Franz Kafka fans rejoice! A special tram decorated with a portrait of the author and quotes from his works is now cruising through the streets of Prague.

This unique initiative aims to attract visitors to the Czech capital throughout 2024, marking the centenary of Kafka’s passing in June, 1924.

The commemorative tram, which will run on various routes, displays illustrations of Kafka with philosophical quotes – both in English and Czech – scattered along its exterior. “A book must be the axe for the frozen sea within us,” reads along one side of the tram. “Do not waste time looking for an obstacle – maybe there is none,” reads another. “He who sees does not need to ask,” is also displayed in Czech.

The inside of the tram comes with more quotes and information about Kafka’s life.

The tram isn’t the only tribute planned. Prague, along with the Ministry of Culture, has lined up an exciting program of events to commemorate this literary giant.

Art enthusiasts will be captivated by “Franz Kafka-Elevation,” a captivating illustration by Magdalena Jetelová gracing the New Mill Water Tower. Furthermore, the city is supporting 14 additional projects with a total investment of CZK 1.4 million. These include the theatrical productions “Kafka Has Left the Building” at the Na zábradlí Theatre and “Kafka’s Cause” by the Prague Chamber Ballet.

Exhibitions and publications also form part of the rich program. Collaborations are underway with institutions like the Jewish Museum, the Jewish Community, the Prague Literary House of the German Language, Revolver Revue, and the Architecture Association.

“The diverse activities planned for this anniversary year highlight Franz Kafka’s enduring influence as one of the most significant writers of the 20th century,” remarked Culture Minister Martin Baxa (ODS).

The celebration of Kafka’s life and work has already begun at the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art with an exhibition of contemporary artistic interpretations inspired by the author, running until September.

“Several events will be held in June at the Prague Municipal Library itself,” announced Tomáš Řehák, the library’s head. “The Na zábradlí Theatre will stage a production titled ‘Franz and Kavka,’ and the theme will also be explored at the 29th International Book Fair and the World of Books literary festival.”

So, if you’re a Kafka aficionado or simply appreciate exceptional literature, Prague beckons in 2024! Immerse yourself in the world of this celebrated author through this unique program of events.

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Cocktail enthusiasts in Prague rejoice! Prague Cocktail Week is taking place from May 6th to 13th.

The event offers a unique opportunity to explore the city’s vibrant cocktail scene and discover a world of new flavors.

Participating bars, representing the crème de la crème of Prague’s cocktail scene, will be offering specially priced drinks at just 155 CZK throughout the week. This is your chance to indulge in expertly crafted cocktails at a discounted rate.

Bit of History First…

Organizers decided to host the Prague Cocktail Week from May 6th to 13th because the first documented definition of the word “cocktail” was in the May 6, 1806 issue of The Balance and Columbian Repository, in a reader’s letter that asked the publication to define the word.

On May 13, 1806, the paper’s editor responded that it was a concoction of spirits, bitters, water, and sugar — essentially, the recipe for an Old Fashioned. The name was inspired by drinkers who refused to change with the times and ordered their drinks the old fashioned way: a brown spirit, sugar, water, and bitters.

Beyond the Drinks

The week promises an immersive experience beyond just delicious drinks. A rich program of workshops, tastings, and guest bartending sessions will be led by industry experts, allowing you to delve deeper into the world of mixology and unlock the secrets behind your favorite cocktails.

A Grand Finale

The festivities culminate on May 13th, which also happens to be World Cocktail Day. This special day features a grand closing event, showcasing the talents of the Czech cocktail scene through exciting bartending competitions. Witness the best bartenders battle it out in both classic and flamboyant “Flair” styles, creating stunning and innovative cocktails.

A Celebration of Passion

“Prague is renowned for its rich cocktail culture and exceptional hospitality,” says Filip Stránský, co-organizer of the event. “Prague Cocktail Week is a fantastic platform to showcase our city’s talent and dedication to bar gastronomy. We’re thrilled to welcome cocktail lovers from across the globe to experience this unforgettable week with us.”

For more information and the complete event schedule, visit the official website.

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The breathtaking Pilsner Urquell Beer Hall underwent a revitalization, and it is about time to enter the culinary wonderland.

Prague’s Municipal House (Obecní dům) has seen it all and still stands triumphant on Náměstí Republiky. A sight for sore eyes from the outside, it is advocated to see all the treasures hidden behind those walls.

Since 1912, historical and cultural events have taken place inside and the tradition continues as the House keeps hosting events such as catering, exhibitions, banqueting, cocktail refreshments, and coffee breaks.

In 2022, the Pilsner Urquell Beer Hall got all dolled up with a little help from Vyšehrad 2000, a local catering company known for its culinary creativity that offered the place a chance to live a second youth.

A new bar (výčep) has been added to the pleasure of gourmet eyes of the guests who can now witness their dreams come true while liters of the well-known golden liquid (Pilsner Urquell) are flowing beside their tables. Beer is enough in most cases, but not when the opportunity to taste local Czech cuisine presents itself.

 

The menu has been meticulously selected to satisfy the most sensitive palates: the grand Czech classic starters including beef tartar are leading to the outstanding main dishes such as Pilsner Beef goulash or “svíčková”.

All the ingredients are local and fresh, so taking the opportunity to elevate your taste buds and let the waltz of flavors dance in your mouth with a Czech soup and a delicious dessert is highly recommended. Vegetarian options are on the menu, and fried cheese (smažak), presented as one of the most refined dishes, steals the show.

Meat eaters are well treated as the quality sausages and smoked meats are sourced from Bio Farma Dráb, and they can attend the traditional “zabijačka” (butcher’s feast) every February in the Beer Hall, one of multiple themed events organized here. Guests loyalty is valued and can be rewarded as the house offers a membership with a 15% discount on everything.

The whole dining experience would not be complete if it was not enhanced by a touch of Czech Art Nouveau, surrounding the entire room just like the rest of the Municipal House, whose interiors have been designed by artists like Alfons Mucha, Jan Preisler and Ladislav Šaloun.

Plenty of wonders are held within the halls, lounges and rooms, hence the need for a guided tour of the House captivating its affluent past and covering all its quarters, offered in many languages and for all ages. The visits can be customized and privatized.

The route usually starts at the Smetana Hall, cultural heart of the house and architectural beauty, a concert venue with a capacity of 1200 which takes its name from the Czech music legend Bedřich Smetana.

A virtual tour is available online for those willing to be taken to another dimension.

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The Czech government is investing in nuclear energy as a means to decarbonization.

The Czech government wants the new units to gradually go into service between 2029 and 2040, and fully phase out from Coal and Lignite by 2033.

The goal is for oil and gas to be phased out by 2050, according to the ambitious National Energy and Climate Plan.

The Czech Republic is traditionally a carbon energy exporter, yet its government is seemingly ready to cut ties.

In a speech made in March at a nuclear energy summit in Brussels, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said, “From the Czech perspective, nuclear is a cost-effective way to decarbonization. It brings grid stability and security of supply. It is the only way to reach our energy independence.”

According to an exclusive IPSOS and Euronews poll, the Czech people are the least concerned EU electors, after the Poles, by climate change. 34% agree that climate is a priority, whilst 21% do not.

Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Sikela said an assessment of the bids should be completed by the end of May.

The Czech Republic already relies on six nuclear reactors to generate more than a third of its electricity.

Besides four in Dukovany, state-controlled power company CEZ operates two 1,000-megawatt reactors at the Temelin plant.

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From 9 July 2024, Václav Havel Airport Prague will, once again, handle direct flights to Cairo.

The national carrier of Egypt, EGYPTAIR, will operate the connection to the Egyptian capital three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.

The route will also offer interesting options for catching connecting flights to another 75 destinations within EGYPTAIR’s network, including cities in Egypt and the whole of Africa, China, and India.

Direct regular flights to Cairo will land in Prague for the first time since 2011 when Czech Airlines ceased its operation of the route.

To service the connection, the carrier will deploy Boeing 737-800 aircraft with capacity for 154 passengers divided into 16 Business Class seats and 138 Economy Class seats.

With a population of ten million, Cairo is the second most populous city in Africa after Lagos. The capital of Egypt is located on the right bank of the River Nile.

Its dominant features are modern skyscrapers and luxury hotels, which are in a juxtaposition to the ancient pyramids located on the left bank in Giza. Cairo’s most visited sights include a number of important museums, the world-famous Khan al-Khalili market, and the 186-metre-high Burj al-Cairo tower, which in good weather offers wonderful views from the observation platform at a height of 140 meters.

The new operation to Prague is part of the expansion plan adopted by EGYPTAIR, Amr Adawy, VP commercial of EGYPTAIR said and added.

The airline has recently added more destinations to its extensive network, serving more than 70 destinations worldwide, like Zurich and Manchester in Europe, Taif and Tabuk in the Middle East and Shanghai, Tokyo, Delhi and Jakarta in Asia offering various connections to passengers from Prague to explore the world with EGYPTAIR.

EGYPTAIR was established in 1932, the airline has taken the lead to be the first airline in the Middle East and Africa and the seventh in the world to join IATA.

It flies to more than 70 destinations worldwide in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Far East and North America and over 67 more destinations through codeshare agreements and more than 1200 destinations globally thanks to our membership in Star Alliance.

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* LEGILSLATION:

Today MPs will discuss amendments to drafts in the second reading, which will cover various topics such as redefining rape. A bipartisan agreement has been reached to redefine rape as non-consensual sexual intercourse, highlighting the importance of legal protections, especially for sexual practices involving children under 12.

* POLITICS:

More than two-thirds of economically active refugees from Ukraine have jobs in Czechia, suggests a survey published on Monday by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). There are currently about 339,000 refugees from Ukraine with temporary protection, which allows access to public health insurance, education and the labour market. Some 77 percent of them are economically active and 69 percent of them have a job.

* WEATHER:

Tuesday will be mostly sunny with day temperatures ranging between 23 and 27 degrees Celsius.

* HEALTH:

Some 1,100 new cases of whooping cough were registered in Czechia in the past week, the State Health Institute said on Monday. It is the second highest weekly increase this year. Doctors have recorded a total of 6,397 whooping cough infections since the start of 2024.

* BUSINESS:

In Karlovy Vary, Pepsi, the global beverage giant, unveiled its first design overhaul in 14 years, impacting products bottled by Mattoni 1873 in Prague and Kyselka plants. Changes include a logo update and rebranding Pepsi MAX to Pepsi Zero Sugar.

Get ready to explore Prague like never before! The 10th-anniversary edition of the Open House Praha takes place from May 13th to 19th, 2024.

During the week, a variety of exciting events will be held. But the real highlight arrives on the weekend (May 18th & 19th) when over 115 buildings and spaces across the city will open their doors to the public – completely free of charge!

A full list of participating locations can be found on the official website

This year, Open House Praha will pay tribute to several important Czech architects whose anniversaries fall in 2024. Visitors can expect to explore buildings designed by the likes of Josef Fuchs, Oldřich Tyl, Adolf Benš, Josef Fanta, Jan Gillar, and Karel Hubáček.

The festival features over 35 new buildings in the program across 13 districts.

The list includes the former restaurant of the Štvanice Winter Stadium by Josef Fuchs, the Bílá Elementary School and Nursery School, the Fanta Building at the main railway station, the Škoda Works Palace, now the seat of the Prague City Hall, the Neo-Renaissance Old Town Market Hall on Rytířská Street, the palace of the Municipal Insurance Company on Old Town Square and many more.

You can find the full list here.

Tours in English

While tours in most buildings take place only in Czech, there are a number of buildings that offer tours in English.

These include for example the Great Strahov Stadium, one of the biggest stadiums in the world; ARA Palace, a gem of functionalist architecture from 1931 where visitors can enjoy breathtaking views from the terrace; Sokol Gymnasium in Vinohrady, the biggest Sokol gym in the world that went through many hardships in the 20th century; Laichter House, designed by famous Czech architect Jan Kotěra for Jan Laichter, the owner of a publishing house; or the Clubhouse of the Autoclub of the Czech Republic, the seat of the first Czech automobile club with spectacular interiors.

More buildings that offer English tours include for example the Old Town Market Hall, Škoda Works Palace, or Terminal 4 at Václav Havel Airport. English tours take place throughout the weekend at fixed hours.

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Monday, April 8th, is International Roma Day. It draws attention to discrimination directed at Roma communities globally and calls for the human rights of all to be respected and observed.

International Roma Day was established in 1990, but it is one of the few festivals shared by the Roma population the world over.

Celebrations of this important day are also held in the Czech Republic every year, accompanied by a rich cultural program.

In Brno, several organizations have joined together this year as they have in years past to organize the “Days of Romani Culture”, and celebrations will also take place in other cities such as Mělník, Jihlava, Ostrava, Plzeň, Nový Jičín, Breclav, and others.

The main event in Prague takes place today. At 19:30 the gates of the ARCHA+ will open for the traditional gala evening.

This year’s theme is Romaissance: the Future of Roma Art and Culture.

“Romaissance” is a corruption of the word “reneissance”, i.e., “renaissance” (Czech for “revival”, “rebirth”), which refers to the historical period at the beginning of the modern era, when the man stood at the center of the action – as a free, educated and independent being. A person who turns to his or her roots in order to find strength and inspiration for further, new paths,” David Tišer, the director of the gala and director of the organizing organization Ara Art, explained to news server Romea.cz.

“We see the future of Romani art and culture as a confident step into the ‘new age’ of our nation, along paths that begin with our cultural traditions but lead on to a future in which we have an irreplaceable place. Not only we, as a Romani society, but also as a valuable part of the wider community to which we belong,” Tišer added.

The gala evening will feature many interesting musical personalities, such as Igor Kmet’o, Marssel Bendig, the Bikarova and Matiova sisters, Petra Gelbart, Gitana, Vanesa Horáková, Natálie Kuchárová, Marta Balážová and others.

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On April 10th, commuters on the Prague metro can listen to free concerts at Náměstí Republiky, Muzeum, Můstek, Kačerov and Vltavská from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Prague Public Transit Company will mark the 50th anniversary of the metro with a musical event.

DPP promises over 30 bands in 17 genres. “Come to listen and make your day more pleasant,” DPP said on X. They will perform both classical works and world hits of various genres.

“Live music performances in metro stations are arranged annually by the Prague Public Transit Company and have always won very positive reactions from the passengers. Live music within the Prague metro is just a pleasant addition to their daily travel. On top of it, the artists have an opportunity to meet their potential fans and audience. We would like to keep this tradition going in future,” commented the general director of DPP.

Passengers can listen various music genres, from old blues and soul rhythms to rock and funk beats, modern jazz and drum & bass.

Modern jazz can be expected from Big Band VOŠ, a student group led by composer Milan Svoboda For fans of more traditional swing, Big Band KJJ will try their hands at some classics at Náměstí Republiky at 1 p.m.

In between these two big bands, you can hear the funk/soul/jazz band Monday Paradise. More funk will come from Holky v Lihu (Girls in Spirits), an all-female group that has been studying under musician Jan Linhart since 2020. They are at Kacerov at 10 a.m.

The all-male ensemble DayDreams plays original pop songs at Kacerov at 6 p.m. Some classics of pop, jazz, and rock will be covered by NonWalkers at Muzeum at 1 p.m.

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MRIYA International Fundraising Film Festival, a unique celebration of Ukrainian cinema and culture, has announced its European debut with the first event in Prague.

As a testament to the enduring spirit and resilience of the Ukrainian people, the festival showcases a series of short films crafted by talented Ukrainian directors, many of whom are actively volunteering or serving in territorial defense efforts within Ukraine.

MRIYA, translating to “dream” or “inspiration” in Ukrainian, embodies the pride, hope, and dreams of the Ukrainian people.

Named after the largest cargo plane ever built by Antonov’s Design Bureau in Soviet Ukraine, Mriya has historically represented the undying hope and belief in the best outcomes. Despite the devastating loss of this symbolic plane during a Russian air attack on Hostomel Airport in the early days of the war in Ukraine, the spirit of MRIYA remains unbroken.

“At MRIYA, we are not just a film festival – we are a movement, a celebration of Ukrainian talent, and a force for positive change,” said Kateryna Horina, the founder of MRIYA.

A passionate Ukrainian national who was living abroad prior to the full-scale invasion, Kateryna was inspired to create MRIYA in response to the struggle of her homeland, aiming to make a difference through the art of filmmaking.

During the inaugural event in Toronto, Canada, in April 2022, MRIYA successfully conducted seven screenings over the week, with all proceeds directed towards Come Back Alive and UA Direct Support.

This year, in collaboration with the Ukrainian-based charity foundation “Solidarity Mission,” MRIYA hosted its first festival of 2024 in Chernihiv, Ukraine. The festival featured eight compelling short films and a silent auction, supporting Solidarity Mission’s project on building a clinic for plastic reconstruction surgery and general rehabilitation for Ukrainian warriors.

Following the success of the third sold-out show held in Kyiv, MRIYA is excited to announce the launch of the European part of the festival. Now, in collaboration with Save Ukraine, an NGO that helps Ukrainian children deported to Russia return home, the European tour will commence in Prague, followed by screenings in Berlin, Krakow, Warsaw, and Barcelona.

The festival aims to showcase the best of Ukrainian filmmaking and continue its fundraising efforts to support those in need.

For more information, program details, and tickets, visit mriyafilmfestival.com, or follow @mriya.for.ua on Instagram and Facebook.

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* ECONOMY:

Analysts predict Czech inflation to have hovered around the Czech National Bank’s target of two percent in March, continuing the trend from February, when it reached this mark for the first time since December 2018.

* POLITICS:

Had parliamentary elections taken place in March, Andrej Babiš’s opposition ANO party would have won with 32.9 percent of the vote, according to a poll conducted by the STEM agency and published by CNN Prima News on Sunday. Prime Minister Petr Fiala’s Civic Democrat party would have come in second with 14.5 percent of the vote.

* WEATHER:

Temperature records for April 7 were broken around the country on Sunday. The highest recorded temperature was in České Budějovice at a sweltering 30.9 degrees Celsius, knocking off the original record of 30.6 degrees, recorded earlier the same day in Prague.

* SLOVAKIA:

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský have both also congratulated Peter Pellegrini on winning the Slovak presidential elections. Mr. Fiala wrote on social media site X that he believes Czechia and Slovakia will further develop their already excellent and deep relations.

* SPORT:

Czech athlete Ester Ledecká has become the first recipient of the European Union Trophy for the best athlete at the Premios Nacionales del Deporte (National Sports Awards), a prestigious annual ceremony that honor Spain’s top athletes. The ceremony expanded its awards to include the top EU athlete following the country’s presidency of the Council of the European Union last year.

The Czech Republic has just marked a historic meteorological milestone with its earliest recorded tropical day.

Across the nation, weather stations are buzzing with reports of unprecedented heat, breaking longstanding temperature records.

This groundbreaking event has been confirmed by the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (CHMI).

“More than half of our monitoring stations are reporting summer-like conditions, with maximum temperatures soaring to 25°C or higher. Yet, in many towns, the mercury has already climbed higher, surpassing 30.6°C, officially marking a tropical day (30°C or above). These unseasonably high temperatures for early April are quite exceptional,” remarked meteorologists.

The highest recorded temperature was in České Budějovice at a sweltering 30.9 degrees Celsius, knocking off the original record of 30.6 degrees, recorded earlier the same day in Prague.

This warmth has shattered temperature records at numerous weather stations across the country with more than three decades of data, according to meteorological records.

Previously, the earliest tropical day on record was April 17, 1934, when Vlašim recorded a sizzling 30 degrees Celsius. However, this longstanding record has now been surpassed, establishing April 7, 2024, as the earliest tropical day in Czech history.

Weather forecasts indicate that the warmth will persist into Monday and Tuesday, with temperatures potentially reaching as high as 28 degrees Celsius.

A moderate cooldown is anticipated, with temperatures dropping by approximately 10 degrees. Nevertheless, anticipation is high as projections suggest that temperatures above 20 degrees will make a welcome return next weekend.

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