AuthorMartin Hladík

On the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria, H.E. Mr. Dantcho Dobrinov Mitchev, hosts a reception at the beautiful Bulgarian embassy in Prague.

Mr. Jiří Brodský, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, was the honored guest.

Watch the video with the speeches of H.E. Mr. Dantcho Mitchev, Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria, andMr. Jiří Brodský, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic

Happy Independence Day, Bulgaria

Честит Ден на независимостта, България

Martisor is a traditional holiday that symbolizes in Romania the arrival of spring. It is a tradition celebrated on the 1^st of March, and it represents a symbol of health, joy, and the revival of nature.

In Romania Language, the word “Martisor” is a diminutive of the name of the month of March. The literal translation of Martisor would be “Little March”.

H.E. Ms. Maria-Antoaneta Barta, the Ambassador of Romania to the Czech Republic, with the Institute of Romanian Culture in Prague, organized a workshop event at the beautiful Embassy building.

Watch the video of H.E. Ms. Maria-Antoaneta Barta, the Ambassador of Romania to the Czech Republic, explaining in Romanian and English about the Tradition, which is now on the UNESCO list.

It was a big joy.

H.E. Mr. Kairat Abdrakhmanov, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Czech Republic, hosted a working breakfast on 4^th March 2026 at the Vienna House by Wyndham Diplomat Prague.

During the meeting, the Ambassador briefly presented the ongoing constitutional reform process in Kazakhstan and shared information on the forthcoming referendum on the new Constitution, followed by an open exchange of views, with participation by previous Ministers, Ambassadors, members of the Academic and Media corp.

Moravian and Czech wines shine again in Japan. They won four top Diamond Trophy awards at the prestigious SAKURA 2026 competition

Tokyo/Valtice – The Czech Republic achieved extraordinary success at the 13th edition of the most prestigious Asian wine competition judged exclusively by women – the “SAKURA” Japan Women’s Wine Awards. In competition with 3,715 samples from 37 countries around the world, domestic wines won four top Diamond Trophy awards and several prizes in special categories. In terms of the ratio of the number of samples entered to the highest marks awarded, the Czech Republic ranked among the absolute most successful participants this year.

The excellent results of Czech winemaking in the land of the rising sun are also underlined by Veronika Vanišová, agricultural diplomat in Japan. “This success in such a tough international and highly professional environment proves that the Czech Republic has definitively established itself on the map of the best wine regions in the world from the perspective of Japanese sommeliers and oenologists. Succeeding in Japan, which is known for its uncompromising pressure on quality and detail, is an extraordinary achievement. We value the four highest trophies in the competition, the many awards in special categories and the award for winemaker of the year, which is also a turning point.”

Soňa Podholová from the Vinné sklepy Kutná Hora winery achieved a completely exceptional personal recognition, being declared the best winemaker (Best Woman Winemaker). Her Cabernet Blanc 2024 also won one of the four prestigious Diamond Trophy.

The absolute top among the awarded samples are the Diamond Trophy holders. This is a selection of only 65 best-rated wines from around the world, which have passed through a strict sieve through double gold. Two of these trophies are going to the Milotice-based BV winery for their Sekt Charmat VZ 2024 (batch 2443) and Hibernal 2023 (batch 2348). The Bohemia Sekt company also made it into the world elite with its Bohemia Sekt Prestige demi sec 2022 wine and the Kutná Hora winery with its Cabernet Blanc 2024.

“Winning two Diamond Trophies at one year of such an important Asian exhibition is a dream come true for us. It confirms that our path focused on precise work with the variety and technological purity resonates with the extremely demanding Japanese audience,” said the management of the BV winery about the award.

In addition to the main trophies, Moravian wines also dominated special categories focused on Asian gastronomy and an excellent quality-price ratio. The Grand Prix Great Value Sparkling Wine title for the best sparkling wine with high added value was won by BV Vinařství for its Sekt Charmat VZ 2024. In the Cost Performance Wine category (wines with an excellent quality-price ratio), wines from BV Vinařství (Sekt Charmat VZ 2024, Hibernal 2023), Bohemia Sekt (Bohemia Sekt Prestige demi sec 2022) and Vinné sklepy Kutná Hora (Cabernet Blanc 2024) dominated.

From the perspective of food pairing, the jury highlighted two samples from BV Vinařství as ideal accompaniments to sushi (Sekt Charmat VZ 2024 and Kerner 2024). Their Kerner 2024 also won in the category suitable for Japanese Pot-au-feu. The Vino J. Stávek Winery then scored with its Bílá Frankovka 2025, which was awarded as an ideal choice for Chinese cuisine. The sweet spot for the Czech success was BV Vinařství with an award in the “Dessert” Wine category for its Traminer 2017.

This year’s judging took place in Osaka and Tokyo in February. A jury of 430 experts from the Japanese wine industry (sommeliers, winemakers, buyers and journalists) assessed a wide range of styles. According to the organizers, the mission of the competition is to find wines that are ideally suited to Japanese food culture, increase wine consumption and expand opportunities for women in this industry. The SAKURA Awards are now recognized as a major wine competition with unique judging criteria, which has seen a steady increase in interest from producers from Central and Eastern Europe in recent years. A total of 2,260 medals were awarded, with the highest Diamond Trophy awarded to just under 2% of all entries.

The success of our wines follows many activities not only last year, not only at the Sakura competition, but also at the presentation at the Expo in Osaka and at the Japanese embassy in Tokyo. Our wines are thus building ever stronger relations with Japan, which is an important international market for all wine-producing countries.

Complete results and further information can be found at www.sakuraaward.com

We have signed a collaboration agreement between FundacionCD and “The Czech & Slovak Leaders”, creating a strategic bridge between Central Europe and our global Women Leaders community of nearly 400,000 members worldwide.

The FundacionCD  https://fundacioncd.org/ is a private, non-profit, international organization committed to creating a more just and equitable society, free from gender bias. Its purpose is to eradicate gender-based violence and foster open dialogue between men and women, promoting female empowerment and redefining masculinity in the 21st century. With over 20 years of experience, it has built a global network of contacts and a brand recognized for its trustworthiness and credibility. Vision: To create a society where gender equality, mutual respect, and inclusion are fundamental pillars. Mission: To promote female empowerment, redefine masculinity, and generate a positive social impact.

 Dr. Jose Raul Vaquero – President Gandhi–Mandela Foundation • Club of Rome member | A philanthropist committed to a better world wrote about this collaboration “When women leaders connect across countries and sectors, opportunities grow: partnerships, international positioning, knowledge exchange, and collective influence in shaping institutions and organizations.
From my work at Fundación CD and the Gandhi Mandela Foundation, one principle is clear: inclusive leadership is a pillar of sustainable peace and social cohesion.
This is more than expansion. It is reinforcement of a global ecosystem of women shaping the future — together.”

Happy International Women’s Day

Photo: Veronika Žeravová, Czech Radio

One of the longest-running glass factories in the Zlín region, Květná Glassworks, plans to commemorate its hand-blown glassmaking tradition by a new glass museum. The aim is to connect the past with the present and bring the craft closer to visitors through tools such as virtual reality.

Czech glassmaking is internationally recognised for its high quality, craftsmanship, beauty and often innovative designs.

See more here.

Author: Romana Grajcarová

Photo: Štěpánka Budková, Radio Prague International

The Žižkov High Line, the Strašnice tram depot, or the Čapek brothers’ villa — all these sites, and hundreds more, are now part of a new online database created by researchers at the Institute of Art History of the Czech Academy of Sciences.

The freely accessible website, called Art Monuments / Architectural Manual, brings together hundreds of buildings and landmarks across Prague, and the number continues to grow.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Alan Wilson, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

The renowned fighter aircraft of Britain’s Royal Air Force in the Second World War — the iconic Spitfire — has appeared on a foreign sales portal. What makes this particular veteran remarkable is its Czech connection. It was flown in RAF service by Pilsen-born pilot Karel Pošta, who even brought the aircraft back to then-Czechoslovakia after the war and later displayed it at air shows.

“This is Karel Pošta’s personal Spitfire, the very one he flew from England to liberated Czechoslovakia and later operated with the 4th Air Regiment,” Michal Krechowski of the Classic Trainers association told the regional paper Plzeňská Drbna.

See more here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Marek Hensl, Czech Radio

Czech archaeologists say they have identified a remarkable Bronze Age artefact discovered years ago in a village garden in South Moravia. What once seemed to be an ordinary stone has now been confirmed as a three-thousand-year-old mould used to cast bronze spearheads. Ruth Fraňková reports.

The story actually started nearly two decades ago.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Kuba Zeman, Archive of Ambiente

Beer is one of the most iconic symbols of the Czech Republic. Yet since the 1990s, it has rarely been served in Czech-made glasses — a surprising reality in a country also renowned for its glassmaking. Now, after 30 years, Czech beer is set to be poured once again into Czech-designed and Czech-produced “půllitry.”

The new “půllitry” were designed by students from the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague (UMPRUM).

See more here.

Author: Hannah Vaughan

Photo: Václav Pancer, ČTK

VK Lvi Praha successfully defended their title and confirmed their outstanding form at the weekend, defeating VK Karlovarsko 3–1 in the Czech Cup final. The Šelmy Brno women’s team celebrated their first-ever cup victory.

See more here.

Photo: Hana Řeháková, Radio Prague International

As the Fulbright Programme marks 80 years worldwide and 35 years in the Czech Republic, three American participants share why their time in the Czech Republic did not end with their scholarships. From teaching in Frýdek-Místek to researching coal miners in Ostrava and championing Czech classical music in Prague, Ian, Dawn and Bree decided to make the Czech Republic their home.

For a little bit of context: The Fulbright Programme is a US cultural exchange initiative aimed at strengthening mutual understanding.

See more here.

Author: Hannah Vaughan

Photo: Anadolu via Reuters Connect

Czech government and opposition politicians have backed the strikes against the Iranian regime as “fully justified” and “understandable”. The authorities said their top priority now is ensuring the safety of Czech diplomats and tourists in the region.

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) said in response to the operation that the Czech Republic stands with its allies, describing Iran’s unchecked nuclear program and support for terrorism as “a threat to both the Czech Republic and Europe”.

See more here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: ČTK / Rýdl

Jan Kodeš, a three-time Grand Slam champion and one of the greatest figures in Czechoslovak sport, celebrates his 80th birthday today. His journey to the top of world tennis was marked by both courage and loyalty.

Jan Kodeš grew up in post-war Prague, where his father worked as a tennis court caretaker.

See more here.

Photo: Agáta Nezbedová, Czech Radio

From the stages of Brno to the world’s leading opera houses, tenor Pavel Černoch continues to expand his impressive career — most recently with the release of his first solo album, Smetana Arias, recorded with the Czech Philharmonic.

Czech tenor Pavel Černoch is one of the most sought-after tenors of his generation.

See more here.

Author: Romana Grajcarová

Photo: Radio Prague International

Defense policy is once again at the center of public debate in Europe. In the latest episode of Czechast, we spoke to Kateřina Gruntová, a young Czech Radio reporter specializing in defense and security, about how the army is changing, how NATO really works, and why society still underestimates the stakes. She argues that security is not just a military issue — but a responsibility shared by all.

Defense policy is growing in importance across Europe.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Illustrative photo: IMAGO /Bihlmayerfotografie / Reuters

As Europe actively prepares for the deployment of fully driverless cars (Level 4), with 2026 marking a major turning point for the introduction of robotaxi services in cities like London, Berlin, and Munich, the Czech authorities are striving to keep pace and set the technical and legal grounds for an autonomous vehicle future.

The Czech Republic currently operates under Level 3 of the international scale for autonomous driving.

See more here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Ian Willoughby, Radio Prague International

Devade (Nineties) is the title of a fascinating new book and exhibition looking at architecture in Prague in the first decade after the Velvet Revolution. Among the best known buildings referred to are hotels such as the Hilton and the Don Giovanni, as well as the Myslbek Palace and the now iconic Dancing House. I discussed the challenges faced by Prague’s architects in the 1990s – as well as the advantages they enjoyed – with one of the book’s authors Jan Bureš, an architect and journalist who was himself born in 1996.

It seems like there’s a generally negative view of architecture in Prague in the 1990s.

See more here.

Author: Ian Willoughby

Photo: Eva Dubská Petrová, Czech Radio

A rare wooden Baroque statue of Pontius Pilate stolen 17 years ago from Římov chapel, that forms part of the local Stations of the Cross, is coming home. Heritage experts tracked it down in Spain.

The early Baroque polychromed woodcarving was stolen from the Římov Stations of the Cross in May of 2009.

See more here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

On the occasion of the 18^th Anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of Kosovo, H.E. Mrs. Albesjana Iberhysaj Kapitaj – Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo hosted a reception at the beautiful Zofin Palace.

The event, attended by many Ambassadors, members of the Parliament and the Senate, and the Kosovo community, started with the National Anthems of Kosovo and Czechia.

H.E. Mrs. Albesjana Iberhysaj Kapitaj – Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to the Czech Republic, greeted the guests.

The Honored speaker was: Mgr. Ing. Jaromír Zůna, MSc., Ph.D. – Minister of Defense of the Czech Republic.

Watch the video with the speech of H.E. Mrs. Albesjana Iberhysaj Kapitaj – Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to the Czech Republic, Mgr. Ing. Jaromír Zůna, MSc., Ph.D. – Minister of Defense of the Czech Republic, and highlights from the culture show.

Happy National Day Kosovo

Gëzuar Ditën Kombëtare të Kosovës

On 24^th February 2026, the H.E. Mr. Metin Feyzioğlu, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to the Czech Republic, as the Chairperson of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Prague Group ( OIC Prague ), hosted an Iftar Dinner in the Holy Month of Ramadan at his beautiful residence.

The event, attended by many Ambassadors, destinguest guest, and members of the community, started with a welcome speech of H.E. Mr. Metin Feyzioğlu, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to the Czech Republic, and Chairperson of OIC Prague.

The  Honored speakers were: Mr. Andrej Babiš – the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, and Mr. Vaclav Kalus – The previous President of the Czech Republic.

Watch the video with the speech of H.E. Mr. Metin Feyzioğlu, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to the Czech Republic, Mr. Andrej Babiš – the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, and Mr. Vaclav Kalus – The previous President of the Czech Republic.

A rich and tasty food buffet prepared by all the countries of the OIC Prague, was served to the guests.

Photo: Lev Radin, Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia

Marking four years since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine, Czech FM Petr Macinka delivered two forceful speeches at UN headquarters in New York. Addressing the General Assembly and later the Security Council, he placed responsibility for the war squarely on Russia and called on Moscow to stop the aggression. At a time when some questioned whether Czechia’s new government might soften its stance, the message was unequivocal. In this special Czechast episode, you can hear both speeches in full.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Speaking at Prague Castle on the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, President Petr Pavel thanked long-term supporters of the war-torn country and praised the many people in Czechia who help those in need.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Czech Film Center

It was a successful weekend for Czech cinema. At the international showcase Berlinale, the jury selected the Czech-Slovak film Kdyby se holubi proměnili ve zlato (If Pigeons Turned to Gold) as Best Documentary. Meanwhile, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awarded a film with Czech co-production – Pan Nikdo proti Putinovi (Mr. Nobody Against Putin).

The jury at Berlinale 2026 praised the inventive directorial voice of Czech filmmaker Pepa Lubojacki, who, in her film shot on a mobile phone camera, explores why her brother and two cousins ended up homeless and struggling with addiction.

See more here.

Author: Romana Grajcarová

Photo: Studio SIAL / Liberec

More than four years have passed since the tragic accident in Liberec when the cable car to Ještěd Mountain collapsed. Since then, the line has been out of operation. The town of Liberec has now introduced its new design.

Ještěd is the highest mountain of the Ještěd–Kozákov Ridge in the north of the Czech Republic.

See more here.

Author: Romana Grajcarová

Photo: Ferdinand Hauser, Radio Prague International

Fifteen years ago, the Faculty of Architecture at the Czech Technical University (CTU) in Prague gained its own modern building. The winning design emerged from one of the largest architectural competitions in the country, and sparked a lively debate at the time. Today, it is regarded as one of the key works of contemporary Czech architecture.

In 2004, the Czech Technical University in Prague announced an architectural competition for a new building for its Faculty of Architecture.

See more here.

Source: Pragueshorts Film Festival

The 20th edition of Pragueshorts Film Festival gets underway in the Czech capital on Wednesday. Until March 1, cinemas including Světozor, Bio Oko, Ponrepo and Kino Pilotů will screen more than a hundred short films from around the world, alongside competitions and special themed sections. I spoke with festival organiser Radka Weisserová about some of the highlights of this year’s program.

“To mention specific highlights is never easy, you know.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Growing as a scientist in constant motion between countries and disciplines, Kateřina Jeřábková-Roda follows a research path shaped by international experience and driven by questions with clear clinical relevance. At its core is cancer research that links microscopic cellular changes to the hope of earlier diagnosis and better patient outcomes. Beyond the laboratory, she highlights how her scientific work is intertwined with teaching and public engagement that transcends borders.

Could you please briefly introduce yourself, where you come from, where you are at now, and what your current role is?.

See more here.

Author: Xavier Amedeo Pallas, Barbora Navrátilová

Photo: Luciano Maria Bisi, IPA Sport / Profimedia

The Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo ended on Sunday, with Czech athletes winning five medals in total: two gold, two silver and one bronze. It is the country’s third best result in Winter Olympic history, after the 2014 Sochi Games and the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang.

The final weekend of the Games brought a surprise medal for Czechia.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Zdeňka Kuchyňová, Radio Prague International

In this episode of Czechast, Vít Pohanka returns to where it all began — Žďár nad Sázavou. As he walks through the town, he reflects on its transformation, its character, and the stories embedded in its streets. This is not just a travel episode; it’s a personal journey through memory and identity. Tune in to the full Czechast audio or video to experience this intimate portrait of a Czech hometown.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Alice Tabery, Cinepoint

A new documentary about the Czech composer and conductor Vítězslava Kaprálová has just arrived in cinemas. Kaprálová was an extraordinary presence in Czech music between the wars. At a time when very few women were able to build careers as composers, and even fewer stepped onto the podium as conductors, she did both. She died at just 25, but in that short time she produced a body of work that still speaks to audiences today.

One of the voices in the film is that of American pianist and vocal coach Timothy Cheek, a long-time champion of Czech vocal music, who travelled from Michigan to Prague for the film’s official release.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Radek Petrášek, ČTK

The traditional fun ski event in Smržovka in the Jizera Mountains attracted many participants and a crowd of onlookers at the weekend. Competitors took part in three disciplines — a classic sprint, a downhill glide to the finish, and a “hop-jump-flight” event.

See more here.

Photo: Czech Television

Putting together a list of the year’s top albums has always been a tricky task, as taste differs from person to person. Nevertheless, when you are in daily contact with music at work and spend your free time attending concerts, one might assume that a list prepared by such a person could be very inspiring. Three hosts and our colleagues from Radio Vltava put together a list of five Czech albums that spoke to them most in 2025. And they spoke to us at Radio Prague International, too.

Jakub Čermák, known under the pseudonym Cermaque, is a Czech musician, director, and poet.

See more here.

Author: Romana Grajcarová

Photo: Jolana Nováková, Czech Radio

Even the most famous and largest landmark in the Czech capital Prague Castle — visited by a record 2.7 million people in 2025 — may conceal magical corners unknown to many. One such place is Masaryk’s Lookout, crowned by a majestic 200-year-old linden tree. It was here that the first president of Czechoslovakia, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, liked to sit and reflect. Today, dendrologists are striving to save his beloved tree, which is gradually dying, by propagating it for future generations.

When Czechoslovakia was established in 1918, there was a need to rebuild Prague Castle and adapt it to its new role.

See more here.

Author: Romana Grajcarová

Photo: Knihex

This year’s Muriel Award for best comic book has gone to Oskar Ed: My Best Friend, a striking graphic novel by Slovak-born, Prague-based artist Branko Jelinek. The book didn’t just win the main prize — it collected four awards in total, including best script, best artwork and the Czech Academy of Comics Award. Radio Prague International discussed it with Pavel Kořínek, head of the Czech Academy of Comics.

Oskar Ed won four awards this year — what made it stand out so clearly from the other nominees?.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Jitka Exler Official Website

Jitka Exler has enjoyed great success in the US, designing and making puppet characters for TV hits The Muppet Show and Sesame Street and working for major toy manufacturers. Exler had been forced to leave her native Czechoslovakia after signing the Charter 77 human rights document at the age of 19. The artist currently has a joint exhibition at the Czech Center New York.

You’re originally from Karlovy Vary.

See more here.

Author: Ian Willoughby

Photo: Tomáš Souček

A unique private collection of post-1989 Czech contemporary art is now on show in Prague’s Magnus Art Gallery. Titled Endless Curiosity, the exhibition features a selection of works gathered over more than three decades by a Dutch couple who made the Czech capital their home. Ruth Fraňková went to the opening.

The Sublime Hyacinth Collection, assembled by Yvette van Dishoeck and Boudewijn Jansen, traces thirty years of Czech art after 1989 — a period when the local art scene was rebuilding itself and the gallery system was only just beginning to take shape.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

On the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Serbia, the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Berislav VEKIĆ, and Mrs. Sandra VEKIĆ, hosted a reception at the Beautiful Kaiserstejnsky Palace.

The event, attended by many Ambassadors, members of the Parliament and the Senate, started with the National Anthems of Serbia and Czechia.

H.E. Mr. Berislav VEKIĆ, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to the Czech Republic, greeted the guests.

The Honored speakers were :

Mr. Damian Jovic – State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia.

Mr. Tomio Okamura – President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic.

Mr. Karel Havlicek – Deputy PM, and Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic.

Mr. Jiří Brodský, deputy minister of foreign affairs of the Czech Republic.

Mr. Vaclav Kalus – The previous President of the Czech Republic.

And Mr. Milos Zeman, the previous President of the Czech Republic.

Watch the video with the speech of the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Berislav VEKIĆ, and the other honored speakers.

Happy National Day to the Republic of Serbia

Срећан Дан државности Републике Србије

On Thursday, February 19, 2026, the President of the Republic, Petr Pavel, received the credentials of the new ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary at Prague Castle:

H.E. Mr. Alessandro Gaudiano, new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Italy, based in Prague

H.E. Mr. Pichit Boonsud, new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Thailand, based in Prague

H.E. Ms. Annonciata Sendazirasa, new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Burundi, based in Berlin

H.E. Ms. Olga Marta Sauma Uribe, new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Costa Rica, based in Vienna

By Jude Atemanke, Photo Credit: Nigeria Catholic Network

Port-au-Prince, 11 February, 2026 – Pope Leo XIV has transferred Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, who has been serving as Apostolic Nuncio in the Czech Republic, to Haiti.

The Port-au-Prince-based Apostolic Nunciature has been vacant since January 2024, when the late Pope Francis transferred Archbishop Francisco Gerardo Escalante Molina to Japan.

The Papal transfer of Archbishop Okolo, who previously served as the representative of the Holy Father in Ireland, was made public on Wednesday, February 11, by the Holy See Press Office.

Born in Nigeria in December 1956, Archbishop Okolo was ordained a Priest for Nigeria’s Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha in July 1983.

He was assigned to the Roman Curia, where he worked in the department of Dialogue with Christian Sects from 1984 to 1986.

Archbishop Okolo undertook his post-graduate studies in Rome and obtained a doctorate in Canon Law, and a Diploma in Diplomatic Studies.

He entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1990. He was incardinated in Nigeria’s Nnewi Catholic Diocese in November 2001.

Archbishop Okolo’s first mission as Apostolic Nuncio was in August 2008 when he was commissioned to the Central African Republic (CAR), the same time he was appointed to represent the Holy Father in Chad.

The Nigerian Catholic Archbishop who was assigned the Titular See of Novica has also represented the Holy Father in the Dominican Republic.

The Vatican diplomat who reportedly speaks English, Italian, Spanish, German, and French has also served as Apostolic Delegate to Puerto Rico.

In a February 11 statement, the Apostolic Nunciature in Haiti confirmed the appointment of Archbishop Okolo, and appealed for spiritual solidarity for the success of his new mission.

“Let us together uphold the Representative of the Holy Father in Haiti in our prayers and entrust his mission to the intercession of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Patroness of Haiti,” implored Mons. Claude Eric Andriamirado, Chargé d’Affaires at the Nunciature in Haiti.

Source: https://www.aciafrica.org/news/20125/nigerian-born-apostolic-nuncio-in-czech-republic-transferred-to-haiti

Photo: Vojtěch Šrámek, Czech Radio

Zuzana Marešová, one of the 669 mostly Jewish children sent from Prague to London at the outbreak of the Second World War in the rescue operation organised by Nicholas Winton and his colleagues, has died at the age of 94.

Zuzana Marešová, née Spitzerová, was born on January 26, 1932, in Prague, into a religiously and ethnically mixed family.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: radaarchitekti

The New Stage of the National Theatre, listed as a cultural monument since 2021, is set to undergo a two-year renovation, its first major overhaul in more than four decades. The project, estimated at around CZK 2.3 billion, will modernize the building’s technologies, improve acoustics , and introduce a flexible auditorium for up to 500 spectators, all while preserving its exterior appearance.

Recognized as one of the most prominent examples of brutalist architecture in the Czech Republic, the New Stage is known not only for its unique design resembling a glass cube, but also as one of Prague’s most controversial buildings.

See more here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

An aging population is one of the most pressing challenges facing modern society. In the second installment of Radio Prague International’s new edition of Science without Borders, this time brought to you from France, Petr Dobiáš explains how engineering, computer science, and artificial intelligence intersect in the development of a system that can anticipate emergencies, not just react to them, without sacrificing human dignity or privacy.

When would you say that technology and research first started capturing your attention?.

See more here.

Author: Xavier Amedeo Pallas, Barbora Navrátilová

Photo: Anna Kristová, MFDNES + LN / Profimedia

The Roztoky carnival procession is traditionally led by a queen who sets the fashion in terms of colours and shapes. This year red, white and black prevailed.

See more here.

Photo: Ota Blahoušek, Přírodovědecká fakulta UP

In Czechia, where beer is a cultural staple, non-alcoholic beer is fast gaining popularity, especially during Dry February and among young people. Radio Prague International spoke to an expert about modern brewing techniques that help make non-alcoholic brews as good as the real thing – and much more beneficial.

Czechia is known for being a global leader in per capita beer consumption.

See more here.

Author: Romana Grajcarová

Photo: Vojtěch Veškrna, Kunsthalle Praha

Do you trust your gut? Have you ever listened to it — quite literally? ALL THINGS DIGESTING, a new exhibition at Prague’s Kunsthalle, invites visitors into a thought-provoking playground for the senses, where the artist duo sikau/pubalova explore what we digest each day — physically and emotionally.

The most striking impression upon entering the exhibition is the feeling of being submerged in a sea of sound.

See more here.

Author: Hannah Vaughan

Photo: Wolfgang Weiser, Pexels

The halt of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline due to extensive Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure has caused serious problems for Hungary and Slovakia, which are still dependent on Russian oil. Amid rising tensions, Prague has offered Bratislava “a limited volume of oil supplies” to help the neighbor state in the event of a crisis.

The transport of Russian crude oil via the Druzhba pipeline leading through Ukraine has been halted since the end of January, due to extensive Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

See more here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: René Volfík, Czech Radio

The government on Monday extended the validity of a regulation allowing Ukrainian refugees to apply for special long-term residence status. Thousands of people are expected to apply.

According to Interior Ministry statistics, more than 393,000 Ukrainian refugees are currently living in the Czech Republic.

See more here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Pavel Neubauer, TASR / Profimedia

The Visegrád Group was founded on February 15, 1991 as a joint path for three post-communist countries back to Europe. Thirty-five years later, however, it is clear that the original unity has faded and the individual states now pursue different priorities.

When Václav Havel, Lech Wałęsa, and József Antall met in Visegrád in February 1991, their aim was to demonstrate that Central Europe was ready to overcome the legacy of the Soviet era.

See more here.

Photo: Archive of Michal Pavlíček

Few people can boast such a prolific and diverse musical career as Czech composer, guitarist, singer, producer, and lyricist Michal Pavlíček, who celebrates his 70th birthday on Saturday, February 14. Over several decades, he has shaped the sound of Czech rock and beyond, leaving a lasting mark on popular music, theatre, and film.

Michal Pavlíček is most widely known for his work with the band Pražský výběr, one of the most influential Czech music groups of the late 20th century.

See more here.

Author: Romana Grajcarová

Photo: Facebook page of Public Broadcasting

To mark World Radio Day, Radio Prague International spoke with Iryna Slavinska, Director of Radio Culture – the third channel of Ukraine’s public broadcaster Suspilne. What role does radio play in war-torn Ukraine? And what can a station focused specifically on culture contribute?

Iryna Slavinska joined Radio Culture in 2018.

See more here.

Author: Alexis Rosenzweig, Hannah Vaughan

Photo: Ian Willoughby, Radio Prague International

As a presenter on Canal+ Sport Karel Häring is one of the faces of the English Premier League for many Czech football fans. How has he managed the switch after decades as a print journalist? And what is it like working, and travelling, with star player turned pundit Karel Poborský? I discussed these questions and more with Karel Häring at our Prague studios.

When I first met you, you were a print journalist for Deník Sport.

See more here.

Author: Ian Willoughby

The distinctive Roma music genre halgató, known for its slow, mournful songs, could soon be added to Czechia‘s list of intangible cultural heritage. Both musicians and academics are seeking official recognition for the genre, which they describe as an important part of Roma identity passed down through generations.

“The halgató you just heard is called ‘I Went from the Camp in the Evening.

See more here.

Author: Hannah Vaughan

On the occasion of the Japanese Emperor’s 66th birthday and the National Day of Japan, the Ambassador of Japan to the Czech Republic, H.E. Mr. Kansuke NAGAOKA, held a reception at the Marriott Hotel Prague.

A very dramatic Japanese drums open the event.

In front of the President of the Senate RNDr. Miloš Vystrčil, the president of chamber of Deputies, Mr. Tomio Okamura, Mr. Karel Havlicek – 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade, Mr. Jaromír Zůna, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Mr. Jeroným Tejc, Minister of Justice, Mr. Martin Šebestyán, Minister of Agriculture, members of the Senate and of the parliament, and many Ambassadors, government officials, members of the Czech Parliament and Senate, and distinguished guests, H.E. Mr. Kansuke NAGAOKA, RNDr. Miloš Vystrčil, and Mr Tomio Okamura greeted the guests.

Here are selected sections of the Ambassador’s, the President of the Senate, and the President of the Chamber of deputies speeches at the event.

To celebrate the 2026Chinese New Year of the horse H.E Mr. Feng Biao, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Czech Republic, and Mrs. Cai Jingli organized a “Happy Chinese New Year Performance” by Fujian Art Troupe at Divadlo Hybernia, in Prague center.

H.E Mr. Feng Biao welcomed the guest with a nice speech.

Watch the Video with highlights from the Ambassador’s speech and from the culture event.

Happy 2026 Chinese New Year of the Horse

祝您2026年中国马年新年快乐！

The Ambassador of Mongolia to the Czech Republic, H.E. Mr. Gansukh Damdin, and his spouse, hosted a farewell reception at the beautiful Villa Lanna.

Here are selected sections of H.E. Mr. Gansukh Damdin and Mr. Jiří Brodský, deputy minister of foreign affairs, speeches at the event, and highlights of the cultural performance.

We wish H.E. Mr. Gansukh Damdin, a lot of success in his new appointment.

It is important to check the muzzle, which giraffes can sometimes get injured after pulling each other on a branch. Photo Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

A North Nubian giraffe named Johanka is now undergoing veterinary training. She is the first giraffe at Prague Zoo that the keepers train daily. They use the so-called target, treats in the form of giraffe biscuits, and the youthful nature of the one-and-a-half-year-old animal. Visitors to the Africa House can see the regular training with their own eyes. What seems like self-serving petting is actually a sophisticated method.

“Johanka is already letting us touch her head and check her eyes, ears, horns, and mouth. She has learned to respond positively to our target, which is a short handle with a blue balloon. She has associated its presence and the accompanying click of the clicker with treats, and this allows us to, for example, weigh her,” says senior keeper Aleš Doležal.

While the target and treats keep the giraffe busy, the other keeper can check its eyes and ears for inflammation or its horns for occasional abrasions. Photo Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

Although the young giraffe is docile, the desired goal is still far away. In the future, this means taking blood from the jugular vein. Considering the height of these ungulates, a voluntary method conditioned by positive motivation would save the giraffe and the zoo staff the stress associated with the necessary anesthesia.

“I used to take care of elephants, which are more receptive and less conservative. Working with giraffes is different because they are actually very shy animals whose trust you gain quite slowly,” adds Doležal. According to him, it is good to start training with a giraffe at a young age. Young animals are less cautious and more open to new things.

These days, people will see the herd of North Nubian giraffes more in the indoor exhibition of the Africa House. However, it is not uncommon for the seven-member herd to go for walks in the large enclosure even in winter. If the weather is calm, sunny, and there is no danger of frost, even temperatures slightly above zero do not pose the slightest problem to giraffes.

It is noteworthy that the almost sixteen-year-old giraffe Nsia (pictured in the background) probably remembered her own during Johana’s training and now also comes to the keepers for target. Nsia comes from the English Marwell Zoo, where they regularly trained with her in her youth. In the picture, from left, the head keeper Aleš Doležal and keeper Daniel Jančařík. Photo Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

Photo: Julia Piatkowska, Action Press/Shutterstock Editorial/Profimedia

The ceremonial outfits prepared for Czech athletes for the Winter Olympics in Milan–Cortina, featuring shorts and brightly coloured sweaters, faced criticism at home ahead of the Games. But at the opening ceremony last Friday, they drew attention as well as international praise.

The outfits worn by Czech athletes during the parade did not go unnoticed.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková, Anna Kubišta

Photo: e-Sbírky, National Museum

The Czech Republic has sent a record number of athletes to the Winter Olympics in Milan and the country has a good track record of participation in winter Olympic sports. To find the very first Czech medal from the Winter Games, we would have to go back to St. Moritz in 1928, when Czech-German Rudolf Burkert won the bronze in ski jumping.

Rudolf Burkert was born on October 31, 1904, in the village of Polubný in the Jizera Mountains.

See more here.

Photo: Jan Kubelka, Radio Prague International

Why did ice hockey take such deep roots in Czechia – a country far from Scandinavia and Canada? In a special episode of Czechast, Vít Pohanka looks at the history, culture and lasting appeal of Czech ice hockey, from frozen ponds to Olympic gold. The episode also features a fresh interview with legendary goaltender Dominik Hašek, who shares his view on the Czech team’s chances at the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, as well as a look back at his extraordinary career.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Bontonfilm

One of the three most prestigious film festivals in the world, the Berlinale, opens this Thursday in Berlin. Among the Czech films presented this year is Věra Chytilová’s 1979 satirical film PanelStory, or How a Housing Development Is Born.

The film captures a single day in the unfinished Prague housing estate of Jižní Město and was released only two years after its completion, after the communist authorities initially withheld it from cinemas.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Ian Willoughby, Radio Prague International

TV journalist Darja Stomatová has been reporting from Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Last week Stomatová received the Ferdinand Peroutka Prize, perhaps the most prestigious honour in Czech journalism, for her coverage of the conflict. I spoke to the 34-year-old at our studios in Prague.

You’re originally from Kazakhstan and you moved here at the age of about five, in the second half of the 1990s.

See more here.

Author: Ian Willoughby

With a willingness to tackle international challenges and some of the world’s most difficult molecules, Štěpánka Nedvědová’s profile sheds light on the slow, often invisible work behind scientific progress, where persistence matters as much as discovery. In this first instalment of Radio Prague International’s brand new edition of Science without Borders, this time brought to you from France, she goes deeper into what it is like to be a young, ambitious, and proud Czech scientist working abroad.

You describe yourself as a protein explorer and a biophysics enthusiast.

See more here.

Author: Xavier Amedeo Pallas, Barbora Navrátilová

Photo: Markus Spiske, Pexels

Czechia has scored 59 points in the latest Corruption Perceptions Index, equalling its best result to date but still lagging behind the EU average. According to Transparency International analyst Marek Chromý, the country has made clear progress since the 1990s, yet remains stuck in the middle of Europe’s corruption rankings.

Marek Chromý says the country has clearly improved since the early post-communist years, particularly in institutional trust and the functioning of the police and judiciary.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Elena Horálková, Czech Radio

Have you heard of the Czechoslovak Hussite Church? What inspires someone to become a priest? Why are pastors prone to burnout? And can a priest dance on live television? Radio Prague International spoke with Martina Viktorie Voborníková Kopecká, a priest of the Hussite Church who is also a family therapist, author, blogger, and radio host. In a country where much of the population identifies as irreligious, she is a remarkably well-known public figure.

In the late 1910s and early 1920s, Czech reform-minded Catholic priests began advocating changes to their church to better suit the newly established Czechoslovak state after World War I.

See more here.

Author: Hannah Vaughan

Photo: Shutterstock

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) has announced that his government is seriously considering banning social media for children under the age of 15, following the example of France. While flash polls suggest that most parents would approve, many experts are dubious regarding the wisdom of an outright ban.

By the age of 11, close to 80 percent of Czech children have a profile on social media.

See more here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: K. Hájek, Éd. Orbis

One hundred years ago, on February 8, 1926, the Liberated Theatre (Osvobozené divadlo) was founded in Prague – an avant-garde scene that profoundly influenced Czech culture and laid the foundations of modern political satire. It was here that the famous trio Jiří Voskovec, Jan Werich, and composer Jaroslav Ježek emerged, whose work remains one of the most significant chapters in Czech theatre.

The Liberated Theatre was created as part of the artistic movement Devětsil, inspired by the European avant-garde – Futurism, Dadaism, and Poetism.

See more here.

Photo: Jiří Špaček, ČRo

The video of a man stealing a swan on the Vltava River in the centre of Prague made news headlines this week. The incident was captured on video by a passerby, who later handed the footage over to the police. Animal welfare groups have also drawn attention to the case, saying the man has stolen swans from the river previously.

The video that has appeared on newscasts and social networks is relatively short –it shows a man on the embankment luring swans with bird food, grabbing one and carrying it to a parked car, where he locks it up in a cage in the trunk and quickly drives off.

See more here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Kateřina Cibulka, Czech Radio

Russia, security, and uncertainty have returned to the centre of European politics. But security, says analyst Filip Scherf, is not only about threats — it is also about self-confidence, responsibility, and partnerships. In this episode of Czechast, Scherf explains what Russia means for Czechia today, why size matters less than mindset, and what gives him hope in an increasingly fragile world.

Is Russia a threat to Czech society and democracy? It is a question that continues to divide Czech public opinion and political representation — and one that opened the conversation with Filip J.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: public domain

This Friday, the 25th Winter Olympic Games officially get underway in Italy. Few people know, however, that Czechs played an important role in the very first Winter Olympics more than a century ago. The Krkonoše Museum in Jilemnice is now highlighting the Czech role in shaping the first Winter Games.

Jilemnice is a small town at the foot of the Krkonoše, or Giant Mountains, in northeast Czechia.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

The Committee of Good Will – the Olga Havel Foundation will once again present the Olga Havel Award in May. The prestigious award is intended for individuals who, despite their health disabilities, actively help others and contribute to improving life in society.

The public can nominate their candidates via an online form on the website www.cenaolgyhavlove.cz from February 1 to March 20, 2026.

The award ceremony will take place on May 18, 2026 in Prague.

“Olga Havel’s legacy is still extremely relevant after all these years. This year, we commemorate 30 years since her passing, and the values ​​she passed on to the Committee of Good Will still guide our activities today,” says the foundation’s director, Monika Granja.

“The Olga Havel Prize is an integral part of this legacy. It was first awarded in 1995 with the aim of recognizing people with disabilities who, despite their disability, selflessly help others. At the same time, it draws attention to health diagnoses that often remain on the fringes of public and political interest, and to the challenges these people face in their everyday lives,” he adds.

The winner of the Olga Havel Prize will be decided by a jury appointed by the foundation’s board of directors. The laureate will receive the traditional bronze sculpture “Encouragement” by sculptor Olbram Zoubek. Since 2017, the award has also included the Public Prize, for which people can vote online. Like the laureate of the main prize, the winner of the Public Prize will also be presented at a gala evening to be held on May 18, 2026 at the UMPRUM Technology Center.

Last year, the Olga Havel Award was awarded to Lukáš Kroupa, who himself lives with a severe physical handicap and has dedicated his life to helping others and sports for people with disabilities. The Public Award was awarded to Hana Petrová, who inspires with her approach to life and determination to help people with visual impairments.

The nomination form is available on the website www.cenaolgyhavlove.cz, where interested parties can also find further information about the Olga Havel Award and its previous laureates.

Committee of Good Will – Olga Havel Foundation

The Committee of Good Will has been operating since 1990, when the foundation was founded by Olga Havel, the first wife of the President of the Czech Republic, Václav Havel. The foundation continues to build on this legacy. It helps those who cannot take care of themselves due to their adverse health and social conditions. It strives to develop education, spiritual values, human rights and other humanistic values. Thanks to the support of individual and corporate donors, the foundation contributes to health and compensation aids, supports helping organizations and students with health or social disadvantages. During its existence, the Committee of Good Will – Olga Havel Foundation has already helped 32,000 organizations and individuals with an amount of more than a billion crowns.

Releasing bison into the acclimatization pen. Photo Emil Khalilov, WWF

European bison from Prague Zoo and Olomouc Zoo have arrived in Azerbaijan. They will strengthen the reintroduced population in the Shahdag National Park. The original four females have now become five, while waiting for the transport, which was delayed due to the risk of foot-and-mouth disease, a Prague cow gave birth to a calf. The transport, which was organized last week by Tierpark Berlin and the German branch of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), was the largest of its kind. A total of eighteen animals headed to the foothills of the Greater Caucasus: twelve bison from German, Austrian, Hungarian, and Czech zoos, and six from the Rothaargebirge mountains.

“The cooperation of zoos is irreplaceable. Without it, we would not be able to carry out such projects, let alone even think about them. I am glad that the Czech Republic has its mark on this international initiative, one from us from Bohemia and one from our colleagues from Moravia. In addition to the actual transport of animals, we are also contributing to raising awareness of zoos as key institutions for nature conservation,” says Barbora Dobiášová, curator of ungulate breeding at Prague Zoo.

The selection of specific individuals was in charge of the coordinator of the European Breeding Program (EEP) for European bison, who is based in Berlin. The age, health and genetic suitability of each candidate played a role in particular. The animals were transported to the German capital in 2024, where they had the opportunity to get to know each other before the trip. The Berlin Zoo then coordinated the air transport from Frankfurt to Baku on a Boeing 777F cargo plane and their land journey by trucks to the Shahdag National Park.

“Before such a transport, every step – from selecting the animals and carrying out medical examinations to preparing and carrying out the journey itself – requires expertise in veterinary medicine, wildlife management and logistics,” explains Tierpark Berlin’s zoological director Christian Kern. “We accompany the bison the entire time until they arrive safely in the national park.”

A look into the face of one of the three transported bulls. Photo Emil Khalilov, WWF

The bison were released into an acclimatization pen on Wednesday last week, where they will now get used to the local conditions. After that, they will head out into the wild, i.e., into the local vast deciduous forests. Shahdag National Park was established in 2006 and, with 130,000 hectares, is the largest in Azerbaijan and the entire Caucasus. The reintroduction center is located at its eastern tip and was established in 2018.

The following year, the “Return of the Bison to the Caucasus” project began, as part of which 64 bison have already been transported to Azerbaijan. What’s more, they are successfully breeding there. Last year alone, nine cubs were born there, bringing the total number of these ungulates to around 90 in Shahdag. The aim of the project is to create a self-sustaining population of bison in their original habitat. The Caucasus was the last refuge for the bison a century ago.

“The return of the bison after a century is of special importance to our region. Local communities, schools and visitors are getting involved in our work and experiencing first-hand how ecosystems work and the role endangered species play in them,” explains Zeynab Khalilova, project manager at WWF Azerbaijan.

The bison have survived to this day only thanks to zoological institutions. After they were wiped out in the wild in the first third of the 20th century, European experts founded the International Society for the Conservation of the European Bison. Its first output was the European Bison Stud Book. At that time, it was the first studbook of a wild animal species in the world (it is interesting that the second in order was the book for the Przewalski’s horse in 1959). Its first edition, published in the 1930s, registered the last 56 living individuals. Since then, the bison population has been increasing.

The first steps of the bison herd in the acclimatization pen. Photo Emil Khalilov, WWF

In 1952, bison were released into the Białowieża Forest and their successful return to the wild continued in a number of European countries. They currently live in ten European countries. In total, there are over 2,800 bison in the wild. Another several thousand live in game reserves, fenced pastures and zoos. On the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the bison currently has the European status of “near threatened”.

Prague Zoo has been breeding bison since 1948. Since then, over a hundred cubs have been born here. In addition to the Troja area, people can also see them in the enclosure in Prague’s Dolní Počernice from October. In the past, Prague Zoo has provided bison for reintroduction, not only to strengthen the Caucasian population, but also to the Bieszczady National Park in Poland.

A new series of meetings “Women who move business” with the subtitle “Business on the move: New challenges and solutions” started at the premises of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The project was created in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce Prague 1 and the organization Business & Professional Women Czech Republic (BPWCR), with the support of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The host of the opening meeting was the 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček, who emphasized the importance of cooperation between men and women in business and the public sphere in his speech.

“In all the professions where I worked, I had strong women by my side. The path does not lead through quotas, but through stories, explanations and natural cooperation. Women often tend to be more focused on results and stability, while men take more risks. This combination works very well in a team,” said Havlíček.

The main organizer of the series of meetings “Women who move business”, BPWCR President Eva Primus Kovandová, who is also the director of the office of the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce Prague 1, explained that the aim of the series is to open a dialogue on the current challenges of the Czech business environment and to strengthen the role of women as entrepreneurs, leaders and innovators.

“I would like to thank all three organizations that supported this series of meetings. Improving the status and salary of women is a goal that will bring about the achievement of a fair working environment, while at the same time creating many new possibilities and perspectives for development for companies and making them attractive to both potential employees and customers,” said Primus Kovandová.

Equal opportunities strengthen the economy

The debate focused on the topic of equal opportunities and diversity. The owner of D.C.G. Consulting Group, Miroslava Křivánková, drew attention to their direct impact on the performance of the economy.

“Supporting equal opportunities is not a cost. It is an investment with a demonstrable impact on the profit, innovation and competitiveness of the Czech Republic. Without the involvement of women and other underrepresented groups, we will not be able to maintain the performance of the economy in the long term,” emphasized Křivánková.

Her words were also confirmed by Beáta Petrušová, who works as Senior Advisor to the CFO at Generali CEE Holding. “Equal opportunities are not a benefit for us, but a prerequisite for long-term sustainable performance. The difference in remuneration between men and women for 2024 is below one percent,” described Petrušová.

In other sectors and companies, however, gender equality in remuneration is still far from a given. Women’s salaries in the Czech Republic still lag behind men’s by about a fifth, which is a much worse result than the European Union average. The participants in the discussion agreed that change for the better needs to be worked out on many levels.

“The gender pay gap is not just a question of numbers, but of the personal responsibility of each of us. Real change comes from the cooperation of women and men, open dialogue and positive examples from practice. Generation Z sees equality more naturally, and it is all the more important to support this change,” pointed out Aneta Martíšková, Corporate Affairs & CSR Director of Edenred CZ.

Less administration, more space for business

The participants agreed that one of the key steps to support business is reducing the administrative burden. As part of the final commitments, it was announced that a new portal for entrepreneurs will be launched in the near future, which will significantly facilitate orientation in the business environment. The possibilities of simplifying the maintenance of journey books for sole traders and small entrepreneurs were also discussed.

One of the main topics of the discussion was also the adaptability of companies in a rapidly changing economic and technological environment. Beáta Petrušová, who works as Senior Advisor to the CFO at Generali CEE Holding, emphasized that the ability to respond to change must go hand in hand with strategic management. According to her, even a period of uncertainty can be a good time to invest in development and efficiency.

“Adaptability in 2026 means reacting quickly, but making decisions wisely. Change should not be chaos – it should happen where it has a real impact. Processes should not change only in a crisis. The biggest mistake is made by fast-growing companies that underestimate their importance. Changes need to be planned before the crisis, not during it,” explained Petrušová.

About the project:

The “Women Who Move Business” series creates an open platform for sharing experiences, inspiring examples and concrete solutions across the business environment. The organizers want to connect businesswomen, managers, public administration representatives and the professional community and help build an environment that supports fairness, innovation and cooperation.”

About BPWCR:

The goal of the public benefit company Business & Professional Women CR (BPWCR) is to support the professional growth of women at all levels and strengthen their economic independence. Through its projects, it contributes to the protection of women’s rights and overcoming barriers, while emphasizing education and personal development. Key tools include mentoring, networking, and the presentation of female role models.

BPWCR’s vision is to increase the share of women in decision-making roles, minimize the gender pay gap, and improve the full use of women’s talents. Other key international projects in which BPWCR participates include, for example, the UN Global Compact Women’s Empowerment Principles project and the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs.

www.bpwcr.cz

www.equalpayday.cz

TEDxUNYP returns to Prague on Saturday, March 7th, bringing international speakers to the Prague Congress Centre for a one day event focused on how we connect in a changing world.

The 2026 edition introduces the theme “Currents of Connection”, focusing on the often unseen forces that shape how people connect — with each other, with technology, and with the systems that influence daily life. Through stories and ideas drawn from leadership, innovation, psychology, education, and public life, the event will explore what connection really means in a world that is constantly shifting.

The English-language event will bring international speakers to Prague, including Adam Radcliffe, a British Guinness World Record-holding adventurer whose experiences range from trekking through remote jungles and living with hunter-gatherer communities to rowing 3,500 miles across the North Atlantic. He will be joined by Stephen Oommen, flying in from the United States, a former Managing Director at Microsoft and Accenture, who will share insights on how trust and human relationships shape meaningful professional connections.

The programme will also feature voices closer to home. Tereza Hrbková, co-founder and COO of Citymind, will speak about how cities and public institutions can build trust as artificial intelligence becomes part of everyday decision-making. She is joined by Ivana Šedivá, a board member and mentor at Google for Startups and former CMO at companies including Johnson & Johnson, Tesco, and McDonald’s, bringing a global leadership perspective on how questioning and curiosity drive better decisions.

Speakers will tackle questions many organisations and individuals are grappling with right now — from how leadership is changing, to how language shapes belonging, how AI is reshaping identity, why burnout is becoming global, and what education means for the future of democracy.

“We live in a world that’s more connected than ever, yet many people feel more disconnected than before,” said Amit Grinvald, Lead Organiser of TEDxUNYP. “Currents of Connection is an invitation to slow down and notice the forces shaping how we relate — to question what’s pulling us together, what’s pushing us apart, and what kind of connections we actually want to build.”

TEDxUNYP has become a platform for bringing global perspectives to Prague while creating space for meaningful dialogue within its international community. The one-day event will feature live talks alongside opportunities for attendees to connect with speakers and one another throughout the programme.

Tickets for TEDxUNYP 2026 are now available, with limited capacity.

More information and tickets can be found at GoOut.

Photo: Suspilne Ukraine

In a special episode of Czechast, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks openly about the war with Russia, peace talks, and the role Czechia plays in supporting Ukraine. In an exclusive interview for Czech Radio, conducted by Josef Pazderka, Zelenskyy reflects on military cooperation, energy security, and difficult questions facing European societies. The conversation offers a rare insight into how Ukraine’s president sees Czechia — and Europe — at a decisive moment in history.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Jan Beneš, Czech Radio

Stanislav Přibyl, the current bishop of Litoměřice, has been appointed the new Archbishop of Prague. The 54-year-old bishop, who chose the episcopal motto Pax vobis –has said he wants to bring people together in an increasingly troubled world.

“I am filled with a sense of gratitude, above all gratitude to the Lord God that he has chosen me, an ordinary person, for service.

See more here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Kateřina Cibulka, Czech Radio

After two decades in Czech public media and years spent in Brussels, Filip Nerad, now working at Globsec Policy Institute, offers a long-term view of Czechia’s position inside the EU and NATO. In an interview for Czechast, he discusses the country’s growing credibility in Europe, the challenges posed by the new government, and persistent Czech euroscepticism. He also turns to a lighter theme, explaining how Belgian beer culture reveals sides of Europe no summit ever could.

Filip Nerad has seen Czechia’s relationship with Europe from multiple angles.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: OKD

After nearly two and a half centuries, hard coal mining in the Czech Republic has come to an end. The final mining shift surfaced from the ČSM mine in the Ostrava–Karviná coal basin late on Sunday night. A symbolic last cart of coal will be brought to the surface on Wednesday.

After nearly two and a half centuries, hard coal mining in the Czech Republic has come to an end.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Vít Šimánek, ČTK

Czech interest in this year’s Academy Awards will centre on Mr. Nobody Against Putin, a Danish-Czech production nominated in the Best Documentary Feature category. The film contains footage shot surreptitiously by a teacher, Pavel “Pasha” Talankin, who wanted to expose war propaganda in schools in Russia. Talankin had no choice but to flee his native country before the documentary’s release and is now based here in Czechia. Radovan Síbrt is one of Mr. Nobody Against Putin’s two Czech producers – and I spoke to him just days after it also earned a BAFTA nomination.

How and when did you get involved in this project?.

See more here.

Author: Ian Willoughby

Photo: Michal Sladký, iROZHLAS.cz

The annual Ride of the Kings has a new king: ten-year-old Marek Dacík. Continuing a remarkable family legacy, Marek is the 100th historically documented king in the town of Vlčnov.

The annual Ride of the Kings is one of the most celebrated folk customs in the Czech Republic.

See more here.

Photo: Patrik Uhlíř, ČTK

The Nesyt salt marsh, covering almost seven hectares, lies on the edge of the Pálava Protected Landscape Area, established 50 years ago. It is home to many attractive bird species such as blue tits and Bohemian waxwings.

See more here.

Photo: Hannah Vaughan, Czech Radio

On Sunday, tens of thousands of people gathered on Prague’s main squares to support President Petr Pavel amid his dispute with Foreign Minister Petr Macinka (Motorists’ Party) over his refusal to appoint Filip Turek environment minister. The dispute intensified last week after the presidential office released messages sent by Macinka threatening the president with “consequences” for opposing the nomination.

“Long live Pavel!” echoed through Old Town Square, Wenceslas Square, and surrounding streets, filled by an estimated 90,000 people.

See more here.

Author: Hannah Vaughan

Photo: Jolana Nováková, Czech Radio

Seventy years ago, a technical operation took place in Prague that had no precedent in Czechoslovakia at the time. The small Baroque Chapel of St. Mary Magdalene beneath Letná Hill was meant to be demolished to make way for an enormous Stalin monument. In the end, it was saved by being relocated, making it the first building in the country to be preserved in this way.

The Chapel of St Mary Magdalene stands on the banks of the Vltava river, not far from the centre of Prague.

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Photo: Archive of the Pilsen Philharmonic

Less than a year after the establishment of the regional Pilsen Radio station, a 32-member orchestra was founded in February 1946. It was named the Pilsen Radio Orchestra. The ensemble is one of the predecessors of today’s Pilsen Philharmonic.

The orchestra made its first public appearance on 16 April 1946, performing works by Antonín Dvořák and Vítězslav Novák under the baton of its first chief conductor, Gabriel Vágner.

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Photo: Profimedia

Around one fifth of Czech children and adolescents aged nine to fifteen spend more than five hours online every single day. This is according to a new survey conducted by the Czech Statistics Office (ČSÚ).

The survey, which included nearly 84,000 pupils from 1,100 schools across the Czech Republic, focused on students in years four to nine of primary schools and the lower years of grammar schools.

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Author: Hannah Vaughan

Photo: Prague Castle Guard

The Prague Castle Guard is looking to take on new recruits and has relaxed its long-standing selection criteria. For many years, only candidates between 178 and 188 centimeters tall were eligible to serve. The new height range is more tolerant.

The Prague Castle Guard is a specialized military unit with over 100 years of history.

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Author: Daniela Lazarová

The Good Will Committee – Olga Havel Foundation has launched a public collection Light and Heat for Kiev, which responds to the dramatic deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Ukraine during this winter. The goal of the collection is to ensure the operation of Save Ukraine centers in Kiev and its surroundings.

During blackouts, these places provide children and families with safety, warmth, light, food, and the opportunity to stay connected to the world.

Russia’s ongoing and intensifying attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure are causing long-term power, heating, and water outages at a time when temperatures are falling well below freezing. “Winter without electricity and heat is not just a matter of discomfort. It poses a real health risk and further trauma for children and vulnerable families.

With this collection, we want to help keep the places that literally decide today whether people will have somewhere to warm up and feel safe in operation,” says Monika Granja, Director of the Committee of Good Will – Olga Havel Foundation.

The Save Ukraine centers in Kyiv, Irpin, and Hatny currently operate as places of psychological and social support. During power outages, people find heated spaces, the opportunity to prepare hot meals, charge mobile phones, use emergency shelters, or take shelter during air raids. Hundreds of children and adults depend on their operation every day.

The funds raised from the Light and Heat for Kiev collection will be used exclusively for urgent and critical needs, in particular to provide alternative energy sources (generators, charging stations, power banks), heating and fuel for the operation of the centers during long-term outages, equipment for emergency overnight stays and shelter (beds, sleeping bags, thermal blankets), the ability to prepare hot meals even without electricity, basic lighting and safety in the dark.

“The President of the Czech Republic visited Kiev in recent days. In these difficult times, such visits are more important than words can express. It is a great honor for us to have friends who are not afraid to come to Ukraine, join us in person, and show solidarity even when the war continues. Please accept our sincere gratitude for the unwavering support and friendship of the Czech Republic,” said Dariia Bolgar, a representative of the Save Ukraine organization, commenting on the wave of solidarity.

The Light and Heat for Kiev collection is intended for the coming winter months, when the situation is most critical. Every day without help increases the health risks and endangerment of children who have already been deprived of a sense of security by the war.

People can support the Light and Heat for Kiev collection through the Committee of Good Will – Olga Havel Foundation on https://www.darujme.cz/

Committee of Good Will – Olga Havel Foundation

The Committee of Good Will has been operating since 1990, when the foundation was founded by Olga Havel, the first wife of the President of the Czech Republic, Václav Havel. The foundation continues to build on this legacy. It helps those who cannot take care of themselves due to their adverse health and social conditions. It strives to develop education, spiritual values, human rights, and other humanistic values. Thanks to the support of individual and corporate donors, the foundation contributes to health and compensation aids, supports helping organizations and students with health or social disadvantages. During its existence, the Committee of Good Will – Olga Havel Foundation has already helped 32,000 organizations and individuals with the amount of 984 million crowns.

A summary of the key points from the recent address by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

 In his remarks, President Tokayev presented a package of constitutional and institutional reforms aimed at modernizing the state system and strengthening long-term political stability, including proposals to formalize the transfer of presidential powers, establish the position of Vice-President, and move towards a new constitutional model to be endorsed through a nationwide referendum.

Factsheet on President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s Speech at the National Kurultai

Overview

On 20 January 2026, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addressed the National Kurultai (Congress) held in Kyzylorda, outlining a new stage in Kazakhstan’s political development, alongside priorities in foreign policy, economic governance and digital transformation.

In his speech, President Tokayev presented a package of constitutional and institutional reforms aimed at modernising the state system, clarifying governance architecture and strengthening long-term political stability. Central to the address were proposals to formalise presidential succession rules, establish the position of Vice President, and transition to a fundamentally new constitutional model following a national referendum.

The President also addressed Kazakhstan’s foreign policy posture in a changing global environment, reaffirming a balanced, pragmatic and interest-driven diplomacy, as well as economic integration priorities, food security concerns, and the strategic importance of digitalisation and artificial intelligence for national competitiveness.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s Speech

Key Points

Foreign Policy in a Changing Global Environment

• President Tokayev noted that international relations are undergoing profound changes, marked by declining trust, erosion of international law, and rising global militarisation.
• In this context, Kazakhstan’s foreign policy must remain balanced, cautious and firmly anchored in national interests.
• He stressed that diplomatic decisions carry long-term consequences and must be made with professionalism and restraint.
• Diplomacy, he said, should function as a tool for compromise rather than confrontation, reinforcing Kazakhstan’s role as a predictable and responsible international actor.

Human Rights, Rule of Law and Civic Responsibility

• President Tokayev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to building a rule-of-law state, emphasising that legal reform must go hand in hand with the strengthening of civic responsibility and national self-awareness.
• He highlighted the impact of the 2022 constitutional reforms, including the establishment of the Constitutional Court, the creation of cassation courts, and the granting of constitutional status to the Human Rights Commissioner (Ombudsman), as key steps in strengthening the protection of citizens’ rights.
• The President noted that reforms to administrative justice and judicial procedures have improved citizens’ and entrepreneurs’ ability to defend their lawful interests before the courts.
• Tokayev stressed that the principle of “Law and Order” applies equally to all.
• He reiterated the state’s obligation to protect the rights, freedoms, dignity and security of all citizens.

Additional Key Points of Significant Interest

Introduction of the Office of Vice President

• President Tokayev proposed the establishment of the position of Vice President, to be appointed by the President with the consent of Parliament.
• The Vice President would represent Kazakhstan internationally, engage with Parliament, work with domestic and foreign organisations, and perform duties assigned by the President.
• These responsibilities would be explicitly enshrined in the Constitution, providing legal clarity and institutional stability.
• The President stressed that this reform is intended to strengthen governance coherence, not dilute presidential authority. Kazakhstan will continue to function as a presidential republic.

Clear Constitutional Rules for Presidential Succession

• President Tokayev underscored the importance of unambiguous constitutional regulation of presidential succession.
• In the event of early termination of a presidential term, presidential elections must be held within two months, ensuring that any head of state comes to power exclusively through elections.
• He described this principle as fundamental and non-negotiable, reinforcing Kazakhstan’s commitment to electoral legitimacy and political predictability.

Transition to a New Constitutional Model and Strengthening Checks and Balances

• Tokayev stated that the reforms launched in 2022, together with upcoming initiatives to be submitted to a national referendum, mark a transition away from the 1995 constitutional model toward a fundamentally new political system.
• Public endorsement of these reforms, he said, would lead to a renewal of the political system and strengthen long-term stability.
• He noted that 26 laws have already been adopted based on proposals from previous National Kurultai sessions, demonstrating the forum’s growing institutional relevance.
• It is proposed that the appointment of members of the Constitutional Court, Supreme Audit Chamberand Central Election Commission be carried out exclusively with the consent of Parliament.
• Parliament would also receive the power to elect all judges of the Supreme Court upon nomination by the President, marking a significant step in strengthening checks and balances between branches of power.

Reconfiguration of Parliamentary and Advisory Institutions

• The proposed reforms include a move toward a unicameral parliament (to be called “Kurultai”), designed to streamline legislative processes and governance efficiency.
• The new Parliament is proposed to consist of 145 deputies, with up to three deputy speakers and no more than eight standing committees, prioritising efficiency and professionalism over numerical expansion.
• Deputies will be elected exclusively on a proportional basis, strengthening the institutional role and responsibility of political parties. Deputies will be elected for a five-year term, with a revised three-stage legislative procedure: conceptual approval, amendment approval, and final adoption of laws.
• A new Khalyk Kenesi (People’s Council) would be established, assuming key functions of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan in the areas of interethnic and interfaith harmony.
• The People’s Council would also:
• Develop proposals to improve domestic policy
• Promote and explain matters related to state ideology
• Be granted the right of legislative initiative
• Organise the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions and other major humanitarian forums
• The reforms also envisage the abolition of certain administrative structures supporting the current Parliament, the elimination of the post of State Counsellor, and adjustments to the Presidential Administration to better reflect practical governance needs.

Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence as Strategic Priorities

• President Tokayev emphasised that digitalisation and artificial intelligence are reshaping global realities, reducing the importance of population size and rewarding countries that adapt quickly.
• Kazakhstan, he said, has chosen a path of accelerated digital and AI adoption across all sectors of the economy and public administration.
• At the same time, he cautioned that technology alone cannot compensate for weak governance.
• Effective digital transformation requires streamlined management processes, improved organisational culture, and modern public-sector management practices.

Infrastructure for the Future Digital Economy

• Tokayev highlighted the need to build a strong infrastructure base to support a future digital and energy-intensive economy.
• President Tokayev proposed enshrining in the Constitution the institutional and legal foundations of digitalisation, reflecting its growing impact on daily life and fundamental rights.
• He called for the early designation of zones for high-capacity data centres, equipped with:
• Reliable power supply
• Advanced cooling systems
• Robust physical and cyber security
• These measures, he said, are essential for Kazakhstan to remain competitive in emerging digital industries and global value chains.
• President Tokayev stressed that only states that successfully digitise and integrate their history and culture into global digital civilisation will retain agency.
• The President supported the creation of a national digital repository of memory and knowledge, (National Digital Heritage), aimed at systematising archival materials, museum collections, scholarly research and works of art in digital form.

Cultural and Spiritual Development

• President Tokayev emphasised that cultural and spiritual development is a strategic priority of state policy, noting that the success of political and economic reforms depends on the transformation of public consciousness and the strengthening of national values.
• He highlighted large-scale plans to develop cultural infrastructure, modernise museums, theatres and libraries, and support the creative industries.
• The President underscored the importance of promoting Kazakhstan’s cultural and historical heritage internationally, including through UNESCO mechanisms, noting Kazakhstan’s strong standing in the number of elements inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
• He stressed the need to deepen scholarly research into Kazakhstan’s history and civilisation, including the publication of a seven-volume academic history of Kazakhstan, and the organisation of international conferences on the Golden Horde and Turkic civilisation.
• He also linked cultural policy to digital transformation, stressing that only states that successfully digitise and integrate their cultural heritage into the global digital space will retain agency in the modern world.

The collection point will be at the main entrance to the zoo. Photo Oliver Le Que, Prague Zoo

The Prague Zoo has prepared a special event for schoolchildren for the autumn holidays. Every child under 15 who hands in their old mobile phone for recycling at the main entrance will receive entry to the zoo on Friday, January 30 for just one crown.

The mining of rare metals, such as niobium and tantalum, which are crucial for the production of mobile phones, contributes to the deforestation of Central African forests. Their reuse reduces the pressure on the local inhabitants – including pangolins, elephants, and gorillas. In addition, the Prague gorillas will have a special program on Friday.

Demonstration of the meaning of recycling old phones. Photo Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

In addition to the above, recycling mobile phones also reduces the amount of electronic waste, which can release toxic substances into nature when decomposed in a landfill. Last but not least, for each mobile phone handed in, the Prague Zoo will receive 10 CZK from the company Remobil and another 10 CZK from the company Asekol to the collection account, helping them survive. From these funds, support will be provided for the protection of lowland gorillas in Cameroon, where Prague Zoo has been running the Wandering Bus project for the fourteenth consecutive year.

Special feeding of lowland gorillas will take place on Friday in both pavilions. The first to receive enrichment will be the gorilla family group in the Dja Reserve pavilion, led by the silverback male Kisumu (pictured). Photo Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

On the occasion of Friday’s event, gorillas at Prague Zoo will receive gifts. At 10 a.m., a family group with cubs in the Dja Reservation pavilion will share the new enrichment, and at 3 p.m., a male group inhabiting the Méfou Center will be delighted. The accompanying program in the Dja Reservation African Class will also show interested parties how to recycle mobile phones in practice, while the children will be entertained and educated by thematic game stations.

More information can also be found at https://remobil.cz/mobiljakovstupenka/ 

Source: Kristýna Marková, Radio Prague International

Radio Prague International is celebrating 90 years since the launch of international broadcasting this year. To mark the anniversary, it has prepared a new series of QSL cards, which are among the most distinctive visual artefacts linked to the tradition of shortwave radio.

To this day, Radio Prague International has preserved the decades-long tradition of issuing QSL cards—postcards sent to listeners to confirm reception reports.

See more here.

Author: Klára Stejskalová, Ruth Fraňková

Photo illustrative: RebeccasPictures, Pixabay, Pixabay License

Over the past five years, total fertility rate in Czechia has fallen from 1.83 to below 1.3 children per woman. While declining fertility is a trend shared by most countries of comparable wealth, the drop in Czechia is among the steepest – fifth worldwide. What lies behind it? What has Covid-19 got to do with it? And what has changed since the 1990s? Radio Prague International spoke with sociologist Martin Kreidl to find out.

Last year, the United Nations reported that global fertility rates are in “unprecedented decline.

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Author: Hannah Vaughan

Photo: Naoki Morita, AFLO/Profimedia

With the Winter Olympics in Milan just around the corner, we’re taking a closer look at some of Czechia’s biggest medal hopefuls. One of the brightest new stars is speed skater Metoděj Jílek, just nineteen years old and already a newly crowned long-distance World Cup champion.

For many years, Czech speed skating was almost synonymous with one name: Martina Sáblíková.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Radek Šrettr Úlehla, CAMP

The 1990s were a period of optimism following the fall of communism in Czechoslovakia. The country underwent a rapid crash course in capitalism, and its sudden shift was also reflected in its architecture. Today, 1990s buildings are often mocked for their excess and perceived lack of taste. A new book and exhibition, DEVADE, aim to challenge that judgement. But has enough time passed?

To find out, Radio Prague International spoke with Štěpán Bärtl, Head of CAMP.

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Author: Hannah Vaughan

Photo: Václav Hodina, PKF – Prague Philharmonia

The Prague Philharmonia performed at Carnegie Hall, one of the world’s most prestigious concert venues, marking its return to the United States after several years. Conducted by Emmanuel Villaume, the concert offered not only a showcase of European repertoire but also a moment of direct encounter with American audiences, whose openness and diversity Villaume sees as central to the U.S. concert experience.

For any European orchestra, a concert in the United States carries a particular weight — and a performance at Carnegie Hall more so than anywhere else.

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Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Petr Hejna, DPP

In January 2006, the Škoda 14T tram, nicknamed the “Porsche” because of its design by Porsche Design, made its debut in Prague. Today, two decades later, these controversial vehicles are an unmistakable part of the streets of Prague.

When the first 14T appeared on the tracks, expectations were high: a modern, partially low-floor tram with a capacity of 270 passengers and a futuristic look.

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Photo: Andy Paradise, BBC Proms

Conductor Jakub Hrůša has become a pop star of Czech classical music. In this episode of Sunday Music, he takes us on a journey through Richard Strauss’s Lieder, spanning nearly seventy years of the composer’s creative life. Hrůša – here not only conducting but also accompanying on piano – works in harmony with soprano Kateřina Kněžíková to guide us from Strauss’s youthful early songs to the deeply reflective ‘Vier letzte Lieder,’ composed near the end of his life.

Recorded live at Prague’s Rudolfinum with the Bamberger Symphoniker, the album ‘Richard Strauss: Vier letzte Lieder & Songs with Piano – Tag und Nacht’ (Supraphon, 2024) captures Strauss’s extraordinary gift for musical intimacy, lyrical beauty, and nuanced emotional expression.

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Peasants have long been sidelined in history books. Jakub Beneš, Associate Professor at UCL’s School of Slavonic and East European Studies in London, seeks to restore them to the historical narrative, focusing on the area of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. In his new book, he reveals the overlooked peasant movements and revolutions that shaped the politics of the first half of the 20th century. In an interview with Radio Prague International, he explains why this underrepresented perspective is so compelling and draws possible parallels with the present.

Until 1918, the Czech lands formed part of the Habsburg Monarchy, ruled from Vienna.

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Author: Hannah Vaughan

Photo: Kateřina Cibulka, Czech Radio

In a new episode of Czechast, the podcast in English about all things Czech, former Czech NATO ambassador Jakub Landovský reflects on Ukraine, NATO and Europe’s hard lessons. Drawing on his own experience inside the Alliance, he speaks openly about disillusionment, strategy and power. He also looks back at 1989 and explains where he still finds hope today.

Jakub Landovský does not believe that good intentions alone can protect international order.

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Author: Vít Pohanka

Source: Adept

Miloš Forman Square in central Prague is set for a major transformation. This week, city officials announced the winner of an international architectural competition for the site at the end of Pařížská, Czechia’s most expensive street, near the Vltava riverbank. The redesign will be led by the Danish studio ADEPT.

The winning design by Danish studio ADEPT was announced at a ceremony at Prague’s Center for Architecture and Metropolitan Planning, known as CAMP.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Jan Salač, Tomas Bata University in Zlín

Scientists from the Faculty of Technology and the Centre of Polymer Systems at Tomas Bata University in Zlín are developing an advanced model of the human small intestine. The main goal behind this effort is to replace animal testing in developing new drugs.

In cooperation with the Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, researchers in Zlin aim to create laboratory-grown tissue that closely mimics the real small intestine and could help drug development and research into intestinal diseases without the need for animal testing.

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Author: Daniela Lazarová