Culture

Prague stands before another architectonic contest. The original Old Town City Hall was severely damaged at the end of WWII, after it became a target of the German occupation army during the Prague Uprising in May 1945. It was set on fire and had to be taken down. Since then, plans for a new building were in motion.

Now the city has decided the case should be solved at last. The reasons are obvious. The City Hall at the Old Town Square is apparently a torso and the park that covers the space today doesn’t make much sense, it creates sort of a square- within- a square. A new, tenth competition is supposed to take place this year and it is likely it will be international.

At first, let me explain the title. How do I perceive freedom of a square? People should be at least able to walk from one end to another, which is, in the case of Wenceslas Square, impossible. During the communist era, when to be a city architect was conditioned to be a communist, a speedway was placed among the cherry on the cake, and the cake – the National Museum building was cut off from the rest of the Wenceslas Square.

The Prime minister Mirek Topolanek, Pavel Bem and the Minister of Culture Vaclav Jehlicka are going to sign a memorandum today, to confirm moving the incriminated speedway under the ground. From the point of view of a Prague Citizen, this is a sign of hope the Wenceslas Square could return to the times of glory. The project will cost approximately 10 billions czk (400 mil €).

A short hindsight to our toady Czech culture reveals already known: Our church is a shopping mall, our god is commercial success and Bata is our prophet. Nevermind expressed in numbers it goes like this: 250 shopping centres in the Czech Republic, from which 50 contain at least fifty different retainers.

Czech most buy clothes, second are shoes, third are computer components. Prague Hosts 38 percent of those centres. It is hard to believe twenty years ago a whole slab block estate would be supplied with one middle- sized grocery store. Now the same area is often surrounded by several supermarkets and in case that would not be enough, there’s a hyper- one within reach.

Read the whole article More ‘Market – Temples’

In the light of reflectors, mostly 15-year-old models showed their catwalk, as the finals of Elite Model World 2008 took place. Those girls hope they would have the same fate as Cindy Crawford or Karen Mulder many years ago. The best three of them can look forward to few-million-worth contracts and especially fulfilment of their big dream.

Jennifer Messelier from France became the winner, Ymre Stiekema from Holland was second, Hana Jirickova from the Czech Republic was third.

The theme that is traditionally present wherever this contest takes place is anorexia. How thin is too thin? The 15 yo Peruvian Juan Cervera was clearly too much – shape of shoulder bones clearly visible, eyes deep in the face, thin hands… when watching the contest one can think bulimia and anorexia is not an illness, but a standard which is necessary to get to the contest in the first place. So no change there.

This may change the whole perception of Czechs working abroad. I have personally met many Czechs, Slovaks and Poles in Britain, looking for work. The clearest example are fruit picking farms on the west, youth of these three nations are always working there. Many wonderful stereotypes can be tracked from this fact (unfortunately I can’t write about them in here, because I would get only hateful comments again).

What I am trying to say, America is not attractive because of falling dollar, but Europe starts being unattractive for unqualified or low jobs as well, as the minimum salary there minus charges and expenses (which are still 2-5 times higher than in the CR) in euros doesn’t even make the minimum salary minus the same in the Czech Republic. Of course I mean when you change the money in the present course 25 czk equals 1€. It even happened 1€ was worth only 23 czk.

It will bring changes in the international minimum-wage social scene, as the trefoil Czech – Poland – Slovakia is to be probably replaced by the couple Romania – Bulgaria. Those are countries which economy still didn’t quite recovered from healthy influence of the USSR.

The Marshall Radecky’s memorial has disappeared from the eyes of public for ninety years, but still is a matter of feud.

Prague National Heritage Institute want to put the bronze memorial back to its original place, the Little Quarter. The opposers are český svaz bojovníků za svobodu (Czech Union of Freedom Fighters) and Legionarska Obce (Legionary Council)

For: Rehabilitate Radecky’s part in Czech History. He was a famous Czech born army-leader, who is said not to lose a battle, he was the one to work out the plan of the Battle of Nations, where Napoleon was defeated.

Against: Radecky was more an Austrian than a Czech, and he is a strong symbol of Austria Monarchy and Czechoslovak national enslavement in favour of the Austria-Hungary, where Czechs represented without exceptions second-class citizens.

Prague maternity homes are reporting to be full, most of them reject to take in paras without registration. ‘The state of crisis’ was announced in all the childbirth institutes. Fears of obstetricians from 1990’s, when it was considered Prague will have a real lack of babies, proved as fault. Now the hospitals, which have reduced their numbers of beds on their rooms from three to two, is now lacking tens of beds.

Professor Zdenek Hajek from the gynecologic-childbearing part of U Apolinare clinic, Prague, stated that it is necessary to get registered at least half a year before in order to get a bed. “We didn’t count on such a number of births. We had over a thousand babies born here, which is about two hundreds more than the last year in the same period.”

Similar situation is in all the other Prague maternity homes, the only one which can take in paras without a possible risk of transfer, is in Vinohradska Nemocnice hospital. They have free beds most of the day, so paras don’t have to registre here. That’s why most of other hospitals move their pregnant clients there.

Nuselsky most, on which were installed new sheet metal obstacles last year, does not provide for suicides any more.

The bridge was completed in 1973 up to now. It provides almost key connection of certain Prague’s districts, plus it carries the underground (red line C). From the architect’s point of view, it is said to be a really extraordinary structure, mainly because it was build solely of iron and concrete.

Since the new iron obstacles were installed in Autumn 07, the emergency had to go to Nuselsky Bridge only 16 times, however none of these attempts was finished. Prague so loses one of its negative dominants, which over 300 people have chosen as their bridge to the other world so far.

The company Ipsos made a research of how do people enjoy life in 14 world metropolises of five continents. “We asked, how do people perceive life in their city.” Tatiana Wartuschova said.

The research have i.a. proved most of the citizens enjoy city style of life and don’t think about moving. The biggest positive of Prague was stated to be ‘easy to mix in’ by 72% of asked, by which Prague is similar to Paris and New York. So Prague came out as a really sociable city.

The other outcome was, Prague is a really expensive city, as 87% stated it is essential to have ‘very high income’ to be happy there. As more expensive was labelled only London (88%) and New York (91%)

If you have a look at the server Youtube, you will see how Prague welcomes its visitors – it is almost morning, but the walls of the hotel room are shaking; at the door, there is a pile of beer and vodka and vine and whatever bottles. How did they got there? A group of grammar-school students went for a trip to Prague.

According the immediate impression of Prague, which one can get on Youtube, there is no better and cheaper place to get drunk. “Only the fittest can survive” states the introduction of the drinking videos of German students.

According to Prague Information Service, 63% of tourists look for information on the Internet. If you stay tuned on Youtube, you will, in few minutes, see many drunks and prostitutes, roaming Prague. I just want to add: the experience may differ. Everyone gets what he wants. Prague is not a city inhabited solely by drunks and prostitutes!

Continue to youtube here . Based on: MF Dnes

If you are interested in Prague, you want to go here, but you are dependent on wheelchair accessibility, there are places you can go, don’t worry. Czech Republic used to be a part of the USSR, but the times are over, and there were many improvements in the quality of services provided for the disabled.

For example public transport has special link buses for disabled, but you don’t have to rely on that; there are many regular new tramways and buses, which wheelchair users can use.

Regarding sightseeing, some buildings were build as un-accessible, however the most important sights, like the Prague Castle or the National Museum are fine. Check the list.

Komunisticky Svaz Mladeze (Communist Youth League, KSM)
Was disbanded at the municipal court in Prague yesterday. Two years ago, the Ministry of Internal Affairs chanceled their ‘team’, but the young communists tried to appeal at a court.

Ministry have pointed out the irregularity of the KSM union to the police. The constitution of the KSM contained phrases like: “we struggle for revolutionary overcoming of capitalism” and “abolition of private ownership of manufactures” That is, however, antagony to the Declaration of Basic Rights and Freedoms.

Communist Youth League tried to advocate by “we would expropriation only in return of money and in public interest” the court didn’t accept their argumentation.

Liberalization of the Czech Republic continues. This proposal should make prostitution legal under certain conditions, like: prostitutes must be older than 18, are obliged to carry some kind of prostitute ID card, with a monthly stamp from a doctor, and, most importantly, to pay taxes.

Prostitutes would became private entrepreneurs who would do accounting, pay taxes and insurance. And they could run their business only in joy-houses, which would need permission for the business, too.

The fact is, even Good Solider Svejk written almost hundred years ago, describes Prague as the city that offers “hussies and other good society” but Czech laws about prostitution come from 1951 and are not reflecting true nature of nowadays liberal Czech Republic, which is going the same direction as Holland, for better or worse. This new law can be controversial, but if passed, it will be a step forward, not aside.

For more information about the law continue here

The new study of the Czech Office for Drug Research, Prevention and Treatment, called Dance and Drugs revealed new data about situation in the Czech Republic. The changes are in age and monetary situation – visitors of dance parties (not just in Prague) are getting older and richer. This is featured as the reason of leaning from cheaper marijuana and extasy to more expensive cocaine.

From over 2500 respondents, only 7,5% stated they have never tried an illegal drug. On the contrary, 3/4 have had a drug in a month time before the research took place. In 2003, 20,1% dancers admitted their experience with cocaine, now in 2008 the percentage increased to 30,9%.

Prague 1 means the very centre. Prague 1 is the place of the highest rents and incredibly expensive flats. It is the place where move those, who are rich and/or famous. Actors, businessmen, artists, politicians. It is an area of unique atmosphere, that attract tourists form all around the world. Can the citizens have any problems at all there?

According to the recent study of Prague City Hall, they complain about messy streets and problems with parking. The first is a long-lasting problem of I would say the whole Czech Republic (is it laziness?) the second sprung because of the new parking law, which appears to be infelicitous. Also, some complained about disappearing of small shops, that are a kind of trademark of Prague 1.

Newspaper MfDnes has brought a study, concerning with planned changes in Czech drug politics. Voices for decriminalization are heard much louder now, but what made me interested was the interview with a singer of a Czech rock group and a smoker, Matej Homola. We give you some interesting insights, that should clear up, what is and what isn’t tolerated for marijuana smokers in the Czech Republic.

Did you ever had problems because of marijuana smoking?
No, but my friend, who had a few flowers at home, had to go to give an explanation to the police. Than, it wore away after some time..

How is the Czech Police tolerant to ganja smokers?
It’s quite good here. You sit with a friend in a park, have a joint, and when a police officer passes by, he tells you to butt out, or take it home, that’s all. No aggression like in the US.

What is the limit, of how much you can own?
If you don’t have ten kilos at home, you should be fine. I think about three flowers should be completely o.k.

The book Gottland evoked great interest. But also questions; is the Polish writer able to write about Czechs? Can he tell anything about us we don’t know? Also, there came troubles, Karel Gott Museum Gottland doesn’t like the book carries the same name.

Gottland Museum may sue you to change the name of the book. Would you go to a court to defend it?

“A writer at a court? I would love to! It’s like Franz Kafka’s spirit floats above my book.”

Did the name offended anyone else?

I don’t know about it. When I was in Gottalnd, I saw many times people aged 60-90 there and I had the feeling, from how they couldn’t wait to get in, as if they were to go to heaven. Inside, people have a feeling of solidarity, the one of people who survived communism together with Gott. Like if they were looking for balance Karel Gott sung about – that life is good, we are good, our past is good…

Do you think Gott can be a substitute for God?

“No. But he provides religious dimension, as a religion does.”

How do the Poles see Czechs?

Czechs say they cure tragedy by laughter. That seems outward for us. I published a book about regular Czechs, who don’t believe in god. Czechs are regarded as the least religious nation of Europe. Completely exotic for us! Reactions on this text, depicting how the life is without God, got over my expectations; I got more than 500 letters! Some positive – “I wonder on Czechs, who live their lives in harmony with ethics, even without religion.” or negative, like those on a hospice in Ostrava, where people have no wish for divine services – for some Poles life without God equals lack of morale.

How Czechs and Poles differ in viewpoint on world events?

“We have more definite answers. Catholicism ables us to judge easily. When the famous Sister Lucie from Fatima died, Polish press wrote: “…Sister Lucie talked to Virgin Mary many times…” but Czech Press wrote: “… Sister Mary is said to have talked to Maria many times..” the Czech Republic is a country of doubts, which I personally like (laughter).”

Source: MF Dnes, Ludek Navara

If all the Prague tramways were so old, the Prague Public Transport Company (MHD) probably wouldn’t get so many customers, but there is just this one, on its regular route 91 – the tourist sightseeing tramway.

Its evidence number is 240, its first day in work was in 1908. The design was very modern until 1930’s – its round corners, luminous interior, lined with combination of mahogany and red ash still evoke refined feelings.

And where will the oldest working tram in Prague take you? On a route around Prague Castle, on a trip in the historic centre, with the sight of Charles Bridge and around Vltava River. Recommended for romantic types and those who like ‘the good ol’ times’

Prague stands before another architectonic contest. The Prague Municipal Council wants to give the Old Town Square the missing part back. The spot left after bombed Town Hall, with a little park and horse carriages, could be occupied again.

The reason, why it lays unused since the WWII are continuing disputes among two groups, one desiring to keep it the way it is; historic, the other claiming the Square is chaotic and needs a central point – probably with a center of travel movement with a permanent exposition of the city development.

There has been many designs before, but no one good enough. To build in the Oldest part of Prague is a controversial idea, for some much more controversial than the Blob library.

The new precedent was established last week. The initiator was a man, who married an African woman from a tribe living in Nigeria. The marriage was contracted in African way, on a gathering in the woman’s village, where was this Czech citizen presented, and where was also settled the matter of marriage portion.

Now, living in the Czech Republic, he found out he doesn’t want to be married anymore and he entered a lawsuit the marriage is nonexistent. He claims, marriages according to African tribal law are not valid in Europe. However The Supreme Court has denied his appeal and supported previous court decisions.

Source: aktualne.cz