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Letter from PragueThe long wait at Pankrác prison
I recently came back from a visit to Prague’s Pankrác prison. Such were
the preliminaries and security checks that it was harder to get in than
out. My mobile phone was taken from me, my recording gear looked at
suspiciously and passport scoured before the keys rattled and buzzer
sounded. But it was all handshakes, smiles, and a brisk goodbye on the way
out. Needless to say it is not the same story for most of those inmates in
one of the country’s most famous prisons.
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SpotlightThe inside story of the history of Prague’s Pankrác prison
Pankrác is a byword in the Czech Republic for the large prison that stands
a little way outside the centre of Prague. The prison has been the focus
for much of the worst and some of the best that has happened over the last
120 years. Appropriately, some mementos have been stored for posterity.
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Letter from PraguePankrác Plain: from marketplace to shopping mall
Prague’s Pankrác neighbourhood has been a subject of many debates over
the past months. Plans to build high-rise buildings on the Pankrác Plain
have angered not only local inhabitants but also experts from UNESCO, who
argue that the new skyscrapers would destroy Prague’s unique historical
skyline.
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MailboxMailbox
In Mailbox this week: The tragic death of the Czech ambassador to Pakistan
in the Marriott bombing in Islamabad; an alternative Czech national anthem;
Radio Prague’s Magazine; the tallest building in the Czech Republic; the
country’s state budget for 2009. Listeners quoted: Tharwat Elkorm, Walter
Knitl, Saralee Turner, Rassem Ben Brahim, Sahadot Hossain.
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Current AffairsUNESCO recommendation gives hope to opponents of new skyscrapers
Experts from UNESCO's World Heritage Committee, meeting in New Zealand last
week, suggested Prague should reconsider the planned construction of
several new skyscrapers in the district of Pankrac. The Committee said
plans should respect the skyline of Prague's historic centre, which was
one of the main reasons Prague was included on UNESCO's list of World
Heritage Sites.
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Current AffairsIs there a future for new skyscrapers in Prague?
The development of the Czech capital has been the subject of continued
debate for years, not least the future for Prague's Pankrac district. The
area is famous for three skyscrapers - including the city's tallest, the
so-called City Tower. At 109 metres, it's being redesigned by New
York-based architect Richard Meier. Many would like to see
the area unified with additional buildings. But, some professionals have
complained additional skyscrapers would only compound the problem. And,
they're not alone. More
MailboxMailbox
This week in Mailbox: Interference with other stations, the tallest
building in the Czech Republic, the announcement of the winner of
January's competition. Listeners quoted: Chris Bradley, the Netherlands;
Alice Minarik Pulsifer, Al Hare, Emily Keating, Teodor Shepertycki, Karen
Huelson - all from the US; Mostofa Kamal, Bangladesh.
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