AuthorMartin Hladík

President Petr Pavel received the President of the Portuguese Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, at Prague Castle, and Prime Minister Petr Fiala met with the President of Portugal at Kramář’s Villa.

Watch the video: On Wednesday, February 5, 2025, President Petr Pavel received the President of the Portuguese Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, at Prague Castle. Together, they discussed mutual trade, security, cultural and scientific relations, cooperation in the EU and NATO, and the need to deepen transatlantic ties.

“Portugal is an example of a country where distance does not matter. We are similar in many ways, whether in terms of the size of the territory or the number of inhabitants, but above all in terms of values ​​and approach to solving problems concerning the current situation in the world,” said President Petr Pavel and added: “Together, we agree on the importance and further deepening of transatlantic ties for the security and prosperity of not only Europe but also the United States of America, on strengthening and making the European Union more efficient but also on expanding the space for bilateral cooperation.”

Ceremony of signing of the Memorandum of Understanding and Political Consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Portuguese Republic

After the meeting of official delegations, both statesmen visited the National Technical Museum, where, among other things, they viewed the Renault 21, which was donated by the then Portuguese President Mário Soares to the Czech President Václav Havel in 1989.

The joint presidential program will conclude with a tour of the Strahov Monastery.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala met with the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, at Kramář’s Villa on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. The main topics of the meeting were defense-industrial cooperation, the ammunition initiative, EU competitiveness, and other geopolitical issues.

Both statesmen agreed at the outset that both countries have significant potential for further strengthening economic cooperation from research and development to the security and defense sector. In 2023, trade exchange reached more than 1.6 billion euros. Czech companies are very interested in further developing cooperation, especially in the areas of infrastructure or science and research.

“We have excellent economic relations with Portugal, which we want to further develop and strengthen in the future,” said Prime Minister Fiala after the meeting, adding that the Czech Republic and Portugal share many similar views, especially on the most pressing problems facing the EU today, such as the issue of competitiveness on the world market.

Photo: National Museum

For the first time ever, one of the world’s most famous fossils is coming to Europe. The fossilized remains of Lucy, a 3.18-million-year-old human ancestor, will go on display at Prague’s National Museum in August, giving visitors a unique opportunity to see these priceless relics up close.

Lucy, an Australopithecus afarensis, was named after Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds by The Beatles, a song played repeatedly at the archaeologists’ campsite when her remains were discovered in 1974.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: APF Czech Radio

On February 5th 1875, Františka Plamínková was born, a woman who would go on to dedicate her life to political causes, most notably the rights of women in Czechoslovakia. Tragically, this activism culminated in her execution by the Nazis in 1942.

Františka Plamínková, it is safe to say, lived through great changes and turbulent times for the Czech nation.

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Author: Danny Bate

Photo: Nadační fond Neuron

A team of Czech scientists have discovered in southern Albania the world’s largest underground thermal lake, and have named it Lake Neuron, after the foundation that funded the expedition.

Within the valleys of the mountainous borderlands between Greece and Albania, Czech scientists have for several years been exploring the complex situation underground.

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Author: Danny Bate

Photo: Miloš Turek, Radio Prague International

Just a few steps away from Prague Castle and the grand palaces of Hradčany, Nový Svět (The New World) feels like a secret passage into a quieter, almost forgotten part of the city. With its winding cobbled streets, historic houses, and an atmosphere steeped in mystery, this charming quarter has long been a refuge for artists, writers, and dreamers—an off-the-beaten-path gem waiting to be discovered.

At first glance, it may seem odd to start exploring an off-the-beaten-track location near a famous landmark like Loreta, the Baroque pilgrimage site with its famous carillon bells.

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Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Barbora Kvapilová, Czech Radio

The National Film Archive in Hradištek near Prague is a treasure trove of famous and lesser-known Czech films, but also contains a collection of family and amateur films. Over the years, the collection was enriched by private donors or came from the archives of public institutions that were closed down.

The Czech Republic has a rich film heritage administered by the National Film Archive since its establishment in 1943.

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Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Archive of League of Open Men

Alcoholic drinks are a constant presence in Czech life, with some, especially beer, achieving the status of a national symbol. Yet the ubiquity and normality of drinking alcohol can easily lead to a variety of problems. Danny Bate spoke to Petr Freimann from the national Dry February campaign (‘Suchej únor’), which is running for another year to help Czechs to take a month’s break from booze.

Could you tell me first about the context for the Dry February campaign? Why is it necessary in Czechia?.

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Author: Danny Bate

Photo: Martin Brázdil, Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

The Russian Orthodox Church has transferred ownership of it assets in Karlovy Vary to its Hungarian branch so as to prevent the Czech state freezing them. This includes ownership of the Church of Sts Peter and Paul which now falls under the Metropolitan Emeritus of Budapest and Hungary.

For years, Russia had a strong presence in the West Bohemian spa town of Karlovy Vary, where Russians owned homes, hotels and restaurants.

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Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: archive of Noah Breuer

Noah Breuer is an American artist with a personal connection to Czech history. His ancestors owned a textile factory in Dvůr Králové, which was confiscated during World War II, and most of his Jewish family perished in the Holocaust. In 2016, Breuer discovered fabric swatches from the factory in Czech archives, inspiring a series of artworks in textiles, paper, and glass that blend historical motifs with contemporary design. His works are currently on display in Břeclav at the exhibition Návrat (Return), organized by the non-profit Moravian Beauty. During his recent visit to Prague, I spoke with him about his family’s legacy and his artistic response to it.

Your family’s textile factory in Dvůr Králové was confiscated during WWII due to their Jewish origin, and most of your relatives perished in the Holocaust.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Guillaume Narguet, Radio Prague International

Trying to decipher the motives behind owning a football club is like putting together a colorful puzzle. Some clubs are owned by very wealthy businessmen, others by cities or even a foreign company. But they rarely, if ever make money and are definitely not a safe investment. So what motivates some rich Czechs to buy them? Football expert and editor-in-chief of Canal Plus Sport, Jiří Hošek, offers some insights.

According to Hošek, a football club is more than just a sports organization.

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Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Břetislav Tureček, Radio Prague International

Historic trains will probably not receive a red light after all with the arrival of the new European Train Control System (ETCS) signaling system. The system was designed to improve safety and efficiency across European rail networks, but some historic trains were blocked from operating with them. Under new conditions, these trains could now return to the main railway corridors.

“We are on ‘Locomotive Seven,’ made in 1917.

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Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Archiv Paměti Krkonoš a Ski muzea v Dolní Branné

Exactly 100 years ago, in February 1925, Czechoslovakia hosted the very first World Ski Championships. The event, called Rendezvous Ski Races at the time, was held in Janské Lázně in the Krkonoše Mountains. A series of events is taking place this week in the northern Bohemian town to mark the anniversary.

Some 240 competitors from 13 countries took part in the very first edition of the World Ski Championships held in February 1925 in the north-eastern Bohemian town of Janské Lázně.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková, Ferdinand Hauser

Photo: Jaroslav Svoboda, ČTK

The Jaroslav Hašek Cup, a competition for the furthest hot air balloon flight, started at dawn on February 1st in Kejžlice near Humpolec. The participants had the task of flying as far as possible from the take-off point within a time limit of nine hours.

The winner eventually covered a distance of 195 kilometers and landed in Nemanice in the Domažlice region, right on the border with Germany.

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Photo: DPP

To mark the 50 th anniversary of the Prague metro we explored some of its iconic stations. In conclusion, here is a look at what the new metro line D will look like.

In December of last year, a new milestone was reached for work on Prague’s new metro line D.

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Author: Fred Byrne

Photo: Petr Šmerkl, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Petr Muk (born on Feb 4, 1965) was a Czech pop singer and composer who grew up in communist Czechoslovakia but was influenced by Western bands like the English synth-pop duo Erasure, The Cure and Depeche Mode. At the time, recordings of Western music were secretly smuggled into the country by people lucky enough to be allowed to go abroad.

Muk started making music at the age of fifteen, performing with various underground punk bands.

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Illustrative photo: Michaela Danelová, Czech Radio

When in 1990, Minister of the Interior Richard Sacher issued an order to abolish all central departments of Czechoslovakia’s State Security organisation (StB), he brought to an end the more than forty-year period of one of the main instruments of Communist terror in the country. For many, this meant the end of an era of oppression, violence and fear.

“Dear fellow citizens.

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Photo: Barbora Navrátilová, Radio Prague International

The Ministry of Culture has added Czech beer and brewing culture to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Czech Republic, a step towards its inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Czechs may well feel that beer is an inseparable part of their country’s culture, and now it’s official.

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Author: Danny Bate

Photo: Jan Bachorík, Czech Radio

Archaeologists in Ústí nad Labem in northern Bohemia have made a unique discovery: a mammoth hunting camp from the Old Stone Age. The site, covered with thousands of animal bones, includes remains of at least 13 woolly mammoths and other Pleistocene fauna, along with artefacts crafted by prehistoric people.

The discovery was made last November during preventive archaeological research at the future site of the Judicial Palace.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Fritz Geller-Grimm, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

A beaver colony in the Brdy region has gained overnight fame by building several dams in the Brdy protected landscape area, creating a natural wetland exactly where it was needed. It saved the local authorities 30 million crowns, and has the public cracking jokes about public administration and red tape.

The administration of the Brdy protected landscape area, which had gained approval for the 30 million crown project, was dealing with red tape and seeking the respective building permits from the Vltava River Basin authorities when the dam project was completed almost overnight by a local colony of beavers.

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Author: Daniela Lazarová

On the occasion of the 76th Republic Day of India, the Ambassador of the Republic of India, H.E. Mr. Raveesh Kumar, and Mrs. Ranjana Raveesh Hosted a reception at the Beautiful Zofin Palace.

Mr. Jiri Kozak – the first 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 India, H.E. Mr. Raveesh Kumar, and of Mr. Jiri Kozak – the first deputy minister of foreign affairs of the Czech Republic, And a short Video about India.

Happy Republic Day India

On Monday, January 27th, at the Vinohrady Cemetery at the grave of Olga and Václav Havel, took place a candle-lighting ceremony for Olga Havel, founder of the Committee of Good Will – Olga Havel Foundation. 29 years since her death.

The ceremony was attended by the Public, who came to pay respect to Olga Havlova, The Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, Vojtěch Sedláček, Foundation Director Monika Granja, and Evangelical pastor Miroslav Erdinger.

Musical accompaniment was performed by the very talented Besharmonie student choir.

You can read the speeches that were given below (in Czech):

Proslov u hrobu Havlových 27.1.2025
Vzpominka na Olgu

The Committee of Good Will – The Olga Havel Foundation (VDV) will ceremonially award the thirty-first Olga Havel Award in May. The prestigious award will be given to an individual who, despite their health handicap, helps others. The public can nominate candidates for this year’s award via an online form on the website www.cenaolgyhavlove.cz from February 1 to April 1, 2025. The award ceremony will take place on May 26 in Prague.

“The legacy of Olga Havel, who founded the Committee of Good Will in 1990 as one of the first charitable organizations in our country, is still relevant. This year, the foundation celebrates 35 years of its successful existence,” says VDV Director Monika Granja. “The Olga Havel Award is also part of this legacy. Ms. Olga first announced it in 1995 with the aim of recognizing people with health disabilities who, despite their handicap, selflessly help others. The award also has another dimension. It draws attention to individual health diagnoses that are often on the fringes of politicians and the public’s interest, and to the problems associated with them,” explains Monika Granja.

A jury appointed by the foundation’s board of directors will decide who will become this year’s laureate of the award and receive the bronze sculpture “Encouragement” by Olbram Zoubek. Since 2017, the VDV has also awarded the Public Award as part of the Olga Havel Award, the winner of which can be voted for online. Like the winner of the Olga Havel Award, the winner of the Public Award will be presented at a gala event to be held on May 26 in the Prague Castle Ballroom.

Last year, Doris Průšová received the award for her efforts to help create jobs in the regular labor market for people with disabilities and to break down barriers between healthy and disabled employees. She works in the Troublegang team, which is part of the Employment Agency for People with Disabilities O KROK. The team of professionals seeks out opportunities for people with disabilities to apply themselves in the labor market, and provides consultations to companies on how to prepare a job with regard to a specific type of disability. So far, the team has managed to employ more than 80 disabled people. The Public Award was won by Michaela Linková for her extensive work on behalf of patients with rheumatic diseases. Daniela Bláhová, chairwoman of the Prague organization ROSKA, and Jaroslav Winter, operator of the HELPNET portal, were also nominated for the Public Award.

The nomination form can be found here: https://www.cenaolgyhavlove.cz/nominace/

Further information about the Olga Havel Award and its laureates can be found here: https://www.cenaolgyhavlove.cz/

Photo: Barbora Němcová, Radio Prague International

Eighty years ago, Allied forces reached and entered the now-infamous Auschwitz concentration camp. The event provided the date for the modern International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which offers Czechia a chance to reflect on the horrors of the Holocaust, and to consider what work still needs to be done.

It was on January 27th 1945 that Russian soldiers, as part of the Red Army’s western push, arrived at the complex of concentration and extermination camps known collectively as Auschwitz.

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Author: Danny Bate

Sales of new flats in Prague soared by 80% last year, reaching 7,200 units—the second-highest figure in 15 years.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Pavel Vlach, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED

The West Bohemian metropolis is ranked 54th on the Numbeo quality of life index for January, overtaking not only Prague and Brno, but cities such as Oslo, Madrid, Dubai and Berlin. Numbeo is the world’s largest statistical portal that collects data directly from people reflecting their satisfaction with life in the given city.

It is a first for the West Bohemian city of Plzeň, which is famous the world over for being the cradle of the delicious golden brew.

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Author: Daniela Lazarová

A series of cultural events will take place in Kutná Hora this year to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the town’s historic center being added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: APF Czech Radio

Police have reopened the case of the death of former Foreign Minister Jan Masaryk who died on the eve of March 10, 1948. Originally believed to be a suicide, the Office for Documentation and Investigation of Crimes of Communism (ÚDV), a unit of the Czech Police, now suspects murder, based on newly obtained documents from the diplomatic archives of France, the United States, and Great Britain.

The Masaryk case was reopened after new documents were obtained by the Czech Foreign Ministry last August.

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Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Lukáš Milota, Czech Radio

A new model of trams will soon be seen around Prague, as the Škoda ForCity Plus 52T was launched this week for the first time on Škoda’s test track in Plzeň. Ahead of their arrival and test runs in the capital, Danny Bate spoke to councillor and former Deputy Mayor for Transport Adam Scheinherr about what the new trams will offer.

Photo: Lukáš Milota, Czech Radio.

See more here.

Author: Danny Bate

Photo: Jan Kubelka, Radio Prague International

On January 29th, Dominik Hašek, considered by some to be the greatest ice-hockey goaltender in history, celebrates his sixtieth birthday. He spoke to Danny Bate about his career, looking back on his early years, his time as a professional sportsman, and his favourite memories.

I have the immense privilege to be joined here in the studio by the Dominator himself, Mr.

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Author: Danny Bate

Photo: Lenka Žižková, Radio Prague International

A great new way to learn about hidden gems of Prague with Radio Prague International.

In this Czechast special we introduce Prague off the Beaten Track, your guide to the hidden gems of Prague – unique places, stories, and cultural experiences that you won’t find in the usual guidebooks or on the standard tourist paths.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Humanity tends to forget patterns and events leading to tragic outcomes, President Petr Pavel stated at a Holocaust Remembrance Day event at Prague Castle.

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Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Jan Hrdonka, Wikimedia Commons, public domain

A student at the Prague University of Economics and Business has invented a new speech-to-text system that can help small airports and small aircraft to communicate better. The system has now caught the attention of pilots, airports and even the Czech Civil Aviation Authority.

If you were piloting a plane, thousands of metres up in the air, you might not want to have to take down notes with a pencil and paper.

See more here.

Author: Danny Bate, Eva Kézrová

Photo: City of Jindřichův Hradec

Archaeologists in Jindřichův Hradec have made a unique discovery. During reconstruction work at the castle brewery, they uncovered exceptionally well-preserved furnaces dating back to the late 18th century.

These historic furnaces, which were once used to heat brewing pans containing ground malt and water, were found beneath a layer of soil.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo repro: Radim Kopáč, ‘Nevěstince a nevěstky’/Paseka

Prague may be known for its many gothic structures, medieval alleyways, quaint parks, and bustling pubs. But “the city of a hundred spires” has a darker side too. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, brutal murders and prostitution shocked the capital’s residents. Tour guide for Prague City Tourism Marek Kovář took Radio Prague for a tour of some of these sites, including the so-called “love rooms,” which many, including figures like Franz Ferdinand, would frequent.

Marek Kovář is a tour guide who uncovers the dark side of Prague for Prague City Tourism.

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Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Ema Polívková, iROZHLAS.cz

In Belarus, President Alexander Lukashenko claimed victory in his 7th presidential election on Sunday. The 70-year-old autocrat, who has ruled Belarus since 1994, was reported to have won 86.8% of the vote. On Sunday, dozens of people protested outside the Belarusian embassy in Prague’s Troja district to show their discontent with the alleged results. I spoke with the Director of the Office of the Democratic Forces of Belarus in the Czech Republic Kryscina Šyjanok to discuss these developments and the role of the Belarusian diaspora in advocating for a democratic transition in Belarus.

Let’s start with just general numbers here.

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Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Jaroslav Svoboda, ČTK

One of the toughest dogsledding races in Europe, called Šediváček’s Long, is traditionally held in the small village of Jedlová in the Orlice Mountains.

This year, around seven hundred dogs and more than a hundred competitors (‘mushers’) from Czechia, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Croatia, Hungary and Poland competed for the title.

See more here.

Photo: Poslední concertino/Czech television

For today’s Sunday Music Show, we will be playing you some music by the Czech composer Vítězslava Kaprálová to mark the occassion of her birth 100 years ago on January 24, 1915.

Kaprálová was both a composer and a conductor, a rare dual role even today.

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Photo: Juan Pablo Bertazza, Radio Prague International

The Club for Old Prague, founded on 28 January 1900, is one of the most important institutions dedicated to the protection of historical and cultural heritage in Prague. At a time of intense redevelopment, when many historic buildings were threatened with demolition, it became a strong voice against the destruction of the city’s architectural treasures.

The main figures who led the club were important personalities of the Prague intelligentsia – architects, artists and historians.

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons, public domain

In this episode, we have a truly fascinating guest, Eleanor Janega, an American broadcaster, historian, and author with a deep personal and professional connection to Czech history.

Eleanor’s scholarship focuses on the late medieval period, including gender, urban life, and apocalyptic thought, but her passion for Czech history runs much deeper than her academic work.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Universal Pictures

Although neither of the two Czech films that were shortlisted for this year’s Oscars—the historical drama Waves nor the short film The Countryman—received a nomination, the Oscar statuette may still be headed to Czechia this year. Czech set decorator Beatrice Brentnerová is nominated in the set design category for her work on Nosferatu and spoke to Czech Radio about her stylistic choices.

Robert Eggers’ latest film, Nosferatu, has been widely celebrated since its release.

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Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Štěpánka Budková, Radio Prague International

Supraphon, the venerable Czech record label specialising in classical and pop music, has this month been bought by the American multinational company Sony Music Entertainment.

With a history stretching back to the First Republic, Supraphon is a respected mainstay of the Czech musical scene.

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Author: Danny Bate

Photo: Jolana Nováková, Czech Radio

Historic hockey trophies, medals, and iconic sports gear—these are just some of the artefacts on display at the Czech Hockey Hall of Fame. Located on Prague’s Nekázanka Street in the heart of the city, the Hall reopened last year, showcasing the sport’s greatest moments, with each item telling its own unique story.

Every hockey enthusiast visiting Prague should stop at the Hall of Fame, which officially opened last May, just three days before the World Ice Hockey Championships began in Prague and Ostrava.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: The Museum of Prague

Nestled beneath the Vyšehrad Rock on the banks of the Vltava River, Podskalí is a lesser-known but historically rich area of Prague. Once a bustling port village and a vital part of the city’s economy, Podskalí has transformed over the centuries into a charming destination that seamlessly blends history, culture, and leisure.

The name Podskalí, meaning “under the rock,” reflects its proximity to the Vyšehrad Rock, where the ancient Vyšehrad Castle once stood.

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Author: Vít Pohanka

Prime Minister Fiala: The conclusion of a strategic partnership with Vietnam will strengthen trade, investment, and cooperation in several areas

Watch the video from  Monday, January 20, 2025, when Prime Minister Petr Fiala welcomed the Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh, in Prague. Together, they agreed to upgrade Czech-Vietnamese relations to a strategic partnership, which aims to strengthen trade, investment, and defense cooperation and support joint projects in the fields of science, education, tourism, and others. Important agreements focused on cooperation in education and pilot training were also signed during the meeting.

This year, the Czech Republic and Vietnam are commemorating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. “We don’t have such close relations with any other Asian country as we do with Vietnam. Our relations are developing successfully and the intensity of contacts at various levels is growing. This corresponds to the turnover of mutual trade, which was a record last year and exceeded 4 billion dollars. It is gratifying that Czech companies are very interested in further investments in Vietnam. For all these reasons, we are moving our relations to a new, strategic level,” said the Prime Minister.

The joint statement on upgrading mutual relations to a strategic partnership refers in particular to strengthening cooperation in defense and security, economic partnership, trade and investment relations, education, science and technology, environment, natural resources and health care, tourism, culture and other areas.

The heads of government followed up on their last meeting in Hanoi two years ago. Since then, several joint projects have been moved forward. “For example, the year before last I started the construction of the Škoda Auto plant in Quang Ninh province. This March, the automaker plans to start the production line. It is one of those projects that raise Czech-Vietnamese economic cooperation to a new higher level. We are also delivering L-39 aircraft, we have the option of delivering other machines,” added Prime Minister Fiala.

Both countries concluded an agreement on cooperation in the field of education, which, among other things, supports direct cooperation of higher education institutions and enables mutual exchanges of academic staff and university students. A contract was also concluded for the training of Vietjet airline pilots at the F-Air flight school.

The great interest of companies in the development of business relations is also shown by the participation in today’s business forum in Prague, which was attended by representatives of 130 companies from both countries. Vietnam is the most important trade partner of the Czech Republic in Southeast Asia. The potential for mutual cooperation is enormous. Czech and Vietnamese companies already cooperate in the automotive, energy, and defense industries, and there is also close cooperation in the mining industry and the aviation sector. “We see great potential in the petrochemical industry, e.g. while expanding the capacities of Vietnamese refineries. Our companies have extensive experience with this on a global scale. We can also offer experience and technology in the field of nuclear energy. The next step we talked about could be the introduction of a direct flight between Prague and Hanoi, which would have a positive impact on trade, investment and tourism. As it has already been done with Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan,” said the prime minister.

The joint meeting was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Marian Jurečka, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health Vlastimil Válek, Minister of Finance Zbyněk Stanjura, Minister of Industry and Trade Lukáš Vlček, Minister of Education, Youth and Sports Mikuláš Bek and their Vietnamese counterparts.

Read the joint declaration on elevating bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, deepening political cooperation and diplomatic relations between The Social Republic of Vietnam and the Czech Republic.

On Monday, January 27th, there will be a candle-lighting ceremony for Olga Havel, founder of the Committee of Good Will – Olga Havel Foundation.

29 years since her death.

The memorial meeting will take place at 3:30 p.m. at the Vinohrady Cemetery at the grave of Olga and Václav Havel.

The ceremony will be attend by the Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, Vojtěch Sedláček, Foundation Director Monika Granja, and Evangelical pastor Miroslav Erdinger.

Musical accompaniment will be performed by the Besharmonie student choir.

The public is invited to come and pay respect.

Photo: Ondřej Němec

Harapan, born last May, lives on one of the islands in the Indonesian jungle with his mother Diri and father Pagy. Photo Oliver Le Que, Prague Zoo

Prague Zoo invites visitors to heated pavilions. When observing animals, they can expect pleasant temperatures of more than twenty degrees Celsius and comfortable benches in the immediate vicinity of interesting species. For example, people can watch Mobi and Gaia, small female gorillas from the Dja Reservation pavilion, from a generous auditorium that offers, in addition to rest, the opportunity to charge their phones.

“In the spacious Dja Reservation auditorium, visitors not only hide from the cold but above all, they can watch the games of female gorillas Mobi and Gaia in comfort. In my opinion, it is the most attractive spectacle,” says Prague Zoo Director Miroslav Bobek.

Giraffes are usually closer to home during the winter months than in the summer – and people can also see last year’s born Johanka. Photo Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

The Dja Reservation pavilion offers a friendly 23 °C. First, visitors will walk through a Cameroonian village and a typical school classroom. They will then set off on a journey through a lush forest, home to talapoins, vervet monkeys, brush-tailed macaques, and, in particular, lowland gorillas. At the top of the tiered auditorium, visitors will find two interactive screens that allow them to identify individual members of the gorilla troop.

A unique view of zebras, giraffes, and Cape hartebeests. This is offered by the Africa House, along with 21 °C. Although North Nubian giraffes are surprisingly hardy, they cannot spend the entire winter outside. Thanks to this, visitors can watch these tallest animals in the world from comfortable benches in the warmth of the pavilion. They can look forward to, for example, the giraffe cub Johanka, born in July of last year. Grévy’s zebras like to interact with people near the glass.

An underwater expedition to see Tchéc and Maruška. Hippopotamus spend the winter in the indoor pool in the Hippo Pavilion with 20 °C, which allows an attractive view of the underwater world from the comfort of a bench. It can be seen that these even-toed ungulates weighing up to three tons do not actually swim actively, but gracefully reflect off the bottom.

Visitors can often catch Mobi and Gaia playing. Photo Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

Tropical atmosphere, diverse environments and 24 °C. In the gigantic Indonesian Jungle greenhouse, visitors will be captivated by impressive Komodo dragons, pig-tailed macaques or the newly bred species of black-bellied flying frogs. People can also learn more about scaly mammals – short-tailed pangolins. In the Indonesian Jungle nocturne, you can observe, for example, the female Šiška, the first pangolin bred in Europe, or her younger sister Connie, born last summer. After climbing to the upper floor of the pavilion, visitors will have a view of two families of Sumatran orangutans with their cubs. While four-year-old “Kawi” is often spotted frolicking in the branches, little Harapan is just taking his first steps.

A walk in the Africa Up Close Pavilion will also warm you up. The interior imitates an abandoned African village, to which nature is gradually returning. Visitors can observe various types of invertebrates, rodents, hyenas or even a honeyeater, a beast that does not hesitate to stand up to even the king of beasts. The Reed Pavilion is also worth a visit, presenting eight unique exhibits, six of which are heated indoors. They are inhabited by rare parrots such as hyacinth macaws, eagle-headed trichi or palm cockatoos. The Pavilion of Predators and Reptiles also provides benches inviting you to rest.

The male Tchéc was named in his native French zoo by the breeders in honor of the Czech national holiday – he was born on October 28. Photo Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

Even in the colder months, visitors should not neglect the outdoor enclosures and aviaries. Some animal species are even more active in winter. For example, red pandas with thickly furred feet are among the hardiest inhabitants of Prague Zoo. Camels in Plány are growing winter fur, and even bison are getting shaggier.

In total, Prague Zoo offers fifteen indoor pavilions where people can hide from the bad weather. During the winter, visitors can also avoid the summer crowds. It is also worth using the Prague Zoo app, where you can buy tickets more conveniently than at the box office.

Young frogs do not yet have the ability to glide and their skin is bright red and warty. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

Visitors to the Prague Zoo can now see black-bellied flying frogs in the Indonesian jungle pavilion. The webs between their fingers can function like miniature “gliders”, and thanks to them, flying insects can overcome a distance of up to fifteen meters. Arboreal amphibians impress not only with their ability to glide but also with their interesting coloring, which changes during their development.

“For the smallest frogs, a distinctive bloody color is typical. This serves as a cryptic coloring that imitates bird droppings,” explains expert reptile and amphibian breeder Vojtěch Víta. “Thanks to this, in the rainforest, they blend in perfectly with their environment, avoiding the attention of predators.” Gradually, white spots appear on the red skin, resembling plant seeds in the droppings. Subsequently, the appearance of the frog changes to a green color, until finally the white spots also disappear. The structure of the skin also undergoes a transformation. “While in adulthood the frog is completely smooth, fresh after metamorphosis its skin is covered with bumps,” adds Vojtěch Víta.

For its bright green color, black-skinned butterflies owe to carotenoids. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

Black-skinned flies, whose food is crickets, cockroaches, and other invertebrates, inhabit Indonesia and the Malay Peninsula. They are strictly an arboreal species and do not visit water even when breeding. Their large fingers with suction pads thus acquired a new function. When, for example, they need to escape predators in a tropical rainforest, they jump down from a branch and spread their membranes. It can even change direction during a flight.

Flycatchers, like other amphibians, belong to the lowest links of the food chain. Nevertheless, they have an irreplaceable role in the ecosystem and their disappearance has a devastating impact on the environment. This is followed by the extinction of other species that depend on them for food – for example, snakes. At the same time, amphibians are currently among the most endangered animals.

Visitors will find black-bellied kites right at the entrance to the Indonesian Jungle, where they inhabit the circular aquaterrarium on the right. They spend most of their time on the leaves of plants above water.

Females use their hind legs to whip up a foam nest made of special mucus, in which they lay their eggs. The hatched tadpoles then fall straight from the nest into the water. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

Photo: Ian Willoughby, Radio Prague International

Pavla Niklová has been the director of the Jewish Museum in Prague, one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the world, for around a year and a half. When we spoke at her office on the edge of the city’s Jewish Quarter, the conversation took in everything from Niklová’s own background to whether the museum has been much impacted by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

What’s your background, Pavla? What kind of family do you come from, that kind of thing?.

See more here.

Author: Ian Willoughby

Photo: Wolfgang Zauber, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Czech language from the perspective of a linguist, broadcaster and soon an author Danny Bate.

In this episode, we’re delving into the fascinating world of language with someone who has made it both a profession and a passion – linguist, broadcaster, and my colleague at Radio Prague International, Danny Bate.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Barbora Navrátilová, Radio Prague International

With the eyes of the world on the second presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, Czechia’s Foreign Minister, Jan Lipavský, spoke about what he expects for Czech-US relations over the next four years.

On January 20th, Donald Trump returns to the White House, taking over from the president who both followed and preceded him, Joe Biden.

See more here.

Author: Danny Bate

Photo: Radio Prague International

According to a forecast from the Institute of Planning and Development, Prague is expected to have 400,000 more residents by 2050. If this projection is underestimated, the result could be a sharp increase in housing prices, as demand would outstrip supply by thousands of units each year. So, what can be done?

Czechia’s government has set an ambitious agenda when it comes to housing, with a clear focus on ensuring that Czech families have access to affordable, quality homes.

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Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Jiří Klůc/Donio

Jiří Kluc is a young historian with a profound interest in World War II history and particularly in forgotten war heroes scattered the world over. With time fast running out for the last remaining survivors, he feels compelled to find them and tell their stories to the public. When he visited Radio Prague’s studio we talked about what sparked his interest in history, his mission to record the stories of WWII heroes and where that journey has taken him.

“I started to be interested in history when I was 15.

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Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: IPR Praha

Situated on the Vltava River near the Hlávka Bridge, Štvanice Island, is a lesser-known yet fascinating part of Prague. With a rich history spanning centuries and modern activities like river surfing, the island seamlessly combines tradition and contemporary recreation.

Štvanice has long played a vital role in Prague’s history.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Michal Šafařík, Czech Radio

The Czech Academy of Sciences’ Institute of the Czech Language is recruiting young language enthusiasts to document dialects and the endangered speech of older generations.

Czechia may seem fairly unified in its speech today, but the country still contains a lot of linguistic diversity.

See more here.

Author: Danny Bate

Photo: VZLÚ

Czechia launched its largest satellite yet, SATurnin-1, into space on Tuesday. Unlike previous satellites, it is not dependent on foreign technology. Its mission will be to take detailed pictures of the Earth for defense and security purposes. The satellite was carried into orbit by a Space X Falcon-9 rocket from the US.

The name of the new Czech satellite, Saturnin, refers to a popular novel about a quirky yet perfectly proper butler, written by Zdeněk Jirotka in 1942.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Michal Köpping, Společnost Česká krajina

The Milovice nature reserve is the first in Czechia to win the country’s top three ecological awards. By reintroducing large herbivorous mammals to the area, the project has successfully rewilded the former military zone northeast of Prague, restoring its unique ecosystem.

In the 1990s, Milovice’s biodiversity faced a sharp decline following the departure of military machinery.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Pavel Petr, Czech Radio

There is a shortage of train drivers in the Czech railway sector. Many are gradually retiring, with no replacements lined up. This shortage is unlikely to be significantly affected by the decline in demand for freight transport. As a result, railway operators are offering various incentives, such as signing bonuses and full training, to attract new drivers.

Jaroslav Vondrovic, president of the Federation of Train Drivers and a former train driver for over four decades, told Czech Radio that the unattractive working conditions, along with demanding professional and health requirements, are the reasons why candidates are not rushing to apply, but instead are leaving the profession.

See more here.

Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Illustrative photo: René Volfík, iROZHLAS.cz

The number of foreigners living in the Czech Republic has been steadily increasing since the fall of communism. In the past decade, their number has doubled to the present 1.1 million.

Due to its geographic location in the heart of Europe, low unemployment and rich cultural scene Czechia continues to attract a growing number of foreign residents who settle here long-term or even permanently.

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Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Barbora Navrátilová, Radio Prague International

In today’s Sunday Music Show, we’ll be listening to pianist and composer Nikol Bóková’s most recent album, Feathers, released at the end of last year.

Nikol Bóková was born in the Moravian-Silesian town of Ostrava and trained as a classical pianist.

See more here.

Photo: Alte Nationalgalerie/Wikimedia Commons, public domain

250 years ago, the first public library in Prague opened its doors, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the city’s literary history. On January 17, 1775, bookseller Wolfgang Gerle and his brother Ondřej established the first lending library for fiction and newspapers, making literature accessible to the general public.

Wolfgang Gerle transformed part of his apartment on Prague’s Charles Street into a reading room for newspapers and magazines, called the “Learned Club.

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Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Paul-Henri Perrain, Radio Prague International

The Prague metro turned 50 years old last year! To mark the occasion, we explore some of the most iconic stations on the Czech capital’s metro network. In this episode, we go to Háje, the southern terminal station of line C. Our guide Martin Karlík from Prague City Tourism awaits us at the station, promising “a journey through time and space”.

Our tour begins in front of a sculpture situated close by to Háje metro station.

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Author: Fred Byrne

Photo: National Heritage Institute, CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 CZ

Archaeologists in Prague have uncovered one of Europe’s largest mass burial sites from the Seven Years’ War. The discovery, made in the courtyard of the historic Břevnov Monastery, reveals the skeletal remains of over 1,000 soldiers, offering a rare glimpse into the harsh realities of 18th-century warfare.

The excavation, conducted from June to November last year, confirmed that the graves were created in May and June 1757, during the Prussian invasion of the Czech lands.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Jakub Ferenčík, Radio Prague International

The National Gallery Prague is Czechia’s foremost and largest art institution. Its goal is to preserve the nation’s artistic heritage and promote it to both its domestic population and an international audience. With that goal in mind, what does it really mean to be a “national” gallery?

“Your questions, which are obviously one part of this story, are also what concerns us, and these are the kind of everyday questions we ask ourselves.

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Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Radek Petrášek, ČTK

A group of hardy climbers set off to the top of Ještěd, the famous mountain outside Liberec, with very limited equipment: shorts, gloves and hats.

In temperatures slightly below freezing, they managed to reach their destination in approximately fifty minutes.

See more here.

The Ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to the Czech Republic, H.E. Mr. Ronald DOFING, organized a New Year´s Gala concert with catchy show tunes from Berlin to Broadway “Let’s Misbehave” performed by an international cast at the beautiful Kaiserstein Palace.

The proceeds of the charity concert will go to the Pink Bubble Foundation, which helps young people with cancer (www.pinkbubble.cz).

The talented international cast includes Sascha Ley from Luxemburg, Fabio Lesuisse from Belgium, Patricio Arroyo from Chile, Filip Martinka from the Czech Republic, and Juraj Skoda from Slovakia.

Attached is the program and a few words about the cast.

Watch the video with the welcome speech of The Ambassador of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to the Czech Republic, H.E. Mr. Ronald DOFING, and a few moments from that great concert.

The Czech pavilion is among 20 of the best countries at the Expo 2025, which will open in Osaka – Japan in April 2025.

Read the article that was published at blooloop.com – the magazine of Museums & Trust.

Copyrights: blooloop.com and Charlotte Coates

Prague’s Václav Havel Airport handled 16.35 million passengers last year, marking an 18 percent increase compared to the previous year. At the beginning of last year, the airport had anticipated 15.5 million passengers for 2024, thus exceeding this forecast by more than 800,000 passengers.

The Prague airport offered flights to 181 destinations last year, an increase of 14 destinations year-on-year. The flights were operated by 76 carriers. Last year’s number of passengers was the third highest in history. The airport plans to handle 18.4 million passengers this year, the highest number in its history.

See more here.

Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Read this interesting article related to this topic.

Photo: Universal Pictures

The American horror film Nosferatu, one of the most talked-about movies of the year, has a unique Czech connection. Not only was it mostly filmed in Prague – it also features traditional Czech Christmas ornaments.

Nosferatu, a Gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and a terrifying vampire, was filmed in 2023 primarily at the Barrandov Studios in Prague and other locations in Czechia and released internationally at the end of last year.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: National Museum

Prizes have been handed out in the 30th edition of the prestigious Czech Press Photo competition. More than 250 photographers competed in eight categories, submitting over 4,500 photographs. A selection of the best photos is now on display at the National Museum in Prague.

The main prize at Czech Press Photo went to AP photographer Petr David Josek, who captured an image of an athlete in the hurdles at the Summer Olympics in Paris.

See more here.

Photo: Daniel Šabík, DPP

A newly restored historic Mevro tram, a distant relative of the legendary trams in Milan, can now be seen roaming the streets of Prague. The 76-year-old veteran is running along one of Prague’s historic routes, attracting tourists and locals alike.

Mevro is a distant relative of the legendary trams used in Milan.

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Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Military History Institute

On January 16, 1945, the Nazis cracked down on Operation Barium, one of the most successful resistance networks in the Protectorate during World War II.

On the night of 3 to 4 April 1944, three paratroopers from the Barium group were parachuted near Vysoká nad Labem within a resistance operation organized by the Czechoslovak government in exile.

See more here.

Photo: Anna Kubišta, Radio Prague International

The National Gallery Prague is hosting an exhibition, “École de Paris: Artists from Bohemia and Interwar Paris,” from 8 November 2024 to 2 March 2025 at the Waldstein Riding School. It highlights artists like Georges Kars, Othon Coubine, and François Zdeněk Eberl, to the Czech audience since they were more known in interwar Paris than in interwar Czechoslovakia. I spoke with National Gallery Prague Director Alicja Knast to learn more.

After World War I, artists responded to a conflict unlike any other in history, grappling with their experiences from the war and the unpredictable nature of the 20th century.

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Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Source: Radio Prague International

Franz Kafka was born in Prague, but where specifically did the world-famous writer grow up? Where did he draw inspiration, or even go on holiday?

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Photo: Památník Lidice

At the end of December, Eva Kubíková-Bullock, who was one of the surviving children of Lidice, died at the age of eighty-seven. She lived in Canada but visited Lidice repeatedly throughout her life. During the Second World War, the Nazis murdered 88 of the 105 children from Lidice. After 1945, 17 of them returned to Lidice. Six are still alive today.

Eva Kubíková-Bullock was born on April 29, 1937, in Prague and died on December 28 in Hamilton, Canada.

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Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Západočeská galerie v Plzni

The West Bohemian Gallery in Pilsen has received a collection of 66 works by the world-renowned Czech writer, poet, and artist Jiří Kolář. The works, acquired directly from Kolář in the late 1990s, have been donated to the gallery by ČEZ. I asked the gallery’s international project coordinator Tomáš Hausner to tell me more about the collection:

“Until now, there were about 16 collages and other works by Jiří Kolář in the collection of the Gallery of West Bohemia in Plzeň.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: René Volfík, iROZHLAS.cz

The Czech government has moved to liberalize its policy on kratom and other psychoactive drugs. Under a new law that came into force in January, substances considered low-risk will be sold under strict conditions to adults only. However, the premature lifting of the ban on their sale is causing problems.

After many years of controversy on the issue, last year the Czech government opted for a new approach to soft drugs –aiming to get them off the black market in favour of strictly regulated sales.

See more here.

Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Světla vyprávějí

Visitors to Prague can now experience the fascinating world of space in an impressive light exhibition on the banks of the Vltava River. Space Park Prague in the city’s of Žluté lázně (Yellow Spa) area depicts giant luminous planets, rockets, astronauts and flying saucers.

The third light exhibition at Žluté lázně focuses on the fascinating world of space, guiding visitors through the planets of the solar system, black holes and constellations.

See more here.

Photo: Barbora Navrátilová, Radio Prague International

Danny Bate talks to Vít Pohanka, the host of “Prague off the Beaten Track.”

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Tomáš Vodňanský, Český rozhlas

Miroslav Wanek is the leader of Už jsme doma, a Czech alternative band who this year are celebrating 40 years of existence. Už jsme doma have performed in over three dozen countries, most notably in the US, where they have notched up a remarkable 800-plus shows. Wanek, today 62, also has other strings to his bow. He could have entered politics after playing an active role in the Velvet Revolution in his hometown of Teplice, has taught at Prague’s FAMU film school and worked on a highly popular animated series.

You’re from Teplice.

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Author: Ian Willoughby

Photo: Petr Vilgus, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Karel Čapek’s villa, located in Prague’s Vinohrady, is undergoing plans for restoration. The goal is to restore the villa to reflect the atmosphere of the Friday gatherings once held there. The renovation is expected to begin in the spring and the villa is anticipated to open for visitors around the end of 2026 or early 2027.

Prague 10 Deputy Mayor Tomáš Pek met with Czech Radio to showcase the current state of the villa and discuss the future restoration plans:.

See more here.

Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Illustrative photo: Brian Yurasits, Unsplash, Unsplash License

Are bioplastics and plant-based materials safer than conventional plastics? Scientists from Mendel University in Brno have been investigating one type of bioplastic, and their findings are alarming. Even plastics marketed as eco-friendly, can negatively affect the soil, causing an overgrowth of microorganisms, which then compete with plants for vital nutrients.

The scientists focused on a specific bioplastic commonly used in cosmetics as a substitute for scrubs.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Luboš Pavlíček, ČTK

The Skiman race from Polnička to Radostín in Žďárské vrchy is not only a sporting experience on historic wooden skis, but also a fun event in period costumes. Fifty enthusiasts successfully conquered the eight-kilometer course this weekend.

See more here.

Researchers at Mendel University’s Faculty of Agronomy in Brno are collaborating with the University of Hradec Králové and the University of Defence to create effective treatments for nerve agent and pesticide poisoning.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Symfonický orchestr hl. m. Prahy FOK

The Prague Symphony Orchestra’s story is closely intertwined with the history of the Czech capital, and this connection is clearly reflected in their repertoire, which we feature on today’s edition of our Sunday Music Show.

Following the success of their 2021 recording of Karel Husa’s Music for Prague 1968 (Supraphon), the orchestra and its chief conductor have released another album dedicated to Prague.

See more here.

Author: Jakub Ferenčík

Photo: Paul-Henri Perrain, Radio Prague International

The Prague metro turned 50 years old last year. To mark the occasion, we explore some of the iconic stations on the Czech capital’s metro network. Metro station Petřiny lies only a short walk away from the Břevnov monastery and the battlefield of the Battle of White Mountain in the Thirty Years War.

Jan Nevyhoštěný, a journalist at the online magazine zdopravy.

See more here.

Author: Fred Byrne

Photo: archive of Kateřina Ferenčíková

The story of Kateřina Ferenčíková: how Czech identity can stretch across borders and generations.

Kateřina Ferenčíková is a Czech woman from Ostrava whose life has taken her far beyond the borders of Czechia.

See more here.

Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Czech Television

January marks 60 years since the launch of Večerníček, a beloved Czech children’s TV programme that airs every evening. Czechoslovak Television broadcast the first episode of the bedtime series on January 2, 1965, and it has since become a treasured part of Czech cultural heritage.

The very first episode of Czechoslovak Television’s bedtime series, called Večerníček, was a nine-minute film by Ludvík Ráža titled The Boy and the Comet.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

The Ambassador of the United States of America, H.E Mr. Bijan Sabet & Ms. Lauren Sabet, hosted at their beautiful residence a farewell reception, to express their heartfelt gratitude for our friendship and partnership.

Here are selected sections of H.E. Mr. Bijan Sabet’s speech at the event.

Pink pigeons form pairs during the nesting period, which guard and defend the nesting territory. When sitting on the eggs, the parents take turns, the male warming the eggs during the day and the female at night. Photo by Tereza Mrhálková, Prague Zoo

Prague Zoo commemorates 100 years since the birth of Gerald Durell, a well know writer and natural scientist who advocated for saving of the pink pigeons which Prague zoo successfully raised.

One hundred years have passed since the birth of the prominent naturalist and writer Gerald Durrell. He became famous not only for his efforts to save endangered animal species but also for his books. The Prague Zoo is therefore preparing a reading of his works for visitors in May. The book Golden Bats and Pink Pigeons became famous. It was this species of soft-billed bird that survived thanks to his rescue work, which became a model for many zoo workers around the world. The Prague Zoo was the first Czech zoo to acquire rare pigeons for breeding already in 2000.

Last year, six baby pink pigeons hatched at the Prague Zoo. It was a significant contribution, as it was the only breeding of that year in continental Europe. The Prague Zoo has been an important breeder for a long time, it raised its first cubs in 2001 – just one year after it acquired the rare birds from Mauritius. At the same time, pink pigeons are not easy to pair due to the aggressiveness of the males, and many of them are also unable to raise their young. Therefore, garden doves often become substitute foster parents. The year 2019 also became an important milestone, when the Prague Zoo raised five cubs completely naturally. “Together with the British zoological gardens, we are now a ‘superpower’ of our kind in pink pigeon breeding, says the director of the Prague Zoo, Miroslav Bobek. “There is even talk now that bred pink pigeons would be sent from Europe to Mauritius via Prague. If it did happen, it would certainly be the best repayment of the gratitude we feel towards Gerald Durrell.’

The photo shows a young pink pigeon. Pink pigeons feed their young in the same way as other soft-billed pigeons, the so-called pigeon milk. Photo by Tereza Mrhálková, Prague Zoo

The ancestors of the Prague pink pigeons were brought to Europe by Gerald Durrel, who acquired these endemics for his zoo on the island of Jersey in the 1970s directly from Mauritius. He thus demonstrated his experience and foresight, as their numbers later fell twice in the wild to just ten individuals – the last time in 1991. Durrell’s organization Wildlife Preservation Trust, later the Gerald Durrell Endemic Wildlife Sanctuary, was responsible for saving them directly in Mauritius. Thanks to this, in 2018 it was able to be reclassified from the original classification among the critically endangered species of the IUCN Red List to the “vulnerable” category. However, the pigeon bound to the evergreen mountain forests has lost 98% of its habitat, its nests destroyed by cats and other invasive species. It is also less resistant to trichomoniasis. In addition, it is currently threatened by very low genetic diversity. It is with this problem that zoos could significantly help, whose genetically valuable pigeons can restore populations in Mauritius. “The situation today is not entirely optimistic and outside the British Isles this species is kept in only 5 zoos in Europe. In 2024, apart from the United Kingdom, it was bred only in the Prague Zoo. But the path to breeding was not easy,” explains bird curator Antonín Vaidl. “Although we have been breeding this species for twenty-five years, it does not succeed as a breeder every year. To our delight, the year 2024 was successful, even though the obtained genetically valuable male did not seem promising at first. Surprisingly, however, immediately after meeting the female, he began courting the female, was peaceful, and managed to raise young. Once again, we were able to contribute to saving the species.”

The naturalist, who lived between 1925 and 1995, will introduce visitors to the Prague Zoo on May 10 and 11, 2025. He will read from his books in the Africa class of the Dja Reserve pavilion.

Photo: Raph_PH, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

The 2025 concert season will offer Czech music fans pop-music legends, rock stars and a metal icon. Check out what international performers you can look forward to in the coming year on this week’s Sunday Music Show.

80’s pop lovers are sure to be familiar with hits like Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Time After Time or True Colors.

See more here.

Author: Danny Bate

Illustrative photo: Pavel Danilyuk, Pexels

Beer is the national drink of Czechia and holds the same status in Belgium. This shared cultural importance is why both countries have been at the forefront of efforts to unite European beer nations and resist efforts to classify beer as a hard alcohol, which would subject it to stricter regulations. Czechia has now also taken the lead as the head of the European Parliament’s Beer Club.

Since 1995, the Beer Club has brought together MEPs from across political groups to support and develop European beer culture.

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Author: Jakub Ferenčík, Filip Nerad

Photo: X of the Government of the Czech Republic

In October 2024, Czechia signed a treaty with the Vatican, becoming one of the last countries within the European Union to do so. Such a treaty has been a long time in the making, having been rejected by the Czech parliament back in 2003. The 2024 treaty, signed by Prime Minister Petr Fiala, was approved by the Chamber of Deputies in December, but has now met with criticism by members of the Senate, some of whom have recommended a review of it by the Constitutional Court. Dr Daniel Bartoň, an independent lawyer with a focus on religious freedom and human rights, and an assistant professor at the Evangelical Theological Faculty of Charles University, joined me to discuss the treaty and the objections to it.

Let’s start with a general question: we have Vatican City, this landlocked micro-nation entirely immersed within the city of Rome, with no exports or imports to speak of, no trade deals to make or anything like that – why then do countries sign treaties with the Vatican?.

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Author: Danny Bate

Photo: Petra Hajská, The Czech Philharmonic Orchestra

Jakub Hrůša, the acclaimed Czech conductor, has reached an extraordinary career milestone, as he prepares to take over as music director at the Royal Opera in Covent Garden. His current focus, however, is bringing Jenůfa by Leoš Janáček to life on the London stage.

For Hrůša, Jenůfa speaks for itself through its emotional depth and cultural resonance.

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Author: Vít Pohanka

Photo: Martin Wágner / 400ASA

Over the years, Czech photographer Martin Wágner has taken on a fascinating mission: rescuing discarded photographic negatives and giving them a second life. His efforts have drawn thousands of followers to his Facebook page, Negatives from the Trash. A selection of these images has now been published in a book of the same name.

The book, Negatives from the Trash 1900–1945, features over 200 unique photographs from the early 20th century and was released earlier this month.

See more here.

Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Muzeum Českého ráje v Turnově

Archaeologists in northern Bohemia have announced a unique discovery. While conducting a rescue excavation during the construction of an emergency services call centre, they uncovered evidence of a Neanderthal settlement, dating back between 126,000 and 115,000 years BC.

The discovery, made by archaeologists from the Museum of the Bohemian Paradise in Turnov, provides unique insights into Middle Paleolithic life.

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Author: Ruth Fraňková

Photo: Celebrity v autoškole/Facebook

Driving on Czech roads can be a nerve-racking experience. Speeding, drink-driving, inattention and road rage all contribute to the high number of accidents. And even on a good day, transgressions such as failing to keep a safe distance or break checking can wear down the patience of those sticking to the rules.

Despite the introduction last year of a tougher penalty points system aiming to enforce greater discipline on Czech roads, they still remain a big challenge for infrequent or foreign drivers.

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Author: Daniela Lazarová

Photo: Warhorse Studios

The first installment of the Czech video game Kingdom Come: Deliverance has sold more than six million copies globally. The highly anticipated sequel, which continues the story of Henry of Posázaví, is set to be released on February 4.

In the prequel, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, players are not portrayed as superheroes defeating enemies individually.

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Author: Jakub Ferenčík