AuthorMartin Hladík

On the occasion of the 2026 Austrian National Day, H.E. Mr. Philipp CHARWATH, the Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to the Czech Republic, Mag. Klaus Hofstadler, the Commercial Counsellor, and Dr. Erwin Hanslik MRICS, President of the Association of Austrians in the Czech Republic, hosted a reception at the Beautiful Žofín Palace in the center of Prague.

The honored speakers were Mr. Andrej Babiš – the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, and Mr. Tomio Okamura – The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Parliament of the Czech Republic.

Watch the video of the speeches of H.E. Mr. Philipp CHARWATH, the Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to the Czech Republic, Mr. Andrej Babiš – the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, and Mr. Tomio Okamura – The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Parliament of the Czech Republic.

Happy National Day Austria – Alles Gute zum Nationalfeiertag Österreich

HEALTH IS MORE THAN TREATMENT

Health is shaped not only by medicine, but also by dignity, access, education and whether patients are truly heard. Meet three Women Changing the World Awards winners who are opening new conversations around women’s health, migraine and personal responsibility for well-being.

Women Changing The World: Meet The Women Expanding The Conversation About Health

Some of the most important changes in healthcare begin before a new treatment is developed. They begin when an overlooked experience is finally taken seriously, when patients gain a stronger voice, or when people are given better tools to understand and care for their own health.

The Women Changing the World Awards Czech & Slovak Edition recognise women whose work creates meaningful impact across healthcare, prevention, well-being and patient advocacy. This week, we introduce the three 2025 award recipients in the Health category – women whose approaches are very different, but who share one important principle: health becomes stronger when people are informed, respected and involved.

Lilia Khousnoutdinova

Women’s health, respectful care and systemic change | 1st place

Lilia Khousnoutdinova is a social scientist, writer, lecturer and philanthropist whose work has long focused on women’s health, reproductive rights and respectful maternity care. With an academic background that includes Oxford and the London School of Economics, she connects research, advocacy and practical projects. Through the Propolis 33 Foundation, she has supported access to midwifery services, including care for women in difficult social situations, while also working with professionals, parents and institutions. Her work shows that improving healthcare is not only about clinical outcomes; it is also about dignity, informed choice and creating systems that listen more closely to women’s real experiences.

Rýza Blažejovská

Patient advocacy and changing the perception of migraine | 2nd place

Rýza Blažejovská founded and leads Migréna-help after her own experience with chronic migraine revealed how easily an invisible illness can be misunderstood or minimised. What began as a personal experience developed into a patient organisation providing information, support and advocacy for people living with migraine. Through public campaigns, patient meetings and dialogue about access to treatment, Migréna-help has helped move migraine from the margins of public discussion into a more serious healthcare conversation. Rýza’s work is an example of how patient experience, when transformed into organised advocacy, can influence awareness, reduce stigma and help people feel less alone in navigating chronic illness.

Petra Uríková

Health education and practical self-care | 3rd place

Petra Uríková is a trained physician, therapist and educator who created the online platform Uzdrav sám sebe. Her work focuses on health education and on helping people become more attentive to their own bodies, habits and everyday choices. She teaches through online and live courses and draws on her medical education as well as her training and practice in traditional Chinese medicine and other complementary approaches. Rather than positioning health as something that happens only in a consulting room, her work emphasises learning, prevention and personal participation. Her contribution to the category reflects another dimension of changing health culture: making health knowledge more accessible and encouraging people to take an active role in their well-being.

These three women work in very different parts of the health landscape – from systemic reform and women’s reproductive health, through patient advocacy, to public education. Together, their stories show that changing health does not always begin with a breakthrough technology. Sometimes it begins by asking whose experience is missing, whose voice needs to be heard and what people need in order to participate more fully in their own care.

Discover more Women Changing the World Awards winners → https://thewomenchangingtheworld.cz

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

H.E. Ms. Tshoki Choden, new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Bhutan, based in Brussels

H.E. is Mr. Sidi Aly Sidi Aly, the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Mauritanian and Islamic Republics, based in Berlin.

photo: Tomas Fongus

Foto: Antoan Pepelanov, Radio Prague International

La decimoquinta edición del festival reunirá una vez más a la comunidad argentina en la capital checa con una rica programación que incluye comedias, dramas e historias de inmigración, además de películas que abordan temas tan variados como la identidad, el duelo, la espiritualidad y los debates contemporáneos sobre quién escribe, quién crea y qué significa hoy la autoría.

Puedes escuchar la entrevista completa haciendo clic en el play de la imagen principal.

See more here.

Author: Juan Pablo Bertazza

Photo: Archive of Alexandr Vondra

What made Václav Havel a leader people trusted? In Czechast, Alexandr Vondra recalls their years in the dissident movement and the transition from opposition to working at Prague Castle. Through memories of underground publishing, speechwriting and Havel’s gift for listening, he offers a personal perspective on the man and his legacy.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Joe Buglewicz, Getty Images/AFP/Profimedia

When 18-year-old Czechoslovak tennis player Martina Navrátilová sought political asylum in New York during the 1975 US Open, she became overnight a symbol of resistance to communist rule and a rising star of world tennis. She lost her homeland but built an extraordinary career, winning a record 59 Grand Slam titles. Today, Navrátilová celebrates her 70th birthday.

The story of one of the greatest female athletes of all time began in what was then Czechoslovakia.

See more here.

Photo: Petr Bušta, Czech Radio

A historic Spitfire fighter aircraft that served with a Czechoslovak squadron of the British Royal Air Force during the Second World War has returned to Czechia after decades abroad. It was officially unveiled at Točná airfield in Prague, drawing hundreds of spectators.

The Spitfire made several low passes over Točná airfield before landing.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Hana Dočkalová, MFDNES + LN / Profimedia

The traditional fish harvest in Šumvald offered several species of freshwater fish, including carp, grass carp, pike, zander, catfish and tench. There is good news for fish lovers: despite this year’s extreme heat and drought, supplies of fish are expected to be plentiful and fish farms are not planning any major price increases.

See more here.

Photo: Iva Havlíčková, Czech Radio

The father of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud was born 170 years ago in Příbor, northern Moravia. The house where he was born is open to the public following an extensive reconstruction, and this year his hometown has prepared a special exhibition to mark the anniversary.

Called House of Dreams, the exhibition offers more than just a walk through the house where Freud was born.

See more here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

Illustrative photo: GASK

Looking at paintings, creating art or attending a concert as part of mental health care. Cultural institutions are joining forces with experts from the National Institute of Mental Health to explore how cultural activities can support mental well-being. Together, they have established a National Platform for Prevention through Culture.

The idea of using art to support mental health is not new.

See more here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Senát PČR

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s ANO movement failed to win a single seat in Czechia’s latest Senate elections, leaving the opposition with a comfortable majority. In this special episode of Czechast, Vít Pohanka examines the results and why low turnout calls for caution when interpreting them. He also traces the Senate’s history and explains its powers, its role as a constitutional safeguard, and why calls to abolish it have so far failed.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Štěpánka Budková, Radio Prague International

The former Rolava-Sauersack tin mine in the Ore Mountains was once a site of forced labour, built by the Nazis. Now, archaeologists are using scanning technology to create a virtual reconstruction of the abandoned mine, known for its striking concrete ruins and eerie atmosphere.

Tin mining in the Ore Mountains, situated along the Czech-German border in north-western Czechia, dates all the way back to the Middle Ages.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

The Czech bluegrass band Druhá tráva with Robert Křesťan were formed 35 years ago this year. Celebrations are set to culminate with a show in Prague.

Robert Křesťan, a lyricist, singer and guitarist, set up Druhá tráva in 1991 with banjo player Luboš Malina.

See more here.

Photo: Barbora Němcová, Radio Prague International

Last week the Pavel Haas Quartet picked up a prestigious Gramophone award for the album Martinů: String Quartets Nos 2, 3, 5, 7. It is by no means the first Gramophone prize for the Prague-based classical ensemble, who BBC Music Magazine named one of the 10 greatest string quartets of all time. I discussed their latest success with cellist Peter Jarůšek.

“A few years back we decided to play Martinů’s quartets.

See more here.

Author: Ian Willoughby

Photo: Khalil Baalbaki, Czech Radio

Tomki Němec is a Czech documentary photographer best known for his work with the late dissident playwright and president Václav Havel. He accompanied Havel from 1989 to 1992, a period he has described as one of the most powerful and positive experiences of his life. In 2016, he published a major collection of photographs of Havel. His new book, Václav Havel – Tomki Němec, Post scriptum, is coming out soon.

Speaking to Czech Radio, Němec recalled how he first started photographing Havel in December 1989, about a week before he was elected president.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Vít Šimánek, ČTK

Two 355-metre-high radio transmitter towers in Liblice, Central Bohemia, were demolished on Thursday.

For nearly 50 years, the towers, which were 120 metres apart, had been the tallest structures in the country.

See more here.

MEET THE WOMEN REDEFINING BUSINESS

Businesses are built through numbers, systems and strategy. But behind every company that changes its market is someone who first saw an opportunity where others did not. Meet three entrepreneurs recognised by the Women Changing the World Awards Czech & Slovak Edition.

Women Changing The World: Meet The Women Redefining Business

Entrepreneurship is often reduced to growth, revenue and scale. Yet the businesses that leave a lasting mark usually begin with something more fundamental: the decision to enter a difficult space, professionalise an emerging field or create a better model for clients and customers.

The Women Changing the World Awards Czech & Slovak Edition recognise women whose business activity creates value beyond the business itself. This week, we introduce three women from the business category who have built careers in very different environments – heavy industry, professional coaching and veterinary care.

Shivani Tiwari

International business in heavy industry

Shivani Tiwari is an Indian entrepreneur who chose to start again in a new country and build a company in one of the most demanding and traditionally male-dominated industries. Since 2016, she has led SCHMIDT ROZMER s.r.o., developing it into an international supplier of technical components and industrial solutions. The company operates across Europe and the MENA region and works with major industrial partners, including steel and port-sector clients. Her story is a reminder that entrepreneurship is not limited to fashionable sectors. It can also mean succeeding in complex B2B markets where credibility is built through technical precision, discipline, reliability and long-term relationships.

Lenka Zelingrová, PCC

Professional coaching and leadership development

Lenka Zelingrová is a coach, entrepreneur and founder of Koučink Centrum, established in 2005. For more than two decades she has helped individuals, leaders, teams and organisations translate potential into practical results while also contributing to the development of professional coaching in the Czech Republic. She was among the founding members of the Czech ICF community and has worked to bring coaching into companies, education, healthcare and sport. Her business represents an important type of entrepreneurship: building not only a company, but also professional standards, education and an ecosystem around an emerging discipline.

Marta Kvasňovská Koudelková

Veterinary care and specialised services

MVDr. Marta Kvasňovská Koudelková is a veterinarian and owner of a veterinary clinic in Prague. Her work combines general medicine for dogs and cats with specialist services including tailored nutritional counselling and regenerative treatment using stem-cell approaches. In veterinary practice, innovation is often less visible than in technology or manufacturing, yet it can directly affect the quality of care and the relationship between professionals, animals and their owners. By developing a practice that combines medical expertise, specialised services and close client communication, she represents entrepreneurship rooted in expertise and everyday trust.

These women operate in completely different markets, yet their stories share the same underlying principle: a business becomes meaningful when expertise is transformed into value that others can rely on. From industry to human development to animal health, entrepreneurship can change a market one carefully built system at a time.

Discover more Women Changing the World Awards winners → https://thewomenchangingtheworld.cz

Dear colleagues,

We are appealing to you to support Ukrainian journalists who, for more than four years of war, have been risking their lives to bring truthful and independent information directly from the front lines. Many have lost their newsrooms, work equipment, homes, and loved ones, or have been injured. Yet, they continue their work.

The Syndicate of Journalists of the Czech Republic has been assisting Ukrainian colleagues since the start of the Russian invasion. To date, we have provided 1.1 million CZK in support from our own funds. Now, we wish to expand this aid and are turning to you, our members, for help.

On October 9, we launched a public fundraiser titled “So the Truth Does Not Fall Silent: Aid for Ukrainian Journalists” via the Donio charity platform. The proceeds will go to the Solidarity Centers of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine, which provide direct assistance to journalists in affected areas.

The funds raised will be used primarily to purchase protective gear, drone detectors, bulletproof vests, generators, and charging stations. They will also assist journalists who have lost their work facilities, as well as the families of colleagues who have lost their lives or gone missing while performing their journalistic duties.

We therefore call upon all members of the Syndicate of Journalists of the Czech Republic: Please join the fundraiser according to your means.

The size of the contribution does not matter; even a small amount can help. It is equally important to spread the word about the fundraiser—among colleagues in newsrooms, among friends, and via social media.

Journalistic solidarity should not stop at national borders. Today, our Ukrainian colleagues are facing conditions that are hard to imagine in our own daily editorial work. Yet, they are doing exactly what we do: seeking facts, verifying information, and informing the public.

Let us show them that they are not alone.

You can contribute directly via the fundraiser page:

https://donio.cz/pomoc-ukrajinskym-novinarum

We thank everyone who decides to help, as well as those who share this appeal with others.

Board of the Syndicate of Journalists of the Czech Republic

We are excited to inform you that Pražák and Friends will return to Hlahol for a special concert on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 11 a.m.

Last year’s festival of Pražák & Friends Festival, which took place at the historic Hlahol Hall during September and October 2025, was a big success.

The program for this year is :

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart:String Quintet in G minor, K. 516 (1787)
• Ennio Morricone:Vivo for String Trio (2001)
• Bohuslav Martinů:Serenade No. 2, H. 216 (1932)
• Bohuslav Martinů:String Quintet, H. 164 (1927)

Featured Artists

• The Pražák Quartet
• Eva Krestová (Viola, Czech Republic):Principal violist of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, international competition laureate, and frequent performer on stages from Carnegie Hall to Wigmore Hall (stepping in for retired founding violist Josef Klusoň).
• Peter Sagaischek (Viola, Austria):Long-time principal violist and soloist with the Vienna Volksoper Orchestra, renowned international chamber musician, and frequent collaborator with top European ensembles.

Tickets are CZK 500 and are available at this link: Buy Tickets Here.

https://connect.boomevents.org/en/prazak/prazak-at-hlahol-2026

Foto: Juan Pablo Bertazza, editorial Universum

En su flamante libro Direcciones de Praga, la periodista Stanislava Jarolímková revela cómo la capital checa puede leerse a través de sus domicilios: las trece direcciones de Kafka en el centro histórico, los orígenes de la Radio Checa en dos colinas emblemáticas, la vida de Langweil en un hogar ya demolido, el insólito lugar elegido por Rodolfo II para residir y la tradición inaugurada por Masaryk que se mantiene hasta hoy. A ese mapa se suma también la historia del parque de atracciones Matějská, que a lo largo de los años cambió de sede varias veces antes de instalarse en Holešovice, dejando tras de sí un rastro de anécdotas, episodios curiosos y alguna que otra sombra. Jarolímková ilumina la gran correspondencia que hay detrás de todos estos domicilios: cómo la ciudad moldeó la vida de sus habitantes ilustres y cómo ellos, a su vez, contribuyeron a construir la Praga de hoy.

Cada año se publican en Chequia entre 14.

See more here.

Author: Juan Pablo Bertazza

Photo: Signal Festival

The annual Signal Festival of light kicks off in Prague on Thursday, with 21 installations by Czech and international artists across the city. For the first time this year, the festival will take visitors to Dejvice and feature a dedicated zone showcasing student projects. I spoke to the festival’s programme coordinator, Daniel Burda, and started by asking him about this year’s theme, Dreams and Visions.

“It’s always somehow complicated because it’s a very conceptual approach, but given that we plan quite a long time ahead, we always set a theme that helps guide the artists when we launch our collaboration with them.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Source: Amanita Design

Czech computer games are currently one of the country’s biggest export articles, with games such as Mafia, Kingdom Come or Vietcong selling millions of copies worldwide. Now one of the top players in the Czech gaming industry – Amanita Design, is preparing a sequel to its most successful product.

Active since 2003, Amanita Design have released popular titles such as Samorost, Creaks, Phonopolis, but their most successful product is Machinarium from 2009.

See more here.

Author: Daniel Sywala

Photo: KRNAP

The unique Arctic-like tundra landscape of the Krkonoše Mountains in northern Czechia is gradually disappearing as rising temperatures allow shrubs, tall grasses and dwarf bushes to spread across the mountain ridges. The Krkonoše National Park administration is looking for ways to protect rare cold-adapted plants while respecting natural processes in one of the country’s most valuable and protected nature reserves.

The changes are increasingly visible on the slopes and summits, including Studniční hora, the second-highest peak in the Krkonoše range.

See more here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Marek Hensl, Czech Radio

The human heart can show signs of trouble long before heart failure develops. A scientist in Brno is researching how routine ECG tests could help doctors detect these warning signs. Her work has won first prize in an international competition for young cardiovascular researchers.

Zuzana Koščová was born in eastern Slovakia but chose to pursue her scientific career in Brno, at the Institute of Scientific Instruments of the Czech Academy of Sciences.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Kranich17, Pixabay, Pixabay License

Czechia’s mountain passes are important corridors for birds migrating across Europe each autumn. In the Krkonoše and Jeseníky Mountains, ornithologists observe and ring birds travelling from northern Europe to wintering grounds as far away as India. But as winters become milder, some species are shortening their journeys or remaining farther north.

Two such corridors can be found in the Krkonoše, or Giant Mountains, along the Czech-Polish border, and the Jeseníky Mountains in northern Moravia.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Veronika Janečková

The Polévka, která pomáhá or Soup that Helps charity organization earned its record number of sales for a rainy day this weekend in the town of Brandýs nad Labem-Stará Boleslav north of Prague, raising over 300,000czk for the Brandýs Mental Health Center and the Help the Bees workshop in the city. Sierra Krueger-Wolfe was there.

Šárka Bartoníčková has been hosting Polévka, která pomáhá events in Brandýs nad Labem-Stará Boleslav since 2022.

See more here.

Photo: Tamara Petržílová, SONS

The Bílá pastelka campaign held annually across Czechia will kick off in mid-October. It aims to help people with visual impairments to live more independent lives and enable them to engage in a broader scope of activities.

Mobility and orientation exercises, training of guide dogs and employment support for people with visual impairments.

See more here.

Author: Daniel Sywala

Photo: Klára Škodová, Czech Radio

David Koller, one of the best-known Czech rock musicians, has released his sixth studio album. Called Nebudem se bát, or We Won’t Be Afraid, it features a number of prominent guest artists, including the world-famous guitarist Al Di Meola. You can hear some of the tracks from the new album in today’s edition of Sunday Music.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Shutterstock

Czechs are among the leading nations in Europe when it comes to growing food at home. Indeed, a CVVM survey published this week found that no less than 70 percent of people in Czechia cultivate their own fruit and veg – 62 percent in their gardens and 8 percent on their balconies. But why is this practice so common? I spoke to Jan Vávra, an academic who does research in this area.

“It’s quite a high level, but it’s not surprising, because it’s a tradition.

See more here.

Author: Ian Willoughby

Photo: Karolína Němcová, Czech Radio

Czech author Petra Hůlová’s first novel, which came out when she was still in her early 20s, became a bestseller, and since then her works have been translated into over a dozen languages. Her latest title in English is The Long Version, translated by Hůlová’s regular collaborator Alex Zucker. Written from the perspective of a female author in her 50s, it explores themes of gender, potential abuse and intergenerational tensions.

What was the original spark for the whole idea of The Long Version? Or why did you want to write this book?.

See more here.

Author: Ian Willoughby

Photo: Ruth Fraňková, Radio Prague International

A new exhibition at Prague’s Museum of Decorative Arts, part of this year’s Designblok, shines a light on mass-produced lamps made in Czechoslovakia from the 1950s to the 1980s. I went to have a look and spoke to the exhibition’s curator Eva Slunečková.

What was the initial idea for this exhibition? Who came up with the idea in the first place?.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Václav Pancer, ČTK

Falling water levels at the Lipno reservoir in Southern Bohemia have uncovered dozens of gravestones from the former cemetery in Dolní Vltavice, a village that was flooded in the 1950s. Experts are now recovering the stones and considering how best to preserve them.

The Lipno reservoir was built on the upper reaches of the Vltava River between 1952 and 1958.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

On the occasion of the National Day of the Republic of Korea, H.E. Mr. Dong Han YANG, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Czech Republic, and his spouse, and Mr. Keunwon PARK, First Secretary, and his spouse hosted a reception at the Marriott Hotel in Prague.

The Honored Speaker was Mr. Karel Havlicek – Deputy PM and Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic.

Watch the video with the speeches of H.E. Mr. Dong Han YANG, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Czech Republic, Mr. Karel Havlicek – Deputy PM and Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, and highlights from the beautiful culture program.

MEET THE WOMEN SHAPING TECHNOLOGY

Technology is not only about what we build. It is also about the problems we choose to solve. From cybersecurity education and sustainable modular construction to artificial intelligence governance, meet three women using technology to create meaningful change.

Women Changing The World: Meet The Women Shaping Technology

Technology is often described through products, platforms and systems. But its real impact depends on the people who decide what those technologies should solve, whom they should protect and how responsibly they should be used.

The Women Changing the World Awards Czech & Slovak Edition celebrate women who bring technology into the real world – into families, companies, buildings and public life. This week, we introduce three women whose work represents very different, but equally relevant, dimensions of technological change.

Martina Sokolíková

Cybersecurity education and child protection

Martina Sokolíková is a police officer, lecturer and preventive specialist in cybersecurity, and the author of the educational project (Ne)Bezpečná síť. Her work focuses especially on protecting children in the online environment and helping parents understand the real risks connected with social media, gaming and digital communication. Rather than treating cybersecurity as a purely technical issue, she translates it into concrete situations families can recognise and act on. Her contribution lies in connecting professional knowledge, prevention and public education – making digital safety understandable before a problem occurs, not only after it has happened.

Gabriela Juřenčáková

Sustainable modular construction

Ing. Gabriela Juřenčáková is co-owner and designer at Eko modular, a Czech company focused on modular timber buildings. With a professional background in construction, timber structures and passive houses, she brought technical know-how into a business built around the idea that housing can be faster, more flexible and more sustainable. Together with her business partner and husband, she has helped develop Eko modular from an early entrepreneurial project into a recognised modular-building company with more than one hundred completed projects. Her work challenges the idea that modular construction means compromise – and instead shows how design, efficiency, sustainability and healthy living can be developed together.

Katarína Mikle

AI governance, data protection and responsible technology

Katarína Mikle works at the intersection of artificial intelligence, data, cybersecurity and governance. As CEO of POBEST and President of AISA – Slovak AI Alliance, she helps organisations approach AI not only as an opportunity, but as a field that requires transparency, security and clear responsibility. Her expertise includes AI governance, GDPR, information security and management systems, with a strong focus on helping companies bring emerging technologies under practical control. She represents a crucial part of the technology conversation: innovation is not only about moving fast, but also about knowing how to build trust, accountability and rules that allow technology to be used responsibly.

These three stories show how broad the meaning of technology has become. It can protect a child online, redesign how we build and live, or create the governance needed for responsible artificial intelligence. Technology changes the world most effectively when technical expertise meets human needs.

Discover more Women Changing the World Awards winners → https://thewomenchangingtheworld.cz

The young orange-breasted lorikeet is a European rarity. Its gender is visible to the naked eye thanks to the emerging orange bib, which is the domain of males. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

The first-ever orange-breasted lorikeet cub is growing up in the Prague Zoo. This delicate parrot was successfully bred here for the first time in Czech zoos. The rarity is not only the rearing of a species that only three other institutions breed in Europe, but also the exemplary care of an inexperienced parental couple. Renowned as a breeder’s challenge due to their high demands for cleanliness, the Loríčci live mainly in New Guinea and nearby islands in several species. They are also known as “fig parrots”, because the flesh of figs is an essential part of their diet.

“The parent couple surprised us several times. First, with precise nesting activity and then by laying a healthy-looking egg. Thirdly, we were amazed to find out that the egg was actually fertilized, and I’m not afraid to say that in the end we were amazed that they took the offspring in an exemplary manner and raised it completely naturally. This is unusual for many bird species, and it is doubly true in the case of lorikeets,” says bird curator Antonín Vaidl, adding that the cub remains in the quiet background of the zoo.

The small orange-breasted lorikeet remains in the background of the zoo, specifically in the Indonesian Jungle pavilion, where it thrives in temperature and humidity adapted to forest species. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

The little orange-breasted loon hatched on May 27 after about 20 days of incubation. Now the breeders know that it is a male. This smallest species of lorikeet has been kept by the Prague Zoo since 2018, when it acquired the first birds from the specialized bird park Walsrode in Germany. It can be seen in the exhibition on the Parrot Trail since 2022, while a year later the first chick hatched here. However, it died the next day. However, the current addition is in excellent condition and, at the age of four months, can almost be considered bred.

The Prague Zoo also reports success with other loris species. Red-bearded lorikeets settled in the garden as early as 1997, and the zoo is proud of more than thirty breedings of them, the first of which was successful in 2003. The golden-eared lorikeet from the Rákos pavilion is also an absolute rarity: in continental Europe it can currently only be seen in the Prague Zoo. This species was propagated by the team of curator Antonín Vaidl for the first time in 2022.

An adult pair of orange-breasted warblers. The male (left) has orange colored feathers over a larger body area than the female (right). Photo by Antonín Vaidl, Prague Zoo

The advantage of breeding several types of lorikeets is the possibility of placing the young under an experienced pair of another species. In the background of the garden, one chick is growing up in this way – it is a small red-bearded lorikeet with foster parents, golden-eared lorikeets. Two years ago, however, it was the other way around, when experienced redbeards took hold of a golden-eared cub.

Loríčci, despite their Czech family name, are not closely related to the better-known lories. But they are united by the New Guinea area of ​​occurrence and also by the way of obtaining food, when the birds often hang upside down from a branch. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the orange-breasted lorikeet is classified as a “low concern” species. But the reason is probably the lack of data and observations due to living in remote forest habitat.

: An example of the mentioned interspecies fosters: A female red-bearded lorikeet feeds a small golden-eared lorikeet. The illustrative picture is from 2024. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

Todas las noticias de política, cultura, deportes y ciencia, además de los reportajes y entrevistas en profundidad de Radio Praga Internacional. Todo lo que necesita saber de la República Checa. Siempre de lunes a viernes.

See the rest here.

Illustrative photo: René Volfík, iROZHLAS.cz

Forty editors-in-chief from across the Czech media have issued a rare joint appeal to the country’s politicians. They are calling on them to reject violence and threats against journalists and to guarantee equal access to information from public institutions. The declaration follows several disputes over politicians’ treatment of the media, including the exclusion of a Deník N reporter from Foreign Ministry press conferences.

The declaration is entitled Základní hranice, which can be roughly translated as Basic Ground Rules.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Michal Doležal, ČTK

Among those paying tribute to Václav Havel on the 90th anniversary of his birth on October 5 has been former American President Bill Clinton, who in an interview with Czech Radio’s Jana Ciglerová shared memories of his political ally and their long friendship.

What do you think would be Vaclav Havel’s message today? What would be his contribution? What would be his view on events today?.

See more here.

Photo: Elena Horálková, Czech Radio

Czech writer Radka Denemarková has delivered a forceful defence of literature as a moral and political force at the Frankfurt Book Fair, where Czechia is “Guest of Honour”. She warned of the rise of authoritarianism, nationalism and manipulation of language, declaring that “all of Europe is turning brown”.

Denemarková began her speech by reflecting on the complex Czech, German and Jewish cultural heritage of the Czech lands.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Filip Šlapal

The annual DesignBlok, Central Europe’s largest design and fashion festival, opens in Prague on Wednesday. The 28th edition, centred on the theme of light, brings together a record number of designers, studios and brands from Czechia and abroad. It is also the first event to take place in the newly restored Industrial Palace at Výstaviště. I spoke to DesignBlok director Jana Zielinski about what visitors can expect this year.

First of all, why did you choose light as the main theme for DesignBlok 2026, and how is it going to be reflected in the programme?.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Debora Loučková

Midnight Swimmers are a Czech indie-rock band with roots in London and Olomouc, now based in Prague. After releasing their debut EP Oceans & Seas, the band followed it up with their first full-length album, Odd Ones Out, in 2026. It is rated as one of the most perspective releases of 2026.

Musically, Midnight Swimmers move between indie rock, dream pop, with subtle references to the contemporary psychedelic scene.

See more here.

Author: Daniel Sywala

Illustrative Photo: Profimedia

Experts from Charles University tested commonly used 3D printing materials and found that some of them can negatively affect human cells when used over a long period, potentially causing eczema or itching. The results of the Czech research have appeared in the prestigious scientific journal Nature Scientific Reports.

3D printing materials are widely used today in a growing range of everyday products, prompting Czech researchers to investigate how some of them may affect human cells with prolonged use.

See more here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová, Eva Kézrová

Jaroslav Ježek is a prominent 20th century Czech composer, pianist and conductor whose music became an inseparable part of the Liberated Theatre of Jiří Voskovec and Jan Werich.

Jaroslav Ježek was one of the most distinctive Czech composers of the interwar period, best known for the music he wrote for the Liberated Theatre in Prague.

See more here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

Source: Bookmarked Places

Czech literature will be in the international spotlight next week when Czechia becomes Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair, the world’s largest publishing trade fair. Seventy-five Czech authors are heading to Frankfurt for the event, which runs from October 7 to 11 under the motto “Czechia: A Country on the Coast.” Against that backdrop, Czechast speaks to Belgian intellectual-property lawyer and passionate reader Bart van Besien, whose Bookmarked Places project explores countries through their literature – and whose journey through Czech books has taken him from Bohumil Hrabal and Jiří Weil to contemporary writer Marek Šindelka.

For five days next week, Czech literature will occupy an unusually prominent place on the international publishing stage.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Ian Willoughby, Radio Prague International

British art historian, curator and writer Julia Bailey has been the head of Prague’s Galerie Rudolfinum for two and a half years. Last month saw the publication of her book Painting Paranoia: Cold War Art and Anti-Communism. When we spoke at our studios, the conversation took in everything from her institution not having a permanent collection to the fact it shares the grand Rudolfinum with the Czech Philharmonic.

You’ve been living in Prague since 2018.

See more here.

Author: Ian Willoughby

Photo: Radek Šrettr Úlehla

One of Czechia’s most celebrated modernist buildings, Prague’s Villa Müller, has just reopened after renovations. A presentation on Wednesday also included the launch of a book about the villa, co-authored by leading Dutch architect Winy Maas.

Prague’s Villa Müller is now once again open to the public after an 18-month gap.

See more here.

Author: Ian Willoughby

Photo: Radio Prague International

Radio Prague International would like to thank our listeners around the world for the extraordinary support and solidarity you have shown us in recent months. Your messages have meant a great deal to all of us at RPI and have given us an enormous boost in morale.

All of us here at RPI would like to thank our listeners for the wave of support and solidarity you showed in response to news of the threat of closure earlier this year.

See more here.

Photo: Ruth Fraňková, Radio Prague International

A new exhibition at Prague’s Villa Pellé explores the work of Kamil Lhoták, one of the most distinctive Czech artists of the 20th century. Called Landscape of Dreams, it brings together works spanning more than five decades of his career.

Balloons, airships, motorcycles and aeroplanes: these are just some of the recurring images in the world of Kamil Lhoták, whose work often combines a fascination with technology and invention with a strong sense of nostalgia and poetry.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

On Wednesday, September 30, President Petr Pavel received Romanian President Nicușor Dan at Prague Castle, who arrived in the Czech Republic for an official visit. Together with the first lady, Eva Pavlova, he also welcomed the Romanian First Lady, Mirabela Gradinarová.

The main topics of the meeting were European security, support for Ukraine, and possibilities for further economic cooperation.

The heads of state discussed security on NATO’s eastern flank and in the Black Sea region. They also discussed the repeated violations of Romanian airspace by Russian drones.

President Pavel praised Romania’s role in the Alliance’s collective defense and stressed that the security of the Black Sea region is important for all of Europe.

The talks also focused on trade and investment. Romania is the largest trading partner of the Czech Republic in Southeastern Europe. The two presidents see opportunities for further cooperation, in particular in the modernization of railway and urban transport, energy, digitalization and the defense industry. Czech companies can contribute with their technologies, among other things, to the modernization of the Romanian transport infrastructure and armed forces.

The Romanian president had a meeting with the Senate President Miloš Vystrčil and Chamber of Deputies Speaker Tomio Okamura.

At the end of a full day, the Romanian president met members of the Romanian Diaspora.

Romanian President Nicușor Dan wrote on his social media – Today I am on an official visit to the Czech Republic, at the Prague Castle, at the invitation of President Petr Pavel.

The consistent discussions held in Prague reconfirmed the excellent state of bilateral cooperation between Romania and the Czech Republic, based on long-standing historical links and the close friendship between our peoples.

We discussed ways of deepening our cooperation at all levels, both bilaterally and within the EU and NATO, with a special focus on security, the threats posed by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the development of our defense industries.

We stressed the importance of strengthening NATO’s East Flank, as well as increased solidarity and cohesion in Europe, to protect our common future and strengthen the capacity of the European Union to respond to current global challenges.

We also highlighted the valuable contribution of the important Romanian community in the Czech Republic and the Czech minority in Romania. Two days ago, Romania marked the Czech Language Day, in recognition of the contribution of the Czech minority, whose language, culture and traditions enrich our national cultural heritage and constitute a lasting foundation of Romanian-Czech friendship.

At the same time, I expressed my appreciation for the recognition by the Czech authorities of the sacrifice and the significant role of the Romanian Army in the liberation of Czechoslovakia at the end of the Second World War; for this cause, tens of thousands of Romanian soldiers sacrificed their lives.

Watch the Video from the reception.

On the Occasion of the 77th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China, H.E. Mr. Zhou Qian, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Czech Republic, and his spouse, Mrs. Zhou Wenbin, hosted a reception at the Chinese Embassy in Prague.

The honored speakers were Mr. Andrej Babiš – the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, and Mr. Tomio Okamura – The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Parliament of the Czech Republic.

Watch the video with the speeches of H.E. Mr. Zhou Qian, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Czech Republic, Mr. Andrej Babiš –the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, and Mr. Tomio Okamura – the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Parliament of the Czech Republic, and highlights from the beautiful culture part.

On Tuesday, September 29, 2026, the President of the Republic, Petr Pavel, received the credentials of the new ambassadors to the Czech Republic at Prague Castle:

• H.E. Archbishop Mons. Eugene Martin Nugent, the new Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See based in Prague.

• H.E. Mr. Jouni Veikko Juhani Laaksonen, new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of  the Republic of Finland, residing in Prague.

• H.E. Mr. Dong-han Yang, new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea, based in  Prague.

• H.E. Mr. Ashraf Ahmad Mahmoud Eldib, new Ambassador Extraordinary  and Plenipotentiary of the Arab Republic of Egypt, based in  Prague.

• H.E. Mr. Qian Zhou, the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China, based in Prague.

MEET THE WOMEN TRANSFORMING SCIENCE

From medicine and economics to biotechnology, three remarkable women show how research can move far beyond academia and create tangible change in society. Meet the winners of the Women Changing the World Awards Czech & Slovak Edition in the Science category.

Women Changing The World: Meet The Women Transforming Science

Science changes the world long before most of us can see its impact. Behind research, evidence and new approaches are people willing to question what already exists – and to dedicate years of work to finding better answers.

The Women Changing the World Awards Czech & Slovak Edition recognise women whose work creates meaningful impact across industries, communities and society. This week, we introduce three women from the Science category whose careers show how knowledge can translate into leadership, innovation and real-world change.

Milena Králíčková

Medicine, biomedical research and academic leadership

Professor Milena Králíčková is a physician, scientist and academic leader whose work has connected medicine, research and university leadership for decades. Her scientific background is in histology, embryology and reproductive medicine, including research experience at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University through a Fulbright fellowship. From 2022 to 2026 she served as Rector of Charles University, becoming the first woman to lead the university in its modern history. Today she continues her scientific work at the Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen and the Biomedical Centre. Her career reflects the impact that can be created when scientific expertise is combined with responsibility for institutions, education and the next generation of researchers.

Lenka Farkačová Říhová

Economics, labour market and science communication

Lenka Farkačová Říhová is an economist and researcher whose work focuses on topics that directly shape everyday life – from the labour market and remuneration to broader economic and social questions. Alongside research, she is strongly committed to making expert knowledge understandable and useful beyond academia. Her approach is built on the idea that information only creates value when it is shared, discussed and applied. By connecting research with public communication and practical questions, she represents a form of science that does not remain behind university walls but enters the public conversation and helps people and organisations make better-informed decisions.

Šarlota Kaňuková

Plant biotechnology and next-generation food technologies

RNDr. Šarlota Kaňuková, PhD. is a Slovak scientist specialising in plant biotechnology. She works with plant cell and tissue cultures, exploring how biologically active compounds and valuable secondary metabolites can be produced independently of traditional agriculture. Her research combines experimental biotechnology with data analysis and machine-learning approaches to optimise cultivation and production processes. Alongside academic and research work, she is also involved in translating science into practical innovation, including plant-cell technologies for the next generation of saffron production. Her work shows how biotechnology can connect scientific discovery with food, sustainability and new commercial possibilities.

Together, these three women demonstrate that science is not one single path. It can mean leading a major university, translating economic research into public understanding, or developing new biotechnologies with the potential to reshape production. What connects them is the ability to turn expertise into impact.

Discover more Women Changing the World Awards winners → https://thewomenchangingtheworld.cz

Photo: Zuzana Jarolímková, iROZHLAS.cz

In a fortnight’s time, voters will be going to the polls in Czechia in local and Senate elections. Many EU citizens resident in the country may be unaware they can also take part in the former – and that’s something the group Volby pro všechny (Votes for Everybody) are working to change.

Only two weeks remain until elections take place in Czech municipalities and for one-third of the seats in the Senate.

See more here.

Author: Ian Willoughby

Foto: LATAM

Será una invasión de las buenas, promete Roxana Velasco, la organizadora principal de estas dos actividades que tendrán a la mexicanidad como protagonista principal este fin de semana en Praga. Una gran, diversa e intensa invasión cultural mexicana gracias a Mexiko Pop Up, el viernes en el pasaje Lucerna, y Agave Fest, el sábado en Sodovkárna Holešovice.

México es más que tequila y mariachi.

See more here.

Author: Gonzalo Núñez

Photo: Ondřej Hájek, ČTK

People gathered on Říp Mountain this past Sunday to mark 900 years since the restoration of the Rotunda of St. George and St. Adalbert. Říp is a well-known symbol of Czech history, traditionally associated with the legendary arrival of the Czech forefather Čech. The celebrations included a Te Deum prayer led by Prague Archbishop Stanislav Přibyl, who also blessed the restored statue of St. George.

See more here.

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, one of Russia’s best-known composers, visited Prague three times, but his stays were not always a triumph. Much depended on the political mood of the time, while many questions and myths still surround both his life and the circumstances of his death.

See more here.

Photo: National Gallery Prague

One of Egon Schiele’s most recognisable drawings is now on display at the National Gallery Prague. Seated Woman with Bent Knees has been reproduced countless times on posters and merchandise, but the fragile original normally remains in storage.

Created in 1917, Seated Woman with Bent Knees shows Schiele’s wife, Edith Harms, sitting on the floor in a provocative pose.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Archive of Prague Music Week

Thursday sees the start of the music conference ReConnect Brno, one of several such events, often combining industry discussions with showcases and festivals, that take place in Czechia. But like the music industry itself, music conferences have to evolve – bringing in international experts, responding to new trends, merging events or radically changing their concept.

Their programmes offer opportunities to discover new talent, learn about the latest tools and trends, and meet established figures on the Czech and international music scenes.

See more here.

Author: Daniel Sywala

Photo: Marek Hensl, Czech Radio

Scientists in Brno have developed a special bone glue that could one day help doctors treat even complicated fractures. The material is now being tested on sheep.

The special bone glue was developed at the CEITEC research centre at Brno University of Technology, together with surgeons from Brno University Hospital and Masaryk University.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: David Horák, Miroslav Hlaváček, Memory of Nations

A photograph of a wounded young man lying outside Czechoslovak Radio on August 21, 1968, became one of the striking images of the Soviet-led invasion. After 58 years, Memory of Nations organization has identified him as Jaroslav Mareček. The Soviet bullet remains lodged in his leg to this day, although for decades he did not know it was there.

Memory of Nations identified Jaroslav Mareček after appealing to the public for help.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Jan Vrba

Jakub Šimanský is a Czech guitarist, drummer and sound explorer based in Brno, who has made a significant mark on the Czech alternative music scene.

Jakub Šimanský was born and raised in Přerov.

See more here.

Author: Daniel Sywala

Photo: Petr Neubert, SOČR

The Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra is commemorating the centenary of its founding. Its 2026/2027 season plans feature distinguished guest conductors, new compositions by Czech composers, prestigious festival appearances and special projects to reach a wider audience.

Czech musical tradition and the European repertoire.

See more here.

Author: Daniel Sywala

Photo: LUSTR

The annual LUSTR festival of illustration and comics has got under way at Prague’s Holešovice Market. The 13th edition brings together more than a hundred Czech and international artists, with exhibitions, talks and workshops running until the end of the month.

The main theme of this year’s LUSTR festival is Landscape 2.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

At the invitation of the President of the Republic, Petr Pavel, His Majesty King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and Her Majesty Queen Rania arrived on an official visit to the Czech Republic on Friday, September 18, 2026.

President Pavel and the First Lady Eva Pavlová welcomed His Majesty King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and Her Majesty Queen Rania with a full ceremony at the first yard of Prague Castle.

Then, a private meeting of the King and the Queen with the President and the First Lady at the Habsburg Salon.

Meeting of official delegations from the Czech Republic and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Then, a press conference at the Octagon Hall.

Watch the Video from the ceremony

To celebrate the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, H.E. Mr. Alan Gibbons, Ambassador of Ireland to the Czech Republic, and Dr. Ernesto Vasquez del Aguila hosted an evening of Irish Culture, at Na Pradle Theatre in Prague.

The event started with remarks by H.E. Mr. Alan Gibbons, Ambassador of Ireland to the Czech Republic, and Mrs. Marie Chatardova, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Then a great evening of Irish Music, songs, and dance by inSpiral Dance Company and Conamara Chaos band.

You can find the full program in the pictures attached.

Watch the video with Highlights from the event.

September 20 is an official UN International World Cleanup Day, originating in Estonia in 2008.

H.E. Mrs. Jana Vanaveski, the Ambassador of Estonia to the Czech Republic, with the Embassy team and the company Bolt ( an Estonian company ), organized a clean-up event at Karlin.

This year, Mr. Lauri Hussar, President of the Riigikogu, Mrs. Triin Hussar, his wife, and Mr. Jan Huk, PR Manager at Bolt, together with H.E. Mrs. Jana Vanaveski, the Ambassador of Estonia to the Czech Republic, and the Embassy team, added great value to this important action.

Watch the interview with Mr. Lauri Hussar, President of the Riigikogu ( the Parliament of the Republic of Estonia), H.E. Mrs. Jana Vanaveski, the Ambassador of Estonia to the Czech Republic, and Mr. Jan Huk, PR Manager at Bolt (CR).

World Clean Up Day and the global need to do more about the environment are a must, and all of us should take an example from Estonia to do more.

We are excited to inform you that Pražák and Friends will return to Hlahol for a special concert on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 11 a.m.

Last year’s festival of Pražák & Friends Festival, which took place at the historic Hlahol Hall during September and October 2025, was a big success.

The program for this year is :

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart:String Quintet in G minor, K. 516 (1787)
• Ennio Morricone:Vivo for String Trio (2001)
• Bohuslav Martinů:Serenade No. 2, H. 216 (1932)
• Bohuslav Martinů:String Quintet, H. 164 (1927)

Featured Artists

• The Pražák Quartet
• Eva Krestová (Viola, Czech Republic):Principal violist of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, international competition laureate, and frequent performer on stages from Carnegie Hall to Wigmore Hall (stepping in for retired founding violist Josef Klusoň).
• Peter Sagaischek (Viola, Austria):Long-time principal violist and soloist with the Vienna Volksoper Orchestra, renowned international chamber musician, and frequent collaborator with top European ensembles.

Tickets are CZK 500 and are available at this link: Buy Tickets Here.

https://connect.boomevents.org/en/prazak/prazak-at-hlahol-2026

On 18 September 2026, the Czech-Finnish Business Networking & Women in Leadership event brought together Czech and Finnish business leaders, innovators, public sector representatives, and advocates of inclusive leadership at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Helsinki. The event was organized as part of the Czech delegation’s presence at the Nordic Business Forum and focused on leadership, talent, innovation, sustainability, and the advancement of women in business and leadership positions. It was supported by YIT Czechia, a long-standing advocate of Czech-Finnish business cooperation, leadership development, and the exchange of best practices between the two countries.

The programme opened with a welcome by Ondřej Fiala, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Helsinki, who highlighted the importance of strong Czech-Finnish relations and the value of fostering dialogue between business communities from both countries.

Opening remarks were delivered by the Co-Founders of the Inspire & Impact Network, Renata Mrázová and Tatiana Le Moigne, who introduced the initiative, which supports women leaders, fosters mutual support, and inspires the next generation of leadership talent. They explained how, through networking, mentoring, and the sharing of experience among accomplished leaders, the Inspire & Impact Network aims to strengthen female leadership, support personal and professional growth, and contribute to positive social and long-term prosperity of the country.

The central part of the event was a panel discussion moderated by Lenka Simerská, Executive Director of the Nordic Chamber of Commerce in the Czech Republic and equality expert, who guided an engaging conversation connecting leadership, business growth, innovation, company culture, sustainability, gender diversity, and women in leadership.

You can read more here: https://www.nordicchamber.cz/events/czech-finnish-business-networking-women-in-leadership_416/

A period motorcycle will not be missing from the celebrations. Photo archive of the Prague Zoo

Traditionally, on Czech National Day, the Prague Zoo will celebrate the anniversary of its opening – this time with serial number 95!

For Monday, September 28, the zoo prepared a festive program in the presence of special guests. Costumes, historical vehicles, or stylish camels delivering period newspapers will transport the entire garden to the 1930s on this day. Those interested will be able to have their hairstyles created for free and dance to the music of a live swing band. Visitors who arrive at the celebration in a themed outfit will also receive a small gift. The program will also include the presentation of novelties or the opening of the exhibition 95 years of the Prague Zoo. There will be popular training of sea lions or commented feeding and meetings with the animals that stood at the beginning of the Prague Zoo: wolves, lions or elephants.

In addition to history, the theme of the 95th anniversary celebration will also be Převalský’s iconic horse. At the same time, the Prague Zoo is commemorating the 15th anniversary of the Return of Wild Horses project, within the framework of which the zoo and its partners are reintroducing these ungulates into the wild of Central Asia. In addition, symbolically, the year 2026 in the Chinese horoscope is in the sign of the Fire Horse. At the Gobi exhibition complex, the ambassador of Mongolia in the Czech Republic and the ambassador of Kazakhstan in the Czech Republic will speak about the importance of this world-famous project. Representatives of the Army of the Czech Republic will then talk about the difficulty of transport, while the program will be enriched by a musical performance by Mongolian artists led by Badam Bolor.

Zoo founder Professor Janda and the legendary elephant Baby. Photo archive of the Prague Zoo

Only on the day of the anniversary celebration, visitors to the garden will also have a unique opportunity to purchase an exclusive souvenir introduced for the 95th anniversary of the Prague Zoo.

In addition to clothes and hairstyles, the atmosphere of the 30s will be breathed into life by historic cars and motorcycles with advertisements from the time, camels handing out newspapers, performances by the Sunny Swing Orchestra and the ZIG-ZAG tap & swing dance studio, which will also offer a period dance workshop. The rich program will also include a fashion show presented by Aristokrat Vintage, a musical performance by Ema Papšová, interviews with witnesses, and the ceremonial opening of the 95-year photography exhibition of the Prague Zoo, which will present important milestones in the history of the metropolitan zoo.

The feeding of the male lion Jamvan will start at 15.00. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

You can find the detailed program of this year’s annual celebration below.

The main program of the 95th annual celebration of the Prague Zoo

11.00 Opening of the annual celebration and presentation of novelties (Educational Center)

13.00 15 years of the project Return of wild horses (Gobi)

14.00 95 years of Prague Zoo – exhibition with historical milestones (Educational Center)

Terrace of the Education Center

10.10 Period dance workshop with ZIG-ZAG tap & swing dance studio

10.30 Musical performance by the band Sunny Swing Orchestra

11.00 Opening of the annual celebration with representatives of the City Hall. city of Prague

11.20 Presentation of novelties at the Prague Zoo

11.30 Fashion show presented by Aristokrat Vintage

13.50 Musical performance by Ema Papšová

14.00 Interviews with witnesses and the opening of the exhibition 95 years of the Prague Zoo

10.00–16.00 Photo corner

Gobi exhibition complex

12.45 Musical performance by Mongolian artists led by Badam Bolor

13.05 Introductory speech by the director of the Prague Zoo about the future of the Return of Wild Horses

13.10 H.E. Ambassador of Mongolia: handing over the patronage of the project from the head of state

13.15 Speech by HE the Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan

13.20 Interview with representatives of the Army of the Czech Republic

10.00–16.00 Face painting

10.00–16.00 Mongolia, land of wild horses: program with the Society of Czech-Mongolian Friendship and Cooperation

10.00-16.00 Return of wild horses: information and game station

Special guided feedings and meetings

10.00 Meeting at the raptors (Large raptor aviary)

10.30 Meeting at Převalský’s horses (Gobi)

12.30 Meeting at the elephants (Elephant Valley, grass paddock near the Gulab Restaurant)

13.30 Demonstration of sea lion training (sea lion exposure in the lower part of the zoo)

15.00 Feeding of the male lion (Pavilion of beasts and reptiles, outdoor enclosure of lions)

15.30 Feeding the wolves (wolf enclosure in the upper part of the zoo)

Foto: Igor Zehl, Radio Prague International

Seis años después de su construcción, la iglesia católica de la Beata María Restituta de Brno acaba de ser consagrada y ya puede brindar servicios y misas a los creyentes.

El obispo católico Pavel Konzbul ha consagrado hace unos días en la ciudad morava de Brno la moderna iglesia de la beata María Restituta, una obra terminada hace ya seis años.

See more here.

Author: Ivana Vonderková

Photo: Ondřej Deml, ČTK

New cable cars have just entered operation on Prague’s Petřín Hill. The glass-heavy cars afford spectacular views of the city and boast cool details; for instance when they pass, those going up “wink” (flash their lights), while those going down “blush” (light up red inside). I discussed the system with its designer Anna Marešová, shortly after she and invited guests enjoyed its maiden run on Monday evening.

“This project has had many phases.

See more here.

Author: Ian Willoughby

The Czech Republic has joined a group of countries seeking to protect children from the potential impact of artificial intelligence.

See more here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Michaela Danelová, iROZHLAS.cz

As of September 19, the public can view the authentic Bohemian crown jewels, which are on display in the Vladislav Hall of Prague Castle. These priceless symbols of the Czech nation will be exhibited up until the Day of Czech Statehood on September 28th.

A bejeweled crown, a golden orb and scepter, a long iron sword, a red silk cloak – the Bohemian crown jewels are mesmerizing symbols of power used in the coronations of kings and queens of Bohemia.

See more here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Archive of the Czech Spitfire Club

Karel Kuttelwascher, the most successful Czechoslovak fighter pilot to serve with Britain’s Royal Air Force, was born 110 years ago, on September 23, 1916. His greatest victories came during daring solo night operations close to German airfields in occupied Europe. Archival recordings preserve his own vivid account of the missions that made him a wartime celebrity.

That was how Karel Kuttelwascher summed up his wartime exploits in a BBC broadcast in 1942.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Richard Wagner had a strong connection to Czechia, from the spa town of Teplice to Prague’s theatres. He reportedly found inspiration for the libretto of his opera Tannhäuser at Střekov Castle near Ústí nad Labem, and his operas were performed in Prague soon after their German premieres.

See more here.

Photo: Michaela Danelová, iROZHLAS.cz

The Václav Havel Library ceased to exist in its hitherto form earlier this year, when both major donors and staff members departed. Further twists followed – and this week Havel’s widow entrusted Prague’s Municipal Library with preserving the legacy of the dissident dramatist-turned-president.

Last week, representatives of the First Presidential Library, a newly established entity with key members who were previously involved with the Václav Havel Library, held a news conference outlining their aims.

See more here.

Author: Ian Willoughby

Photo: Martin Hurin, ČTK

The legendary East German train known as “Dolphin” due to its distinctive “dolphin’s snout” undertook a closely-watched trip to Czechia at the weekend. The veteran train, which served the Berlin – Prague – Vienna route, was restored by railway enthusiasts in the German city of Görlitz.

Undertaking its original route Berlin-Prague-Vienna, the red and white veteran drew many admirers in Prague where it made a longer stop to allow people to inspect it close up and take photos.

See more here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Petr Tichý, Czech Radio

Znojmo lies in southern Moravia, just a few kilometres from the Austrian border. Thanks to its location between Brno and Vienna, for centuries it was a place where different cultures, languages and trade routes met.

The first references to the town’s name date back to the 12th century.

See more here.

Author: Klára Stejskalová

Photo: Kristýna Sedláčková, Czech Radio

Václav Havel would have turned 90 this October. A new exhibition at Villa Stiassni in Brno looks beyond his familiar roles as playwright, dissident and president to explore his relationship with architecture.

But Havel grew up in a family in which building and architecture had played an important role for generations.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Akademie filmového umění a věd

The student film Volklore by Czech filmmaker Viktorie Štěpánová this week received a Silver Student Academy Award in the Alternative/Experimental category of the international film festival in Toronto. The video essay explores the transformation of Czech folklore in the age of social media.

Volklore is the first Czech film to receive a Student Academy Award in the Alternative/Experimental category and the fifth Czech film to win a Student Oscar.

See more here.

Author: Daniel Sywala

On the occasion of the 216^th Anniversary of the Independence of Mexico, H.E. Mrs. Berenice Díaz Ceballos, the Ambassador of the United Mexican States, hosted a special reception at the beautiful Kaiserštejnský palác.

The Honored Speaker was :

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

After the official part, there was a great concert of traditional Mexican music, featuring:

Tenor Rafael Alvarez Nava & Mariachi Azteca de Praga

Watch the video with the speeches of H.E. Mrs. Berenice Díaz Ceballos, the Ambassador of the United Mexican States to the Czech Republic, Mr. Karel Havlicek – Deputy PM and Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, and highlights from the great Mexican concert.

Viva MEXICO Viva Republica Checa

The puppet method prevents the cub from sticking to a person, i.e. its breeder. Apart from scavenging vultures, the Prague Zoo also uses this method in the case of artificial breeding of lesser condors, two-horned rhinoceroses or Javan grebes. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

An exceptional Egyptian Vulture chick is being raised at Prague Zoo. Both parents originated in the wild and owe their survival to international cooperation among experts. The male, named Brok, was shot with a shotgun in Lebanon and arrived at Prague Zoo in June 2022. In September of the same year, a female named Qalamoon arrived from Syria; she had suffered a similar fate, having also been illegally captured and injured during migration. Her case marked the first time a bird from Syria had entered the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP). Despite their ordeal, the vultures recovered and bonded in Prague—producing offspring this summer.

The discovery, securing, and confiscation of the birds, followed by the complex administrative, transport, and veterinary procedures that led to their successful rescue, are the result of years of effort by dozens of people across five countries. As the EEP coordinator for this species, Prague Zoo highlights its collaboration with the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB), the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL), the Syrian Society for the Conservation of Wildlife (SSCW), and BirdLife International Middle East (BLIME). “At Prague Zoo, we like to say that nature conservation should know no national borders, and this success is a practical application of that idea. Thanks to the cooperation of local authorities, the efforts of conservationists, and long-standing collaboration with Bulgarian colleagues—who coordinate these unprecedented transfers of injured birds of prey to Europe—these stories, which often seem like something out of a movie, tend to have happy endings,” says Antonín Vaidl, Prague Zoo’s curator of birds and an EEP coordinator.

Cub captured at only three days old. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

The Egyptian vulture is the only migratory vulture species in Europe. During its annual migration from breeding grounds in southern Europe to wintering grounds in Africa, it undertakes a journey of up to 5,000 kilometers. Many birds perish after colliding with power lines or wind turbines, or are illegally captured or even shot. Thanks to cooperation between local conservationists and experienced breeding institutions, rescued individuals are given a second chance at life in a zoo. Moreover, their genetic material provides a valuable boost to breeding programs.

The male Broka was found by rangers from the SPNL in September 2021. Together with two other vultures, he was illegally kept on a farm in Lebanon. While one of the trio was released into the wild, the other two males – namely Brok and also a vulture called Loki – had healed wing fractures and lead shots in their bodies, so they could not be returned to the wild.

The current form of Kali’s vulture (in the foreground) already resembles an adult individual. However, it will not reach full adult dress until the beginning of the next decade. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

With the support of their Bulgarian colleagues, they reached the Prague Zoo in June 2022, where they gradually recovered from their injuries. The second of the males named Loki left in April 2023 to strengthen the “scavenger” breeding in France, but Brok remained in Prague. “I removed three bullets from his body, the other six bullets will probably remain in his body forever. They are encapsulated and the operation would be risky,” explains veterinarian Helena Vaidlová.

The lead level in the blood of the rescued vultures gradually decreases. “We do not yet know how much lead affects reproduction, i.e. what is the limit for reduced fertility and embryo development. All of this is the subject of further testing. We have no comparison abroad, as this is the first large-scale research for this species,” adds Vaidlová, pointing out the research role of modern zoos in addition to the conservation function.

The mother of the current chick was first reported by Bulgarian colleagues in the fall of 2021. She and another young vulture were captured in Syria on their migration journey in 2019 or 2020. In 2021, the two vultures were found in illegal breeding and then seized thanks to the efforts of SSCW and BLIME. The young vulture recovered and flew free, but the adult female showed a problem with her wing. Challenging negotiations on its export to the European Union and inclusion in the EEP bore fruit – the Ministry of the Environment of Syria supported the transport, while the Bulgarian BSPB ensured it financially.

The female was named Qalamoon after the mountain range on the Lebanese-Syrian border. It was transported to Prague from Damascus via Beirut and Istanbul. She became not only the first vulture from Syria to strengthen European breeding, but also the very first bird from this country to ever enter the EEP. On arrival in September 2022, however, she showed signs of infection and osteoarthritis of the left wing following an untreated injury. After her condition improved and she was quarantined for a month, she was placed in a familiarization aviary. There, just like in nature, vultures look for a suitable partner. From a human point of view, they can be unexpectedly picky.

The mother of the current cub, a female brought from Syria called Qalamoon. In the picture from September 2022, in the transport crate in which she arrived in the Czech Republic. Photo by Antonín Vaidl, Prague Zoo

The Middle Eastern sufferers, Brok and Qalamoon, found favor in each other. Fertilized eggs were unexpectedly laid by the female directly in the familiarization aviary this year. Considering the inappropriate location and also the rarity of its contents, the egg was placed in a hatchery. The little vulture was hatched on July 12 and due to the couple’s inexperience, it was placed under the deserving female Debora, who had already taken on the role of foster mother in the past. At the same time there was a cub

supplemented with a puppet imitating the head of an adult scavenger vulture. This proven method prevents harmful imprinting of the young on the human face of the breeder.

The cub is a male and was named Kali by its keepers. His valuable blood will strengthen breeding in another European zoo in the future. His parents, who started a new life at the Prague Zoo, will stay here and, with a bit of luck, give birth to more offspring.

Veterinary inspection of vultures imported from Lebanon by bird curator Antonín Vaidl and veterinarian Helena Vaidlová (The picture is illustrative, it shows another scavenger vulture transported from Lebanon. It is not the father of the young, male Broka.). Photo by Tereza Mrhálková, Prague Zoo

With 40 hatchlings, the Prague Zoo is one of the most successful breeders of the scavenger vulture, the smallest and most endangered European vulture. In addition to breeding in human care, it also long-term supports the reintroduction program of this predator into the wild. In cooperation with the non-profit organization Green Balkans, she has already released 13 scavenger vultures from her farm in the Eastern Rhodope Mountains in Bulgaria.

You can read more about the protection of the scavenger vulture by the Prague Zoo on the website: https://www.zoopraha.cz/zachrana-supa-mrchozraveho-v-jizni-evrope.

Foto: Círculo Chileco

En su primer aniversario, la organización celebrará las Fiestas Patrias con dos eventos masivos en Praga y Olomouc, abiertos tanto a la comunidad internacional como a los checos que quieran sumarse y disfrutar las tradiciones chilenas.

Toda una existencia marcada por la Independencia.

See more here.

Author: Juan Pablo Bertazza

Photo: Kašpar, Museum of Literature

Among events in Prague marking the imminent 90th anniversary of Václav Havel’s birth is an exhibition showcasing letters the then dissident sent his wife during a lengthy spell in a communist jail. The often philosophical correspondence was collected in the book Letters to Olga, which became one of Havel’s best-known publications

Václav Havel wrote 161 missives to his wife Olga Havlová when he underwent his first serious jail term between 1979 and 1983, when he was let out early due to dangerously poor health.

See more here.

Author: Ian Willoughby

Photo: Khalil Baalbaki, Czech Radio

National public broadcaster Czech Radio is testing a new system designed to warn the public of emergencies through radio broadcasting. The technology will eventually allow listeners to be alerted quickly about events such as floods, fires or power outages with immediate advice regarding what to do.

Czech Radio carried out a nationwide test of the technology last week on both conventional radio receivers and a number of DAB+ digital radios.

See more here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Barbora Müllerová

How did people record their journeys four hundred years ago, and how do illustrators do it today? A new exhibition by the LUSTR illustration and comics festival at Prague’s Star Summer Palace brings together historical travel diaries, maps and drawings from the Czech National Library with work by contemporary illustrators. I went to have a look and spoke to curator Barbora Müllerová.

“It’s actually the second exhibition we’ve made together with the National Library of the Czech Republic.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Josef Beneda, Czech Radio

Prague is hosting a week of debates, workshops and public events devoted to climate change and its impact on society and the economy. Linda Zeilina-Cross, founder and CEO of the International Sustainable Finance Centre, tells RPI the aim is to open a discussion that too often takes place behind closed doors.

Climate change is discussed constantly by politicians, scientists and business leaders.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Katarína Hudačinová, National Gallery Prague

One of the National Gallery’s most important paintings is about to undergo its most extensive restoration in decades. Albrecht Dürer’s The Rosary Feast will be out of the gallery for about five years and placed in the hands of Czech experts.

The Rosary Feast is one of Albrecht Dürer’s best-known works.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Gulag.cz

The site of a one-time Soviet Gulag, located in Kazakhstan, is now being studied by archaeologists from the University of West Bohemia in cooperation with the NGO Gulag.cz. The camp once held more than 20,000 people, mostly political prisoners, including around two dozen Czechoslovaks.

Gulag.

See more here.

Author: Anna Kubišta, Daniela Lazarová

Photo: René Volfík, iROZHLAS.cz

The Czech government has approved an amendment to the addictive substances law that aims to curb kratom use among young people and crack down on illegal sales. Dubbed Lex Kratom, the bill would raise the minimum age for buying kratom from 18 to 21 and ban its sale through e-shops.

Kratom is a psychomodulatory herbal substance made from the leaves of a Southeast Asian tree that interact with the brain to alter mood and energy levels.

See more here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Václav Pancer, ČTK

The Záviš Cross, one of the most precious medieval treasures in the Czech lands, has yielded two unexpected discoveries. Researchers have found a second wooden relic inside the cross and have also discovered that some of the gemstones were misidentified.

The Záviš Cross is a medieval golden reliquary kept at Vyšší Brod Monastery in southern Bohemia.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Patrik Uhlíř, ČTK

A community event in Brno-Kohoutovice featured a performance by 24-year-old slackliner Timotej Horák. Barefoot and wearing traditional folk costume, he walked above the heads of spectators along a 60-metre-long slackline stretched between the Grand Prix building on Libušina Street and an apartment block opposite.

See more here.

Photo: Archive of Michal Švarc/Městská část Praha 8

On September 12, 1901, Libeň officially became the last district incorporated into Prague prior to the establishment of Czechoslovakia. Associated with writer Bohumil Hrabal, it has seen a number of historical events.

Operation Anthropoid, one of the most daring actions of WWII, took place in Libeň.

See more here.

Photo: Ulrike Leone, Pixabay, CC0 1.0 DEED

Hop harvesting is coming to a close in the Czech Republic, and most growers say it has not been a good year. Prolonged drought and extreme heat have led to a poor harvest. Could climate change threaten the quality of one of the country’s best-known export products?

Last year, Czech growers harvested 6,490 tons of hops.

See more here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

On the occasion of the 204th Anniversary of the Independence of Brazil, the ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil, H.E Mr. Orlando Leite Ribeiro, and Ms. Renata Abreu e Lima hosted a special reception in the Troja Château, a unique and beautiful baroque palace in Prague. It was built for the Counts of Sternberg from 1679 to 1691.

The palace is owned by the city of Prague and hosts the 19^th-century Czech art collections of the City Gallery.

The Honored speakers were :

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

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

Watch the video with the speech of the ambassador of the Federative Republic of Brazil, H.E Mr. Orlando Leite Ribeiro and the other honored speakers.

Happy 204th Anniversary of the Independence, Brazil

Feliz 204º aniversário da Independência do Brasil

On the Occasion of the Constitution Day of the Slovak Republic and the Day of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic, H.E. Mr. Martin Muránsky, the Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to the Czech Republic, hosted a reception in the beautiful garden of the Slovak Embassy, which was full of ministers, ambassadors, and distinguished guests.

The honored speakers were:

Mr. Andrej Babiš – the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic.

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

Brig. Gen. Branislav BENKA, The Defense Attaché of the Slovak Republic.

Mr. Petr Macinka – Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic

Watch the video with the speeches of H.E. Mr. Martin Muránsky, the Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to the Czech Republic, and the other honored guests.

For the first time, the Embassy used an innovative Slovak system. A big screen broadcast the translation into English of the speeches. It was a great solution for the guests which are not speak Czech.

Happy Constitution Day, Slovakia

Šťastný Deň ústavy, Slovensko

On Monday, 7th September 2026, at the Romanian Embassy in Prague, we officially launched another year of Women Changing the World Awards Czech & Slovak

Kamika Palickova, Founder of The Women Changing the World Awards Czech & Slovak, wrote:

For me, it was not just another event.

When you build something from scratch, most of the work takes place long out of the spotlight. In meetings, decisions, rejections, hundreds of details, and in finding people who believe in the same idea as you.

And then there comes a moment when you look around and see a room full of people who are part of it.

It was a great honour for me to open this year, together with Lenka Šťastná, in the presence of H.E Mrs. Marie-Antoinette Barta Ambassador of Romania to the Czech Republic, our partners, jury members, inspiring women and personalities who support the idea of greater visibility, recognition and opportunities for women.

Thank you to everyone who came.

The participants of the panel discussions Lilia Khousnoutdinova Michaela Hrdličková Veronika Lipovská and Ondrej Dvoulety.

For a fantastic singing performance to singer Nate Bogner

Thank you to our partners who support WCWA not only with their logo, but with their trust, time, know-how and specific resources.

Thank you to the jury and everyone who accepted the responsibility of seeking and appreciating the real impact.

And thank you to the whole team, because behind every beautiful evening there is a lot of work that is never visible in the photos.

Women Changing the World Awards are not just awards for me.

They are a platform to help women be seen, make new connections, open doors, and show society stories and work that are worth paying attention to.
We took the first step together in this year’s competition.

And now the most interesting part begins.

Nominations are open. Nominate and nominate yourself for www.wcwa.cz

Watch the Video with highlights from the event