Compact archive May 2008

Czech Travel Companies Abandon Paper Air Tickets

Friday 30 May 2008 17:54

The association of travel companies IATA announced a move from paper tickets to electronic ones. They expect to raise their profits of 9 mil czk, and also save up to 50 000 trees a year.

According to the association, the electronic tickets are preferred by more than 89% of the passengers. Czech travel companies embrace the proposal with one voice.

Asia and Africa are the only continents where could be problems, so there stay paper tickets. Otherwise, paper tickets will be used only in two cases. 1St: Charter flights with travel agencies, 2nd: Of course those travel companies, which are not in the IATA association, those are especially small companies in developing countries.

It is common to buy the ticket at the Internet nowadays.

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EuroConnections in Prague Acropolis: Messer Chups (Rus) + Bad Tones (Cz)

Friday 30 May 2008 10:20

Zombiegirl from Messer Chups An invasion of good taste lovers comes to Prague. Messer Chups from Petersburg come to Palac Akropolis, with their ironic color, to resurrect the esthetic of sci-fi magazines and low-budget horrors into breath-taking music spectacle.

Messer Chups’ music often features a fundament of surf drums on which they build collages of samples from odd sources, like circus music, jazz, east European animation soundtracks, and American B-pictures. On top of that they lay solos from guitar and theremin. The overall effect is one of loving parody and good fun.

That night, you can dance with vampires, and undead Elvis. The group is internationally known, they played among others at the Eurosonic festival in Holland, Trans Musicales in France or Slovak festival Pohoda. They come on 11th June 2008 to Palac Akropolis, Kubelikova 27, in Prague tickets: 260 czk.

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Caricatures of Prophet Mohamed appeared in Prague

Friday 30 May 2008 09:21

Caricatures of the Islamic prophet Mohamed appeared in the area of Florenc and Cerny Most, where are mosques of Prague Muslims. One of the posters is the famous Danish caricature of Mohamed with a bomb instead of a turban, on the another he is labelled a pedophile.

The posters link to web pages, where the authors present their concern with freedom of speech, and adverting to increasing numbers of extremists among Islamists. The photocopied posters are accompanied by slogans like: “Maybe provocative, but freedom of speech is worth of it”

A similar action took place in Brno last year – somebody put stickers with Mohamed on public places. Muslims of Brno disapproved of the action, however they decided not to take legal proceedings.

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Classical Music at the Prague Castle

Thursday 29 May 2008 12:28

The concert cycle “Music of the Prague Castle” is a continuation of three preceding cycles which took place at Prague Castle in the past three years. During the whole of the last year it was obvious that Prague audiences began to view this concert cycle as a permanent part of the Prague classical music scene, and were coming in ever-increasing numbers.

The programmes of this year´s cycle endeavour to continue in this trend by presenting yet more quality and audience-friendly works. Beside the traditional places, such as the Spanish and Rothmayer Halls, the Ball Game Hall and the Basilica of St George, the concerts will also take place in some of the lesser-known parts of Prague Castle, such as the Rozmberk Hall or the Roman Cellars. The concerts take place on Tuesays at 7:30pm.

The unifying idea of the cycle lies in its focus on early music which well matches the historical premises of Prague Castle. There will also be a special concert in June which will bring together artists from different cultural backgrounds: a joint project of the Japanese monks of the Tendai school and the vocal ensemble Schola Gregoriana Pragensis (“Intimate Voices from Far Away”.) Contrary to the preceding cycles, four concerts this year will feature foreign artists.

Apart form concerts of early music, the cycle is based on appearances by great Czech musicians, such as violinist Vaclav Hudecek and pianist Ivan Moravec. The concert cycle will reach its peak in a recital by the world-renowned star Magdalena Kozena, whose appearance at Prague Castle will also be this year´s Concert for the First Lady.

Event: 19.02.2008 – 12.11.2008
Venue: Rothmayer Hall
Concerts begin at 7:30pm.
Tickets: CZK 280
Reduced price: CZK 150

The ticket for the concert is valid also for entrance to one exhibition of your choice held by Prague Castle Administration eight days after the date of the concert (does not apply to permanent expositions: Prague Castle Picture Gallery, The Story of the Prague Castle).

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France opens its labour market to Czechs this summer

Thursday 29 May 2008 09:55

France is going to open its labour market to the countries of Middle and Eastern Europe, which have entered the EU in 2004. It was announced at a press conference in Warsaw by the French president Nicolas Sarkozy.

The French foreign minister Bernard Koucher has confirmed the news, with a comment that the people will need some kind of permission, but he didn’t specified how it will look like.

The French labour market is partly accessible since January 2005. During that time, no greater flow of employees took place, the media talk about 5000 workers in two years, mainly Poles.

This would be the opposite decision to the one of Germany and Austria. Germany have announced a few weeks ago, they are going to protect the labour market against workers from the East for two more years. The regulation so doesn’t end in 09, but in 2011.

Countries where Czechs work without restrictions:
The Great Britain
Ireland
Sweden
Greece
Finland
Spain
Portugal
Italy
The Netherlands

Still with some restrictions
Belgium
Germany
Austria

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The opponents of the Radar base continue hunger strike

Wednesday 28 May 2008 13:36

Two Czech activists, Jan Bednar and Jan Tamas, have spend 15 days on hunger strike already, protesting against the planned construction of the US Radar base in the CR. They told journalists, they will continue their strike, despite bad health state of Bednar.

They both demand national referendum, which would, according to a recent pool, went against the radar, as two thirds of Czechs do not agree with the construction. They didn’t get any response from the politicians so far.

Bendar is the leading person of the No To Bases motion, that has been protesting against the base from the very beginning. Right now he says he suffers from a high bilirubin level, which means he should start eating, but he says to continue in his protest.

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Cunek looking for a billion for Blob

Wednesday 28 May 2008 11:49

Blob Into the never-ending Blob fraud among the ODS and the National Library entered a new subject, the KDU-CSL, the Christian Democratic Union – Czechoslovak People’s Party. Their leader Jiri Cunek said for Pravo on Tuesday, he personally wants to fight to get money for the building.

He said he supports Blob, because “… I think it is remarkable architecture, which would give Prague, that needs the National Library anyway, more shine.” According to him, the ministry of culture has 1,9 billion czk for the construction and to get another billion would be enough to start negotiations with the municipal council.

The question remains, whether to get a billion czk would help to get the building across. What is for certain, that to support Blob means for the members of People’s party to provoke the ODS and the president against them.

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Parking Zones in Prague

Wednesday 28 May 2008 09:55

Are you going to the centre of Prague with your car and do you need to park there? Here is a short guideline how to use Prague Parking Zones.

The districts of parking zones are Prague 1, Prague 2, Prague 3, Prague 7. You can encounter three colours of lines – orange, green and blue, having different functions.

Orange Zone
Short-term parking zones equipped with a parking meter, charging 40 czk per hour. The maximum time possible to spend in the place is limited to 2 hours, the minimum time to pay is 15 minutes, the price is 10 czk. You have to pay there only from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. From 6 p.m. to 8 a.m., it is free of charge.

Green Zone
Medium-term parking zone, allowing to stay up to 6 hours. Those are charged 30 czk per hour, or it is possible to pay 120 czk for 6 hour straight away. Again, as with the previous case, the zone is equipped with a coin-operated parking meter, that can collect Czech coins. And again, the zone is effective from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Blue Zone
The long-term parking zone is designed solely for local residents, or companies based in the district. Otherwise it is almost impossible to get a parking card to this zone. Do not park there without the park card, as the police focus on those zones, checking them quite often.

Service Zone
Either for the handicapped, or for other subjects at the base of a special request, in the case of commercial subjects markedly charged.

The trend of Parking zones spreads from the centre of Prague to the other parts, so be prepared that every single year will widen the places of paid parking.

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Very Special Dark Restaurant, Where one eats in total darkness, opens in Prague

Tuesday 27 May 2008 17:19

The new restaurant that serves total darkness opens in the Ceter of Prague. The new gastronomic experience, which is enjoyed by gurmets and lovers of adrenalin in major cities of the World, can be enjoyed in Prague as well.

The meals are eaten in this environment with the complete loss of vision. By starving one’s sense, the other senses are supposed to be stimulated to full alert, and your food should taste like it’s never tasted before. In case you are wondering about the washrooms, they are all brightly lit, there is also separate room with light on.

The dark restaurants are initially a project of the Blind-Liecht (Swiss German for blind-light) foundation. The foundation works to create employment opportunities for blind and visually impaired people. Their first venture, the blindekuh in Zurich, opened in 1999 and is claimed to be the world’s first dark restaurant. Since then, the restaurant concept has been subsequently replicated elsewhere, including Paris, Berlin, London and multiple cities in Canada, United States, Russia and Australia, also in China.

The restaurant’s name is Pod kridlem noci (Under the wing of night). Three-course meal starts at 790 czk (32 €). The food is served with full service. Adress: Narodni 10, Prague

Klaus: Why did you recognise Kosovo?

Tuesday 27 May 2008 16:00

This is the typical sign of the Czech political culture – if there is something people would vote for in a pool, the Czech president Klaus is against, whatever it is. The same situation with the Blob, global warming opinions etc. What is the other thing Klaus is against? This time it is the Kosovo recognition.

On Wednesday, the government has approved a proposal of Foreign Affairs Minister Karel Schwarzenberg to recognize Kosovo. Immediately afterwards, the Serbian ambassador in Prague was recalled by Belgrade. That made Klaus upset, as he wanted to at least make a little signal that the attitude towards Serbia didn’t change. The opposition, Social democrats and Communist Party, of course criticize the step as well.

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Biedermeier Arts and Culture in the Bohemian Lands

Tuesday 27 May 2008 13:55

This exhibition will be the first ever to present the wealth of art made in the Bohemian Lands in the first half of the nineteenth century. In this period, middle-class society created its own distinctive style of art and way of life. Reflecting the timeless values of temperance, practicality, and simplicity the style came to be called “Biedermeier” here and elsewhere in the Austrian Empire.

Nascent civil society sought inspiration in the traditional milieux of homeland, family, town, and nature. And the ideals emerged that were dear to Modern man –prosperity and personal responsibility. This impressive exhibition is an opportunity to provide a well-rounded picture of Biedermeier and to demonstrate its contribution to art, which is comparable to those of other great periods already presented at Prague Castle.

The exhibition is being organized by Prague Castle Administration and the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague. 28th May 2008 – 28th September 2008. Venue: The Riding School of Prague Castle, U Prasneho mostu 3.

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Expensive fuel will make bus travelling more expensive

Tuesday 27 May 2008 11:55

Fees for longer trips within the CR are getting more expensive, and payments are expected to increase more, up to 15 percent. The record-breaking prices of oil logically reflect in prices of transport as a whole. Since the beginning of the year, when most of the forwarding agents increased charges, a litre of oil raised in price of 3 czk.

Expensive oil raises also the price, at which trucks transport companies work. According to their representatives, costs raised at least 10%. Which brings another negative effect – increase of transport prices is directly proportional with increase of prices of goods.

Joe Satriani – Rock Virtuoso in Prague

Tuesday 27 May 2008 09:55

The concert of the American virtuoso of electrical guitar draws nearer.

Why is Joe Satriani so famous? Not only has he given legendary guitarists like Kirk Hammett of Metallica and Charlie Hunter lessons in mastering the guitar, but he has also released many albums, the latest of which is Strange Beautiful Music.

The man that has toured with Mick Jagger, Deep Purple and launched the legendary G3 movement, showcasing talented players like Eric Johnson and Steve Vai, is stepping up to the plate again and the audience is eagerly listening…

He has not only been a prodigious teacher, but he has also let his craft do the wailing on extreme albums like Surfing With The Alien, Flying in a Blue Dream and The Extremist. Never one to rest on his laurels, “Satch” set on a new journey on his Grammy nominated Engines of Creation, an electronic offering that was markedly different from his rock staples.

Jo Satriani in Prague – a concert on 3rd June 2008 in Arena HC Sparta Prague. Tickets at Ticketpro, 690 – 590,- czk

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Eurovision contest: is is about singing?

Monday 26 May 2008 17:55

Russian Dima Bilan, the lucky winner The Eurovision contest 2008 ended according to expectations. For the Czech Republic, and for Russia. The Eurovision contest is no longer a competition of talent, it is a political competition, where the votes of countries go to countries they like, and people from the ex-soviethean countries vote for Russia. This is, of course, not the case of the Czechs, who never vote for Russia. The fact that Kerndlova of the CR will have to go back from singing to a catwalk was quite clear, but what surprises me is the distribution of international solidarity.

Russia won thanks largely to loyal voting from former Soviet republics. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus and Armenia all awarded it the maximum 12 points. Ukraine came second, helped by Russia, which awarded it eight points.

Others, such as the Nordic countries, also stuck together. Denmark was the most loyal, giving eight points to Sweden, 10 to Norway and 12 to Iceland. Iceland repaid the compliment, awarding Denmark 12 points and Norway 10.

Andorra faithfully gave Spain 12 points and Portugal 10. Spain gave eight to Portugal.

The UK picked up only 14 points – eight from Ireland, six from San Marino. The UK gave 12 points to Greece, 10 to Latvia, eight to Turkey – but none to Russia.

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Vaclav Klaus loses a trial

Monday 26 May 2008 16:03

The supreme court didn’t support Vaclav Klaus in his opinion about judges.

The whole matter started two years ago – the Czech president nominates judges, and Klaus decided not to nominate about a dozen of new judges, because he “ … feel they are too young”. Meanwhile most of them didn’t comment, and they are judges already, those who dared to oppose and started a lawsuit still can’t work as judges. The only one who continued to resist president’s will is Petr Langer – and the Supreme Court ruled out Klaus cannot base such important matters solely on his feelings.

Czech laws set the minimum age for judges at 25. Even when all the would-be judges were 30+, Klaus simply decided not to nominate them, and repeatedly didn’t want to explain why he doesn’t want to do it in wider context. But according to Supreme Judges, the president is neither above the law, nor outside of its control. Klaus so has to let Petr Langer be a judge, or explain why not properly.

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And that's why ... you don't sleep with the first guy you meet in Prague

Monday 26 May 2008 13:55

I work as a Pragensis journalist, which means my writing job is focused mostly on Prague. I have seen many web pages about Prague, but sometimes I stumble across such a pearl, I feel I have to share it.

Last time, When I wrote about a video of German students piling beer bottles in a Prague hotel room, I didn’t have an idea of this one, which I feel obliged to share, because it gave me a really good laugh.

It is a video by studentuniverse.com, called Romance in Prague and it is really bad ;)

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