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SpecialGood King Wenceslas meets the Beatles on the Feast of Stephen
A good few years ago I used to live in a tiny flat in an old house called
the Mouse Hole, which was just off the ancient street that runs along the
bottom of the park below Prague Castle and the cathedral. In winter I used
to go out to the park to collect kindling to help get my sluggish
coal-fired stove to draw. On one occasion it had been snowing heavily and I
traipsed out through deep drifts. Ever since then I have always had a very
specific picture in my mind of the Victorian carol about the Czech patron
Saint, the tenth century Prince – or King - Wenceslas. I like to imagine
the Good King standing at one of the windows of the castle looking down and
spotting the poor man in the snow – in this case me – struggling with
an armful of branches. More
SpecialCzech carols from Christmas past and present
Christmas is not Christmas without music, and on this occasion we will be
sharing with you some of the rich spirit and history of Czech carols, some
from Christmas past and some from Christmas present.
More
Current AffairsRent me a Christmas
The run-up to Christmas used to be a hectic time in most Czech households
with cleaning, baking and decorating starting in late November. Now things
are changing – many Czechs have come to appreciate the luxury of taking
it easy and letting professionals bake their cookies, deliver their
Christmas tree and decorate their house. More
Current AffairsGrandson of Josef Lada discusses artist’s classic Christmas cards and more
Cards featuring the work of Josef Lada are an integral part of Czech
Christmas. Lada is best known internationally for illustrations of the Good
Soldier Švejk, but his simply drawn carol singers, snow covered villages
and nativity scenes are just as popular in his native country. His
grandson, also named Josef Lada, says the artist's images capture something
everyone can relate to. More
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