"The Festival of Taste"

Now through November 30th is your chance to experience cuisines from all over the world.  Don't miss out on this culinary journey.  For more details, including participating restaurants, please visit http://www.festivalplnychuti.cz/en

Happy Name Day, Leopold! Všechno nejlepší k svátku!

Today we honor Leopold.  Happy Name Day, Leopold!

The name Leopold is of Old German origin and means "brave people".  Leopold is also a saint's name, and it's a royal or aristocratic name in Belgium, Austria, and Britain.

St. Leopold

St. Leopold was born in Melk, Austria, in 1073.  As the age of 23, he succeeded his father as military governor of Austria.

In 1106, Leopold married Emperor Henry IV's daughter, who bore him 18 children, 11 of whom survived.  Known for his piety and charity, in 1006 he also founded 3 monasteries.

In 1125, Leopold refused to become Emperor upon the death of his brother-in-law, Henry V.  He died in 1135 at one of the monasteries he had founded.  He was canonized by Pope Innocent VIII in 1486.

When one carries out the duties of one's state of life with fairness, justice, and virtue, as did Leopold, many people are won over not only to a peaceful political scene, but also to a life of faith and virtue.  

St. Leopold is the patron saint of Austria and today is his feast day.

Happy Name Day, Sáva! Všechno nejlepší k svátku!

Today we honor Sáva.  Happy Name Day, Sáva!

Happy Belated Name Day, Tibor! Všechno nejlepší k svátku!

Yesterday we honored Tibor.  Happy Belated Name Day, Tibor!

The name Tibor is of Slavic origin and means "sacred place".

Happy Birthday, DinDin!

Today is a very special day for me...my DinDin's 94th birthday!

A poem for my DinDin

Your wisdom seems to put my mind at ease

As a little girl you always made sure I said "thank you" and "please".

I love the talks and stories of the places you've been and things you've seen

Just being with you makes me happy, makes me feel serene.

I miss you so much, for we live an ocean apart,

But not a day goes by when you're not in my thoughts, you're always in my heart.

This is my chance to tell you just how much you mean to me

Just how very much I love you, DinDin!

T

Happy Name Day, Benedikt! Všechno nejlepší k svátku!

Today we honor Benedikt.  Happy Name Day, Benedikt!

The name Benedikt is a variant of Benedict, which is of Latin origin and means "blessed".

Will we see our first snowflake today while sipping on St. Martin's wine?

Today is St. Martin's Day and according to a weather lore, this saint is supposed to bring the first snowflakes to us.  Although snowflakes are pretty, I'm not much for snow.  I much prefer the wine that is associated with today.  That's right, a day when you have to drink wine...I love it!  

At precisely 11 am sharp, every winery and restaurant across the Czech Republic opens the first wines produced this year - the young wines.  Because of the date, this wine is also known as St. Martin's wine.  The St. Martin's tradition is very similar to the French Beaujolais Noveau, however, the Czech ritual is much older.

St. Martin's wine is the first wine from the autumn harvest.  The wine hits the market just a few weeks after its harvest, thus it's intended to be instantly consumed (um, no problem!).

This celebration of opening and consuming young wine dates back to the period of Emperor Joseph II.  It was he who gave permission to begin serving new wine from the autumn harvest just on St. Martin's Day.  The day was symbolic of the end of harvest work - it was the end of the main farming season and the beginning of winter.

Joseph II

The trademark "Svatomartinské víno" (St. Martin's wine) was not registered until 1995.  Since 2005, it has been owned by the Wine Fund of the Czech Republic.  The wine varieties and the character of the wine are firmly specified.  The brand name "Svatomartinské víno" may be used by any wine producer registered in the Czech Republic who is capable of meeting the strict criteria.

 Young wine is dry, light and fresh, with low alcohol content (damn) of about 12%.  Four wine species are used for this special product - Müller Thurgau and Veltlínské červené rané for white wine and Modrý Portugal and Svatovavřinecké for red or rosé wine.

On St. Martin's Day, you should eat goose, goose liver, stuffed chicken, St. Martin's cake or special feast doughnuts... delicious!

I got so focused on the delicious wine that I forgot to mention St. Martin.  It's quite an interesting story really...

St. Martin was born in 316 AD as Martin of Tours.  His father was a pagan Roman senior officer in the Roman province of Upper Pannonia, present-day Hungary, and forced Martin to become a soldier as early as 15 years old.  Legend has it that on a cold, dark night, Martin encountered a half-naked beggar who asked him for alms.  However, Martin had no money on him and, as he wanted to protect the beggar from the cold, he cleaved his coat into two halves and gave one to the beggar.  The following night, Christ appeared in front of him dressed in one half of the coat.  It's likely that this apparition caused Martin to be christened at Easter 339 and to decide to devote his life to God.  However, he could not leave the army for another 15 years when he reached the rank of officer. He was named Bishop of Tours in 372, but continued to lead the life of a monk in a hut by the Loire River, where the Marmourtier abbey was founded later. 

St. Martin died at the age of 81 in Candes near Tours in 397.  He is the patron saint of soldiers, horses, riders, geese and wine makers; most often he is depicted on horseback with his half coat and the beggar.

Happy Name Day, Martin! Všechno nejlepší k svátku!

Today we honor Martin.  Happy Name Day, Martin!

The name Martin is of Latin origin and means "dedicated to Mars".  

Oh how we thank thee Martin, for today is St. Martin's Day and we must drink young wine!

Happy Name Day, Evžen! Všechno nejlepší k svátku!

Today we honor, Evžen!  Happy Name Day, Evžen!

The name Evžen is the Czech form of Eugene, which is of Greek origin and means "well-born, noble".

Saint Eugenius was a 7th-century bishop of Toledo, Spain, as well as a musician and poet.

Did you say gilded silver & 200 precious stones?

I must be drawn to precious gems and stones because whenever I hear about an exhibit that involves "shiny things", I just can't resist!

Here's the article from the Prague Daily Monitor:

Prague Castle to exhibit unique St Maur reliquary

ČTK | 

9 NOVEMBER 2010

Prague, Nov 8 (CTK) - The rare Romanesque reliquary of St. Maur made of gilded silver and gilded copper and decorated with almost 200 precious stones will be put on display at Prague Castle, the presidential seat, from November 24, David Sebek, from the Presidential Office, told reporters yesterday.

The National Heritage Institute (NPU) has lent the reliquary, which was found in Becov na Teplou, west Bohemia, 25 years ago has been on display in the Becov chateau since 2002, to Prague Castle.

The reliquary will be shown in the late Gothic Vladislav Hall in the Old Royal Place at Prague Castle until February 27, 2011.

The reliquary of St. Maur was made on the order of the Benedictine monastery in Florennes, Belgium, for the relics of St. Maur, St. Timothy and St. John Baptist in the first quarter of the 13th century.

It later got into the ownership of Alfred de Beaufort-Spontin. The Beauforts collaborated with the Nazis and had to leave Becov and Czechoslovakia after World War Two. Before they left, they hid the reliquary under the floor of the castle chapel.

It was uncovered after a strenuous search by a team of detectives in 1985.

The restoration of the unique artifact started in 1993 and was completed in 2002 when the reliquary returned to Becov. It is placed in a glass case in a special vault with its own air-conditioning.

The restoration cost over ten million crowns.

The reliquary will return to Prague Castle after ten years. It was displayed there dismantled into parts for two months in 2000 when the restoration was still underway.

Happy Name Day, Bohdan! Všechno nejlepší k svátku!

Today we honor Bohdan.  Happy Name Day, Bohdan!

The name Bohdan is a variant of Bogdan, which is of Slavic origin, and the meaning of Bohdan is "God's gift".

My great-grandfather's name is Bohdan...this is a tribute to his memory

Happy Name Day, Bohumír! Všechno nejlepší k svátku!

Today we honor Bohumír.  Happy Name Day, Bohumír.

The name Bohumír is of Slavonic origin and mainly used in the Czech language.  Bohumír means "greatness of God".

Happy Belated Name Day, Liběna and Saskie! Všechno nejlepší k svátku!

On Saturday, Nov. 6th, we honored Liběna.  Happy Belated Name Day, Liběna!  The name Liběna is of Czech origin and means "love".

Yesterday, Nov. 7th, we honored Saskie.  Happy Belated Name Day, Saskie!  The name Saskie is of Danish and Old German origin and means "the Saxon people".  It may also mean "valley of life".

Happy Name Day, Miriam! Všechno nejlepší k svátku!

Today we honor Miriam.  Happy name day, Miriam!

The name Miriam is of Hebrew origin and is an older version of the name Mary, which means "star of the sea".  

Happy Name Day, Karel! Všechno nejlepší k svátku!

Today we honor Karel.  Happy Name Day, Karel!

The name Karel is the Czech, Dutch and Slovene form of Charles.  It's also a variant of Carl and Karl, which are of Old German origin.  The meaning of Karel is "free man".  However, an alternative theory states that the name is derived from the common Germanic element hari meaning "army, warrior".

The popularity of the name in continental Europe was due to the fame of Charles the Great (742-814), commonly knows as Charlemagne, a king of the Franks who came to rule over most of Europe.  

Charlemegne

It was subsequently borne by several Holy Roman Emperors, as well as kings of France, Spain, Portugal, Sweden and Hungary.  The name did not become common in Britain until the 17th century when it was carried by the Stuart King Charles I.  It had been introduced into the Stuart royal family by Mary Queen of Scots, who had been raised in France. 

Charles I

 Famous bearers of the name include:

Naturalist Charles Darwin (1809-1882) who revolutionized biology with his theory of evolution.

Novelist Charles Dickens (1812-1870) who wrote such works as "Great Expectations" and "A Tale of Two Cities"

French statesman Charles de Gaulle (1890-1970)

 And American cartoonist Charles Schulz (1922-2000), the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip

Happy Belated Name Day, Hubert! Všechno nejlepší k svátku!

Yesterday we honored Hubert.  Happy Belated Name Day, Hubert!

The name Hubert is of Old German origin and means "bright or shining intellect".

Because why wouldn't you want to view royal wedding jewels?!

The princess in me is very excited about this exhibit that starts tomorrow right in Old Town Square at the Stone Bell House (Dum U Kamenného Zvonu), which was probably built as a palace for the royal family sometime in the 14th century.  The Stone Bell House hosts temporary exhibits, and this is one that I sure won't want to miss (again, the princess inside me is very drawn to it...being royal and all!).  Perhaps I was a princess in a past life.

The exhibit takes place on the 700th anniversary of John of Luxembourg's accession to the throne of Bohemia following his marriage to Czech Princess Elisabeth of Bohemia (Eliška Přemyslovna) on September 1, 1310 (the royal couple's coronation in Prague took place on February 7, 1311).  On display you'll see paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, Czech royal treasure, jewelry, and my personal favorite, the bridal crown. 

  Eliška Přemyslovna

John of Luxembourg

I'm curious to see if I'll get a feel about their marriage as well, for you see, it wasn't a happy one.  Hell, it was a disaster!  Elisabeth needed to give birth to a son to prevent the inheritance of the descendants of her sisters, Margaret & Agnes.  Elisabeth didn't have a son until six years into the marriage (an eternity back then, especially when inheritance is concerned) when she gave birth to Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor.  

After the birth of Charles, John & Elisabeth's marriage was much better, but after a while Elisabeth grew jealous of John, who had listened to her but had different political opinions than her.  In 1319, a plot was uncovered which had planned to dispose of Elisabeth & John and replace them with their eldest son, Charles.  John had the culprits punished but Elisabeth locked herself away at Mělník Castle and took her children with her.  

Elisabeth fleeing Prague in disguise

Mělník Castle

 John decided to prevent Elisabeth from interfering in the education of their children, thus he took the three eldest, Margaret, Bonne, and Charles, from her custody...leaving her in total isolation and abandoned by all.  She ended up leaving Bohemia and went to live in exile in Bavaria.

What:  Royal Marriage Exhibit

Elisabeth of Bohemia and John of Luxembourg

When:   Nov. 4, 2010 - February 6, 2011

Where:  Stone Bell House (Dum U Kamenného Zvonu)

Staroměstské náměstí 13, Praha 1

How to get here:  Metro A/B to Můstek or A to Staroměstská

Hours:  Tuesday through Sunday; 10 am - 8 pm

Tickets can be purchased at Ticketpro or at the Stone Bell ticket office

The exhibition is organized by the Prague City Museum, the City Gallery Prague, and the Prague City Archives with support from Prague City Hall.

Happy Halloween!!! (Err, yes, I do know it's November 2nd)

"Czech" halloween is celebrated today, but it's really known as Dušičky, aka památka zesnulých (All Souls' Day).  All Souls' Day is celebrated after All Saints' Day (Nov. 1) and is a day when we remember loved ones and place flowers and candles by their graves.  

This holiday dates back to the Celtic tradion of Samhain, the Celtic New Year, when our world blends with the world of souls.  That night people placed candles by their houses so the souls of the dead could find their way to them.   

All Souls' Day is celebrated around the world, but in different ways.  In the US, Australia, Ireland, etc., it's celebrated under the name Halloween.  The name was taken from the original name All Hallow's Even, and was founded in the 19th century.  Trick-or-treating stems from when the tradition when children originally knocked on doors to get fruit, nuts and sweets for the Halloween festival.  People also sprinkled salt on the hair of children to protect them against evil spirits.

People in the Czech Republic became fans of Halloween (mainly for carving pumpkins).  iDnes Journal posted an article about Tomas Halik, President of the Czech Christian Academy, who argued that this new trend isn't good and that the Czech Dušičky holiday has much more meaning and depth.

Not all costumes have to be scary...take Ernie & Bert for instance...

Or "The Dude"

Even animals like to dress up (or perhaps not, but their humans sure do get a kick out of it!)

Prague at night is the perfect setting for Halloween... the gothic buildings add an allure you can't find anywhere else!

No matter which holiday you chose to celebrate, it's better than not celebrating at all!  I like to celebrate both...Halloween on October 31st is a fun way to dress-up in costume, and Dušičky on November 2nd is the day I chose to remember loved ones who have gone on to the "other" world.  I'll surely light a few candles today so that they can find their way home.

Happy Birthday, Uncle Zdenek!!

Today marks a very special day for me...my uncle's birthday!

Happy Birthday, Uncle Zdenek!

Miluju te!!

On your birthday,

I'm thinking about how much light and sparkle

you freely dispense wherever you go,

how your sunny smile lights up any gathering.

Every birthday marks another year

of you radiating positive, happy energy,

contagious happiness

that infects all who come in contact with you.

May your birthday find you the same --

glowing from within,

beaming bright joy on everyone you meet.

I feel blessed to call you "Uncle"

Happy Name Day, Felix! Všechno nejlepší k svátku!

Today we honor Felix.  Happy Name Day, Felix!

The name Felix is of Latin origin and means "happy, fortunate".  Felix was the Roman procurator of Judea during Paul's time.  Felix is also the name of three popes and numerous saints.

I mostly associate the name with Felix the Cat!