Prague Morning, Author at Prague Morning

Two years ago, the COVID-19 health crisis triggered a surge in remote working as most countries had to follow strict safety measures to keep businesses going.

But now that most of these measures have lifted and life has gone back to “normal,” many companies are still transitioning their once-in-office roles to either entirely or partially remote ones.

A recent study from employment site Indeed found that the number of global job listings with a remote component has soared since the beginning of the pandemic, nearly tripling from an average of just 2.5 per cent in January 2020 to almost 7.5 per cent in September 2021.

Data scientists at careers site Ladders believe remote work is here to stay, with a full quarter of all professional jobs to be available remotely by the end of the year.

“This change in working arrangements is impossible to overhype. As big as it is, it’s even bigger than people think,” said Ladders CEO Marc Cenedella.

“Hiring practices typically move at a glacial pace, but the pandemic turned up the heat so we’re seeing a rapid flood of change in this space. It’s really rather amazing”.

But while much of the world seems to be rapidly embracing remote and hybrid working, some countries just haven’t adjusted to the idea yet; whether for cultural, legal, or technical reasons.

Czech Republic: Legal uncertainty around remote workers’ status

Although remote working is becoming commonplace in most Western European countries, the flexible method has not been fully accepted among Czechs, especially by employers, despite the country being just as technologically equipped as its peers.

The reason is rather simple: the Czech Republic is struggling to give remote workers proper status, and the law does not specify whether a remote worker is a normal employee or not, thus companies prefer avoiding remote work given the legal uncertainty.

The Czech Republic is the only country that has never given legal status to remote workers, and although the government is starting to debate legislating their status following pushes from the younger generations who are asking for a change, there hasn’t been much progress made so far.

According to an Ipsos poll, 51 per cent of the Czech employees questioned were interested in permanent remote work and 59 per cent in a partially remote job.

Japanese Zen Paintings from the Kaeru-An Collection are brought to the National Gallery Prague by curators Markéta Hánová and Jana Ryndová.

Zenga is a thoroughly organized space where you can feel yourself a part of the artistic universe and customize your experience of Zen. The exhibition is organized into five realms, each presents one of the main principles of the ancient teaching, giving you an opportunity to become a disciple yourself.

The multidimensional space-shaping approach is adjusted in order to bring to movement all the senses you may use to perceive reality and its new experiences.

You are invited to observe the painting while sitting in a special area in front of it, while your hearing is busy with thoroughly chosen musical accompaniment. This way you may actually feel the artwork and interpret it in accordance with the teaching, making it your very own experience, allowing it to change you and therefore complete its mission.

The exhibition will run until October 2, 2022.

“Nothing is lacking and nothing is in excess”

Be sure to trust the art space that awakens silence in your own mind where an ability to listen to the world and interpret its messages can be discovered. That sacred faculty is safe and celebrated here. Each Zen dimension gives you a hand of help so you may discover Zen Circle in full and interpret “nothing is extra and nothing is absent” by yourself.

You may sometimes feel like someone got their eyes on you while having no exact shape and no exact representation but its presence is everywhere. Certain correlations with nature aspect can be already revealed at this step and extended at the third one where you will join the observation of nature practiced by Zen monks and the changes this observation provokes are expressed in the artworks.

“The mind moves according to the circumstances; yet the movement itself is the subtle truth of existence”

Trust the art space to teach you and you’ll get the feeling of dynamics and presence, use this chance to let yourself go with observation in these carefully created surroundings. The meaning of the observation and importance of the surroundings that form our personality and often shape our thinking are emphasized here.

Zen principles in all their variety will help you to understand that the painting is valid not according to the amount of inks spent on it but to the ability of the artist to link the spirit of the spectator and the source that has inspired the painting. Those who are lucky enough will be able to catch that slightest movement between the painting and the observer.

“Broad emptiness, nothing holy”

The teaching of Zen cannot be depicted but only experienced or lived out. It can’t be observed but the direction to it can be shown. Zegna space you are provided with everything you may need to discover the world in between the observation and actual experience. Each step gives you hints on how to feel what you usually see with your eyes and how to discern what you cannot see in from of your eyes.

The final surprise awaits you at the very end and of Zen circle of your own, crafted by your experience of co-creating the space where Zen monks will be your guides and experience providers. Absence of merchandise correlates perfectly with Zen spirit. Instead of it, a very special creative and meditation studio to process your adventure is waiting for you.

Therefore, Zenga art space possesses all the benefits of the unique deliberating journey of the temporary exhibition to build (the journey for) around the beholder while the vast majority of permanent ones are exposition centered and hardly care for visitors’ needs and the transformative role of art. The exhibition can truly make an input into beholder’s life, not only into museum storage.

If your day doesn’t start until you’re up to speed on the latest headlines, then let us introduce you to our new morning fix.

Saturday was the first day since the start of the Russian invasion in February that Czechia did not grant any temporary protection visas to refugees from Ukraine. The Czech authorities have issued almost 404,000 temporary protection visas to Ukrainian citizens so far.

Some 660,849 foreigners were living legally in Czechia at the end of last year, making up over six percent of the total population for the first time, according to a government report on migration and integration of foreigners.

A fragment of the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome, designed by Czech architect Jan Letzel and lasting out of an atomic bomb explosion, will be displayed in the 20th Century History exposition of the National Museum in Prague.

The international credit rating agency Moody’s Investors Service has lowered the outlook for the Czech Republic from stable to negative due to a possible disruption of Russian gas supplies. A disruption in supplies could lead to gas rationing and plunge the country into a deep economic recession. However, Moody’s still confirmed the credit reliability assessment of Czechia at grade Aa3.

Czech detectives looking into the blasts in the ammunition depot in Vrbetice formed in February an investigating team with their British counterparts who deal with the poisoning of former Russian agent Sergei Skripal, the National Organised Crime Centre (NCOZ) spokesman said today. The reason for creating the joint team was information exchange about the suspects in both cases.

The share of foreigners living legally in the Czech Republic exceeded six percent for the first time last year, according to a government report on migration and integration of foreigners.

Over the past three years, the number of registered foreigners in the country has increased by 100,000 people. Some 660,849 foreigners were living legally in Czechia at the end of last year.

The number of applicants for international protection in the Czech Republic rose by a fifth to 1411 people last year. Ukrainians, Georgians and Afghans applied the most.

After the Taliban took control of most of Afghanistan last year, the Czech Republic welcomed almost 200 citizens. According to last year’s information, about 150 applied for asylum or supplementary protection in the country.

Since the beginning of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in February this year, the Czech authorities have issued almost 404,000 temporary protection visas to Ukrainian citizens.

Slovaks continued to predominate among foreigners from EU countries, while two-thirds of foreigners with a residence permit were from countries outside the EU, mostly Ukraine, Vietnam and Russia.

According to the report, the increase in the number of foreigners was mainly due to economic migration, with the state issuing 185,000 short-term visas for the purposes of employment alone.

In terms of illegal immigration, Czech police discovered 11,170 foreigners in the country illegally in 2022, which is a year-on-year increase of 58 percent. This is the highest figure in the last 14 years.

Almost 80 percent of the persons intercepted were residents of Afghanistan, Syria and Morocco.

According to the 2021 Census of Population, Housing and Dwellings, the Czech Republic had a population of 10.494 million at the beginning of 2021, rising by 21,900 over the year.

However, the number of deaths increased significantly for the second year in a row, reaching almost 140,000 and exceeding the number of births by 28,100.

High inflation forced Czech restaurants to change their pricing policy. Many increase the cost of meals, while others reduce the weight of portions.

“In the main cities, the price may reach 70 CZK for a half-liter mug already in autumn,” said the head of the Association of Restaurateurs of the Czech Republic Lubos Kastner to CNN-Prima News.

“Restaurants’ expenses grow faster than they raise prices. Nevertheless, in recent years, establishments have risen in price everywhere – by about 20% in major cities and by 10-15% in villages”, he added.

According to the entrepreneur, the prices of ready meals push up the rising costs – gas, electricity, milk, flour, eggs, and meat have become more expensive.

At the same time, Kastner is sure that the average cost of the lunch menu will not exceed the limit of 200 CZK in the near future.

But beer can become more expensive already in autumn, which is a real headache for restaurateurs: the profit from it is small, but visitors react very sharply to the change in cost and can reduce the frequency of visits.

“Why suddenly pay 3 more crowns for beer? This is what customers ask. We try to make it as cheap as possible, but our efforts are not enough. For the Czech Republic beer is a key product, but its share of our costs is getting smaller and smaller. The situation will soon force restaurateurs to raise prices. In small towns, the price will increase to 50-60 CZK per mug. We don’t want it at all, but that’s the reality,” added Kastner.

In June inflation in the Czech Republic rose to 17.2%. This is the highest number in the last 29 years. The Central Bank in its new forecast believes that in the coming months, inflation will grow even up to 20%.

The data will be anonymous and will help the city plan traffic conditions more efficiently.

Prague will test a new method of obtaining anonymized statistical data about traffic, the city website informs. In particular, municipal company Operátor ICT will be making advanced video analysis, with the objective of improving the management of the traffic flow and making it more efficient.

Smarter and more sustainable mobility

At the beginning of this week, the City Council of Prague approved a contract for the provision of technology testing services for obtaining anonymised statistical traffic data.

The purpose of said contract is for the capital city to have backing for future decisions about territorial development, changes in traffic signs or modification of signal plans or construction modifications.

According to the Mayor of Prague, Zdeněk Hřib, the changes are needed as the number of cars in the city is growing constantly. Therefore, the authorities need to find solutions to ensure smooth passage through the territory, by investing massively in infrastructure, but also – through managing transport “based on data, not impressions”.

But on top of improving decision-making at the political level, the data is likely to help all citizens, visitors and developers of Prague, as it will be published as open data on the Golemio platform. The obtained anonymized data will be transferred there in real-time and without human assistance.

In total, several traffic parameters will be investigated, using one technology tool. This involves the flow of passenger cars and trucks, buses or single-track vehicles, traffic intensity, models of means of transport, speed, driving directions, traffic jams and dangerous situations.

Urban districts typically deal with traffic issues such as overcrowding of detours, dangerous crossings, crowded intersections, traffic jams, violations of truck entry bans or turning bans. With this in mind, 10 key locations were selected for the test, including a roundabout, a road with and without a pedestrian crossing, roads with different construction layout of intersections and trajectory of vehicles.

The pilot locations were selected in cooperation with the city districts, in such a way as to represent the basic types of construction layout of road traffic that are found in the city.

Finally, according to the press release, the project supports the fulfilment of the goals of the Adaptation Strategy of the city of Prague on climate change, specifically related to the goal of improving the conditions concerning sustainable mobility and the implementation of the Smart Prague concept by 2030.

Palm-lined streets, old picturesque houses and beautiful beaches at the foot of the Turkish Riviera mountains – all this and more will be possible to visit even during the winter.

SunExpress is extending operations on its regular air connection from Prague to Antalya. The carrier will service the route once a week, every Sunday, starting the end of October.

In the past years, Prague Airport did not offer regular direct flights during winter to Antalya as standard.

“Antalya has long been one of the busiest and most popular destinations. It is the third most visited city in the world in terms of international arrivals. Therefore, we are happy that SunExpress is extending its operations on the Prague – Antalya route and will thus provide Czech passengers with a connection to the Turkish Riviera even in the winter months,” Jaroslav Filip, Prague Airport Aviation Business Director, said.

Effective 30 October 2022, passengers will be able to use the SunExpress air connection to Antalya at the following times:

* The listed times are local to the respective destinations.

The flight No.: XQ320/YQ321 will be operated with Boeing 738-800 type of aircraft with 189 seats.

About SunExpress

SunExpress was founded in 1989 as a joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines and is one of the leading providers of charter and holiday flights to Turkey. The holiday specialist currently serves a route network of around 51 international destinations with its modern Boeing 737 fleet.

The airline has been combining Turkish hospitality with German precision for more than 30 years and welcomes around 10 million passengers on board its aircraft every year. SunExpress is a strong partner of Turkish tourism and has already received several awards for the service and comfort on board its flights.

The carrier scores with a good price-performance ratio and a wide range of innovations and digital services.

Another vandal has desecrated the Charles Bridge. He can face up to three years in prison.

The Charles Bridge in Prague has very little tolerance for vandals. Someone spray painted the medieval monument again recently–the fresh work appeared on a pillar about 20 meters from the abandoned city police office.

The inscription, which the currently unknown perpetrator created on the bridge, is roughly two meters long. “If caught, he faces a prison sentence of up to three years,” police officer Violeta Siřišťová said.

It is not the first time this has happened. Although the bridge is guarded by cameras, attacks by vandals happen relatively frequently. In July 2019, one of the pillars was vandalized by German tourists.

One of them was sentenced to a year’s probation, a fine of one hundred thousand crowns, and banishment for five years. Two years later, a seventeen-year-old boy and a girl a year younger scribbled blue on the railing and plinth of a statue.

Unfortunately, there are more cases of destruction of Prague’s monuments. The last time this year in July was a group of young people scribbling on the wall at the so-called Fisherman’s House in Kampa.

“They caused quite a lot of damage because they destroyed many square meters,” Miloslav Černý (52), who runs the Antigraffiti program for Praha 1, told Blesk at the time.

As tourism season is getting busier, authorities must remain vigilant against vandalism of Prague’s historic landmarks.

President Miloš Zeman signed the law introducing the so-called Savings Tariff, which is supposed to help households reduce their bills for electricity, gas and heat.

This year, Czechs will probably receive a subsidy for expensive energy costs of only around CZK 2,000. The Minister of Industry, Jozef Síkela, initially spoke of up to CZK 16,000 for gas and electricity.

It appears as though the current administration will not be able to follow through on this, however…

The energy-saving tariff will take the form of a subsidy from the state budget intended for energy suppliers, who will then reduce payments to households by this subsidy.

Following the imminent adoption of the law, the government will regulate the details, such as the amount of the allowance. The government could set aside 30.6 billion crowns for the cost-saving tariff. Of this amount, 3.6 billion crowns will be distributed among households with domestic boilers, which were not originally included in the support program.

Gas and electricity traders are supposed to reduce bills or deposits by the received subsidy. They will have to indicate this on the bill. The support will not apply to weekend properties and recharging electric cars.

Owners’ associations and cooperatives will have to apply separately for a heating allowance. This will apply to heat from the central supply or from domestic boilers. The upper limit of the contribution in both cases will be CZK 30,000. During the discussion in the Senate, Minister Síkela described that the contribution will be a fixed amount and the less energy households use, the larger proportion will be covered. The government wants to motivate households to conserve energy as much as possible.

Other roadblocks are also possible: sources say people who heat with gas or are connected to district heating will possibly have to wait until next year to recieve their subsidy.

Some experts on social issues believe that blanket subsidization of energy prices does not make sense. They are afraid it will lead to increased consumption, which may not be possible this winter due to supply limits. For example, according to sociologist and member of the National Economic Council of the Government Daniel Prokop, a social tariff for part of society or price regulation would be better.

The amendment to the Energy Act also responds to the government’s decision of June 22 to waive the fee for subsidized energy sources. According to the Ministry of Industry, this regulation will enable the government to implement it in practice. Payment of the fee should end on October 1.

However, the government is prepared for a possible increase in consumption. The signed draft allows for the Ministry of Industry to declare a state of emergency if the last consumption gets too high and regulate it as such. In a state of emergency, it will be able to impose new obligations on gas companies and certain restrictions will apply.

For example, suppliers will be able to increase the price of gas only by the increase in the price they pay for it themselves. The Senate called for an information campaign. However, if the supplier increases the customer’s price in a state of emergency or an extraordinary state of emergency, he will only have to inform about it on the Internet.

By publishing it on the Internet, the supplier will be deemed to have notified the customer of the price increase. The customer will then have ten days to terminate such a contract.

All this comes as Europe is bracing for a winter that, due to the war in Ukraine, could see massive gas shortages across the continent as countries cease receiving Russian gas.

If your day doesn’t start until you’re up to speed on the latest headlines, then let us introduce you to our new morning fix.

Czech foreign Minister Jan Lipavský welcomed in a statement to the Czech News Agency on Thursday the White House’s announcement that US President Joe Biden has nominated Bijan Sabet for the post of US ambassador to the Czech Republic.

Rent prices in Czechia are continuing to rise, the Czech News Agency reported on Thursday. Countrywide they rose by an average of 11 percent year-on-year, with Prague seeing the biggest increase at 15.6 percent.

Friday will continue to see tropical temperatures well above 30 degrees Celsius, with highs of 36 degrees in some places, but the weather will finally cool down by up to ten degrees over the weekend.

Fuel prices in the Czech Republic have fallen again since last week, and the price increase has accelerated. Natural 95 petrol is now sold at petrol stations for an average of CZK 44.41/l, which is CZK 1.41 less than a week ago. Diesel has become cheaper by CZK 1.10, to an average of CZK 45.11/l.

Czech detectives looking into the blasts in the ammunition depot in Vrbetice formed in February an investigating team with their British counterparts who deal with the poisoning of former Russian agent Sergei Skripal, the National Organised Crime Centre (NCOZ) spokesman said today. The reason for creating the joint team was information exchange about the suspects in both cases.

Beer is what made Prague famous. But as the city becomes ever more cosmopolitan and international, locals and tourists alike are expecting a much greater variety in the drinks they enjoy.

Nestled inconspicuously in Malá Strana, Na Břehu Rhôny is bringing exactly that: a much-needed contribution to Czech wine culture. They offer a wide variety of French wines that cannot be found anywhere else in the Czech Republic.

Opened at the end of May, the newest location focuses only on tapas and wine—all while bringing a huge dose of authentic French charm. Situated in a heavily trafficked area of Malá Strana, but a few blocks away from the main strip, the venue is surprisingly peaceful.

The patio is pleasant and airy, often hosting live jazz acts—every Thursday for the remainder of the summer. Venture further in, and there is more to be discovered: a tastefully decorated interior that retains the charm of the old building while adding touches of French charm and a spacious courtyard that offers more private outdoor seating.

Na Břehu Rhôny was started in Vyton from a desire to host friends and share in the pleasures of good wine—it has rapidly expanded, as the owners confront increasing demand for good, small-batch foreign wines. The wines are sourced from all regions of France, and the owners have a personal relationship with each vineyard.

The selections change from year to year, but the dedication to supporting small, family wineries remains the same. Furthermore, none of the wines are available anywhere else in Czechia, making this a must for any self-respecting wine enthusiast. More than that though, Na Břehu Rhôny is innovating how wine is served.

For the table service, there is no menu: the wait staff, all trained as sommeliers, listen to the customers preferences, and suggest wine that would go well with whatever food is being ordered. Experimentation is encouraged—customers often try two or three wines (for free, of course) before settling on a glass they know they’ll like. Beyond table service, a totally unique, self-serve bag-in-box wine system is also available.

Based on the honor system, customers can serve themselves a glass of wine, choosing from the same vast array. Here, too, they can try a few before choosing one they are happy with. Customers then keep track of how many glasses they’ve drunk and pay as they leave. It’s seen huge success, and customers appreciate the trust being placed in them:

“It makes me feel appreciated, and allows me to try wines from all over, at my own pace—which isn’t slow,” says Sasha Snyder, one repeat customer to both the Malá Strana and Dejvická locations.

On Saturdays in Mala Straná there is also brunch service, with several options that include the traditional American pancakes, along with more French options like omelets or tartines and more upscale offerings like oysters.

Dessert, too, is always on offer—the crêpes suzette is worth a try. For seasoned wine experts or beginners looking to broaden their tastes, Na Brehu Rhôny is the place to be.

On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden appointed US investor Bijan Sabet as Ambassador to the Czech Republic.

It was announced by the White House in a statement, along with other names of candidates for ambassadorships in other countries. The nomination still needs to be approved by the US Senate.

The last American Ambassador in Prague was Stephen King, at the end of 2020 he announced that he would relinquish this position when the new President Biden takes office.

Since then, the post of US Ambassador to Prague has been vacant. King was the ninth U.S. ambassador to the Czech Republic. He took over the office in December 2017 from lawyer Andrew Schapiro, with whom President Miloš Zeman did not have a good relationship.

“We are pleased that President Biden has announced his intention to appoint Bijan Sabet as Ambassador to the Czech Republic. This demonstrates the strong friendship between the United States and the Czech Republic. The nomination must now be approved by the United States Senate,” said the US Embassy in Prague on Twitter.

Sabet, 53, is co-founder and partner of Spark Capital since 2005, which deals with venture capital. He directed his investments in Internet networks. He was one of the first investors in the United States to bet on the future of social networks. He is one of the top hundred most prominent tech personalities according to Forbes magazine.

Who is Bijan Sabet

Sabet has Iranian-Korean roots. He graduated from Boston College from 1987 to 1991, earned his bachelor’s degree there, and is currently a member of that school’s board of trustees.

– Lives in suburban Boston. He is married and has three children.

– Sabet has been investing in Internet companies for almost two decades. Since 2008 he has been a shareholder of the then still little-known Internet social network Twitter, and from the same year he also served on its board of directors until 2011. During this period, among other things, it rejected an offer from rival Facebook to buy Twitter worth $500 million. For this reason, Forbes magazine called him a “prudent investor” in 2017.

– Previously, he worked as a senior executive in several technology start-ups in Silicon Valley, California and Massachusetts.

– Sabet is a regular contributor to the Democratic Party, to which he has previously donated thousands to tens of thousands of dollars.

Czech Republic: Legal uncertainty around remote workers’ status

Smarter and more sustainable mobility

Tell more about your business

Tell us about your.

Tell us about your.

Tell us about your.

Tell us about your.

Tell us about your.

Thank You, It`s All Good

Tell us about your.