Awards

Because she is so young! Just Fifteen years old sportsgirl Jessica Kordova, the daughter of the ex-tennis-player player Petr Korda have chosen golf when she was eight. This Sunday, she was 19th in the US Open, the best position a Czech player got to. Her father, who once won the Australian Open, is surely proud of her, she now holds one of the best successes of the Czech golf.

On Sunday, she got those 18 holes in 69 shots. Ochoa than went to congratulate her, and she also said she hopes they meet again on the Tour in a few years. But there is one condition – Kordova would have to go professional, and that won’t be very soon as she still goes to school. Also – if she were a professional, she would earn 43 000$ for 19th place – as an amateur she didn’t get anything. What she says is more important she automatically proceeds to US Open of 2009, where she will be one year more experienced.

The Advertisement on Skoda Fabia, which won the British Television Advertising Craft Award has now gained another prize on the Cannes Lions International Advertising Festival. The prize is a similar appraisal like the Oscars for actors. The advertisement on the Famous Czech Cars Skoda was made by the London company Fallon, and it scores because of the unique idea of a ‘cooked car’.

The life-size Fabia Cake gained also a prize for the best model and the best song. The other who scored was BBDO with their Pizza Colosseum ad, that gained some positive critics. The question may be, why no original Czech advertisement scored, and the answer is: different approach. Czech ad’s are mostly based on typical situation humour, which probably only Czechs laugh at.

One of the best goalkeepers of the history Hasek leaves the Hockey League again. Last time he ‘left’ the scene was six years ago, when he won Stanley Cup. Another Stanley Cup victory took place three days ago with the Detroit Red Wings.

Known as ‘the Dominator’, Hasek won 389 games from the total 735 plays, gaining 2,2 goals per average, his 92.2 save percentage is the NHL’s top all-time mark.

This time it is probably definitive retirement, as his son finished school, so they can move back to the Czech Republic as a family. “I am very happy at the moment, I have had great moments during my sixteen years in Buffalo and Detroit, and I found many great friends. Presently, I don’t think I would find enough motivation for another training.”

The annual prizes Ropak for those who always put money before the environment were given away. To whom the Ropaks went? First is Jiri Hlodac, the second Katerina Neumannova, third was Vaclav Klaus.

16th year of the Anti-Eco enquiry was organized by Deti Zeme organization. Deputy of the Transportation minister Jiri Hlodac won for forcing of motorways into protected nature areas and threatening everybody who disagrees with courts and fines.

Katerina Neumannova is the second because she got the snow for Prague Ski competition from protected nature area in Sumava, south Bohemia, where they loaded it into sixty trucks.

The third is President Vaclav Klaus, he got the ‘Green pearl’ for the most Anti-Eco statement of 2007: “I don’t see any planet devastation, I have never seen it and I don’t think any reasonable person could say there is such a thing.”

Lukas Bauer got the prize for the best sri runner – World Cup. Until now no Czech cross-country skier had ever clinched the World Cup title, not even the great Katerina Neumannova who won gold in the Turin Olympics.

He ended his best season by gaining 1462 points, he has in front of the second Rene Sommerfeldt from Germany by 633 points. By this, he beaten the record of German Tobias Angerer, who win the world serie with the highest headstart of 551 points.

Bauers’s dream season
First place: Five times. According to the official records Tour de Ski wins counts as one, so the other three wins doesn’t count.
Second place: fourth times
Third place: 0
World Cup: incredible 1462 points
Finantial prizes of the World cup: approx. 212 000 €

‘Zebrik’ – the annual Czech music award given for the best music group every year, went to Chinaski this year. On Saturday in the house of culture in Pilsen, Inwest, the ‘Zebrik, 2007 Loap Awards’ were overrun by Cinaski, who won five of eleven categories. That means, Chinaski is something like the best pop-rock music group of Czech origin, singing in Czech.

In the reader’s prize of Report magazine they took away the traditional statues of the artist Vaclav Cesak called Dancing R for the best music video of the song Zadarmo (For Free); the same song got the most votes in the category ‘The song of the Year’ and their album 07 won the best record prize. Their singer also won the singers category.

Anyway, if you want to hear good Czech pop rock this is probably a good choice. You can watch the award winning video below.

Michelin star, the most prestigious internationally valued prize for cooks, was given to a Czech restaurant first time in history. No other country behind the former Iron Curtain have yet gained such evaluation. The 31 yo Italian Andrea Accordi, the chef at Prague Restaurant Allegro, the expert of “haute cuisine” is the one who gains one star for the Czech Republic and the hotel Four Seasons.

The fact Allegro will gain a Michelin star was expected. The Italian Andrea Accordi was, until now, the only chef in the Czech Republic with a Michelin Star. He got it in the hotel restaurant in Florence. When he got in, last year in September, he said his biggest wish is to get his second star for this Prague restaurant.

Czech speed skater won at the championship in Japan Nagano the five-kilometre track. Sablikova defended title again, after the loss at 3 kilometre track on Friday she proved, there is no match for her at the longest track.

Sablikova was gaining speed during the race, and at the end as the only one got under seven minutes, by which she surpassed the record of the Nagano track. “this way it is even more groovy” she commented. As she is known by her ascetic ways, she had just a few sandwiches and a glass of wine and went to pack that evening, meanwhile her trainer traditionally celebrated.

It is a common presidential duty, not to miss the opportunity to show up in the company of renowned artists and sportsmen. Meanwhile Irish President McAleese congratulated Glen on his success the very evening, Klaus keeps silent towards Marketa. The last Czech person to get an Oscar was Jan Sverak for his Movie Kolja in 1996. Oscar is an equivalent for a World Championship trophy in sports. If Klaus passes this fact, the reason is clear – his ego, as always.

Marketa Igrlova said last year for an interview in Pravo: “I am really ashamed of our president, who always speaks so arrogantly about ecologic problems. I can’t understand, how a president of a country can doubt something that is scientifically proved and everybody knows about … it is a great shame to have him the president.”

Here we go. We would ask Vaclav Klaus too much to swallow this and admit somebody who criticises him is actually quite successful. And I personally think Martina Irglova doesn’t long for getting congratulations from Klaus.

The Sunday Oscar ceremony was commented by international media, especially the acceptance speech by Martina Irglova got a lot of approvals.

“… No matter how far out your dreams are, they can become true…fair play to those who dare to dream and don’t give up… ”

This is an often quoted sentence from the short speech by Iglova, which the British Mirror labelled a one of the most inspirational Oscar speeches. Mirror recalled, that before the movie gained fan base, Hansard with Irglova were practically unknown.

USA Today pointed out a scene from the backstage; Glen and Marketa played with the gained statues. Glen said: “Let’s put them together, like if they are kissing each other.” Marketa: “But they are two boys!” Glen: “But this is Hollywood!”

Server New Musical Express stated Hansard gained a sms from Bono: “From the streets directly to the Oscars. Congratulations.”

The incredible dream of two independent artists became true; the message of the movie Once, filmed in three weeks, but speaking with the power of emotions that are ageless, moved hearts and rejoiced souls so much Marketa Irglova and Glen Hansard won the Oscar for the best film song, Falling slowly.

Glen Hansard, gave the acceptance speech as the first one:

“Thanks! This is amazing. What are we doing here? This is mad. We made this film two years ago. We shot on two Handicams. It took us three weeks to make. We made it for a hundred grand. We never thought we would come into a room like this and be in front of you people. It’s been an amazing thing. Thanks for taking this film seriously, all of you. It means a lot to us. Thanks to the Academy, thanks to all the people who’ve helped us, they know who they are, we don’t need to say them. This is amazing. Make art. Make art. Thanks.”

Redirect here

Because of directing confusion, after Glansard finished his speech, they were taken off stage, and after advertisements, Marketa Irglova was called back, which was against Oscar regulations, but really emotional. As she is a really shy person, to see her like this was moving for real.

“Hi everyone. I just want to thank you so much. This is such a big deal, not only for us, but for all other independent musicians and artists that spend most of their time struggling, and this, the fact that we’re standing here tonight, the fact that we’re able to hold this, it’s just to prove no matter how far out your dreams are, it’s possible. And, you know, fair play to those who dare to dream and don’t give up. And this song was written from a perspective of hope, and hope at the end of the day connects us all, no matter how different we are. And so thank you so much, who helped us along the way. Thank you.”

What to say more? Congratulations, Marketa and Glen, you have became legends. Good Luck.

The Czech songster Marketa Irglova with the Irish musician Glen Hansard will perform at the Oscar Ceremony on 24 February 2008. They will sing their hit Falling Slowly, nominated in the ‘Best Film Music’ Category.

Everyone who is their fan, keep yours fingers crossed. They lost the Emmy to Amy Winehouse recently, but it’s not the end of the world. The ceremony will host also Jessica Alba, Cate Blanchett, George Clooney, Pénelope Cruz, Cameron Diaz and others. Also other songs competing for the Oscar will sound in the evening. Like Happy Working Song from the Magical Romance movie, sing by Amy Adams.

The moderator of the gala evening will be a comedian Jon Stewart. As the with a group of scenarist, who will write jokes and sketches to his role. The Hollywood scriptwriter strike is over.

‘Deska Roku’ – ‘Album of the Year’ 2007 prizes were given away.

The winner in the ‘Album of the Year’ women category, and also the absolute winner became Aneta Langerova, the 2004 Czech Pop Idol, with her new album Dotyk.

Daniel Landa scored three times in men category – the most sold records, the most radio played and the most tracks sold via the Internet. Daniel Landa is favored by some for his genially simple songs and success in sports, hated by others for his skinhead past.

The best music group award went to Cechomor, the well known group playing popularized traditional music.

The most sold international singer in CR was Madonna.

The results however confirmed decline in sales of CDs – in 2006 the most sold album of pub-rock group Kabat called ‘Corrida’ won with 56 900 sold pieces, Aneta Langerova managed to sell only 31 957 CDs to became the most bought songstress.

Once is a 2006 Irish musical film written and directed by John Carney. Set in Dublin, it stars musicians Glen Hansard (of popular Irish rock band The Frames) and Markéta Irglová, a fictional Czech emigrant, as struggling musicians.

The Czech singer and pianist Marketa Irglova and Irish musician Glen Hansard got the prize of the American National Society of Film Critics, for the best original film song. They gained the Critics Choice Award for their song Falling Slowly from the 2007 film Once.

In December, they gained the prize of the Association of Los angeles film critics for the best film music. They are as well nominated for two Grammy Prizes – the best soundtrack and the best song.

Skoda cake advertisement won top British Television Advertising Craft Award of 30 October 2007. The TV ad shows pastry-cooks baking a Skoda Fabia cake in life size. They have swapped rivets for raisins, metal for marzipan and spark plugs for sugar. The video was filmed at West London’s Shepperton Studios, and Skoda even includes a recipe for the cake. The ad was placed by British representation of Skoda. It lasts approximately a minute and cost about 1 million £.

The agency who made the ad actually wanted to give the huge cake to charity, but at the end they gave it up because of possible health risks, coming from long stay of Skoda Fabia cake in the heat of studio reflectors.

For a Skoda Fabia cake you need these ingredients:
10kg white chocolate chunks
20kg raisins
3kg orange peel strips
25kg dried apricot
12.5kg raspberry jam
5kg cocoa powder
100kg wheat flour
180 fresh eggs
100kg caster sugar
90kg brown sugar paste
50kg icing sugar
40kg black sugar paste
20kg glacier cherries
50kg white sugar paste
30kg brown almonds
42kg chocolate fudge

Did you know Skoda starts production of its first SUV?

The ceremony takes place annually in Prague Castle on 28th of October, which is a national holiday celebrating the constitution of the independent Czechoslovak state, 28th October 1918.

24 people were awarded this year. From these we choose 5 for you;

Plk. Stanislav Hnelicka
Order of White Lion
The colonel belongs to great heroes of our foreign military of the WWII. He fought in the Middle East and the West Front. He participated on most of the dangerous missions of his column.

Marie Goretti Boltnar
Distinguished Service Medal
A member of Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy of Saint Karel Boromejsky. She devoted her whole life to care of the sick, seniors, mentally and physically handicapped and victims of natural catastrophes. She has been in the order since her age of fiveteen.

Miroslav Fiedler
Distinguished Service Medal
Professor Fiedler is a world-wide recognized Czech mathematician, focusing on linear algebra and graph theory. His papers have gained exceptional reward. He has already been awarded for his international activity.

Plk. Jiri Formanek
T.G. Masaryk Medal
The colonel fought against the totalitarian regime in the former Czechoslovakia. He joined the news office against the communist regime. He established a news net on our territory. As a consequence, he was imprisoned and got 14 years in the worst communist prison.

Jiri Stivin
Distinguished Service Medal
A remarkable personality of the Czech music scene. He is a multi-instrumentalist, music composer and a pedagogue. He is an author of many works of various music areas.

What Badges and Medals are in the Czech Republic and why?

The main badges given in the Czech Republic are : Order of White Lion, T.G. Masaryk Medal and Distinguished Service Medal. Honored persons are chosen by the president. The ceremony takes place in Prague Castle on 28th of October, which is a national holiday celebrating the constitution of the independent Czechoslovak state, 28th October 1918.

The Czechoslovak Order of the White Lion and Medal of the White Lion :

The Medal is given for merit to the Czech state. The Order was established as an award for foreign citizens for merits for the (former) Czechoslovakia.

The Order of the White Lion was established in five classes. (The same person could have only one class or the Order of the White Lion. The Order of the White Lion is awarded in two divisions, civil (with two crossed palms above the badge) and military (two crossed Roman swords above the badge).

T.G. Masaryk Medal
The medal is given for persons who have contributed in a significant manner to humanity, human rights and democracy development.

Distinguished Service Medal
Medal given to personalities for merit for the state in business, science, technique, culture, arts, sports, education and schools, defense, state and citizens safety.

Those special medals are stamped on the unique machine from 1937, in a small workshop in Prague.

Czech National Prize for Literature and Translation are prizes given annually for an outstanding Czech literary work and a translation into Czech.

The National Prize for Translation was won by Antonin Pridal. 72 nowadays, Pridal translates from Spanish and English, he translated e.g. Federico Garcia Lorca and William Shakespeare dramas. According to the jury, he significantly contributed to the ‘culture in translation’.

Czech National Literature Prize goes to Pavel Kundera. On 25th of October 2007 the ceremony hall was full, even when everybody knew in advance Kundera won’t be present. However he at least send a voice file, which was played at the ceremony. He emphasized work of Zden Skvorecka, who „… selflessly managed a poor little publishing house in Canada … knowing the worst curse of Czech cultural history: systematic breaking of continuity … she published all the forbidden authors … Everything would be different without her.“

At the end he thanked everybody for the prize and admitted he is moved deeply, even when he couldn’t be there.

Milan Kundera became this year’s laureate of Czech National Literature Prize. And he has also other primacy – in the modern history, there has never been awarded anyone, who wouldn’t pick it up.

Milan Kundera, born 1929 in former Czechoslovakia, is a Czech-born writer who has written books in both Czech and French. He is best known as the author of The Unbearable Lightness of Being, The Book of Laughter and Forgetting, and The Joke.

The gala evening with the prize presentation, handed over with 10 000€, takes place on 25th October. The expatriate, nowadays in France living writer is hoverer not going to pick it up. The same situation repeats as

in 1994, when he gained prestigious Jaroslav Seifert prize, for his novel Nesmrtelnost (Immortality), Kundera excepted the prize, but haven’t picked up. In his explanatory letter he wrote he would like to donate the prize, together with the monetary award, to memory of the Czech poet, Jan Skacel.

Foreign readers hesitate, if he is still a Czech author, or if he is already a French one. In the 90s Kundera started to write his novels in French, so there are still some pieces that haven’t been published in Czech. Kundera gradually translates into Czech just his essays.

80-year-old French conductor Serge Baudo will become a honourable citizen of the Czech capital. Serge Baudo guested for the first time in Prague in 1959. He cooperated mainly with the Czech Philharmonic orchestra. Their recordings, mainly by Arthur Honegger, have won several prestigious awards.

Serge Baudo was the Chief Conductor of Prague Symphonic Orchestra FOK. He has enriched the Czech repertory with many French compositions. Now he is a Conductor Laureate. “He is an outstanding person. We think highly of his work in Prague as well as his relationship to Prague,” said about Serge Baudo the Mayer of Prague Pavel Bem.

Among other people that will be awarded by the city of Prague are Jiri Kylian for his work for dance theatre and for spreading the fame of Prague abroad, Jiri Demetz who documents the relationship of the Czech, German and Jewish culture in Prague and Ruzena Masova who saved her neighbour’s live while risking her own.