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In this edition: New Year's greetings, the most popular winter foods, the
history of written Czech, the winner of December's competition. Listeners
quoted: Muhammad Shamim, India; Harjot Singh Brar, India; R.L. Scott,
Canada. More
Current AffairsDay of Czech Statehood commemorates patron saint of Czech nation
September 28th is St Wenceslas Day, commemorating the Czech nation's patron
saint, Prince Wenceslas, or Vaclav. He was slain by his own brother in the
year 935 near Prague. But Prince Vaclav was not the only man of that name
who played an important role in Czech history.
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SpotlightMost
When you ask Czechs to describe the North Bohemian town of Most, the most
common answer is a grey mining town that expelled its entire native German
population after the Second World War and offers few things to do or see.
But fact is that Most, with its population of over 68,000, is today a
thriving place that offers several noteworthy sights and plenty to do.
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SpotlightThe continuing allure of Wenceslas Square
In this week's Spotlight we take you to one of Prague's most remarkable
locations, Wenceslas Square, that expansive boulevard that features some
of the city's most significant architecture as well as the most famous of
all Czech monuments: a monument to the country's patron saint Wenceslas on
horseback, that witnessed all the turmoil of modern Czech history: from
the birth of the Czechoslovak state, to the Soviet-led invasion, to the
fall of communism in 1989. A square that is also not without controversy:
with far too many casinos and prostitutes in the late evenings to remain,
well, fully respectable. History and its outcome for Wenceslas Square -
that looked at in the programme today.
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MailboxMailbox
September 28 is a national holiday designated as the Day of Czech
Statehood, when Czechs celebrate their chief patron saint Wenceslas, who
was killed by his brother on this day. In this week's Mailbox, we answer
our listeners' questions regarding St. Wenceslas and the Day of Czech
Statehood.
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Current AffairsCzechs commemorate chief patron saint
This Saturday, September 28th, is designated as the Day of Czech Statehood
- a Czech national holiday on which the nation commemorates St. Wenceslas,
the country's chief patron saint. But who was St. Wenceslas and why are
Czechs still celebrating his life, over a thousand years after his death?
Dita Asiedu put that question to historian Jan Rychlik:
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Current AffairsStatue of St. Wenceslas in Prague - a traditional place of public gatherings
A statue of Czech duke St. Wenceslas riding a horse in full armour, surrounded by the other Czech patron saints, is located at the top of Prague's Wenceslas square, and is regarded as one of the city's main attractions. The statue is a traditional place of gathering where Czechs come to discuss public affairs, to mourn and celebrate, a place where politicians call public meetings to, a place which has witnessed some of the most significant events in Czech history. What is it that makes the statue of St. Wenceslas so special? spoke to Dr. Michal Illner, a sociologist from the Czech Academy of Sciences. More
