Magazine

Stunt motorcyclists conquer globe of death

Photo: www.crazyday.cz For some people, getting on a motorcycle and circumventing Prague’s potholes is adventure enough, but not for three Czech stuntmen who recently wowed an outdoor audience in Prague when they tackled the so-called 'globe of death'. The stunt – in which the motorcyclists ride their bikes at the same time inside of a 6 metre diameter iron globe – was last tried 31 years ago, but only with two riders, not three. The important thing, one of the stuntmen said, was to get enough speed (50 kilometres per hour) or risk falling. Well, it’s difficult enough to do a wheelie for most – but riding inside a metal globe having to avoid bashing into your colleagues?! No thanks! Thrilling, of course, if you were only an onlooker…

Lumberjack finds binoculars embedded in tree

Photo: CTK A lumberjack in the eastern region of Šumperk made a curious find not long ago, discovering binoculars, possibly dating back to World War II, which over time became part of an old beech tree. He found the item, embedded in the tree, after he had cut it down. Luckily, the object was not damaged. It has been suggested that the binoculars may have belonged to a British pilot whose plane crashed in the area during the war. The item could also have been left and forgotten by a passing hunter or soldier. Now the item has been given a local woodcarver, who is refashioning the object for public display.

Vltava River gives up historic items in Český Krumlov

Český Krumlov Regarding finds, the Vltava River, as it flows through the South Bohemian gem that of Český Krumlov, has begun giving up objects lost for centuries in its waters. The finds were made while locals were implementing anti-flood measures and include coins, keys, decorative items, and jewellery. On the shores of the Vltava, archaeologists found Baroque lockets once used to hold images of saints, which women wore around their necks and men attached to their belts. One researcher said that the items most typically lost were heavy keys, which only goes to show some things never change: invisible key- gnomes had their work cut out for them even then!

Museum-goers get a glimpse into the ‘lives’ of marionettes

Photo: CTK Museum-goers in Kadaň in the area of Chomutov have been visiting a new exhibition of wooden marionettes dating back to the 1920s and ‘30s. The show includes some thirty figures and assorted backdrops and sets, including knights’ halls, village squares, and a dragon’s cave. Discussing the history of marionettes, a museum representative said that the tradition went back to ancient times, was common among travelling theatre troupes during the Middle Ages, and introduced in schools and family homes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

‘80s paper dolls return on chocolate bar packaging

Speaking of marionettes, Czech chocolate bar producer Figaro is joining a number of other Czech firms on the ‘retro’ bandwagon. The idea is to feature images of paper dolls Jana, Dana, and Lena, which were first introduced in Czechoslovakia in the 1980s, on limited packaging. The images will be used on the packaging of 100 mg bars, and consumers, no doubt nostalgic for their lost youth, will have a chance to win either paper clothes for their doll, or completely redesigned 3-D versions of their very own.

Hungry for a good time?

Another clever marketing idea has been introduced by the Crocodille Czech Republic sandwich company which, believe it or not, is posting personal ads on its packaging: you might be biting into a roast beef or turkey sandwich when you notice that so-and-so is looking for a girlfriend or boyfriend. The trick is that there is often some kind of reference to the sandwich in hand: if it’s something spicy the ad will likely refer to getting together for a ‘hot’ time. Or, something to that effect. The campaign has been running for roughly two months, on five different brand sandwiches, and is set to continue for one more. Only the best of the ads, chosen by internet voting, make it onto the packaging. Our personal favourite? The roast beef guy who is looking for not one but two girlfriends!