AuthorMartin Hladík

Photo: PKF Prague Philharmonia/Morris Media

This week, Prague Philharmonia embarks on a concert tour of the United States, performing in six cities across the American Southeast before culminating its journey at New York’s legendary Carnegie Hall. Ahead of the opening concert in Florida, RPI spoke with the orchestra’s chief conductor, Emmanuel Villaume, about the tour and the upcoming Carnegie Hall debut.

“Tours are always extremely important for any orchestra, and US tours are very special for European orchestras.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Muzeum hlavního města Prahy

Štvanice Winter Stadium, designed in 1932 by functionalist architect Josef Fuchs, was the first arena in Czechoslovakia with an artificial ice surface. It hosted the country’s first-ever ice hockey world championship win in 1947, as well as the first televised hockey game in 1955.

The first game ever played at the Štvanice Winter Stadium was on 17 January 1931, when LTC Praha faced Canada’s Manitoba University Graduates.

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Foto: Langley, M.C., Škrdla, P., Kmošek, M. et al. Engraved Limestone Block from Švédův stůl Cave, Czech Republic, 2026 / ARÚ AV ČR /

Czech scientists have announced an extraordinary discovery in the Moravian Karst in South Moravia. Inside one of the region’s caves, they found a rare engraving of a horse — an image created around 15,000 years ago, at the very end of the last Ice Age, when people still lived in and around caves.

An international team of archaeologists, led by researchers from the Institute of Archaeology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, uncovered the engraving in the Švédův stůl Cave.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková, Zdeňka Kuchyňová

Photo: Vít Pohanka, Radio Prague International

Malá Strana is one of Prague’s most visited neighbourhoods and very much part of the beaten track. But behind its busy streets lies a network of stairways that lead away from crowds and into calmer, more intimate spacesand take you suddenly off the beaten track.

Malá Strana’s steep terrain has shaped how people move through it for centuries.

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Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Patrik Uhlíř, ČTK

January and February are traditionally the months when universities across the Czech Republic hold open days. The University of Defence in Brno was no exception, offering prospective students the chance to explore courses and get hands-on experience with available military equipment.

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Photo: NFA

Few Czech silent films are as renowned as Erotikon, directed by Gustav Machatý in 1929. The intimate romance, provocative for its time, has now been digitally restored and will receive a major new premiere on Tuesday. The screening will feature the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra performing a newly commissioned score by Jana Vöröšová. The restoration, led by the National Film Archive, was made possible by the combined efforts of its team. Radio Prague International spoke with Matěj Strnad, head of curation at the Archive.

Eroticon is one of the gems of Czech silent cinema and Czechoslovak film history in general.

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Author: Hannah Vaughan

Photo: Michal Fanta, SOČR

This Friday, the Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra celebrated a major international success in Paris, where it received the Diapason d’Or de l’Année award for its triple album of the complete symphonic works of Bedřich Smetana. The award, presented by critics from the French classical music magazine Diapason and the radio station France Musique, was accepted at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées by the Director General of Czech Radio, René Zavoral.

The album was recorded over two and a half years under the direction of the orchestra’s chief conductor, Petr Popelka, who also works with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Ian Willoughby, Radio Prague International

Bet Orten studied fashion photography in London after a stint as an assistant to a well-known celebrity photographer in New York. But for the last decade and a half Orten, whose Instagram profile describes her as a “female photographer taking pictures of other females”, has been living here in her native Prague. We spoke at our studios ahead of an exhibition she has coming up in the Czech capital this spring.

Where does the name Bet Orten come from?.

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Author: Ian Willoughby

Photo: Jan Bachorík, Czech Radio

Exactly 120 years ago, in 1906, the Austro-Hungarian Empire began systematically registering motor vehicles, requiring the few car owners in the Czech lands — then still part of the Empire — to display a clearly visible registration plate.

One of the best people to explain the origins of number plates is Martin Leška, chairman of the Association of Friends of Number Plates, which brings together enthusiasts and collectors.

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Author: Hannah Vaughan, Ľubomír Smatana

Photo: Tereza Cedidlová, Cech Radio

One of Prague’s most picturesque squares – Námestí míru – was the selected site for a wedding scene in Netflix’s upcoming series The Age of Innocence, an adaptation of the famous novel by American writer Edith Wharton. Its shooting this week attracted a crowd of onlookers.

A section of Prague’s Naměstí míru square went back in time this week.

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Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Lukáš Kaboň, Deník / Czech Press Photo

An image capturing a miner at work has won the main prize at this year’s Czech Press Photo competition. Photographer Lukáš Kaboň was awarded for documenting life underground as the country’s last operating hard coal mine approaches closure. The lifetime achievement award went to veteran documentary photographer Viktor Kolář.

The winning photograph of Czech Press Photo 2025 shows a miner in the ČSM-Sever mine in Stonava, in the Moravia-Silesia region, which is due to cease operations at the end of this month.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Dominik Jůn, Radio Prague International

Czech type designers have become significant players in the field of global typography – the design of glyphs and letterforms, better known as fonts. As Dominik Jůn discovered, this field of artistic graphic design is also strongly linked to Czech history and national identity.

As with any field of human endeavour, Czech type design has its own list of key people that have built up this unique profession – names such as Vojtěch Preissig, Oldřich Menhart, Ladislav Sutnar and František Štorm.

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Author: Dominik Jůn

On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the President of the Republic, Petr Pavel, received the credentials of the new ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary at Prague Castle:

H.E. Mr. Ruslan Abashidze, new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Georgia, based in Prague;

H.E. Ms. Theresa Adjei-Mensah, new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Ghana, based in Prague;

H.E. Mr. Kairat Abdrakhmanov, new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan, based in Prague.

Photo: Národní památkový ústav, CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 CZ

Snowfall on Friday transformed much of the Czech Republic into a winter wonderland. While the mountains are drawing visitors for winter sports, historic sites also take on a special charm at this time of year. And judging by last year’s figures, interest in Czech heritage sites is clearly on the rise – so which castles and chateaux are the most popular, and which can be visited year-round?

Heritage sites managed by the Czech National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) welcomed around 4.

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Photo: Vít Pohanka, Radio Prague International

One of the best ways to experience Prague off the Beaten Track is not on foot, but from a tram. Line 22 crosses the city from Bílá Hora to Hostivař, passing castles, squares, and residential districts along the way. Seen from street level and in motion, Prague reveals itself as a lived-in city, not just a collection of sights.

Most visitors experience Prague on foot — climbing hills, crossing bridges, ticking off landmarks.

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Author: Vít Pohanka

Illustrative photo: Miloš Turek, Radio Prague International

As of January 1, 2026, Czechia introduced a new amendment to its Criminal Code, placing communism on the same legal footing as Nazism. So, what does the law actually prohibit? Why was it adopted, and how does it reflect Czechia’s understanding of its past? I discussed these questions and more with historian and First Deputy Director of the Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes Kamil Nedvědický.

Starting in the new year, Czech law criminalizes the promotion and endorsement of communist ideology.

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Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo illustrative: ilovetattoos, Pixabay, Pixabay License

Getting a tattoo may leave a lasting mark not only on your skin, but also on your immune system. This is the conclusion of a groundbreaking international study involving researchers from the Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences. The research shows that commonly used tattoo pigments can influence immune function, trigger inflammation and even alter the effectiveness of certain vaccines.

Immediately after a tattoo is applied, pigment particles do not remain confined to the skin.

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Author: Hannah Vaughan

Photo: Andy Paradise, BBC Proms

Czech conductor Jakub Hrůša has been named Artist of the Year for 2026 by the International Classical Music Awards. Often described as the “Oscar of classical music,” the honour recognises his exceptional international career and his work with leading orchestras.

The jury of the International Classical Music Awards, made up of editors-in-chief of leading music magazines and representatives of major cultural institutions, praised Hrůša’s ability to combine a deep understanding of musical scores with intense expression and a clear artistic vision.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Jolana Nováková, Czech Radio

Celebrations of regional folk music and dance take place around Bohemia, Silesia and Moravia each year, drawing hundreds of admirers. And while the tradition is only brought out on special occasions, the good news is that those charmed by their vibrant appeal can learn to dance them like a pro!

A defining feature of folk dances, which emerged during the 17th and 18th centuries, was that they were not taught in any formal way.

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Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Metoděj Vlach Aviation Museum

The Metoděj Vlach Aviation Museum in Mladá Boleslav has a new exhibit: a replica of the Kuňkadlo sport aircraft. It was built by designer Juraj Tinka and donated to the museum. The original aircraft was constructed 100 years ago by brothers Bohumil and Vladimír Šimůnek in 1925.

The Šimůnek brothers became interested in aviation at the very beginning of the First World War, initially focusing on building model aircraft.

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Photo: Česká obec sokolská

Marie Provazníková ranks among the most outstanding figures of modern Czech history. As the head of Sokol, an Olympic coach, and a pioneer of women’s physical education, she managed to resist both Nazism and Communism.

She was born in 1890 in Prague’s Karlín district.

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Photo: Věra Hájková, Czech Radio

A treasure trove of more than a thousand rare books has been returned to the monastery library of the Association for the Preservation of the Monastery of St. Francis of Assisi in Votice. The books were taken away 75 years ago, and for many years their whereabouts were unknown.

The Association for the Preservation of the Monastery of St.

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Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Oto Bernad

Women in the South Moravian town of Lednice have created a new online collection documenting more than one hundred traditional woollen shawls known as vlňáky. Once a common part of winter folk costume in the Podluží region, these scarves survive today mostly in family collections.

Vlňáky, or woolen shawls, are a traditional part of women’s folk costume, especially in Moravia.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Česká televize

In the deep forests of the Vysočina region, in the unassuming village of Tři Studně (Three Wells), Bohuslav Martinů composed one of his most lyrical works. Two small forest springs – Barborka and Vitulka – inspired the composer to create the cantata Otvírání studánek (The Opening of the Wells), which celebrates 70 years since its premiere this year.

Martinů visited Tři Studně in 1938 at the invitation of his pupil and muse, Vítězslava Kaprálová.

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Photo: Petr Znachor, Czech Academy of Sciences

Visitors to the Lipno Reservoir in South Bohemia witnessed something unusual at the end of last year. The ice on the lake turned green, a striking sight in the middle of winter. The cause was an unexpected build-up of cyanobacteria trapped beneath the frozen surface.

Cyanobacteria are a common sight on Czech ponds and reservoirs, particularly in the summer months.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Vít Pohanka, Radio Prague International

In this episode of Prague off the Beaten Track, we head to Baba, a rocky plateau just north of Hanspaulka. Built in the 1930s as a model housing exhibition, the Baba villa colony combines functionalist architecture with sweeping views over Prague. From here, even the city’s most familiar landmarks appear — just from angles most visitors never see.

At first glance, Baba feels like a natural extension of nearby Hanspaulka.

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Author: Vít Pohanka

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More information and tickets can be found at GoOut.

Visitor numbers at heritage sites managed by the Czech National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) rose year-on-year last year.

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Author: Hannah Vaughan

In 2025, sales of new passenger cars in the Czech Republic rose by 7.

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Author: Hannah Vaughan

Photo: Archive of Cynthia Paces

Cynthia Paces is the author of Prague: The Heart of Europe, which traces the city’s fascinating history from the 10th century to the modern era. The US historian also has strong personal ties to the city, from which the Pačes family were forced to flee after the 1948 Communist takeover of Czechoslovakia.

Please tell us about your own background and your own family’s story.

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Author: Ian Willoughby

Photo: Shutterstock

Czechia is in for a musical onslaught in 2026 the likes of which it has not seen in a long time. Prague, Hradec Králové and Vizovice will welcome hard-rock legends, metal icons, pop-punk stars and unique projects linking music with gaming culture. Fans have plenty to look forward to – and tickets for many of the concerts are already on sale.

The Masters of Rock festival in Vizovice will welcome Marilyn Manson – a controversial artist known for concerts that balance between chaos and perfect control – provocative visuals, a dark atmosphere and an unforgettable experience.

See more here.

Photo: Petra Hajská, Prague Spring Festival

For this week’s Radio Prague Sunday music show, we are presenting one of the musical highlights of 2025: the 80th Prague Spring International Music Festival, featuring Smetana’s My Country—the pinnacle of the Czech classical music calendar and marking its eightieth edition.

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Photo: Marek Hensl, Czech Radio

Winter coats roads and bridges with salt, and when mixed with moisture, it slowly and relentlessly eats away at metal structures. Scientists at the Institute of Physics of Materials of the Academy of Sciences are trying to combat this. In their laboratories, they subject steel to extreme stress, monitor its failure, and develop new metal alloys designed to last longer, whether on bridges or in space.

Jan Klusák from the Institute of Physics of Materials of the Academy of Sciences shows an ultrasonic pulsator used for testing material fatigue.

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Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Hana Řeháková, Radio Prague International

Jiří Viktor Daneš is a name many Czechs may not recognize today. He was a geographer, explorer, and diplomat who set out for Australia in 1920 as Czechoslovakia’s very first consul on the continent. During his travels across Australia, and later through the Pacific, Japan, and Canada, he took thousands of photographs—capturing landscapes, people, and everyday life along the way.

To start off, who exactly was Jiří Viktor Daneš?.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Source: Florenc21

Florenc21 is Prague’s largest urban renewal project. It’s taking a neglected brownfield along a major road and transforming it into a green walkable neighborhood. Launched through an international urban design competition in 2021, the project was shaped by architectural competitions from more than 160 teams, resulting in designs by 15 architectural offices. I spoke with Luboš Križan from the Prague Institute of Planning and Development (IPR) about the project’s vision and its transformation of the site.

Let’s start with the vision behind the Florenc 21 project.

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Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Hannah Vaughan, Radio Prague International

Bohem Brewery is a London-based Czech brewery that does more than just brew authentic Czech lager. It also runs two pubs and a taproom, all with a wider mission in mind: to teach Britons what good lager can taste and look like.

I visited one of Bohem’s pubs, the Nicholas Nickleby in North London, to meet the people behind the beer.

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Author: Hannah Vaughan

Photo: Evan Agostini, ČTK / AP

Time magazine has named Tomáš Cihlář, a Czech virologist at the US biopharmaceutical company Gilead, among the 100 Most Influential People of 2025, alongside biochemist Wesley Sundquist of the University of Utah. Their work focuses on developing drugs that protect against HIV.

Today, access to antiviral medications can turn an HIV infection, including AIDS, from a fatal disease into a chronic condition.

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Author: Hannah Vaughan

Photo: Vít Šimánek, ČTK

Thanks to freezing temperatures, Czechs are enjoying the winter season not only in the mountains. Ideal conditions for winter fun can also be found in Prague’s parks, for example in Stromovka.

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Photo: Petra Hajská, Pražské jaro

When Antonín Dvořák conducted the Czech Philharmonic’s very first concert on January 4, 1896, few could have foreseen that it was an orchestra destined to become one of the symbols of Czech culture.

Standing on the podium of Prague’s Rudolfinum that evening was Antonín Dvořák himself—the greatest Czech composer of all time—conducting a programme made up exclusively of his own works.

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Author: Klára Stejskalová

Photo: Jolana Nováková, Czech Radio

Hanspaulka is the focus of a new episode of Prague off the Beaten Track, now part of the podcast Czechast. This quiet Prague 6 neighbourhood is known for its interwar villas, famous artists and intellectuals, and a strong sense of place. Today, it remains one of the city’s most rewarding areas for slow walking and architectural discovery.

Perched above the Šárka valley and the bends of the Vltava, Hanspaulka feels far removed from the busy centre of Prague.

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Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: public domain

The Symphony No. 9 in E minor, “From the New World, popularly known as the New World Symphony, was composed by Antonín Dvořák in 1893 when he was director of the National Conservatory of Music of America. It premiered at New York’s Carnegie Hall in 1893, getting a triumphant reception. It has since become one of the most famous symphonies of all time, an integral part of the repertoire of symphony orchestras and conductors the world over.

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Photo: Jaroslav Ožana, ČTK, Profimedia

The Wallachian Open-Air Museum in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm marked the 100th anniversary of its founding in 2025 with a record-breaking celebration. A total of 1,449 people wearing traditional folk costumes gathered in Masaryk Square in late June, making the Czech Book of Records.

The 100th birthday anniversary of the Wallachian Open-Air Museum in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm attracted people from around the country –both those who have roots in the region and those who have a love for folk traditions.

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Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Jan Kolský, GHMP

An exhibition devoted to activist art is currently underway at Prague’s Municipal Library. Organised by City Gallery Prague, it explores Czech activist art of recent decades in dialogue with international movements such as Black Lives Matter, Me Too, or Fridays for Future.

Public protests against violations of civil rights or environmental destruction often take the form of artistic performances.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Tomáš Adamec, Czech Radio

Commemorating exactly fourteen years since the death of former president Václav Havel, candles and flowers are laid in remembrance – not only of a president, but also of an artist, playwright, dissident, and public figure. Havel has come to symbolise the fall of communism in Czechoslovakia in 1989, in which he played a key role. Yet, political analyst Jiří Pehe, who served as Havel’s advisor and knew him well, argues that his legacy goes far beyond this and is increasingly important today.

“I think that what comes to mind today is his legacy, because he fought for a lot of things which are currently endangered, human rights, human dignity, global responsibility.

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Author: Hannah Vaughan

Photo: René Volfík, iROZHLAS.cz

Precisely ten years ago, the Paris Agreement was adopted by a record 195 parties – a moment of relief and euphoria for Stéphane Crouzat, who was among the architects of the landmark deal and is now France’s ambassador to Czechia. What does he make of Czechia’s stance on climate change ten years on from the Agreement?

In 2015, at COP21 in Paris, the Paris Agreement was adopted as a legally binding pact.

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Author: Hannah Vaughan, Jan Kaliba

Illustrative photo: geralt, Pixabay, Pixabay License

In 2025, Czechia ranked as the world’s sixth-best performing economy, according to The Economist. But did it really perform that well? In my interview with Vladimir Vano, Chief Economist at Wealth Effect Management, I asked him what factors contributed to The Economist’s favorable ranking of the Czech economy, how artificial intelligence might affect the country, and much more.

Czechia ranked as the world’s sixth-best performing economy this year.

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Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo illustrative: Profimedia

The debate over mobile phones in Czech schools has moved from the margins to the mainstream. One of the voices shaping this discussion is lawyer Jan Vobořil, who supports the parental initiative “Cell-less Childhood” (Dětství bez mobilu) and argues that banning phones at school is both realistic and beneficial.

The initiative does not call for rejecting technology outright.

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Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Jaroslav Svoboda, ČTK

A magical evening took place at the pilgrimage Church of St. John of Nepomuk on Zelená Hora in Žďár nad Sázavou. Dozens of worshippers honoured St. Lucy’s feast with songs and prayers, celebrating her name, which comes from the Latin word for “light.”

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Illustrative photo: Sharon Drummond, Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

New data on alcohol addiction treatment reveal stark regional differences. Most Czechs undergoing treatment for alcohol addiction come from eastern, northern, and central Moravia. The districts of Vsetín, Zlín, Jeseník, Kroměříž, and Přerov are particularly critical, with more than 300 people undergoing treatment per 100,000 inhabitants.

Alcohol addiction treatment in Czechia is unevenly distributed, with the eastern part of the country bearing the heaviest burden.

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Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Ludmila Opltová, Czech Radio

Fragments of some of Brno’s best-known buildings are about to travel hundreds of kilometres to Britain. They’re headed for a Liverpool cemetery, where they will become part of a new memorial to Ernst Wiesner, a leading architect of interwar Brno.

The Villa Stiassni, the Villa Neumark, the headquarters of Czech Radio Brno, and the Morava Palace are all landmark buildings of interwar Brno — and all were designed by architect Ernst Wiesner.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková, Tomáš Kremr

Photo: Ondřej Tomšů, Radio Prague International

The statue of 82 children in Lidice, which commemorates the destruction of the Central Bohemian village by the Nazis in 1942, is set to undergo a major restoration in the next five years. The Lidice Memorial has now presented what the renovation will involve and how the work will be carried out.

The memorial, dedicated to the 82 children murdered by the Nazis in the summer of 1942, is the work of academic sculptor Marie Uchytilová.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Slavík, National Gallery Prague

Thirty years ago, on 13 December 1995, Veletržní Palace reopened after a long reconstruction. The National Gallery thus gained a representative home for its collection of modern and contemporary art, spread across 13,500 square meters. The opening was seen as a symbolic step — after decades of cultural isolation, Prague once again aligned itself with European modernism.

The reconstruction itself, which cost one billion crowns and took nearly ten years, was a major story in its own right.

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Photo: che, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5

In this episode of the Sunday Music Show, we’ll be presenting music from the rock group, Čechomor, A group of ex-rock musicians who’ve revitalized traditional Czech music.

Czechomoravian Music Society, better known simply as Čechomor, originally a group of rock musicians, is a Czech band known for revitalizing traditional Czech and Moravian folk music by blending it with modern styles.

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Photo: Klára Škodová, Czech Radio

For Prague Off the Beaten Track, Masarykovo nádraží, known as Masaryčka, is one of those places that feels both central and strangely overlooked. Opened in 1845, it is Prague’s oldest railway station and a rare example of a historic terminal still in everyday use. Named after the first Czechoslovak president, it quietly connects the city’s 19th-century beginnings with its 21st-century transformation.

Masarykovo nádraží may not be the largest station in Prague, but it is certainly the oldest.

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Author: Vít Pohanka

In the Winter issue of the Czech & Slovak Leaders magazine, ( next week it will be online), we will feature a travel article about Rwanda.

Until then, in every newsletter, we will publish a promo for it.

The big adventure – the Zip Line Tour.

After a safety training, you get a helmet and harness. 1,850 meters across three scenic sections await you. You soar through the treetops and enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the forest’s rolling hills and the jungle. Václav had the courage to do it – I preferred to walk all the way down to the Canopy Walkway, a 160-meter-long suspension bridge hanging 70 meters above the forest floor. This was definitely an unforgettable experience.

Watch the Video.

The Vietnamese Heritage Club “Ao Dai” in the Czech Republic celebrate his first year of activity in a glamorous event, which took place at the Hoang Thanh Convention Center, Sapa, Prague

Opening remarks by Mrs. Nguyen Tuyet Hanh, Chairwoman of the Heritage Club for Ao Dai in the Czech Republic

Welcome remarks by H.E. Mr. Duong Hoai Nam, Ambassador of Vietnam to the Czech Republic (followed by an award certificate presentation to the Club)

Congratulatory remarks by Mr. Hoang Dinh Thang, President of the Confederation for the Overseas Vietnamese in Europe, and at the Czech Republic.

Congratulatory remarks by HE Mrs. Petra Quittova, ( STAN)  Mayor of the Černovice – Brno City District

Congratulatory remarks by Guest of Honor  Mr. Daniel Blažkovec, Deputy Minister of Defence

A rich culture program, including live show of various Ao Dai styles and Club’s birthday ceremony.

Watch the Video of highlights from this magnificent event.

Rutland & Partners established in 2010 by Monika Rutland, is also a part of Andersen Global, an international network providing best in class tax and legal services around the world.

Photo: Václav Šálek, ČTK

On Saturday, Czech scouts lit lanterns with the Bethlehem Light in Linz, Austria, and brought it to Brno by train that evening. The flame, taken from the so-called eternal fire that travels annually from Bethlehem around the world, will be available to the public from December 13.

Shortly after 8 p.

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Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Zuzana Jarolímková, iROZHLAS.cz

The Christmas market on Old Town Square is rated by the world media as one of the most beautiful in the world. Every year it attracts some 750,000 visitors from at home and abroad. So what makes this Christmas market so special and what is in store for visitors this year?

Prague’s Old Town Square, with its Gothic and Baroque architecture and its famous astronomical clock, attracts hordes of visitors all year round.

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Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Zuzana Jarolímková, iROZHLAS.cz

Online communication with authorities should be accessible to everyone by law, but in practice, this is often not the case, as Klára Šimáčková Laurenčíková, the government’s human rights commissioner, points out. She explains that people with visual or hearing impairments face various obstacles when using government websites and applications.

A data box or a request for a criminal record extract via the Citizen Portal is, for most people, an everyday convenience that makes life easier.

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Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Behind the doors of a small workshop in Velvary, near Prague, simple ingredients are transformed into soft, delicious gingerbread. Gingerbread maker Kateřina develops her own recipes and shows that gingerbread can be more than just a Christmas classic. She seeks a balance between tradition and new flavours, and encourages everyone to create their own spice blend. Step inside her workshop with us and discover how to make the best gingerbread, and how modern gingerbread desserts are being reimagined.

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Photo: Mikuláš Vochozka, Czech Radio

A digital replica of Prague’s famed astronomical clock is now on display in the Knights’ Hall of the Old Town Hall. Thanks to the virtual model, visitors can gain a clearer understanding of how the world’s oldest functioning mechanism actually works.

Every full hour, the astronomical clock – the Orloj – draws crowds who gather to watch it come to life.

See more here.

Author: Hannah Vaughan

Photo: Barbora Navrátilová, Radio Prague International

Vojta Berka, a Czech artist and illustrator, recently took a trip to the United States and saw it all — from the skyscrapers of New York City, to the vast countryside of Utah. Along the way, he filled his notebook with sketches of American cities, landscapes, and animals, capturing the North American continent from a European perspective.

Now, Vojta’s drawings are on display in the Ink Trail exhibition at the American Center in Prague, from Wednesday until January 23.

See more here.

Photo: Profimedia

Arnošt Lustig, one of the great figures of Czech literature, would have turned 100 next year. On the occasion, FestivAL100 will celebrate his enduring legacy. His powerful message of humanity, even in the darkest of times, resonates to this day, attracting readers both at home and abroad.

As a child, Arnošt Lustig survived Auschwitz, and the horrors he witnessed during the Holocaust profoundly shaped his writing.

See more here.

Author: Hannah Vaughan

Photo: Michal Sladký, Czech Radio

The Czech Republic has dozens of castles and chateaux whose history is well documented and whose interiors are open to visitors. However, some castle ruins have yet to reveal their secrets and modern technology is helping to uncover what lies buried deep underground.

Around twenty volunteers are busy cleaning up the surroundings of the Střílky Castle ruins in the Kroměříž region.

See more here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Kateřina Šulová, ČTK

Keep getting lost in Prague’s city centre? Residents and visitors can now find their way more easily thanks to “Prague Walker”, a new pedestrian signage system that shows that sometimes walking really is the quickest way to get around.

The new signage system will gradually replace the brown signs attached to lampposts and poles across the city, familiar to most residents.

See more here.

Author: Hannah Vaughan

The Czech Nightingale Awards, Český slavík, are the country’s annual popularity poll for singers and bands, decided entirely by public vote. This year, Ewa Farna triumphed among female singers for the third consecutive year, also claiming the overall top spot. Other familiar names also reinforced current trends in Czech music, with rock band Kabát winning the group category for the 15th time, defending last year’s title, and rapper Calin (Călin Panfili) claiming the hip-hop/rap award for the third year running. One surprise was Václav Noid Bárta, who won the male singer category for the first time. Bárta is also known as a composer, producer, songwriter, actor, and frontman of the metal band Dymytry. The Objev roku (Discovery of the Year) award, reserved for emerging talent, went to Czech-Vietnamese rapper, singer, and songwriter Renne Dang. His 2024 album Problémy v ráji blends pop, rap, and punk-rock.

See more here.

Photo: Oční klinika Fakultní nemocnice Olomouc

In December 1905, Austrian ophthalmologist Eduard Konrad Zirm performed in Olomouc the first successful corneal transplant in the world. Czech medicine thus became a pioneer in a field that continues to develop even in the modern era – for example thanks to unique methods used in Ostrava.

At the beginning of the 20th century, blindness caused by corneal damage was practically untreatable.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Zuzana Jarolímková, iROZHLAS.cz

Czechs embrace the Christmas season with enthusiasm, but long-term statistics show that church attendance in Czechia is among the lowest in Europe. In this episode of Czechast, we explore why these two realities coexist — and where the roots of this paradox lie. Religion editor Adam Šindelář offers historical context and insight into Czech attitudes toward faith, tradition and spirituality.

As Advent lights appear across the country and Christmas approaches, Czech towns and cities fill with markets, music and familiar traditions.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: BoysPlayNice, Prague City Museum

After five years of renovation, the main building of the Museum of Prague at Florenc is reopening to the public. Visitors will find a completely new digital and interactive exhibition called City Through Time, based on the museum’s most valuable piece, the Langweil Model of Prague. Radio Prague International spoke with the museum’s director, Ivo Macek:

We’re standing in the renovated main building of the Museum of Prague, which now houses a new permanent exhibition that is both interactive and digital.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Dáša Kubíková, Czech Radio

The UNESCO committee has added amateur theater in Czechia to its list of intangible cultural heritage, the Czech Ministry of Culture announced on Wednesday. This is the tenth item that Czechia has on the list.

Since Tuesday, the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage has been meeting in Delhi to consider new entries for the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

See more here.

Author: Jakub Ferenčík

On the occasion of the National Day of Romania, The Ambassador of Romania in the Czech Republic, H.E. Mrs. Antoaneta Barta, and Mr. Bogdan Barta hosted a reception at Prague – Kaiserštejnský Palác.

In the Winter issue of the Czech & Slovak Leaders magazine, we will feature a travel article about Rwanda.

Until then, in every newsletter, we will publish a promo for it.

Lake Kivu is the biggest lake in Rwanda, with many islands in the middle. We took a sunrise boat excursion on this beautiful lake.

Watch the Video of Lake Kivu

On the occasion of the 113rd Anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of Albania, H.E. Mr. Ilir TEPELENA – the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the Czech Republic, and Mrs. Marsela Tepelena, hosted a reception at the Oriental Mandarin Hotel in Prague.

Mr. Radek Pech, the Chief Director of the European Section at the ministry of foreign affairs of the Czech Republic, was the honored speaker.

Watch the video with the speech of H.E. Mr. Ilir TEPELENA – the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the Czech Republic, and of Mr. Radek Pech, the Chief Director of the European Section at the ministry of foreign affairs of the Czech Republic, was the honored speaker.

It’s become a great tradition, to support Ukrainian youth by the Korean Embassy in Prague, at their beautiful hall of events.

The concert starts with a Christmas Song performed by H.E. Mr. Youngki HONG, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, H.E. Most Reverend Jude Thaddeus OKOLO, H.E. Mr. Eduardo MENEZ, Ambassador of the Philippines and his spouse,and Ms. Helle Kelstrup – the spouse of the Denmark Ambassador. Ms. Hyojin Kim – The spouse of the Korean Ambassador accompanied them on the piano.

Watch the speech of H.E. Mr. Youngki HONG, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea,H.E. Mr. Vasyl ZVARYCH, Ambassador of Ukraine, , and Ms. Yulia Oleinik – Head of UNICEF in the Czech Republic.

At the Rich Culture program appearance: Kroky Dobra ( Ukrainian Choir), Praha Korean Choir, Korean Musicians and Theater group UAkidsSchool, and a Very talented Korean opera singers.

Watch Highlights from the culture performance.

Excellent news reached us from Riyadh on Friday, November 28, 2025: the winner of the Best Cookbook award at the Gourmand Awards International, during the Saudi Feast food festival, was announced. It was the Indonesian cookbook “Indonesia at Home” by Eka Moncarre, founder of La Maison de l’Indonésie in Paris. It is with great pride that La Maison de l’Indonésie Paris announces that this book, published in 2025, has not only won the award for best cookbook, but also two other awards:

1. Best Asian Cookbook (ahead of Japan, Malaysia, Korea, and Vietnam) and
2. Best Bilingual Cookbook (second edition in English and French) (ahead of Bulgaria, Guatemala, Jordan, the United States, and Uzbekistan).

Created by Eka Moncarre, founder of La Maison de l’Indonésie, the cultural, artisanal, and gastronomic showcase of Indonesia in Paris, this book is the first bilingual French-English book dedicated to the culinary and cultural richness of the Indonesian archipelago. A unique book to discover Indonesia at home Indonesia at Home features: an immersion in Indonesian culture, its traditions, and its local products; a selection of the best Indonesian products, some of which are well-known and rare; authentic, simple, and comforting recipes for cooking “just like at home.” This success will undoubtedly contribute to making Indonesian gastronomy even more famous worldwide, as more than 100 countries are participating in the Gourmand Awards International 2025 in Riyadh from November 27 to 30, 2025.

International Recognition

The Gourmand Awards, often referred to as the “Oscars of the culinary book,” reward the most outstanding works in the world of gastronomy each year. Founded in 1985 by Mr Edouard Cointreau (founder of the Cordon Bleu cooking school), it is a prestigious competition for international cookbooks.

The distinction awarded to Indonesia at home is a major recognition for the international promotion of Indonesian cuisine.

The international network of the Gourmand Awards includes 205 participating countries and is the only international competition for culinary cultural content. Each year, it distinguishes the best books, print and digital, as well as TV shows and social media content devoted to the culinary arts. Participation is free and open to all languages. The Gourmand Awards gathering is always an opportunity to meet the most influential people in the sector: the biggest publishers, authors, chefs and journalists come together to present their work and share their knowledge. This year’s Gourmand Awards ceremony was exceptional, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the competition. Riyadh was chosen to host the Saudi Feast Food Festival.

Mr Abdul Aziz Ahmad, Indonesian Ambassador in Riyadh, and his team were also present as guests of honor to deliver a speech at the prestigious ceremony.

Eka Moncarre, author of the book “Indonesia at Home,” said she was touched and proud to have made Indonesia shine on the international stage and that her efforts to ensure the country’s success are finally being recognized around the world.

Located in Paris, La Maison de l’Indonesia is a unique space dedicated to promoting Indonesian culture, knowhow and gastronomy.

It offers a selection of coffees, teas, artisanal and gourmet products, as well as a regular programme of cultural events, workshops and meetings.

These two international awards certainly demonstrate the importance of gastro-diplomacy for Indonesia and should serve as a starting point for continued improvement and preservation as an Indonesian cultural heritage throughout the world.

Photo: Kateřina Šulová, ČTK

Alfons Mucha’s sculpture “Nature” sold at a major Prague auction for CZK 18.35 million including fees, setting a new domestic record for the artist, according to the European Arts Investments auction house. The bronze bust, created in 1900 and listed as a protected object of Czech cultural heritage, had a starting price of CZK 14.8 million.

The 70-centimeter bust of a woman, made of patinated bronze and malachite, was originally created by the Czech artist for the renowned Parisian jeweller Georges Fouquet.

See more here.

Author: Hannah Vaughan

Photo: Josef Vostárek, ČTK

The Renaissance chateau in the east Bohemian town of Pardubice will have a new representative hall with a unique wavy bubble ceiling designed by architect Eva Jiřičná. It consists of 1,100 bubble-shaped pieces made of plaster that will ensure ideal acoustic conditions.

The first bubbles made of plaster are currently being installed on the ceiling of the future representative hall, situated in the northern wing of the Pardubice chateau.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Michaela Říhová, ČTK

The Madonna from Havraň, a rare medieval sculpture of the Virgin Mary, has gone on display in the Convent of St. Agnes of Bohemia in Prague. The National Gallery acquired the object three years ago, and it has since undergone careful examination and restoration.

The wooden statue is believed to have been carved in the 1360s or 1370s, during the reign of Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Lenka Šipošová, Czech Radio

Have you ever wondered where to send your Czech Christmas wishes to? It’s not to Santa Claus at the North Pole, but instead to little Baby Jesus (or Ježíšek) whose “official” Christmas address is the post office in Boží Dar, the highest-located town in Czechia.

The post office in Boží Dar, nestled in the Ore Mountains, not only receives Christmas wishes from children around the world but also stamps holiday greetings and packages with a special Christmas postmark.

See more here.

Author: Hannah Vaughan

Photo: Zdeněk Němec, MAFRA / Profimedia

Roráty, the centuries-old Advent dawn Masses, remain one of the most distinctive spiritual traditions in Czech and Central European culture. Celebrated in darkness and by candlelight, they offer a quiet moment of reflection before sunrise. A Catholic priest and a mother from Zlín explain why these early-morning gatherings continue to touch both adults and children.

It is still dark outside when the first lights begin moving through towns and villages across Czechia.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: UNICEF

Bhutan and Czechia are not two countries we would immediately link together. Yet, they share a 20-year history of collaboration, with Bhutan being UNICEF Czechia’s most consistently supported partner. Current aid focuses on 9,000 young Buddhist monks and nuns, ensuring their monastic schools meet all their needs.

Bhutan, a landlocked South Asian country at the foothills of the Himalayas, has a population of around 700,000.

See more here.

Author: Hannah Vaughan

Exactly 220 years ago, on December 2, 1805, one of the most significant battles in European history unfolded near Slavkov. Emperor Napoleon I of France defeated the joint Russian-Austrian army in a brutal clash that claimed around 60,000 lives. Because Napoleon, Russian Tsar Alexander I, and Austrian Emperor Francis all took part in the battle personally, it entered history as the Battle of the Three Emperors — a day that forever reshaped the map of Europe.

See more here.

Author: Anna Kubišta, Barbora Navrátilová

Photo: Štěpán Sedláček, Czech Radio

Czech and US scientists have just launched TerraDrought, the first global system for monitoring drought and forecasting its impacts. To better understand how this tool works, what kinds of data it provides, and who it can help, I spoke with Miroslav Trnka, bioclimatologist and team leader at the Global Change Research Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences.

So first of all, what exactly is TerraDrought? Where can people access it and what kinds of information does it provide?.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Shutterstock

In the heart of Olomouc stands the monumental Baroque Holy Trinity Column, a 32-meter landmark consecrated in 1754 in the presence of Empress Maria Theresa. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000 for its exceptional authenticity, it is now undergoing extensive restoration set to finish by Christmas 2026. The work has revealed two surprises: an underground chamber beneath the chapel and a time capsule hidden in the topmost sculpture.

The Holy Trinity Column was built over several decades as an expression of deep religious faith and as a symbol of pride for the city of Olomouc.

See more here.

Photo: Centrum DOX

A major retrospective of Eva Švankmajerová — painter, stage designer, writer, and a leading figure of Czech surrealism — is now on display at Prague’s DOX Centre for Contemporary Art. Titled Woe to the Painting…, the exhibition spans her entire creative life, from the 1960s to her final years.

Marking twenty years since Eva Švankmajerová’s death, the exhibition brings together not only her paintings and drawings, but also ceramics, furniture, and film props created for the works of her husband and lifelong collaborator, Jan Švankmajer, who contributed to this exhibition as well.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Soňa Jindrová, Czech Radio

The number of women driving buses, trolleybuses, and trams in Czechia is rising. According to the Association of Transport Companies, there are now 1,293 women drivers, about 12% of all public transport operators. The organization presented a new part of its campaign in Prague, aiming to challenge stereotypes and attract more women to the field.

The Association of Transport Companies of the Czech Republic presented a document on women employed in transport on Thursday.

See more here.

Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Beekeeping has become a surprising new tool in the fight against poverty in Zambia, helping many poor families in rural areas to survive. Beekeeping has big potential but many locals lack the necessary equipment to get started. How is the Czech NGO Friends of New Renato helping? And what makes women better beekeepers than men?

See more here.

Author: Barbora Navrátilová

Photo: Jolana Nováková, Czech Radio

In this episode of Prague Off the Beaten Track, we take you into Stromovka, Prague’s vast Royal Game Reserve. Once a medieval hunting ground, today it’s one of the city’s most beloved and tranquil parks. Just a short walk from Výstaviště, it offers history, nature, and unexpected quiet in the middle of Prague.

Stromovka may look like a simple green oasis today, but its story stretches back hundreds of years.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Anna Kristová, MFDNES + LN / Profimedia

Prague has been pulled into the Stranger Things universe with new installations at the Albertov and Chodovská tram-stops. A looming Demogorgon and a symbolic portal to the “Upside Down” promote the fifth and final season of the hit Netflix series.

But the Czech link goes beyond the marketing spectacle, as the new season features Luke Ellison Kokotek, a young American actor with Czech roots.

See more here.

Author: Hannah Vaughan

Photo: Marta Pilařová, Czech Radio

President Petr Pavel has described the Bedřiška settlement as a unique example of how residents of a socially excluded area transformed their neighbourhood into a thriving community. In his view – and that of many others defending the settlement – Bedřiška should stand as a model of successful community life, not face demolition. So why is it being torn down, and is there still a chance to save it?

The former miners’ settlement of Bedřiška is located in Ostrava in the far east of the Czech Republic.

See more here.

Author: Hannah Vaughan

The Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia H.E. Ms. Solangel  ORTIZ MEJIA,hosted the opening ceremony of the cultural exhibition “Gold and Coca Leaf”  and the gastronomic event  “Flavours of the Colombian Caribbean in Prague”, at the at the Hotel NH Collection Prague Carlo IV.

 Gold and Coca Leaf is a traveling exhibition that, in nine European countries, proposes a dialogue between heritage,contemporary art,and publicpolicy. At its core are 56 exactreplicas of the Quimbaya Collection, created by master goldsmith Omar Hurtado in dialogue withk knowledge bearers, and La Chagrade Amoka, awork by Tatiana Arocha centeredon the coca leaf as a living archive of the forest and of biocultural memories.

Chef Jorge Mendez, brings the vibrant spirit and flavours of the Colombian Caribbean to the heart of Prague.

Watch the video with highlights from the speeches of H.E. Ms. Solangel  ORTIZ MEJIA, the goldsmith Mr. Omar Hurtado, and Tatiana Arocha, the culture program and pictures from this beautiful exhibition.

In the Winter issue of the Czech & Slovak Leaders magazine, we will feature a travel article about Rwanda.

Until then, in every newsletter, we will publish a promo for it.

“The way back to the Cyamudongo tourist centre took us about two hours, with a surprise from the community people, a show of traditional songs and dance.”

Watch the video with the beautiful performance.

The Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan H.E Mr. Bakyt DYUSSENBAYEV, and his spouse, hosted at the Vienna Diplomat hotel farewell reception.

Here are selected sections of H.E Mr. Bakyt DYUSSENBAYEV and H.E. Most Reverend Jude Thaddeus OKOLO speeches at the event.

A Ukrainian delegation, including children returned home under the Presidential program Bring Kids Back UA and civilian women freed from Russian captivity, was received by Pope Leo XIV in The Vatican city.

Witnesses of Suffering: Each child and civilian woman represents a profound story of pain, loss, and simultaneously, redemption and hope.

Great gratitude was conveyed to His Holiness for his deep empathy for Ukraine’s suffering and his readiness to heed calls for help. This appreciation extends to his daily humanitarian efforts that continue to reunite Ukrainian families.

The delegation sought the continued support of the Holy See in the mission to repatriate Ukrainian children, secure the release of prisoners, and ensure every Ukrainian displaced by the war can embrace their loved ones once more.

The meeting concluded with a truly sincere prayer for life, for children, and for peace, followed by the Pontiff’s blessing—a powerful sign of immense hope.

Photo: Vatican Media

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/taras-holub_popeleoxiv-saveukrainianchildren-standwithukraine-activity-7397890068281102336-MjXc/ 

Photo: Michal Krumphanzl, ČTK

A new book has just been released that captures Prague’s famous St. Vitus Cathedral, in remarkable detail. Called St. Vitus Cathedral, The Stone Crown of the Kingdom, it was created by photographer Jan William Drnek and includes photos of places most visitors never get to see.

For three years, Jan William Drnek and his team photographed St.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Veronika Bartes Vohralíková, Czech Radio

Archaeologists are concluding a major investigation into the 12th-century origins of Třebíč, a Moravian town about 60 kilometres west of Brno. Their work has already earned the prestigious Patrimonium pro futuro award, presented by the National Heritage Institute.

The survey on Karlovo and Martinského squares in the historic centre of Třebíč has taken several years and is now entering its final stage.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Patrik Uhlíř, ČTK

For the first time, visitors in Brno can see the city’s Christmas lights from above. Every Saturday until Christmas, you can hop on a hot-air balloon in front of the Janáček Theatre.

See more here.

Photo: Sabina Vosecká, Czech Radio

Porcelain mantel clocks with digital displays or vases shaped like rubber boots — these are just two of the iconic objects created by one of Czechia’s most outstanding designers, Maxim Velčovský. His work is now being showcased in a retrospective exhibition opened by the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague.

The exhibition, titled Qubus: The Beautiful Beast – The Battle with Beauty, presents a comprehensive overview of the independent Czech design brand and the design studio of the same name, which will celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary next year.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Daniela Pilařová, Czech Radio

The expulsion of more than three million Sudeten Germans from post-war Czechoslovakia in 1945 not only changed the face of the region but left many German graves abandoned. Some municipalities repair and maintain the graves on regional budgets or cross-border grant programs. Now regular subsidies from the Ministry for Regional Development will help boost this effort.

In 1918, the town of Svitavy was known as Zwittau and was almost entirely German, with only a tiny Czech minority.

See more here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová