Even after 75 years, the mysterious phenomenon which occurred during a sermon by parish priest Josef Toufar in a small church in the village of Číhošt’ in the Highlands, remains unexplained. The communist secret police tortured the priest to death and launched a terror campaign against the Catholic Church.
Shortly before Christmas, on December 11th 1949, parishioners at a church in the village of Číhošť in Vysočina claimed to have witnessed a cross moving of its own volition during the morning mass celebrated by parish priest Josef Toufar.
Three out of for Czechs have at least some experience with mushroom picking. You would find similar if not higher proportion of mushroom pickers in other Central and East European countries. In Britain or Scandinavia the picture is completely different.
The idea for this episode came to me a few months ago when I spoke with Karina Giffard, a Czech woman who found a new home in Britain.
The Czech animated film Život k sežrání (Living Large), a co-production with Slovakia and France, is set to compete at this year’s European Film Awards, which will be presented on Saturday. Directed by Kristina Dufková, it tells the story of 12-year-old Ben, who struggles with obesity while navigating the complexities of adolescence.
Ben Pipetka is a music-loving and chef-in-the-making 12-year-old, who is about to face the biggest challenge of his life.
Sports organizations in the Czech Republic are learning to measure their carbon footprints—a crucial first step in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and safeguarding their own future. The Czech Olympic Committee has introduced a carbon calculator specifically designed for sports organizations, which will be available for use in the Czech Republic starting in January. Vít Pohanka asked Naďa Černá from the Committee to explain how the calculator works:
“It’s an online platform with embedded emission factors.
Photo: Ivan Ivánek, Wildlife Photographer of the Year/ National History Museum London
Czech photographer Ivan Ivánek has made it to the final stage of the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, with his photograph of langurs taken in Vietnam. His image is one of 25 selected for the People’s Choice Award, where the winner is decided by public vote.
The competition received a record 59,228 entries from photographers across 117 countries.
The project to build a metro in the Czech capital dates back to the 1970s, but the first plans for an underground in the Czech capital date back to a much earlier time at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.
We meet our guide Martin Karlík, from the Prague City Tourism, at Muzeum, a station located at the junction of metro lines A and line C, to find out more about the initial plans for a metro in Prague.
On the occasion of the National Day of Romania, The Ambassador of Romania in the Czech Republic, H.E. Mrs. Antoaneta Barta, and Mr. Bogdan Barta hosted a reception at Prague – Kaiserštejnsk. Palác.
RNDr. Miloš Vystrčil, President of the Senate of the Czech Republic was the honored guest.
On that occasion took place the awarding ceremony of the National Order “Star of Romania” in the rank of Grand Cross to H.E Mr. Miloš Vystrčil.
The Decree on awarding of the National Order “Star of Romania”, based on the provision of the Constitution of Romania, as a sign of high appreciation for the exceptional merits in the development of political and diplomatic relations with Romania, the promotion of democratic, European and Transatlantic values in foreign policy and in deepening of the bilateral dialogue between our country and the Czech Republic, The President of Romania decrees:
National Odrer “Star of Romania” in the rank of Grand Cross is awarded to Mister Miloš Vystrčil, President of the Senate of the Czech Republic.
Signed by the President of Romania, Klaus-Werner Johannis in Bucharest, on the 13th of September 2024.
The event was moderated by Ms. Alexandrina Panaite-Cserkesz – Minister Counsellor.
Watch the Video with the speech of the Ambassador of Romania in the Czech Republic, H.E. Mrs. Antoaneta Barta, RNDr. Miloš Vystrčil, President of the Senate of the Czech Republic, and the award ceremony.
On the occasion of the National Day of the Kingdom of Thailand and the birthday Anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great and the Father’s Day, The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand H.E. Mr. Suwat Kaewsook and Mrs. Patcharin Naewsook host a reception at the beautiful Klementinum Mirror Chapel in Prague.
H.E Mr. Václav Klaus Former President of the Czech Republic, his spouse, Mrs. Livia Klausová, and Mr. Jiří Kozák – First Deputy minister of foreign affairs of the Czech Republic, were the honored guests.
Watch the video with the speeches of H.E. Mr. Suwat Kaewsook – the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Czech Republic, and of Mr. Jiří Kozák – First Deputy minister of Foreign affairs of the Czech Republic, and of H.E Mr. Václav Klaus Former President of the Czech Republic.
On the occasion of the 112th Anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of Albania, H.E. Mr. Ilir TEPELENA – the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the Czech Republic, and Mrs. Marsela Tepelena, hosted a reception at the beautiful Rudolfino in Prague.
Mr. Jan Marian – Deputy minister of foreign affairs of the Czech Republic, was the honored speaker.
Watch the video with the speech of H.E. Mr. Ilir TEPELENA – the Ambassador of the Republic of Albania to the Czech Republic, and of Mr. Jan Marian – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.
The Event that took place on 5.12.2024 at the beautiful Korean Embassy had 2 parts:
In the first part, H.E. Mr. Youngki HONG, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, hosts a Press Briefing.
Watch the video for the Press Briefing with a very nice surprise at the end.
The second part was the traditional Winter Concert with Ukrainian Youth,
The concert starts with a Christmas Song performed by H.E. Mr. Youngki HONG, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, H.E. Most Reverend Jude Thaddeus OKOLO, H.E. Mr. Víctor Aquiles ABUJATUM SEPÚLVEDA and his spouse, Ms. Anne Huisinga-Paret – the spouse of the Netherlands Ambassador and head of the DSA and Ms. Helle Kelstrup – the spouse of the Denmark Ambassador. Ms. Hyojin Kim– The spouse of the Korean Ambassador accompanied them on the piano.
Watch the speech of H.E. Mr. Youngki HONG, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Mr. Martin Dvořák Minister for European Affairs, H.E. Mr. Vasyl ZVARYCH, Ambassador of Ukraine, Mr. Jan Fisher, Previous PM of the Czech Republic, and Ms. Yulia Oleinik – Head of UNICEF in the Czech Republic.
At the Rich Culture program appearance: Kroky Dobra ( Ukrainian Choir), Praha Korean Choir, Korean Musicians and Theater group UAkidsSchool.
On the occasion of 30 years of diplomatic relations between the Republic of North Macedonia and the Czech Republic, H.E Mr. Emil KRSTESKI – the Ambassador of North Macedonia, hosted an official reception at Kaiserstein Palace in Prague.
Mr. Jan Marian – Deputy minister of foreign affairs of the Czech Republic was the honored speaker.
Watch the video with part of the speech of H.E Mr. Emil KRSTESKI – the Ambassador of North Macedonia and of Mr. Jan Marian – Deputy minister of foreign affairs of the Czech Republic.
Petr Pavel is currently exploring the southern hemisphere, as the Czech president continues his two-week visit to Australia and New Zealand. Together with First Lady Eva Pavlová, the president is working through a full programme of meetings focused on trade, diplomacy and defence, as well as some more relaxed cultural experiences.
After almost thirty years, a Czech president touched down in Australia on November 24th, to begin a two-week programme of appointments in Australia and New Zealand.
As Christmas draws near, the familiar melodies of traditional holiday songs start to fill the air. So, for this week’s Sunday Music Show, we are also taking the occasion to play you some classic Czech pieces that have become an inseparable part of the season in Czechia.
The most popular pieces include – among many others – “Midnight Mass” (Půlnoční) by Václav Neckář and Umakart, “Promises Must Be Kept at Christmas” (Sliby se maj plnit o Vánocích) by Janek Ledecký, and “It’s the Holidays” (Jsou svátky) by Karel Gott.
The Negrelli Viaduct, the iconic railway bridge that carries trains across the Vltava between Holešovice/Bubeneč and Karlín, now has a social and cultural space nestled within one of its arches.
Created by adding a glass front to one of the viaduct’s giant arches, the new space can found at the intersection of the Sokolovská and Prvního pluku streets in the Karlín district of Prague.
The proportion of young Czechs planning to have children in the next three years has significantly declined, with the sharpest drop among those in difficult economic situations. These findings are part of the ongoing ‘Contemporary Czech Family’ research project, a collaboration between Masaryk University in Brno and Charles University in Prague. I discussed these new outcomes and their implications with Martin Kreidl, head of the research team.
Can you share with us the key findings of your research what were the most surprising trends that you have identified?.
From December to March, the Prague Museum of Decorative Arts (UPM) is playing host to the world-famous photography of Josef Koudelka. Presented in an exhibition entitled ‘Ruins’, the photographs are the product of over two decades of visits to historical sites by the Czech-French photographer.
Open from Wednesday 4th of December, several halls of Prague’s Museum of Decorative Arts are dedicated for the next four months to the black-and-white images created by Josef Koudelka.
Czech designer Anna Marešová has presented two designs for the new cable car to the Ještěd Mountain in north Bohemia. One design is inspired by the original cable car, which was damaged in a 2021 accident, while the other offers a more modern concept. Liberec councillors are set to make a final decision on the design next week.
Both designs feature a silver, illuminated cabin with a small see-through section in the floor, through which a cone of light will pass as the cabin reaches the top.
Carp, a traditional centerpiece of Czech Christmas dinners, has sparked debate over its sale as a live product. This year, Prague launched a campaign urging more humane treatment of carp from pond to table, though it stops short of calling for a ban on live sales.
When it comes to eating fish, Czechs are not exactly known for their enthusiasm.
Photo illustrative: Luboš Popovič, Radio Prague International
According to the Association of Driving Schools, almost 18,000 young drivers are already driving on Czech roads under the supervision of mentors. Despite the high number, according to police statistics, fears that they would increase the accident rate have not been confirmed.
At the beginning of 2024, the Czech Ministry of Transport gave the green light to seventeen-year-old drivers.
Silvia Vezzuto, originally from northern Italy, discusses the story of her arrival in Prague, learning Czech from scratch, and the role of art as a light in a dark world.
The ski season in Czechia officially kicked off this past weekend, with a number of winter resorts welcoming their first visitors. After last year’s disappointing season and the ongoing challenges of climate change, how are Czech ski resorts faring? And is skiing in Czechia sustainable in the long run?
The transition from November to December traditionally marks the start of the ski season in Czechia, and this year is no exception.
Town squares all over Czechia have officially opened their festive markets with a rich cultural programme, which in many places will last until 2025. Thousands of people have been to watch the traditional lighting up of Christmas trees. On Prague’s Old Town Square, the occasion was complemented by a two-minute animation set to Vltava by Bedřich Smetana.
Prague’s Semafor theatre was the most significant arts institution in 1960s Czechoslovakia, ushering in a new era against the backdrop of a slow political thaw in the communist country. Semafor was centred on the song-writing duo of Jiří Suchý and Jiří Šlitr and gave starts to a whole generation of enormous and enduring pop stars. Top Czech music writer Pavel Klusák explores the theatre’s great decade in his brand new book Suchý and Šlitr: Semafor 1959–1969 – and shared his insights at our studios in Vinohrady.
You’ve written this wonderful new book about Jiří Suchý and Jiří Šlitr.
Photo: Barbora Navrátilová, Radio Prague International
“I really enjoy everything I do, but agents sometimes find it difficult to sell my work” says pianist, singer and songwriter Beata Hlavenková. What is her big professional wish? And why she does not enjoy songs around the campfire so much? Listen to the latest episode of Faces of Czech Music.
Sonjašnyk is an all-female Czech-Ukrainian choir, based in the eastern-Bohemian city of Litomyšl. Founded two years ago to help Ukrainian women who had fled the war, it has continued to tour and raise money for charitable causes around Czechia.
Czechs are wary of the euro. Despite the fact that Czechia has been a European Union member country for more than two decades, the common European currency is viewed with suspicion by the majority of the population.
The Czech cabinet this week discussed a report by NERV—the National Economic Government Council—about the possible adoption of the euro.
Simon Goff, a British musician and composer, is the visionary behind the soundtrack of this year’s celebrated Czech film Vlny (Waves). He spoke to Danny Bate about his British background, his move to Berlin, his process of making music, and his career path into composing film soundtracks.
I’d like to start with your early years, and especially the role of music when you were a child.
Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, will take place from 13.4.2025 to 13.10.2025.
Ondřej Soška – Commissioner General of the Czech participation at EXPO 2025, organized a press conference in Letenskt Zamecek to update how the construction of the Czech National Pavilion is progressing, present the concept of the visitor journey for the Czech National Pavilion, announce the results of the public tender for the restaurant operator, and introduce the restaurant concept, and reveal the final details of the Czech Pavilion.
The press conference had three panels:
H.E Mr. Kansuke Nagaoka – Japanese Ambassador to the Czech Republic
Ondřej Soška – Commissioner General of the Czech participation at EXPO 2025
Jan Herget – Cordinator
Rony Presl – Autor concept
Ondřej Soška – Commissioner General of the Czech participation at EXPO 2025
Tomáš Reger – culinary curator
Petr Brož – Managing Director of GASTRO INVEST INTERNACIONAL
Zdenek Kovar – Spoke person Pilsner Urquell
And a presentation of the ROBOT Expedition – a unique ride of Czech vintage cars from Prague to Osaka for EXPO 2025, which will be loosely based on the Sakura Expedition from 1970.
Ondřej Soška – Commissioner General of the Czech participation at EXPO 2025
Josef Zajíček, Head of Expedition ROBOT Prague-Osaka EXPO 2025
Zdeněk Thoma, Czech photographer, publicist, traveler, and participant of the Sakura Expedition 1970 at the Osaka EXPO
Alois Krejci and Alois Krejci ml.
All the event was professionally moderated by Jana Kohoutova – Communication Manager of the Czech participation at EXPO 2025.
The Fassati Art Festivalis an art project full of unusual experiences encompassing music, fine arts, architecture, design, epicurean delicacies, emotions, and interpersonal harmony.
The main idea of the festival was prepared by the beautiful soprano Markéta Fassati, who guarantees the festival’s uniqueness.
The 2024 concert took place at the historic beautiful church of St. James the Greater (also the Elder) and the Minorite monastery in Prague Old Town. It was founded by Václav I in 1232, apparently in connection with the establishment of the Old Town of Prague.
This year, the soprano Marketa Fassati was accompanied by a great band: Radim Linhart – pianist and composer, Ivan Koreny – and guitarist and Michal Zpevak – multi-instrumentalist.
Watch the video with moments from this great concert that us a great joy.
On November 26, Anglo-American University (AAU) hosted a lively and insightful public debate marking the anniversary of the fall of the Iron Curtain. Organized in partnership with the Strategeo Institute, the event brought together a diverse group of speakers and attendees to reflect on this pivotal moment in history and what it means for today’s world.
The evening tackled big questions:
What sparked the wave of democratic movements that brought the Iron Curtain down?
How did the Cold War end so quickly and mostly peacefully?
What role did dissidents play, and how much influence did global powers have?
Were predictions about the “end of history” in the 1990s way off the mark?
And, most importantly, what challenges do we face today in a world with rising authoritarianism and slowing economies?
The Panels
Panel 1: Politics, Geopolitics, and History
The first panel, moderated by Veselin Vačkov from the Strategeo Institute, focused on the historical and political side of things. Panelists included:
Prof. Milada Polišenská, Historian and International Relations Professor at AAU
Izabela Babinska, AAU Student
Jan Macháček, President of the Strategeo Institute
Michael Žantovský, Diplomat, Author, and Former Czech Ambassador
The conversation covered the courage of dissidents, the influence of geopolitics, and the unexpected speed of the Cold War’s end. Speakers also connected these historical lessons to today’s political turbulence and growing divisions.
Panel 2: Economics and the Future
The second panel, led by Jan Macháček, took a closer look at the economic shifts after the Cold War and the challenges we’re facing now. Speakers included:
Milena Jabůrková, Vice President of the Confederation of Industry and Transport
Jan Mládek, Economist and Former Industry Minister
Miroslav Singer, Former Governor of the Czech National Bank
Josef Kotrba, Consultant and CEO of the Czech Gas Association
This panel sparked a lot of conversation about global trade, the EU’s struggles to stay competitive, and how Europe can bounce back from economic slowdowns.
The event attracted a great mix. Ambassadors: H.E. Mr. Pasi Olavi TUOMINEN – Ambassador of Republic of Finland, H.E. Mr. Bakyt DYUSSENBAYEV – Ambassador of Republic of Kazakhstan, H.E. Ms. Ayesha ALI – Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, H.E. Ms. Albesjana IBERHYSAJ-KAPITAJ – Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo, Mr. HTUANN NAUNG – Charge d‘Affaires of the Union of Myanmar, students, professionals, and academics who weren’t afraid to ask tough questions and share their thoughts. Both panels sparked energetic discussions, and the audience’s enthusiasm made it clear that these topics still hit home for many people.
The prize for climate change communication, which is awarded annually by the UN Information Center in Prague and the Learned Society of the Czech Republic, was won this year by Czech Radio climate reporter Jan Kaliba. He started his journalism career as a sports reporter, worked as a correspondent for public radio in the United States from 2017-2023, and now focuses mainly on events related to climate change. This year, the organizers also awarded the “Inspiration from Abroad” award for the first time, the laureate of which was Anna Holligan, the BBC correspondent in the Netherlands.
The award ceremony in the Václav Havel Library in Prague was honored by the attending of H.E. Mr. Stéphane CROUZAT – Ambassador of the Republic of France, and H.E. Mr. Daan Feddo HUISINGA – Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Grand prize
“The Climate Change Communication Award 2024 is awarded to Jan Kalib for the high level of climate reporting from home and around the world, which is accessible to a wide range of listeners and at the same time does not lack depth and contextuality; and for establishing climate change as a cross-cutting topic that is gradually becoming part of the education of media workers,” reads the nomination committee’s rationale.
At the presentation ceremony in the Václav Havel Library in Prague, the Learned Society awarded the prize winner with a monetary donation of 30,000 CZK. The UN Office in the Czech Republic symbolically handed over a tree seedling. This is a continuation of the tradition from previous years when the following were awarded: climatologist Radim Tolasz (2019), Ondráš Přibyla and the Fakta o klima team (2020), climatologist Miroslav Trnka (2021), polar ecologist Marie Šabacká (2022) and the Climate Association for International Issues (AMO) (2023).
Honorable mention
This year, for the first time, the organizers awarded the honorary award “Inspiration from Abroad”. It was awarded to Anna Holligan, British journalist and broadcaster for the BBC in the Netherlands, author of the News from the Cycle Path project and co-founder of The Bike Bureau, for “extraordinary efforts to communicate authentically and promote innovative and sustainable solutions in news production, while maintaining the highest standards of journalism.”
In previous years, the organizers awarded an honorary award for lifetime contribution to the ecologist, university teacher, and former Minister of the Environment Bedřich Moldan (2021) and geneticist and molecular epidemiologist Radi Šrám (in memoriam 2022); for an extraordinary achievement to the head of the TEREZA educational center Petar Daniš for the book “Climate is an opportunity” and sociologist Vojtěch Peck for the book “Factory of lies: production of climate disinformation” (both in 2023).
Czech Radio Plus editor Daniela Vrbová accompanied the program in the Václav Havel Library. The recording of the ceremony, including the awardees’ lectures and their discussion with the 2021 laureate Ondráš Přibyla, founder and director of the Climate Facts organization, is available on YouTube: https://bit.ly/cenaklima24
The award for climate change communication is intended for scientists and experts who work in the Czech public space. This is not a journalistic award; it is just a coincidence that both of this year’s laureates work in the media. In the communication of this topic, they fulfill high professional criteria of understanding complex issues and working with data.
The project is jointly organized and covered by the UN Information Center in Prague and the Learned Society of the Czech Republic. The winner of the main prize is decided by a nomination committee made up of representatives of important Czech institutions dealing with climate change. Committee membership is honorary and personal. The aim of the award is to contribute to the enlightenment and cultivation of a reliable, factual and current knowledge-based discussion about one of the world’s most serious threats. The award is also intended to contribute to bridging differences of opinion and to foster a culture of critical discussion between different disciplines.
Background
“Human-induced climate change is leading to large-scale and rapid changes in the atmosphere, oceans, cryosphere, and biosphere, and is causing a large number of extreme weather events. Global greenhouse gas emissions increased by 1.2% in 2021-2022 to reach 57.4 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent. 2023 was by far the hottest year on record. The volume of heat in the oceans reached record values, while the Arctic and Antarctic glaciation was at an all-time low. Temperatures in the first half of 2024 were also record high.
People on every continent have experienced extreme weather events, from searing heat across much of Asia and drought in southern Africa to record flooding in southern Brazil and unprecedented Hurricane Beryl in the Caribbean. The increasingly frequent occurrence of dangerous weather extremes and their devastating impacts on the population highlights the need for urgent and ambitious climate action,” states the latest United in Science summary report 1.
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Jan Kaliba, ČRo reporter : “Climate change has thousands of forms and offers thousands of stories, it speaks to us through floods, frozen apple harvests, canceled Jizerská fifty or people’s efforts to warm their homes. Every journalist is therefore a bit of a climate journalist these days. But it’s not easy to admit it, it’s not easy to find your way around it, it’s not easy to deal with the complexity of this topic and the climate myths and misinformation that abound in the public space. It is not easy to wrap climate change into understandable and digestible stories. Therefore, I accept the award with great respect for all my journalist colleagues who have been working on the topic of climate change in the Czech Republic for a long time, and with thanks to Czech Radio for deciding to establish the position of climate reporter and to help this urgent topic become more familiar in the Czech public debate and to reporting on it has become mainstream.”
Anna Holligan, BBC correspondent in the Netherlands: “Telling authentic stories has a transformative effect on climate communication. By sharing experiences from my personal journey, I aim to shift the narrative of despair to hope and open the way to a more sustainable future. Let’s inspire each other to take meaningful action for our planet!”
Jan Dusík, Deputy Director General for Climate at the European Commission and member of the nomination committee for the award: “Today it is increasingly difficult to navigate which information is true and substantiated, and which is purposefully colored. Whether for reasons of economic or political benefit, or simply as targeted disinformation. The topic of climate change, which is generally perceived as the most fundamental civilizational challenge, is fertile ground – and especially in the Czech Republic – for purposeful dissemination or editing of information. It’s good that the winner of the Climate Change Communication Award has been announced for the sixth time, and the even better news is that it held its own against strong competition from others. It gives me hope that the attitude of Czechs and Czechs to this fundamental challenge can be based on quality and understandable sources!”
Radim Tolasz, climatologist of the ČHMÚ, Czech representative in the IPCC, first laureate of the award (2019): “In recent years, it has been increasingly confirmed that deficiencies in communication reduce the importance and acceptance of scientific results in the public. Not only in climatology, it has general validity. That is why I consider the climate change communication award a remarkable and important undertaking. Above all, I wish the awardee an understanding audience.”
Pavel Jungwirth, Learned Society of the Czech Republic : “Science provides a clear and increasingly accurate picture of climate change and the human contribution to it. However, if these findings are not clearly and convincingly communicated to the general public, who can then also influence political decision-making, we will remain half way. That’s why the Climate Communication Prize is here as an encouragement to take further steps in the right direction.”
Visitors can find a Caucasian Christmas tree near the silver gibbon exhibit. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
On Sunday, December 1, the Prague Zoo will light up the Christmas tree in the Veselovského meadow. Visitors can look forward to the traditional procession to the tree, the nativity scene, and the presentation of the new adoption campaign. The Christmas atmosphere will also be created by carols performed by a children’s choir.
From 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., entry for all visitors will be a symbolic 50 CZK.
Prague Zoo will welcome visitors at 4:15 p.m. at the Education Center near the main entrance. Subsequently, the procession will go towards the lower part of the Prague Zoo grounds to the Veselovského meadow. Even before the Christmas tree is lit, the Prague Zoo will present this year’s campaign Adopt me!
Thanks to the adoption campaign, the so-called animal orphans, i.e. animals without an adoptive parent, find their patrons. It is not only about gaining new supporters, but also about introducing the public to species that, despite their uniqueness, are often overlooked. An adoption certificate can thus be a meaningful and original Christmas gift.
The arrival of Advent will be accompanied by the carols of the Osmikvítek children’s choir.
Main program:
16.15 Meeting of visitors at the Education Center and procession to the tree on Veselovského louka
16.30 Christmas carols performed by the Osmikvítek children’s choir
16.40 Welcome and Christmas greetings from the director of the Prague Zoo, Miroslav Bobek
16.50 Presentation of the adoption campaign
17.00 Lighting of the Christmas tree
17.10 Christmas carols performed by the Osmikvítek children’s choir
The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Markéta Pekarová Adamová, together with the Chairman of the Parliamentary Subcommittee for European Funds and Cross-Border Cooperation, Vladimír Zlínský, paid a two-day visit to Albania. In Tirana, they discussed closer Czech-Albanian inter-parliamentary cooperation and economic opportunities for Czech entrepreneurs in the Western Balkans with the Speaker of the Parliament, Elisa Spiropali.
In Tirana, she discussed Czech-Albanian inter-parliamentary and economic cooperation with the speaker of the parliament, Elisa Spiropali. She then discussed the security situation in the region with Albanian President Bajram Begaj. She also met with representatives of local civil society.
“Relations between our countries are very strong, especially in the field of economic cooperation. Our mutual trade balance is comparable to – and in many sectors even exceeds – the volume of exchange with many of our more economically robust partners in Europe. However, there is still great potential for further Czech investments in the Albanian market. In addition, a more intensive trade exchange goes hand in hand with the long-term goal of Albania’s integration into the European Union. The stable political and business environment here is a key prerequisite both for the development of trade and the growth of foreign investments, as well as for the smooth entry of the country into the family of EU member states,” said the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Markéta Pekarová Adamová.
The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Markéta Pekarová Adamová then addressed the Albanian legislators at an extraordinary session of the Parliament.
“Albania plays a vital role in the fight against Russian influence, in which it has our full support. In this context, it is particularly important that both the Czech Republic and Albania are members of the North Atlantic Alliance and cooperate not only as strategic allies but also as close friends sharing democratic values. I am convinced that our joint efforts will further contribute to the security and prosperity of the entire Western Balkans,” said Speaker of the House Markéta Pekarová Adamová, among other things, in her speech in the Albanian Parliament. She also discussed current security issues with Albanian President Bajram Begaj.
Before leaving for Sarajevo, the parliamentary delegation also met with representatives of Albanian civil society, who focus on challenges in the field of women’s rights and media objectivity.
The city of Brno has won the title of European Capital of Christmas in the category of cities with over 100,000 inhabitants. The European Capital of Christmas and European City of Christmas awards have been given out since 2017 under the auspices of the European Parliament.
An international jury praised the city’s modern Advent markets and their connection to traditional European values.
On Monday, the organization Platforma pro včasnou péči (“Early Care Platform”) hosted a roundtable discussion in the Chamber of Deputies to explore the importance of early childhood development and ways to make the Czech Republic a more family-friendly place. I went there to hear from a number of researchers and decision makers on what Czechs can do to help protect their children and set them up better for life.
The event brought together a number of speakers from across Czechia, including Tomáš Hradil, the Mayor of Krnov, as well as Petra Večerková, the director of Eurotopia and the current Deputy Mayor, and Czech linguist and politician Olga Richterová, among others.
Photo: Tomáš Belloň, Ústav organické chemie a biochemie Akademie věd ČR
Seven experts from Czechia have been ranked among the top one percent of the world’s most cited scientists, according to the Highly Cited Researchers 2024 list by Clarivate. The list includes ecologist and botanist Petr Pyšek and physicist Tomáš Jungwirth, who was recently honoured with Czechia’s most prestigious scientific award, Czech Head.
This year’s list of the world’s most cited scientists, compiled by the British-American analytics company Clarivate, features 6,636 researchers from over 1,200 institutions in 59 countries and regions.
The military air base in Prague-Kbely is planning to establish a new memorial featuring a Russian/Soviet Yakovlev Yak-40 aircraft. A petition opposing the idea has been initiated by soldiers, who advocate for showcasing a Czech aircraft instead.
The Czech army flew with the Russian machine from the 1980s until 2020, but the idea of building a memorial with a Russian aircraft was conceived in 2019.
Tom Gross campaigned for Roma rights and was active in the media in early 1990s Prague. However, the Englishman had had some remarkable experiences in the city even before joining the influx of young westerners to Czechoslovakia’s new democracy. These included covert deliveries to leading dissidents in the communist period – and inadvertently being in close proximity to some of the world’s most notorious terrorists. Gross shared his stories at our studios in Vinohrady.
You were one of thousands of young westerners who moved to Prague in the early 1990s, but unlike the vast majority of us you had already been here earlier.
“More funding, more soldiers and more active reserves” that was the message Czech army commanders sent to politicians and the public in connection with the growing threat of war. The army chief-of-staff said NATO’s new collective defense commitments would necessitate far-reaching changes in the Czech military.
The chief-of-staff of the Czech Armed Forces, Karel Řehka, has been warning for months that the country must prepare for a potential military conflict, but at Tuesday’s meeting of military commanders he was brutally frank about the need to bolster the armed forces and be prepared to pay much more for the country’s security.
Israel’s recently appointed foreign minister, Gideon Saar, will visit Czechia on Thursday during his first official foreign trip. The Czech Republic supports the Jewish state in its fight against Hamas and Hezbollah with fewer reservations than other EU countries.
Czech society has had a strong Jewish presence since the Middle Ages.
Antonín Dvořák, one of the most celebrated composers of the 19th century, is not only associated with his birthplace Nelahozeves but also with Vysoká u Příbrami, where he spent many summers. During these stays, he was a regular visitor to the nearby church in Třebsko, attending morning mass. In 1894, Dvořák donated a set of organ pipes to the church, but unfortunately, these were destroyed in a devastating fire in 1953. Now, a rare recording of the organ’s sound has been uncovered in the archives of Czech Radio.
“Antonín Dvořák bought this pipe organ for the church here.
Born in Brno to Angolan parents, Linette Manuel is a pioneer in the world of fashion design, integrating new technology into the process. She shares with us the story of her family, her current work and the goals of her platform Makeful.
Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský paid a two-day working visit to Kyiv at the weekend. In addition to meetings with President Zelensky, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Foreign Minister Sybiha, Mr. Lipavský attended a summit on food security, visited a children’s hospital and a demining project of the HALO Trust fund.
Minister Lipavský arrived in Kyiv just a day after Russia launched an intermediate-range ballistic missile at the city of Dnipro.
Although Mělník lacks a formal founding charter, the first historical mention of its status as a city appears in a document issued by King Ottokar II of Bohemia on November 25, 1274. Nestled in Central Bohemia, approximately 40 kilometers from Prague, Mělník is renowned for its rich history, architectural landmarks, and stunning views of the confluence of the Elbe and Vltava rivers.
Mělník’s dominant feature is its historic castle, owned by the noble Lobkowicz family.
Leoš Janáček was a classical music composer with a distinctly Czech style. Although one of his greatest works – Taras Bulba –was inspired by Russian literature, the music itself reflects the cadence of Janáček’s mother tongue and its Silesian dialect.
Leoš Janáček was born on July 3, 1854 in the small town of Hukvaldy in the eastern part of the Czech Republic.
During the autumn round of the nationwide food collection on Saturday, 640 tonnes of goods were donated in stores across the country—a record in the event’s 11-year history, surpassing last autumn’s total by several dozen tonnes.
Osamu Okamura was born in Tokyo to Japanese-Czech parents but moved to Prague while still an infant. An architect by profession, he is involved in a wide slew of activities, from academic work to popularising the concept of liveable cities among the general public. His family name is well-known in Czechia largely thanks to his brother Tomio Okamura, who heads a leading anti-EU political party, while a second sibling, Hayato Okamura, is also an MP.
You were born to a Czech mother and a Japanese father in the 1970s.
On 14 November, Places to Grow hosted a conference under its name that brought together early childhood development (ECD) experts to share research on early childhood development and what policymakers can do to stop educational imbalances and inequality. I went there to speak to the head of PAQ Research, Daniel Prokop; Professor of the National Centre for Learning Environment and Behavioural Research at the University of Stavanger, Thomas Moser; and Senior Director for Strategic Engagements and Organizational Learning at Harvard University, James Cairns.
What are the key components of an effective preschool program, especially for disadvantaged children?.
The city of Brno has approved a property exchange that will pave the way for a museum honoring composer Leoš Janáček. This significant cultural development coincides with the 170th anniversary of Janáček’s birth, an event celebrated by the ongoing international opera festival Janáček Brno.
Leoš Janáček and his works are now an essential part of global musical heritage.
Over 220 people in Czechia donated organs for transplantation last year, but a shortage of donors persists, especially among foreigners who have been living in the country. To help address this issue, the Prague-based Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKEM) has launched a new website to explain the importance of organ donation to the bereaved.
Two years ago, doctors in Czechia transplanted 80 organs from foreign donors, but this year, it was only 14 so far.
On the occasion of the King’s Day, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium H.E. Mr. Jurgen Van Meirvenne hosted a reception at his beautiful residence.
Mr. Eduard Hulicius – the deputy minister of foreign affairs of the Czech Republic, was the honored speaker.
Watch the video with the speech of t the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium H.E. Mr. Jurgen Van Meirvenne and of Mr. Eduard Hulicius – the deputy minister of foreign affairs of the Czech Republic,.
Bear-like devil. It won’t take you to hell, but if you ever find yourself in the Darwin Crater at the Prague Zoo during their feeding, your blood might freeze. Photo by Oliver Le Que, Prague Zoo
From December 2 to 20, Prague Zoo will offer free special pre-Christmas tours for kindergarten and elementary school students. Such guided walks will go after creatures known mainly from fairy-tale books or television screens and dispel various entrenched myths associated with them.
What does a real devil look like? Where do mythical dragons live? And what is it really like with dancing lemurs? Children will learn all this and much more on tours that can be booked now.
Schools can use the favorable price list for school groups to enter the zoo – kindergarten pupils pay CZK 50, and elementary school pupils CZK 100.
As part of the program, children will not only have the opportunity to learn interesting information about animals, but also actively participate in various games and activities, during which they will often work up a sweat. Experienced guides adapt the narrative and tasks to make them fun and understandable for all ages.
Green basilisk. You won’t be petrified by looking at it, but it can surprise you by “walking” on water. Photo by Tereza Mrhálková, Prague Zoo
Groups can visit the animals from fairy tales and fairy tales on working days from December 2 to 20, but you can already book your date via the order system (https://eshop.zoopraha.cz/skoly/).
The tours are intended for kindergartens and primary schools, the interpretation and route will be adapted to the age of the children. The minimum group size is ten pupils + pedagogical support; the maximum is 30 pupils + the corresponding number of persons making up the pedagogical supervision. The offer is valid until capacity is exhausted.
To participate in the tour, you need to pay the entrance fee according to the current price list. Even in this case, the offer of discounted admission for school groups applies. The visit, including the program, costs 50 or 100 CZK per child/pupil. Pedagogical accompaniment has free entry (maximum 1 adult per 10 children, maximum 1 adult per 5 children of preschool age).
Cartagena de las Indias, Colombia, 19 November 2024 – The heightened importance of boosting investments and innovation was underscored as public and private sector leaders met to shape the future of the global tourism sector.
Further advancing UN Tourism’s leading role in these two key pillars of change, the Global Investment and Innovation Forum welcomed Ministers of Tourism, alongside key players from global finance and business. Alongside UN Tourism, the Forum was supported by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism of Colombia, ProColombia, Invest in Cartagena and CAF (the Investment Bank for Latin America and the Caribbean). Underscoring the high-level discussions was a recognition of the vital need to increase investment into the sector while at the same time injecting it with new ideas and energy through promoting innovation at every level.
Opening the Forum, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “There is both an urgency and an opportunity to build sustainable and inclusive destinations that support local economies, empower communities, and preserve their invaluable cultural heritage. This Forum makes clear the vital importance of connections: both between public and private sector players and also between countries, to increase and better direct investments into tourism, and to accelerate its digital transformation, with innovation at the heart of everything we do.”
Are Czech men in crisis? What do Czech women want from them? And what does “being a man” actually mean today? Solvo publishes unique research on the Crisis of Masculinity
The Solvo Institute, founded by Ivana Tykač, publishes research on the crisis of masculinity. In it, the think-tank investigated, for example, what “being a man” means for men and women, what women actually expect from men, and also how both sexes view housework.
Ivana Tykač then described the plan as follows: “Today we measure a lot of formalities and things that affect us only indirectly or are quite distant from people. We measure who would get into the House of Representatives next year, and how Czechs view EU membership, but this is not enough for us in Solv. It won’t tell you anything about the mood of the Czechs, their character, their soul, and what they are going through right now. That’s why we measure how people feel and build our expertise in a sociological-psychological view of the nation, which is fundamentally determined by the economic state of our country.”
It is clear from the research that the two sexes differ the most in their idea of a man today in that he should be tolerant and empathetic (26% of women vs. 14% of men) and handsome and likeable (23% of women vs. 16% of men). On the contrary, both men and women agree that a man should be capable, hardworking, and helpful. After forty years of age, both men and women strongly reevaluate their requirements for a partner. However, they do not agree on some attributes.
The director of Solva, Michaela Marksová, adds to the research with the words: “How the Czech Republic will be efficient, innovative and rich begins precisely at home, in the relationship, in the mutual coexistence of all of us. We can measure GDP, inflation, debt levels, all these criteria. But the extent to which the Czech Republic will be a land of opportunities and how much it will be a pleasant place to live has its roots in the way both sexes communicate with each other, and their ideas about themselves. It is related to both satisfaction in private life and at work.”
The crisis of masculinity research was carried out for Solvo on 4-10 June 2024 SC&C agency, based on a sample of 627 respondents aged 18-64. The interviews were conducted using the CAPI (536), CAWI (131) and CATI (40) methods. In the past, Solvo has already carried out large-scale research with the SC&C agency, which focused on how Czech women and children feel.
Crisis of masculinity is already available on the website www.solvo.institute.
We are Solvo. Institute for Potential Development. Because we believe in the potential of Czech society. Unfortunately, we do not use it at all and lose hundreds of billions of crowns. Come unlock it with us. With cutting-edge data and unrivaled analysis.
With less than a year to go before the general elections, President Petr Pavel is calling on Czechs to listen more to one another.
Speaking to Czech Radio on the 35th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, President Pavel shared his thoughts on the state of society, where divisions—often fueled by social media—seem to run deeper than ever.
The brutal massacre of Lidice by the Nazis in the summer of 1942 sent shockwaves around the world. Communities created memorials and organized events in memory of the victims, and some towns were renamed Lidice in defiance of the Nazis’ efforts to erase the village from the map. Eighty-two years after the tragedy, its legacy has not been forgotten. Today people are contributing to the reconstruction of the Lidice Memorial that serves as a memento to future generations. The biggest contribution to date has come from the United States.
The sculpture of 82 children murdered by the Nazis in the summer of 1942 –which stands on the site of the Lidice Memorial – is well-known around the world.
November 17th this year is the thirty-fifth anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, the events of late 1989 through which Czechoslovakia transitioned from a one-party communist state to a democratic and capitalist country.
The day is being marked with memorials, concerts and demonstrations across the country, with a particular focus being Prague’s Národní Street, the central thoroughfare where a student protest on this day sparked the revolution.
Photo: Kristýna Maková, Radio Prague International
For the first time in 30 years, Prague Castle is set to receive new outdoor lighting. The aim is to better highlight the city’s iconic landmark while making the lighting more economical and environmentally friendly.
Prague Castle, the largest castle complex not only in Czechia but anywhere in the world, is the dominant of the city’s distinctive skyline.
Organisers of this year’s UN climate change conference, known as COP29, which began last week in Baku, Azerbaijan, have not shown great optimism as the event reaches its end on Friday. The atmosphere has not been helped by the re-election of Donald Trump as US president, leaving global climate agreements at a critical juncture, with their future once again hanging in the balance.
During former US President Donald Trump’s first term, the United States withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement.
An exhibition celebrating the legendary protest singer Karel Kryl got underway in Prague on Sunday. The showcase marks two important anniversaries: the 80th anniversary of his birth and 30 years since his death. It aims to highlight Kryl not just as the author of popular songs but as a deeply engaged and critically minded citizen.
“Hello, citizens!” That was how Karel Kryl greeted the audience after his emotional return to Czechoslovakia from exile in December 1989.
After Russia attacked Ukraine, more than one thousand days ago, Czechia welcomed more Ukrainian refugees relative to population than any other country. Among them were thousands and thousands of children who needed an education. Based on the findings of the Council of Europe, the country did a good job.
Mapping Study on Children of Ukraine’s Access to Education provides a detailed analysis of how member states have supported Ukrainian refugee children’s educational needs since the war began.
Mixed reality (MR) has the potential to revolutionize storytelling by blending the physical and virtual worlds, which creates immersive experiences people would not be able to access otherwise. This innovative approach is at the heart of a compelling project that invites users to step into a Ukrainian home—a space that evolves to reflect the impact of Russia’s war. I spoke with one of its directors, Ondřej Moravec, about his collaboration with Victoria Lopukhina and the reception of the project thus far.
First I want to talk about Křehký Domov, “Fragile Home“, and about the motivation for using mixed reality.
The Czech government has moved to address a pressing problem in health care for people living in the border regions who often have to travel long distances to see a specialist or dentist. A proposed amendment to the law should open the way for cross-border health care to be covered by Czech insurance companies.
People living in the border regions with Germany and Austria have been pushing for accessible cross-border health care for years.
A 5000-crown banknote, produced in April 1919 for the newly independent state of Czechoslovakia, was sold at auction on Friday 15th of November for 25.68 million crowns. It therefore became the most expensive paper currency ever sold within the country.
The red and elaborately decorated note, which neither the Czech National Bank nor the National Museum owns, went to auction with a starting price of 2.
This episode of Czech Music Greats looks at the unique genius of Leoš Janáček, through his 1915-18 rhapsody for orchestra Taras Bulba. Based on a novella by the Russian writer Nikolai Gogol, this rhapsody in three movements tells the tragic tale of the elderly Cossack Taras Bulba.
Photo: Daniela Honigmann, Radio Prague International
Fair trade, the idea that shoppers should pay a fair price for crops grown in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way, is gaining recognition in Czechia.
In 2004, the idea of fair trade in the Czech Republic was still new, and efforts focused on introducing the concept and making certified products available for sale.
Since moving to Czechia originally for the sole purpose of playing rugby, Nicolaas Uys has made a successful life for himself in Prague, with a business selling biltong, and as a cornerstone of the South African community in the city. He spoke to us about the story of bringing that community together.
The poet and veteran broadcaster Igor Pomerantsev has been living in Prague since the mid-1990s, when his station, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, moved to the Czech capital. Born in Russia but raised in Ukraine, Pomerantsev left the Soviet Union at the end of his 20s after being accused of circulating “anti-Soviet literature”. He and his family later settled in London, where he worked for the Russian section of the BBC World Service. I spoke to Igor Pomerantsev, who is today 76, at our studios in Vinohrady.
Today, we’re marking the 35th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, which saw the fall of the communist regime in Czechoslovakia. To celebrate, we’ll be listening to some of the songs that filled the public squares during those historic days—many of which still resonate in Czech society, including Marta Kubišová’s Prayer for Marta and Jaroslav Hutka’s Náměšť.
10 years ago, former goaltender Dominik Hašek became the first Czech NHL hockey player to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame is a rare and prestigious honor, reserved for only a select few. In Canada, the ceremony garners attention on par with the Stanley Cup Finals.
Dominik Hašek’s induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Canada, marked the pinnacle of a remarkable career for the 59-year-old native of Pardubice.
To commemorate the anniversary of the death of the great Moravian thinker and religious leader John Amos Comenius, Danny Bate spoke to scholar Lenka Pospíšilová about his life, legacy and relevance for the modern world.
On November 15th 1670, a giant of seventeenth-century intellectual life died in the Dutch city of Naarden.
In October, the team at Charles Games, the creators of such games as Playing Kafka and Attentat 1942, released Velvet 89, an immersive and educational experience that invites players to turn investigator in five cities across Czechoslovakia. Ahead of the thirty-fifth anniversary of the Velvet Revolution on November 17th, Danny Bate spoke to designer, animator and university lecturer Ondřej Javora, who was behind the graphics of the new game.
“So the game is called Velvet 89, and it’s based on historical events.
The President of the Republic Petr Pavel received the Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Vo Thi Anh Xuan at Prague Castle on Thursday, November 14, 2024.
At the official meeting between the Czech delegation and the Vietnamese delegation participate also H.E. Mr. Hoai Nam DUONG – the Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the Czech Republic.
A beautiful exhibition “Fotogrammi di moda italiana: dagli anni ´50, l´Italia che veste il cinema internazionale” is open at the Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Praga, at the Baroque Chapel of the Institute in Vlašská Street 34 Prague.
Through a refined, sophisticated, and fascinating setup and iconic costumes, we will tell the story of an evergreen and sparkling love between Italian fashion and cinema. Italian fashion, thanks to the big screen indeed, conquered in a very short time the dreams of people from all over the world, and cinema, today as then, continues to be an international showcase for Made in Italy.
The inauguration took place at the Baroque Chapel of the Institute in Vlašská Street 34, in the presence of the curator Stefano Dominella, Marialuisa Pappalardo – director of the Istituto Italiano di Cultura di Praga, and Laura Calligaro – Deputy head of the Italian Mission.
It was a great pleasure to celebrate the beauty of Italian fashion all together.
The exhibition will be open to the public free of charge until January 18, from Tuesday to Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Markéta Pekarová Adamová together with MP Petr Fifka, the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee for European Affairs, visited neighboring Bavaria. In Munich, they discussed closer inter-parliamentary cooperation and cross-border trade and economic relations with the Speaker of the Bavarian State Assembly, Ilse Aigner, and the leadership of the Bavarian State Assembly. The Speaker also spoke at the Czech exposition as part of the prestigious international semiconductor fair Semicon.
“We have excellent neighborly relations with Bavaria. Mutual cooperation is successfully developing both between our legislatures and at the level of countless cross-border people-to-people contacts. Bavaria is, at the same time, our important business partner and an essential investor with us. The TAL oil pipeline also plays a strategic role in Czech-Bavarian relations, thanks to the expansion of which we are succeeding in a substantial way in getting rid of our former dependence on Russian oil,” said the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Markéta Pekarová Adamová.
The president also spoke at the Czech exposition as part of the prestigious international semiconductor fair Semicon.
“We are systematically strengthening our country’s capacities in the field of chip design and production. Recently, a record investment by the Onsemi company in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm was announced, and in Brno, in cooperation with Taiwanese partners, we ceremoniously opened the Advanced Chip Research Center. This area is undergoing extremely dynamic development today and it is good that we are becoming a relevant player in this key industry with high added value. I am therefore glad that representatives of Czech companies and research institutes are helping to present this fact here in Bavaria,” said the speaker of the House of Representatives, Markéta Pekarová Adamová, among other things, in her speech.
In Munich, the parliamentary delegation also visited the influential Hanns Seidel Stiftung Research Foundation. They discussed with their leading experts the current development of Russian aggression in Ukraine and the future of transatlantic relations.
The wolf pack begins to grow winter fur, which protects these animals from the cold. This is due to its special arrangement, which creates a kind of mantle on key parts of the body, along which water flows. Pictured is a male Eurasian Grim wolf. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
The Prague Zoo invites you to visit even during dry weather. Animals grow winter fur and many of them can be proud of their bushy coats. Fallen leaves diversify the diet of many species and at the same time provide an impressive backdrop for the eyes of visitors and the lenses of photographers. While moose, wolves, or Manchurian leopards enjoy the November weather, people can warm up immediately after observing them in fifteen heated pavilions.
The just-launched mobile application of the Prague Zoo also encourages you to visit, which offers tickets at a favorable price, facilitates movement in the area, and contains a number of other functions, including medallions of bred species or notifications about their feeding. Commented feeding and meetings with the animals currently take place during the weekend days.
The Prague Zoo complex is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in November. At 5 p.m., the Light Zoo opens its doors, featuring 110 giant lanterns in the form of African animals and plants, interactive projections, and a 70-meter-long light tunnel. People can find the light zoo in the lower part of the complex, and there is a separate entrance and entrance fee for it.
The popular cable car connecting the lower and upper parts of the Prague Zoo remains exceptionally open this year, not only on weekends but also on weekdays, until January.
Lower temperatures are not a problem for Indian elephants. He currently spends time in the outdoor enclosures of the Elephant Valley, usually between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The picture shows the youngest member of the herd, four-year-old Lakuna (left), with her nineteen-year-old mother Tamara (right). Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
A pair of moose – male Loki (pictured) and female Freya – enjoy the autumn atmosphere. They also grow thicker fur for the winter, which is not as dull compared to the summer fur. People can find these largest representatives of deer in the Northern Forest exhibition complex in the upper part of the zoo. Male Loki can be easily recognized by the antlers, which female moose (unlike reindeer) do not have. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
Most people probably associate leopards with the tropics, but the critically endangered Manchurian leopard – one of the rarest felines on the planet – lives in the cold forests of the Far East. The image shows a charismatic-looking male Manchurian, but no one calls him anything other than Hugo. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
Prairie dogs are used to harsh North American winters. The Central European ones are easy for them to manage, but even so, a group of these quarrelsome rodents can now be observed lining their burrows with hay. For feeding after 10 o’clock, however, they climb to the surface of their exhibit next to the bison enclosure. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
The female hyena Jubari is already an elderly lady, but she does not lack appetite or zest for life. Visitors can find chabra hyenas in the enclosure opposite the Elephant Valley, near the Radegast statue in the upper part of the zoo. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
Otter North American autumn temperatures testify. Their nimble swimming can be well observed during the entire opening hours of the zoo, but best in the morning or during feeding between 2 and 3 p.m. Then they get fish, mice and alternately quail or rabbit for variety. The picture shows the male Cory, who is slightly bigger than his mate Tara. Photo by Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo
Focused on cinematography with the exhibition “Fotogrammi di moda italiana” and the 12th annual MittelCinemaFest. Concert by Oscar winner Nicola Piovani
The Italian Cultural Institute (IKI) in Prague offers a program full of exceptional events for November 2024 with a special focus on the world of film – told through fashion and contemporary Italian film – and with the extraordinary participation of Oscar winner Nicola Piovani.
On Wednesday, November 13, the exhibition “Fotogrammi di moda italiana. Since the 1950s, Italy has dressed the world’s cinema”, an exhibition curated by Stefano Dominella, Honorary President of Maison Gattinoni, and organized by IKI to commemorate the fusion of film and fashion, which has always represented one of the most important aspects of Italian creation in the world. Original dresses worn by iconic actresses who dictated new styles, such as Lana Turner, Anita Ekberg, Audrey Hepburn, Anna Magnani, Sophia Loren, Monica Bellucci, Gina Lollobrigida, Fanny Ardant, Charlotte Rampling, Liz Taylor, Claudia Cardinale and Maria Callas. During this Prague stop of the exhibition, an exclusive tribute is also paid to the Czech top model and actress, naturalized Italian Eva Herzigová. Through 41 original dresses signed by famous tailors, stylists and ateliers such as Fernanda Gattinoni, Renato Balestra, Emilio Schuberth, Sartoria Peruzzi, Annamode Costumes, Irene Galitzine, Laura Biagiotti and Guillermo Mariotto, the “Fotogrammi di moda italiana” exhibition tells visitors a story beauty, elegance and creativity.
The exhibition will be open to the public free of charge until January 18, from Tuesday to Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
On November 14 at 7 p.m., it will be the turn of music with Nicola Piovani, winner of the Oscar for the soundtrack to the film “Life is Beautiful”, who will lead Maria Rita Combattelli (soprano), Oreste Valente (recitation voice) and the Prague Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra in the Church of St. Šimon and Judy and in Prague performing “La Vita Nuova”, a cantata for recital voice, soprano and small orchestra, composed by Maestro Piovani, inspired by the famous work of Dante Alighieri: a musical work that explores Dante’s love for his beloved Beatrice in a journey full of narrative and musical beauty. The concert, organized by the Italian Cultural Institute in cooperation with the Italian Embassy in Prague, is free.You can choose and download tickets on the website of the event managed by Nachtigall Artists:https://www.nachtigallartists.cz/projekty/nicola-piovani-la-vita-nuova-2024
MittelCinemaFest, the Central European festival of contemporary Italian cinematography, which is being held in the Czech Republic for the twelfth time this year, will open again in the Lucerna cinema in Prague on November 28. Until December 4, eight full-length films in their original version with English and Czech subtitles will be premiered for the Prague audience, presenting a selection of the best of Italian productions in 2024. A detailed program of screenings will be published in the coming days and will also be available at: https://www.mittelcinemafest.cz/cs/uvod MittelCinemaFest is a project of Cinecittà and the Italian Ministry of Culture; it is organized by the Italian Cultural Institute and the Lucerna cinema in Prague under the auspices of the Italian Embassy in Prague, with the support of the capital city of Prague and in cooperation with a number of media partners, including the Italian-Czech Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CAMIC), the news magazine La Pagina, the magazine Progetto Repubblica Ceca, Radio 1.cz and ČSFD – Czech-Slovak film database.
As Marialuisa Pappalardo, director of the Prague IKI, emphasized: “We are proud to be able to share a truly exceptional program with our audience. We will immerse ourselves in the history of Italian fashion and its connection with world cinema, we will immerse ourselves in Dante’s poetry with the music of Oscar winner Piovani, together we will discover the news of contemporary Italian cinema and together we will experience the beauty and uniqueness of Italian culture!”.
In November, the Institute also offers other initiatives, including an exhibition dedicated to the art of Venetian glass “Paolo Venini and his workshop” at the Museum of Applied Arts in Prague; Luigi Zoja’s lecture “Paranoia, madness that makes history” in the Václav Havel Library; the presentation of Cristina Cassar Scalia’s book “Sabbia nera” as part of the Week of Italian Cuisine; Gaetano Donizetti’s opera “Don Pasquale” under the direction of maestro Marco Armiliato in Prague’s Municipal House. The complete program of the month is available at this link: https://iicpraga.voxmail.it/p/k41rc0/c-7750a436
Prague Castle will open its doors again on Saturday, November 30, for the second time this year. Visitors will be able to visit the Christmas-decorated and normally inaccessible representative spaces, where President Petr Pavel holds important meetings or receives important guests. The open day is held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission is free.
The visitor circuit will start at the Matyášá gate. People will gradually see Plečnik’s Hall of Columns, Rothmayer’s or Spanish Hall or Rudolf’s Gallery. The tour will also include the Throne Room, the Habsburg Salon, and the Salon of Mirrors. The approaching Advent will also be reminded of the Christmas decorations of some rooms and decorated Christmas trees.
In addition to the representative spaces, permanent exhibitions will also be accessible for free, the Cathedral of St. Vita, Zlatá ulička, Old Royal Palace, Basilica of St. George or South Gardens. On Open Doors Day, Prague Castle will continue its Advent program entitled Christmas Tour through Prague Castle. There are three stops waiting for visitors.
A Christmas yurt of the Forman Brothers will be built on the terrace of the Riding Hall, where people will learn about the story of the birth of Jesus. The Rožmberk Palace will host an exhibition of traditional Czech blown ornaments and there will also be Christmas concerts. “With the Fragile Beauty of Christmas exhibition, we want to commemorate the long tradition of making Christmas decorations, which is even on the UNESCO list. Visitors can also enjoy Christmas concerts every Sunday. Music of the Castle Guard and the Police of the Czech Republic will be played, carols will be sung by pupils of Prague elementary art schools. The entire Christmas program is free. Coming to the Castle just once this year simply won’t be enough,” explains Veronika Wolf, cultural and program director of the Prague Castle.
Due to capacity reasons, the Great South Tower of the Cathedral and the exhibition The Heart is a Temple will not be part of the Open Day.
The Bethlehem yurt at Prague Castle: The Forman Brothers Theatre
where: Terrace of the Riding School
when: 30/11/2024-5/1/2025
Fragile beauty of Christmas: Exhibition of traditional Czech ornaments
where: Rosenberg Palace
when: 30/11/2024 – 5/1/2025
Advent singing at the Cathedral of St. Welcome
where: III. courtyard in front of the cathedral of St. Welcome
Introducing the Best Korean Cuisine Chef in the Czech Republic!
The Korean Embassy in the Czech Republic is delighted to announce the winners of the Korean Food Festival and Korean Cooking Competition, held on 13 November at ChefParade. The event celebrated Czech enthusiasts of Korean cuisine who competed in a spirited culinary showdown, showcasing their skills, creativity, and love for Korean flavors.
In an impressive display of culinary talent, Adam Žalmánek took home the top prize, a top-of-the-line Korean rice cooker, with his flavorful and skillfully prepared Budae Jjigae. Lukáš Kohout wowed the judges with his Bulgogi Bibimbap earning him the second place and a high quality air fryer, finally in third place, Ondřej Hula with his heartwarming Sogogi Siraegi Soup, taking home a Korean restaurant coupon worth 1000 CZK. Of course, other contestants did not go empty-handed, as everyone who took part but did not place in the top three, was awarded a set of Korean cooking ingredients, and all contestants received a custom apron with the motif of the festival.
The winners were chosen by a panel of distinguished judges, including a renowned Czech chef from the National Culinary Team – Pavel Švestka, the chef from the Korean Ambassador’s residence – Mr. Hyun Ho Shin, and the culture attaché from the Korean Embassy – Mrs. Hyunsung Park, who assessed the competitors on their culinary expertise, creativity, and the personal stories they shared behind each dish.
The judges expressed their satisfaction with the contestants’ dishes and expertise, Pavel Švestka commented: “It was a friendly gathering of Korean culture enthusiasts, including both Czechs and foreigners, which created a wonderful atmosphere. The food tasting was a real highlight, and the event was a success that also brings progress for young aspiring chefs. The organization was excellent, and the entire event had a great, friendly spirit. Despite some of the contestants being beginners, their dishes were truly delicious.”
Mr. Shin noted with delight how much Czech participants appreciate Korean cuisine, expressing his admiration for their enthusiasm and skill in preparing traditional Korean dishes. He found it heartening to see their dedication to mastering Korean flavors and techniques and was impressed with the outstanding results.
The Embassy expresses its deepest gratitude to all participants who contributed their cherished memories and unique Korean recipes to this event. Their passion and dedication brought this festival to life, creating a bridge between Czech and Korean cultures through the universal language of food.
Czechia approaches the anniversary of the Velvet Revolution and end of Communism in 1989. To commemotrate the historic milestone, Freedom Week kicks off in Prague.
The series of events and happenings is organized by “Díky, že můžem” – “Thanks that we can” – an organization dedicated to promoting civic engagement and historical awareness.
Eighty years ago, U.S. pilot William L. Kiggins was killed during a combat mission over Brno, becoming the only American soldier to die in the Moravian capital during World War II. On Wednesday, the American Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Bijan Sabet received the skeletal remains found at the crash site a few years ago, believed to belong to the pilot.
Photo: Barbora Navrátilová, Radio Prague International
As the holiday season draws near, Czech households face a bitter challenge to their holiday baking traditions: soaring butter prices. With a 40% year-on-year increase, the cost of butter reached over 70 crowns in some stores. Some, including Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný, have raised concerns about possible price manipulation.
In October, the average price of a 250-gram block of butter reached 59 crowns, with some stores charging over 70 crowns—a 40% increase from last year, prompting concern among households planning holiday baking.
An exhibition exploring the fascinating world of mushrooms is currently on display at the National Technical Library in Prague. Titled Do hloubi houby, or Into the Depths of the Mushroom, the exhibition presents the potential uses of mycelium in construction, architecture and design.
When most people think of mushrooms, they picture the cap and stem visible above the ground.
Summer is over, and now CzechTourism, the country’s state-funded central tourist office, is reflecting on its successes and problems. The organisation’s director, František Reismüller, spoke to Danny Bate about the season just gone, as well as his predictions for this winter and his vision for CzechTourism in the years to come.
What was new or different about the summer season for tourism this year in Czechia?.
Prague’s car problem is not a secret. High car ownership persists, mainly because of political resistance and historical preservation laws which inadvertently hinder efforts to reduce car dependency. The dependency poses a challenge to its sustainability goals, increases noise pollution in the city, and is dangerous to pedestrians. So, what’s being done? I spoke with Urbanist at the Sustainable Urbanism Laboratory Zuzana Poláková to discuss some of these challenges that prevent a more sustainable Prague.
Alsu Kurmasheva, a Russian-American Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist, was released in a landmark prisoner exchange in August, following nine months in Russian detention. The mother of two was sentenced to 6.5 years in prison on charges of spreading false information about the Russian military. On August 1, she was finally reunited with her family, along with Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, and Paul Welan. Kurmasheva sat down to speak to Czech Radio’s Matěj Skalický about her experience.
As the country approaches the 35th anniversary of Velvet Revolution of 1989, hundreds of dissidents have seen their income rise by an average of 4,400 Czech Crowns.
Archaeologists from the Moravian city of Brno have reported an unprecedented discovery. During a rescue excavation in the broader city center, they unearthed the bones of at least three mammoths, alongside remains from other animals. They also discovered tools from prehistoric people who hunted these animals approximately 15,000 years ago.
During the rescue excavation near Brno’s city centre, the archaeologists uncovered skeletal remains of at least three mammoths, specifically teeth, two shoulder blades, and a thigh bone.
Lidija Kovařík, who comes originally from Croatia but has lived in Prague for the last fifteen years, is the managing director of the Illusion Art Museum in Prague. She tells us about her story and career, the future of museums, and her work with the international One Minute Film Festival.
November 11th is the feast day of St. Martin in the Christian calendar, a day that brings with it a variety of traditions in Czechia. Most notable among these is a particularly hearty meal, consisting of roast goose, cabbage and dumplings. Danny Bate paid a visit to one Prague pub especially renowned for its St. Martin’s goose, and spoke to some of the diners there.
Among the many saints of medieval Europe, Martin of Tours was one of the heavyweights.
On the occasion of the 404th anniversary of the Battle of Rakovník and the Battle of the White Mountain, the Bohemian troops set out again this year to meet their crushing defeat. The fifty-kilometer march significantly impacted the motivation and combat readiness of the soldiers in the fateful clash between Habsburgs and Estates troops.
Englishman Adam Stewart is the founder and artistic director of the Prague Youth Theatre, a thriving company bring together around 200 children and teenagers from dozens of different nations in the Czech capital. He is also a leading member of the Cimrman English Theatre; it performs plays “by” the much-loved Czech comedic character Jára Cimrman to English-speaking audiences and recently celebrated 10 years of existence. I spoke to Stewart at the PYT’s offices in the Vršovice district.
For this week’s Sunday Music Show, we will be playing you some music by Leoš Janáček, “The Cunning Little Vixen” – ranked among the most important Czech operas of the 20th century for the 100th anniversary of its premier on November 6, 1924, in the city of Brno under the direction of František Neumann.
Inspired by a comic strip by Rudolf Těsnohlídek in the Lidové noviny newspaper in the early 1920s, Janáček created one of the most original works in Czech classical music.
Thirty-five years ago, the canonization of Agnes of Bohemia marked a turning point for Czechoslovakia, symbolizing hope and the promise of change as the Velvet Revolution loomed on the horizon. On November 12, 1989—just five days before the revolution began—10,000 Czechoslovak pilgrims filled St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City to witness the canonization of the Czech patroness by Pope John Paul II.
Originally, plans called for the ceremony to take place in Czechoslovakia, but the ruling Communist regime refused the Pope’s entry into the country.
November 8th is the anniversary of the Battle of White Mountain (Bitva na Bílé hoře), fought in 1620 just outside Prague, which brought disaster for the ruling Czech aristocracy and drastically altered the face of the Czech lands.
On November 8th 1620, in cold and wet autumn weather, a force of 21,000 Bohemian troops and mercenaries under the command of Christian of Anhalt took up a defensive position eight miles outside of Prague.
November 11th is Armistice Day, the international commemoration of the end of the First World War, which offers us today an opportunity to remember and honour those who have given their lives in combat. In the United Kingdom, the day is accompanied by Remembrance Sunday, and its distinctly British acts of remembrance will be taking place in Prague too. Danny Bate spoke to Colonel Jonathan Kitson, defence attaché at the British Embassy, about the nature of his position, and his role in November’s events of military commemoration.
Within the world of diplomacy and international relations, people will be familiar with titles like ‘ambassador’, but could you explain to us, what is the role of a defence attaché, which is your position here in Czechia and Slovakia?.
Professor Milena Králíčková, the first woman to hold the position of rector in Charles University’s centuries-long history, recently returned from a working visit to the United States aimed at strengthening existing academic partnerships and exploring new collaborations. I met with Mrs. Králíčková at the Carolinum, the historic seat of Charles University, to discuss the US mission, but we also spoke about the significance of being the first female rector, her goals for advancing equality, and how the university has dealt with the tragic shooting at the Faculty of Arts last December.
You’ve recently returned from a working trip to the US aimed at deepening cooperation with prestigious universities.
