Related articles
SpecialRadio Prague marks 75 years on air
Set up in 1936 primarily as a tool to counter propaganda from Nazi Germany
and the Soviet Union, Radio Prague itself long served as a mouthpiece for
communist propaganda. Since the 1990s however, the station is the only
Czech public news service, providing information about the Czech Republic
in six languages to audiences around the world. Marking Radio Prague’s
75th anniversary, the Czech-born, UK-based writer, and former Radio Prague
reporter Benjamin Kuras and Radio Prague’s own David Vaughan discuss the
most interesting moments in the station’s history. More
Czechs in HistoryJan Amos Comenius - a Bohemian in Amsterdam
One of the Czech nation's most beloved sons, Jan Amos Comenius ( 1592-1670
is buried in Holland. This visionary religious leader, theologian,
philosopher and educationist lived most of his life in exile, fleeing
political and religious persecution in Europe. His last 14 years, among
his most active and productive, were spent in Amsterdam "the most
cherished among cities, the jewel of the Netherlands and the pride of
Europe", where he hoped to realize his project for the betterment of
humanity. More
Czechs in HistoryJan Amos Comenius - the teacher of nations
When one looks back on a thousand years of Czech history one of the names
that still carries great weight is that of 17th century thinker Jan Amos
Komenský - the humanist reformer, Protestant bishop, and philosopher the
world came to know as Comenius. A man who witnessed the tragic subjugation
of his country in the era of religious and political conflict known as the
Thirty Years' War. Who would be forced to flee his own homeland, yet never
wavered in his overriding belief that the reform of mankind was possible,
necessary, and indeed within reach. More
Current Affairs“Teacher of Nations” exhibit opens in Prague
A new exhibition on the legacy of Jan Ámos Komenský, usually known abroad
as Comenius, opened in Prague on Wednesday. An accompanying event of the
Czech presidency of the European Union, the exhibit seeks to look at the
history, and presence, of Czech education, and its impact on Europe. More
Current AffairsKlaus ally launches new party to fight Lisbon Treaty
A new right-wing political party was unveiled on Monday by a close ally of
Czech president Vaclav Klaus. Petr Mach, who heads Mr Klaus's think-tank
the Centre for Economics and Politics, told journalists the Free Citizens
Party would fight ratification of the EU's Lisbon Treaty, push for a
referendum on the euro and may cooperate with Declan Ganley's Libertas
group ahead of this year's elections to the European Parliament. Supporters
of the new party include both of Mr Klaus's sons, three MPs, and a senator.
And also Benjamin Kuras, a journalist and writer who once worked for Radio
Prague.
More
SpecialCzech-British author Benjamin Kuras on the fall of communism in Czechoslovakia and the difficulty of returning 'home'
Czech-born British author and journalist Benjamin Kuras was one of many
expatriates who witnessed the fall of communism in Czechoslovakia from
abroad. Ahead of autumn 1989, he and colleagues at the BBC’s Czech
section regularly speculated over when change would finally come. But when
it happened in the days and months after November 17, the developments
presented a new dilemma for those who had left in 1968 or earlier. New
questions came to the fore such as when to visit, whether to go back at
all, and if so, how to tackle one’s “ghosts”. In this interview, Jan
Velinger asked the writer (who still divides his time between the Czech
Republic and Great Britain) how he saw the months preceding the “fall”.
More
Current Affairs'The Wanderer in the Labyrinth': New exhibition charts Komensky's life and work
The 17th Century Czech philosopher and scholar Jan Amos Komensky, or
Comenius, is an iconic figure in this country, and is famous throughout the
world for his influential work. Know as 'The Teacher of Nations', his name
has been adopted by UNESCO for one of its most prestigious awards, and
perhaps more fittingly, by the National Comenius Pedagogical Library in
Prague. That's where a new exhibition opened this week, aiming to acquaint
students and other users of the library with Komensky's life and work -
with a special focus on his role as a teacher.
More
Current AffairsRare copy of work by John Amos Comenius found in Vienna shop
Josef Koller is a collector of antique prints who has devoted much of his
life to finding rare and valuable books. During a recent stroll through
Vienna, he walked into a little bookstore tucked away in one of the city's
narrow streets. And there, resting - almost forgotten - on a dusty shelf
lay one of the most important pedagogical works of the 17th century.
More
ArtsFrench exhibition of Czech art winds up, heads for Prague
In the shadow of the church of the St. Germain de Pres on the Rue
Bonaparte, the staff of the Czech Cultural Center waved visitors in to the
closing celebration of a unique exhibition of the work of 10 contemporary
Czech artists. The hands-on experience of Orbis Pictus comprised three
floors of fantastical, whimsical instruments and machines, all of which
could be touched and many of which could be used to create sounds and
music.
More
Current AffairsSpeculation over Rembrandt painting: is the old man Jan Amos Comenius?
Millions of people have admired it at the Uffizi Art Gallery in Florence.
Now, Rembrandt's painting of an old man has acquired a new significance
for Czechs. According to Ernst van de Wetering, a Dutch art specialist,
the anonymous old man in the painting is almost certainly one of the most
prominent figures in Czech history - the teacher of nations Jan Amos
Comenius.
More
+1
