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Articles by Tom McEnchroe
Czech firm switches from car production to helping make ventilators for US
The North-East Bohemian town of Rychnov nad Kněžnou has been thriving in recent years, as local businesses have answered demand for parts for the Czech automotive industry. The coronavirus pandemic has hit production in this most important of Czech industrial sectors hard. But at least one local business has managed to adapt.
“What was crucial was the hidden conflict with Havel” – Civic Forum’s Jan Urban on 30th anniversary of 1990 elections | Radio Prague International
Photo: Jakub Benda, Czech Radio Jan Urban, photo: Jindřich Nosek, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 “Definitely. At that time we saw it more as a plebiscite, a continuation of the rebellion against Communist rule, so it was clear that the Civic Forum would win. “The number of votes showed that over 95 percent [of eligible voters] participated [in the election].” The Civic Forum was quite a large platform. It featured many candidates who would go on to form or seek membership in different parties.
Free movement between Czechia, Austria and Hungary restored
Photo: ČTK / Václav Pancer Igor Matovič and Andrej Babiš, photo: ČTK / Ondřej Deml The government’s original plan was to open up borders with the Czech Republic’s neighbours in mid-June. However, this week has seen that timeline turned upside down. The first hint came on Wednesday morning, during the first visit of Slovak Premier Igor Matovič to Prague, where he and his Czech counterpart Andrej Babiš announced that free movement between the two states would be completely restored on Thursday.
Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra unveils plans for the upcoming season
The Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, photo: Petr Horník, ČRo One of the most eminent Czech orchestra’s operating today, the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra (PRSO) has been performing since 1952, with its annual concert seasons attracting large Czech and foreign audiences. On Tuesday, with facemasks and all, the orchestra announced the plans for its upcoming 2020/2021 season in its main studio at Czech Radio.
Daily news summary
Free movement between Czech Republic and Slovakia to be restored from midnight Thursday As soon as the clocks hit 12pm on the night from Wednesday to Thursday, travel rules between the Czech Republic and Slovakia will be restored to the state in which they were before the COVID-19 pandemic, prime ministers of both countries announced in Prague on Wednesday.
Impetuous, infantile and scientific - Patrik Ouředník’s Europeana
Photo: Radio Praga Int. “Psychiatrists said that in many people the First World War provoked traumas that had been previously hidden in the unconscious, and in the 1920s and 1930s the people started to be neurotic because they were not adapted to their inner or outer state, and in Europe in the 1960s, 25% of women and 15% of men were neurotic, and journalists called it the disease of the century.
Negrelli Viaduct — Prague’s second oldest bridge — re-opens after major renovation | Radio Prague International
Negrelli Viaduct, photo: ČTK / Kateřina Šulová Negrelli Viaduct, photo: ČTK / Kateřina Šulová In the northern part of Prague’s centre, between the Karlín and Holešovice neighbourhoods, the Vltava river flows in an eastward direction and is split in half by one of the city’s bigger islands, Štvanice. It is this area that Prague’s second oldest bridge, the 1,100m Negrelli Viaduct connects together.
Daily news summary
Senate speaker to take decision on Taiwan trip by end of June Speaker of the Senate Miloš Vystrčil of the Civic Democrats said on TV Prima he will take a decision about whether to travel to Taiwan at the latest by the end of June. He said he will first discuss the idea with foreign policy experts, economists and human rights advisors. The trip to Taiwan had been planned already by his predecessor Jaroslav Kubera, who then died suddenly in January.
“Tens of thousands of US soldiers are in the process of occupying Europe” – The coronavirus fake news in the Czech Republic | Radio Prague International
Photo: memyselfaneye, Pixabay / CC0 Anti-Covid disinfectant, photo: Kristián Těmín, Czech Radio Only a few weeks ago, a pensioner living in a Central Bohemian care home got so terrified of catching the coronavirus that she resorted to a desperate measure. Unable to differentiate between which news was true or not, she reached for the Anti-Covid disinfectant that had been placed in the common hall, poured 200 millilitres in her cup and drank the substance.
Debate over food self-sufficiency heats up in Czechia as MPs propose new regulation | Radio Prague International
Photo: Julien, Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Andrej Babiš, photo: ČTK / Ondřej Deml Speaking at a meeting with representatives of the Chamber of Agriculture almost exactly a year ago, Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, who made part of his money by dominating the Czech agriculture sector, called the state of food self-sufficiency in the country “catastrophic”. While he may have used strong words, he was not the first man in government to bring up the subject.
Daily news summary
Czech Republic asks Poland to reopen further border crossings Foreign Minister Tomáš Petříček has asked Poland to consider opening further border crossings in the Liberec and Hradec Kralove regions after a meeting with his Polish counterpart Jacek Czaputowicz on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Mr Czaputowicz asked that the Czech Republic allow transit for Polish workers through Czech territory into other countries. The Czech foreign minister said he will discuss the request at the next government meeting.
Various initiatives seek to support Czech book market recovering from coronavirus lockdown | Radio Prague International
Photo: Eva Turečková Czechs regularly rank among Europe’s most prolific readers in various studies. One of the more recent surveys, conducted by the Nielsen Admosphere agency in 2018, claimed that 78% of Czechs read at least one book per year and that the average Czech adult reads 13 books a year. It is therefore perhaps unsurprising that the Czech book market has been growing steadily between 2 to 4 percent over the past five years, in a climate of more general economic growth.
“Having 10 percent of guests does not even cover running costs” – Czech hotels face year of low demand | Radio Prague International
Photo: Taken, Pixabay / CC0 Tomáš Prouza, photo: Jana Přinosilová, Czech Radio “Of course, Czechs spending more time in the country will help a bit. “However, what we see from the numbers today is that they are not planning to spend a two week holiday in the Czech Republic. Rather, they are asking for and sometimes booking only a one week holiday or even just a long weekend.
“We wanted to do something beautiful” - How the US cavalry saved some of world’s most treasured horses in wartime Czechoslovakia
Miracle of the White Stallions, source: Archive Post Bellum An unusual request Charles Hancock Reed, source: Archive Post Bellum Operation Cowboy took place in the final daysof World War Two.
Darkov coal mine in spotlight amid sudden coronavirus outbreak
Photo: ČTK/Ožana Jaroslav One of the few remaining Czech coal mines in operation, the Darkov complex is located in coal rich Silesia on the border with Poland. The mine has been in operation for nearly 50 years and except for an ignition of methane gas in 2015, which cost the lives of 3 workers, it has avoided any major incident. Darkov, photo: Petr Štefek, CC BY-SA 3.0 Now however, Darkov has become the centre of attention for those following the coronavirus pandemic in the Czech Republic.
Daily news summary
PM: Former coronavirus crisis staff lead Roman Prymula could receive position in Office of Government Deputy Health Minister Roman Prymula, who was the head of the country’s Central Crisis Staff in the initial phase of the COVID-19 quarantine in March is likely to receive a position in the Office of the Government once he leaves his current position at the Ministry of Health, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš told news site iDnes.cz on Wednesday.
First ever Indo-European settlement discovered on Czech Territory
Domašín, photo: Karelj, public domain Documents show that the North-East Bohemian village of Domašín has been around since at least the 15 century, but, as a new series of archaeological discoveries shows, it seems to have been sought out by settlers for much longer than that including those that left a particularly deep imprint on the European continent. Dr Martina Beková from the Rychnov Museum is one of those working on the dig.
How can foreigners travel to Czech Republic at present – and what may future hold? | Radio Prague International
Photo: ČTK / Michal Kamaryt Who can travel? Photo: ČTK / Ondřej Hájek According to a Ministry of Health of health decree which came into force this Monday, if you are a foreigner and you are thinking of traveling to the Czech Republic you need to fulfil certain criteria in order to be eligible to bypass the general ban on all non-Czech citizens entering the country.
First ever fully virtual festival Animayo to feature leading Czech game developers | Radio Prague International
When planning of the 15th Animayo festival began last autumn, the organisers wanted to create a fully virtual event that would enable fans and developers to interact without all having to be in one spot at the same time. Now, in the times of the coronavirus pandemic, this platform is very much a gift from the heavens says Stanislav Škoda, the director of the Czech Centre in Madrid, which helped secure Czech attendance at the festival together with the local embassy.
What is EU’s strategy for the Eastern Partnership and how will it be affected by coronavirus? | Radio Prague International
Photo: pixel2013, Pixabay / CC0 Effectiveness thus far Mr Havlíček, last year, when negotiations about the future of the programme were being discussed, I spoke to Jaroslav Kurfürst, who is the Czech Republic’s Special Envoy for the Eastern Partnership. He told me back then that the vision of the project was to disrupt the geopolitical logic in the area, the system of power based international relations. How exactly would you define the Eastern Partnership?
Daily news summary
Finance minister envisages another huge budget deficit next year The Czech minister of finance, Alena Schillerová, says she expects a state budget deficit of around CZK 300 billion next year, Czech Television reported. A budget deficit of that size is already planned for 2020. A budget deficit of CZK 40 billion had originally envisaged for this year but that figure was revised in view of the coronavirus crisis.
“I always try to tell stories with the piano” – Ivo Kahánek and Bamberg Orchestra receive BBC Music Magazine’s annual Concerto Award | Radio Prague International
Photo: Supraphon “Of course I feel greatly delighted and privileged to have received such a fantastic award, especially because it reflects both the opinions of critics and fans/music lovers.
“Keep your fingers crossed” – Prague Spring to take place online for first time over Covid-19 | Radio Prague International
Pavel Trojan, photo. Tomáš Vodňanský, Czech Radio “Eleven concerts will form the basis of the alternative programme of Prague Spring festival 2020 which will be broadcast live from five concert halls in Prague and one in Brno. “A special feature is that a solo recital will be given by the Canadian violinist James Ehnes, who will perform exclusively for the Prague Spring festival from the United States.” You have chosen to bring this year’s festival online for obvious coronavirus reasons.
Prague Uprising - battle for Czech capital may have helped end war in Europe sooner | Radio Prague International
Prague Uprising, source: Archive of the National Museum in Prag, CC BY 4.0 From regional sparks to a flame in the capital Tomáš Jakl, photo: Jakub Říšský, Czech Radio The uprising in Prague was the turning point and main event in the Czech fight against the occupying Nazi forces. However, it was not the first spark. Historian Tomáš Jakl from the Military History Institute Prague says earlier uprisings broke out in several Czech towns.
Daily news summary
European Parliament comittee asks Czech PM to deal with his possible conflict of interest Czech authorities should resolve the ongoing conflict of interest of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, who still has an influence on Agrofert, the company he founded, and thus collects money from European Union funds, several MEPs on the European Parliament's Budgetary Control Committee agreed on Thursday. The committee discussed a report from a February European Parliament mission to the Czech Republic.
Franz Kafka’s The Trial - ambiguous novel that asks deep metaphysical questions | Radio Prague International
The Trial, photo: Pavel Polák, Czech Radio Kafka’s world Franz Kafka, photo: public domain Professor Robertson, before we look into The Trial specifically, could you tell us something about the author himself? It is often said that Kafka was heavily influenced by his father and the society he lived in. How would you describe “Kafka’s world”, especially in relation to the Austria-Hungary he lived in and the city of Prague?
Czechs prepare to celebrate witch-burning night amid coronavirus restrictions | Radio Prague International
Photo: Eva Turečková It used to be a religious event aimed at warding off witches. However, in modern times the Czech Republic’s version of Walpurgis Night, known as the “burning of witches” (pálení čarodějnic), has developed into an annual social and entertainment gathering where straw figurines are set alight. Normally many public events take place around the country.
In memoriam: Philosopher and underground lecturer Ladislav Hejdánek who helped shape Charter 77
Ladislav Hejdánek, photo: Přemysl Fialka, CC BY-SA 4.0 Born into Masaryk’s First Republic in 1927, Ladislav Hejdánek was one of those increasingly fewer people to have experienced all forms of the modern Czech state. However, most of his working life was affected by communism. During the first 20 years of Communist rule, Hejdánek was forced to work in manual professions, but maintained his activity in philosophy.
Czech politicians get protection after reports they may become target of Kremlin hit | Radio Prague International
Zdeněk Hřib, photo: Igor Budykin Czech-Russian relations have been tense over the past months as a result of a series of moves made by leading representatives of Prague’s municipal administration. On Sunday, journalist Ondřej Kundra of Respekt broke a story that suggests they may have become the target for an assassination to be carried out by the Russian intelligence services.
Relief programmes under scrutiny as Czechs worry about COVID-19 economic fallout | Radio Prague International
Jana Maláčová, photo: ČTK/Roman Vondrouš More than one-third of Czechs have used up their savings since the government placed the country – and much of its service and entertainment sectors – into lockdown over a month ago, suggests a recent survey by research firm Behavio. Forty-nine percent of respondents in the study said they were worried about the financial impact of the coronavirus, while 11 percent said they had already lost their job.
Daily news summary
Saturday sees some of the lowest growth of coronavirus cases in two weeks, number of hospitalised falls As of Sunday morning there were 7,352 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the Czech Republic, 79 more than the previous day. This is the second lowest increase in cases over the past two week period. However, at 4,411, the number of COVID-19 tests carried out on Saturday was also lower by several thousand units than during work days. The death toll has risen by 4 to 219.
The Opening of the Wells - Bohuslav Martinů’s tribute to the Moravian Highlands | Radio Prague International
Bohuslav Martinů, photo: Fond B. Martinů Polička The cantata was written for two violins, a viola and piano, with a female chorus featuring a soprano, alto, baritone solos and a reciter. It is part of a larger, four-part cycle of cantatas that all revolve around the Moravian Highlands, Martinů's native region. The baritone depicts a pilgrim returning to his native land. Bohuslav Martinů wished for the cantata to premiere in Polička, the town from which both he and the poet Bureš hailed.
Daily news summary
Number of registered COVID-19 cases grew on Friday, but only slightly As of Saturday morning, there were 7,273 total registered cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus in the Czech Republic. Some 2,389 patients have recovered. Friday saw 86 new cases registered in the country, the first increase in day-to-day registered cases this week. Six patients died on from Friday to Saturday morning, which brings the total death toll from COVID-19 in the country up to 215.
Daily news summary
Czech government lifts ban on free movement and travel abroad The Czech government has lifted the ban on the free movement of people as of Friday, April 24, and decided that people can move outside in groups of up to ten, Health Minister Adam Vojtěch announced at a press conference on Thursday evening. Mr. Vojtěch said that the latest favourable developments related to the Covid-19 situation had enabled the cabinet to lift the restrictions.
Overview of latest coronavirus measures in Czech Republic
Photo: The Government of the Czech Republic Travel from Friday, April 24 Czech borders are reopened and people are again allowed to travel abroad (this includes recreational travel). However, those returning to the Czech Republic will have to undertake a COVID-19 test on the border, or self-isolate for a period of 14 days.
George of Poděbrady - diplomat king who dreamed of a united Europe
George of Poděbrady, photo: W.Rebel, Public Domain Born into the Hussite Wars While the 1300s could be seen as Bohemia’s golden age, when its rulers reached the zenith of power, even controlling the Holy Roman Empire under Charles IV., the century that followed was in many ways a troubled time. The signs were already there towards the end of the 14th century. The local silver mines that had provided wealth to the kingdom’s rulers and, in many ways, boosted their political power, had run out.
Health Ministry unveils huge testing study to gauge real level of coronavirus infections in Czech Republic | Radio Prague International
Photo: ČTK/Dalibor Glück As the Czech Republic prepares to gradually dismantle its quarantine measures and attempt to reach a level of herd immunity, health officials say it is necessary to first establish a picture on the level of spread of COVID-19 within the country. This is to be achieved by collecting and analysing samples from a wide representative group of the Czech population, Health Minister Adam Vojtěch said at a press conference on Tuesday.
Czechs may be allowed to travel to Croatia and Slovakia this summer
Split, Croatia, photo: Martinasl, CC BY-SA 4.0 While some restrictions on business, family and medical related travel were lifted last week, free travel to and from the Czech Republic has been banned for over a month, since the government began enacting strict measures aimed at preventing the spread of the coronavirus.
April 21, 1990 – When John Paul II became the first pope to visit Prague | Radio Prague International
Cardinal František Tomášek, Pope John Paul II, Václav Havel,, photo: Czech Television It was April 1990. Czechoslovakia was still living off the wave of hope in a better future after the Velvet Revolution and the opening up to the West just months earlier. Václav Havel was a relatively fresh president and the people were preparing for the first free elections in more than 40 years.
Government advisor: Smart quarantine is pivotal – but don’t start lifting restrictions too fast | Radio Prague International
Štěpán Jurajda, photo: archive of Charles University Deputy Health Minister Roman Prymula, the man seen by many as primarily in charge of the Czech Republic’s coronavirus response, said on Wednesday that a planned nationwide smart quarantine system should be fully in place by the start of May. It is believed that using big data to track the previous contacts of coronavirus patients should enable greater safety, as people are forewarned of potentially dangerous locations.
April 17, 1990 – When John Paul II became the first pope to visit Prague | Radio Prague International
Cardinal František Tomášek, Pope John Paul II, Václav Havel,, photo: Czech Television It was April 1990. Czechoslovakia was still living off the wave of hope in a better future after the Velvet Revolution and the opening up to the West just months earlier. Václav Havel was a relatively fresh president and the people were preparing for the first free elections in more than 40 years.
Government unveils five-stage plan to reopen businesses
Karel Havlíček, photo: ČTK/Ondřej Deml Restaurants, almost all shops and many other facilities in the Czech Republic have been closed for just over a month, as part of the government efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19. With infection rates still at relatively low in this country, growing calls for a timetable under which things would get back to normal were met on Tuesday, when the government announced a detailed plan.
Govt. advisor: Pandemic has forced us to increase digitisation – let’s embrace it fully | Radio Prague International
Danuše Nerudová, photo: Jana Přinosilová / Czech Radio “Each crisis can act as a sort of momentum for changing direction and we are exactly in that moment right now. “The Czech Republic is a sort of ‘fitting shop’ of Europe, but this crisis creates a space to concentrate on the production of added value goods. “I also think that it is a space to redefine investment strategies. The Czech Republic can invest into smart technologies and the digitisation of public administration.
“Operation K” - How the Communists wiped out Czechoslovakia’s monasteries in one brutal stroke | Radio Prague International
Names of 464 monks interned in Želiv monastery during 1950-1956, photo: archive of Memory of Nation Marked out from the start By 1950, the Communist Party had gone a long way in consolidating power since its coup d’etat brought it absolute power over the country two years earlier. This position did not come about through bullying and Soviet influence alone.
Daily news summary
Government extends state of emergency to April 30 The Czech government has officially extended the state of emergency to April 30, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said on Thursday. First issued to help tackle the spread of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in mid-March, the government originally intended to extend the period until mid-May. However, the length of the extension was shortened after the debate was put forward to the Chamber of Deputies.
Daily news summary
Health Minister: Uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 down, country can start returning to normal The Czech Republic has managed to stop the uncontrolled spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus and the country can start returning to normal affairs, Health Minister Adam Vojtěch said on Wednesday. Original projections saw 14,200 infections by the end of April, but have now been revised to 10,600.
Mediaeval Prague’s Vyšehrad was once supposed to house largest West Slavic church | Radio Prague International
Photo: archive of National Heritage Institute The steep rock south of Prague Castle known as Vyšehrad is one of the Czech capital’s most ancient historic and archaeological sites as well as the location wherein many of the nation’s myths play out. While historical and archaeological data cannot confirm these legends, it has shown that Vyšehrad was indeed the site of some of the earliest Slavic settlement of Prague.
Jan Smudek - the real Laszlo from Casablanca
Jan Smudek, photo: Public Domain A wanted member of the resistance escaping the Nazi secret police through Casablanca to get back onto allied territory and continue the fight. These are the stories of both Jan Smudek and Victor Laszlo. Although the magnificent romance is missing and the final destination for both protagonists is different, some believe that it was in fact Smudek who inspired the character whose beautiful wife Humphrey Bogart lets go for the greater good.
Daily news summary
Industry representatives call on government to announce plan for lifting restriction measures by Easter. The Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic has called on the government to present its plan on the gradual lifting of restriction measures for businesses by Easter. Industry representatives are particularly interested in the conditions the government plans to put in place for companies to start operating again.
How is coronavirus affecting Prague’s real estate market?
Photo: Khalil Baalbaki / Czech Radio As the famous Prague focused YouTuber Janek Rubeš from Honest Guide recently wrote on his blog, the coronavirus epidemic has not just left the Czech capital’s streets empty – it has had the same effect on many Airbnb apartments. Prices have gone down to 15-year lows with the ongoing travel ban in place. This was confirmed to Czech Radio by the president of the Association of Real Estate Companies Jaroslav Novotný.
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