprise me when I took up my post in Prague was that there was not even a single issue that gave rise to some irritation at the bilateral level. In all the countries I had served in before, there was always a short list of issues that were described as „irritants“. Here, there were none. Another example of the quality of our bilateral relations is the successful visit to Prague by the President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis in May of this year. It was an opportunity for him to discuss Switzerland‘s European policy with his Czech counterparts and to recall that Switzerland stands together with the European Union when it comes to Cohesion Policy which aims at reducing the economic gap with the most advanced EU countries. These are not only nice and friendly words. Switzerland will finance projects in the Czech Republic over the next few years up to 1,600 million crowns, primarily in the field of the environment.

Does Switzerland, with its many well-known attractions, still need to be promoted abroad?

The beauty of the Alps, our watches, cheese, chocolate, peace, and security are the basis of the traditional image of Switzerland that is well spread abroad. It is the DNA of the Swiss soft power. But Switzerland is not only that – it is also a country of innovation at the cutting edge of some technologies.

In order to promote the image of Switzerland as a modern and innovative country, an itinerant exhibition is travelling through the Czech Republic. The exhibition is dedicated to the “how clean tech can save the world” topic. It was launched in Prague in March by Bertrand Piccard, the famous Swiss explorer and adventurer. Liberec and Pardubice were the next stops of the exhibition. The next host cities will be Brno (5 Sept. – 7 Oct.) at VIDA Park and BVV MSV, and Ostrava (15 Oct. – 15 Nov.) at OC Forum Nová Karolína.

You have 30 years of experience as a diplomat. Can you give some advice to the next generation of ambassadors?

The notion of „public diplomacy“ was totally unknown 30 years ago. Today it is a working tool that has not only become indispensable for every diplomat, but is gaining in importance every day. The challenge for the younger generation of diplomats is not so much to be present on social media, which is not very complicated to do, but rather to understand the mechanisms of manipulation of public opinions through the (malicious) use of social media.

How do you “recharge” in your free time?

I love to hike, especially in the Gruyère region of Switzerland (where the cheese comes from and where I have a mountain chalet). I also like to read – mostly history and politics books, but from time to time I also read short stories. For example, I recently read the novel ‘Jozova Hanule‘ by Czech writer Květa Legátová.

This interview is taken on the occasion of your national day. Do you have any wishes on this special day?

On August 1, Switzerland will celebrate the 721st anniversary of an alliance that was the first step on the long road to independence from the Habsburgs. Today, with the war led by Russia, Europe is at a turning point in its history. At the end of this war, I hope that our two countries will live on a continent whose security (in a broad sense) will no longer be just an illusion.

Arnošt Barna

“The future will be MANIFOLD”

Arnošt Barna, Managing Director of KIA Czech

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

Arnošt Barna, Managing Director of Kia Czech since 2018, has recently sat down with us to talk about his 30 years of experience in the car industry. “I have loved cars and technology since I was a little boy, so it was not a difficult decision back then to study this field at university and start working for different brands immediately after graduation. I have connected with cars all my life,” he explains where his passion lies. Let us take a glimpse at his world, the world of a distinguished, highly experienced professional in his own field.

Can you tell us a bit about your early days in the industry, and what it is that fascinates you so much about cars?

I was born in Prague, where I also did my studies. When the Velvet Revolution came in 1989, I was a student at the Czech Technical University in Prague, one of the biggest and oldest technical universities in Europe. I have loved cars and technology ever since I was a little boy, and therefore chose to study traffic and transport technology at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Soon after I graduated, I started working for various carmakers that began building their offices in the Czech Republic.

I worked for Daihatsu, Toyota, and Kia in management positions in sales, marketing, dealer network development, and strategic planning. For the last five years, I have been the General Manager of Kia Czech.

So, as you can see, I have connected with cars all my life. What continues to fascinate me is the constant technological progress, development of drive systems, and introduction of ever more modern safety and assistance systems.

How has the car industry changed over the last few decades?

Dramatically. Drivability, reliability, fuel consumption and emissions, and of course speed, accompanied with safety, have all improved tremendously. A completely new chapter is represented by the use of smart technology, having the Internet on board, and last but not least the use of sustainable materials in manufacturing. I dare to say that the ordinary car has changed more in the last 20 years than it has in the entire second half of the last century. Most recently, the greatest focus of the industry has been paid to the development of electromobility.

Kia is the second largest South Korean car manufacturer, after its parent company Hyundai. Where do you sell your cars?

Kia operates on almost all continents. Our cars can be successfully positioned in any market, and reach drivers in any country around the world. The Czech Republic can serve as an example here. Last year, we won the fifth position in the market, and this year we are the ones who have been showing one of the fastest growths among the TOP 5 brands. We offer a wide range of models, from the smallest city cars to a spacious sports sedan, from traditional gas and diesel engines, hybrids and plug-in hybrids, to battery electric cars. We focus on passenger models; we do not offer any commercial vehicles right now.

Ecology is a pressing issue globally, and part of the Czech Republic’s EU Presidency agenda too. What steps is Kia taking in this regard?

Ecology has been our motivation for several decades, and over the last 20 years we have been intensively developing our own alternative drive systems. Therefore, we were among the first manufacturers to offer hybrid and plug-in hybrid models to our customers. Kia started selling its first electric car back in 2011. It was the Ray EV, a minivan designed for the Korean market. The first electric car introduced to the European market was the Soul EV model in 2014.

We have decided to become a leader in sustainable mobility development. In our strategic Plan S, we have committed to reaching a complex portfolio of 14 battery electric cars by 2027, and reaching carbon neutrality across all aspects of our operations, including waste disposal, by 2045. We signed an agreement on a seven-year global partnership with The Ocean Cleanup organisation, which strives to clean oceans and seas from plastics. Kia will not only fund activities connected with the cleaning but also materially and financially support the construction of the Interceptor Original facility, whose task is to catch the plastic in the rivers before it even gets into the oceans. Then, we are planning to recycle the collected waste and re-use it in our cars. We remember our traditional cars too. Let me just mention the development of synthetic fuel, which we have already launched, and which will help to reduce emissions of combustion fuels by up to 80%.

Arnošt Barna, Managing Director of KIA Czech

The Kia EV6 is an electric car that can charge faster than a Tesla, go further than a Hyundai Ioniq5, and some versions can even out-accelerate a Porsche Taycan 4S. Is this what electric cars will look like in the future?

We certainly see the EV6 model as a groundbreaking model that is ahead of its time and clearly shows the future trend in electromobile development. It is the very first car with a new chassis platform designed exclusively for electric cars. Thanks to this innovation, it does not have to make the multiple compromises that electric cars built on the platforms originally designed for combustion engine cars are troubled by. As a result, the Kia EV6 offers the most spacious interior in its class, an impressive driving range of 528 km on one charge, and ultra-fast charging, enabling drivers to go from 10% to 80% of their battery in only 18 minutes. All this is not only what we in Kia know about this model – professionals and the public have noticed too, which has manifested in the many awards that the EV6 has received so far, e.g. the prestigious 2022 European Car of the Year award. According to the latest results, the EV6 is the third most sold fully electric car in the Czech Republic. And since the Kia EV6 is just the first out of 14 battery all-electric models that Kia plans to introduce by 2027, next year we will start selling another model of this series – a fully electric SUV called the EV9.

Do you think that electric cars are where the car industry is headed?

I can tell you where Kia is headed in this regard. By 2025, Kia wants to invest about 340 billion Czech crowns in innovative technology development, while a substantial part of this amount will be used for electromobility development. By 2035, we want to have a complete all electric model series, and we have also joined the RE100 initiative, pledging to switch to 100% renewable energy in electricity production. Our Kia production facility in Slovakia has already fully switched to green energy for electricity production.

However, we do not want to focus on only battery electric cars (BEV). We believe that the future will be manifold, and there will be space for hydrogen fuel cell electric cars (FCEV) too. Our technology is ready, what is left to be solved is an ecological and low-cost hydrogen production and a sufficient infrastructure of filling stations. I am convinced that various types of alternative ecological drive systems can coexist side by side. Then, it will be a customer’s choice, which option they select.

You mentioned sufficient infrastructure. Which other services have emerged alongside the arrival of electric cars?

Kia is moving from a pure car manufacturer into the position of a sustainable mobility solutions provider together with complex associated services. Thus, besides the top-quality cars, we are now able to provide our customers with the technology for home and company charging, and also with supply solutions for easy charging at public charging stations. For this purpose, we offer two charging cards: an all-Europe Kia Charge for 360,000 stations across Europe, and a Kia EV Power Card with even better prices, designed for local infrastructure. The latter can be used at almost 630 charging stations run by the ČEZ, PRE, and E.ON companies, however, it also works with more providers in all neighbouring countries.

Last year, we also started cooperation with the E.ON energy company. This enables us to offer our customers a literal turnkey acquisition of a home wall-box or company charger, from the initial guidance, through the administration of the subsidies for the purchase, to a final installation and after-sale service.

What type of steps could the Czech government take to promote the sale of electric cars?

To effectively spread electric cars among the Czech public, we need a working system of subsidies and advantages, not only for companies but also mainly for the general public, as well as support in building the we are falling behind in electromobility support and charging infrastructure development compared to Western and Northern Europe. However, what we see as a positive step is the support announced in June for the purchase of electric cars and the construction of charging stations for state administration, local government, non-profits, and similar organizations. The reduction of the tax base when using a company car as a private vehicle from 1% to 0.5% of the price of the car, effective from this July, is also a step towards increasing the attractiveness of fully electric vehicles among employees. It is a used-cars market, where they become more and more accessible to the public.

I am planning to buy a new car next year. Now, I drive a hybrid and I am thinking about a plug-in or electric car. What is your recommendation?

When choosing a new alternatively fuelled car, you should always think about how you use your car, and if you can charge it at home or at work. If your daily mileage does not exceed 250 km and you have a place to recharge, a battery electric car is an ideal solution for you. Personally, I have long-term experience with both plug-in hybrid and fully battery-powered cars. When driving further than 300 km, I always take breaks to relax and drink coffee, no matter what car I am driving. Since these breaks are enough to recharge (e.g., the EV6 needs just 5 minutes to add another 100 km), I am not limited by the use of all-electric cars at all. We can also offer a wide range of financial products to our customers, from standard loans to leasing. Kia customers’ favourite is our special loan product Kia Select.

What is Kia’s vision for the future?

Our vision is a sustainable, zero-emission mobility solution for people who will use it with no worries or fears. That is why we invest massively into the development of ecological production and operation of traditional cars, as well as into the innovations connected to various solutions of alternative mobility. For example, in cooperation with the Rolls-Royce company, we started investing in advanced technology development for urban air mobility and regional air mobility markets.

1922-2022: The 100th anniversary of Mexico-Czechia diplomatic relations

Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

On the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of the Establishment of Mexico-Czechoslovakia diplomatic relations (1922-2022), the Embassy of Mexico in the Czech Republic and the Strahov Library organized the inaugural “Documentary and Cartographic Exhibition on Mexico (17th-19th centuries)“

From left: H.E. Mr. Zdeněk Kubánek, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Mexico, H.E. Mr. Nestor Francisco Popolizio, Ambassador of Peru, H.E. Mr. Angel Lossada, Ambassador of Spain, Mrs. Veronika Kuchyňová Šmigolová, Director of Americas Department and Junior Deputy Minister of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Roberto Alejandro Salafia, Ambassador of Argentina, H.E. Mrs. R. Leonora Rueda, Ambassador of Mexico, Mr. Jiří Kozák, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, H.E. Mrs. Sonia Regina Guimaraes, Ambassador of Brazil, and H.E. Mr. Taejin KIM, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea

H.E. Mrs. R. Leonora Rueda, Ambassador of Mexico

From left: Mr. Jiří Kozák, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, H.E. Mrs. R. Leonora Rueda, Ambassador of Mexico, Mr. Evermod Gejza Šidlovský, O. Praem., Director of the Strahov Library

From left: H.E. Mr. Roberto Alejandro Salafia, Ambassador of Argentina, H.E. Mrs. R. Leonora Rueda, Ambassador of Mexico, Mr. Jiří Kozák, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic

Staff of the Embassy of Mexico, from left: Eric Cervantes, IT, Min. Miguel Angel Vilchis, Deputy Head of Mission, H.E. Mrs. R. Leonora Rueda, Ambassador of Mexico, Dominika Bernáthová, Cultural Assistant, Carlos Alberto Quiroz, Administrative Affairs, Patricia Chumacero, Multilateral Affairs

H.E. Leonora Rueda

“We are proud to celebrate 100 years of diplomatic relations”

H.E. Mrs. R. Leonora Rueda, Ambassador of Mexico

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

“Past and present can say a lot about our rich friendship,” declares Mrs. Leonora Rueda, Mexican Ambassador to the Czech Republic, with confidence. What is the connection between her and President Masaryk? Why should we learn about General Lazaro Cardenas? And what are the so-called “fam trips” to Mexico? These are just a few intriguing questions you will be able to answer after reading our interview.

Can you please introduce yourself to our readers?

First, let me express my thanks to the Leaders Magazine for your interest in Mexico, and for a great opportunity to transmit some little hints about my country to the readers. Since I am a part of my country, here is a bit about my background. As a good Latin, my complete name is Rosaura Leonora Rueda Gutierrez. I was born in Kansas City, Mo., USA, where my father was a Consul of Mexico. When I was three years old, he died, and my mother, three months pregnant with my sister, decided to come back to Mexico to live with the rest of the family – two aunts. So, I grew up in the big, populated, and vibrant Mexico City.

Lucky me, my primary school was El Colegio Madrid, founded by the Spanish exile; followed by the Secondary School No. 8 “President Masaryk”, where I learned the Czechoslovak anthem! I am very happy that I will always remember the Kde domov můj, země česká, domov můj.

It never crossed my mind though that someday, Česko would also be my domov můj. I did my university studies at the Faculty of Political Science, in the field of International Relations, in the glorious UNAM (National University Autonomous of Mexico), the largest in Latin America.

I have been a widow since 2008, and have two beautiful daughters, Valentina and Itzel, and two marvellous grandchildren, Leo and Elisa.

How did you become an ambassador?

I have been a career member of the Mexican Foreign Service since 1990, but I started working in the Ministry itself many years before, in 1974, working part-time and studying. It was a great advantage to learn some daily practice secrets at the “headquarters”, that will later on serve me to “accommodate accordingly” in the solution of problems – better than (learning just) the theory.

My first assignment was in New Orleans, La., as a Consul of Mexico. My next posts abroad have been to Hanoi, Vietnam, as Charge d’Affaires, and as Ambassador to Jamaica (concurrent to The Bahamas), New Zealand (concurrent to Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu), and finally now to the Czech Republic. Before and in the middle of these terms, I have served at the headquarters. So, in my case, I got the first appointment as an ambassador after 16 years of work, based on my “file” that contains proof of experience and the necessary merits to obtain this high responsibility.

Do you still enjoy living your ambassador role?

I must say that yes, after all these years of being an ambassador, it is still a great honour and the highest privilege to represent my country and carry on the highest responsibilities the best way I can. I love my work and feel passionate about it. Especially when you are in a country that inspires you like the Czech Republic. I would also like to point out that having great colleagues, with whom you can share your ideas, concerns, and social life, brings enrichment to your life.

An ambassador’s life is one in which studying never ends. The global dynamics make us attached to the media, to the daily news, and to the permanent dialogue with political and economic actors. Should I give some advice to the future generations of ambassadors, I would say: Do not believe everything you hear or read! Try to see the shades behind the, at the first sight, black and white.

What should we know about Czechia-Mexico relations?

Mexico and the Czech Republic enjoy an excellent political dialogue in all fields of bilateral and multilateral relations. We share the same values and principles of freedom and democracy.

Today, Mexico is the main economic and commercial partner of the Czech Republic in Latin America, with about 1,800 million of dollars in trade; a growing presence of Czech and Mexican tourists; a rich cultural and educative exchange and a great potential to take advantage of. This year, I am proud to say that we celebrate 100 years of the establishment of Mexico-Czechoslovakia / the Czech Republic diplomatic relations (1922-2022). Since then, there have been many episodes that reveal the strong level of friendship, dialogue, and cooperation that happily exist between our two nations and peoples.

Can you give some concrete examples, please?

One quick example of this is the Mexican position in 1938, unique in Latin America, towards the Pact of Munich, when the then President Lazaro Cardenas denounced it as the sacrifice of Czechoslovakia and the door to the Second World War. In memory of this historical fact, you can find a park named General Lazaro Cardenas in Prague 6. In the same sense, you can find a village in Mexico City named San Jeronimo Lidice out of solidarity with the Czech Lidice village, after the massacre of its population in 1942. Also, during the Olympic Games in Mexico in 1968, the presentation of the renowned Czech woman gymnast Věra Čáslavská was a great occasion for Mexicans to show her their full solidarity, given the events of that year in Czechoslovakia. The past and present can say a lot about our rich friendship and understanding. Just last March, high authorities of both countries gladly endorsed the same feelings and decided to go forward to reach new levels of cooperation.

You have been posted in the Czech Republic for four years. Are there still any areas left for you to explore?

Every day, I discover new opportunities in different fields, on which I could work for the strengthening of the relationship between our countries and peoples. From those in trade and education, to those in speleology or anthropology!

Not to mention the multiple experiences in the areas of science, technology, gastronomy, and spirits, of course, pivo in the first place… and tequila, in the second! I have found multiple areas in which both societies could work together. I would need another four years, at least, to take advantage of them all.

Tourism is very important to your country. How do you attract visitors to come to Mexico?

We are developing an interesting program to work together with travel agencies, which includes the presentation of thematic videos on different routes dedicated to special interest issues, for example: the fashion route, the gastronomic route, the mountains route, the ethnic museums route, etc. Also, we have the so-called “fam trips”, meaning familiarization trips to the country, for the travel agencies. Being an ambassador in your country, I consider myself lucky because in Cancun, one of the main tourist destinations, there is a travel agency called Mexikocesky that helps us with the Czech tourists, mainly those interested in the beautiful Riviera Maya.

This interview was taken on the occasion of your national day. Can you make a wish for your country, and perhaps for the Czech Republic too?

I wish all the best to the Czech Republic for a successful role as a presiding country of the EU Council. I hope that during its tenure we can put “the cherry on the cake” of the centenary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries, with the EU ratification of the updated Global Agreement Mexico-EU, which would take us to a higher level of bilateral, economic, and commercial relations.

On this 212th Anniversary of the Independence of Mexico, I would like to wish both countries to continue strengthening our friendship links and to work hard together in all fora, bilaterally and multilaterally, to reach the oh-so-necessary global peace, not just with words but with facts. We could remember to this point President’s Juarez words from the 19th century: “Among individuals, as among nations, the respect to the rights of others is peace”.

Viva México. Viva República Checa!

Markéta Fassati

“The Beauty of Human Aging”

Markéta Fassati, Soprano and Multigenre Singer

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Melanie Dzurendová

I first met Markéta about twelve years ago at the Shanghai EXPO 2010, and a few months ago our paths crossed again here in Prague. When I asked Markéta for an interview, I warned her that it would be different than usual. It wasn’t just going to be about work, concerts, and plans. It was going to be more special – very personal and very natural. This interview was done during Markéta’s holiday in Italy, which is her almost second home and where she has time to think in a completely different way. An Italian sort of way.

Markéta, what is it that you think about these days?

About how time passes by. I like the Greek concept of inner and outer time – Chronos and Kairos. From the point of view of the universe, time is defined for man on Earth as a drop in the ocean. But for us, sometimes a minute is infinite, and at the same time ten years pass in the blink of an eye. I had never thought about it before, but I can see in our daughter how time passes. As disturbing as it might seem to be, it makes me happy that I was able to notice it.

They say time heals everything. And I believe it.

Two years of COVID have shown us a face of time we hadn’t seen before. It is unimaginable for musicians and artists from the classical music world to not have a full calendar for several years ahead. They regularly perform in various places worldwide. Suddenly, everything changed. And I am gradually taking the change as a challenge and as an indicator that the time for changes has come.

And what did you get out of this finding?

That there is no rush. However, you have to grow to (realise) that. Grow older. Ten or twenty years ago, I was able to get in the car after a performance at the National Theatre in Prague, drive to Rome, and the next day, after only taking a shower, go on stage again. That’s youth, when we feel we have to do everything right away. Even now, I’m a bit impetuous, but I like slowly getting old.

Markéta, wait, how can you talk about getting old? It’s rather like a good wine, getting better!

We’re all getting older, even though we’re trying to stop it. Okay, let’s call it growing older. Now, around the age of 40 and halfway through my life, I’m starting to enjoy the days like I wasn’t able to before. I can better appreciate a loving family, a good character in people, health, and the value of education. That’s why I like to sing in churches and castles. The spiritual world meets the craftsmanship of architecture and history.

I appreciate singing for an audience that can turn off their phones for an hour or two, and allow themselves to be transported into a world of music that spans centuries.

That sounds great. What shows will you invite us to in the second half of this year?

Both of my projects – the Fassati Art Festival and Church Festivities – are in full preparation for the next season. Specifically, the Fassati Art Festival’s Advent Gala will take place at the Municipal House in Prague on 29 November, and the Church Festivities concerts are held regularly every month in various churches around Prague. In addition, I am invited to give concerts, performances, and moderate for companies, private companies, and cultural houses. I am not bored. I am very active, sometimes too active. But I am aware of the beauty of human aging: “festina lente / dolce far niente”, or in English “hurry slowly / the beauty of doing nothing”. So, I am simply observing the world around me too. And when I manage to switch my mind off, the best ideas and inventions come.

Markéta Fassati with family

You have a beautiful daughter. How does it feel to be a mother and wife?

Honestly, to be a mother is more beautiful than I expected. Seeing an unspoiled children’s world full of small joys is very encouraging and inspiring. I believe that the next generation will be smarter and more considerate than ours. I also realize how important it is to have a loving and functional family. It is like a safe harbour in a stormy sea.

You come from an extremely musical family. Do you think your daughter will be the third musical generation?

That’s a great question. It would be nice because I could pass on the knowledge I have. Sometimes, I am surprised by how beautifully she sings. Marina also has great abilities in sports. She can run very well and loves tennis and team games. We will support her in everything she chooses. The main thing is to be happy in life.

Where do you see yourself in another twelve years?

The year is 2034 and Markéta Fassati is around fifty years old. She sees her children growing up, drinks lovely wine with her husband, and supports young talents. She enjoys spending time with real friends, sees the world from the other perspective, and knows how fragile it is to keep peace in the world.

A few words about Markéta:

Markéta Fassati is a Czech soprano and multi-genre singer, presenter, producer, founder of several internationally successful projects, and last but not least a wife and mother. She was born in Prague into the family of a renowned choirmaster and conductor Lubomír Mátl. Since the beginning of her musical career, she has travelled all over the world. She speaks several languages, and her hobbies include architecture, real estate reconstruction, design, and above all family. Her husband is very well known tennis coach Martin Fassati.

To find out more about Markéta Fassati and her projects, go to www.marketafassati.com and www.fassatiartfestival.com

Michal Šalomoun

“We have to adopt dozens of European directives – swiftly”

Michal Šalomoun, Minister of Legislation of the Czech Republic

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

Governments do not usually start from scratch, since a “gift” in the form of a list of inherited pressing problems awaits them in office, left behind by their predecessors. The same applies to the Minister of Legislation, Michal Šalomoun, who is now tackling the issue of European directives not being implemented into Czech law by the set deadline. Why is this problem so alarming, you may ask? As it is so often, the answer can be answered with only one word – money. Or, as the minister explains in more detail: “If we do nothing, it may cost the Czech Republic several hundred million to two billion CZK in fines.”

You are expressing some deep concerns about the situation regarding unimplemented European directives. What exactly makes you so worried?

The bad news is that right now there are a total of 19 proceedings led against the Czech Republic because of the delay in the implementation of European directives. The Czech Republic is thus threatened with significant financial sanctions, and they can come very quickly. In the worst-case scenario – i.e. if we took it easy and did nothing at all – it could cost the Czech Republic several hundred million to two billion CZK.

The good news, however, is that thanks to my pressure as the Minister of Legislation we are now slowly managing to solve this inherited problem and are reducing the number of unimplemented directives for which the deadline for adoption into Czech legislation has passed.

What, in your opinion, is the cause of this problem? And how are you going to solve it?

The situation has developed due to the lax approach of the former government, and this applies especially to the ANO movement. In this regard, I informed my colleagues in the government about this alarming situation back in May. I also considered it necessary to draw attention to this situation on the floor of the Chamber of Deputies as the approval of laws, for which the European Commission had already initiated proceedings for non-compliance, was delayed due to the obstructions of opposition MPs.

The following numbers show just how much we have been delayed. In 2019 we were behind the deadline to implement 6 European directives, whereas today that number has increased to 36. The delay in the implementation of European directives usually leads to proceedings for non-fulfilment of obligations arising from EU law, which the European Commission initiates in a very short time after the expiry of the set transposition period.

Now, we are already managing to reduce the threat of being sanctioned, thanks to the fact that things have star- ted moving after I sent a request to individual ministers to speed up the process at the end of last year. In my recent appearance in the Chamber of Deputies I also appealed to opposition MPs to not take unnecessary breaks and not block parliamentary proceedings, which also helped.

Thirty six directives behind schedule sounds like a serious delay. How is it even possible?

There are two explanations. Firstly, some draft bills implementing European directives have been written, and have even reached the Chamber of Deputies, but the former government presented them late so they were dismissed at the end of the previous parliamentary term and had to be presented again.

Secondly, in some departments nobody lifted a finger for several years. The Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Transport, i.e. the ones led by the double minister Karel Havlíček, are the worst in this regard. As of March 31, 2022, there were 11 unresolved directives in these departments out of a total of 22, for which the transposition deadline had already passed. This situation needed to be rectified, and I am glad that it has begun to gradually improve.

There is a very common argument against adopting all the EU directives, saying that European directives are “dictated to us by someone from Brussels and all we have to do is to obediently accept them”.

I would like to explain one crucial thing about this notion. The truth is that, from the very beginning, Czech officials have the opportunity to participate in preparing these directives. We are always involved in their creation from the very beginning, and it is up to us to make compromises that reflect our interests.

In order to implement European directives on time in the future, it is essential that the involved ministries will consistently observe the deadlines for submitting draft bills to the intergovernmental review procedure, according to the guidelines resulting from our country‘s membership in the EU.

Where do you see your role as the Minister of Legislation during the Czech presidency of the EU Council? Will our presidency focus mainly on the situation in Ukraine?

Yes, the Czech presidency will be centred around the events in Ukraine. It will be essential to unify a common procedure to bring the perpetrators of war crimes before the International Criminal Court and to secure evidence of war crimes committed in Ukraine.

By the same token it will be necessary to focus on both international and domestic sanctions and asset freezing. Recently, our government sent two draft bills concerning sanctions to the Chamber of Deputies, including the Czech version of the Magnitsky Act, which would allow us to adopt domestic sanctions. Our goal is to get them through the legislative process as soon as possible. In connection with these laws, the Czech Presidency will also deal with the possibility of including the evasion of European sanctions among the criminal offenses in the EU. Furthermore, during the presidency we will also address the criminal aspects of damaging the environment, and will try to make progress in the negotiations about the EU‘s accession as a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights.

My role as the Minister for Legislation and as the Chairman of the Legislative Council of the Government lies, among other things, in monitoring the quality of submitted legislative proposals, which is more of a national matter. However, my competences also have a European dimension to a certain extent. My task is to ensure that the proposals that arise during our presidency are then properly and timely incorporated into our legal system.

Issue 03/2022

A celebration of Czech-Canadian friendship in Ottawa

On the occasion of Czech Statehood Day, the Czech Embassy in Canada organized a gala evening in Ottawa | Photo: Jan Kaliba, Czech Radio

On the occasion of Czech Statehood Day, the Czech Embassy in Canada organized a gala evening in Ottawa, awarding EU presidency medals to the Czech-Canadians who helped mold the close relationship between the two nations.

“Canada has stood by the Czech nation ever since Professor Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk launched his campaign for the creation of Czechoslovakia during World War I. It helped to create the modern Czech statehood, save it during WWII as well as keep its democratic traditions alive after Czechoslovakia became a part of the Soviet empire for four long decades.

Canada is home to the second largest Czech diaspora in the world. Czech-Canadians have played a central role in the story of Czech-Canadian friendship for more than a century.”

See the rest here.

Authors: Klára Stejskalová, Jan Kaliba

H.E. Ayesha P. Rekhi

“Diverse perspectives and diverse networks are key to finding innovative, durable solutions to global problems”

H.E. Ayesha P. Rekhi, Ambassador of Canada

Text: Martina Hošková and M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

Canadians are widely known for their tolerant, fair play, and peace-loving attitude. Living mostly in modern urban areas, they are used to open-minded interaction with people of different ethnic and social backgrounds on daily basis. Mrs. Ayesha P. Rekhi, Canadian Ambassador to the Czech Republic, shows in our interview the very essence of this approach. She herself comes from an immigrant Indian family with a history of human rights activities, assures us of Canada’s strong support of Ukrainian independence, and appreciates the warm feelings that Czechs have for Canada and for Canadians.

Can you tell us a few words about yourself, please?

Mine is a very Canadian story – my parents immigrated to Canada from India for the freedom to marry, and Canada gave them that. I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, and have lived, worked, and studied all over the world. I am a career diplomat and have served as Canada’s ambassador to the Czech Republic since 2019. And like many of the readers of your magazine, aside from my professional role, I am also a parent and a spouse.

Was becoming ambassador your dream profession?

I have always been passionate about the human dimensions of international affairs, and knew early on that I wanted to work on issues around peace, security, equality, and human rights. As a child of immigrants, studying the world was also a way to connect to my family’s culture and history. My specific interest in human rights is, I think, in my DNA. My grandmother was organizing peace meetings for Mahatma Gandhi in 1940s India, and well into her 70s she was still active in areas around disability rights and other issues. And so, my role models from a young age demonstrated a value in public service and equality.

It is an honor and a privilege to serve Canada at this level, and an opportunity for me to contribute to a country that has given me and my family so much opportunity. That being said, when I joined the Canadian foreign service over 20 years ago I did not think about becoming an ambassador. In practical terms, “you cannot be what you cannot see”, and at that time there frankly weren’t many role models for me – women with children with my ethnic background, doing this work at this level. That has changed. Today, fifty per cent of Canada’s ambassadors are women – experienced, skilled diplomats who are also women.

You have been serving in our country for three years now. What common points between the Czechs and Canadians do you see?

There are so many highlights to my time here, underscored by our strong people-to-people links and shared priorities in areas like defense and security. I could speak about our shared love of hockey, or the many impressive leaders I have met across sectors, including in business, NGOs, culture, and academia. Most of my posting has been during the challenging periods of the pandemic, followed by the shock of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. During these times I have been reminded over and over again how lucky I am to be serving as Canada’s ambassador to the Czech Republic. When I arrived in 2019, I was struck by the genuine friendship and warm feelings that Czechs have for Canada and for Canadians. Those demonstrations of friendship and support, big and small, continued during the pandemic. In the early days of the pandemic, I remember our Czech colleague arriving at the embassy with hand-sewn masks for all of us. Like so many Czechs he and his family wanted to ensure that friends and neighbors stayed healthy and safe. More recently, I have been genuinely moved by the generosity of thousands of Czechs who opened their homes to Ukrainians. Canada of course joins the Czech Republic in its strong support for Ukraine and Ukrainians. At the embassy, we have also tried to do our part – from volunteering our time to fix furniture and clean a garden space to help Ukrainian families feel a bit more comfortable and at home, to supporting Canada’s special visa program for Ukrainians, which allows them to work, study and stay in Canada until it is safe to return home.

What is the most difficult part of being an ambassador?

Among the most difficult parts of diplomatic life is being far from home. While this life offers amazing professional and personal opportunities, including the chance to really be immersed in different cultures, languages, and traditions, it is tough to be away from family. This is something that I know many of us have felt during the pandemic, when we were unable to travel for health and safety reasons.

As an experienced diplomat, what advice do you have for the next generation of ambassadors?

My advice would be to remain curious. Expose yourself to new people and ideas that challenge you and may even make you uncomfortable. I learned early on in my career the value of including diverse voices in analysis and decision-making. Among my first jobs in Ottawa was working in the area of Women, Peace, and Security. Through early work with Afghan women peacebuilders, I learned concretely how insights from those who were generally not part of formal decision-making tables could benefit communities and help me do my job better. Now, more than ever, diverse perspectives and diverse networks are key to finding innovative, durable solutions to the global problems we all confront.

Can you evaluate the status of Czechia-Canada relations?

Canada and the Czech Republic are friends, partners, and allies with vibrant political, trade, investment, security, academic, and cultural relations. We have a strong, positive, and productive bilateral relationship, based on shared values, as well as on our people-to-people ties, including the more than 100,000 Canadians with some Czech heritage. The warm welcome offered by Canada to Czechoslovak political refugees in 1948 and 1968, steadfast support for dissidents throughout the Communist period, as well as the support provided by Canada in the early 1990s when the Czech Republic was quickly modernizing, all bolster the bilateral relationship. Canada and the Czech Republic regularly cooperate in multilateral organizations, we are strong NATO allies, and we share many common values including support for human rights and democracy. To give two concrete examples, the Czech Republic is a member of the Equal Rights Coalition (ERC) intergovernmental network, which works to promote the human rights of LGBTI persons globally, and which Canada co-chaired from 2017 to 2019. The Czech Republic is also a member of the 50-member Media Freedom Coalition, which is co-chaired by Canada and advocates for media freedom and the protection of journalists.

On defense and security, Canada was one of the first countries to support the Czech Republic’s accession to NATO in 1999, which led to closer defense cooperation. Today, our soldiers serve shoulder-to-shoulder in the Canada-led multinational NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group in Latvia. And both our countries are among the leading supporters of Ukraine as it continues to face Russia’s unprovoked and unjustifiable attack. Canada, alongside the Czech Republic, is steadfast and strong in our commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence.

The presidency of the Czech Republic in the EU Council began on 1 July this year. What are you, as a representative of your country, which is a G7 and NATO member, expecting?

Canada and the EU enjoy long-standing friendship and cooperation rooted in a shared commitment to stand up for the ideals of democracy, international security, and prosperity. The EU is a strategic partner for Canada, and we are keen to cooperate with the Czech Republic during the Czech EU Council Presidency on various files of common interest. Thanks to the Canada-EU Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) and the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), we are now working more closely with the EU than ever across the whole policy spectrum, including of course working together on supporting Ukraine.

In the fall we will celebrate the 5th anniversary of the CETA provisional application. Since CETA came into provisional force, we have seen a renaissance in the Canadian-Czech bilateral commercial relationship, with real mutual benefit. COVID slowed down the exchange significantly, but we already see an important uptick. In 2021, bilateral trade increased by 24.7% to reach the highest level of the past decade. In the January-May 2022 period, bilateral trade in- creased by a further 21% compared to the same period of time in 2021. This is a shared success that we will continue to grow.

Can we conclude with your wish for our countries, Canada and Czechia?

The months ahead will continue to have their challenges for both of our countries, and my hope is that we continue to strengthen our partnership and cooperation so that we come closer to our shared goal of a more sustainable, equitable, and peaceful future for us all.

Opening of the Dja Reserve

The Dja Reserve – the new gorilla pavilion of the Prague Zoo will be open to the public during the annual celebration of the Prague Zoo on September 28.

Exhibition highlights “forgotten” communist-era photographer Fafek

Today largely forgotten, Emil Fafek was a leading Czech news photographer for decades, covering everything from the Prague Uprising as a young man to his beloved sport. A new exhibition in Prague entitled Emil Fafek: On Guard aims to rekindle interest in his work.

Images of communist-era mass spartakiad gymnastics shows at Prague’s Strahov stadium, alongside regular sports events, make up part of the photography exhibition Emil Fafek: On Guard at Prague’s Leica Gallery.

See the rest here

Author: Ian Willoughby

Photo: Ian Willoughby, Radio Prague International

Growing number of Czech children having post-pandemic mental health problems

The number of children and adolescents suffering from depression and those self-harming has increased steeply in the last few years, which many experts ascribe to the period of social isolation during the Covid pandemic. Alarmingly, the society is ill prepared for this trend and the number of child psychiatrists is woefully inadequate.

Hana was thirteen when she first cut her forearms with a knife. The self-harm continued for several years when she would pierce her skin, burn her hands with cigarette butts or bash them against a tree trunk until they bled. Looking back, she says it was a form of relief that she became addicted to.

“It’s not just the physical pain, but also looking at the blood. It helps you to relax and calm down because when things become unbearable the physical pain surmounts the mental pain. When you get used to it you have to cut more and deeper.”

Child experts are ringing alarm bells. Statistics show that the number of children and adolescents inflicting self-harm increased significantly during the coronavirus pandemic and has been steadily rising in the last 18 months in what is a worrying nationwide trend.

See the rest here.

Authors: Daniela Lazarová, Iva Vokurková

“Unique mosaic of European writing” on show at this year’s Literature Night festival

The annual Literature Night (Noc literatury), which has become the largest European literature project of its kind in Czechia since it was introduced to the country 16 years ago, is taking place across 80 venues in the country’s capital and regions this Wednesday evening. There will also be readings in several other cities across Europe, Africa, Asia and the US. The event is chiefly being organised by the country’s network of Czech Centres. I spoke to Adriana Krásová, who is heading the project.

“In Prague the Literature Night is being held across 20 venues, because we are cooperating with a network of European cultural institutes and embassies. The readings start at 6pm with two held every hour. The texts are read by well-known actors from Czech theatres. Each of them will read a selected text at a particular venue. The audience can visit several of these readings in their neighbourhood.

“As far as the selection of the books is concerned, we focus on contemporary literature. That means mainly on books that have been published or translated in Czechia within the past two years, so contemporary literature, contemporary perspectives and contemporary ways of seeing the world is what we are highlighting at the Literature Night.”

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=613269477064439

See the rest here.

Author: Thomas McEnchroe

Giant sculptures by David Černý to be part of new residential project in Prague’s Karlín

Photo: Trigema

Conceptual artist David Černý has a new project. His sculptures will grace a new residential building in Prague’s district of Karlín.

The state-of-the-art apartment building, called Fragment, will be “supported” by three torsos and one larger-than-life figure designed by the well-known artist.

So far, Černý has installed the foot and hand of one of the giants. The largest figure, which is roughly 25 metres tall, will be assembled in Černý’s studio and attached to the building in its entirety.

Construction of the apartment building, located right opposite the baroque Invalidovna, started last October and should be completed by the end of this year. The project, funded by the Trigema developer, was designed by the Qarta studio in cooperation with Černý.

See the rest here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Czechs want to protect environment – but can’t agree on how

A recent public opinion survey of Czech attitudes to environmental issues suggests that, on the whole, Czechs care about the environment and most do not doubt that anthropogenic climate change is happening. But when it comes to concrete measures to combat it, they cannot agree.

“There is a clear consensus in Czech society that climate change is happening and that it is a problem. That environmental protection is necessary and that something needs to be done about it is also a widely held attitude. The questions of what should be done about it and when, however, are topics that people do not agree on so much.”

These are the words of Jitka Uhrová from the empirical research institute STEM, one of the two organisations behind the survey that came out this week, titled Česká (ne)transformace or Czech (non) transformation 2022. Taking into account past surveys, she says that this acceptance of climate change is relatively firmly embedded in Czech society by now.

The survey even found broad support for certain measures combatting climate change, such as renewable energy sources. But the question of how fast we need to act was one of the issues that threw up more diverse responses among the survey respondents, according to Jan Krajhanzl, a social psychologist from Institute 2050, the other organization behind the survey.

“50% of people say they would like environmental protection to take place without delay. Even when we asked explicitly whether due to the problems that have arisen as a result of the war in Ukraine, there should be some kind of suspension of climate change measures, half of the respondents still said no. Another 15 to 20 percent of people say that climate protection should take place intensively within this decade.”

See the rest here.

Author: Anna Fodor

Stay tuned!

New issue will be published online at the end of September..

Coming soon!

Jewish tombstones broken up for paving stones made into new Prague monument

Photo: Jewish Community of Prague

A new monument, called The Return of the Stones, has been unveiled at the Old Jewish cemetery in Prague’s district of Žižkov. It is made out of fragments of tombstones from derelict Jewish cemeteries that were cut up into cobblestones during the Communist era and used to pave the base of Wenceslas Square.

Prayers are said by Czech Chief Rabbi Karol Sidon at the unveiling of a new monument in Prague on Wednesday.

It is made of fragments of ancient Jewish gravestones that were broken up in the last decade of communism in Czechoslovakia and used for paving stones at the bottom of Wenceslas Square.

The approximately 6,000 cobblestones with Hebrew letters and dates were found during a renovation on Wenceslas Square in 2020. Under an agreement, signed a year earlier by Prague City Hall, the stones were handed over to the Jewish Community in Prague and deposited at the Old Jewish cemetery in Žižkov.

See the rest here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Prague Fringe – 21 years of English language theatre in the Czech Capital

Prague’s very own slice of Edinburgh is back this Autumn!

From Monday 26th September to Saturday 1st October, audiences can enjoy six days of international, multi award-winning, theatre in English, presented by 28 theatre companies from all over the world.

Five unique and atmospheric venues in Mala Strana will be full of high-quality theatre (and more than a smattering of comedy), with tickets cheap enough that you can see more than one show per evening.

Some Prague Fringe favourites returning this year include multi award-winning writer and performer Henry Naylor, straight from a sell-out, highly acclaimed run at Edinburgh Fringe, with his new show ‘Afghanistan is Not Funny‘, a true-story based on his research trip to war-torn Afghanistan in 2002. Also returning is Emily Carding with her new production ‘Quintessence‘ – a sci-fi take on Shakespeare. You can also catch Brazilian card magician El Diablo of the Cards who returns with his mind-bending card trickery! Families can enjoy Jon & Ollie (two thirds of The Latebloomers who took the fringe by storm with their show Scotland! in 2018) with their brand-new show ‘Strictly Come Barking‘. And Fringe favourite Pip Utton is back after his sell-out run at our 2021 Autumn Fringe (Playing Maggie and Churchill)with two more one-man shows ‘Hitchcock‘ and ‘Bacon‘.

We also have stand-up comedy from Spain, Finland and England, music from Scotland, the USA and the Czech Republic, and theatre from all over the world from Macau to Ukraine, to Northern Ireland, and so much more!

And remember, the Fringe is only 6 days long this year, from Monday 26th September – Saturday 1st October, some shows are only performing for 2 or 3 nights, and our venues are small (some only have 20-30 seats) – so get your tickets booked now – we expect to sell out!

Tickets are all priced at 220 Kč in advance (200 Kč for students and seniors aged 70+), or 250 Kč on the door (no concessions). Full ticket and booking info is here.

Check out our special Fringe Pass which gives you almost 10% discount on advance tickets – and you’ll only pay one GoOut ticket agent service fee instead of five. Full details here.

For anyone looking for ways to support the festival, take a look at our Friends of the Fringe options which give you amazing benefits including free tickets, priority access to the venues to get the best seats in the house and discounts with Fringe-friendly eateries in the Fringe zone. All the details are here.

Czechs building Neolithic boat replica to test out ancient trade routes

Photo: Monoxylon III

A team of experts from the Centre of Experimental Archaeology in North Bohemia is constructing a copy of a real Neolithic boat. The vessel will then be used to test out a hypothetical sea trading route from that era between Greece and modern day Turkey. The team says that not just the journey, but the construction process itself, makes it possible to gain a greater understanding of Europe’s Neolithic ancestors.

Monoxylon IV, as the expedition is called, will cover a 470 to 500 kilometre route stretching from Samos, off the Turkish coast, past the Aegean island of Milos, all the way to the Peloponnese.

The leader of the project is Dr Radomír Tichý from the Department of Archaeology at the University of Hradec Kralové.

“Archaeologists have found settlements there that were richly supplied with obsidian, so it seems clear that a sea route did exist there.

“Our expedition will test the hypothetical route that has been proposed – namely from Asia Minor to the island of Milos. It will then continue from Milos to the Greek mainland.”

Read the rest here.

Author: Tom McEnchroe

Works by Velčovský and Anadol to be highlights of 2022 Signal

Prague’s Signal festival of light art will celebrate 10 years of existence from October 13 to 16, again drawing tens of thousands of people to the city’s streets. Among the highlights this year will be a work referencing Ukraine by top Czech designer Maxim Velčovský and a special new work by “superstar” artist Refik Anadol.

Since the Signal festival began a decade ago the organisers say its light art projects and video-mapping projects have attracted no fewer than three million visitors.

Martin Pošta is the festival’s founder.

“It’s a great experience and opportunity to be able to actually do a festival of the Signal type in Prague, because I imagine if it was anywhere else, in other parts of the world, it wouldn’t have been as easy to start up an event like this.

“Because the city is beautiful and the support is great, so it gives us the very generous freedom of exploring the city through art.”

On the second weekend of October this year Signal will deliver 15 installations on two routes, one downtown and one running from Vinohrady to Vršovice.

See the rest here.

Author: Ian Willoughby

The House delegation supported the award-winning Czech pavilion at EXPO 2020

Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

The delegation, led by the Speaker of the Chamber Markéta Pekarová Adamová, took part in the Czech National Day at the EXPO 2020 World Exhibition in Dubai. The program also included a meeting with the chairman of the UAE legislature, participation in a business forum, the signing of a memorandum on inter-university cooperation, and a visit to the Ukrainian pavilion.

„The barbaric war waged by Vladimir Putin‘s dictatorial regime in Ukraine sharply contrasts with the basic idea of a general world exhibition. It consists in the belief that states should inspire each other and look for ways to improve the quality of life of all people without distinction,“ said Markéta Pekarová Adamová, head of the delegation and speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic.

The main aim of the work program of the House delegation at the World Expo 2020 was actively participating in the opening ceremony of the National Day on Monday, March 21st – the first day of spring. This was entirely symbolic, because the national pavilion of the Czech Republic is called Czech Spring. The introductory speeches were followed by a cultural program, which presented traditional Old Bohemian costumed folk dances accompanied by members of the Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic. They later played the domestic national anthem directly in front of the Czech pavilion and – as an expression of moral support to millions of war-torn Ukrainians – also performed the Ukrainian national anthem. The chairwoman also visited the Ukrainian pavilion, where she underwent a guided tour.

„At the EXPO exhibition, I most often encountered two types of exhibits. One type seeks to present their country as an ideal tourist destination and attracts visitors through colorful excursions into their own national history. The second, on the other hand, aims to present the technological progress achieved in the chosen field since the last world exhibition, and to educate visitors in a non-intrusive way. The Czech Republic has chosen the second approach, and I think it has chosen very well. This is evidenced not only by the award of a prestigious silver medal from renowned experts, but above all by the continuing interest of the general public,“ said Markéta Pekarová Adamová, head of the delegation and speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic.

The pavilions

In addition, the Speaker of the House met in person with her United Arab Emirates counterpart in Dubai – President of the Federal National Council Saqr Gobash. One of the topics of their joint working meeting was the issue of energy self-sufficiency and ensuring stability in world energy markets. The chairwoman also launched a business forum dedicated to Czech smart solutions in the field of sustainable energy and clean mobility. Another integral part of the delegation was a group of 17 Czech entrepreneurs, who are trying to penetrate the local UAE market and establish new business connections there.

It is not a question of “IF” but “WHEN” they attack you

Karol Suchánek

5 MYTHS ABOUT CYBERSECURITY that cost companies millions…

Text: Karol Suchánek; Edit: Martina Hošková; Photo: Archive

1) We have antivirus and firewall. We are safe.

Times have changed. Cyberattacks have become a profitable business, bigger than the drug or arms trade today. Attacks are very sophisticated, and if you rely only on standard antivirus and firewall the risks of losing your data, know-how, or, let’s say e-shop, are huge. Are you asking why?

Every day, an average of one million new viruses are emerging, which an antivirus is not able to block automatically. There are dozens of publicly available ways of avoiding antivirus and firewall – which of course hackers are aware of and use.

Do you remember any high-profile cases of hacked organisations? They all had antivirus and firewall…

2) Only big companies are attacked.

One of the biggest cybersecurity myths. Do you think that if your business has less than 1,000 employees then you don’t have to worry about attacks?

Let ́s check the facts.

61% of cyberattacks target small and medium-sized businesses. The vast majority of cyberattacks are automated and affect the entire Internet.

60% of small and medium-sized business do not address cybersecurity and represent an easy target.

3) We have IT guys. They take care of our cybersecurity.

At the first sight, a very logical objection. However, experience unfortunately shows that reality tends to be totally different. Why?

Not all IT guys are the same. Like doctors, they also closely specialise, and you need a cybersecurity expert for IT. Do you have him on your team?

The same applies to external providers of IT services. Is cybersecurity in their portfolio? Do you pay them for protecting your IT? If not, nobody takes care of your cybersecurity.

Have your IT guys presented any proposals to increase cybersecurity? Do you get regular security monitoring reports? If not, breachers might already be in your net.

4) Cybersecurity is too expensive for small and medium-sized businesses.

It is true that for big companies with many branches, devices, servers, applications, and IT systems, good cybersecurity is expensive.

But how is it different for smaller businesses?

Significant cybersecurity improvement can be achieved by simply changing the configuration of the operation systems that you already have, without the need for buying new software.

By replacing physical servers with safe cloud services, you easily eliminate the need for dealing with often complicated and costly security.

By using external cybersecurity experts, you can get necessary know-how without employing costly experts and paying for their trainings.

5) We back up our data, we are safe.

Yes, back up is very important. However, on its own, it does not increase cybersecurity. It serves as a last resort in case of a successful attack.

Furthermore, the key question is: Will it work at all?

Is your backup also offline? It means saved in systems that are not constantly connected to the net or are cloud-based. If not, it is very likely that you will not be able to use it after an attack and you will lose it all.

Do you regularly test if you are able to restore your backup? You might be very unpleasantly surprised to find out that your backup can’t be restored and your last rescue plan failed.

Even if you restore all systems and data from your backup after attack, you are not out of the woods yet. How much data and work will be lost? What will your financial loss be for the time spent on restoring your backup? And most importantly: How do you know that the restored backup does not already contain malicious code that enabled the breachers to take over your systems?

Does anything ring a bell here?

No wonder. All these cybersecurity misconceptions are based on my everyday reality and experience with various companies. The importance of cybersecurity is higher today than ever before, so if you really see yourself in the myths, take practical steps to have the cybersecurity of your organisation verified by an independent cybersecurity audit before it’s too late.

Karol Suchánek

At the age of 16, he mastered 15 programming languages and developed his first cybersecurity software. He completed a special cyber-security program at MIT in Boston and training with the legendary Hak5 Group in Washington. He currently handles the privacy and the security of companies and public figures. Karol belongs to the Shift2Cloud team of experts, which improves the efficiency and security of companies. He holds NATO security clearance and is a court appointed cybersecurity expert.

National Day of Croatia

Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Zuzana Hubinková

On the occasion of the National Day, the 30th anniversary of international recognition, and the Armed Forces Day of the Republic of Croatia, H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov, Ambassador of Croatia and Col. Zdravko Barbarić, Military Attaché hosted a reception at the Prague New Town Hall.

From left: H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov, Bc. Martin Radkovič MBA, owner of the Vinařství Ritopeky, Břecav; a member of the Croatian minority from southern Morava

From left: H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov and H.E. Mr. Jordan Parvanov, Ambassador of Bulgaria

From left: H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov and Mr. Srđan Matić, Head of Country Office, WHO

Members of the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia: Mrs. Gordana Pokupec, First Secretary, Colonel Zdravko Barbarić, Military Attaché, H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov, Mrs. Romana Dvoráčková, and Josef Dvořáček, MBA, Minister-Counsellor, Head of Economic Department, Embassy of the Czech Republic in Zagreb

From right: His Eminence Dominik Duka O.P., Cardinal Archbishop Emeritus of Prague and H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov

From left: H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov and H.E. Mrs. Gita Kalmet, Ambassador of the Republic of Estonia

From left: H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov, members of the Paste Lace Association “Frane Budak” from the island Pag, Croatia and Colonel Zdravko Barbarić, Military Attaché

Singers Mr. Branko Barbir and Mr. Dario Grašo, Klapa Sol, H.E. Mrs. Lijlana Pancirov, members of the Paste Lace Association “Frane Budak” from the island Pag, Croatia and Colonel Zdravko Barbarić, Military Attaché

From left: H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov and Mgr. Hayato Okamura, member of the Chamber of Deputies Parliament of the Czech Republic

From left: H.E. Mr. Berislav Vekić, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Egemen Bagis, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey, H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov, H.E. Mr. Sashko Todorovski, Ambassador of the Republic of North Macedonia

Mrs. Vesna Karavanić, lacemaker

From left: Meshulam Zisso , H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov, and Eva Anderová

From left: Mrs. Lidija Kovařík, Managing Director at Illusion Art Museum in Prague, Mrs. Natali Munitić, Croatian National Tourist Board – Prague Office, Mrs. Jana Krásná, Czech – Croatian Society, Mrs. Ivana Tichá, Czech – Croatian Society, Mr. Luděk Hladiš, Aviareps agency

From left: H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov and Mr. Jan Bondy, Director of the Public Diplomacy Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, with his wife

From left: Ing. Josef Dvořáček, MBA, Minister- Counsellor, Head of Economic Department, Embassy of the Czech Republic in Zagreb, H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov, and Mrs. Ing. Romana Dvořáčková

From left: Zuzana Hubinková, Ph.D. and H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov

From left: Bc. Martin Radkovič MBA, owner of the Vinařství Ritopeky, Břeclav; a member of the Croatian minority from southern Morava, H.E. Mrs. Ljiljana Pancirov

From left: Colonel Jean-Charles Peltier, Embassy of the French Republic and Colonel Mohammad Reza Pourbasirat, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran

National Day of Argentina

Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Argentine embassy

On the occasion of the National Day, the Ambassador of the Argentine Republic H.E. Mr. Roberto Alejandro Salafia hosted a reception at the Prague New Town Hall.

From left: H.E. Mr. Roberto Alejandro Salafia, Ambassador of Argentina and Professor Daniel Nývlt, Masaryk University

From left: H.E. Mr. Roberto Alejandro Salafia, Ambassador of Argentina, Eva Anderová, and Meshulam Zisso

From left: H.E. Mr. Roberto Alejandro Salafia, Ambassador of Argentina and H.E. Ms. Martina Mlinarevic, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina

From left: Arsis Nova choir, Javier Antar and Patricie Poráková (dancers)

From left: Mr. Michael Stimmson, H.E. Mr. Jordan Parvanov, Ambassador of Bulgaria, and H.E. Mr. Antonios Theocharous, Ambassador of Cyprus

From left: H.E. Mr. Taejin Kim, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, H.E. Mr. Rastislav Káčer, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovakia, and H.E Mr. Grégoire Cuvelier, Ambassador of the Republic of Belgium

From left: Mr. Anton Strniša, Mrs. Atsuko Suzuki, H.E. Mr. Hideo Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan, and Mrs. Svetlana Codreanu

From left: Mr. Anton Strniša, H.E. Mr. Patricio Alejandro Utreras Díaz, Ambassador of the Republic of Chile, Mrs. Brenda Utreras, Mrs. Bernadette Cuvelier, Mrs. Suyeon Kim, Mrs. Atsuko Suzuki, and Mrs. Erna Alice Kvile

From left: H.E. Mrs. Anna Azari, Ambassador of Israel and H.E. Mrs. Maria-Antoaneta Barta, Ambassador of Romania

From left: H.E. Mrs. R. Leonora Rueda, Ambassador of Mexico, Meshulam Zisso, and H.E. Ms. Cliona Manahan, Ambassador of Ireland

British Chamber of Commerce patrons’ breakfast at the new design-led JULIUS PRAGUE

Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

On Wednesday, 11th May 2022, the British Chamber of Commerce organized a patrons’ breakfast – a unique gathering, and an opportunity to meet some of the top managers from the BCC patrons’ family, as well as the BCC Board of Directors.

Given such a setting, participants were provided with a special opportunity to discuss the hottest and most current topics in the business world with individuals who are actively and directly involved in it.

H.E Mr. Nick Archer, the British ambassador to the Czech Republic and Guy Barker, Chairman of the BCC Board of Directors

H.E Mr. Nick Archer, the British ambassador to the Czech Republic and Mr. Aleš Machač, General Manager of The Julius Prague

Mr. Julius Meinl VI, a partner at House of Julius Meinl and a director at Julius Meinl Living and H.E Mr. Nick Archer, the British ambassador to the Czech Republic

The keynote speaker was BCC member and British entrepreneur Mr. Julius Meinl VI, a partner at House of Julius Meinl and a director at Julius Meinl Living.

The event was opened by H.E Mr. Nick Archer, the British ambassador to the Czech Republic.

The patrons’ breakfast was hosted at The Julius Prague, a new design-led serviced residence by leading Italian architecture and design firm Matteo Thun & Partners, co-founded by Mr. Julius Meinl VI.

As of Monday 16th May, The Julius Prague is open for reservations and bookings.

The right clothes guarantee your success

Text: M.Zisso; Photo: Archive BANDI

It is a matter of common knowledge that inappropriate choices of clothing may hinder your career growth and social life. So, when I became the owner and executive editor of the Czech & Slovak Leaders Magazine, it became quite clear to me that I could use some good advice on how to be dressed properly for different occasions. I decided to discuss the matter with the master – Denisa Vámoš Gróffová, the creative visionary of BANDI Menswear, a manufacturer of formal fashion. Let me share her professional advice with you.

The modern lifestyle creates enormous time pressure on men. Many are succumbing to this and beginning to change their clothing style to be simple and quick to put on. However, they do not realise that, in some areas, this is not possible, and that if they do so, they cannot then be surprised that they do not reap the success they expected.

It all starts with a tie

Now, we are talking about the clothing of managers and officials for work and business meetings. All these men are after success, which they turn into business contracts or money. One of the biggest transgressions is the elimination of the tie from formal wear at business meetings. It is necessary to realise that clothing plays a primary role in a business partner‘s assessment of your personality. The game is about trust, which is the most important ingredient of cooperation. The use of a tie is a big part of this.

The tie has the same meaning when dressing for social events. These include balls, weddings, anniversary celebrations, dances, and others. Here, too, men pursue their goals – to look great, to affirm their social status with elegant clothes, or to impress others. But, here too, they can encounter failure simply because they have somehow deviated from the rules. Well then, how would it be done correctly?

Clothes for work

Currently, men‘s suits in shades of blue are very modern and popular. “For work, I would absolutely recommend a blue suit with a white shirt, brown shoes, and the right tie, to every man.

Such an outfit not only inspires trust, but also increases respect towards you. This will be especially appreciated by officials in contact with the public,“ says Denisa Vámoš Gróffová, creative visionary of BANDI Menswear.

It is also important to distinguish whether the manager participates in business meetings outside the office or performs the duties within the company, with a team of colleagues. In a collective workspace, it is necessary to vary the choice of colours and patterns that go with a blue suit. This is true for both shirts and ties. If you do not do it, the people around could get the impression that you are wearing the same clothes and not taking care of yourself.

The right clothes for social events

A timeless classic has been, is, and will continue to be, the men‘s black suit. It should be a part of every man‘s wardrobe due to its perfect elegance. The great advantage of the black suit is variability. It can be combined with men‘s fashion accessories in shades of graphite or dark blue. “Blue shades inspire trust and calmness; they are suitable for all social and life events. I highly recommend an outfit consisting of a black suit and a dark-coloured shirt or tie for social events held in the evening or in winter. For example, balls,“ adds Denisa Vámoš Gróffová.

On the other hand, the summer season is more than suitable for changing the colours of clothes. For example, for a wedding, colours such as light blue, grey, cream, and so on are appropriate for suits. The recommended colours for shirts with these suits are all soft colour shades. Except for white, these include a touch of blue, pink, and the like. Even for a social event such as this, it is not advisable to omit the tie, unless the bride and groom are organising a so-called “themed” wedding, which implies an exception to the rules of social etiquette. Since guests come to weddings in pairs, it is a good idea to choose, for example, the colour of the tie according to the colour of the partner‘s dress or accessories. Always, so that these guests look like a colour-coordinated couple.

The way you dress is the way you are addressed

Every man should always decide what purpose he dresses for and what he expects from it. If you are going to the fitness centre, sweatpants are the way to go. When going to a restaurant with friends for a drink, there‘s nothing wrong with jeans, a T-shirt, and comfortable trainers. However, it is important to know that when you are going to an event from which you are expecting something, you must dress properly. Even though there has been a loosening of the rules in men‘s formal fashion it doesn‘t mean we can dress as we please. Many men don‘t realise this and then wonder why their plans don’t work out. Nothing can ever change the fact that clothing has a major impact on how you appear to others and what their impression of you will be. In terms of social significance, it is not likely that there will be any changes to this in the future. The saying „the clothes make the man“ will always be true.

Beware of cheap imitations

Text: Gianfranco Coizza; Edit: Martina Hošková; Photo: Anna Kovačič and Ondřej Košík

Being raised in a Czech family, I inevitably came across many “Italian” dishes, Spaghetti alla carbonara with cream being a good representative of their style. To be honest, I have quite enjoyed them all. The problem arises when you are served such meals in restaurants that claim to be all-Italian. Gianfranco Coizza, executive chef and co-owner of the “A posto” restaurants, is a genuine Italian living in Prague and his message is simple and memorable, just like true Italian cuisine. Enjoy your reading.

BLESSED AND CURSED AT THE SAME TIME

Italian cuisine, it’s no secret, belongs among the favourite types of cuisine worldwide. Virtually anywhere in the world, a customer can find a pizzeria, or a restaurant named, for instance, “da Giovanni”. Prague, and the Czech Republic as a whole, are no exception. The reason for this huge popularity is relatively easy to understand: Italian food is often connected, in the general perception, with the idea of “dolce vita”, and with the fact that it is the ultimate comfort food, easy to cook, and based mostly on first-class ingredients. Italy was for a long time perceived as a leading holiday destination, and its food remains a part of our good memories from there, just like a beautiful sunset in Rome.

This huge popularity, just like it happens with Italian fashion and design, can be a blessing, but also a curse. The so-called “Italian-sounding” phenomenon is perhaps the biggest of the issues. Fake clothes, fake design items, restaurants that use Italian names, and, only allegedly though, serve Italian food – they all by no means match the quality that the “made in Italy” seal of approval is known for. Such restaurants parasite on the reputation of Italian cuisine but they are miles away from being Italian, and, most of the time, they are no good. The damage for the restaurateurs who want to offer quality Italian cuisine is clear to see: it isn’t easy competing with restaurants that use inexpensive ingredients, flood the market with cheap imitations of the real thing, and contribute to a distorted perception of what Italian gastronomy really is.

TRUE AMBASSADORS DON’T COMPROMISE

Over the years some restaurateurs were able to establish themselves as true ambassadors of the real Italian culinary tradition by not compromising on the quality of the ingredients and the trueness of the recipes. These entrepreneurs helped a great deal in improving the general knowledge of the culinary tradition of the peninsula and cleared the path for the next steps.

Italian cuisine, just like any other gastronomy culture, has quickly developed over the last few years. Themes such as sustainable sources, foraging, nose to tail eating, zero waste, and organic products have been implemented and integrated in the evolution of the Italian cuisine. This is happening especially within the dynamic force represented by the so-called “modern trattoria”, a trend that embodies a virtuous fusion of traditional regional cuisine, top notch ingredients, modern techniques, and ethical approaches, all with a sprinkle of inspiration and influences taken from other culinary cultures.

The challenge that now awaits Italian restaurateurs world- wide (and some of us have already chosen that path) is to create an up-to-date experience for our customers, rather than a poor pantomime of what a typical Italian restaurant is supposed to be. A restaurant, or, as we say in Italy, a ‘trattoria‘, is not a museum but a living organism, very much similar to a theatre play. Showtime.

Gianfranco Coizza

Executive chef and co-owner, A posto trattoria and A posto Macelleria – Za Pískovnou 1210/2
184 00 Dolní Chabry – Praha 8
www.aposto.cz

Známí Neznámí – Known Unknown

Text: M. Zisso; Photo: Archive

The premiere of the Slovak-Czech co-production feature film by director Zuzana Marianková and producer Wanda Adamík Hrycová took place at Cinema City, Slovanský dům, a few weeks ago.

My Czech is bad, and I was afraid I wouldn’t understand the movie, mentally preparing myself to play on my phone, but I didn’t have time for that. In reality, it was so well done that I was laughing for almost the entire duration of the film – time flies when you’re having fun.

If you missed it at the cinema – don’t worry! It will be broadcast on TV Nova.

Directed by: Zuzana Marianková
Screenplay: Petr Jarchovský, Paolo Genovese and Paolo Costella
(original screenplay)
Camera: Peter Bencsík
Music: Slavo Solovic
Starring: Táňa Pauhofová, Klára Issová, Martin Hofmann, Tomáš Měcháček, Tomáš Maštalír, Petra Polnišová, Anna Kadeřávková, Sväťo Malachovský

Wanda Adamík Hrycová