Archive: Society | Hobbies Hobbies
Magazine
In Magazine: speed dating in Prague’s metro, a Czech teen ostensibly
drinking a pint of beer through her ear has become a hit on YouTube, an
Ostrava ensemble gives an opera performance in a paternoster and Prague Zoo
is offering to cure your animal phobia! More
Petr Bělík – Former TV journalist turned game designer – Part 2
Two weeks ago in Czech Life we met former TV journalist Petr Bělík, known
for his work on the programmes Obcanské judo and Víkend at commercial
broadcaster TV Nova. Highlights included how he became the first reporter
to train with the country’s rapid response force, as well as how
difficult they made it for him to smash down a barricaded door. Today, we
move on to what Petr is doing now which is game development and design, a
surprise move into a new profession in which he has so far excelled. More
Czechs charged with spying in Greece freed after four months
After four months in a Greek jail facing spying charges, two Czech computer
games developers are set to return home very soon. The pair, who were
arrested for taking photos of a military facility on the island of Lemnos,
are to be freed on bail in the wake of a fresh ruling from the Athens
authorities stating that they do not represent a security threat. More
The story of a successful Fine Arts studio
It was almost two years ago that then-fresh graduate Nina Mainerová set
out with a colleague to open a professional architectural studio. But soon
after their launch, the bills piled up and they were forced to modify their
plans. First, they began offering preparatory classes for students applying
to university; then they extended their workshops to include drawing and
painting. More
Collecting the unusual: A look at the Curiosity Collectors’ Club
Collecting as a hobby is popular in the Czech Republic as it is throughout
the world: the country has no shortage of those who collect prints, coins,
stamps, and works of art. But the country also boasts a high number of
collectors focussed on more unusual items: from pocket diaries to fruit
& vegetable labels, from historic puppets to paper tissues. The
country’s Curiosity Collectors’ Club, based in Prague, was founded more
than 40 years ago, and now has 1,000 members. Recently, I caught up with
the group’s chairman Ladislav Likler to learn more about the art of
collecting – specifically collecting the “unusual”. More
Exhibition highlights popularity of Matchbox cars
This week the Museum of Decorative Arts in Prague launched a new exhibition
highlighting the fascinating history of the Matchbox brand – the famous
die-cast toy cars. Matchbox and similar toy cars, traditionally referred
to
in Czech as Angličáci, have long proven popular here and
there is no question the show will be a hit with families as well as
collectors. More
President Klaus appeals to Greek counterpart over two Czechs jailed on espionage charges
Czech President Václav Klaus has weighed in on the case of two Czech
nationals held in Greece on espionage charges. The two men, both
professional video game developers, were arrested in September on the Greek
island of Lemnos after they took photos of local military installations.
But they say they were only collecting material for a new game. Mr Klaus
has now appealed to the president of Greece, asking him to follow the case
with special attention. More
Magazine
A miniature copy of the wax heart made in remembrance of the late Vaclav
Havel is to be donated to the Czech-American community in Chicago; a Czech
police officer is caught smuggling turtles from Hong Kong to the Czech
Republic and, somewhat unusual garden architecture with a Soviet armoured
vehicle in the front line. Find out more in Magazine. More
Magazine
In Magazine: a street prostitute looking for clients unwittinglyy stops a
police car, the Czech Pirate Party unveils a statue representing
corruption, and Czech glass masters have produced a breath-taking life-size
dress designed by Bianca Matragi. More
From the For Toys fair to Deskohraní 2012
Last weekend saw the third annual For Toys fair held at Prague’s Letňany
featuring children’s products. One of the focuses was highlighting
creative and safe toys, from simple building block systems for toddlers to
more complex games for kids. Teens also were included with the very latest
in electronic consoles and interactive games. More
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