AuthorMartin Hladík

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

Watch the Video with highlights from H.E. Ms. Ana Berenice DIAZ CEBALLOS PARADA, the Ambassador of Mexico to the Czech Republic, speech, Mr. Jan Lacina, Councilor of Prague 6 district, and since October 2021 to October 2025, a member of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic, and the Army ceremony.

The Embassy of Estonia in the Czech Republic, the Association of Tour Operators and Travel Agents of the Czech Republic (ACCKA), and the Estonian Travel & Tourism Association (ETFL), organized a B2B workshop. “Visit Estonia. It’s about time”, travel destination promotional event for Czech Travel Partners“ at the beautiful Estonia Embassy in Prague.

The participants were welcome by H.E. Ms. Jana Vanaveski, the Ambassador of Estonia to the Czech Republic, and Ms. Lenka Fidranska from ACCKA.

Ms. Asmik Tsaturjan – the CEO of ETFL, present all options of traveling and highlights of Estonia.

Eurowings representative, join us online with details about the direct flights from Prague to Talin.

Followed by B2B networking, and a tasty refreshment.

Watch part of the presentation by Ms. Asmik Tsaturjan – the CEO of ETFL

Photo: Hana Řeháková, Radio Prague International

More than forty species of birds, over two hundred species of insects and hundreds of plants. A new biological survey shows that the grounds of Prague Castle are not only a historic landmark but also a surprisingly rich ecosystem. Researchers even discovered soil mites never before recorded in Czechia. I spoke with soil biologist and ecologist Ladislav Miko, who also serves as the Czech president’s adviser on environmental protection and sustainability, about what the team found during the survey at Prague Castle and why such biodiversity has been preserved there.

What was the main aim of the research carried out at Prague Castle, and why did scientists consider it important to study the biodiversity there?.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

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

See more here.

Author: Juan Pablo Bertazza, Barbora Navrátilová

Photo: National Museum

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

The National Museum in Prague has long helped protect cultural heritage in crisis regions, including efforts to preserve monuments in Syria, Afghanistan and Sudan.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Josef Vostárek, ČTK

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

“Well, there are basically two reasons.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Anna Kristová, MFDNES + LN / Profimedia

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

See more here.

Photo: Vít Pohanka, Radio Prague International

In this episode of Prague Off the Beaten Track on Czechast, we explore Klanovice Forest — the largest continuous forest in Prague. Just on the edge of the city, it offers a surprising mix of deep history, quiet nature, and traces of ambitious plans that never fully materialised. From medieval robber legends to modern conservation debates, this is a place where the past and present meet in unexpected ways.

Today, Klanovice Forest is a peaceful escape — a stretch of woodland on the eastern edge of Prague where people come to walk, cycle, and take a break from the city.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: ČTK

Eighty years ago, on March 22, 1946, the trial of Karl Hermann Frank began in Prague. One of the most powerful figures in the Nazi occupation administration in the Czech lands, Frank served as State Minister of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. He was responsible for harsh repression, mass executions and also for the destruction of the village of Lidice, which became a symbol of Nazi terror.

Frank came from the Sudeten German community and rose quickly in the Nazi hierarchy after Adolf Hitler came to power.

See more here.

Photo: Nguyen Phuong Thao, MAFRA / Profimedia

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

“I know that even a tragic event gives us the strength to move on, and that sometimes it can even turn into happiness,” said Hana Hegerová about her life.

See more here.

Author: Romana Grajcarová

Photo: Petr Ryp

An unusual object has appeared in the centre of Brno: a giant inflatable bacterium of E. coli. The model draws attention to the Moravian capital’s strong tradition in electron microscopy and the upcoming Days of Electron Microscopy festival. Why was this famous bacterium chosen as this year’s symbol of the event? That’s a question I put to festival organizer Ondřej Kamenský.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Jiří Sedláček, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED

Joy Kadečková’s life reads like a 20th-century European drama shaped by war, love and political upheaval. After meeting a Czech pilot in wartime Britain, she made a promise that would bring her to Czechoslovakia—and keep her there for life. Her story, preserved by Memory of Nations and now featured on Czechast, offers a deeply personal window into history.

Some life stories seem almost too improbable to be true.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: National Gallery Prague

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

The National Gallery Prague has scheduled a ceremonial opening of its new season for next Thursday at the Trade Fair Palace in Prague.

See more here.

Author: Romana Grajcarová

Photo: Žižkovská noc

At a time driven by profit, productivity, and perfectionism, it can be hard to find something that breaks away from these expectations. Something that chooses solidarity over profit, authenticity over perfection, and community over individualism. However, the Žižkovská noc festival does exactly that.

The festival openly stands against racism, sexism, queerphobia, and other forms of hate, placing humanity at its core.

See more here.

Author: Romana Grajcarová

Source: Frame Films

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

Resilience focuses on two people with a love of the Czech countryside – and a strong dedication to protecting it.

See more here.

Author: Ian Willoughby

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

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

H.E. Mr. Alan Gibbons, Ambassador of Ireland to the Czech Republic, greeted the guests.

The Honored speakers were :

Mr. Colm Brophy – Irish Minister of State – Justice, home affairs and migration.

Mr. Adam Šimice – Deputy Minister of Justice of the Czech Republic.

Watch the video with the speech of the Ambassador of Ireland, H.E. Mr. Alan Gibbons, and the other honored speakers.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Ireland

Under the auspices of the Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye, H.E. Mr. Metin Feyzioğlu, and the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, H.E. Mr. Peter Matthias Reuss, the Young Philharmonic Orchestra Munich and Chief Conductor Maxmilan Cem Haberstock, performed their first concert on the Tour Mach 2026, at the beautiful Smetana Hall of the Municipal House “Obecni Dum” in Prague.

The program includes :

Franz Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major, S. 125,by the talented Maxim Lando, who performed several encores to the applause of the audience.

Richard Wagner – Prelude to the third act from “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg“

Ludwig van Beethoven – Symphony #5 c moll, op. 67 “Osudová”

Young Philharmonic Orchestra Munich was founded in 2023 by Maximilian Haberstock. Since then, it has grown from 52 to 97

musicians from 32 nations and has performed with soloists such as Alban Gerhardt, Daniel Müller-Schott, and Eva Gevorgyan. The orchestra brings together outstanding young talents from around the world with the vision of becoming a leading international ensemble of the future.

Maximilian Cem Haberstock · Conductor

The 21-year-old Munich-based conductor is considered one of the most exciting young musical personalities of his generation. He made his debut with the Oltenia Philharmonic Orchestra, where he was appointed Principal Guest Conductor in 2023. In the same year, he conducted his first opera with Bizet’s Les Pêcheurs de Perles. Further engagements have included the Verbier Festival and the Gstaad Conducting Academy. As founder and

As the chief conductor of the Young Philharmonic Orchestra Munich, he has performed with soloists such as Alban Gerhardt and Daniel Müller-Schott.

Maxim Lando · Piano

The 23-year-old American pianist is admired for his virtuosity and commanding stage presence.

He gained international attention in 2017 at the Carnegie Hall Opening Gala alongside Lang Lang, Chick Corea, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Following a U.S. tour with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, he made his debut at the Alte Oper Frankfurt. His accolades include the Vendome Grand Prize, the International German Piano Award, and

the 2025 Khaledi Prize.

It was a great concert – The World Belongs to the Youngs.

On the occasion of the tenth edition of the Italian Design Day in the World, the Italian Cultural Institute in Prague (IKI), together with the Italian Embassy in Prague and the Italian Trade and Investment Agency (ICE), organized a two-day event on the theme “RE-DESIGN. Regeneration of spaces, objects, ideas, relationships”.

The event is represented in the Czech Republic by the architectural, urban, and design studio Alvisi Kirimoto. Founded by Massimo Alvisi and Junko Kirimoto in 2002, the studio has established itself as an international company characterized by its individual approach to design, sensitive use of technology, and mastery of space with respect for nature and the various components of society.

On Monday, March 9, Alvisi and Kirimoto hosted a masterclass at the ARCHIP Institute of Architecture in Prague, entitled “Beyond the Boundaries of Matter,” where they introduced undergraduate students to an operational method that transcends form and delves deeper into the reality and sociocultural structure that underpins design. On Tuesday afternoon, in the packed IKI Baroque Chapel, after opening remarks by the Ambassador of Italy to the Czech Republic H.E. Mr. Alessandro Gaudiano, Institute Director Marialuisa Pappalardo, and ICE Vienna Director Corrado Cipollini, Alvisi and Kirimoto, along with acoustics expert Jürgen Reinhold, presented some of their most significant projects and achievements, highlighting how the topic of regeneration represents one of the most pressing and stimulating challenges of our time.

As the presentations showed, the Italian experience in this field, based on solid expertise and knowledge, offers a platform for potential cooperation and exchange between Italy and the Czech Republic, which are characterized by a multi-layered historical development and a rich artistic and cultural heritage.

The Italian Design Day is an annual event promoted and organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Ministry of Culture – Directorate General for Contemporary Creativity, in collaboration with the Compasso d’Oro Foundation, the Industrial Design Association, the Milan Triennale, the Salone del Mobile, Federlegno Arredo and the Italian Trade Agency (ITA).

Photo: Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Praga /   Italian Cultural Institute in Prague.

The Strahov Library is one of the oldest and best preserved libraries in Czechia. According to Tatler magazine it is one of the ten most beautiful libraries in the world.

See more here.

Author: Juan Pablo Bertazza, Barbora Navrátilová

Photo: Feťour, Wikimedia Commons, CC0

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

Music is known to be an amazing therapeutic tool and Prague’s Jewish Museum is on a quest to make it accessible to those who need it most.

See more here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Mario Anzuoni, Reuters

This year’s Oscars brought joy to Czech filmmakers, too, as the statuette for the best documentary went to the Czech–Danish co-production Mr. Nobody Against Putin.

On Sunday, March 15, the Oscars for 2025 were awarded in Los Angeles and Czechia is celebrating success after Mr.

See more here.

Author: Romana Grajcarová

Women in Czechia earn on average about 17 percent less than men, according to data cited by the Labour Ministry.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Mediatraining

Artisan chocolate-makers Lada and Pavel Bartoš from the Lidka chocolate factory in Kutná Hora have won two silver and one bronze medal at the prestigious Academy of Chocolate Awards, often described as the “chocolate Oscars.” They will travel to London later this week to collect the prizes. Ahead of the ceremony, I spoke with Lada Bartošová about the chocolates that impressed the international jury.

Which of your chocolates actually won the medals at the Academy of Chocolate Awards? Can you briefly describe them for us?.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Kateřina Cibulka, Czech Radio

The Czech government has approved a budget with a high deficit, and President Petr Pavel says he will sign it—despite reservations that more should go to defense. Helena Horská, chief economist at Reiffeisenbank, argues the key question is not just how much is spent, but how. She told Radio Prague International that defense spending can make economic sense—if it is treated as investment.

The Czech debate about public finances often avoids uncomfortable truths—whether about so-called “free” public services or the need to invest more in defense:.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Antoan Pepelanov, Radio Prague International

What did languages that disappeared centuries, or even thousands of years ago, actually sound like? That is the question linguists at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in Prague are trying to answer. In the Voices of Dead Languages project, they have reconstructed how several ancient languages may have been spoken, including Old English, the language of the epic poem Beowulf. To bring these voices closer to modern audiences, the team also used artificial intelligence to generate faces for the speakers presenting the reconstructed languages.

I spoke with Jan Bičovský, a historical linguist at Charles University and one of the project’s initiators, and began by asking him what gave him the idea to start the project The Voices of Dead Languages.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Barbora Němcová, Radio Prague International

Thousands of fans of fantasy, sci-fi and gaming arrived in iconic costumes at Prague’s O2 Universum at the weekend to meet their cosplay creators and learn about the latest news from the world of pop culture. Among the international guests appearing at the festival were Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen, Billy Boyd — Pippin from The Lord of the Rings — and other actors from the Harry Potter films.

See more here.

Photo: Masterfilm, Státní fond audiovize

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

The Best Film prize at this year’s Czech Lions went to Caravan, a drama starring Anna Geislerová as the mother of a boy with an intellectual disability who decides to take more control of her life.

See more here.

Author: Ian Willoughby

Photo: Facebook of Neřež band

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

The story of Nerez began on January 20, 1979, when university students Zdeněk Vřešťál and Vít Sázavský met and decided to form a folk duo.

See more here.

Author: Romana Grajcarová

Photo: ZETOR TRACTORS a.s.

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

After World War II, Zbrojovka Brno was looking for a new application outside of arms production.

See more here.

Author: Ian Willoughby

Photo: Luboš Pavlíček, ČTK

More than three decades after the Velvet Revolution, the legacy of the communist regime continues to shape debates in Czech society. In the latest episode of the Czechast podcast, Vít Pohanka speaks with Kamil Nedvědický, First Deputy Director of the Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes in Prague. Their conversation explores why the communist coup of 1948 was unconstitutional, why many crimes of the regime were never punished, and why understanding the realities of life under communism remains crucial for younger generations today.

According to Kamil Nedvědický, First Deputy Director of the Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes in Prague, the way the country addressed communist crimes after 1989 still shapes public debate today.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Michal Gálik, Zoo Liberec

For the first time in thirteen years, conservationists have bred a chick of the critically endangered Philippine eagle, one of the world’s rarest birds of prey, using artificial insemination. The breakthrough in the Philippines was achieved with help from experts from Zoo Liberec. I discussed the breakthrough with the zoo’s bird curator, Jan Hanel.

Why is breeding the Philippine eagle so difficult, even in human care?.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Ian Willoughby, Radio Prague International

Jana Ciglerová is just about to become Czech Radio’s correspondent in Washington. Unusually the journalist is moving there not from Prague but Florida, where she has lived for the best part of a decade and worked for a Czech media outlet. Ahead of this big switch, I asked Ciglerová about everything from keeping up with the non-stop pronouncements of President Trump to how living in the U.S. has shaped her sons’ lives.

Up to now you have been with Deník N, which is a successful media outlet, in the States.

See more here.

Author: Ian Willoughby

Photo: Gerhard F. Ludwig, Festival Bazaar

The 12th edition of the international Bazaar Festival opens today in Prague, bringing contemporary dance and performance from across Central and Eastern Europe to various venues across the capital. I spoke with the festival’s artistic director, Ewan McLaren, and first asked him why “community” became the central theme of this year’s festival.

“Well, our festival always builds its programme around a theme that we observe happening around us.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

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

The event, attended by many Ambassadors, members of the Parliament and the Senate, began with the National Anthems of Ghana and the Czech Republic.

The Honored speaker was Mrs. Marie Chatardova, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.

Watch the video with the speech of the Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Ms. Theresa Adjei-Mensah, and Mrs. Marie Chatardova, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, and a surprise the Ambassador prepare for Mrs. Chatardova,

Happy Independence Day, Ghana and Happy Birthday Mrs. Chatardova

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

The conference was opened by Dr. Bohuslav Svoboda, the Lord Mayor of Prague.

Opening remarks by H.E. Mrs. Gabriela Moraru, the Ambassador of Moldova to the Czech Republic.

Then, about the “Cultural Diplomacy as tool for European Resilience and Identity in Times of Crisis.” By:

Mrs. Constanta Cravet-Mitriuc, expert in community development and women’s leadership. The alliance of hometown associations of Moldova, and Mrs. Victoria Donu, civic engagement, founder of the association “Moldoveni.cz.”

H.E. Mrs. Emily McLaughlin – Ambassador of Canada to the Czech Republic, spoke about “Women Diplomats as Cultural Mediators.”

Open discussion – H.E. Mr. Stéphane Crouzat – Ambassador of France to the Czech Republic.

H.E. Mrs. Maria-Antoaneta Barta – Ambassador of Romania to the Czech Republic, spoke about “Transnational Heritage – Beyond National Branding”

Open Discussion – H.E. Mrs. Mina NOOR. Ambassador of the Netherlands to the Czech Republic.

Mrs. Lenka Aldorf, Head of UNESCO unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, spoke about “UNESCO Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage.”

A fourchette and a cultural program featuring Moldovan traditions performed by the ethno-folkloric ensemble “Kodrjanka” ended the very interesting conference.

The conference was moderated by Ms. Zuzana Hockova – Head of International Relations at the Mayor’s office.

Watch the video with Highlights of the speeches and the cultural performance.

Kashif Janjua – the Imam and Chairman of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the Czech Republic- hosted on Sunday, 8^th March 2026, an Interfaith Fasting Event at the Beautiful Strachov Monastery in Prague.

This special gathering offers a meaningful opportunity to come together in a spirit of openness and mutual respect, to deepen the understanding of one another, and to strengthen the bonds that unite us across religious and cultural traditions.

The event started with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an, followed by the introduction of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community activities.

The speakers were:

Mrs. Sylvie Wittmanova – Jewish educator and founder of the Bejt Simcha congregation.

Prof. Pavol Bargar – Professor at the Protestant Theological Faculty of Charles University.

Dr. Htuang Nuang – CDA of the Embassy of Myanmar to the Czech Republic

And

Mr. Kashif Janjua – Iman and the Chairman of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the Czech Republic.

It was a very interesting discussion.

Watch the Video with highlights from the event.

The HOLIDAY WORLD & REGION WORLD fair is entering its 34th year and has long been one of the most important tourism events in the Czech Republic. This year, Letňany will present tourist destinations from Europe and more distant parts of the world, as well as almost all domestic regions.

Tourism is one of the important pillars of the Czech economy. In 2024, it accounted for 2.5% of the Czech Republic’s gross domestic product, which represents 202 billion crowns. It employs more than 233 thousand people, or roughly one in twenty-three Czech residents.

In 2025 confirmed that tourism in the Czech Republic has not only recovered, but also continues to grow dynamically. The number of overnight stays reached almost 60 million, and the number of arrivals is approaching 24 million.

Gastronomy is a new magnet for visitors, and Gastronomy is an experience and a strategy for tourism.

The partner country of the fair this year is Montenegro, which presents its natural cultural beauties to travel lovers and experts at a national workshop. The general partner is Slovakia, which brought the largest exhibition in history to Prague with a strong representation of regions.

Watch the Video from the opening Ceremony, the press conference, and the cultural events.

Video & Pictures of the participant countries

Exhibition of the participant countries

Video & Pictures from the opening ceremony and the press conference

Photo: X of Petr Pavel

Marking three years in office in an interview for Czech Television, President Petr Pavel rejected claims that he acts as an “opposition president.” But beyond tensions in domestic politics he focused largely on international issues. Vít Pohanka spoke with Pavel Havlíček, an analyst from the Association for International Affairs and asked him, what he found interesting or surprising in the interview.

While the interview itself followed the usual format of a presidential reflection after several years in office, Havlíček said one aspect stood out: Pavel’s openness to considering another presidential run.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: archive of Averil Huck

Averil Huck runs Prague Feminist Tours, a project that introduces visitors to the stories of women who helped shape Czech history but whose names are often missing from monuments and street signs. Originally from France and now based in the Czech capital, she leads walking tours that bring those overlooked stories back into the public space.

Averil took me along on a short version of one of her tours, called the Czech Women’s History Tour in Prague’s Old and New Town.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Zoopark Zájezd o. p. s.

A small zoo near the Central Bohemian town of Kladno has announced an exceptional breeding success. Eight rare green chameleons, an endemic species from Madagascar, have hatched there. The Zájezd Zoopark is the only one in the world successfully breeding this species.

The green chameleon is a medium sized reptile with a bright to light green colour and delicate markings.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Monika Doležalová, Czech Radio

A legendary code-breaking story, secret wartime inventions and the fascinating history of cryptology. The National Technical Museum in Prague is inviting visitors to a special exhibition open until May 10.

The exhibition called Enigma a jiné tajné projekty (Enigma and Other Secret Projects) centers on the famous Enigma cipher machine, used in several versions mainly by the German armed forces before and during the Second World War.

See more here.

Author: Romana Grajcarová

Photo: Martina Janochová, Pixabay, Pixabay License

The video game Kingdom Come: Deliverance (KCD) has proved to be a boon for tourism in Central Bohemia. The game’s realistic depiction of 15th-century life in Bohemia has led to an influx of foreign and domestic tourists visiting real-life locations featured in the game. And the local authorities are doing their best to sustain the interest.

After numerous efforts to try to get tourists out of Prague to the country’s regions, visitors themselves are now searching for the real-life locations where KCD’s quests take place.

See more here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

A scientific career can take on many shapes and forms. For Veronika Verdonckt Smutná, this manifested as a transition from public research to clinical development in the private pharmaceutical sphere. Working mostly from her quaint home in the north of France, for a German company, and collaborating with teams all across the globe, her story epitomizes “Science without Borders” as well as a worldwide commitment to translating innovation into treatments that can make a tangible difference in people’s lives.

What initially inspired you to pursue a career in medical science and later on to pursue clinical development in the private sector?.

See more here.

Author: Xavier Amedeo Pallas, Barbora Navrátilová

Photo: Festival One World

The 28th edition of the One World film festival gets underway in Prague on Wednesday night with a screening of the Hungarian documentary Meant to Be. Over eight days the event – which is run by NGO People in Need – will bring around 170 filmmakers from around the globe to the Czech capital. I spoke to the head of One World, Ondřej Kamenický, and asked why Meant to Be had been selected as the curtain raiser.

“We think that at a time of global tension and at a time when human rights are under attack everybody will expect One World, a human rights film festival, to reflect on that.

See more here.

Author: Ian Willoughby

Photo: Ayrat, Pexels

A small apartment in Prague, or a terrace apartment for the same price in Dubai? Attractive property deals in the United Arab Emirates have drawn many Czech buyers in recent years. Now many investors fear that a drawn-out conflict could result in heavy losses.

The United Arab Emirates are an attractive destination for real estate investors and according to BuyDubai director Denis Karásek, Czechs are strong investors on the Dubai property market.

See more here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Profimedia

When it comes to Prague’s underground culture, which developed from 1968 until the Velvet Revolution in 1989, few bands—if any—left a deeper mark on this period than The Plastic People of the Universe. This phenomenon brought innovation, unprecedented creativity, humor, and lyrics oscillating between poetry and brutality to the Czech music scene. Yet during the harsh years of the totalitarian regime, their inspiring existence became above all a symbol of hope for freedom.

On March 6, the founder of this legendary band, musician Milan Hlavsa – known as Mejla – would have celebrated his 75th birthday.

See more here.

Author: Romana Grajcarová

Photo: Karolína Němcová, Czech Radio

In the Czechast podcast, Lenka Králová reflects on her life as a transgender woman in Czechia. She speaks about identity, online hostility and why open conversations about transgender experiences matter.

Discussions about transgender identity can still provoke strong reactions in Czech society.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Petr Kotyk

Prague’s Museum of Czech Literature has acquired a suitcase that once belonged to writer, journalist and translator Milena Jesenská, a close friend and translator of Franz Kafka. The item was preserved by the family of a fellow prisoner who shared a cell with her.

Milena Jesenská is often remembered for her relationship with Franz Kafka, but she was also one of the leading figures of Czechoslovakia’s interwar journalism.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Ian Willoughby, Radio Prague International

This week saw the first screening in Prague of the independent movie Wooden Hearts, which stars Vít Hořejš, founder of the Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre. The fiction film also features many of the traditional puppets that Hořejš – who left Czechoslovakia in the late 1970s – uncovered in an old Czech church in Manhattan several decades ago. He and his life partner Bonnie Stein, who produced Wooden Hearts and also appears in the charming picture, stopped by at our studios just ahead of the screening.

I know the Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre began in the early 1990s – and I understand the whole story began when some old marionettes were found at the Jan Hus Church in Manhattan?.

See more here.

Author: Ian Willoughby

Photo: Maria Hammerich-Maier, Czech Radio

The cottage of Czech writer Bohumil Hrabal in Kersko near Nymburk has been declared a national cultural monument by the Ministry of Culture. The building, closely connected with the life and work of the renowned author, is owned by the Central Bohemian Region and managed by the Polabí Museum. It was renovated and reopened to the public in 2024.

The minimalist white house with green-painted window panes stands in the picturesque cottage settlement of Kersko, in the rural landscape along the Elbe River.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

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?.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Author: Romana Grajcarová