Book Review – From Prague to Jerusalem

This is an excellent book review of Milan J. Kubic’s book From Prague to Jerusalem. An Uncommon Journey of a Journalist by my friend Miloslav Rechcígl, Jr. BUY ON AMAZON NOW Mila writes: I have always considered memoir publications important sources of history, particularly after I published my memoir, Czechmate. From Bohemian Paradise to American...

Books

June 10, 2022

The Silent Village & The Second Life of Lidice

On June 10, 1942 the Nazis wiped Lidice off the face of the earth. This June 10th marks the 80th anniversary of the horrific massacre of the men, women and children of Lidice – a little village west of Prague that was literally wiped off the map by the Nazis during WWII. The men were...

History, Movies

March 22, 2022

A Drop Too Much – O Skleničku Víc

In the enchanting realm of puppet animation, where strings dance to narratives both whimsical and profound, Jirí Trnka’s “A Drop Too Much” (1954) emerges as a poignant cautionary tale, transcending its strings to deliver a sobering message. Clocking in at a mere 14 minutes, this short film delicately balances artistry, storytelling, and a socially conscious...

ENTERTAINMENT, Movies

October 11, 2021

Czech Animation – The Cybernetic Grandma

In Jirí Trnka’s visionary 1962 Czechoslovakian stop-motion puppet cartoon, “The Cybernetic Grandma” (Kybernetická babička), a compelling sci-fi narrative unfolds, offering a cautionary tale about the potential pitfalls of machines and robots attempting to replace the irreplaceable bonds of human relationships. Trnka’s artistic vision delicately balances poetic fragility with dramatic warnings as it explores a dystopian...

ENTERTAINMENT, Movies

August 13, 2021

Travel Back in Time to Prague

Imagine if we could travel back in time to Prague. Would you like to go back 100 years with me? The following is a chapter from a book published in 1912, entitled Around the Clock in Europe: A Travel-Sequence by Charles Fish Howell with illustrations by Harold Field Kellogg. Published in Boston by Houghton Mifflin...

Books, ENTERTAINMENT, Time Warp

June 17, 2021

The White Disease aka Bílá Nemoc

A virus that first appeared in China, spread by shaking hands, putting the elderly at risk. The Czechoslovak film The White Disease (1937) evokes current headlines, but uses the epidemic primarily as a perspective on war and dictatorship. Bílá nemoc (The White Disease – as in leprosy) is a play written by Czech novelist Karel...

ENTERTAINMENT, LIFESTYLE, Movies

June 13, 2021

Classic Czech Dinner and a Movie

It’s time for a classic Czech dinner and a movie. Today, I am sharing the recipe for Šípková Omáčka – Czech Rosehip Sauce and Pajfalský knedlík – Pajfal dumplings from Slavnosti snezenek / The Snowdrop Festivities film. A delicious recipe, a fun film, and a wonderfully spent Czech-inspired afternoon project to enjoy a great meal...

LIFESTYLE, Movies, Recipes

June 11, 2021

The Grapes – Film for Moravian Wine Lovers

I love the Czech (Moravian) wine country as much as I love their wine. The Grapes is a fun Czech comedy series which did a great job of showing off Moravian wine country and even a bit about what it’s like to run a winery while telling a fun story of a young rascal, his...

ENTERTAINMENT, Movies

June 1, 2021

Jan Mikolášek: Charlatan or Healer

Jan Mikolášek (April 7, 1889 – December 29, 1973) was a Czech healer and herbalist. He grew up in a family of gardeners and then trained professionally in the field. He trained with spice maker Josefa Mühlbacherová, and he admired the Viennese professor, Valentin Zeileis from Gallspach. He studied Mattioli’s herbarium and passed the professional...

Bohemians, ENTERTAINMENT, Movies, PEOPLE

April 9, 2021

Archangel Gabriel and Mistress Goose

Jirí Trnka’s cinematic brilliance takes a playful turn in “Archandel Gabriel a paní Husa” (1965), a joyful puppet film that draws inspiration from Giovanni Boccaccio’s Decameron. Set against the backdrop of medieval Venice, this 28-minute whimsical creation weaves a tale of love, humor, and the intervention of none other than Archangel Gabriel. The provided excerpt...

Movies

February 5, 2021

The Influence of Prague on Rainer Maria Rilke’s Poetry

Rilke is known for his poignant metaphorical poetry and his lyrical prose. Like many great writers before him, Rilke drew inspiration from his surroundings. He was able to draw on his observations of the various places he visited during his life to create poems which remain widely read and loved to this day. In his...

Books, ENTERTAINMENT

December 1, 2020

Czech Christmas Mass

Today we are bringing you a classic Czech animated film by Jakub Jan Ryba entitled Česká mše vánoční or Czech Christmas Mass, Hej mistře, with animated images by Josef Lada. It originally appeared on Czech TV in 1966. Beno Blachut, Jaroslava Vymazalová, Marie Mrázová, and Zdeněk Kroupa are the singers of the soundtrack of Czech...

CULTURE, Holidays, Movies

November 11, 2020

Czech Stories in English

I am an avid reader and what I love to read more than anything is stories from my birthplace, Czechoslovakia. In today’s post I am sharing some rare books which are in English and allow you to see a Czechoslovakia of days gone past, often through the eyes and experiences of non-Czechs. A Wayfarer in...

Books

November 8, 2020

The Day of the Bison Hunt by V. Kubasta

Vojtěch Kubašta (1914-1992) became a star of the highest magnitude when he combined his artistic and architectural talents in the creation of spatial book. Not only did he draw them all, but he was also the author of the solution to the three-dimensional parts. He was actually the Czech top export artist in the previous...

Childrens Books

September 11, 2020

Czech Fairy Tales in English: Budulínek

Budulínek is a classic Czech fairytale about a little boy and a wicked fox. It is an incredibly popular story for children in the Czech Republic and in other Eastern European and Slavic countries. In this post, we will be featuring an English translation of this beloved classic fairytale, so you too can enjoy it....

ENTERTAINMENT

April 18, 2020

JoJo Rabbit and Propaganda

Jojo Rabbit is a 2019 comedy-drama film written and directed by Taika Waititi, based on Christine Leunens’s 2008 book Caging Skies. Jojo Rabbit was filmed in various locations around the Czech Republic. To be more specific, Barrandov Studio, Chcebuz, Dolní Berkovice, Kytín, Petschek Palace (Petschkův palác), Prague, Úštěk, and Žatec. Roman Griffin Davis portrays the...

ENTERTAINMENT, Movies