Prague News and Views

2015 World Ice Hockey Championships In Prague End

May 20th, 2015

The 2015 IIHF World Ice Hockey Championship, being staged in Prague and Ostrava for the first time since 2004, came to an end on Sunday night with Canada comprehensively outplaying Russia to win the gold medal 6-1 at the O2 Arena. The one-sided...

Chess Play In Prague Open Space

Aug 14th, 2014

Town halls in Prague 1 and Prague 2 approve plans to install chess tables in public spaces. The chess tables with pawns will be installed in five public places in the centre of Prague in early August, cafe owner Ondřej Kobza told the Czech News...

Prague Demands Apology For a Bad Name

Oct 22nd, 2013

National Geographic has landed in Prague's black books, after publishing a documentary film on the city's nightlife in November 2012. A year later city officials demand official apology and another film that would exhonorate Prague. National...

Biking Gains Popularity Among Praguers

Apr 19th, 2013

The number of Prague residents using their bikes on a regular basis has doubled in the last two years. According to the news portal Prague Daily Monitor, over 100,000 out of 1,3 million inhabitants go to work, the city centre or public offices by...

EU flag hoisted up at Prague Castle

Apr 4th, 2013

In the presence of European Commission chief Manuel Barosso, Czech president Milo? Zeman raised the flag of the European Union at the president's seat. As Radio Prague reports, it's the first time since the Czech Republic's accession to the EU in...

Religious Tourism Boosts Up

Dec 17th, 2012

Although it is perceived as one of Europe?s most atheist countries the Czech Republic has an impressive network of cathedrals, basilicas, chapels and, even a church museum. Apparently, sacral tourism is also fast gaining ground in the Czech Republic....

Pragulic Project to Show Street Prague

Nov 28th, 2012

The homeless, the thieves, the druggies - the real life of Prague streets at night is the aim of a new social enterprise, Pragulic, offering tours that let you see the city through the eyes of the people that know the underbelly of the city. These...

Second Prague Pride a Success

Aug 30th, 2012

It seems hard to believe, but this year?s Pride festivities in Prague were only its second in history - making Prague the last European Union capital to host an event celebrating sexual minorities. While the 2011 edition had a difficult start,...

Prague Artist Wows in London

Aug 5th, 2012

Well-known Prague artist David Cerny, who is known for his many sculptures and installations including as a tank painted pink, has unveiled his latest work to be on display in London during the Olympics. The London Booster is a traditional red...

Melissa Reid In Emotional Victory at Prague Masters

Jul 2nd, 2012

Overcoming great personal turmoil, Melissa Reid managed to emerge victorious at Prague's Raiffeisenbank Golf Masters which took place at the Albatross golf resort. This was the 24-year-old English golfer's first appearance since the tragic death of...

Slav Epic Painting Cycle Opens

Jun 2nd, 2012

The much-anticipated opening of the 'Slav Epic' series of paintings by Art Nouveau master Alfons Mucha has taken place at Prague's Trade Fair Palace. The exhibition will run for two years, showcasing these enormous works which were originally...

Gastronomy Museum Opens

May 6th, 2012

A brand new cultural attraction has opened in Prague, aimed at visitors and tourists alike - the Gastronomy Museum. First to open in the museum is the second floor, which follows the history of Czech ceramics and silverware, including flatware,...

Michelin Stars Announced for Prague Restaurants

Mar 31st, 2012

Michelin, makers of highly regarded restaurant guide Michelin Main Cities of Europe, have announced the Prague restaurants which will be added to the guide for the 2012 edition. Previously, the now-closed Allegro restaurant in the Four Seasons...

Hitler-Owned Paintings Found in Czech Convent

Mar 12th, 2012

Czech historian and amateur researcher Jiri Kuchal has discovered seven paintings in a convent in Doksany that are believed to have once been owned by the Nazi leader. Hitler was an art enthusiast, and had bought and seized thousands of paintings...

Astronomical Clock Figures Under Repair

Jan 30th, 2012

Four figures from Prague's famous astronomical clock have been removed for maintenance and repairs, a process which will likely take two months. The wooden figures, which include a skeletal statue representing Death, will be delicately repaired...

Prague Mourns Havel

Jan 9th, 2012

The city of Prague continues to mourn one of its foremost heros of the 20th century - former Czech president Vaclav Have, who died on December 18 2011 aged 75. The dissident, playwright, and poet, became a political leader when the country shook...

Creator of The Little Mole Dies at 90

Dec 5th, 2011

Zdenek Miler, the Czech creator of the world famous cartoon character Krtek, has died at the age of 90. Krtek (Little Mole) was beloved by generations of children not just in the Czech regions but also abroad including as far as Japan. The first...

Tiffany to Open Shop in Prague

Nov 5th, 2011

The ladies of Prague may soon expect a little blue box for that special occasion from next year, as fame New York-based jewellers Tiffany & Co. prepare to open their first shop in Eastern Europe in the summer of 2012. As sales dwindle in its...

Prague entrepreneur sells canned Prague air

Oct 23rd, 2011

A photographer and recently businessman, Kirill Rudenko decided to open a unique business. He sells canned air from different parts of Prague as an alternative for traditional, cheap-made souvenirs. "The general idea is to make people happy. That's...

From Prague to Bratislava in an Office Chair

Oct 2nd, 2011

Future desk-bound HR employee Miroslav Jonas, 21, wanted to show how an office chair can be used actively - so he travelled 380km in the wheeled seat. Currently a student, Jonas travelled from Prague to Bratislava using only an office chair as...

Prague's First Gay Parade a Success

Sep 3rd, 2011

Thousands of people marched through the streets of Prague in August to celebrate the city's first gay pride parade and festival. About 300 police were on hand guarding the event, which was faced with some protesters, though the parade turned out to...

Unsure Future for Pragues Gothic Cellars

Jul 31st, 2011

Gothic cellars unearthed between Prague?s Old Town and its New Town are under threat after Czech Culture Minister Jiri Besser cancelled cultural heritage protection for the site. The cellars have been exposed to the elements since before the winter...

Pink Tank Returns to Prague

Jul 1st, 2011

The famous Pink Tank, created by acclaimed Czech artist David Cerny in 1991, has returned to its native Prague where it has been placed on a pontoon on the Vltava River. Cerny's tank acted as a war memorial in the city, and was seen as a act of...

Banville Wins 2011 Kafka Prize

Jun 5th, 2011

Irish novelist John Banville has won the 2011 Franz Kafka Prize, awarded by the Franz Kafka Society in Prague. Banville previously won the Man Booker prize for his novel The Sea which was published in 2005. Since its inception in 2001, the Kafka...

'Gay Caveman' Unearthed Near Prague

May 1st, 2011

The remains of a caveman, or more precisely a pre-Bronze age farmer from approximately 2900-2500 BC have been unearthed outside of Prague. Because of the man's unusual positioning during burial, some have concluded that the man may have been gay. ...

Pragues Astronomical Clock Shut for Repairs

Apr 5th, 2011

Bad news for those who have been looking forward to visiting the mechanical wonder that is Prague?s Astronomical Clock. One of the most iconic Prague sights, the clock is located on the southern wall of the old City Hall in the Old Town?s Market...

Havel Library to Move to Prague Castle

Mar 1st, 2011

Inspired by American presidential libraries, the Vaclav Havel Library was created in 2004 to house the works of the thinker, playwright, poet, and former Czech president. Currently split in two locations, the library is planned to move to a new...

Prague Zoos Komodo Dragon Baffles Keepers

Feb 6th, 2011

The Prague Zoo, one of the top zoos in the world, is also home to one of the world?s most successful breeding programmes for the endangered Komodo dragon. Recently, the zoo?s female dragon Aranka has laid two sets of fertilized eggs without having...

Ballet Gala Arrives in Prague

Jan 5th, 2011

The arrival of the new year also means the imminent approach of one of Prague?s most anticipated cultural events, particularly for ballet lovers - the Prague Ballet Gala. The Prague State Opera House will host the annual event over two nights in...

Russian Art Museum Opens

Dec 6th, 2010

A museum focused on Russian art from the 18th to 20th century has opened in Prague this month by private art collector Valery Larionov. Most of the over 150 paintings on display were bought by Larionov in the Czech Republic over his 15 years living...

Poet Fischerova Dies at 75

Nov 7th, 2010

The first lady of contemporary Czech poetry, Viola Fischerova, has died at the age of 75. The poet was battling a terminal disease before she passed away in Prague's Motol hospital on 4 November. Originally from Brno in eastern Czech Republic,...

Troubles for Google Street View

Sep 29th, 2010

The EU continues to be troublesome ground for Google, as it attempts to expand its Street View service throughout the world. The online service, which requires Google to take 360 degree photographs from a special camera mounted on a car, allows...

Victory For Czech Budweiser

Aug 1st, 2010

American-based beer giant Anheuser-Busch, makers of international beer brands such as Kirin and Beck's as well as the American Budweiser lager, has been unable to secure a European trademark for its Budweiser beer. This follows over a decade of...

To Smoke or Not to Smoke

Jul 4th, 2010

For some, smoking a cigarette after a meal in a restaurant, or with an point of beer in a pub, is an integral part of their outing. For others, to sit in a room of damaging second-hand smoke is just another reason to stay at home. And just like so...

Czech beer makers want formula protected

Jul 2nd, 2010

Czech experts have called for the Czech Research Institute of Brewing and Malting to patent their version of powdered beer. The institute has been producing powdered beer since the mid-90s and it is felt that its useful invention is now in need of...

Fringe Festival Kicks Off

May 27th, 2010

Prague's top alternative, multilingual festival - the Fringe Festival - kicks off 28 May with a packed schedule of 40 different shows and 200 performances lasting until 5 June. Now in its 9th year, the Fringe Festival presents a variety of...

Anthology Documents Past 20 Years in Prague

Apr 29th, 2010

An anthology following the last 20 years of literary achievement in Prague has been published, including works by both Czech and expat writers. As the Prague Post writes, its original editor-in-chief Alan Levy once compared 1990s Prague with 1920s...

Dalai Lama Documentary Wins Award at Prague's One World Festival

Mar 15th, 2010

We are now midway through the 12th annual One World Film Festival here in Prague, and two significant awards have already been announced. The winner of the Vaclav Havel Special Award has been announced as "The Sun Behind the Clouds", a...

NHL Team to Open Season in Prague

Feb 11th, 2010

Opening the forthcoming 2010-2011 NHL (National Hockey League) season, American ice hockey team the Boston Bruins play two games in Prague. Several other NHL teams will also play games in countries across Europe in an effort to boost the league's...

Prague a Hit with Traveler's Choice Awards

Jan 26th, 2010

Popular travel website TripAdvisor has announced the results of its annual Traveler's Choice Awards, and Prague, particularly its hotels, has come out a winner. Coming out on top as Best Bargain in the World was Arcadia Residence, which offers...

Christmas and New Year's in Prague

Dec 18th, 2009

Heading to the Paris of the East this winter season? If this Christmas turns out to be a white one, you're in for quite the view. But there's more to Prague than architecture and snow, and during the holiday season there is plenty to see and do to...

Saddam and the Soviet Tank

Aug 3rd, 2009

What have Saddam Hussein and a Soviet tank got in common? Well they both feature in an exhibition by controversial Czech artist David Cern?, who shook up EU political correctness with his sculpture of European stereotypes suspended outside the EU...

What NOT to do in Prague this summer

Jul 4th, 2009

Off for a short break to Prague anytime soon? The city remains an absolute must for anyone travelling around middle Europe, and its reputation as lively and cultured is well justified. But for every Canaletto there is to see, there?s always a few...

Trams to return to Wenceslas Square... Maybe

Jun 8th, 2009

Wenceslas Square, backdrop to some of Prague's most pivotal events, is to get a long-overdue face lift and last week the city's Mayor announced more details of how the square would look.Mayor Pavel Bem confirmed that tramlines would be re-installed...

Twitter your way to a free stay

Apr 2nd, 2009

Fancy a free stay in Amsterdam? HostelBookers can get you there. Just go to HostelBookers Easter Egg Competition on Twitter, and you soon could be savouring the city of Van Gogh, canals and, ahem, weed appreciation societies. Just follow the...

Obama Choses Prague

Mar 27th, 2009

"Strengthening US ties to Europe" is the main subject of the American president Barack Obama?s first public foreign-policy speech, which will take place in Prague. Czech Republic?s ambassador to the U.S., Petr Kolar, said that the White House is...

Bertramka Villa Back To It's Owners

Feb 26th, 2009

The 18th century villa in Prague, home to the Museum of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, was returned to the Czech Mozart Association. After years of law suits, the verdict was clear: the building should go back to its rightful owner. The Viennese...

Ignoring UNESCO, Are We?

Jan 20th, 2009

Although the representatives of UNESCO objected to the idea of erecting two Pankr?c skyscrapers in Prague, stating that they're too high to fit in the historical city center - one the most beautiful in Europe - the city aldermen accepted the project....

Czech Republic to Rule Over the EU

Nov 4th, 2008

Although the middle of an economical crisis isn't the best time to take responsibility for anything, on January 1 the Czech Republic will be assuming the presidency of the European Union. For the very first time in history, an ex-Soviet bloc country...

Titanic moored in the Lucerna Great Hall

Oct 24th, 2008

Everybody knows the tragic story of Titanic. You've read papers, you've seen the movie, you've heard Celine Dion sing...Now you can get to know the magic atmosphere of 1912. More than 300 objects from the ship will be displayed in the Lucerna...

Czechs Still Kicking in Euro 2008

Jun 13th, 2008

The Czech Republic national team has so far won one game and lost one game in the UEFA Euro 2008 Championships tournament, with one game to go in their group. The Czechs' first game in the Euro tournament began with a showdown against co-hosts...

US Base Referendum Rejected

May 15th, 2008

The Communist deputies have proposed a referendum about the proposed U.S. missile radar base which was shot down by the Czech government. A similar proposal had been rejected by both the cabinet and the parliament previously. Because the Civic...

NATO Approves US Missile Shield

Apr 4th, 2008

As the NATO summit goes on in Bucharest, one of the topics of discussion is the proposed American missile shield in the Czech Republic and Poland. Thursday, the US and the Czech Republic reached an agreement about stationing an anti-missile radar on...

Czech Republic and US Strike Visa Deal

Feb 28th, 2008

The United States and the Czech Republic have signed an important agreement that has left some delighted, some infuriated, and few unaffected. The important document will lead the way to securing visa-free travel for Czech citizens to the United...

Klaus 2.0

Feb 18th, 2008

After three rounds of elections, incumbent President Vaclav Klaus won a second five-year term on Friday, leaving him in office until 2013. Klaus just barely beat out opponent Jan Svejnar by securing 141 votes out of the 280 legislative seats in both...

Coffee Invasion

Jan 24th, 2008

The inevitable has finally happened in Prague: Starbucks, the coffee behemoth from Seattle has invaded the Czech Republic. The American coffee chain so far has one location in Prague, located on Malostranske namesti, but once in a country, the chain...

Missile Talks in Prague

Jan 11th, 2008

While it looked like the missile shield talks had stalled in Warsaw, Poland and the Czech Republic have decided to team up for the forthcoming negotiations with the United States. The prime ministers of the two nations, Donald Tusk and Mirek...

Flat Fire Reveals Artefacts

Jan 7th, 2008

A fire in a Prague flat has revealed thousands of historical artefacts. The artefacts, mostly metal, include bronze arrow tips, buckles, and pieces of weapons and armour. Unfortunately, the collection was gathered by amateur metal hunters (mostly...

Czech Crime of the Century

Dec 12th, 2007

Recently, a Czech security employee pulled off the biggest crime in Czech history, making off with 560 CZK from the G4S security agency's Prague office. The theft, unprecedented in Czech history, occurred on the premises of the company last Saturday,...

Police Sued Over Neo-Nazi Demonstration

Dec 1st, 2007

On the 10th of November, the anniversary of the Kristallnacht anti-Jew pogrom in Nazi Germany, right-wing extremists led by the Young National Democrats group planned a march through Prague's Jewish Quarter, Jozefov. Besides the obvious...

Extremists Fight to March

Nov 9th, 2007

In perhaps the textbook definition of insensitivity, Czech right-wing extremists (i.e. "neo-Nazis") have decided to march through Jozefov, Prague's Jewish Quarter, on Saturday, November 10th, the anniversary of the Kristallnacht anti-Jew pogrom in...

Kundera Awarded Literature Prize

Oct 29th, 2007

Famed exile Czech novelist Milan Kundera has received the honour of his most well-known novel, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, becoming a best-seller in the Czech Republic 22 years after its publication. Though orignally published in France in...

An Iranian Politician in Prague

Oct 17th, 2007

Iranian politician Alaaddin Borujerdi, chairman of the Iranian parliament foreign committee, has arrived in Prague for a meeting to discuss diplomatic relations between the Czech Republic and Iran. Borujerdi met with Foreign Minister Karel...

Who Owns St. Vitus?

Oct 9th, 2007

Recently, an ownership dispute has been the talk of the town in Prague, though it's been going on for the last fourteen years. The object in question is Prague's historic St. Vitus Cathedral, located in the middle of the Prague Castle grounds....

They Don't Even Have to Rip You Off Anymore!

Sep 7th, 2007

A Prague court has ruled that taxi drivers no longer have to respect a maximum fare charge set by the city authorities. Prague's taxi drivers have already earned a notorious reputation for ripping off foreigners, and it seems now they have a licence...

No More (Czech) Visas to America

Aug 10th, 2007

In a historic and long-overdue piece of legislation, both houses of the U.S. Congress have passed a measure then signed by President George W. Bush allowing five new EU member states into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, amongst them the Czech Republic...

Charles Bridge 650 Years Young

Jul 10th, 2007

While the Charles Bridge seems to be getting more and more crowded with each passing tourist season, it's still looking fine for all of its years. The historic monumental bridge has survived floods, invasions, revolutions, and its biggest challenge...

Boats to the Rescue

Jun 22nd, 2007

While seeing the Charles Bridge full of souvenir stands, artwork for sale, musicians, and swarms of people might be charming to tourists, residents of Prague have been finding it harder and harder to get around the city in the summer. As part of an...

An American President in Prague

Jun 5th, 2007

American President George W. Bush has begun his eight-day tour of Europe, kicking it off in our lovely Prague. While visiting, no doubt top on President Bush's agenda will be talks about the proposed radar base the U.S. wants to locate in the Czech...

Prague Citizens: No to Radar!

May 29th, 2007

While Poland seems gung-ho about hosting the United States' missile defence shield, Czechs, known for their culture of protesting, have taken to the streets in, well, protest of the proposed missile shield radar being located on Czech territory. ...

Prague Life PDF Now Available!

May 28th, 2007

Have you been thinking lately, "Gee, Prague Life's online guide sure is helpful, but I wish I could take it with me on my trip to Prague!"? Well fear not, we have the answer to your problem - in the form of a new, downloadable PDF guide! Just click...

Bradgelina in Prague

May 21st, 2007

Celebrity couples might be all the rage in the UK and US, but Czechs have their shot at getting into the craze this month, when America's famous couple, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie (often dubbed "Bradgelina" by American media) take up temporary...

US Missile Defense Agency Chief in Prague

Apr 24th, 2007

Despite constant protests from Moscow, talks of an American missile defense shield being build in the Czech Republic and Poland continue. This Monday, US Missile Defense Agency Chief Henry Obering arrived in Prague to meet with Czech officials and...

Czech and Germans Fight Over Football

Mar 29th, 2007

We always knew football was a violent sport (for the fans, that is, not so much for the players), but Prague is a civilized city and the Czech and German peoples are a civilized bunch - right? Not when an important match is involved, like the...

Crazy Taxi!

Feb 14th, 2007

While tourists are probably quite sick of getting ripped off by Prague's many taxis, taxi drivers aren't too happy about having to give up ripping off tourists - and controlling their rates in general, of course. The taxi drivers of the city of...

Visa-Free Meeting to be Held in Prague

Jan 22nd, 2007

A meeting concerning the movement towards a visa-free regime with the U.S. will be held in Prague on Wednesday, 24 January. The meeting concerns the so-called "Road Map" countries, or those countries on their way to gaining visa-free access to the...

Terrorist 'Test' on Olso-Prague Flight

Oct 27th, 2006

In the recently released Czech security police (BIS) annual report for 2005, there is mention of a previously unreported incident upon Czech Airlines flight OK 447 in September 2005 on which terrorists "tested" in-flight security. The report...

Cambodian King in Prague

Sep 20th, 2006

The Czech Republic is the second homeland for Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, he told journalists after meeting Czech President Vaclav Klaus today. "I cannot compare this visit with any other of my foreign trips. It is an extraordinary event for...

Shrooms and bombs

Aug 25th, 2006

If you go down to the woods today, you could be in for a big surprise; a loud, explosive surprise. Bomb disposal experts were busy this week in Czech woods after WWI & II arms caches were discovered by mushroom pickers who got a whole lot more than...

Foreign workers flock to Prague

Jul 30th, 2006

Figures just released have shown a large increase in the numbers of foreign workers moving to the Czech Republic, and particularly Prague. This inxflux of foreigners, mostly from neighbouring EU states such as Slovenia and Poland, has been so...

Taking a shoeing

Jun 8th, 2006

Customs officers made an interesting seizure last week in Prague - not drugs, or exotic animals, but shoes: CZK 45 million (GBP 1 million) worth of shoes to be exact. Over 30,000 pairs of fake designer shoes were found in a warehouse in the Uhrineves...

May day without communism

May 5th, 2006

Thousands of people gathered at Letna plain on May 1st to resurrect an old celebration, but with a difference: this time they were not forced to attend by the government. Under communist rule, May day in Prague meant mass organised rallies on the...

Ranting and raving

Dec 11th, 2005

Around 300 people gathered on Kampa island yesterday to protest at the lack of an official investigation into police conduct at the CzechTek 2005 rave event, at which water cannons and tear gas were used on the crowd. Several dozen ravers and police...

A Grand Ambassador

Dec 14th, 2002

The Czech Republic's finance minister, Vlastimil Tlusty, will be making his way to Brussels this month - but not alone. Accompanying him will be an unusual ambassador; some say this figure is better than any politician alive. Who is this honored...

Legalisation of Prostitution in CzR: Third Time Lucky?

Feb 28th, 2002

A group of MPs in the lower house are drafting a new bill on legalising prostitution ? the third such attempt in recent years. Prostitution in the Czech Republic exists in a sort of legal grey area; prostitution itself is not illegal, but most of the...

Wild Horses at Former Army Grounds

Dec 13th, 1901

In the future visitors to the Czech countryside could come across a species not seen in this part of the world for a great many years: wild horses. A local wildlife organisation is at present preparing to import a small group of Exmoor ponies, with...

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