AuthorMartin Hladík

Photo: Studio hrdinů

The new director of the Slovak National Theatre (SND), Zuzana Ťapáková, has canceled the performance Moonstone by Prague’s Studio of Heroes, which was scheduled to be part of the Drama Queer festival. The festival’s organizer called the decision discriminatory and accused her of censorship. Studio of Heroes announced on Facebook that they plan to address the situation with a talk at the end of October.

Drama Queer is a theatre festival focused on LGBT+ issues, running from 17 to 28 October.

See more here.

Author: Jakub Ferenčík

On the occasion of the 79^th anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia, the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia  H.E. Ms. Kenssy Dwi EKANINGSIH hosted a reception at the Hilton Hotel, Prague.

Mr. David Müller the Director General at the Section of European Union and Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, and Mr. Viktor Vojtko Member of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic were the honored guests.

Watch the video with the speech of the Ambassador H.E. Ms. Kenssy Dwi EKANINGSIH  and of Mr. David Müller the Director General at the Section of European Union and Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, and Mr. Viktor Vojtko Member of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Republic.

A rich culture program was a part of the event.

Happy Independence Day, Indonesia

On the occasion of Spain National Day, The Ambassador of Spain, H.E. Mrs. María Pérez Sánchez-Laulhé hosted a reception at  Kaiserstein Palace, Prague.

Mr. Eduard Hulicius – the deputy minister of foreign affairs of the Czech Republic was the honored guest.

Watch the video with the speech of the Ambassador of Spain, H.E. Mrs. María Pérez Sánchez-Laulhé, and of Mr. Eduard Hulicius – the deputy minister of foreign affairs of the Czech Republic.

Viva Espana Viva República Checa

The Ambassador of the Argentine Republic H.E. Mr. Claudio Javier Rozencwaig is very honored to be able to host, together with the Lucerna Palace, the 13th edition of the Argentine Film Week, a cultural event that has already become an obvious symbol of the affinity between Argentine and Czech culture.

A cultural tradition that brings us closer together and reminds us that we are not alone on this journey, no matter where we come from. No kilometers, countries, and oceans are enough to separate us.

The festival will take place from 10.10.- 15.10.2024 at the Beautiful Lucerna Cinema – Vodičkova 36, Praha 1.

The opening evening was attended by many Ambassadors and diplomats and the public who love the Argentine movies.

The Ambassador of the Argentine Republic H.E. Mr. Claudio Javier Rozencwaig and the Edvard Kožušník Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic.

The opening movie was The Extortion  ( 2023 ) – Alejandro is an experienced airline pilot. He loves his profession, but he hides a secret: a medical condition that, if discovered, would lead to his immediate retirement. The Intelligence Service finds out and they start blackmailing him by demanding that, without asking questions, he transport some mysterious suitcases on the Buenos Aires-Madrid route. Intrigued by the enigmatic cargo he is carrying, Alejandro is soon plunged into a universe of intrigue and corruption that will put him and those he loves in danger. His very life is threatened, and he has to fight to survive.

In addition to sucking mother’s milk, Gaia also sucks solid food, especially vegetables, which fall from mother Kijiva’s mouth while eating. Photo by Tereza Mrhálková, Prague Zoo

On Saturday, October 12, six months will pass since the birth of the gorilla Gaia at the Prague Zoo. The daughter of the female Kijivu and goddaughter of the famous primatologist Jane Goodall is thriving and growing literally before the eyes of visitors. She is tasting solid food, exploring the indoor and outdoor areas of the Dja Reserve and increasingly playing with his nine-month-old sister, Mobi. In addition, the first born quickly catches up – this is probably due to Gaia’s more benevolent upbringing and Mobi herself, who sets an example for her.

“For the first time in the history of the Prague Zoo, we have the opportunity to watch two baby gorillas at the same time, which brings us and the visitors a whole range of remarkable stimuli. For example, the younger Gaia is extremely mature for her age. It is thanks to her mother Kijiva, who has already raised four offspring. Thanks to this, she approaches upbringing with experience and calmness, and Gaie thus gives more freedom than first-born Duni to her daughter Mobi, whom Duni, on the other hand, holds quite briefly,” says chief primate breeder Martin Vojáček.

Kijiva’s mother-of-five’s upbringing is relatively benevolent. Visitors can increasingly see little Gaia during exploratory tours of the pavilion. The white spot on the bottom, which is clearly visible in the picture, is a typical sign of baby gorillas. Photo by Oliver Le Que, Prague Zoo

However, freer supervision of the cub’s behavior is not the only reason why Gaia is almost as mature as Mobi, who is three and a half months older. “Gaia has a pattern in Mobi. While Mobi has had to figure out how the world around her works – how to stand up, that the ropes swing, that she can swing on them, and so on – Gaia takes it all away from Mobi. The development of Gaia’s motor skills is therefore very fast,” explains Vojáček.

However, not everything can compete with Gaia Mobi. “Gaia already swallows solid food just like Mobi, but she has to wait for harder bites. Gaia has few teeth yet, about eight to ten. You simply cannot speed up some things,” adds Vojáček.

Visitors can find a family of lowland gorillas in the Dja Reserve pavilion in the upper part of the Prague Zoo. The best time to observe them is when they are feeding around 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

On October 8, 2024 – The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Markéta Pekarová Adamová, made an official visit to Singapore. With her counterpart Seah Kian Peng and President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, she discussed closer bilateral cooperation and opportunities for more intensive economic exchange. The parliamentary delegation is also accompanied by a business mission with the aim of penetrating the promising Singaporean markets and deepening business relations within the Southeast Asian region as well.

The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, Markéta Pekarová Adamová, began her journey through Southeast Asia with an official visit to Singapore – the gateway to Southeast Asia for our businesses. The parliamentary delegation, which also consists of the chairman of the parliamentary security committee, Pavel Žáček, the deputy chairman of the defense committee, Josef Flek, and the chairman of the energy subcommittee, Róbert Teleky, discussed closer interparliamentary cooperation with the chairman of the Singapore legislature, Seah Kian Peng. They also discussed mutual relations between the two countries at a meeting with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

“Czech-Singapore relations have been at a very high level for a long time. Our cooperation is developing in many areas – from advanced technologies, through education, and cyber security, to environmental protection and, recently, artificial intelligence. Our visit is therefore another impetus for even more intensive cooperation and at the same time an invitation for potential Singaporean investors to visit us,” said the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Markéta Pekarová Adamová.

The parliamentary delegation is also accompanied by a business mission of the Czech Chamber of Commerce specifically focused on the sectors of information technology, cyber security, solutions for smart cities, logistics, and aviation.

“Last year alone, the amount of our mutual trade reached a total amount exceeding 20 billion crowns. We will probably increase this amount even more this year. Singapore is, therefore, our important business partner, representing not only a number of lucrative opportunities for our export-oriented companies and entrepreneurs but also a gateway to perspective markets throughout Southeast Asia,” added the Speaker of the Chamber, Markéta Pekarová Adamová.

From Singapore, the delegation moved to the Philippines, where they will discuss inter-parliamentary and economic cooperation with the country’s high political representatives and business leaders.

On October 8, President Petr Pavel and Mrs. Eva Pavlová received 40 scholarship recipients of the Education Fund, which is celebrating 30 years since its foundation this year, at Prague Castle.

The official reception of the students of the scholarship program of the Committee of Good Will – Olga Havelová Foundation took place in the Social Hall. Siblings Antonín, Anežka, Klára and František Koneční, scholarship recipients of the program, played Prelude from Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s Te Deum to the presidential couple.

In his greeting, President Petr Pavel highlighted education as a joint priority of the Pavlov couple and described it as the best investment that can be made. According to him, programs like the Education Fund can help people who do not have the same conditions to make such an investment due to health, social or even geographical disadvantage. ” Just the absence of schools in remote regions can be a form of disadvantage ,” the president explained. He then thanked the scholarship holders for their work and wished them success in the coming years. 

Petr Pavel and Eva Pavlova were greeted by Vojtěch Sedláček, chairman of its board of directors, and Monika Granja, director, on behalf of the Committee of Good Will – Olga Havel Foundation. Barbora Antonovičová, Supreme Court lawyer and UN Young Delegate in 2018/2019, spoke on behalf of all current and former students supported by the program. According to her, the financial support enabled and simplified the education of the scholarship recipients at secondary or university level, but also helped them in their personal development. ” We perceive quality education as a very important basis for subsequently obtaining appropriate employment, through which we can then further contribute to the development of society and thus return that support, ” said the young woman in her speech.

After presenting gifts to the Pavlov couple – flowers and calendars for the year 2025 with illustrations by Olga Havlova from Adély Marie Jirků – all the participants of the meeting sang the song One day we will continue to the president of the republic and the first lady, accompanied by the Konečný siblings. 

The informal part of the meeting of the presidential couple with students, as well as with partners and supporters of the Education Fund, took place in the Music Hall without the participation of the media.

The exceptional program ended with a guided tour of the representative premises of Prague Castle, which are normally inaccessible to the public and are only opened to them on special occasions.

The education fund celebrates 30 years this year. Since its establishment, 1,339 students have received regular support or a one-off contribution for school fees or study aids, in a total amount of more than 42 million crowns. ČSOB is a partner of the Education Fund.

Photo By Eva Šolcová

It’s one of the most important role that represent the Czech Republic all over the world. The first Lady should invest time and efforts performing her duties in the country and with the President at his official visits around the world.

This role should be regulated with a fair salary and social insurance. The new legal regulation in the right step and should be done long time ago.

“The Office of the President of the Republic perceives the proposed legal regulations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications as a comprehensive solution that should facilitate the effective functioning of the First Lady for the first time in history in a way that would correspond to the needs and expectations associated with this position, including the correction of the non-existent pension and health insurance for the years spent fulfilling this demanding and publicly watched tasks.

The role of the wife or husband, or the partner of the President of the Republic has not yet been anchored in the legal system of the Czech Republic, which we perceive in the twenty-first century as a situation that must inevitably be rectified.

The role of the first lady is a position that cannot actually be combined with a job or other gainful activity. Despite this fact, the wife of the President of the Republic has not yet received any compensation for fulfilling this role.

At the same time, it is expected that the wife of the President of the Republic will accompany him at official events in the Czech Republic, when receiving foreign visits, trips to the regions or in a number of other similar situations. It is expected that he will also participate in foreign trips. Last but not least, it is also expected that the wife of the President of the Republic will have and will handle her own agenda, e.g. grant patronage, publicly support non-profit or other projects, handle correspondence addressed to her, or engage in her own charitable activities.

The proposed changes, however, do not only regulate compensations, which are supposed to ensure the functioning of the apparatus of the wife of the president of the republic during the performance of the role of the first lady.

Legal regulations thus bring solutions that the Office of the President of the Republic perceives as necessary in the twenty-first century. We are therefore very happy that the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has decided to address the situation.”

On 6 October 2024, Prague’s Hvězda Park hosted the fifth Race for the Cure, a run and walk in support of breast cancer patients organized by the Alliance of Women with Breast Cancer.

Race for the Cure® is Europe’s largest sporting event for women’s health. It helps breast cancer organizations and hospitals raise funds and awareness.

Traditionally, the RFTC is supported by the Prague diplomatic community thanks to the initiative of the Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina H.E Mrs. Martina Mlinarevic . This year’s event was supported financially and by the personal presence of US Ambassador H.E Mr. Bijan Sabet, Ambassadors of Japan H.E. Mr. Kansuke NAGAOKA,, Ambassador of Slovenia H.E. Mr. Aleš BALUT, Ambassador of Slovakia H.E. Ms. Ingrid BROCKOVÁ, Ambassador of Estonia H.E. Ms. Gita KALMET, Ambassador of Romania H.E. Ms. Maria-Antoaneta BARTA, Ambassador of United Kingdom H.E. Mr. Matthew Robert FIELD, Ambassador of Kosovo H.E. Ms. Albesjana IBERHYSAJ-KAPITAJ , Ambassador of Tunisia H.E. Ms. Yosra SOUIDEN, Ambassador of Egypt H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Mostafa AFIFI, Ambassador of Spain H.E. Ms. Maria PEREZ SANCHEZ-LAULHE, Ambassador of Malaysia H.E. Ms. SUZILAH BINTI MOHD SIDEK, Ambassador of Pakistan H.E. Ms. Ayesha ALI, Ambassador of Brazil H.E. Ms. Sonia Regina GUIMARAES GOMES, Ambassador of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia H.E. Mr. Abdullah Muteb A. ALRASHEED, Ambassador of Morroco H.E. Ms. Hanane SAADI, Ambassador of Norway H.E. Mr. Victor Conrad RONNEBERG, Ambassador of Albania H.E. Mr. Ilir TEPELENA and UNICEF director Ms. Yulia OLEINIK.

Hundreds of people from the community participate in this event and support this great cause.

A total of €3,343 ( about 84,000 Kc ) was raised, which will go towards the Alliance of Women with Breast Cancer projects.

Congratulations to the winners of the 5km running categories: Women, Men, Kids and Dogs.

We hope that next year more people will participate and we can collect more donations for such an important activity.

The lowland gorilla, one of the flagship species of the Prague Zoo, will not be missing from the exhibition. Source: Garden of Lights

In the lower part of the Prague Zoo area, more and more animals and plants are gradually added. It is a Light Zoo project, which is being prepared by the company Garden of Lights. The light zoo will include lanterns of 33 species of animals for a total number of 110 individuals, as well as plants, projections on the ground, or photo points. The opening is planned for Friday, October 25, but tickets are already on sale.

A similar light installation will be the first ever in a Czech zoo; however, similar projects are common in the world. In addition to revitalizing the grounds outside the main visitor season, they also help promote “flagship species”, such as gorillas or sloths in the case of Prague Zoo. The lanterns depicting them were made especially for Prague.

A family of Madagascar kata lemurs will also light up at the exhibition. Source: Garden of Lights

There will be a separate entrance fee for the Light Zoo. From 25 to 31 October, it will be open from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and subsequently from 1 November to 16 February on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on other weekdays from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. It will remain closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.

We believe that the Light Zoo will excite not only for children but for all the family!

Advance ticket sales: https://gardenoflights.com/cs/prague.

The sacred baobab tree will decorate the area near the Education Center. Source: Garden of Lights
The attached photos are illustrative and depict the exhibition held last year at the Wroclaw Zoo.

Source: Signal Festival

Signal Festival, the annual festival of pioneering lightshows across Prague, begins its four-day programme on October 10th. The festival integrates technology and creativity with the grandeur of Prague’s buildings, and it has earned an international reputation for innovation and magnificence. Martin Pošta, one of the festival’s founders, spoke to Radio Prague about what visitors can look forward to this year.

We have now had ten years of Signal Festival, starting in 2013.

See more here.

Author: Danny Bate

Photo: Lenka Žižková, Radio Prague International

The Czech Senate has passed new limits on the sale of weaker psychomodulatory substances, including kratom and hexahydrocannabinol (HHC). If signed into law by the president, the substances will only be available to buy by adults and in specific stores from December.

On Wednesday 9th of October, the Czech Senate approved an amendment to the Act on Addictive Substances, responding to concerns that certain psychomodulatory substances are freely available and being consumed by minors.

See more here.

Author: Danny Bate

Photo: Czech Television

The Regional Court in Hradec Králové has rehabilitated parish priest Josef Toufar who was arrested and tortured to death by the communist secret police in the hardline 1950s for allegedly faking a miracle.

According to attorney Lubomír Müller, who specializes in defending victims of communist oppression and who drafted the petition for rehabilitation, no one had pursued Toufar’s judicial rehabilitation since there are no living relatives.

See more here.

Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Illustrative photo: Tomáš Adamec, Czech Radio

A quarter of Czech psychiatrists are set to retire in five years. Experts are calling for more.

Within five years, one in four psychiatrists in Czechia will reach retirement age, and the country is already facing a shortage of hundreds of professionals in the field.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: René Volfík, iROZHLAS.cz

German plans to build wind turbines near the Czech border have sparked a backlash, as local communities claim they were ignored and environmental concerns were overlooked.

A German investor is planning to build four massive wind turbines just across the Czech border in the Tachov region, without having consulted the local Czech communities.

See more here.

Author: Ľubomír Smatana, Vít Pohanka

Photo: eSbírky, National Museum in Prague, CC BY 4.0 DEED

A unique songbook marking the upcoming anniversary of the Velvet Revolution has just been released in Czechia. Initiated by the NGO Díky, že můžem or Thanks, that we can, it contains 17 tracks that capture the spirit of their time, from underground and protest songs to communist-era mainstream hits.

Muchomurky bílé, a song by the legendary underground rock musician Milan “Mejla” Hlavsa, is one of the 17 tracks included in the songbook Písničkou ke svobodě (Through a song to freedom), marking the 35th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Czech Police

In an interview with Czech Radio, Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský, reflects on relations with Russia following the infamous Vrbětice case.

To explain the context: the Vrbětice case refers to the 2014 explosions at a Czech ammunition depot in the village of Vrbětice, which were later linked to Russian military intelligence (GRU) agents.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: X of Press Play Prague

Press Play Prague is uniting journalists, filmmakers, and audiences to highlight and celebrate the impact of storytelling in shaping our collective understanding of the world from 8-12 October 2024. Through screenings of thought-provoking films that explore key social and political issues, the event aims to spark meaningful discussions and inspire social change.

Many envisioned the internet as a tool to democratize both information and art.

See more here.

Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Petr Kubát, Czech Radio

The Bellarie Summer House, a Rococo jewel in Český Krumlov reopened to the public in October after undergoing extensive renovation. The palace boasts the best-preserved murals from the Rococo period in the whole of Czechia.

The Rococo garden mansion, the only one of its kind in the Czech Republic, has a lot to offer visitors.

See more here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Martin Pykal, Olomouc’s Palacký University

Czech scientists have developed a new generation of antibiotics that are highly effective against a broad range of bacteria but also effectively prevent the development of bacterial resistance. The ground-breaking discovery, made in collaboration with China, has been published in the prestigious journal Advanced Materials.

Increasing bacterial resistance against antibiotics, caused by persistent misuse and overprescription, presents a major threat to public health.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Illustrative photo: memyselfaneye, Pixabay, CC0 1.0 DEED

Disinformation in Czechia has shifted significantly over the last few years. As a result, efforts to counter disinformation are increasingly focusing on targeting its financial backers rather than merely educating the population. I spoke with Project Manager and analyst for the Regional Security Program at Prague Security Studies Institute (PSSI), Kristina Šefčíková, to touch on where the information landscape has changed and what disinformation researchers are doing differently to combat disinformation.

So, how would you describe the current state of disinformation in Czechia, and particularly I’m interested if there’s been a change in the information landscape since the pandemic in 2020, or even with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022?.

See more here.

Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Jolana Nováková, Czech Radio

Czechia is not generally associated with winemaking and most of the country’s vineyards are located in the eastern part of the country– in Moravia-Silesia. However, Bohemia, and more surprisingly Prague, has a few fine vineyards as well. The oldest and most famous lies on the slopes of Prague Castle itself.

On the southern slopes of Prague Castle, sandwiched between the buttress wall of the Old Castle Stairs and the upper scenic ridgeway is the St.

See more here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

Prachi Bari’s story takes us from India to Czechia, where she now studies at Charles University. Prachi stepped out of her career as a journalist to continue her education, motivated by the career challenges caused by the Covid pandemic. She shares her views about the current fight against disinformation and the future of media.

See more here.

Photo: Ruth Fraňková, Radio Prague International

Dozens of glassmakers from all over the world gathered in the north Bohemian town of Nový Bor at the end of last week to attend the International Glass Symposium. Over the weekend, people had a unique chance to visit glassworks and workshops in the area and experience the artistry of glassmakers up close.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Jitka Cibulová Vokatá, Czech Radio

Thousands of Czechs are heading for the country’s thick pine forests these days to pick mushrooms, as the humid and relatively warm weather creates perfect conditions for their growth. This popular Czech pastime has even taken over the social media, where thousands of fungi fans are posting their finds.

Early autumn is traditionally the peak of the mushroom season in Czechia and this year is no exception.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Juan Pablo Bertazza, Radio Prague International

The Troja Bridge across the Vltava River has been serving pedestrians, cyclists, trams, and cars already for a decade. It’s considered one of the most beautiful contemporary structures in Czechia, winning acclaim from architects and industry experts alike. In 2015, the bridge was recognised with the prestigious Award of Excellence by the European Steel Construction Association.

However, this architectural gem came at a high price.

See more here.

Photo: Juan Pablo Bertazza, Radio Prague International

The iconic funicular railway that takes travellers to the top of Petřín Hill is set to close for essential repairs, but the Prague Public Transport Company (DPP) is giving fans of the funicular a chance to say goodbye with guided tours.

On Saturdays in October, guided tours around the funicular railway will take visitors around the upper station, including the engine room and into a driver’s cabin.

See more here.

Author: Danny Bate

On the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of the Independence of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and the 75^th year of diplomatic relations between the Czech Republic and the People’s Republic of China. The Ambassador of the Republic of the People’s Republic of China H.E. Mr. Biao FENG , and Mrs. Cai Jingli Hosted a reception at the beautiful building and garden of the Embassy.

Mr. Eduard Hulicius – the deputy minister of foreign affairs of the Czech Republic and Mr. Vaclav Klaus – the previous President of the Czech Republic were the honored guest.

Watch the video with the speech of the Ambassador of the Republic of the People’s Republic of China, H.E. Mr. Biao FENG ( in Chinese ) the English translation is attached, of Mr. Eduard Hulicius – the deputy minister of foreign affairs of the Czech Republic, and Mr. Vaclav Klaus – the previous President of the Czech Republic

Happy Birthday China !

Remarks by Ambassador Feng Biao  at the Reception in Celebration of  the 75th Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 75th Anniversary of  the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between PRC and the Czech Republic

(September 27, 2024)

Your Excellency former President Klaus, former Prime Minister Paroubek,

Your Excellency deputy minister Hulicius, director-general Piecha,

Your Excellencies ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps,

Ladies and Gentlemen：

Good evening!

It is a great pleasure to gather with you to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and also the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Czech Republic. At the outset, I would like to convey warm welcome and sincere gratitude to all of you!

The past 75 years since the founding of New China have been the most glorious and magnificent chapter in the history of the development of the Chinese nation. China has made historic achievements and undergone historic changes, and its economic strength,scientific and technological capabilities and composite national strength have increased significantly. It is also worth mentioning that, China has become the world’s second largest economy,has historically resolved the problem of absolute poverty and has built a moderately prosperous society in all respects. Thereby the Chinese nation has achieved the tremendous transformation from standing up and growing prosperous to becoming strong.

At present, the Chinese people of all ethnic groups are joining hands to advance China’s modernization drive, making great strides toward the goal of building a strong country and rejuvenating the nation. In July this year, the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China made systematic plans for further deepening reform comprehensively to advance Chinese modernization, which will provide institutional guarantee for and inject strong impetus into the Chinese modernization.

Ladies and Gentlemen！

Over the past 75 years since the founding of New China, China remains firm in pursuing an independent foreign policy of peace and adheres to the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence in pursuing friendship and cooperation with other countries. China has always been a builder of world peace, a defender of international order, and a contributor to global development. China has injected valuable stability and positive energy into the world and made great contributions to upholding world peace and promoting common development. Today, China is ever closer to the center stage of the world, and has established the building of a community with a shared future for mankind as its noble goal and main task in conducting  major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics. China stands ready to work with all the countries to deliver a brighter future for the world.

Ladies and Gentlemen!

The Czech Republic is one of the first countries to recognize and establish diplomatic ties with New China. For the 75 years since the establishment of the China-Czech diplomatic relations, despite the evolving international situation and great changes of our national conditions,friendship and cooperation remain the mainstream of bilateral relations, benefiting the two countries and peoples. In particular,President Xi Jinping made historic state visit to the Czech Republic in 2016,and during the visit bilateral relations were elevated to strategic partnership. These have further promoted exchanges in various fields between our two countries. China has become the Czech Republic’s largest trading partner outside the EU, while the Czech Republic is China’s second largest trading partner in Central and Eastern Europe. Bilateral trade has grown at an average annual rate of 14.3% in the past decade, reaching 21.51 billion US dollars (about 483.6 billion koruna) in 2023. China’s total investment in the Czech Republic has reached 1.7 billion US dollars (about 38.2 billion koruna), and more than 50 Chinese enterprises are doing business in the Czech Republic. People-to-people exchanges between the two countries have strengthened with mutual understanding deepened, and China has become one of the main sources of tourists to the Czech Republic. More and more Chinese tourists are visiting the Czech Republic by taking the resumed direct flights. All these facts show that, although our two countries differ in social system,  history, culture,and size etc., we can surely build a relationship of mutual trust, friendship and cooperation.

Ladies and Gentlemen!

The Chinese modernization is the modernization of peaceful development, and China will continue to create development opportunities for other countries with its own accomplishments in the modernization drive. As a friend and partner, China stands ready to work with the Czech side,uphold the principles of mutual respect, equal treatment and mutual benefit, and deepen friendly cooperation in various fields,so as to promote the sound, steady and sustainable development of bilateral relations, and bring more benefits to both countries and peoples.

On this note, I would like to propose a toast to the prosperity of China and the Czech Republic, to the healthy and steady growth of China-Czech relations, and to the health of all friends present, cheers!

Thank you.

On the occasion of the Independence of the Republic of Armenia,

H.E. Mr. Ashot HOVAKIMIAN and Mrs. Anahit HOVAKIMIAN host a reception at the beautiful Strahov Monastery.

Mr. Jan Marian– the deputy minister of foreign affairs of the Czech Republic was the honored guest.

Watch the video with the speech of the Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia H.E. Mr. Ashot HOVAKIMIAN and of Mr. Jan Marian – the deputy minister of foreign affairs of the Czech Republic.

Happy Birthday Armenia

35 years have passed since the great events of 1989. On that occasion H.E. Mr. Andreas KÜNNE, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, organized an event commemorating them in the beautiful Lobkowicz Palace, the seat of the German Embassy, which was at the center of the event at that time.

The guest of honor was Mr. Petr Pavel the President of the Czech Republic.

Happy Unity Day

The Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan H.E. Ms. Ayesha ALI, Hosted a cultural event at her beautiful residence a lecture by the world-renowned Pakistani artist Mrs. Faiza Butt.

Mrs. Faiza Butt. work has been extensively shown in Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, and the United States and exhibited at various art fairs, including the India Art Fair, Art Dubai, Colombo Art Biennale, and the Hong Kong Art Fair. Her work can also be found in private and public collections, including the British Museum, London; the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, New Delhi; and the Burger Collection, Hong Kong, to name a few. The biography, an artist statement, and some of the works of Mrs. Faiza Butt are appended herein.

Watch the speech of H.E. Ms. Ayesha ALI – the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Czech Republic and a small part of Mrs. Faiza Butt’s lecture.

It was amazing and interesting. We hope to bring you a full article in our next printed issue.

The French Embassy in the Czech Republic, the Embassy of Armenia in the Czech Republic, and the French Institute in Prague organized an evening event on the occasion of the centenary of the birth of Charles Aznavour. Screening of the documentary film Aznavour and his world

The guests were welcomed by the French Ambassador to the Czech Republic H.E. Mr. Stéphane CROUZAT, the Armenian Ambassador to the Czech Republic H.E. Mr. Ashot HOVAKIMIAN, and, the director of the French Institute in Prague Mr. Stephane Schorderet.

Aznavour and his world offers a selection of personal film footage that the singer has shot over the years, offering a view not only of the artist’s career but also of an entire era.

The documentary is accompanied by the voice of Romain Duris and songs by Charles Aznavour.

The film is in French, with Czech and English subtitles, length 75 min.

After this very interesting film, the guests enjoyed a concert by the singer Richard Ihuel and the pianist Tomáš Jochmann who present the famous songs of Charles Aznavour.

Tbilisi, Georgia, 28 September 2024 – Tourism has committed to embracing its unique role as a pillar of peace and understanding. On World Tourism Day 2024, UN Tourism brought sector leaders from every global region together around a common vision and commitment to building a “peace-sensitive sector”, recognizing its potential to build bridges and foster understanding. 

The official celebrations in Tbilisi, Georgia, welcomed almost 500 participants from 51 different countries, including 13 Ministers of Tourism. Reflecting its firm commitment to the day and its theme of “Peace and Tourism”, the host country was represented by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze as well as seven other Ministers, showcasing tourism’s cross-sectoral importance.

Welcoming delegates, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, stressed that “without peace, there is no tourism”. He said: “I call on all of you to help build a –‘peace-sensitive tourism sector‘, one that plays a key role in building peace and ending conflicts, provides tourism stakeholders with tools to realize this potential, promotes tourism education as peace education, and links tourism to other peacebuilding initiatives”.

Read more: https://www.unwto.org/news/world-tourism-day-2024-a-global-message-of-tourism-for-peace?utm_source=news&utm_medium=crm

On Saturday, October 5, visitors will have the opportunity to visit the normally inaccessible Liechtenstein Palace in Prague’s Kampa. Guided tours start at 9 a.m. and the last members of the public enter the palace at 4 p.m. Along the route, they will see the blue lounge with a chapel, the golden hall, Masaryk’s lounge, the courtyard, and the garden. Entry to the building is free and without prior registration. The last opportunity this year to visit this palace as part of the Open Days will be on November 17.

The Liechtenstein Palace was built in a six-sided plan in 1697-1698 to the design of the Italian architect Giovanni Battista Alliprandi for the Kaiserstein noble family. The palace changed hands several times, and the last noble owners included the Lichtensteins, who owned the palace between 1831 and 1864. It was then bought by miller František Odkolek and rebuilt into its current form. In the years 1979–1991, the palace was modified according to the project of architect Kamil Fuchs for the needs of the Prime Minister’s Office.

At present, the palace is used for representative purposes of the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic, for negotiations with foreign visitors and for business meetings. Important state visits can be accommodated here, as happened, for example, in the case of the British Queen Elizabeth II, the Spanish King Juan Carlos or the Japanese Emperor Akihito.

The Government Office will also open the gates of the Straka Academy garden from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., as every Saturday in the season. This year’s novelty is the possibility of using the audio guide via an application that can be downloaded to a mobile phone. The entrance to the public will be open from Kosárkova nábřeží. The garden will be opened to the public for the last time this year on Saturday, October 12.

Saturday, October 5, 2024

Liechtenstein Palace, U Sovových mlýnů 506/4, Prague 1

Program

09.00 – opening of the Open Day at the Liechtenstein Palace

16.00 – start of the last guided tour

• UN Tourism and the TUI Care Foundation invite artisans in rural destinations across Africa to apply to the Colourful Cultures small grants initiative.
• Applications can now be submitted for projects in Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, The Gambia, Tunisia, and Zambia

Berlin/Madrid,2nd October 2024 – UN Tourism and the TUI Care Foundation launch ‘Colourful Cultures’, a call for proposals focused on supporting the creative talent of a continent. The initiative aims to empower local artists and artisans, particularly women and youth, in rural tourism destinations across selected African countries. These projects will enhance the benefits of tourism for local artists and artisans, progressing sustainable economic opportunities while safeguarding cultural heritage and enhancing community empowerment and engagement.

UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili says: “Tourism has the potential to deliver significant socio-economic benefits in rural areas, preserving cultural heritage and creating jobs. We are proud to launch the first-ever Tourism for Rural Development Small Grants Programme at UN Tourism. ‘Colourful Cultures’, enabled by the TUI Care Foundation, exemplifies our commitment to sustainable development and the empowerment of local communities.”

Read more: https://www.unwto.org/news/un-tourism-and-tui-care-foundation-announce-grants-for-rural-artisans-in-africa?utm_source=news&utm_medium=crm

Photo: public domain

On 26 September 1879, 145 years ago, the village of Royal Vinohrady (Královské Vinohrady) was promoted to a town. It grew and developed at a pace unprecedented in its time. Vinohrady soon became the second-largest city in the Czech Kingdom. With the creation of Greater Prague in 1922, it became part of the city, with the name Prague XII. New exhibition celebrates its history in Peace Square.

A new exhibition on Peace Square (Náměstí Míru) celebrates the history of Vinohrady with 20 informational panels.

See more here.

Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Andrea Skalická, Czech Radio

Approximately 2,400 people develop pancreatic cancer in Czechia annually and almost 2,200 succumb to it over the same period. It can now be detected by regular pancreatic MRI and endoscopic ultrasonography. However researchers at the University of Pardubice say they have found a simpler and equally effective method. If confirmed, Czechia could become the first country in the world to require only a few milliliters of blood for testing.

Nurse Světluše Fyšarová of the Lipidica Study at the 2nd Internal Gastroenterology and Geriatrics Clinic at Olomouc University Hospital described the researchers‘ unique method of discovering pancreatic cancer to Czech Radio:.

See more here.

Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Magdalena Kadula, Radio Prague International

André Amalio is an actor and director who specializes in documentary theater. He and his wife, Tereza Havličkova, co-founded a documentary theater company called Hotel Europa, based in Portugal. Magdalena Kadula caught up with them on their recent working visit to Prague.

Recently in Prague, there was a documentary theater festival organized by Tante Horse Theater Group, in which your company, Hotel Europa, participated and performed, along with local artists and international artists.

See more here.

Photo: Petra Hajská, The Czech Philharmonic Orchestra

The winners of this year’s Gramophone awards, perhaps the most prestigious in classical music, include the Czech conductor Jakub Hrůša. Currently the chief conductor of the Bamberg Symphony, Hrůša won in the two categories of opera and concerto.

Launched in 1977, the annual Gramophone awards are widely considered to be the world’s most prestigious awards for the classical music recording industry.

See more here.

Photo: Škoda Group

The longest tram in the world, produced by Czechia’s Škoda Group, is set to go into operation in the German Rhine-Neckar region in the south-west of the country. Measuring nearly 60 meters, the tram features a unique modular design, which allows it to be shortened and lengthened like a train.

The giant tram, produced in Škoda Group’s factory in Plzeň, measures exactly 58.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Martin Faltejsek, Designblok

The annual Designblok, the biggest festival of its kind in Central Europe, has just got underway at a number of venues in Prague. This year, the festival centre – the so-called Superstudio – is located at the historical building of Prague City Museum, which opens to the public for the first time since its reconstruction. I discussed the event with Jana Zielinski, the director of Designblok, and first asked her about the choice of this year’s main topic, which is Youth:

“We decided to choose the topic Youth because we believe that if you have high quality work, it contains longevity and eternal youth.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Hana Slavická, Radio Prague International

Join us on a trip to Prague, “The City of a Hundred Spires”. Our drone video will show you some of the Czech capital’ most famous landmarks from a bird’s eye view.

See more here.

Photo: Tomáš Černý, Czech Radio

Her life story is a story of courage and survival. Jaroslava Skleničková was just 16 when she was sent to the Ravensbrück concentration camp by the Nazis with her mother and older sister. Her father was executed, along with the other men from Lidice. Despite this terrible experience, which haunted her for the rest of her life, she found the strength to live a fulfilled life, marry, have children and help anyone in need. She died on September 27 at the age of 98, surrounded by her family.

It was a tragedy that resounded the world over.

See more here.

Author: David Vaughan, Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Anna Matuštíková, Czech Radio

A Plzeň building partly designed by the modernist architect Adolf Loos, in which the surrender of the German garrison occurred on May 6th 1945, is set to be renovated and repurposed. The dilapidated building is set to become a new museum all about the events of that fateful year in Plzeň.

As you walk down Plzeň’s wide Klatovská Avenue towards the city centre, you might easily ignore the large building at no.

See more here.

Photo: Barbora Navrátilová, Radio Prague International

September 30 marks eighty-six years since the signing of the Munich Agreement in 1938, by which Czechoslovakia was compelled to surrender the large region of the Sudetenland to Nazi Germany. To commemorate the event, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared official documents and private correspondence from the week leading up to the infamous agreement.

In the early hours of September 30th 1938, a document was signed by the leaders of Britain, France, Germany and Italy.

See more here.

Photo: Pavel Novak, Czech Radio Radiožurnál

The town of Cedar Rapids in Iowa now boasts the only astronomical clock in North America. The Buresh Immigration Clock Tower, which honours the Czech and Slovak immigrants who settled in the United States in the late 19th century, was launched on Friday by President Petr Pavel and his Slovak counterpart, Peter Pellegrini.

Hundreds of people, mostly members of the Czech and Slovak community, gathered outside the Czech and Slovak National Museum and Library in Cedar Rapids on Friday to watch the unveiling of the Astronomical Clock, which was jointly launched by the presidents of the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

See more here.

Photo: Hana Slavická, Radio Prague International

Visitors to Prague’s Troja Chateau could admire an exhibition of FIAT model from 1920 to the present day.

See more here.

Photo: Antonín Erich Nový, Velvyslanectví SRN v Praze

35 years ago tomorrow, one of the most significant events of the end of the Cold War took place in the garden of the West German Embassy in Prague. The German Foreign Minister at the time, Hans-Dietrich Genscher, stepped onto the balcony of the Lobkowicz Palace and announced to around four thousand East German refugees that they were allowed to travel west to the Federal Republic of Germany.

The news caused a huge wave of joy and relief among the refugees who had been waiting in the embassy garden for weeks in the hope of freedom.

See more here.

Illustrative photo: ghcassel, Pixabay, Pixabay License

New data from the World Health Organisation’s European Section shows a sharp increase in problematic social media use among adolescents. This, coupled with the finding that 12% of adolescents are at risk of problematic gaming, raises urgent concerns about the impact of digital technologies on the mental health and well-being of European youth.

The findings emerged from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, which surveyed nearly 280,000 young people aged 11, 13, and 15 in 44 countries and regions in Europe, Central Asia, and Canada in 2022.

See more here.

Author: Jakub Ferenčík

The highlight of the 2024 Prague Zoo Annual Celebration will be the celebration of 65 years of the International Stud Book of the Převalské horse, which the Prague Zoo was entrusted with managing in 1959. This photo is also from the same year. Source archive Prague Zoo

On Saturday, September 28, the Prague Zoo will celebrate the 93rd anniversary of its opening. This time, the all-day program in the presence of special guests will be in the style of the 50s.

The central theme will be the celebration of 65 years of the International Stud Book of the Převalský horse, whose management the Prague Zoo was entrusted in 1959.

Together with the exhibition of historical photographs, the opening of the exhibition Return of the Wild Horses – Kazakhstan will take place at 2:30 p.m., which will present the first ever transport of Převalský’s horses to the Golden Steppe in central Kazakhstan. Photo by Miroslav Bobek, Prague Zoo

The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. at the Education Center with the launch of the new book by the director of the Prague Zoo, Miroslav Bobek, Breakfast with His Excellency, which will be tackled jointly by the British ambassador to the Czech Republic, Matt Field, and the president of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Eva Zažímalová.

The main celebrations will take place from 1 p.m. in front of the Gobi exhibition with the participation of the mayor of the capital city of Prague, Bohuslav Svoboda, the ambassadors of Mongolia and Kazakhstan in the Czech Republic, as well as well-known faces from the field of culture or sports. There will also be witnesses from among the employees of the Prague Zoo who connected their lives with the “rollers”. The last point of the day will be the revealing of the names of the capybara triplets at 3 p.m.

Throughout the day, live period music will be played in the area, and visitors will be able to comb their hair in the style of the 50s or have a photo booth, for example.

Framework program of the annual celebrations of the Prague Zoo 2024

11.00 Baptism and autograph signing of Miroslav Bobek’s new book Breakfast with His Excellency – terrace of the Education Center

13.00 93rd anniversary of the opening of the Prague Zoo and 65 years of the studbook of the Převalský horse – Gobi exhibition

14.30 Vernissage of the photographic exhibition Return of the Wild Horses – Kazakhstan – terrace of the Educational Center

15.00 Baptism of capybara – exhibition of capybaras and anteaters in the lower part of the zoo

Capybara cubs are very popular with visitors at the Prague Zoo. Their parents Kapík and Bára already have names, but the zoo will only reveal the names of this year’s triplets during the annual celebration on September 28 at 3 p.m. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

Prime Minister Fiala discussed with Korean President Jun Sok-jol about the involvement of Czech industry in the completion of Dukovan and the development of economic cooperation

On Friday, September 20, 2024, Prime Minister Petr Fiala met with the President of the Republic of Korea, Jun Sok-yol, with whom he discussed in particular the expansion of cooperation in nuclear energy, including the involvement of the Czech industry in the construction of new nuclear units, the deepening of economic relations and the development of scientific and technical cooperation. The leaders jointly visited the plants of Doosan Škoda Power and Škoda Jaderné strojírenství in Pilsen. The foreign ministers of both countries signed the Action Plan for the implementation of the Strategic Partnership for the years 2025-2027, and a number of memoranda on cooperation were also signed.

The Korean president arrived in the Czech Republic at the head of a large business delegation not long after the selection of the Korean company KHNP as the preferred supplier in the tender for the completion of the nuclear power plant in Dukovany. The meeting began in Pilsen with a visit to the companies Doosan Škoda Power and Škoda JS, which should participate in the completion of the new nuclear units. “The experience and results of these companies are among the clear advantages of the Czech nuclear ecosystem. And it is precisely the involvement of Czech companies in the tender for the completion of Dukovan that we pay great attention to. In its offer, the Korean side declared that it would involve up to 60% of Czech companies in the preparation and construction of new nuclear units, which would mean contracts worth more than 240 billion crowns for them. I believe that we will be able to achieve this common goal,” said the Prime Minister.

The Czech Prime Minister emphasized that relations between the Czech Republic and the Republic of Korea have been more intense than ever in recent years, which opens the door to new projects. The involvement of Czech companies in the construction of new blocks and the development of economic cooperation, especially in sectors with high added value, represents a huge opportunity for citizens and companies in both countries.

“Prospective areas are small modular reactors, hydrogen technologies, energy engineering, health care or the defense, aviation and space industries. A model example is the cooperation between the Czech Škoda Transportation and the Korean company Hyundai Rotem on the supply of locomotives to Africa and Asia,” said Prime Minister Fiala.

The turnover of mutual trade is steadily growing and exceeds 5 billion dollars (more than 100 billion CZK)

During the visit, the following agreements and memoranda were signed at the Government Office:

Action plan for the implementation of the Strategic Partnership between the Czech Republic and the Republic of Korea for the period 2025-2027

Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic and the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Korea regarding the EIPP program to support economic and innovation cooperation

Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea regarding the framework for trade and investment support

Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea regarding dialogue to support cooperation in supply chains and energy

Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea regarding cooperation in the field of high-tech industry “Vltava”

Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea regarding cooperation in the field of the battery industry

Memorandum on cooperation between the Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of the Republic of Korea in the field of rail transport, including high-speed rail connections

Memorandum on cooperation between the Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of the Republic of Korea in the field of railway transport on cooperation in the reconstruction of Ukraine

Memorandum on mutual cooperation between the National Development Bank, the Czech Export Bank, the Export Guarantee and Insurance Company, the Korean Export-Import Bank (KEXIM) and the Korean Commercial Insurance Company (K-SURE).

Trucks from Slovenia carrying 300 dehumidifiers set off for the Czech Republic, intended for the victims of the recent widespread floods.

This truck, like the one sent last week, is headed to the warehouse of the Rescue Unit of the Fire and Rescue Service of the Czech Republic in Drahanovice.

With this shipment, the total number of dehumidifiers donated by the Republic of Slovenia as aid to the Czech Republic will rise to 560.

The Slovenian Red Cross and Slovenian Caritas continue to collect aid for the victims in the affected areas.

Photo: © Bruce Weber, GHMP

An exhibition of the legendary US photographer Bruce Weber, known mainly for his work with fashion brands and magazines, is currently underway at the Stone Bell House on Prague’s Old Town Square. Called Bruce Weber: My Education, it is his first ever major European retrospective, mapping more than five decades of his career.

The 78-year-old photography legend Bruce Weber is probably best-known for his ad campaigns for famous fashion brands, such as Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren, as well as his work for Vogue, Elle, Vanity Fair and other fashion magazines.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Zuzana Jarolímková, iROZHLAS.cz

Nine months after the terrible attack at Charles University’s Faculty of Arts, a group of students, academics and family members of victims have launched an official petition. Entitled “To all who care”, the petition aims to push for tighter legal restrictions on the ownership of firearms in Czechia.

Czechia has a long history with the use of firearms, and is one of a handful of countries around the world with the right to bear such weapons enshrined in its constitution.

See more here.

Photo: Ian Willoughby, Radio Prague International

Today’s edition of Sunday Music Show is dedicated to Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 5 in F Major, which represents a milestone in the composer’s work. Written in 1885 in just six weeks, the piece is a culmination of his early symphonies. It also marks the beginning of the series which would eventually be recognised as Dvořák’s symphonic masterpieces.

In his Symphony No.

See more here.

Photo: Ludmila Opltová, Czech Radio

The seventh Serial Killer festival, dedicated to TV and internet production, kicks off in Brno on Wednesday. Over the next five days, visitors will have a chance to see some of the best Czech and foreign shows at a number of cinemas in the Moravian capital. The event will open with the premiere of The Well, a prequel to an infamous Czechoslovak communist propaganda series. I asked the festival’s director Kamila Zlatušková to tell me more:

“We are very excited to open our festival with this series, because the director, Tereza Kopáčová, was the one who closed last year’s event with Czech television series called The Sense of Tumour, originally a Belgian production.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Západočeská Galerie Plzeň

Josef Váchal, born September 23, 1884, was a graphic artist, woodcarver, writer, and philosopher, one of the most original Czech artists and thinkers of the 20th century .

He spent most of his life in poverty and relative obscurity.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Archive of Jana Přikryl

Jana Prikryl was five, and called Jana Přikrylová, when her parents fled communist Czechoslovakia in the early 1980s and built a new life in the West. She has since gone on to become a successful poet and a top editor at the highly respected New York Review of Books. But how much did initially speaking Czech shape the writer’s approach to language? I discussed that question and many more with Prikryl, who was speaking from her home in New York.

Please tell us something about your background.

See more here.

Author: Ian Willoughby

Photo: Technologie hlavního města Prahy

The company Technology of the Capital City of Prague is working on a considerable increase in the number of charging stations for electric cars around Prague. Their target is to have over a thousand such stations operational by 2026.

Drivers in Prague might well think twice about switching to an electric car, given the limited possibilities for charging one up around the city.

See more here.

Photo: Tereza Pešoutová, Czech Radio

This year’s floods are the second-largest natural disaster in Czechia’s modern history, with only the August 2002 floods causing more damage. As communities grapple with the destruction, NGOs have ramped-up efforts to provide critical support. I interviewed Marek Štys, Head of Emergency Programs for People in Need, the country’s biggest charity, to find out what they are doing to help.

With the rivers beginning to recede, can you first update us on whether you and other organizations assisting those affected most by floods are able to help those in the most heavily stricken areas, such as Krnov and Jeseník?.

See more here.

Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Elpida Foundation

This week sees the return of the annual Old’s Cool festival, put on by the non-profit organisation Elpida. Their mission is to change how people see old age, and to help the elderly continue to live life to the full.

Starting tomorrow at 4 pm, young and old alike can enjoy a programme of arts, crafts, music and quizzes, laid on by the charitable organisation Elpida.

See more here.

Photo: Ruth Fraňková, Radio Prague International

The biggest Czech festival of illustration and comics, LUSTR, kicks off on Friday at Prague’s Holešovice market. Over the next eight days, people will have a chance to visit exhibitions, presentations, and also meet some of the most interesting illustrators and comic creators in person.

LUSTR was established back in 2014 as a community-based event aimed mostly at illustrators and comic creators.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Ľubomír Smatana, Czech Radio

A new study, carried out by an international team of scientists, shows that the devastating floods that hit Czechia and other central European countries were made much worse by man-made climate change. The fossil fuel driven warming also increases the likelihood of such events happening in the future.

According to the study carried out by the World Weather Attribution Initiative in the immediate aftermath of the flooding, the four-day rainfall from Storm Boris was the heaviest ever recorded in Central Europe, surpassing previous records by a wide margin.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková, Jan Kaliba

Photo: Martin Hurin, ČTK

The Bílá hora 1620 and the Knights of the Czech Crown associations organize a reenactment of the Battle of White Mountain every year. Soldiers, artillerymen and horsemen regularly fight each other in Prague’s Vypich area to commemorate the fateful clash between Habsburg and Estates troops. A rich accompanying program, with a historical market, is put on for spectators.

See more here.

Photo: Twitter/ Office of the President of the Republic

At the 79th session of the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, Czech President Petr Pavel called for reform of the Security Council, which he said must be more effective and inclusive to better reflect the voices of underrepresented regions. At the same time, he applauded African efforts for peace and security even beyond their borders and called for global cooperation in areas such as Russia’s war on Ukraine, cybersecurity, AI, quantum technologies, and more.

“To start with, let me recall that the United Nations was created to protect humanity from war and destruction and to promote peace, justice, and a better quality of life for all humankind.

See more here.

Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Miloš Turek, Radio Prague International

A region without a regional city, rich in cultural and natural monuments, surrounding Prague on all sides and. Check out its sights in our photo gallery.

See more here.

Photo: Barbora Kvapilová, Czech Radio

Father Adolf Kajpr spent 13 years of his life in concentration camps and prisons. He was persecuted by both the Nazis and the Communists for his journalism and opposition to the regimes. He dedicated his life to faith, the Church, and civil truth. He did not live to see the presidential amnesty in 1960 and died in Leopoldov prison.

Fr.

See more here.

Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Štěpánka Budková, Radio Prague International

The annual Architecture Day festival gets underway on Friday in more than a hundred cities and towns across Czechia and Slovakia. The week-long event will offer free guided tours of both famous and lesser known buildings, which are usually inaccessible to the public, as well as lectures, film screenings and family workshops.

The 14th edition of Architecture Day, organised by the association KRUH, takes place under the subtitle “Trial of Transformation”, which refers, among other things, to the 100th anniversary of Franz Kafka’s death.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

On the Occasion of The Constitution Day of the Slovak Republic and The Day of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic, the Ambassador of the Slovak Republic, H.E Mrs. Ingrid Brockova hosted an official reception at the beautiful garden of the Embassy.

Constitution Day of the Slovak Republic ( September 1^st) is a National Day when the Slovak Republic commemorates the adoption of the Constitution as the fundamental law of the Slovak Republic by the Slovak National Council in 1992. The constitution of the Slovak Republic entered into force in full on 1^st January 1993,and jointfy with the constitutional act of the Federal Assembly of the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic iv constituted the Slovak Republic as a sovereign, democratic state governed by the rule of law.

Day of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic ( September 22^nd) has been celebrated since 1998, based on the order of the President of the Republic and the commander in chief of the armed forces, in honor of the victory of the Slovak Volunteer Corps over the imperial army in Brezova Pod Bradlom in 1848. This uprising was led by the first Slovak National Council headed by Ludovit Stur, Jozef M. Hurban and Michal M. Hodz. Almost 4000 volunteers fought for the freedom of Slovaks and the right to use the Slovak Language.

The honored speakers were RNDr. Miloš Vystrčil – President of the Senate of the Czech Republic and Ing. Jaroslav Zajicek, director of the Department of Foreign Affairs at the president’s office bring the greetings from the president, Mr. Pavel Petr, that at the last moment, need to visit the part of CR that was devastated by the recent floods.

Watch the video with the speech of H.E Mrs. Ingrid Brockova, the Ambassador of the Slovak Republic, RNDr. Miloš Vystrčil – President of the Senate of the Czech Republic and Ing. Jaroslav Zajicek, director of the Department of Foreign Affairs at the president’s office

Happy Constitution Day and Day of the Armed Forces Slovakia!

On the occasion of the 214th Anniversary of the Independence of Mexico, H.E. Ambassador Mrs. Berenice Díaz Ceballos hosted an official reception at the beautiful Kaiserštejnský Palác.

Mr. Jiri Kozak – the first deputy minister of foreign affairs of the Czech Republic, was the honored speaker.

Here are selected sections of the speech of H.E. Ambassador Mrs. Berenice Díaz Ceballos and Mr. Jiri Kozak at the event:

Viva Mexico, Viva Czech Republic

At the invitation of the President of the Republic Petr Pavel, the President of the Republic of Korea Jun Sok-yol and Mrs. Kim Keon-hee arrived to the Czech Republic on an official visit from September 19 to 21, 2024.

Watch the video from the official reception and pictures from the first meeting at Prague Castle.

Welcome Mr. President!

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Nadace Olgy Havlové has announced a collection to help with the relief efforts.

It is intended to support organizations helping flood victims repair the damage caused by the floods (e.g. purchase of necessary materials, transport, provision of humanitarian aid).

Prague Castle, as well as its protected area which also includes archaeological findings, are No. 1 recognized parts of the Czech cultural heritage.

The Bohemian Crown Jewels rank second to this national bequest. The Crown Jewels are permanently safely kept at Prague Castle and may be displayed exclusively in its area. But this occurs only on quite exceptional occasions.

Nowadays, the Jewels are usually displayed once every five years. The President of the Republic has the exclusive right to decide on the display of the Crown Jewels.

Date and place

17–30 September 2024, daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Vladislav Hall – Old Royal Palace

Thursday, 19 September: The exhibition is reserved for pre-registered school groups all day and closed to the public.

Thursday, 26 September: The exhibition is reserved for pre-registered school groups from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will be open to the public from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Free admission

You can read more here: https://www.hrad.cz/en/culture-at-the-castle/program/bohemian-crown-jewels-12981

LMF – Brick House Ostrava

Ostrava hosted the Leading Minds Forum, an international conference of experts on the theme of Divided Energy Revolution. The prestigious event was held under the auspices of the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Petr Fiala, the Minister of the Environment, Petr Hladík, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Energy Regulatory Office and the Moravia-Silesia Region.

The discussion, which was attended by the Minister of the Environment Petr Hladík, Members of the European Parliament Alexander Vondra and Ondřej Krutílek, and Jan Dusík, Deputy Director-General for Climate Action at the European Commission, inevitably turned to the question of how “green” European energy will still be. Although no major changes to the targets are expected, it was clear that the protection of European industry is coming to the fore. This could be good news for the Czech Republic as a country with a highly energy-intensive industry.

The next session focused on investments and parameters for affordable and sustainable energy. They were discussed against the background of the update of the State Energy Concept, pending legislation and expected key developments. Interesting speeches were given by Tomáš Varcop, Chairman of the Board and CEO of innogy Czech Republic and CEO of innogy Energie, René Neděla, Chief Director of the Energy at the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Martin Durčák, Chairman of the Board of ČEPS, and Zuzana Krejčiříková, Head of Public Affairs at ČEZ Group.

Community energy attracts attention

The third session was dedicated to community energy and legal regulations in the field of electricity storage, aggregation and flexibility. Claudia Viohl, CEO of the E.ON Czech Group, spoke about new opportunities but also obligations for energy suppliers and distribution system operators and followed up on the reflection on the first month of the Electricity Data Centre operation. This was presented by Petr Kusý, Chairman of the Board and CEO of EDC. The closing session was dedicated to international comparison and the upcoming revolution in flexibility, which was presented by Dries Ecke, Deputy CEO of SolarPower Europe.

Representatives of the state and public administration as well as representatives of more than 50 industrial and energy companies participated in an open discussion on current and future resource needs, planned measures and new business challenges.

The successful event was held under the auspices of Cylinders Holding and innogy Czech Republic. The main partners of this year’s edition were ČEPS Group, ČEZ, E.ON, EP Holding and the European Conservatives and Reformists Group, followed by partners Anacot Capital, Centropol, Gas Storage CZ, Pražská plynárenská, Siemens, Ško-Energo and UCED.

LMF – Brick House Ostrava

LMF – Brick House Ostrava

LMF – Brick House Ostrava

LMF – Brick House Ostrava

LMF – Elektra Ostrava

LMF – Brick House Ostrava

LMF – Brick House Ostrava

LMF – Brick House Ostrava

LMF – Brick House Ostrava

LMF – Brick House Ostrava

LMF – Brick House Ostrava

Photo: Archive of Veronika Novotná

The Czech UN Youth Delegates Programme connects the youth in Czechia with the United Nations. It provides a platform for the Czech youth to be represented within the organization, while also raising awareness about the UN through the activities of the youth delegates across the country they represent. I spoke with Veronika Novotná, who is one of the three Czech UN Youth Delegates for the 2024/2025 period, about her agenda, what topics she considers most pressing, and why the youth should be more involved in politics.

So let’s start with a more personal question.

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Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: ARÚ AV ČR

Vyšehrad has been a key site for archaeological research in Prague for over a century. A new exhibition reveals its importance in the history of Czechia.

For most visitors, Vyšehrad is a serene park in the heart of Prague, offering beautiful views and a sense of calm.

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Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Vojtěch Havlík, Czech Radio

This week marks the 80th birthday of Ivan Theimer, one of the most prominent contemporary Czech sculptors, who is based in France and Italy. His monumental bronze artworks, which draw inspiration from the works of old masters, can be found all over Europe, including the Elysée Palace in Paris.

Ivan Theimer was born on 18 September, 1944 in Olomouc into an art-loving family.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: MAK

Adam Štěch, the Czech art journalist and researcher, has now opened his exhibition Elements at the Museum of Applied Arts in Vienna. Adam spoke to Radio Prague International about what awaits visitors to the exhibition, as well as his career, perspectives on art and design, and his love for modernism.

Your upcoming exhibition in Vienna is called Elements.

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Photo: Jaromír Svoboda, National Theatre archive

Czech soprano Nada Šormova is one of the well-known voices in the Czech opera world. In the course of a career spanning close to half a century she has appeared on leading stages at home and abroad.

Czech soprano Nada Šormova graduated from the Music Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in 1962 and honed her skills as a soloist at the Plzen Opera before reaching her professional zenith on the country’s leading opera stage.

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Photo: Zuzana Jarolímková, iROZHLAS.cz

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday unveiled her team of commissioner candidates and their portfolios for the 2024-2029 cycle. The Czech nominee, Industry Minister Jozef Síkela, has been selected Commissioner-designate for International Partnerships.

The International Partnerships portfolio involves overseeing EU international cooperation, development policy, and the Global Gateway initiative, which aims to invest up to €300 billion in infrastructure in developing regions like Africa and India.

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Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Patrik Procházka, Czech Radio

The northern parts of Moravia and Silesia are the most affected by recent flooding in Czechia, particularly the Moravian-Silesian and Olomouc regions. Tens of thousands of people have been asked to evacuate. I interviewed the Director of the Office of the Czech Red Cross Karol Čukan to see what is being done to help those most in need in the region.

Can you provide an overview of the most affected areas and populations?.

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Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Archive of magazine Forum/www.cuni.cz

Prague ranks as the number one student city in Europe, surpassing London, Paris, and Berlin in key categories like cost of living and safety, according to Campus Advisor.

Prague has emerged as the best student city in Europe, according to new rankings from The Campus Advisor, a platform that helps students find their ideal university.

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Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Office of Czech Government

As the flood waters slowly subside, Prime Minister Petr Fiala has outlined the government’s strategy in dealing with the damage wrought by strong winds and high water in many parts of the country. He promised state finances, material aid and support from the armed forces.

As the skies begin to clear over Czechia, the country is taking stock of the damage caused in the past three days.

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Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Czech Ministry of Defence

The NATO Military Committee retreat in Prague, scheduled for this weekend, will focus on discussing Europe’s security, the implementation of prior NATO Summit decisions, and the feasibility of the Alliance’s defense plans. This marks the first time Czechia hosts the meeting.

On Sept 13-15, the Czech Republic will host the 2024 iteration of the NATO Military Committee Conference.

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Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Thomas Ledl, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED

This Sunday, the Jewish Museum in Prague is hosting a celebration at the Spanish Synagogue, to mark 30 years since the museum was put back into the care of the Czech Jewish community. Beginning at 2 pm, the event will include musical and theatrical entertainment for the whole family. From Polish 1930s jazz to Czech-German cabaret, this free event will celebrate both the museum and Jewish contributions to the art, music and life of Central Europe.

The history of the Jewish Museum in Prague began over a hundred years ago in 1906.

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Loučeň Chateau is a Baroque estate situated in the town of Loučeň within the Nymburk District. I was given a tour of the chateau by head guide Hana Michalčíková, along with members of our team at Radio Prague, to learn more about its history, the families that made the estate into what it is now, the significance of the estate to the Habsburgs, and more. The tour focuses on the life of the Thurn and Taxis family at the estate at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. However, important snippets from its history are brought to life on occasion revealing the years the chateau has endured.

As you approach the chateau it appears subtle, with the wings of it welcoming you.

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Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: public domain

In this part of our video series on Czech Music Greats, we return once again to one of the best-known names in Czech classical music – Antonín Dvořák. We’ll take a closer look at his SYMPHONY NO. 5 in F major, which represents a milestone in the development of the composer’s individual style.

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Author: Barbora Navrátilová

Photo: Khalil Baalbaki, Czech Radio

Madeleine Albright’s life story is a truly remarkable journey through history, shaped by her experiences during tumultuous times in Europe and the United States.

“I wouldn’t be who I am without those roots in Czechoslovakia,” she remarked in one of the interviews I recorded with her, acknowledging how the events in her homeland influenced her work in American foreign policy.

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Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Klára Stejskalová, Radio Prague International

The manufactory was the second porcelain factory established in the Czech lands. By the late 19th century, Thun porcelain had achieved international success. Unfortunately, this year, operations in Klášterec nad Ohří have come to an end.

The factory in Klášterec nad Ohří was founded in 1794 by J.

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Author: Klára Stejskalová

Both companies with their teams and women themselves can participate. The program is suitable for fulfilling ESG goals

Business & Professional Women CR (BPWCR) is proud to announce that on October 11, it will officially launch the 7th year of the Empowering Women Mentoring program, which brings a unique opportunity for companies and individual participants to support female leadership, develop women’s career opportunities while meeting key ESG ‘S’ targets. 60 women and 10 companies have the chance to use it this year. Applications are now open and places are filling up fast.

Empowering Women Mentoring (EWM) has become an indispensable platform for talented aspiring female managers to advance their careers. The program is unique in its approach, the basis of which is the speed mentoring method – a dynamic, effective and interactive way to transfer experience and knowledge between mentors and mentees, in sharing experiences between participants and in networking.

What is speed mentoring and why is it a key element of our program?

Speed ​​mentoring, as developed in 2010 by the president of the organization, is a unique method of education that combines speed, intensity and focus on the specific needs of the mentee . “Unlike traditional mentoring, where the relationship between mentor and mentee is long-term and broader in scope, speed mentoring offers intensive and narrowly focused sessions where mentees receive valuable advice and feedback from multiple mentors in a short period of time while benefiting from the sharing of views and the experiences of other participants. This format allows women to gain different perspectives and to apply acquired knowledge more quickly in practice,” says Lenka Šťastná , president of BPWCR and author of the speed mentoring method.

Thanks to this approach, the participants not only develop on a professional level, but also build an important network of contacts, which is crucial for their career growth. Companies that join the program have the opportunity to provide their employees with access to this unique form of education, which can significantly contribute to their professional development and overall satisfaction.

Why should companies get involved?

By engaging in EWM programs, companies can significantly strengthen their ESG strategy . Nowadays, it is increasingly important to demonstrate a commitment to sustainable and ethical business, not only from the point of view of environmental protection, but also the promotion of equal opportunities, talent development and increasing the proportion of women in top management . According to a McKinsey study, there are currently only 4% of women in the position of CEO and 11% of top management in Czech companies . A number of large employers aim to increase the representation of women in management to at least 30% by 2030.

This program offers companies the opportunity to actively contribute to the fulfillment of these sustainable social responsibility goals. Supporting female leadership is both a matter of equal conditions and a competitive advantage – studies show that companies with diversified leadership achieve better financial results and have higher innovation potential . Companies with more than 30% women in management are likely to increase their profitability by up to 26% . Building employee loyalty through an employment policy set in this way reduces fluctuations, and thus recruitment costs, and increases the company’s attractiveness on the labor market .

How to get involved?

Registration for companies and individual participants is currently underway. Companies can nominate their employees to the program or join as partners and support the entire project. Participants will gain access to a series of mentoring sessions covering important development topics and networking to help them develop their skills and increase their visibility in the industry.

Feedback from previous years

The participants of the previous six years of the EWM program appreciated not only the opportunity to receive valuable advice from experienced professionals, but also the atmosphere of mutual support and inspiration, which motivated them to further professional growth. “Speed ​​mentoring helped me quickly identify areas where I can grow professionally and gave me concrete advice on how to do that,” said one of the participants from last year.

EWM supports individual women, but at the same time creates a wider impact on the entire society and organizations that choose to participate in the program. At BPWCR, we believe that an investment in the development of women’s potential is an investment in the future, and we look forward to the involvement of new companies and women in the seventh year of this exceptionally rated program – the satisfaction rate of participants with the program reaches 99% and 63% confirms increased self-confidence and courage to change .

For more information and to sign up, visit bpwcr.cz/empoweringwomen7 .

Contact for interested parties:

Helena Dreiseitlová, EWM project coordinator, helena.dreiseitlova@bpwcr.cz

Which companies have joined the EWM program so far?

Allianz, ABinBev, Danone, Essox, GasNet, HOPI, IBM, Kone, Lego, Mars, Mondelez, Nova, Philip Morris, Raiffeisenbank, CEZ Group, UNIQA

The 77th annual Pálavské vinobraní wine festival in Mikulov attracted around 44,000 visitors, the same as last year, despite the hot weather.

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Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Alžběta Havlová, Czech Radio

The Crown of St. Wenceslas made for the coronation of Charles IV has a magic attraction. It is rarely put on display and people cue up for hours to see it. Few people know that there is a replica of it at Barrandov film studios that anyone can borrow.

The St.

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Author: Daniela Lazarová

Screenwriter and director Jiří Mádl’s film Waves has been selected as the Czech Republic ‘s official entry for the 97th Academy Awards where it will compete in the Best Foreign Film category.

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Author: Daniela Lazarová

Visitors to a stamp exhibition in Prague at the weekend could admire a rare artifact from the Titanic, an address label from the ship’s mail.

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Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Fred Byrne, Radio Prague International

The historical Bubeneč train station has opened its doors as ‘Stanice6’, a new pub and cultural centre. This comes ten years after the station served its last train.

First built in 1850 under Franz Joseph I, the station was the second oldest in Prague.

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Photo: Štěpánka Budková, Radio Prague Int.

In the shadow of Prague Castle and its heaving masses of visitors hides a quiet and hidden valley. First used for defensive purposes, the Stag Moat offers visitors a space to relax and to explore for its historical curiosities.

The moat, through which the Brusnice stream flows, was originally used for defence.

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Photo: Leonhard_Niederwimmer, Pixabay, Pixabay License

On September 9th 1754, the Baroque column of the Holy Trinity was consecrated by the bishop of Olomouc, Cardinal Ferdinand Julius Troyer, in the presence of the imperial-royal couple Maria Theresa and Francis I of Lorraine. Today, this UNESCO-status monument is a magnet for tourists from all over the world.

The column dedicated to the Holy Trinity was built in Olomouc on Horní náměstí by local stonemason Václav Render and his successors.

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Prague Castle will be part of the Signal festival, which annually showcases light art and digital culture around Prague, the organizers of the event announced.

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Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Ondřej Přibyl, Revolver Revue

One of the winners of this year’s Most Beautiful Czech Books of the Year Award is Birds of Prague 1800-2020, published by the Czech Ornithological Society and Revolver Revue. It follows up on the work of the pioneering Czechoslovak ornithologist Veleslav Wahl, who was executed in 1951 by the Communist regime for alleged treason. The impressive volume contains not only the original book from 1944. It also includes Wahl’s biography and maps the development of bird communities in the city over the last decades. I discussed the book with Petr Voříšek from the Czech Ornithological Society, who initiated its creation.

“In the 1990s, I came across Veleslav Wahl’s last will, which was written the night before he was executed.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková