Compact archive May 2007

George Michael and My Chemical Romance already this weekend

Thursday 31 May 2007 15:56

The concerts of My Chemical Romance and George Michael are getting closer. This Saturday at 20:00 the T-Mobile Arena (instead of Strahov Stadium) will host one of the pop stars, British singer George Michael.

The American band My Chemical Romance will perform in the T-Mobile Arena a day later, on Sunday 3rd June. The organizers had to change the venue thanks to the big demand from their fans. The number of sold tickets was two times higher than the capacity of the first venue, Trade Fair Palace Tickets are still available via Ticketpro and Ticketportal between 495 CZK and 510 CZK.

The band My Chemical Romance was so enthusiastic about the reaction of the Czech audience that they bought an extra show device for about ten thousand dollars from their own honorarium.

Charles IV. will take the crown jewels from Prague to Karlstejn

Thursday 31 May 2007 14:09

Karlstejn Castle A big action is planned for the coming two days in Prague. The reconstruction of the true historical event that happened seven hundred years ago will show the Holy Roman Emperor and the King of Bohemia Charles IV taking the crown jewels from Prague to Karlstejn where the jewels used to be stored.

The entourage headed by Charles IV. (represented by Czech actor and moderator Vladimir Cech) will set out for the journey at the III. courtyard of Prague Castle at 12:00 on Friday. The “jewels” will be blessed by the Czech cardinal Miloslav Vlk.

Via Lesser Quarter and Charles Bridge the procession will continue to the Old Town Square to see a big tournament. After that the journey will continue to Smichov, Chuchle, Radotin, Cernosice and will finish in Dobrichovice. On Saturday the procession will continue from Dobrichovice to Karlstejn to place the crown jewels to its rightful place. Everyone can join the entourage at any moment of the journey.

'Women from Kibera' exhibition in Prague

Thursday 31 May 2007 12:31

Large photographs showing African women with AIDS and their hard life are displayed these days in the Louvre Gallery in Prague (Narodni 22 street). Their author, famous photographer Jan Sibik, called the exhibition Women from Kibera. The exhibition is open for free until 23rd June 2007 (open every day between 12:00 and 19:00).

The photographs illustrate difficult situation of African women living in large slums in Nairobi. Infected with AIDS, left by their husbands and making the living by being prostitutes just to be able to feed their (mostly also infected) children.

This exhibition is a humanitarian project of FOR AFRICA fund to help African women with AIDS. From money sent to the account 35-9248910287/0100 the African organization Kenya Women’s Centre buys medicaments, school uniforms and books for children of the infected women.

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Festival of Jewish Culture Nine Gates soon

Thursday 31 May 2007 11:15

The 8th International Festival of Czech-German-Jewish Culture NINE GATES will be held in Prague from 11th to 17th June 2007. The programme of the festival offers six concerts, four theatre performances, two literature evenings, a photographs exhibition and a public competition in photography. All the events are for free.

The main topic of this year’s festival is the 70th anniversary from the death of music composer George Gershwin. His compositions Rhapsody in Blue and An American in Paris can be heard on the concert in the Wallenstein Garden on 12th June.

The festival will be ended with Gershwin’s jazz opera Porgy and Bess in the area of Wallenstein Garden and with the concert of the main cantor of Saint Petersburg synagogue Baruch Finkelstein. Soon you can find more information about the festival at www.9bran.cz.

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American man with tuberculosis travelled from Prague

Thursday 31 May 2007 09:53

An American man infected with a rare form of tuberculosis travelled via Prague to Montreal with Czech airline company CSA and endangered the lives of his fellow passengers. Before that he took several flights within Europe. From Montreal he travelled to the USA by car. Right now he is in quarantine and his room is guarded.

The man knew about hill illness and he was said not to fly back to the USA with any commercial air carrier. He did it anyway. His drug-resistant form of tuberculosis is very dangerous and the fellow passengers are now being contacted to make sure they haven’t been infected as well.

According to Czech health official Michael Vit, the man didn’t cough much and he was wearing a mask over his mouth. The possibility of being infected is higher after eight hours in confined space with the patient.

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Jolie and Pitt's daughter celebrated her birthday in Prague

Wednesday 30 May 2007 16:02

Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt returned from Cannes to Prague to celebrate the birthday of their biological daughter Shiloh Nouvel. She celebrated her first birthday surrounded by many balloons in the villa in Charlese de Gaulla street last Sunday.

The star couple have four children, Shiloh Nouvel (1), son Maddox (5), son Pax Thien (3) and daughter Zahara (2). It is said the family was visited by Brad’s parents, brother Doug and Angelina’s brother James Haven.

Angelina Jolie is the main character of the new movie Wanted filmed in Prague at the very moment. iDNES brings several pictures (here) of their stay in Prague.

New camera system will monitor the statue of St Wenceslas

Wednesday 30 May 2007 14:20

Statue of St Wenceslas The Statue of St Wenceslas on the upper part of the Wenceslas Square has been always a meeting place of Prague citizens and tourists. Wenceslas I. was the Duke of Bohemia, later canonized and now commemorated on 27th September.

In two months the statue of St Wenceslas might be guarded by a security camera system, the same one that now monitors the statues on Charles Bridge. According to the councilman for culture Milan Richter, the damage caused by vandals every year reach 200,000 CZK.

Besides the security system, the city council wants to place information boards next to the statue on which tourists could read information about this monument made by Josef Vaclav Myslbek in 1912.

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New success in Prague Zoo: baby gorilla

Wednesday 30 May 2007 12:41

Prague Zoo can be proud of another success. Since last weekend you can see there two new babies tiger, from last night a baby gorilla. The baby gorilla is the second gorilla born in Prague Zoo. It was born today soon after the midnight and the birth was without any troubles or assistance of people.

The baby gorilla can be seen in the arms of its mother Kijivu online thanks to the web cams placed in their pavilion. It’s a part of the Czech radio’s project Odhaleni (The Revealed), that won ARKive Interactive Awards in the Wildscreen competition. You can see it online here. The beginning of the birth was reported to the health workers just thanks to the people watching the gorillas online.

The first gorilla in Prague Zoo is Moja, born in December 2004. Her mother is also Kijivu. The oldest gorilla in Prague Zoo is Kamba whose baby was born dead in April this year.

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17th Prague Writer's Festival this Sunday

Wednesday 30 May 2007 11:32

Dada East is the main topic of the 17th Prague Writer’s Festival that starts this Sunday and finishes on Wednesday 6th June. Many famous writers will come to Prague, let’s name American prose writer E. L. Doctorow, the author of Ragtime later directed by Milos Forman. Then Gary Snyder, Dutch writer Arnon Grunberg, James Meek, Peter Stephan Jungk, Elena Stefoi and many others.

The programme of the festival will be open by ‘The Art of Conversation: “Non-violence versus Terrorism“’ in Theatre Minor. Monday will be devoted to the main topic of the festival – Dada East, discussed by Tom Sandqvist, Ludvik Kundera and Miloslav Topinka.

Together with the festival you can visit an exhibition called Dada East? in Prague’s Gallery Smecky (Ve Smeckach 24). More information about the festival and the gallery can be found here.

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Vltava Marathon - in-line skating competition

Wednesday 30 May 2007 10:00

Adults, children and even parents with prams can compete in in-line skating in the Vltava Marathon on Saturday 9th June. Every participant will get a T-shirt. The winners will be given extra prizes and cups by Katerina Neumannova.

Adults can take part in the marathon or a half-marathon, children on the tracks either 2.2, 4.4 or 6.6 km long. Parents with prams can try to overcome the distance of 2.2 km. One of the competitors will be Martina Sablikova, the Czech best speed skater.

The in-line marathon starts in the Hamr sport area in Vltavanu street at 9:30. Competitors can register just before the contest. Helmets are required, but they can be borrowed at the venue.

New cafe in Prague where you'll be served in total darkness

Tuesday 29 May 2007 16:12

Have you ever been served in a restaurant in a complete darkness? No? You have a chance to try it soon in Prague. For eight days you can visit cafe POTME (translated as In the dark) in Ovocny trh in Prague, behind the Estates Theatre.

You will be served by blind people who will bring your coffee to the table. The sugar will be given into your hand and it’s up to you to put it into your cup. It’s not so easy as it seems. You can try what it means to do things in the complete darkness.

The cafe will be open from Wednesday 6th June until 13th June between 10:00 to 22:00. The price of the coffee is 70 CZK, but it also includes a souvenir in the form of a cup.

The project is organized by Svetluska fund which helps blinded people to have better life. The patron of Svetluska, Aneta Langerova, is the first winner of Superstar (the Czech version of the music talent competition Idols). She will be present at the opening of the cafe at 11:00 on 6th June.

Gwen Stefani from No Doubt will probably perform in Prague

Tuesday 29 May 2007 14:23

Gwen Stefani Successful Gwen Stefani, the singer from well-known music band No Doubt, announced at her web pages that she is going to perform in Prague during her solo tour. The concert should be in Sazka Arena on 20th October and Gwen Stafani will present there the songs from her second solo album The Sweet Escape.

The spokesman of Sazka Arena Zdenek Zikmund said that the concert hasn’t been confirmed yet, therefore there are no tickets on sale, even though Stefani’s pages claim that the tickets will be available from 22nd May.

Gwen Stefani visited Prague in 1997 with her band No Doubt. This music band has issued 6 albums and made several unforgettable songs, such as Don’t Speak and Just A Girl. Gwen Stefani said to MTV that she was going to return to the band again.

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People on wheelchairs can't visit the Bodies...The Exhibition

Tuesday 29 May 2007 12:56

Bodies... The Exhibition Even though the exhibition Bodies… The Exhibition in Palac Lucerna in Prague is largely discussed in media, nobody stressed that the exhibition is not accessible for people on wheelchairs or mothers/fathers with prams. That’s the experience of Gabriela Knapova who is on a wheelchair and who was not let in the hall by the guards.

The organizers claim that the exhibition is not customized for people on wheelchairs and therefore there are some exhibits they cannot see. The second reason is that the hall in Palac Lucerna is not barrier-free.

There are many dance balls in the Lucerna palace people on wheelchairs can attend with the help of their friends. Petr Novak from Interkoncert agency, that organizes the exhibition, says that they would do their best to solve the situation and to make the exhibition accessible to everybody.

Updated: the exhibition is already accessible for people on wheelchair with a valid ticket. They can be accompanied with two people to help them.

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The camera system on Charles Bridge functions well

Tuesday 29 May 2007 11:21

A statue on Charles Bridge The security camera system on Charles Bridge has already brought results. The system alarmed the police officers 311 times in the first two months.

The alarm was set off mostly by tourists who tried to climb to the pedestal of the statues in order to make the best pictures on the bridge. However, the police also caught several vandals who tried to damage to statues.

The system was installed on the bridge in April this year. The reason for an increased security reasons is the damage of the inscription on the statue The Crucifix and the Calvary in January this year, later found on the bottom of the river.

Prague Castle will be closed on 5th June

Tuesday 29 May 2007 09:57

Prague Castle before the storm The most popular monument in Prague, Prague Castle, will be completely closed to the public next Tuesday 5th June 2007. The reason for that is the visit of the American president George W. Bush. Bush will have most of this political meetings just at Prague Castle.

Together with the Prague Castle, the street around it will be closed as well. If the president decides to go for a walk, people will be advised not to open windows or do any quick movements. One of Prague streets, Evropska, the one that connects the Prague airport with the centre of the city, will be closed as well.

The 850 people around the president will be accommodated in Hilton hotel, the place where Bush will stay is due to security reasons secret.

German writer Dagmar Geisler in Prague tomorrow

Monday 28 May 2007 16:10

Wanda from the book cover If you or your children like children books by German writer and illustrator Dagmar Geisler, then you have a special opportunity to get an autograph from her. She will be available in the Palac knih Luxor in the upper part of Wenceslas Square tomorrow from 14:00.

Dagmar Geisler is known thanks to her popular illustrated books, in the Czech Republic especially thanks to Vanda – prisne tajne (orig. Wanda – Streng Geheim!) or Vandiny tajne zapisky (Wandas geheime Notizen).

The organizers promise not only an interesting meeting with the writer but also other surprises.

Scandinavian plane made an emergency landing in Prague

Monday 28 May 2007 14:23

A plane of the Scandinavian Arlines company with 118 passengers on board made an emergency landing in Prague International Airport Ruzyne yesterday. The pilot sent an emergency signal after a smoke was reported from the cabin.

The plane landed safely at 16:25 local time, nobody was injured, said the spokeswoman of Prague International Airport Ruzyne Eva Krejci.

The mechanics checked the plane immediately after landing but they found only a minor defect. There was no fire on board. 20 minutes after landing the pilot cancelled the emergency state.

Demonstration rehearsal in Prague

Monday 28 May 2007 12:41

According to the police, about 1,000 people came to the Wenceslas Square last Saturday to demonstrate against the possible U.S. radar base in the Czech Republic. From there the people marched towards Charles Bridge and Prague Castle accompanied with large banners and the sounds of sirens, whistles and yells.

The initiative Ne zakladnam has organized many demonstrations in and outside Prague. This one was, according to the organizers, the rehearsal before the visit of the U.S. president George W. Bush. Several demonstrations have been already announced for the time of his stay.

It’s said that during the president’s visit, more than ten thousand policemen will guard Prague, especially Prague 1, 6 and 8. Several street (such as from Evropska street to Vitezne namesti in Prague 6) will be closed.

Festival Farm 2007 in Prague

Monday 28 May 2007 11:02

Yesterday a unique drumbeat of the South Korean Dulsori opened the five-day festival Farma 2007 in Svandovo theatre (Stefanikova 57) in Prague. The festival is held within the project ‘Search for Message’.

The theatre studio ‘Farma v jeskyni’ invited many world’s best artists whose performances are on the edge of theatre and other art genres. The festival will offer e.g. the performance ‘The codes of life” by Charlotta Ofverholm from Sweden or Odin Teatret from Denmark.

The festival will continue until 31st May. Besides Svandovo theatre, it takes place in the nearby studio in Preslova 9 street or the nearby area of Prague 5. For more info click here.

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Old post cards in Jeruzalem's Synagogue in Prague

Monday 28 May 2007 09:59

The Jeruzalem’s Synagogue in Jeruzalemska 7 street in Prague shows an exhibition of postcards depicting the life of Jewish people from the Central and Eastern Europe in the years 1883 – 1940.

More than 300 postcards come from private collections. The cards are divided into 20 categories according to their theme. Visitors can learn about the atmosphere of that time from photographs, painted or drawn pictures showing Jews during praying, working, holidays or weddings.

This exhibition will be held until 3rd October 2007. It is open daily except Saturdays and Jewish holidays. Jeruzalem’s Synagogue (also called the Jubilee Synagogue) is the youngest and the largest synagogue structure in the Prague Jewish Community.

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Wallenstein Riding School presents Czech painter Jan Zrzavy

Friday 25 May 2007 17:03

The Wallenstein Riding School presents one of the outstanding painters of the modern art Jan Zrzavy (1890 – 1977). His works come back after a very successful exhibition 17 years ago.

The exhibition displays more than 150 works of art. According to the curator of the exhibition Zuzana Novotna, the main part is focused on Zrzavy’s best known paintings, such as Kleopatra or Antikrist. Other sections pay attention to his drawings, book illustrations or collected pictures of this famous person.

The exhibition is open until 16th September 2007. The entrance fee is 150 CZK (reduced 70 CZK, family 200 CZK). Visitors can buy a calender for 2008 with Zrzavy’s paintings.

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Prague memorial will remember Heydrich's assassins

Friday 25 May 2007 15:41

Prague might have a memorial of the parachutists who assassinated the Reich governor of Bohemia and Moravia Reinhard Heydrich (1904 – 1942). It happened in Prague-Liben on 27th May 1942.

The representatives of Prague-Liben council are consulting this plan with the Academy of Sciences and The Army of the Czech Republic. They are discussing where and what shape the memorial should have. The street where Heydrich was assassinated doesn’t exist any more.

Reinhard Heydrich was attacked by Czech parachutists Jan Kubis and Josef Gabcik. Although he was recovering well at first, he died of the blood poisoning a few days later. As a revenge the Nazi killed thousands of innocent Czech people. The parachutists were betrayed and found their death at their hiding place, the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Resslova street in the centre of Prague.

International Children's Day in Prague

Friday 25 May 2007 14:06

Illustration photo: Blackheart Children will celebrate the International Children’s Day soon. 1st June will bring them many activities to do in the Czech capital. Besides Bambiriada on Strelecky and Detsky islands, they can take part in Pirates’ adventures and many other interesting activities.

If the children are fond of the Pirates of Caribbean they will definitely enjoy the adventures that will take place in the park Riegrovy sady on 1st June. The day will be full of costumes, people on stilts, a pirate dance party, or various sport and art disciplines. They can help the captain of the Black Pearl to discover the old valuable treasure.

This Sunday 27th May (between 10:00 and 18:00) children can go to the O2 Zlute Lazne (from metro station Karlovo namesti exit Palackeho namesti continue by trams 3, 16, 17, 21, 52 to stop Dvorce) to try fencing, charming or playing with Indians. They can play with a clown, see puppet theatre, play streetbal, table tennis, skate, climb a wall, or do many other activities.

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Czech government send a disapproving letter to the American Congress

Friday 25 May 2007 12:33

The Czech Republic and the new member states of the EU have been trying to establish the visa-free relations with the USA. From the EU states only 15 “old” member states plus Slovenia can visit the USA with visas. The Czech Republic together with other 7 states (Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Slovakia) sent a letter to the members of Congress to complain about the recent additions to the bill draft that concerns the visa requirement.

The additions say that, in order to establish the visa-free relations, the number of denied application for visas shoudn’t be higher than 10 percent out of all applications. Even though the Czech Republic may meet the stricter condition, the Czech government want to show solidarity with other states, such as Poland, Slovakia or Lithuania.

The Czech Republic and other countries mentioned above hired one of the most expensive American lobby companies, the Dutko Worldwide, to lobby for changes in the American visa policy towards European countries.

9th International Tattoo Convention Prague

Friday 25 May 2007 11:04

The best tattoo makers will show their art in Prague on the 9th International Tattoo Convention Prague which starts today in the Sport Hall Slavia (Vladivostocka 10 street) in Prague-Vrsovice.

75 tattoo artists will offer their services for festival prices, so if you’re thinking of marking your body with a tattoo, this might be the right moment. The festival will also offer a lot of piercing jewelry for sale.

The three-day festival will be held until Sunday 27th May. It starts today at 13:00 (the other days at 10:00) and finishes at 23:00. The tickets cost 200 CZK (8 EUR). To get to the official sites, click here.

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Meeting of European presidents in Brno started

Friday 25 May 2007 09:55

Yesterday we informed you about the two-day meeting of the heads of many European countries in Brno, the second largest city of the Czech Republic. Let’s have a look at their programme in more detail.

The official programme of the 14th summit of the European presidents starts today. At 10:00 the presidents meet on the namesti Svobody in Brno. At 11:30 they pose for photographs in front of the Internacional hotel. At 12:00 they have lunch together. At 14:30 the sitting starts in Rotunda pavilion in Brno Exhibition Ground. Among the topics could be the future of the EU, the possible U.S. bases in the Czech Republic and Poland or the province of Kosovo. The presidents will spend the evening at Spilberk castle.

Who are the presidents? They come from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Montenegro, the Czech Republic (the hosting country), Croatia, Italy, Hungary, Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Austria, Romania, Slovakia and Serbia. They are accompanied by their wives, who plan to meet the students of the Faculty of Theatre of JAMU (Janacek Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Brno). Next year the meeting of presidents will take place in Macedonia.

Japanese ikebana in Prague

Thursday 24 May 2007 16:10

A new charitable exhibition about Japanese culture is held right now in Prague under the auspices of the Czech Ministry of Culture and the Japanese Embassy in Prague.

The exhibition is accompanied with an additional programme, where you can learn how to arrange flowers in Japanese way (ikebana), how to serve tea and many others. At the exhibition you can buy souvenirs, such as decorated vases or wicker baskets, or visit nearby restaurant.

The exhibition is open from today until Saturday 26th May from 10:00 to 18:00. You can find it in the Palac Austria (Stefanikova 25) not far from metro station Andel (yellow line B). The full entrance fee is 90 CZK.

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Brno - 16 presidents and great fireworks

Thursday 24 May 2007 15:14

Ignis Brunensis - fireworks festival in Brno Two events attract thousands of people into Brno, after Prague the second largest city in the Czech Republic. The first one is the meeting of 16 presidents of the Central, Eastern and South Europe. The second one is the international firework festival Ignis Brunensis.

16 presidents will meet in Brno tomorrow to talk about the future of Central, Eastern and South European regions, about the cross-border cooperation and the transit infrastructure. There will be already 12 presidents staying in Brno hotels tonight, tomorrow 16 presidents will meet in namesti Svobody, the main square of Brno.

Magnificent fireworks will light the sky above the Brno dam in the coming days. This year you can see the performance of Czech team (today), Italian team (Saturday 26th May), South African team (Monday 28th May) and Portuguese team (on Wednesday 30th May). The final fireworks will take place about Spilberk Castle on Friday 1st June at 22:30). They all start at 22:30. The opening fireworks were visited by more than 150,000 people last Friday.

Shaolin is coming to Prague

Thursday 24 May 2007 13:53

Performance of Shaolin monks Monks from Chinese monastery Shaolin are coming back to Prague to show their incredible show that has been seen by millions of people all over the world. You have the chance to see the masters in action next week.

15 monks will introduce not only their great mastery of kung fu, mental and physical condition and strength but also their old culture. According to people who have already seen their performance, it’s an unforgettable experience for everybody.

Shaolin will show their performance twice – in Brno on 28th May and in Prague Congress Centre on 29th May. Tickets (www.ticketportal.cz) are almost gone, so hurry up.

Genesis in Prague - change of venue

Thursday 24 May 2007 12:26

The venue of the concert of Genesis that will be held on 20th June has been changed. Instead of the Stadium of Evzen Rosicky in Prague-Strahov, the concert will take place (at the same day) on the parking place near the metro station Ceskomoravska (near Sazka Arena).

The reason for the change of the venue are the technical parameters of the show. As the capacity of the area is smaller, people with already bought tickets for sitting are kindly requested to contact the organizing agency Interkoncerts on +420 267 910 539 or +420 267 910 547 or by email jana@interkoncerts.com.

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Newly open luxurious hotel in Prague is connected with Mozart

Thursday 24 May 2007 11:03

Prague has a new luxurious hotel. It stands in Celetna street on the Royal Route in the centre of Prague . It’s called At the Golden Angel and first tourists can sign in in June. It’s a reconstructed house built in 1725 that used to host Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart on his first visit of Prague.

The hotel offers the luxury of a 4 star modern hotel but keeps the historical atmosphere and architecture. The reconstruction of the building cost 300 million CZK. Even though there are more hotels than streets in the centre of Prague, it seems that the hotel won’t have problems to fill its capacity.

Already more then 800,000 tourists visited Prague from January to March this year, which is 12% more than last year. More visitors came especially thanks to warm winter that was in the Czech Republic this year.

George W. Bush to arrive in Prague on 4th June

Thursday 24 May 2007 09:57

The visit of the American president George W. Bush is getting closer and the safety measures in Prague are increasing. George W. Bush is going to visit Prague to meet Czech diplomats and to address about 70 high diplomats at the international conference Democracy and Security.

He’s going to speak about global security issues in the democratic word and the role and the influence of the USA in the world. President Bush and his wife Laura are going to arrive in Prague in the evening of Monday 4th June. They will probably stay in the American Embassy residence or in one of the top hotels in Prague. The place will be kept secret to the last moment.

On Tuesday 5th June George W. Bush will be accepted by the Czech president Vaclav Klaus at Prague Castle where they will discuss, together with Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek and the leader of the opposition party Jiri Paroubek, the possible U.S. radar base in the Czech Republic. Laura Bush is going to visit some of the splendid gardens around Prague Castle. Several demonstrations during Bush’s visit have been already announced.

16th festival 'Mezi ploty' in Prague this weekend

Wednesday 23 May 2007 16:54

More and more popular beneficial festival ‘Mezi ploty’ starts this weekend in the mental asylum Bohnice in Prague. The aim of this festival is the fight against the taboo and prejudices around psychiatry.

More than 180 music bands, singers and theatre groups promised to perform at the festival without an honorarium. Besides performances of professionals, you can also see disabled people who will show their art to the large public. A part of the festival is a market of products made in the protected workshops.

The festival is held on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th May 2007. To the mental asylum Bohnice you can get by buses 177 and 200 (stop Katovicka) from metro station Kobylisy (red line C). The price of the tickets at the venue is 270 CZK (children under 10 and disabled people for free). Drinking alcohol is strictly prohibited during the whole festival.

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Cheap flights to Prague from Kuala Lumpur

Wednesday 23 May 2007 15:21

More and more tourists travel to Prague by low-cost air carriers. Another air carrier that is now negotiating with Prague airport Ruzyne is Air Asia X. They promise to start flying to Prague this July, but tickets can’t be reserved yet. Most probably the plane will take off Kuala Lumpur.

The prices of the tickets could vary between 40$ and 450$. Other low-cost air carriers that fly to Prague are SkyEurope, easyJet, Smartwings, clickair or Aer Lingus.

Another air company that offers very cheap tickets is Ryanair which flies now to Brno. The company is thinking of creating more connections with other towns of the Czech Republic, most probably more flights to Brno and also spa town Karlovy Vary.

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Vaclav Spillar's exhibition 'Marvellous Planet' in Prague

Wednesday 23 May 2007 13:42

Spillar's photograph 'Forest Beyond The Time Horizon' Do you like visiting foreign countries and dreaming about going there? You can get inspired in the shopping centre in Letnany, on the photo exhibition called Marvellous Planet (Zazracna planeta).

The author of this photo exhibition is Vaclav Spillar, Czech photographer, traveller and adventurer. He’s been taking pictures of the most unique and special places in the world for 20 years. This exhibition presents his photographs from his trips to Africa, America and Australia.

The exhibition in the shopping centre is open until 21st June 2007. You can meet the author on Saturday 9th June from 15:00 to 17:00. You can get there for free by buses OCL, Tesco, S, and C from metro station Ladvi. To know more about Spillar’s work, click here.

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Czech politicians will discuss the legalization of euthanasia

Wednesday 23 May 2007 12:16

Experts from hospices, hospitals, medical institutions, theologists and teachers of ethics met in Prague yesterday to discuss the controversial topic of euthanasia. They talked about what exactly euthanasia means and whether and on what conditions it could be legalized.

Euthanasia is legalized in Belgium and the Netherlands. Czech experts want to consult this matter with their Belgian and Dutch colleagues. The opinions of Czech experts are diverse.

The deputy Boris Stastny (Civic Democrats) is preparing a bill for legalization of euthanasia. Whether he will be successful is not clear. Last year the politicians rejected to give lower punishment for people who killed a patient on the patient’s request.

Big plans for Prague public transport

Wednesday 23 May 2007 10:49

Map of Prague metro Travellers in Prague can expect big changes in the coming years. In June 2008 the metro red line C will be prolonged to Letnany via stations Strizkov and Prosek. The whole route will be 23 kilometers longs. Letnany station will be ‘accompanied’ with a big parking place P&R for drivers who want to leave their cars at the outskirts of Prague and continue to the centre by public transport.

In 2009 the city of Prague plan to start the reconstruction of new metro sections. They want to prolong the metro green line A from Dejvice to Prague International Airport Ruzyne and to build a new metro line – blue line D which will lead from Hlavni nadrazi (the main station) to Pisnice in the south of Prague. Both lines should be finished in 2016.

Prague dwellers and visitors can also look forward to more tram routes, which will take them e.g. to the Prague Zoo or to the upper part of the Wenceslas Square.

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Will the 'octopus' change panorama of Prague?

Wednesday 23 May 2007 09:43

Balloon instead of the 'octopus' - view of Letna Prague architect Radek Martisek is a big opponent of Kaplicky’s design of the new building of the National Library in Prague. Recently he made a report, where he criticized the design as too expensive, dangerous and ecologically insensitive.

Now he decided to prove that the visualization of the building made by Kaplicky’s team is not correct and doesn’t show the real proportions of the future building. He hired an agency who blew a hot-air balloon up on the place where the library should stand in Letna. The highest point of the balloon was 48 meters above the ground, where the ‘eye’ of the library is supposed to be. Then he asked his friends and other people to take pictures of the balloon from different places in Prague.

To his surprise, the balloon was hardly seen from the Charles Bridge what he was afraid of the most. On the other hand, the balloon seemed to be much closer to Prague Castle that on Kaplicky’s visualization. Martisek paid this action with his own money.

'Kinoautomat' is back after 40 years

Tuesday 22 May 2007 17:03

Has it ever happened to you that you were in the cinema and you were not satisfied how the story was developing? Now you have a special oportunity to change it. Prague cinema Svetozor will show a movie and the audience will vote how the movie will continue.

The idea of Kinoautomat (a movie vending-machine) was first presented to a large audience at the Expo of 1967 in Montreal. It was the first interactive movie in the world. It’s based on the fact that the film is stopped at one moment and the audience is asked to vote according to what they think the movie should continue. After voting, the adequate movie version will be shown. The idea is coming back to the cinema after it was prohibited by the communist regime.

People can look forward to 21 performances, also in English version. The film is called One Man and His House and its premiere this year is on 29th May 2007. Tickets can be bought in the cinema Svetozor (Vodickova street 41) or reserved at www.svetozor.cz/en.

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Prague concert of Wu-Tang Clan

Tuesday 22 May 2007 15:20

America rap music group Wu-Tang Clan will come to Prague during their European tour. You can see them in T-Mobile Arena in the event called Triumph Hip Hop Festival. It will present not only Wu-Tang Clan band but also other bands.

Wu-Tang Clan consist of 3 members from Brooklyn and 6 from Staten Island. They found the name of the band in kung fu films, they are called after a sword that has special powers. They issued their first album in 1993, a new one is planned for this year.

If you buy tickets for Wu-Tang Clan before the end of May, you’ll get a discount – instead of 505 CZK you’ll pay 450 CZK. The concert is scheduled for 17th July 2007 19:00 in T-Mobile Arena (at Prague Exhibition Ground).

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3D model of future Prague-Pankrac soon

Tuesday 22 May 2007 13:34

Pankrac is a part of Prague that is known for its high building. Sometimes it’s called the Manhattan of Prague. Soon people can see a model of Pankrac presenting the future face of this district.

The model will be three-dimensional, it will measure 5 × 1 meters. It will show the Pankrac on a scale 1:500. Present buildings will be coloured, future buildings will be made out of perspex. People can familiarize themselves with a new cable line that will connect Pankrac with Podoli, a new skating ring or a new amphitheatre.

The model will be presented to the public on 23rd June 2007 in Pankrac. It should be the base for the discussion between developers and the public.

Art Prague 2007 started

Tuesday 22 May 2007 12:15

International Contemporary Art Fair ART PRAGUE 2007 presents the best of more than 40 private galleries not only from the Czech Republic, but also from Germany, France, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands, and newly from Australia (with so called aboriginal art).

The art fair is open for everybody and everybody will find there what they like. Besides the exhibition, you can discuss art and architecture with specialists or see the presentation of several art magazines. Visitors can see a collection of thousands of art works in a short time.

The fair takes place at two places: traditionally in the Exhibition Hall Manes (Masarykovo nabrezi 250) and newly in the New Hall in Vorsilska street 3. The halls are open daily from 10:00 to 19:00 until 27th May 2007 (on 24th May open until 22:00). For more information click here.

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The reconstruction of Charles Bridge starts in summer

Tuesday 22 May 2007 10:58

Charles Bridge in Prague Since the 1990’s there have been discussions about the necessity to reconstruct one of the most visited monument, Charles Bridge. Now the experts all agree that the reconstruction of Charles Bridge is inevitable and should start as soon as possible. Water is coming inside the bridge and causes big problems.

Even though it was announced several times that the reconstruction would start at the end of last year or in spring this year, nothing happened. Now the city wants to wait until the end of the celebrations of the 650th anniversary of the bridge.

The reconstruction will cost 100 million CZK, it may take up to 10 years. The bridge won’t be closed during the works, only some parts won’t be accessible.

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Dermatologists help in a tent in the Wenceslas Square in Prague

Tuesday 22 May 2007 09:49

Are you afraid that the spot on your skin could be a sign of skin cancer? If you are in Prague now, you can visit a tent in the lower part of the Wenceslas Square, where dermatologists tell you if there is something wrong.

This action follows the European Day Against Melanoma that was on 7th May. Five doctors have their office now on the street of Prague to support the prevention of skin cancer. The checkup is for free, it doesn’t hurt and takes only a few minutes. But you can expect long queues before the tent.

Yesterday 10 out of 600 people who visited the tent were sent to hospital. Many others sighed with relief. You can still visit the tent today from 10:00 to 18:00.

Kramar's villa will be open to the public

Monday 21 May 2007 19:13

Kramar's villa in Prague Kramar’s villa, the residence of Czech prime ministers, will be exceptionally open on the first week in June on the occasion of 70th anniversary of the death of Karel Kramar, the first Czechoslovak prime minister.

Visitors will see the estate of Karel Kramar and his wife Nadezda. The most valuable item is Nadezda’s diamond necklace holding one of the biggest mounted diamonds in the central Europe.

The villa was built by Karel Kramar for his wife. During the communist era it was used as a accommodation for foreign delegations. It was rebuilt in 1991-93 and since 1998 it has served as a residence of Czech prime ministers. The present prime minister Mirek Topolanek uses the villa for meeting with his coalition partners.

The villa will be open from 1st June to 7th June 2007 daily from 10:00 to 18:00. As many visitors are expected, prior reservation are required on phone number +420 224 002 254 or at heldova.milada@vlada.cz.

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Beneficial run with a brick through Prague

Monday 21 May 2007 17:24

Do you want to support people with mental handicap? We already informed you about Bue-a-brick action which is taking place in several places in Prague. To support this action, the civic association Portus Praha organizes “Run with a brick”.

What is it about? During the afternoon on 1st June (start at 12:45), you can take part in one of the runs from the street Na Prikope via Havirska street to the Estates Theatre and back (170 m). Of course, with a brick in your hand (weight 1,8 kg). For every participant in the finish, the two main sponsors will give 100 CZK and 50 CZK to charity. You can take part by your own or as a relay.

Companies can also participate. They can win not only the run but also the prize for the most original commentary as each group can have a commentator to promote the runners or the company. The registration fee for companies is 5000 CZK, of course given to charity.

Large demonstration against new reforms in Prague next month

Monday 21 May 2007 16:01

More than 40,000 people are expected to demonstrate against the new reforms that the government introduced last April. The demonstration was announced by Milan Stech, the chairman of the Czech-Moravian Confederation of Trade Unions after the Saturday’s meeting of trade unions.

Trade unionists are not satisfied with the fact that the government didn’t discuss the reforms with them and didn’t take their suggestions into account. “If the government doesn’t change their attitude, we’ll make other steps,” said Stech.

The demonstration is planned to take place in Prague on 23rd June 2007. The confederation contains 33 trade unions with 610,000 members. How many people will participate is still not clear.

People and The Earth exhibition in Prague Old Town Hall

Monday 21 May 2007 14:21

Prague Old Town Hall shows an exhibition of the best photographs that took part in the competition Stity Vilema Heckela. The main theme (and the name of the exhibition) is ‘People and The Earth 2007’ (Lide a Zeme 2007).

More than 300 pictures of Czech and Slovak authors are divided in three categories – rural and urban countryside, people and mountains, and people and the environment.

The photographs are displayed in the Cross Hall of the Old Town Hall until 30th June 2007. The exhibition is open daily from 9:00 to 18:00 (on Monday from 11:00).

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Bambiriada 2007 - an event (not only) for children

Monday 21 May 2007 12:44

The Bambiriada is an event that tries to point out to the organizations and association that take care of the free time of children. In Prague the 9th Bambiriada 2007 will take place on Strelecky and Detsky Islands from Thursday 24th to Sunday 27th May 2007.

The motto of this year “All Different, All Equal” is borrowed from the European campaign for human rights, society diversity and cooperation of young people in social activities. Bambiriada 2007 takes place in 27 towns of the Czech Republic.

Everyone who takes part in Bambiriada can try sailing on boats on the Vltava, play many games, create something in the art workshop, sing karaoke, learn the first aid, play theatre and many other activities.

Groups of dancers, singers, and theatre performers can be visible also at Mustek at the bottom of Wenceslas Square. There will be a small train going from Mustek, via Jiraskuv most to Strelecky Island. Between Strelecky and Detsky Island you can go by a small ferry. There is a concert on Friday evening on Strelecky Island and on Saturday “Royal Route” game. Bambiriada is for free for everybody, Bambiriada tickets enables you a free (or cheaper) entrance to many museums in Prague.

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Finish Midnight Sun celebrations in Prague

Monday 21 May 2007 11:14

Midnight Sun is one of the holidays in Finland which celebrates that the sun doesn’t set. To experience the atmosphere you don’t have to go to Finland but to Prague. Finlandia Vodka decided to bring the celebrations there as well.

Even though the sun will set here, you can learn Finish traditions connected with this holidays. One of the most important symbol of the celebrations will be a big bonfire. People can listen to Nordic traditional music, learn Nordic dances, watch fire effects and special projections, and drink vodka.

The celebrations will take place on Cisarska louka street nearby Smichov (metro line B Smichovske nadrazi) on Thursday 28th June 2007.

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Don't miss museums in Prague for free

Monday 21 May 2007 10:05

National Museum in Prague About 5,000 people took advantage of the International Days of Museums and Galleries and visited several museums and galleries in Prague that were open for free last weekend. Most of the people visited the main building of the National Museum at the top of Wenceslas Square.

One of the biggest attraction at this museum is the exhibition The Hunters of Mammoths that presents the prehistory in the Czech lands. Visitors could exceptionally take a photograph of the most precious item of the exhibition – The Venus of Dolni Vestonice. The museums offered a rich additional programme.

Another chance to visit museums and galleries in Prague for free will be on 16th June 2007 during the Museum Night. Museums and galleries will be open till late at night to create a special atmosphere.

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Get to know Czech countryside on the walk Prague-Prcice

Friday 18 May 2007 15:16

Thousands of people will set out for an annual track from Prague to Prcice tomorrow to enjoy the walk and the beauties of the Czech countryside. This track is the oldest and most most famous track in the Czech Republic. It was held for the first time on 17th April 1966 when a group of people decided to master the distance of 100,000 ells. Now this traditional action is attended by more and more people.

The longest track starts in Prague at the metro station Haje at 5:00 in the morning. Then they will have to walk 70 kilometers to be finally awarded a small plastic shoe and cookies.

Participants can choose one of the 15 tracks starting in various towns and all ending in Prcice. The tracks are between 23 and 70 kilometers long. The registration fee is 30 CZK and it’s paid before the start at the registration points. If you want to choose your track, have a look here (only in Czech). See you there!

Prague flag on the top of Mount Everest

Friday 18 May 2007 13:59

Today at 6:42 (CET) Prague Mayer Pavel Bem and his expedition reached the top of the highest mountain of the world Mount Everest. He carried the flag of Prague with him. He’s the 10th Czech person who managed to get to the top.

All members of the expedition are all right. According to experienced mountaineers, now they have to master the most dangerous journey back to the camp. It will probably take two days.

Pavel Bem’s expedition started on 23rd March this year. Mountaineering is one of his hobbies. Mount Everest is his schoolboy’s dream. He should be out of the office until 25th May.

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Birthday of Czech cardinal: services and a free concert

Friday 18 May 2007 12:40

Czech cardinal Miloslav Vlk In occasion of the celebrations of 75th birthday of Czech cardinal Miloslav Vlk, you can visit a gala concert in St Vitus Cathedral. It starts today at 19:00 and it’s for free. The concert will present compositions of Bohuslav Martinu, Antonin Dvorak, Leos Janacek and Petr Eben.

On the same occasion, the Prague Archbishopric organize a thankful services in St Vitus Cathedral at 10:30 tomorrow. You can come and take part in joint prayer which start an hour before the services.

Cardinal Vlk has been the highest representative of the Catholic Church in the Czech Republic for 16 years. Before that he also worked as a shop-window cleaner because he was prohibited by the Communist regime to do any public sacred activities. He was also present at the conclave in Vatican to elect the Pope.

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Prague metro will be partly without drivers

Friday 18 May 2007 11:20

For the first time these days Prague metro will go without a driver. But not on the whole route, but only at the turning place in Dejvice, which is the terminal of metro green line B. The Prague Public Transport Co. promises that it will save time and the trains could come in shorter intervals.

The fully automatic trains are now being tested at nights. If everything goes all right, this system will be in service in June 2007. Now the trains in Prague metro are controlled by computers partly, especially during deceleration and acceleration. A driver is still needed to check whether passengers are in the safe distance from the tracks and whether they are not stuck in the doorway.

Fully automatic trains can be seen in Paris, Lyon or Vancouver. If the Prague Public Transport Co. want to have fully automatic trains, they would have to invest a lot of money to adjust present trains and platforms. Trains without drivers might be possible in the new metro line D, which is planned to be finished in 2013.

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Pirate ships instead of bus stops in Prague

Friday 18 May 2007 10:03

The third film about Jack Sparrow’s adventures called Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End is coming to Prague’s cinemas in less than a week (on 24th May). The distributors of this film prepared a special campaign to attract people to see the film.

Several bus stops in the centre of Prague will change significantly. They will be covered with a large poster and on the top of the bus stops will be a mock-up of a pirate ship. Inside the stops will be a LCD screen where people can choose if they want to see a trailer or the interesting facts about film preparations.

These unique bus stops will be in four places in Prague, in Jindrisska street (near Wenceslas Square), at I. P. Pavlova (metro red line C), at Andel (metro yellow line B) and at Florence (metro lines B and C).

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Concert of My Chemical Romance in Prague soon

Thursday 17 May 2007 16:34

Fans of the music band My Chemical Romance look forward to their concert in Prague on 3rd June 2007. This American rock music band from New Jersey will perform in Prague for the first time.

The band started in 2001, in September 2001 to be exact, after the attacks in New York. The first who came with the idea of creating a new music band was Gerard Arthur Way. Now the band has 5 permanent members. They have already released three albums, their last one was extremely successful.

Prague’s concert of My Chemical Romance will take place in T-Mobile Arena (in Prague Exhibition Ground). Tickets are still available via Ticketpro for 510 CZK.

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The oldest ship in Prague anchors near Charles Bridge

Thursday 17 May 2007 14:27

The oldest ship in Prague can be seen these days on the Vltava river. It’s anchored near Charles Bridge and it bears the name Nepomuk. It is a contribution to the July’s celebrations of 650th anniversary of Charles Bridge.

This ship was built in 1933 and before the WWII it ferried passengers between Lyon and Avignon, then it sailed on Rhine river. Nepomuk ship can transport up to 250 people and its diesel engine is lit by a safety-fuse.

The ship will soon sail on the river and it will carry passengers on sightseeing tours along the Vltava banks. Soon it will also travel to Slapy Dam or to Melnik where the Vltava joints the river Labe.

Anonymous letter: church schools in Prague will explode

Thursday 17 May 2007 12:41

More than 30 church school in Prague have been searched in order to find any traces of explosive materials. An anonymous person sent a letter last Tuesday in which he/she threaten with bomb attacks at these schools.

Policemen with trained dogs were searching in the buildings of kindergartens, primary and secondary schools but also in three theological faculties of Charles University. No bombs were found but policemen will continue guarding the places for the following days.

The same situation was in January this year. There were no bombs found at the schools and the anonymous writer is still unknown. It might be the same person again, probably with religious motives. The world Allah was mentioned in the last letter many times. If the writer is caught, he/she can be sentenced up to 15 years imprisonment.

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Opponents of nuclear plant Temelin threaten with large border blockades

Thursday 17 May 2007 11:02

The disagreement between the Czech Republic and Austria about the Czech nuclear plant Temelin is becoming stronger. Austrian government decided yesterday to send a diplomatic note to Prague. They claim that the Czech Republic breaks international agreements.

The opponents of Temelin threaten that if the Austrian government doesn’t file an international lawsuit against the Czech Republic in four weeks, they will block all 16 Czech-Austrian frontier crossing.

The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs consider these blockades as restrictions of the free movement of persons and goods, which belong in the four freedoms of the European Union. On Monday the Minister of Foreign Affairs Karel Schwarzenberg told his Austrian colleague that Czech patience with blockades has its limits.

Contemporary theatre in Prague with plays of Egon Bondy

Thursday 17 May 2007 09:47

Bouda Bondy is a construction that you can see these days on the place between the National Theater and the New Scene (the glass building). This temporary construction will enrich Prague theater scene this summer.

It is inspired by a wooden construction situated on present Wenceslas Square in the times of Czech National Revival, where people could see Czech plays in Czech language, instead of the official German language. Bouda of these days contains 120 seats and measures 16 × 23 meters. The construction will be finished during May, the first performance there is planned for 16th June 2007.

The programme of this year will offer the works of recently deceased Egon Bondy, a famous Czech poet, prose writer and philosopher. Visitors can see theater plays based on five texts of his in ten reruns.

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Harley Davidson Rally in Prague

Wednesday 16 May 2007 16:23

Owners and lovers of Harley Davidson motorcycles and the lifestyle should not miss the 14th Czech National Rally Hog Prague which is planned for 1st -3rd June 2007 in Prague 6 – Vokovice.

Participants can look forward to a music concert on Saturday night (music band Peha, Kamil Strihavka etc.), motor shows, fireworks, a stunt show, or Miss Wet T-Shirt or striptease. Saturday between 11:00 and 13:00 is reserved for a parade through Prague.

The meeting is in camp Dzban on Friday 1st June 2006. Accommodation (by prior reservation) and food is provided in the camp. The registration starts at 14:00 on Friday 1st June, the rally fee for HOG members is EUR 35. Tickets for the Saturday concert are available via Ticketpro. Click here to visit the official pages.

Tens of Ferrari cars in Prague right now

Wednesday 16 May 2007 14:42

About 50 owners of luxurious cars Ferrari are right now in Prague to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the famous brand. Today they can be seen in the city centre of Prague, in the evening they have a dinner in the complex of Prague Castle.

If you want to see these luxurious sport cars in Prague, stay close to Lesser Town Square (Malostranske namesti) and Hradcany Square (Hradcanske namesti) in front of Prague Castle.

Prague’s action is a part of a symbolic relay which started in United Arab Emirates in January and will finish in Italy on 23rd June. Italian delegates will auction presents they got from countries they visited during the relay. The Czech Republic gave a glass vase with the symbol of Ferrari on it.

Bijou Phillips claims she has never slandered Czech people

Wednesday 16 May 2007 14:41

Last Friday we brought you information about American actress Bijou Phillips and her attitude to the Czech Republic and its people. Although the magazine for men Stuff claims that Bijou called Czech people f**king a**holes, Bijou now denies that.

Phillips claims that she has never said anything like that. Phillips and Eli Roth, the director of Hostel 2, sent together a letter to Falcon company that distributes films in the Czech Republic that they were shocked by the article in Stuff magazine and that Bijou would never say such a thing. According to them, it is only a rumour.

Bijou Phillips says that she has had many problems with media before, facing false or crazy news about her. MS DNES asked the Dennis Publishing, which is in charge of Stuff magazine, for any evidence of the interview, but there is none. So it’s statement against statement now. What do you think?

President Vaclav Klaus is criticized for his views

Wednesday 16 May 2007 13:10

The cover picture from Klaus's new book Today the President of the Czech Republic Vaclav Klaus presents his new book called ‘Blue, Not Green Planet. What’s in danger: climate or freedom?’ in Prague’s cafe Slavia. In this book he impugns some theories about global warming.

After criticism of the European Union, Vaclav Klaus is also famous for denying climate changes caused by people. His book is not based on his research but on quotes of other people. These days Czech readers can buy American Vice President Al Gore’s Inconvenient Truth in contrast to Klaus’s opinion.

Recently in reaction to the new building of the National Library, Klaus said that he will prevent building of the new building by his own body. Klaus’s disapproving approach was criticized by the author of the winning design himself. Kaplicky, during his yesterday’s lecture in the Wallenstein Palace in Prague, mentioned president’s name several times.

Russian male ballet in Prague today

Wednesday 16 May 2007 11:28

Today for the first time Prague audience is going to see the performance of the State Male Ballet From Sankt Petersburg of Valeriy Mikhailovski. Their performances have been seen on the most renowned stages all over the world.

One of the best ballet dancers Maja Plisecka said about their performance: “I thought, that I dance Dying Swan the best, but I have to admit that Michailovsky is definitely better…”

The performance starts in the Congress Centre at 20:00 today. Tickets can be still bought via Ticketpro, Ticketportal or Ticketstream between 490 CZK and 1,190 CZK.

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Tickets for The Summer Shakespeare Festival 2007 on sale

Wednesday 16 May 2007 09:59

Othello at The Summer Shakespeare Festival in Prague Tickets for The Summer Shakespeare Festival 2007, an annual festival presenting the famous plays of William Shakespeare, are already on sale. The prices haven’t changed since last year, tickets cost 280 CZK, 440 CZK and 650 CZK. They can be bought via Ticketpro or on the day before the performance.

The festival starts on 21st June and finishes on 14th September 2007. Visitors can look forward to 114 performance of five plays – The Tempest, As You Like It, Othello, The Merchant of Venice and Twelfth Night.

The plays are performed at the Supreme Burgrave’s House at Prague Castle and newly also in the Lichtenstein Palace in Lesser Town. The festival will be accompanied with the exhibition Maximum Photography on display in the gardens of Prague Castle. Here you can find more information about the festival.

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Prague Museum Night 2007

Tuesday 15 May 2007 17:02

The Rudolfinum Prague inhabitants and visitors have another chance to see many museums, galleries and other cultural institutions in Prague for free or for a symbolic price. And this time during one night. Prague Museum Night is scheduled on 16th June 2007, it is a part of the Festival of Museum Nights organized in 87 towns of the Czech Republic.

In Prague you can choose from 21 institutions and 45 buildings that will be open that day mostly from 19:00 to 01:00. Permanent and short-term exhibitions will be accompanied with additional programmes, such as concerts, film presentations, workshops and curiosities that are not normally displayed.

Information brochures about the event will be handed out on 15th and 16th of June in front of the National Museum in Wenceslas Square and in front of the Rudolfinum in Namesti Jana Palacha. Transportation between the institution will be provided by special buses for free. For more information about Prague Museum Night click here (only in Czech).

International conference for democracy in Prague

Tuesday 15 May 2007 14:21

Prague will host an international conference on “Democracy and Security: Core Values and Sound Policies” attended by leading dissidents, human rights activists, academics and world leaders. Its aim is to discuss the importance of democracy and to find the ways how to promote it in totalitarian regimes.

The conference is an initiative of three people concentrating on human rights and democracy – human right activist and political leader Natan Sharansky, former president of the Czech Republic Vaclav Havel and former Prime Minister of Spain Jose Maria Aznar.

The conference, scheduled for 4th – 6th June 2007 in Prague, is hosted by the Adelson Institute for Strategic Studies at the Jerusalem-based Shalem Center, the Prague Security Studies Institute and the Foundation for Social Analysis and Studies in Madrid. One of the speakers at the conference will be the U.S. President George W. Bush.

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Summer music festival at Czech castles

Tuesday 15 May 2007 12:40

Tocnik Castle near Beroun Ceske Hrady.cz is a summer cultural festival where you can not only visit four Czech castles in four different regions of the Czech Republic, but also listen to the music of the current Czech pop stars.

The atmosphere of old castles (Tocnik, Kuneticke Hory, Svihov – water castle, Bezdez) lightened by the performances of 18 interprets of Czech music can be senced from the middle of July. Visit Tocnik on 13th – 14th July, Kuneticka Hora on 20th – 21th July, Svihov on 27th – 28th July and Bezdez on 3rd – 4th August 2007.

Tickets (include the free entrance to the castles) for the festival can be bought via Ticketpro. Every visitor can get the accommodation in the nearby camp site for free. The programme of the festival can be found here.

New protections on the "Suicide Bridge"

Tuesday 15 May 2007 11:09

Nusle Bridge from Vysehrad station Long bridge in Nusle is known as a bridge of suicides. It is on average 42.5 meters above the ground. In the 1990’s a high fence was built at the sides of the bridge to prevent suicides from jumping. In vain. The fence can be climbed over in 8 seconds. Last year the rescuers were called 63 times, 5 lives were lost.

In the first four months of this year, 31 people tried to commit a suicide from the bridge, three people died. The police do not file the number of people who have jumped since 1973 when the bridge was finished. They estimate the number to be about two or three hundreds.

To improve the situation, a new protection is now being considered. Probably it would be iron-plates or other smooth barriers at the top of the fence. The barriers will cost approximately 7 million CZK, they should be there in three months.

Charles Bridge celebrations start on 6th July 2007

Tuesday 15 May 2007 10:01

Charles Bridge in Prague Prague councilmen will discuss the programme of the celebrations of the 650th anniversary of Charles Bridge. The celebrations may cost up to 11 million CZK. The celebration will be held from 6th July until 9th July. People can expect a rich programme in the Old Town Square, Knights of the Cross Square, Prague’s Municipal House and Charles Bridge.

The atmosphere of the celebration will be rather medieval. Visitors can look forward to knight tournaments, army camps or medieval music. Fans of pop music will gather on pontoons under the bridge.

The President of the Czech Republic, the Mayers of Prague and other world’s metropolises will place a Memory Box with their signatures and messages for future generations into the historical Charles bridge.

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Jean-Francois Pignon will perform in Prague

Monday 14 May 2007 15:58

Jean-Francois Pignon Jean-Francois Pignon will come to Prague for the first time to show his excellency in horse dressage. “The one who dances with horses” can be seen in the hall on the Cisarsky Island in Prague at 17:00 on Sunday 20th May. The show of Jean-Francois Pignon will offer great experience enhanced by special light effects.

All those who would like the learn from the great teacher have a special opportunity. Jean-Francois Pignon will give lessons in Masecin near Stechovice on 21st and 22nd May. More information at www.villagineta.cz.

Tickets for Sunday’s show can be bought from 290 CZK (for standing from 190 CZK), you can reserve them at pignon@jezdectvi.cz. Taking pictures is prohibited without prior organizer’s permission.

International Day of Museums and Galleries 2007

Monday 14 May 2007 14:16

Impressive staircase in the main building of the National Museum in Prague International day of museums and galleries is celebrated all over the world. Its aim is to point out the importance of these cultural institutions in our lives. It’s been celebrated on 18th May since 1977 (several museums and galleries celebrate it at the weekend 19th and 20th May).

The National Museum in Prague is open on Sunday 20th for free. The Prague City Museum (Na Porici 52 street) is open on Saturday 19th May for a symbolic fee of 1 CZK. Other museums open for free on 18th May are the Czech Police Museum (Ke Karlovu 1 street), the Museum of Decorative Arts (17. listopadu 2 street) and the National Museum of Agriculture Prague (Kostelni 44 street). The Pedagogical museum J. A. Comenius (Valdstejnska 20 street) is without the entrance fee on Saturday 19th May.

On Friday 18th May you can also visit several galleries for free (admission fee may be only asked for guided tours). It includes St Agnes of Bohemia Convent, The House of the Black Madonna, St George’s Convent, Sternberg Palace, Trade Fair Palace or Kinsky Palace.

New changes in Prague public transport

Monday 14 May 2007 12:41

Due to repair works at the crossroads Albertov, there will be restrictions in the tram transportation between stops Moran – Otakarova – Vyton – Albertov from today until 18th July 2007. The routes and stops of tram lines no. 4, 6, 18, 24, 53 and 55 will be changed. Line no. 17 will be out of service.

Additional line no. 38 will follow the route Vozovna Pankrac – Prazskeho povstani – Namesti Bratri Synku – Otakarova – Prazskeho povstani – Vozovna Pankrac. Additional bus line X-18 will go from Lazarska to Ostrcilovo namesti. Another bus line X-24 will follow Otakarova – Ostrcilovo namesti – Otakarova. Click here to see the map of the area.

Other changes in tram routes will be from 16:00 on Friday 18th May until 18:00 Sunday 20th May between Malostranska and Cechuv Most. Line no. 12 will be diverted from Malostranska – Strossmayerovo namesti via Chotkovy Sady and Letenske namesti.

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Walk the World - Fight Hunger also in Prague

Monday 14 May 2007 11:31

Besides the thousands of marathoners in the street of the centre of Prague, about 300 people were marching from the Strelecky Islands to Prague Castle and back yesterday to support the project Walk the World – Fight Hunger. This project tries to call attention to the problem of starvation in many countries of the world.

All the participants in the world had the same kind of T-shirts. Prague’s participants had to start the march a bit earlier due to the Marathon which closed Charles Bridge. Last year there were about 2,000 people marching through the city.

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Thousands of marathoners met in Prague's Old Town Square

Monday 14 May 2007 10:05

Thousands of runners took part in the Marathon Weekend in Prague last Saturday and Sunday. About 4,000 runners competed in the 13th Marathon Prague that started in the Old Town Square at 9:00 on Sunday. The sun was shining, the temperature was a little bit too high for the marathon – in the second half of the marathon it was 24˚C (75.2˚F). Eight runners had to be taken to the hospital due to exhaustion and dehydration.

For the first time, the winner of the marathon was not from Kenya but from Portugal. Helder Ornelas finished the marathon with the time 2:11:49, second Luka Chelimo (Kenya) with 2:12:36 and third Paulo Gomez with 2:12:51. The best woman was Nailja Julamanovova from Russia with 2:33:10, second Malgorzata Sobanska (Poland) with 2:35:02 and third Veronika Brychcinova (the Czech Republic) with 2:40:50.

The marathon closed 69 streets of Prague, changed the routes of 12 trams and 2 buses. Many road restrictions complicated the transportation in Prague.

62nd Prague Spring starts tomorrow

Friday 11 May 2007 16:42

Prague Spring 2007 One of the most famous music festivals in Prague, Prague Spring, starts this weekend. The 62nd Prague Spring 2007 will be launched by Smetana’s My Country (Ma Vlast) conducted by Zdenek Macal in the Prague’s Municipal House.

The festival will offer tens of music performances, especially of classical music. One of the highlights will be San Francisco Symphonic Orchestra accompanied with baritone Thomas Hampson, the concerts of the viola da gamba player Jordi Savall or trumpeter Alison Balsom.

The competition of young conductors and horn players started several days ago. The final will be held on 13th and 14th May. More information about the festival can be found on the official web pages here.

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17,000 runners in the streets of Prague this weekend

Friday 11 May 2007 14:08

As we wrote yesterday, Prague will host Volkswagen Marathon Prague plus several other runs in the historical city of Prague. 7,650 boxes of oranges and 15,360 bottles of mineral waters are already prepared for more than 17,000 runners. The registration is still possible today for Saturday’s runs, until tomorrow for Sunday’s marathon. Trained runners only are recommended for the marathon.

The transportation in the city will be restricted a great deal. Especially in the city centre. It might resemble the situation after the big floods in the Czech capital in 2002. 69 streets will be closed and 12 tram lines and 2 bus lines will be diverted from their normal routes.

The tram restrictions on Saturday will only affect trams no. 17 and 18 between 14:00 and 18:00. On Sunday the situation will be much more complicated. Several Drivers of cars should also pay attention to streets where parking will be temporarily prohibited. If their vehicle is removed, they should call the telephone number 156 or 158. Other information about road restrictions in Prague can be obtained on 800 177 242.

Besides the sport events, there will be additional programmes on the Old Town Square and the Prague’s Exhibition Ground.

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