Compact archive January 17, 2007

Meteorologists warn against very strong wind that will appear in the country this Thursday. Wind speed will grow from 50 km/h on Thursday morning to 125 km/h on Thursday evening. At the mountains the gust of wind can reach 145 km/h, which is a power of a hurricane.

The weather forecasts also predict heavy rains that may lead to local floods. Many buildings near rivers may be in danger of flood damage.

Strong wind also appeared in the Czech Republic last week. Its speed was 75 km/h, at the mountains 125 km/h. The wind uprooted trees and blew down power poles.

Until the 18th century Prague was the place where big carnivals full of bright costumes, amusement and good meals took place. The tradition may be revived by the festival in the streets of Prague called Bohemian Carnevale, which will be held, this year for the first time, from 15th to 20th February. The festival will celebrate the joy of life, fantasy, talent, and creativity.

Organizers promise great marches of masks, allegoric carriages (the main march starts on Saturday 17th at 14:00 from Clam-Gallas Palace to Old Town Square) and many restaurants and bars offering carnival menu. All outdoor activities will be for free.

During the festival, you can visit a carnival saloon in Clam-Gallas Palace in Husova street and make yourself look, at least once, the way you always wanted. Just use your fantasy. Many fashion designers, hair studios, florists and others will be there to assist you. You can also find there an exhibition of masks and costumes.
Children can have fun while joining many attractions in the palace or creating their own masks.

Every month you can go to the Meccamix in Mecca music club to enjoy the performances of best world’s DJ’s and producers. Mecca Club organizes a big party to celebrate 2nd “birthday” of Meccamix on Friday 19th January.

The star of the night will be British DJ Steve Smart who is one of the most famous DJ’s in Britain. He is known especially thanks to his shows on the biggest British private radio Kiss. Millions of people listen to his music and comments every week. The 2nd stage will be reserved for SElectro – a group of young, tallented DJ’s Bon Finix, Scar Coke & Stevon.

The party starts in Mecca (U Pruhonu 3) at 20:00. Tickets are available via Ticketstream for 200 CZK (VIP 400 CZK), and at the entrance before the party for 290 CZK (VIP 490 CZK). During the warm-up party (20:00 – 23:00) all drinks will be 50% cheaper.

One of the most famous Czech photographers and a very controversial artist, Jan Saudek, has his own permanent gallery in the centre of Prague. Jan Saudek Gallery will be open in Celetna street 9 today at 17:00 by famous Czech actor Jiri Langmajer.

Visitors of this gallery will see 110 photographs including large format photos, the newest portraits and photographs that have not been published yet. Together with the opening of the gallery, Saudek’s ex-partner Sara Saudkova published a book called Pouta lasky.

This gallery contains also photographs shown in the recent exhibition Best of Jan Saudek in the House at the White Unicorn in Old Town Square in Prague . That exhibition was a gift for Saudek’s 70th birthday.

Students of the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in Prague commemorated yesterday the memory of Jan Palach, a student of this faculty, who committed a suicide in protest against the Soviet occupation of the Czechoslovakia.

Jan Palach publicly immolated himself at the upper part of Wenceslas Square on 16th January 1969. He suffered severe burns and died in hospital three days later. His funeral in Olsanske hrbitovy on 25th January 1969 turn out to a big manifestation for freedom and democracy.

Yesterday the Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek laid flowers at Palach’s commemorative plague on the front wall of the faculty next to the main entrance. The square where the faculty is situated is called after Palach – nam. Jana Palacha.