Compact archive February 2009

Quarrels because of Madonna in Prague

Friday 13 February 2009 09:30

The city and the City Hall of Prague 11 have accredited the Madonna’s concert in the amphitheatre. There is a petition being signed at the moment. The inhabitants of the soviet-style block apartments at Chodov were supposed to listen to Madonna’s concert, whether they like it or not. Prague City Hall and also representatives of Prague 11 have agreed on allowing Madonna’s concert yesterday. The amphitheatre is about to grow solely for the planned concert.

Construction of the amphitheatre starts on 8th August, the concert itself five days later, which means 15th August 2009. The technique transport carry out tens of trucks. The locals are scared that they won’t be able to sleep because of the concerts, try to defend by the petition. Also, they assume there will be traffic collapse, when those 55-75 thousands visitors try to come there at the same time, and that the organizer’s won’t clean the mess afterwards.

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Mucha exhibition in Vienna

Thursday 12 February 2009 16:04

Mucha’s exhibition which has never been seen before, that is what is now available to be seen in Vienna. For example the poster of Women with Marguerite from 1898 to 1899 brought from Paris is one of the art pieces which are, starting today, a part of the huge exhibition of the popular art-nouveau artist Alfons Mucha is to be exhibited in Vienna.

The curator Jean Louis Gailemin advertises: We have gathered over two hundred pieces from pastels to illustrations, jewels and leaflets up to huge linens.” Ten of the Lower Vienna Belveder are going to be filled up with the unique art-pieces of Mucha until 1st June, when the exhibition moves to Munich.

One of the castle halls is going to host two pieces of the famous Alfons Mucha’s paintings, Slavic Epopee (Slovanská Epopej); more than six metres tall and eight metres wide art-pieces reach the ceiling. “We have never had such a large painting here” said the galley speaker.

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Russia: You Czechs Belong to the Eastern Europe

Thursday 12 February 2009 13:33

The foreign minister Sergej Lavrov expressed Moscow still perceives the Czech Republic as a sphere of Russian interest. Why? It happened, again, because of the radar. Karel Schwarzenberg wanted to explain a news reporter, who asked a question where he formulated ‘eastern Europe’. Schwarzenberg replied: “At first, we should make clear the Czech Republic doesn’t lie in the Eastern, but in the Middle Europe.” His comment was nevertheless more for the Russians. “and I want to add” he continued “that the radar is not, in any case, aimed to be targeted against the Russians”

Than, Lavrov took the floor “Unfortunately, I have to remind you, that according to regional groups OSA the Czech Republic and Poland lies in the Eastern, not in the Middle Europe.” He said, clearly devising to what Russians claim the whole time; Czech Republic and Poland have to realise, they are still in Russian sphere of influence. Even when Schwarzenberg laughed at it later, some after-taste remains.

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Czech Primary Schools Snack Machines offer Healthy Foods

Thursday 12 February 2009 11:56

There is no need to make your parent to make you a snack. There is a slot machine snack bar in the school. Surprisingly, the sentence is not instructing how to ruin children’s health, but a new strategy of dietitians experts. Yoghurts, buns with ham or cereal bars, accredited by nutritious therapist were put there, after the fashion of advanced countries. Children like this way of shopping, it is entertaining for them.

Children, who have a snack regularly concentrate much better, but according to data of Vyziva deti office, almost every fifth student misses his snack, and more than a half doesn’t have a breakfast. The snack machines put into Czech schools under the ‘hot’ name ‘Happy snack’ got inspired by those distributing chocolates, chips and sweet sodas, but they do not harm the young health they have.

Religion is not important for Czechs

Thursday 12 February 2009 09:45

The Czech population belong to the five least religious nations in the world, it come from the research published by the Gallup company. Religion represents an important part of everyday life only for 21% of CR inhabitants. More unbelieving are only Norse with 20%, Danish with 18% and Swedish with 17% . Religion plays the lowest part in the life of the Estonians, where only 14% of the asked said it is important.

This research brought us the US company Gallup, they carried it out in 143 countries of the world. The most religious countries, on the contrary, are Egypt, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Those numbers are interesting, however from the point of view of an average Czech: If one comes to Moravia, which is the eastern part of the Czech Republic, there still might be some religious people, but in Prague, I personally met only two people who were active Christians in my entire life.

Mecca House Party in Chinese Opera Style - Dj Lafayette

Thursday 12 February 2009 07:51

After DJ´s Lafayette return from farther Beijing, where he played for 3000 people in Chinese art club, he comes to play at the new Opera House. Lafayette took inspiration from the legendary Chinese opera and therefore February Opera will be full of references to the Chinese culture. Mecca club will transforms to a Chinese Theatre on that evening and you will be able to enjoy unique atmosphere that doesn’t repeat.

You can look forward on the Chinese decoration, Chinese dancers in kimono and special Chinese choreography. DJ Lafayette had prepared a special Chinese costume and music intro for this occasion and he invited great DJ and producer from Munich – DJ Sebastian Krieg. Sebastian is recognized and respected personality on the DJ scene, some of his last performances include clubs such as Space, or Privilege Amnesia on Ibiza, Ministry of Sound or The End in London.

Entry : 190 czk, for those who come in Chinese Kimono free entry. Prague Club Mecca, Friday 20th February 2009

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In Czech Republic, man go 4x, women 2x a week to have Beer

Wednesday 11 February 2009 17:05

Every Czech drinks beer. Even when this seems to be a cliche, often researches prove that is a true. The recently published research of CVVM in the Czech Republic reveals that almost all men and half of the women drink it. Quite probably it is not going to change by the economic crisis, people just change for cheaper labels. Share of the people who drink Czech beer doesn’t change, reaches about 90% at men population and 50-60% at women population.

Beside the regulars, there is a decent number of opportunities, when Czechs go to have ‘one’. Men during in the most cases four times a week and drink nine 0,5l glasses in total, women go ‘just’ twice a week, having 2,5 beers a week. Other important difference lies in the education. Regular beer consumption based on education in beer/week; Primary school – 12,7, Secondary School – 9,7, Grammar school equivalent – 6,6, University students – 5,8.

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Baby Puma yagouaroundi in Prague Zoo

Wednesday 11 February 2009 15:41

He is a little over a month and does not make any big adventures yet. This little baby of Puma yagouaroundi in Prague Zoo is quite a rarity. “If we could raise him here, it would be only second time in the history of our zoo. The first and last time was in 2000” The speaker Vit Kahle rejoice at the possibility. The new pair of yagouaroundi was put together on probation last year.

Since 4th January, when the mother breed him the little yagouaroundi grown up nicely. “He is nice, big, he is well and examines his surroundings.” Kahle talks enthusiastically about the life of the little beast, which is still being carefully taken care of by his mother. Similarly, the Cape Ground Squirrel mother takes care of her long-expected baby since February.

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Big Problem of Prague Tramway Tracks Revealed

Wednesday 11 February 2009 13:43

The Prague Public Transport got into a sticky situation – it appears the hundreds million investment into replacement of railway tracks, which have been taking place in the last years, might have been useless. The problem is the track gets worn away quickly. But why? Because of wrong construction of the track and tramway wheels! The other cities don’t have the problem.

Shortly after the new tramways Skoda 14T called Porsche appeared, speculations aroused its high weight and fixed bogie destroy the track. Now, specialist came with the conclusion, which is not pleasant – the railway, which was originally constructed for a horse-tram (!) is outdated and the modern tramways destroy them.

Prague Public transport company now stands before an important decision – whether to start working on new construction of tramway wheels and change them at all their waggons in the metropolis, plus to replace the whole tramway track, or to resign to repairing the tracks on an on. Both choices are very expensive and cheerless.

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Clinton decides to shelve the Czech Radar

Wednesday 11 February 2009 11:21

Hillary Clinton comes with her wide smile, Czech Foreign Minister Schwarzenberg by her side. And she announces: The new American government turns the streer. The anti-rocket shield is no longer important to it. “We may return to the question” she keeps the back door opened “but now, we are very far from doing it.” They are starting diplomatic relations with Iran, so the country the radar was intended to protect us against could become an ally. The US and Iran have not been communicating for thirty years.

Minister Schwarzenberg didn’t put a surprised expression on the press conference. He already predicted the radar negotiations are going to be delayed. So, how it is possible to explain the rhetoric? One of the explanations is, the US want to save money during the financial crisis. The second, Iran and Russia can really became countries which won’t, by rhetoric, armament or secrecy, make the world fear them.

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Paroubek now against Communists, a new twist

Wednesday 11 February 2009 09:46

The chairman of the Social Democrats Jiri Paroubek surprised by unusually sharp critique of Czech Communists. “We have sufficient reasons against any attempts for government partnership of CSSD and KSCM.” Paroubek again confirmed his reputation of a politician unsure in the political spectra. It was him who in 2006 supported the idea of cooperation with the communists.

The leader of Social Democrats writes in this weekend report for his party that the shift to communists would be ‘a political suicide’. But it is him who invited the Communists to government in regions after the win in regional elections. He however wrote: “The Czech Communist party have been insufficiently critical to their part and criminal essence of Stalinism. Any movement of CSSD towards KSCM would be a political suicide for CSSD.” Strange coming from the leader of the party which governs the regions together with the Communists…

The police arrested other Cocaine dealers in Prague

Tuesday 10 February 2009 17:34

This was another case of a bust in Prague underground scene, and it is a third cocaine bust in about 40 days. Police officers from the national anti-drug central (NPC) have seized three members of an organized gang who were producing and selling cocaine in Prague. One of them was caught when he was selling 300g right in front of a MC Donald’s premise.

According to the recently published report of Prague criminality cocaine became a common drug, but we somehow didn’t realize how common until we read almost every two weeks about dealers being busted. According to a doctor from Prague centre Drop-In Jiri Presl the increasing popularity of this deadly substance returns Prague to its First-Republic reputation – “Prague used to be famous for cocaine.”

Schwarzenberg negotiates in USA today

Tuesday 10 February 2009 15:26

Schwarzenberg went to the US for an assurance that the new American government under the lead of Barack Obama intends to continue in the program of the anti-rocket shield in the area of Poland and Czech Republic. Today, he is going to talk with Hillary Clinton, who is the leader of American diplomacy since January. It seemed recently, like if the Americans wanted to retreat from the contracts in order of making new ones with Russia, those about disarmament.

Speculations, that the US could avoid the construction were however quite reduced, when on Saturday the American Vice-president said Obama is not giving up on the anti-rocket shield. Schwarzenberg is one of the first Foreign Ministers who meets Clinton in her new function. They haven’t talked together officially for some time, but they did when Schwarzenberg worked for the ex-president Vaclav Havel. As he says “We know each other. Or more precisely, I am one of the million of people she knows.”

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The Biggest Cappuccino in the World in Prague

Tuesday 10 February 2009 13:50

The Guinness world record was made in Prague yesterday – the biggest cappuccino in the world. In the metropolis, eighty barmans made it into one huge cup within the Master of Coffee 2008 competition at Prague Exhibition ground on Saturday 7th August. The record-breaking drink contained 10 000 espresso coffees and 1709 litres of milk. The cup itself is two metres in diameter and it is 1,3m tall.

To prepare such a gigantic coffee took three hours and forty five minutes of fast, professional work and cost two hundred thousand czk. The idea was to make a coffee with 2009 litres of goodness, and to beat the record of Italians Ettore Diana and Luca Braguti made in 2002 with their cappuccino of 1250 litres. And who is going to drink it now? Well, pigs, if you want to know.

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O2 Arena Hosts Athletic Ring for the First Time

Tuesday 10 February 2009 11:36

O2 Arena Looks completely unusual from the typical image of the hockey matches. There is no shining ice, not a tennis court, not even a motocross track. This time, the arena changed into an Athletic ring (the chance took 50 hours) The ice is still beneath the athletic surface Conipur. Olympic Winner Meseret Defar baptized the oval, prepared for the Meeting of World Champions.

Meseret Defar said – About the ring, that it is “… is nicely soft, I like it.”, about the hall: “I was surprised, how huge it is, I have never run is such a big one, not in Birmingham, Stuttgart or Boston.” About Prague: “I am here for the first time, I went to the Old Town yesterday, it is beautiful.” About the meeting, on which she is going to compete: “I am happy that ill be here on its first run. And that I have tried the track in advance.”

Prague Soon Building Stage for Madonna

Tuesday 10 February 2009 09:53

If the people living in Prague Jizni Mesto feel on 13th August that they hear the voice of Madonna behind their windows, it won’t be a hallucination. It is almost certain now that Chodov will see the provisional amphitheater, where the star will perform. The site construction manages Live Nation agency. Whether this is going to be the place is not sure, though; five years ago the idea of making a similar concert at the place stopped petition of the locals.

There is nothing going to be build permanently, it is so going to resemble a one–day festival show. The agency have already organized the Prague concert of Rolling Stones, so technically it should be fine. Her guest is the music producer and a DJ Paul Oakenfold. Madonna’s last concerts in O2 Arena Prague were sold out in two hours, so be sure to buy it on 14th February, the day of release.

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Fictive Atomic Bomb Explosion on TV was For Fun!

Monday 09 February 2009 17:53

Prague city court annulled the decision of the Committee for Radio and Television Broadcasting, which delivered each member of the art group Ztohoven to pay a fine of 50 thousands for broadcasting the fictive atomic bomb explosion in the ČT Panorama show last year in June. The court decided it was an art expression and that it didn’t do harm to anyone.

This only supports the widespread opinion, that the Committee for Radio and Television Broadcasting changed from the group which was supposed to protect TV viewers into a group which tries to ban anything that is fun. The most favorite shows and original programmes which were on tv last year, like Vyvoleni, Soukrome Pasti or Kriminalka Adel got into troubles with this comitee, and were loved by viewers.

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Two Buildings by Kaplicky are Going to be Build in CR

Monday 09 February 2009 15:43

volavka from the top, sectional view The luxurious quarter, which to be build starting this summer close to the Konopiste chateau, will get not one, but two jewels, shaped by the architect Kaplicky. The Club Volavka and Vila Kaplicky. How is the design of Jan Kaplicky going to look like? The Developer’s company Resort Living carefully hides the design, as well as its price. The developers say it won’t be relieved until it is finished, and only after it will be on sale. And they also admit people have been calling to buy it from the very beginning.

volavka detail, fireplace in the middle, sectional view The heart of the whole area will be the Volavka (a heron) Club. “The club is going to be the heart of the whole quarter. The place, where people can meet. We want people from Prague and around to come there. It is not going to be any closed destination. “ said the director of the developing company.

In the heart of the club is gong to be a café with with an opened fireplace, wellness centre, winery and shops. If you are interested in living close to Prague, the price of the cheapest apartment in the resort is 2,5 mil czk.

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Russia welcomes warming negotiations with USA

Monday 09 February 2009 13:56

The United States and Russia relations, which were ice aged last year, now come to a thaw. The Russian vice-prime minister Sergei Ivanov appreciated the offer of Joe Biden to ‘restart’ the collective cooperation, made on Saturday on 45th security conference in Munchen.

The Russian politician also repeated that Moscow is prepared to negotiate about the anti-rocket shield in Europe. Kremlin offers the White House cooperation with judging the security risks with judging security dangers and united anti-rocket shield instead of anti-rockets in Poland and Czech Radar. And if USA don’t build, Russia reputedly won’t fulfil their threat to put their Iskander rockets by the Polish border.

Biden Promised that the government of the new American President Obama is going to, as the opposite to the G.W. Bush government, cooperate more with their western allies and with Russia.

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Prague Red Bull Crashed Ice Winners 2009

Monday 09 February 2009 11:34

70 km/hour, 365 m long ice track, 36m degree of incline, 12 jumps, 30 seconds of ride and shouting of 7000 visitors, that’s what tried the athletes, who applied for the Red Bull Crashed on ice competition at Prague Vysehrad.

The winner of the finals became Finnish Miikka Jouhkimainen, but the spectators yell also two Czechs to victory; Lukas Kolec and Lukas Fiala, who fell and hit the finishing tape together. Beside sportsmen, famous personalities and even viewers tried the crazy race as well.

Martin Straka commented for the news, whilst standing under the Vysehrad hill and breathing heavily: “That was the most crazy idea in my life. Now, I am going to stop that” smiling, though, only a few seconds after he ‘survived’ the coast.

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Czech Sablikova Won Allround Speedskating Gold

Monday 09 February 2009 09:55

Martina Sablikova (b. 1987), the Czech speedskater, specializing in long distance races won her first women’s title at the World Allround Speedskating Championships on Sunday. The Norway king Harald V. and with him about 9300 spectators applauded her in the ‘Viking Ship’ the sold-out hall in Hamar. She is the most versatile speedskater of the planet!

She led after two first races on Saturday, including the feared 500m sprint, and won the women’s gold medal after winning the concluding 5,000 meters in 6:55.54. Than she fell down and just lied. “She touched her limits. The hall was full and very hot, the ice was getting worse. It was an extreme race for everyone.” Her coach said after. The Netherlands edition of De Telegraph wrote: “ Sablikova is in the golden course ”

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Most Visited Sights and Monuments in Prague

Friday 06 February 2009 17:28

The Czech metropolis attracts millions of visitors every year. There is a difference among them, though – those who come from abroad look especially for well known Gothic and baroque monuments, meanwhile those from Bohemia aim for Prague Exotic entertainment, for the famous gorilla group, tigers or lions.

Prague Castle
1 342 246
Prague Zoo
1 196 954
Old Town Square City hall
456 002
Petrin Observation Tower
307535
Petrin Maze
211 342
Old Town Bridge Tower
115 582

The numbers above speak about the number of sold tickets, which when count up make the Prague Castle the winner of visit rate in 2008. Beside tourists from abroad also because the Crown Jewels were displayed.

The King of Blues, guitarist B.B. King Returns to Prague

Friday 06 February 2009 11:37

The third best guitarist of all times, 83 yo bluesman B.B. King visits withing his reportedly last European tour Prague. For how many times is this ‘International Farewell Tour’ going to repeat? During the last tour of this name got B.B. King a question from a journalist, if it is really his last tour, and he answered: “My favorite actor Sean Connery … made a movie called Never Say Never”

Maybe the last tour would really be the last, but thanks to the miracle in the form of King’s new album One Kind Favor. Most of the critics run out of stars while evaluating it, and the fans were ecstatic.

BB King have performed for a few times in the Czech Republic, and it was always a success. The tickets start at 700 czk and go up to 2500, the pre-sale start on 16th February at Ticketpro. B.B. King performs with his group in Prague Tesla Arena on 15 June 2009.

Supporters of Blob by Kaplicky demonstrated in Prague

Friday 06 February 2009 09:13

The original estimates spoken of more people, at the end about a thousand came to gather around the statue of Jan Hus at the Old Town Square. To support the National Library came also famous personalities like Aňa Geislerova, but also vip Karel Schwarzenberg, who is not only the Foreign Minister, but one of the few moral authorities among contemporary Czech politicians. He tried to explain Prague mustn’t be conservative and that it needs something new.

Most of the people who came were young, often students. Those were called together using the Internet portal Facebook; a community of the library supporters gradually gathered there, up to the present state of about 20 000 members. Which is unique – no demonstration has been called together this way so far here. The Prague City Hall forbid them to build a platform though, so they had to make it from an improvised one at statue of Jan Hus. But they say this is but the beginning.

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Aeroflot can't wait to buy Czech Airlines

Thursday 05 February 2009 17:55

Only a few hours after the Ministry of Finance officially announced the tender for the new owner of the Czech Airlines, the company everyone expects to take over the Airlines didn’t wait and applied for the privatization.

“Under the European convention Aeroflot, which doesn’t have the headquarters in Europe, buy maximally 49% share of CSA. Within the privatization of CSA it is our aim to join with those financial partners, which has the seat in the Czech Republic. In present, we negotiate with a few potential partners, with the seat in the Czech Republic, the outcome will be known in a few weeks.” said the general director of Aeroflot Valerij Okulov.

Applications can be send until 23rd March, the new owner will be known until September. The whole pack of state stocks, which is 91,51%, is being sold.

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Scuba divers found pieces of a bridge which was before the Charles Bridge in Prague

Thursday 05 February 2009 15:49

the stone which is believed to depict the architect of Juditin bridge Juditin most, is the ancestor of the more southern located Charles Bridge. It was build between 1158 and 1172 and so it became the oldest stone bridge in the Czech Republic and one of the oldest north from Alps. In 1342 the bridge was destroyed by flood.

The bridge stood, similar like Charles Bridge, on round stones connected by iron, cast in lead. The question is, where exactly the pillars stood. Some remains can be found in the building of Křížovnický řád, at the canal under the square and in the basements of houses at the Little Quarter. Juditina tower, which forms the entry to the Charles Bridge from Lesser Quarter was originally the gate to Juditin bridge.

The police scuba-divers continue in their work, first time in the history there is the aim to completely map, where the pillars were. We are going to inform you about the outcome.

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Obama Prepares Disarmament, What About Czech Radar?

Thursday 05 February 2009 13:49

The end of plans for US radar base in the Czech Republic? According to the report of yesterday edition of British edition of The Times this scenario is probable. The American President Barrack Obama want to reduce the number of strategic nuclear weapons, which USA and Russia have. Even if happens, both countries would still dominate world in the number of their arsenal. Obama wants to reduce them of 80%. Still, they would have over thousand rockets available.

Russians didn’t wait with their response – on the very day the vice prime minister Sergej Ivanov announced Moscow is “without any doubts” ready to sign a new agreement.

The planned radar base is something Russians don’t want to allow in the Czech Republic. The Americans haven’t abandoned the plan yet, but freezing the project could make Russians more helpful. The Times has informed Obama wants to create a special office led by Gary Samore, who negotiated about rockets reduction during the reign of Bill Clinton.

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Tina Turner returns after thirteen years to the Czech Republic

Thursday 05 February 2009 11:47

The owner of 8 Grammies Tina Turner stops within her European Tour in Prague to make a show for us in the huge hall of O2 Arena. On the brand new show there will be hits across her whole career, as well as great light and platform effects, stunts, imaginative choreography and many other surprises

The last world tour of the most successful women rock star of all times, who sold over 180 million records worldwide, was in 2000, took place in 123 stadiums and lasted 9 months.

Tina turner is known by her deep-felt and strong singing, which has been creating the history of rock music more than four decades. As Tina said at the Grammies: “Wherever I came, people asked me when I am making a new tour. So after some time thinking and planning I announced American concert tour. Now Europe calls me and I don’t want to let my fans down.

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Prague City Hall allowed collecting money for Blob Library

Thursday 05 February 2009 08:46

The foundation ‘For the Library’ gained permission from the City Hall on Tuesday. The collection should finance construction of the National Library according to the deign of recently decedent architect Jiri Kaplicky. The collection, which is permitted from 9th February should end on 26th January 2012.

Postavme se ke knihovne celem! (face up to the library!) under this motto the civil initiative Democracy builds calls together a demonstration on the Old Town Square. The gathering will bring, according to the organizers, at least 3000 people, including many known personalities.

The Democracy builds initiative have more than 22 700 members on their facebook profile. We also have to count with the massive support the building has among the general public. They want to react on the recent quote of Pavel Bem, that “Prague has made the definitive full top after the library” with the new quote “It is time to start a new sentence.”

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Lee Dagger and DJ Neo at one Unique night

Wednesday 04 February 2009 17:19

The November edition of the most successful night of Mecca – Meccamix, again brings an unique show. Returning DJ star Lee Dagger aka Bimbo Jones (UK) is the headliner, plays with the support of the most successful Czech house DJ and producer of all times – DJ Neo (Subliminal).

At the age of 22 he released his single at famous Subliminal. Until today, he had 7 albums done, 2 Grammy nominees and successful cooperations in studio with such a names as Jocelyn Brown, Soraya or Tara McDonald.

But that is not all – there will be the performance of young male vocalist and saxophonist El Jay with identical voice of Jay Jay from Jamiroquai, with the beautiful female vocalist Sandra, accompanied by truly beautiful dancers Ibiza Diva in Brazilian costumes, Meccamix inflatable decorations and silver confetti coming down from ceilings all night.

Entry: 290czk, VIP tickets: 990czk. Start 22:00, pre-sale Ticketpro. Club Mecca, U Pruhonu street 3, Prague 7.

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New Czech Invention Should Protect Against Ticks

Wednesday 04 February 2009 15:34

blood cells The vaccination, which make a tick starve to death. That is the perspective that might be true if the newest discovery of Czech parasitologists proves to work.

A tick sucks blood only three times in its life. As a larvae, a nymph and finally only a female does need it for resources for eggs creation. In order the parasite gets enough, it must stay leeched for quite a long time. Enough time for transmitting viruses which are one of the most dangerous on our planet.

Ondrej Hajdusek and his colleagues from the naturalist faculty of Jihoceska Univerzita in Ceske Budejovice found out, how the parasite deals with too much toxic iron, which it swallows with blood of the host. They could essentially intervene with the digestive tract of these almost insects.

When the scientists blocked the specific protein, the blood accumulated in intestines of the tick, which died of hunger. If the vaccination development will be successful, the parasites could lose their appetite.

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Prague Main Train Station Changing into Shopping Paradise

Wednesday 04 February 2009 13:54

The reconstruction has been underway for more than a year now, and we can already see shops that has been opened, but that is only a beginning; the new shopping zone is about to take 3 thousand square metres. It should be opened in April. The building, by which tens of thousands pass every day is getting new function, significant for our age. It gets a lot more dignity every hour.

So what should open in April? New restaurants, drugstores, bank affiliates, florists or new toilets. The glass facade has been replaced, as well as the roofs, new nets and and lights. The former Art Nouveau booking hall, now a cafe At the same time there will be a new customers centre of Czech Railways; with ticket shop, left-luggage office and information office.

The entry hall reconstruction should be finished in spring 2010. After, the revitalisation of the terminal building will be finished. The other step is Fantova Kavarna – secession café with beautiful interior, which will take three years. Still, one should expect there will still be restrictions.

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Prague Public Transport Trains Gaining popularity

Wednesday 04 February 2009 11:42

Public Transport Trains are still getting more popular in Prague. It has been established just a few years ago – when you hear the message ‘přestup na liky typu S a další spoje’ while in train or metro, it means you can change to a train, which can take you to the other side of Prague without stopping. While it can seem seem as a risk at first, when one takes look at www.idos.cz and searches one’s connection, one finds out it can be really fast.

To pay for the train ride is not different from paying for the rest of Prague Public transport – either one buys a ticket in a vendor machine, the same as for metro and trams, or use the increasingly popular sms ticket. Even though some train stations still have the communist feel and look, to be fair it should be said that there has been done a lot for improvement. And the Main Train Station in Prague doesn’t look like a station at Ukraine anymore.

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Us3 concert in Prague

Wednesday 04 February 2009 09:12

London jazz-rap group Us3 come to Prague on 14th April to Prague, to play again in the Lucerna Music Bar. Us3 publish in April 2009 a new, seventh studio album, so the fans will hear new tracks as well on the concert.

The group Us3 originated, when in 1991 the jazz musician an a promoter of Geoff Wilkinson first time produced music for TV shows and in the past he made keyboard player at John Mayall. Together, they made the song Will We Be in 21st Century? And The Band That Played the Boogie song a year later, which brought attention of the owner of Blue Note Records.

Us3 concert in Prague, 14th April 2009 at Lucerna Music Bar, tickets at Ticketpro.

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Czech Republic Very Cheap for the British

Tuesday 03 February 2009 15:58

According to the investigation of Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer, which was carried out by the British post company Post Office® Travel Services the Czech Republic is, after Hungary, the the second most cheap destination of 2009 for the British.

The common tourist costs in 27 countries of the world were investigated in the survey. The list include thinks like cup of coffee, bottle of beer, can of Coke, bottle of mineral water, tanning cream, repellent, box of cigarettes or a three-course dinner with wine in a local pub. The same list was more expensive in the Czech Republic, but only of £1,50. Thailand was third.

So it seems, the Czech Republic could be sought after by the British now even more than before. Not only the exchange rates and prices went positively for them, but the low-cost flight companies reduced prices as well.

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Czech Regional Hospitals quit collecting 30czk charges

Tuesday 03 February 2009 15:48

So here it is – one of the things CSSD won the regional elections with was they offered people the end of regulation charges in symbolic height, the system which helped many doctors from redundant patients, on the contrary the regional hospitals and polyclinics haven’t seen a change, but at least it brought money to the health budget. How much? About 700 mil czk.

The policy of country marshalls brought critique of economists and the Ministry of Finance. Specialists see repaying the charges at the time o the crisis as ineffective spending. “That this take place at the time of crisis underlines the absurdity.” said the finance minister Kalousek. Not even an economist Jiri Rusnok, who is a member of CSSD who put the idea through don’t think it is wise. “It is a product of a political decision.”

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Tripadvisor: Prague Must Luxurious Hotel is Aria

Tuesday 03 February 2009 13:56

Travel movement of the whole world is in a crisis now. Popularity of Prague hotels, none the less, grows. The five-star hotel Aria at Mala Strana (the Lesser Quarter) is, according to the prestigious traveller’s magazine Tripadvisor the most luxurious hotel of the world. Nevertheless, most o Prague citizens don’t even know, where the hotel offering view into Vrtbovská garden is.

According to a specialist it is not an accident that among the 50 most luxurious hotels are, beside Aria, other three Prague hotels in the mentioned chart. “The times, when Prague hotels offered low class services, are long gone.” states a Mag Consulting company representative. That is the reason, why among the hotels appeared also hotel Ventana in Celetna street, which has, beside a relax centre and a hotel library a crystal chandelier by Swarovski. Most of the hotels are in the centre of Prague, overlooking the best sights.

Red Bull Crashed Ice in Prague this Saturday

Tuesday 03 February 2009 11:51

People, who nowadays head to Vysehrad, can be surprised by an unusual view – In V Pevnosti and Vratislavova streets a massive construction from wood and iron grown up. Workers lay special plastic carpet, thanks to which the street is going to turn into an ice bed. On the surface is going to take place the Red Bull Crashed Ice race on Saturday 7th February. This year, 120 racers from the whole world are going to participate, from which 60 are from the Czech Republic.

And what the Red Bull Crashed Ice is? A combination of downhill skiing, hockey and boardercross. the competition take place in urban ice tracks in various cities, wind and diving its way. The competitors have to navigate the course’s massive vertical drops, razor-sharp turns, jumps and steps, all while doing speeds of up to 50 km/hr. If that’s not enough of a rush, they’ll also have a crazy live audience cheering them on. If you want to be among them, look for at a ticket at Ticketpro.

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Hradcanska Tramways Closure to Prague Castle

Tuesday 03 February 2009 09:45

The exit from Hradcanska metro station, the subway station closest to Prague Castle is shocking for many people. First, some of the doors a closed, so it a little like finding the right way out of maze. But when one finally gets outside, it looks like one got out to the middle of a building site. And this is the way it is going to be for a few months more.

The construction takes place because of the tunnel Blanka is being build. And if one wants to try for a tramway, one can try again. Directly from the place go the substitute bus line X1, in the night it is X56, in the direction to the centre only. The best advice is to find the directory table with the map and try to figure out where the bus stops. Unfortunately, the obstacles stay there until 30th June 2009.

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Visualization of Wenceslas Square in Prague Reconstruction - Have a Look

Monday 02 February 2009 17:25

Prague City Hall have introduced, how the future of drivers might look like in Prague. From the Main Train Station to the Wenceslas Square they could choose – either to go into the tunnel or use the new roundabout in front of the State Opera building. So the hated speedway among the National Museum Building and Wenceslas Square should disappear.

What you can see here is a computer study of Satra company, which was designed for the Prague City Hall. If everything goes according to plans of the city, the first digging should start in 2011 and the construction wort 10 billions czk would last for three years. Where the tunnel is going to start and where it ends is not clear yet.

Czech Communists gathered to protest against Radar

Monday 02 February 2009 15:57

More than a thousand people demonstrated against the planned US Radar base in the Czech republic. It was communists who organized the meeting at Paladskeho Namesti. At the end of their protest march they handled a letter on the USA Embassy. The letter was addressed to Barrack Obama.

Of course, as it is common during those events, nobody openly admitted that the very possibility to assemble and demonstrate is a democratic privilege, which the Czech Republic have thanks to the fact we didn’t let the communists in power.

“We assume, that by building a military radar station the Czech Republic and their citizens became a tool of one-side economical, military and international politics of the USA.” the letter says.

It is strange that in the time when Russia is as puffed as a pouted pigeon and variously attacks surrounding countries either physically, or by blackmailing them, there is still a certain group who would love to unite with them.

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Danger of Avalanches in Krkonose, Czech Republic

Monday 02 February 2009 13:17

If you are going to the Czech Republic to ski, you should take care of warnings that you can see at various places. From the night of 1-2-2009 to 2-2-2009, about 35 cm of snow fell. That makes about 115 cm of snow which is now on the ridges, and that makes … third degree from five of avalanche danger.

Hikes in third degree of avalanche danger require experienced appreciation outreaching common experiences. Possibilities of various hikes are limited, warn the mountain rescue services.

Krkonose historical maximum of avalanche danger is the fourth degree. There is a few tens of them every year, which, however, do not get to populated places. But that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t be dangerous – in Krkonose the last mortal accident happened to a 36 yo skialpinist last December.

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Klaus Denied Global Warming ... Again

Monday 02 February 2009 11:26

The Czech President Vaclav Klaus on the World Economical forum in Switzerland denied that global warming would take place. He aroused emotions as it is counter the official stance of the European union and the Czech government. According to Klaus, the statistics don’t show it.

“I don’t think Global warning exist. I don’t see any statistic data proving it” Klaus declared, and at the same time criticized the laureate of Nobel Peace prize and the former president of the USA Al Gore. “I am very sorry, that people like Al Gore are not ready to listen to rival theories. “I listen to them” he added. “Environmentalism and alarmism around global warming threaten our freedom.” he continued.

Klaus also warned against market regulation and following lost of personal freedom. “I am afraid that the contemporary financial crisis will be radically abused for market function regulation and market economics in the whole world.

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Demonstration for Blob this Thursday

Monday 02 February 2009 09:38

The supporters of the new National Library in Prague, the ‘Blob’ building by Kaplicky and his Future System studio are going to express their wish. The gathering takes place at the Old Town Square, 5th February in 18:30. The top supporters are to come; Vlastimil Jezek, an architect and former Prague mayor Jan Kasl and Prague representative Jiri Witzany, who appealed to Pavel Bem to put through the library after death of Jan Kaplicky.

Bem’s reaction was: “ Prague has already made the definitive full stop behind the National Library long ago” but Witzany disagrees – “Prague has to come up to the unfortunate procedure when the library was realized, but that is not possible without certain politicians changing their attitude.”

After Kaplicky’s death, an Internet group of supporters came into being, growing rapidly, now having about 20 000 members. How many people can come to support the library in the real life remains a question.

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