Compact archive April 18, 2007

Are there any descendants of Czech kings among us?

Wednesday 18 April 2007 18:01

Statue of Premysl and Libuse at Vysehrad Czech scientists want to find the descendants of the first Bohemian kings, the Premyslid dynasty, that ruled in Bohemia until 1306. Thanks to the skeletal remains at Prague Castle they want to break the genetic code of old royal family.

The related blood will be compared with the samples in the Czech DNA database that was founded 5 years ago. According to the scientist, descendants of Premyslid dynasty might still be among us.

Old legend, first written by Cosmas, says that Premyslid dynasty started with the marriage of peasant Premysl with Libuse, the daughter of a Bohemian ruler. The probably most famous ruler of Premyslid dynasty was Prince Wenceslas, the patron of Czech lands, whose statue can be found in the upper part of Wenceslas Square.

Narodni trida in Prague will change its face

Wednesday 18 April 2007 16:43

Narodni trida is the street that goes from the National Theatre, along Tesco department store, to Jungmannovo namesti with the entrance to Fransciscan Garden. A new investor will build a new luxurious hotel at the corner of Narodni trida and Mikulandska street.

The investor Central European Financial Management promised to improve not only the area in front of the hotel but also the neighbourhood. From a busy street in the centre of Prague they want to create a nice avenue. The pavements will get new paving and what’s more, there will be trees. Narodni trida now completely lacks any green spots.

The parcel for the 5 star hotel was sold last year for record-breaking 183.3 million CZK (234 700 CZK per square meter). The hotel will stand on a prestigious position in the centre of Prague.

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Open-air theatre in Divoka Sarka will be repeated

Wednesday 18 April 2007 15:12

Divoka Sarka cliffs All those who would like to connect wandering in a lovely countryside outside Prague with an open-air theatre performance should write down to the date 2nd September in their diary the note Theatre in Divoka Sarka valley.

After the successful performances of Smetana’s The Bartered Bride performed by the singers of National Theatre in Prague, the theatre will offer Dvorak’s Rusalka this year. The main singer will be Helena Kaupova, the star of the last performances.

The open-air theatre was founded in 1913 and it played successfully until 1922. The tradition was revived two years ago. You can get there by trams 20 and 26 and bus 119 to the terminal stop Divoka Sarka.

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International film festival in Karlovy Vary starts on 29th June

Wednesday 18 April 2007 13:49

42nd Karlovy Vary International Film Festival will offer more than 200 films this year. 15 or 16 of them will compete in the Official Selection competition. Czech cinematography will be represented by Vratne lahve by father and son Sveraks.

Karlovy Vary IFF attracts thousands of visitors every year by a large range of international films and many competitions in various categories. Every year famous people of film industry are invited, such as Andy Garcia, Danny Trejo, Robert Redford or Sharon Stone. The names for this year have not been revealed yet.

Karlovy Vary does not attract only by the film festival, but it is also a famous spa town, just about two hours far from Prague. All those who are thinking of visiting the town during the festival, should hurry up with booking a hotel there. The 42nd Karlovy Vary IFF starts on 29th June 2007. For more information about the festival, click here.

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Laco Deczi and Cellula New York tomorrow in Prague

Wednesday 18 April 2007 12:32

World known musician of Czechoslovakian origin Laco Deczi is together with his band Cellula New York on his annual spring tour through Czech and Slovak towns.

Laco Deczi was born in Czechoslovakia but moved to the USA in 1985. He’s a great jazz musician and the author of many scenic and film music.

The concert of Laco Deczi and Cellula New York will be held tomorrow at 19:00 in Divadlo Na pradle (Besedni street 3, Prague 1 – Ujezd). Tickets can be bought in advance for 150 CZK or on the venue for 180 CZK.

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Devil's Bible will be in Prague from 19th September

Wednesday 18 April 2007 11:15

Devil’s Bible is one of the most precious book in the world and the largest manuscript in the Medieval times, was made on the Czech lands at the turn of the 12th and 13th century. It is now kept in the Royal Library in Stockholm.

During the official visit of the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Mirek Topolanek in Stockholm, he got the assurance that Devil’s Bible will be lent to the Czech Republic. Afer 359 years.

Devil’s Bible will be on display in the National Library in Prague from 19th September 2007 until 6th January 2008. The director of the National Library expects that borrowing the Devil’s Bible will be the greatest event of the year. More than 100,000 visitors are expected.

Devil’s Bible was taken from Prague as war booty by Swedish troops. Czech state tried many times to borrow the manuscript but vainly. Now it has to give its word that the book will be returned to Sweden.

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Prague and Cesky Krumlov are endangered by climate change

Wednesday 18 April 2007 10:02

Prague floods in 2002 UNESCO have recently issued a study about the impact of climatic change on natural and cultural heritage in the world. According to the study, the historical centres of Prague and Cesky Krumlov are on the list of places endangered by climate changes.

Prague and Cesky Krumlov in south Bohemia are endangered mainly by heavy rainfalls that may cause catastrophic floods. Both Prague and Cesky Krumlov (as well as many other towns and places in the Czech Republic) suffered catastrophic floods in 2002. The government is now taking care of flood control measures.

In the list of endangered cities with historical monuments are also Venice or the historical centre of London. If you want to read more about how climate change threatens UNESCO World Heritage, click here.