Prague Events

Never miss another event in Prague again!  

The Prague Events Calendar lists everything from concerts, exhibitis and theatre to sporting events and restaurants.  

Just thought you should know.

Meet Miss Earth 2012...she's Czech and we're proud

Congratulations, Tereza Fajksová - Miss Earth 2012

 

Watch the crowning moment Here

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my friends and readers in the States (and those in celebrating in CZ)

In the Czech Republic, we give thanks for a bountiful harvest too, but for us it's called Obzinky, and it's celebrated in late August/September.  People in countries throughout the world set aside certain times of year to give thanks and usually these harvest holidays coincide with when the harvest occurs in that particular country.

Czechs and Slovaks celebrate the harvest with a folk festival, Obzinky, which was originally held to celebrate the end of the harvest and to honor landowners, who in turn treated their farm servants to a feast.  Farm workers make wreaths of rye, wildflowers, straw or ears of wheat.  These wreaths are placed on the heads of  girls as well as on the landowner's head...then they all dance and feast!  The landowner's wreath is then placed in an honorable place until the next harvest.

Czech potato dumplings stuffed with smoked bacon and served with sauerkraut

Poppyseed kolache

Christmas isn't complete without cookies from Sweet Life

A je to tu zase! Vánoce, vánoce přicházejí.  

Objednávejte už teď! 

It's that time of year again...Christmas is almost here!

Place your order for x-mas cookies today from Sweet Life Bakery

Today in History

Today is a public holiday in the Czech Republic - Den boje za svobodu a demokracii (Day of Struggle for Freedom and Democracy) commemorating the student demonstration against Nazi occupation in 1939, and the demonstration in 1989 that started the Velvet Revolution.

On November 17, 1989, a Friday, riot police suppressed a peaceful student demonstration in Prague.  That event sparked a series of popular demonstrations from November 19th through late December.  By November 20th, the number of peaceful protesters assembled in Prague had risen from 200,000 the previous day to an estimated 500,000.  

Twenty-two years ago today, it started off as a peaceful officially-sanctioned march in Prague to commemorate Czech student Jan Opletal, who died at the hands of the country's Nazi occupiers in 1939.  Students, however, soon started to chant slogans against the communist regime.

Jan Opletal (Jan. 1, 1915 - Nov. 11, 1939)

Home of Jan Opletal

It is said that about 15,000 students had joined the demonstration.  They walked to the grave of Jan Opletal and - after the official end - continued from the Czech National Cemetery at Vyšehrad to Wenceslas Square calling for democratic reforms.  However, they never made it there.  At about 7:30 pm, when they were halfway through their march at Národní Street, the students were stopped by a cordon of police.  The students offered flowers to the police while singing songs and shouting "we have bare hands", but the police suddenly began to beat the young demonstrators with night sticks.  

Prior to this, the police managed to block all escape routes.  Nearly 200 people were injured.  One student was reportedly beaten to death.  Although this was later proved false, it served well for mass student support amongst the general public.

There is a memorial dedicated to November 17th at Wenceslas Square, and each year people place flowers and candles there to remember this day's events.  The President of the Czech Republic always places flowers atop the memorial, as well.  

Memorial to Jan Opletal

Along Národní třída, inside the arcade near No. 16, is a bronze plaque with a cluster of hands forming the peace sign and the date "17.11.1989" in memory of students clubbed in the street by police on that date.

Student Memorial on Národní třída

"My Hidden Prague"

Nothing like a good article to make me crave a cold pilsner and grilled klobása...

In The New York Times Travel section today My Hidden Prague - I've always said, the best way to see a city is to do as the locals do.  You miss so much when you don't explore - and in Prague you need to let your curiousity lead the way.

Photo from the article.  Read it!

So many restaurants, so little time

For those of you planning a trip to NYC, here's one you may want to skip...

Guy's American Kitchen & Bar

Now I have never eaten there myself - mostly because I avoid Times Square like the plague - but I'm surprised to hear it's Guy Fieri's restaurant...just expected more from him, I suppose.

Photo by Casey Kelbaugh for The New York Times

Travel Deal!

Groupon has a travel deal to Prague- Czech it out (oh my God, I can't believe I just said that)

Prague Holiday with Airfare

"All Hell Broke Loose"

I feel as though I have been neglecting you. I apologize.  Just when I was about to get back into the groove (and trust me, I have a lot to share with you), all hell broke loose. I mean that quite literally.  Take a look for yourself:  "All Hell Broke Loose"

That being said, I will get back to you.  To Prague, still my love.  But right now, I need to do what I can to help those in need.  

No matter where you are reading this at this moment, you can help as well.  I am sure you have some clothes, blankets, towels, toiletries, household items that you aren't using or just don't have a use for anymore.  Well, there are thousands who lost everything.  Everything.  They are cold, in the dark, and need to rebuild their lives.  Think of them at this time ...and donate.