Compact archive February 2007

Unique Renaissance art exhibition at Prague Castle

Wednesday 28 February 2007 16:46

A new exhibition held under the auspices of President Vaclav Klaus starts today in the Imperial Stables in the area of Prague Castle. The exhibition focuses on the life of Bohuslav Hasistejnsky z Lobkovic, a nobleman, poet and humanist from the turn of the 16th century. The exhibitions displays the gems of Renaissance Bohemia.

Visitors can see, according to the curator of the exhibition Ivana Kyzourova, the most beautiful examples of Czech goldsmith during the reign of Jagiellon dynasty – three golden busts of St Wenceslav, St Adalbert of Prague and St Vitus that were made by Ladislaus Jagiellon for St Vitus Cathedral. Also the fragments of Bohuslav Hasistejnsky’s library are very unique, as the library was at his time one of the largest and most valuable libraries in Europe.

Many of the items will be displayed only for a short period of time and then replaced by replicas, as the light could destroy them. The exhibition is held until 1st July. The Prague Castle Administration consider this exhibition as one of the most significant event at Prague Castle.

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Another golden medal for Katerina Neumannova

Wednesday 28 February 2007 15:21

Katerina Neumannova (34), the best cross-country skier of the Czech Republic, won a golden medal at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championship 2007 in Sappor, Japan. She finished the 10 km freestyle race even 26 seconds before Olga Savialova from Russia and 30 seconds before Adrianna Follis from Italy.

Neumannova admits that the track suited her well. It was her last big race before the end of her sport carrier. After the World Cup, she’s going to quit and devote her time to her family, her pension at Sumava mountains and to the preparation of a new TV series.

Katerina Neumannova has won 11 medals, 3 of which are gold. Last year she was evaluated the best sportsperson of the Czech Republic.

Foreigners earn money from renting flats in Prague

Wednesday 28 February 2007 12:43

According to some estate agencies, foreign people are interested in buying flats in Prague, especially in the centre and other attractive localities in Prague which have good accessibility to public transport. They are willing to pay up to 5 million Czech crowns. They are interested mainly in small- and medium-sized flats.

The people see it mostly as a good investment, as they rent the flats for market prices from 15,000 to 45,000 CZK. Russian people pay mostly in cash, other foreign people prefer mortgages. In many cases, the rent from the flats pay the instalments.

There is a lack of municipal flats with rent control, which increases the market prices of other flats in Prague. The market prices of flats in Prague are several times higher than municipal houses with rent control.

Prague lacks police officers

Wednesday 28 February 2007 11:10

Police officers demonstrated at the exhibition ground in Prague yesterday against a new law that demoted many police officers, which led to lower salaries, as well as cancelled premium for their work at weekends, holidays and night shifts. On the other hand police officers have longer paid holiday, shorter working hours and entitlements to physiotherapy now.

About 2000 police officers met in front of the Krizik fountain where they signed Manifest 361 which will be sent to politicians within one month.

The law affects police officers, fire fighters, warders and customs officers, all together 72,000 people. 47,000 of them are police officers. The new law has already resulted in mass leaving. 1040 police officers have already handed in their notices.

Prague lacks now about 400 police officers. Another 100 is going to leave soon. The reason for that is not only the new law, but also the fact, that 60 % of Prague police officers are not originally from Prague. After some time, these police officers want to move back to their home districts. In two years there are supposed to be 1000 new street police officers in Prague thanks to the new recruitment campaign.

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Municipal House will be more open to the public

Wednesday 28 February 2007 09:50

Prague's Municipal House Art Nouveau Municipal House in Prague, one of the dominant of namesti Republiky, situated next to the Powder Tower, should be more open for people. That’s the opinion of the new director of the Municipal House Tomas Vacek.

Besides exhibitions and concerts, Prague Municipal House could be popular for wedding ceremonies and auctions as well. The house now contains a well-equipped billiard room and a confectionery, but they are open to the public only occasionally.

Nowadays, people can get inside the Municipal House either when they received a invitation to a ball and other special events, or when they want to have a meal in the restaurant inside.

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Beware of forged Czech banknotes

Tuesday 27 February 2007 15:59

According to the latest information, there were about 7834 pieces of forged Czech banknotes in money circulation. The most common forged notes in the Czech Republic are banknotes of the denomination of 5000 CZK as well as foreign currencies.

The material of Czech banknotes is more resilient from ordinary paper, resists tear and contains many security features. Check here the protective elements on the sites of Czech National Bank. Never try to pay in a shop with forged banknotes as you can be sentenced up to two years imprisonment according to the Czech law.

There are Czech banknotes of the denomination of 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000 and 5000 CZK, and Czech coins of the denomination of 50h, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 CZK. The Czech banknotes represent great Czech people. The Czech Republic will probably adopt euro in 2012.

Two new outlet centres in the Czech Republic soon

Tuesday 27 February 2007 14:05

The only large outlet centre in the Czech Republic now is Freeport in Hate near Znojmo. This outlet near Czech – Austrian border attracts many visitors on the way to Austrian Alps. Some Czech people don’t hesitate to travel hundreds of kilometers to safe some money on discounted brand clothes.

Two more outlet centres in Czech Republic will appear soon. We already informed about Outlet Airport Prague that will be open this November near Prague International Airport Ruzyne. The other outlet centre will be build on 66th kilometer of D1 highway near Loket.

This outlet centre will resemble European metropolises in appearance. People will shop in “London, Paris, Rome or Prague”. The centre will offer 110 shops. 70% of the space will be reserved for fashion shops, other 30% for restaurants, buffets and other services.

Czech people are not extremely happy

Tuesday 27 February 2007 12:46

Eurobarometer published the results of the opinion poll about the happiness of people living in the European Union. About 27.000 Europeans took part in the pool, 87% of them admitted that they feel happy. The happiest people are in Denmark, the most unsatisfied are people in Bulgaria.

Czech people are not so satisfied at their work as people from old member state. On the other hand, Czech people don’t complain about too much stress at work. Only one quarter of Czech people are interested in politics and three quarters don’t trust any institutions. Only 40% of Czech workers feel any pressure from their employers to educate themselves at work.

Generally, people in Europe fear unemployment, the increase of the cost of living and uncertain pensions. They consider health, family and friends the most important things in their lives. Nine people out of ten appreciate their free time and 84% of European people appreciate good work.

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More request bus stops in Prague

Tuesday 27 February 2007 11:34

Prague's bus Prague Public Transit Co. announced that the number of request bus stops will increase from 4th March. There will be 143 new request bus stops, 8 of them will be on request over nights and weekends only.

More request bus stops should speed up the bus transport, lower the exhausts fumes and the noise near the stops. Every request bus stops is marked “Na znameni”.

Request bus stops will be in almost all Prague districts. When waiting for a bus at a request bus stop, travellers have to flag down the driver. When riding on the bus, passengers have to push the stop button.

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Higher speed on Czech highways?

Tuesday 27 February 2007 10:03

The Minister of Transport Ales Rebicek wants to increase the maximum speed on Czech highways from 130 km/h to 160 km/h. He wants to put an amendment to the law that would enable higher maximum speed where marked.

Some sections of Czech highways would therefore have either road signs with 160 km/h on them where the highway is in a good quality or the maximum speed on highways, which are not suitable for higher speed, would be restricted to present 130 km/h.

The Minister wants to talk about this issue with transport experts first. Some opponents claim that not so many cars in the Czech Republic are suited for such a high speed and not so many highways are in a good quality for fast driving. Also the braking distance is 50 meters longer when comparing the speed of a car driving 160 km/h and 130 km/h.

Also the trend in many European countries is quite opposite. Except Germany, other countries in Europe permit the maximum speed of 130 km/h or lower.

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The difference between Czech salaries rises

Monday 26 February 2007 15:56

According to the statistics made by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the difference between the highest and lowest salaries in the Czech Republic has risen, but still the Czech Republic belongs to OECD countries with the smallest wage inequality.

The Gini coefficient, that measures the rate of wage inequality, is for the Czech Republic 26, while the average rate for all OECD countries is 31. The higher the number is, the larger is the difference between the salaries. Lower coefficient is only in Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands and Austria.

The low coefficient for the Czech Republic is caused by a generous social system and social equality supported by eight years of the governance of Social Democrats. Economists predict that the number will grow due to expected tax reforms.

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Prague's festival full of magic

Monday 26 February 2007 13:51

Magic will occur in Prague thanks to the XVII Interfestival Magie 2007 & XI Magic Cup Prague 2007, held in Salesian Theatre in Prague-Kobylisy from 9th to 11th March.

The festival will offer illusions of talented magicians who will compete and show their art in two competitive days. The festival will culminate at the Gala-show presenting Czech and foreign magicians. The best magician will be awarded. Visitors can inspire themselves at a magic market and on Sunday at a magic bazaar.

The Salesian Theatre is situated only fifty meters from metro station Kobylisy. Information about the entrance fees as well as contact information can be found here.

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Sulphuric acid on Prague streets

Monday 26 February 2007 12:23

For the second time in several days a street in Prague was contaminated by sulphuric acid. More than a thousand liters of this dangerous chemical spilled from transport barrels loaded on a truck.

The accident happened in Kutnohorska street in the east of Prague on Saturday night. The fire fighters had to neutralize the chemical with lime. Similar accident happened in Prague-Hostivar last Thursday. The two accidents were caused by the same company that transports the chemical.

Prague’s fire fighters had to intervene once more yesterday. An unknown substance made a large mark on the Vltava river near Charles Bridge. It was probably oil. The source of the leakage is not known yet.

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Czech Miss 2007 will travel all over the world

Monday 26 February 2007 11:12

Czech Miss Lucie Hadasova with Ivana Trump Prague Top Hotel was crowded on Saturday on the occasion of voting the most beautiful Czech lady of the year 2007. The crown of the Czech Miss 2007 was given to Lucie Hadasova (20) from Straznice who studies applied law at university. Together with the crown, she won a car, a contract for one million Czech crown, and a world tour. Click here to see some pictures.

The crown was handed over by the Miss Universe Zuleyka Rivera-Mendoza from Puerto Rico. The members of the jury were, among others, topmodel Tereza Maxova, American entrepreneur of Czech origin Ivana Trump, and athlete Roman Sebrle.

Czech Miss 2007 is one out of two beauty contests in the Czech Republic that choses the most beautiful girl. The winner of Czech Miss 2007, that is known since yesterday, will compete in Miss Universe. The competitive event Miss Czech Republic 2007, which will be held in April, sends the winner to Miss World. Last year Miss of the Czech Republic Tatana Kucharova won the prestigious title.

Fata Morgana is closed this week

Monday 26 February 2007 09:49

The greenhouse Fata Morgana in Botanical Garden in Prague-Troja hosted a very popular exhibition of orchids that finished yesterday. The exhibition was visited by more than 17.000 people. Mata Morgana is now closed to the public.

The greenhouse will be closed till this Friday, 2nd March, due to regular maintenance. The workers of Botanical Garden prepare the greenhouse for the summer season that starts on 1st April.

Nevertheless, visitors of Botanical Garden in Prague can see all outdoor displays for free until 1st April. Soon they can visit exhibitions The Wood of the Deserts, that will be held from 10th to 25th March in Fata Morgana, and an exhibition of exotic butterflies from 7th to 29th April.

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Enjoy Sunday in Prague city centre

Friday 23 February 2007 16:09

The Prague district 1, the city centre, organizes special events this Sunday, which are for permanent inhabitants of this Prague district for free. People can take part in many cultural and sport events this Sunday.We picked up some of them for you.

Exactly 120 years ago famous Czech sportsman went down the hill Petrin on his special skis. Competitors in costumes can try their luck skiing down the hill on the original skis. The competition starts at the top of Petrin hill on Sunday at 10:15.

From 10:00 to 16:00 you can also explore the Petrin underground. The entrance to the underground is from Lobkowitz garden. At 11:30 you can visit Zofin island and support (or join?) Prague people swimming in the Vltava river. From 12:00 to 19:00 you can try to climb the climbing wall on Zofin island.

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