Section Archive Current Affairs
Despite rising numbers of online homes, Czechs still behind EU average
Over the past five years, the Czech Republic has seen a massive spread of
internet users. According to the latest official figures, the number of
Czech homes connected to the worldwide web rose by 125 percent over that
period. But compared to other countries in the European Union, the Czechs
still lag behind. More
Ride of the Kings added to UNESCO heritage list
The Czech Republic’s Ride of the Kings – a tradition dating back
centuries still practiced in south-eastern Moravia – was added at the
weekend to UNESCO’s list recognising intangible cultural heritage. The
ride – practiced in just four villages in the Slovácko region – refers
to the flight of Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus from Czech King George of
Podébrady in the 15th century. Organisers had strived for years to see the
tradition recognised and – following UNESCO’s decision – had every
reason to celebrate. More
Survivors remember first transport to Terezín in winter of 1941
It's exactly seventy years since the first transport of Czechoslovak Jews
left Prague, bound for the garrison town of Terezín, transformed by the
Nazis into a ghetto and concentration camp. Some 140,000 Jewish men, women
and children were sent to Terezín, known as Theresienstadt in German; most
of them were later killed at Auschwitz. A number of events were held this
week bringing together Terezín survivors, one of them on Thursday evening
at the Institute for the Study of Totalitarian Regimes. More
Introducing the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center in La Grange
The city of La Grange in Texas, historically a major site of Czech
settlement, remains to this day a hub of Czech culture. Those who want to
stay in touch with the local Czech community or would like to trace their
roots can visit the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center located in
city. Besides offering research facilities, the center also organizes
various events – most recently a gala where old Czech bands were honored
earlier this month or an exhibition of nativity art which has just opened. More
Prague mayor wins in-party showdown to form new coalition
A dramatic week at Prague City Hall seems to be drawing to a close and the
Czech capital will be under new management. The city’s grand coalition of
the rival Civic and Social Democrats ended abruptly on Monday night, and on
Thursday morning a new ruling coalition was announced just as swiftly. The
TOP 09 party, which actually won the election to City Hall last fall but
has been in opposition ever since, will now have a majority on the council,
while the Civic Democrats and Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda will keep the top
position. Likely no one was more surprised at the outcome of this situation
than the chairman of the Civic Democratic Party’s Prague chapter, Boris
Šťastný – the man who caused the breakup of the original coalition and
who was sidestepped on the decision, which Mayor Svoboda and his supporters
arranged with TOP 09 on their own. While political commentators have
themselves been struggling to keep up with events at City Hall this week,
Jiří Pehe of New York University told us how he interprets the situation. More
Supraphon takes archive online
Supraphon has been the main record label for Czech music ever since 1932, and has been a major force in bringing Czech music to the rest of the world. Now as the world goes online for music so too goes Supraphon. On Thursday, its new online service, Supraphonline, will begin offering a part of the company’s massive archive of more than 100,000 recordings to internet buyers, in what was intended to be the first such service in the country. Christian Falvey talked to the record company’s business manager Antonín Milata. More
Education Ministry to launch nationwide tests for elementary school pupils
The Education Ministry will soon launch nationwide tests it believes will
help improve the plummeting standards of Czech elementary schools. Contrary
to the ministry’s original plan, the tests will not restrict those who do
poorly from pursuing a higher education. Even so critics say the plan is
too vague and some of them have even launched a petition asking parents to
boycott the tests. More
Eyesore of an apartment bloc in Havlíčkův Brod to be torn down
Pre-fabricated apartment blocs known in the Czech Republic as paneláky
(panel buildings) were once the Soviet ideal and countless thousands were
built in Czechoslovakia from the 1950s until 1989. Now, for the first time,
one such bloc of homes will be demolished strictly for aesthetic reasons.
The Southeast Bohemian town of Havlíčkův Brod has confirmed that a
low-rise smack in the town centre – considered an eyesore for years –
will soon be a thing of the past. More
Speculation surrounds fall of Prague’s grand coalition
The grand coalition of Civic and Social Democrats at Prague City Hall is
about to end, a year after it assumed power. In a surprise move, the Civic
Democrats in the capital on Tuesday announced they were leaving the ruling
bloc, justifying the step by budget and personal issues. However, the
unconvincing explanation has given rise to wide-ranging speculation about
the real reason behind the reshuffle. More
Rožmberk family tomb discovered in south Bohemian monastery
The house of the Rožmberks was once one of Bohemia’s richest and
mightiest noble families which at times even challenged the power of the
king. The family controlled a large estate in southern Bohemia, its seat
being Český Krumlov castle. The last member of the family died 400 years
ago and was buried in a local monastery. But the location of the legendary
Rožmberk family tomb remained a mystery for centuries – until new
research into the monastery tomb produced surprising results. More
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