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We celebrate his day on 28 September, as a Czech Statehood Day (Den ceske statnosti)
According to legends, St. Wenceslas was murdered when he was going to the morning religious service in 935, by the mercenaries sent by his brother Boleslav. St. Wenceslas became a patron of the Czech state.
District court of Prague decided that the Cathedral belongs to the state. This decision came after two previous verdicts, which found the owner of St. Vitus Cathedral the Catholic Church. The Church is going to appeal to the law again.
The suit for the most visited Czech church has been going for 14 years; this time the judgment is based on the government instruction from 1954, where is stated, that the cathedral belongs to “all the people” and the court decided that what belongs to all Czechs, belongs to the Czech state.
The Church authorities of course disagree and are going to appeal. They want to base the next suit on statement that “all the people” doesn’t say anything about transferring of ownership.
According to Jaroslav Sebek, who is a renomed expert of the Church history, it is a symptom of a large problem, which is about the relationship of the Church, state, and society. According to him, this problem is only to be solved with discussion, not by any gestures, which are only making the problem worse. The St. Vitus Cathedral was build with donations of the Church and the state as well.
This is for the first time the Czech Republic is going to produce our very own SUV car.
According to Skoda, “It’s designed to look friendly and self-confident but not aggressive”. It is meant to be “convincing in an urban environment”, but “could also be a sought-after means of transport in countries with a less than perfect road system.”
It was first introduced in 2005, but as there is no predecessor, there were doubts where, and if at all, it is going to be fabricated. It comes as a surprise, that it is going to be made not in Germany VW fabric, but in Czech city Kvasinky. The production here was defended, even despite of free capacities of other VW factories in Europe. What is more, Skoda is going to re-open an old Skoda fabric in Vrchlabi, and will be hiring.
This news means strengthening of Skoda position on the world’s markets, and good news for Czech automobile workers, because of new labor. And, last but not least, those who can afford SUV won’t have to choose from forign producers only.
Olympic Games financing, referendum and changes that the Olympics could bring to the Czech Republic, were the main topics of the public discussion, that took place on 2007-09-26.
Svandovo Theater was filled completely, which only reflects, Olympics are the hot topic. The for-site was represented by Prague’s mayor Pavel Bem: “Mayors of foreign cities ask me, why do we still don’t have a beltway? Beltways were supposed to be here much earlier. The funds for the infrastructure were decided long ago, but nobody made it going. Olympics is one of the tools for making it going.” Bem sees Olympics from clearly an economic point of view.
The question of finance interests Pavla Reedova: “I don’t say Prague can’t organize Olympic games, but the price of such an event is too high. Montreal was paying off the installments for 30 years.” She wants to be a “watchdog” of our Olympics, to watch the expenses. However Bem estimates the total price of Olympics 132,5 milliards CZK (4,42 milliards €) with the supposed yield 136 milliards CZK (4,53 milliards €). However those numbers become a laughing stock for the audience.
The audience sounded mostly against the Olympics, demanding the referendum. It seems it is going to take place in the near future. The reason to vote for is rising Czech world consciousness, against speak many obstacles.
Based on: MF DNES
An amazing spectacle – classical music, wonderful choreography, perfect technique of dance and unique artictic presentment. You can see the best ballet pieces from the notable Russian masters.
Moscow City Ballet performs during October in the Czech Republic. Don’t hesitate for a long time and go to buy the tickets at www.ticketpro.cz. Romeo and Juliet you can see on 23th October and Don Quixote on 22th October. These two performances will take place in Kongresove Centrum, Prague 4. Prices of the tickets are 770CZK – 1,490 CZK. Giselle will be performed only in Liberec.
Czech National Symphony Orchestra was established in 1993 by a trumpet player Jan Hasenöhrl. The orchestra made its debut appearance on 10th November at the Dvorak Hall in Rudolfinum in Prague, with a conductor Vladimir Valek. The orchestra is made up of about eighty experienced musicians. The main founder of the orchestra is the legendary conductor Zdenek Kosler, who gave them his wide-ranging artistic knowledge. He also recorded CDs with them. The American Paul Freeman took over as a Chief Conductor in 1996 and currently he is the Music Director. Libor Pesek was appointed the conductor this year.
The 15th concert season starts on 18th October.
The first concert begins at 7:30pm and you can hear Marc-Antoine Charpentier – Te Deum, Preludium, Johann Sebastian Bach – Concerto for violin and oboe in D minor, BWV 1060 and Anton Bruckner – Symphony No. 4 in E flat major, the Romantic Symphony.
Greetings, fans of Synthpop and New Wave! Do you have the feeling that there is not enough music events, that would fit your liking? What if we told you that you have the unique chance to meet Alan Wilder, here in Prague? And to let him sign your Recoil CDs? Sounds good, isn’t it.
The programme of Retro Music Hall is handled by three Djs, so you can look forward for the production of Recoil, Depeche Mode, EBM and other electronic genres.
And for those who don’t know Recoil, it is the musical venture of ex-Depeche Mode member Alan Wilder, for which he writes the music and invites various guest musicians to write the accompanying lyrics and perform them on the record. The vocal parts are either sung or performed as spoken word pieces. The lyrics often deal with the dark side of human nature.
Retro Music Hall, Francouzska Street 4, Prague. Club opened since 7 pm, party starts 8 pm. Tickets – 200 CZK
Debut of the first beatbox CD on the Czech musical scene; featuring: Jaro Cossiga, Fany@Nasty, Beatburger Band and Czech Beatbox Allstars.
Beatbox performer and music producer Jaro Cossiga features the beatbox occasion of the year. Numerous special and very special guests not only from the Czech Republic are going to make beats the whole night long.
Beat Apetit record was made in cooperation of prominent Czech beatbox performers Fany and Nasy, together with Jaro Cossiga, who is, as the sole European, a member of the most prestigious American beatbox group – Beatboxer Entertainment N.Y.C. The record was published by DaSkaRecords and Studio Bathroom and is composed of various sounds, that these three are able to produce by their mouth.
Archa Theater, Na Porici 26, Prague, the show starts at 8pm. Free CD with the ticket. Ticket: 225 CZK
According to the municipal authorities of Prague, it was impossible to chancel the march in Jewish town. Officially, it is supposed to be “a protest against the participation of the Czech Republic on the occupation of Iraq” Hoverer, Hospodarske noviny (Business news) found out the organizers are well-known right-wing extremists.
The demonstration is legal in the declared form, but we can only guess, what is going to go about on such a date. 10th November is notoriously known as the date of “Crystal night”, when in 1938 Germany large numbers of jewish synagogues, holy places or even regular houses were destroyed and/or burned down. The crystal in the name reflects the mass of valuables stolen and broken. Dozens of jews were killed and ten thousands ended in concentration camps.
Prague municipal authorities are going to proceed in the manner of overseeing whether there is a law-breaking and taking an action if yes. In this case the right-wing extremists found their way how to disguise their will so they won’t break any law.
The march will go through those streets of old Jewish town: Brehova, Maiselova, U Stareho hrbitova, Siroka, Zatecka and Platnerska and Franz Kafka square. 150 participants are expected to come, according to the organizations.
The tramway clousure at Paladskeho namesti in Prague is going to take less time than planned originally. The managers of Prague Public Transport (MHD) Martin Dvorak and Ludek Dostal announced. The work is going to progress faster, it should be finished on 8th October.
The other step are construction works at the cross-overs of Karlovo namesti. But the traffic colaps, that came as an outcome of repairs at Paladskeho namesti, became a deterrent example of how not to handle our ever-growing metropolis traffic. The heads have learned their lesson and so nearby Karlovo namesti is going to be under construction only during weekends. If you plan to go in October through Karlovo namesti, involve a delay into your plan, then.
According to the print report the shortened therms were decided by the mayor of Prague Pavel Bem
26th and 27th of September, Moscow Patriarchal choir Drevnerusskij Raspev – choir tradition of Old Russia is going to take us into the bewitched world of old Russia liturgy tradition.
Drevnerusskij Raspev is formed by a dozen of male singers – the set number for small churches of old Russia. The choir is the only ensemble that concerts about detailed musicology research and musical practice of orthodox liturgy at the same time. And also the only one, that is able to decipher and reconstruct old manuscripts.
“The ensemble started to concert in 1987, the first concert for general public took place in the Small Hall of Moscow conservatory. The director was in shock, when he saw us in our clerical wear.” Its conductor and founder Anatolij Grindenko depicts the choir beginnings. In 80’s he belonged to the first propagators of historic music in Russia. We must realize that at that time it must have been something of a missionary work, because religious tradition was suppressed by the communist regime.
This world unique performance you can see and hear at Ceske muzeum hudby, 26th and 27th September, within the frame of Strings of Autumn (Struny Podzimu), starting 7,30pm. Ceske muzeum hudby is placed in Karmelitska 2, Prague.
If you want to know more, you’ll find it here
The t-shirt design in which Radek Stepanek won the match on Saturday is on sale online. It’s colors recall the Czech flag. What is not well-known, the designer is Radek Stepanek himself.
According to Tomas Kropacek, technical manager of ALEA sportswear, it was supposed to be used in 2006 on the World Team Cup, but after Stepanek’s injury it was kept until the premiere of Davis Cup duel with Switzerland.
Stepanek made the best advertisement, when he played with injury, and gained the important third point, and so, he saved our position in the elite group of the Davis Cup. Everyone, who saw him on the court, saw his eccentric wear. And it triggered massive demand, for the “Czech flag winning t-shirt”. So from now on, it is possible to buy the t-shirt online.
At the age of 14, Cutty Ranks began his career as a reggae artist on sound systems such as Rebel Tone. Early on in his DJ career he was influenced by Josey Wales. He recorded such tracks as “Out Of Hand” and “Fishman Lyrics”. Cutty Ranks has been also influential outside the world of dancehall, particularly in the field of drum ‘n’ bass.
The legend of Jamaican dancehall is going to play at Roxy Club, Dlouha Street on 27th September, and he is going to mark the beginning of RealBeat festival in Roxy. He is going to be accompanied by a selector Barney Millah and other guests, like Amo form Slovenia and three other residential DJ’s.
40 milliards CZK (1.3 milliards €), which represent approximately a year’s budget of whole Prague, are planned to be invested to the modernization of the public transport in Prague.
New tramways and buses and repaired old train sets are to be bought throughout the next ten years. This project is about to start the next year, as instructs an informative material of the town councilors. There are 33 new tramways going to appear in the streets of Prague. We, who are so much comfortable with the old ones, that recall the spirit of 1960’s, are off our luck, because the new trains are already being build by Skoda Transportation. Let’s just hope the design will be harmonious with the old nature of Prague city center.
Metro C, the Red line, is now the only line that has only new trains to show off. M1 class trains are going to stay there, but 33 from 48 classic Russian trains are at least going to be adjusted before this years’ end. The city is still paying off the last 20 M1 trains, so the plans for buying of new trains count for 2010-2018.
There were horses in common state police use, but this is after a long time (probably going back to the time before WWII) the first case traffic police is going to use them. Two white Strarokladrubaci (Old – Kladrubian – breed) were chosen for their good physical statue and character stability. The selecting team was betting on experiences of police from Pardubice, a city well-known for it’s Velka Pardubicka Steeplechase. Price of one such horse is 189 000 CZK (6300 €).
And why the police decided so? “For parks of Prague they are great helpers, who can move very fast.” police deputy Blazek stated. They will serve in i.e. Stromovka. But before they start, they have hard, few-months of training ahead.
Their first service ride is going to be at the beginning of 2008. Before, they have to be used to tramways, buses, obstacles, barking dogs or any city noises. Four wardens who saddle the horses were chosen from total 15, who had to have experience with horses, some of them even having them.
There are three traditional ways to look at Rudolph II – as an ineffective ruler, whose mistakes led directly to the Thirty Years’ War, the more gentle one as a great Renaissance art patron, and, finally – an adorer of occult arts and learning, standing as a seeder of the scientific revolution.
Rudolf loved collecting paintings, he spared no expense in acquiring great past masterworks, such as those of Durer and Brueghel. Rudolf’s galleries were the most impressive in Europe at the time, and the greatest collection of mannerism to this day.
As was customary at the time, the collection was private, but friends of the Emperor, artists, and professional scholars were allowed to study it. Regrettably, Rudolf’s successors did not appreciate the collection and it gradually fell into disarray.
The pieces of art collected by Rudolph II were packed and travelled to Vienna very soon after his death, and the rest were plundered by the Swedish armada. But now it is the time when they are, just for a short time, coming back to the authentic setting of Prague castle. It is possible to see four unique pieces – B. Spranger’s and H. Aachen’s paintings, and A. de Vriese statues. They cohere religious and mythological themes together with eroticism, which the Emperor especially favoured.
You can see the exhibition Rudolphian Beauty daily 9 – 18 in the Prague Castle Picture Gallery until 31th March 2008.
It will soon be possible to shop in a new supermarket complex at the Republic square (Namesti republiky). Let’s make a little comparison with the old one.
The old supermarket, Kotva (Anchor), at Namesti republiky, built 1970 – 1975, was supposed to became a symbol of richness and plenitude of socialism. It was the biggest supermarket in the former Czechoslovakia. However at the end it showed the exact opposite – thanks to the usual supply problem most of the time the shelves offered only gaping emptiness. According to the author’s opinion, the only people who go to Kotva nowadays are the Russians, and most of the store offers only over-priced leather goods.
Palladium has been built for about 5 years, the work was slowed down thanks to the fact the whole center of Prague stands on archaeological sites. It was build in a shell of a historical building, with new basement floors. This way, it didn’t make any harm to the face of Prague, as we know it. It comprises of office and dining facilities along with Prague’s largest inner city parking garage. It was built not only as a center of commerce but also as a lively retail anchor and meeting point. The selection of shops was based on questionnaires, filled in by 1500 locals, to assure to fulfill the needs. Not burdened by the communist past, Palladium is a new and fresh place for our shopping. Opens on 25th of October.
Airport Prague and Czech Airlines are going to be sold next year. Our Minister of Finance Miroslav Kalousek stated that the state is not supposed to carry business, businessmen are. The Government has exact figures of how much is the price going to be, however they are not going to pronounce it publicly.
The same situation is with the case of Czech airlines (CSA). Money from the sale are going to be used for the necessary retirement reform and part of the profit is going to the Traffic fund. According to speculations, the exact price should vary between 60 – 70 billions CZK (2 – 2,3 bil. €). Other billions are coming from the Czech Airlines, however it’s economy is now in minus, and it’s possibilities for improvement are depend on a reform, as it’s flight ticket are four or more times expensive than those of the other Czech companies.
Cubist painting by Josef Capek “Girl in Pink Dress” (Devce v ruzovych satech) painted in 1916 was sold by action for 12 million of CZK (400 000 €). It is the piece of art that sold for the second biggest amount of money in the Czech Republic. Last year, Capek’s painting “Leg bath” (Koupel nohou) was sold for 9,3 millions of CZK.
More than 2500 cyclists went on a protest route from Old times Square and by the expressway to Jana Palacha Square yesterday. This annual action attracts more people every year, as they are driven to participy by the unchanging conditions for cycling in Prague. Compared to other cities of the EU, Prague cyclo-ways still evokes early stages of the development. The reasons for this situatin are for example hilly location of Prague and narrow streets often unchanged in their dimensions from the medieval times.
“It is not supposed to be an action of pressure. We don’t have anything against cars.” Was emphasized by the organizators from Auto*mat initiative. “What we want is a possibility to drive a bicycle. Here in Prague we don’t have enough cyclo-ways.”
At the end, we give you 2 of the basic principles, on which basic Auto*Mat initiative stands; Auto*Mat is a project aimed at making our city safer, healthier and more lively. Auto*Mat wants to transform Prague from a city that today mainly accommodates car through-traffic into a city more favorably inclined toward life.
Three days of matches in front of the sold-out Sazka Arena in Prague found the winner of Davis Cup playoff between the Czech Republic and Switzerland. Czech team finally won 3:2 in the final score against Swiss team headed by World No. 1 Roger Federer.
On Friday Radek Stepanek lost with Roger Federer, while Tomas Berdych won over Stanislas Wawrinka leaving the score the Czech Republic – Switzerland 1:1.
On Saturday Czech players Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek managed to avert a match point in the third set of the doubles against Roger Federer and Yves Allegro and gained a significant point for the Czech team.
Roger Federer became the winner of Sunday’s thrilling match against Tomas Berdych. Radek Stepanek took care of the third point for the Czech team in the match against Stanislas Wawrinka.
The traditional Prague vintage festival starts today! What is to be seen? Actors, performances of fencers, jugglers and singers and much more. This is a traditional occasion that is very popular in Prague, as we are famous for our liking of alcoholic drinks. Part of the performances is the arrival of the ‘royal family’. Charles IV was the most popular Czech king, who really took care about Czech matters, and launched, among others, Czech wine tradition.
The main celebration will be at Jiriho z Podebrad. If you like the contemporary music, you shouldn’t miss the Hudba Praha (Music Prague) music group, that start at 19.30 Clou is going on stage at 21. Namesti Miru is going to change into a medieval square as well, and you can have various medieval delicacies there. The final performance is going to be a fireshow at night.
Celebrations will be held on Saturday too, at Jiriho z Podebrad you can be watching fencing and jousting.
Deer Moat is a lovely green place near Prague Castle that not so many tourists know about. Tomorrow morning the First Lady Livia Klausova is about to reopen a observation path leading from the Deer Moat to Masaryk’s view point.
The observation path offers an untypical view of Prague Castle and it’s situated in the more far-off parts of Prague castle gardens. It was created in 1922 – 24 and it was framed with wine reminding old vineyards near Prague Castle that used to be there in the medieval times.
The old path was replaced by a new gravel one. It is the winning design a student of architecture, Jan P. Vlcek, in a competition initiated by Livia Klausova in 2005.
Czech senate supported the amendment that forbids the usage of communist symbolism, like the hammer and sickle, and also communist propaganda. According to senators, the left-wing extremism is of the same dangerousness as the right-wing, but still, it is legal in the Czech Republic.
Our country has now, almost twenty years after the revolution, on-going problems with its past. Thanks to the fact that lots of public figures endured in important posts with a communist past not only slowed down our development, but also made the ilegalization of the politics, that killed 170 million people in the last century, impossible.
Nowadays, at the time when it seems that people start to forget how bad the system actually was and vote for the communist party again, better late than never comes the law amendment. The public use of hammer, sickle or a red star is to be punishable.
People traveling in Prague by means of urban mass transportation can try a very new service, starting 22th September. In the setting of the 110th anniversary of Prague MHD, those interested can use SMS for getting schedule information.
Prices of SMS messages are derived from mobile operator tariffs. Anyone can send a message on the number 724 850 928, in the form: zisXXXX.X, where X represents numbers of individual stations, and one can check out the departures. There are for example I.P. Pavlova, Karlovo Namesti, Andel, Staromestska, Hradcanska or Palmovka. If you are interested in detailed information, you can find it here.
Prague transport company (DPP) also makes an Open doors day on Saturday; three usually non-accessible buildings are going to be connected by a special and free bus line. Those are Klicov garage, Hloubetin depot and the new station of underground (metro), Strizkov. With its 110 year MHD is trying to perfect it’s customer service.