Learning from the Czechoslovak Talks

Wouldn’t you agree that the memories we collect should be an inspiration and a lesson in life, especially for future generations? We do. After all, this is one of the core principles and goals of our site. Therefore, we were very pleased to discover The Czechoslovak Talks. Their aim is to preserve the life stories...

LIFESTYLE

August 30, 2019

The Greatest Czech No One Heard of – Eduard Ingriš

Jára Cimrman also known as “the Master”, is a Czech fictional polymath, a made-up and imaginary personality presented as a universal genius, and one of the greatest Czech playwrights, poets, composers, teachers, travelers, philosophers, inventors, and sportsmen of the 19th and early 20th century. Playing along with the pretense of his real existence is part...

Bohemians, Men, PEOPLE

August 26, 2019

The Night a Russian Cellist Wept for Czechs

It is quite rare to view a live recording of a truly legendary performance, yet I was blessed to do so a few years ago. In a documentary about Mstislav Rostropovich, the genius Russian cellist, I saw such a performance, the night a Russian cello wept for Czechs. It was the 1968 Proms season and...

ENTERTAINMENT, Music

August 25, 2019

Pletenec or Czech Sweet Braid Done Two Ways

Today we are sharing a delicious recipe for a classic Czech sweet braid or plait, known as a pletenec in Czech. This recipe will make two, so when considering filling, make sure to either double up or use two different ones. The trick with a Czech sweet braid is in how you “braid” it, which...

LIFESTYLE, Recipes

August 22, 2019

Emil Holárek and the Fairy Tale of Innocence

We have a special treat for you today, a very rare peek into a satirical Czech Symbolist publication illustrated by Emil Holárek about an innocent little nymphet, who wears herself out between various institutions of state and society and the wickedness of their protagonists, finally ending up as a supposed culprit on the scaffold. In...

Art and Design, CULTURE

Rudolfinum Ball, Social Repertoire of the 16th & 17th Centuries

August 20, 2019

Rudolfinum Ball, Travel to the 16th & 17th Centuries

January 26, 2019 marked the ninth year of the Rudolfinum Ball or Rudolfínský ples as it is known in Czech. People gather and enjoy the unique atmosphere of a Renaissance celebration and ball. Dancers and non-dancers alike can dress up in European Renaissance or early Baroque style and set out on a journey through time...

CULTURE, Time Warp

August 18, 2019

Czech Painter & Illustrator Jiří Pařík

Jiří Pařík ( February 21, 1930 Prague – December 1, 1999 Prague) was a Czech painter, draftsman , illustrator, graphic artist and cartoonist. He was the son of sculptor Antonín Pařík. He belonged to the circle of friends of the famous writer Bohumil Hrabal. When in a Prague antique store this past summer, I happened...

Art and Design, Bohemians

Groovy Dancing and Communist Tanks: Stark Contrasts of Prague in August of 1968

August 16, 2019

Caught in the Clash of Groovy Dancing and Communist Tanks – Prague Spring 1968

What does groovy dancing have to do with communist tanks? Not much, but one day in August of 1968, groovy music videos were being filmed simultaneously in and around Prague. A popular television program at the time, Europarty had crews filming music videos for the show. It was the height of Prague Spring, and there...

History, Music, NOSTALGIA

August 15, 2019

Karel Hujer Looked to the Stars and Beyond

Dr. Karel Hujer (September 18, 1902, Zelezny Brod – June 10, 1988, Chattanooga, TN) was a Czech astronomer interested in the study of astronomy of ancient civilizations. Dr. Hujer came to the United States with a Doctor of Science degree (higher than Ph.D.) from Charles University in Prague. He immediately became active in the life...

Bohemians, PEOPLE

August 13, 2019

Bohemian Farming Families of the Early 1900s

Lewis Wickes Hine (September 26, 1874 – November 3, 1940) was an American sociologist and photographer. Hine used his camera as a tool for social reform. His photographs were instrumental in changing the child labor laws in the United States. He photographed many immigrant families, including Czechs. Today we are looking at Bohemian Farming Families...

History, NOSTALGIA

August 11, 2019

Church of St. Wenceslas in Vrsovice, Prague

The Church of Saint Wenceslas (Czech: Kostel sv. Václava) is a Roman Catholic church in Vršovice in Prague 10, Czech Republic. The church was built in 1930 as a commemoration of the 1,000th anniversary of the death of St. Wenceslas. This was one of three new buildings constructed in 1929 in Prague inspired by the...

Architecture, CULTURE

August 9, 2019

Alice Masaryk Arrested & Held in Prison

Today’s information is as shocking as the headline, Alice Masaryk Arrested & Held in Prison. Below we are sharing a reprint of an article written in 1974, with quotes and images added by us. Original source information at the end. It’s an important history lesson and it shares something many folks don’t even know –...

History, NOSTALGIA, Women

August 5, 2019

Czech, Moravian and Slovak Pattern Inspired Folk Scarf

Today we are having a sale to raise funds for the ongoing maintenance charges for the running and upkeep of this website along with bringing you exciting new content. This beautiful Czech, Moravian and Slovak pattern inspired folk scarf is something that reminds us of home. Now I am not a purist and I do...

LIFESTYLE, Shopping

August 4, 2019

Slovak National Dress Through the Centuries

Today we are looking at a book entitled Slovak National Dress Through the Centuries by Jozef Markov with introduction by Sona Kovacevicova and translated by Hedda Veselá-Stránská. The book was created under the guide of the Ethnographic Institute of the Slovak Academy of Science in Bratislavia and was published in Bratislava, Slovakia in 1955 and...

Books, ENTERTAINMENT

August 2, 2019

Jiří Šlitr – Czech Pop Music & Theatre in the 1960s

When thinking of Czech pop music and theater, there is one main person to mention in that position and that would have to be Jiří Šlitr (1924 – 1969). This mega-talent boasted a wide artistic scope – he was a composer, virtuoso pianist, singer, actor and artist. He learned to play the piano from his...

Art and Design, CULTURE, Movies, Music, Theater

July 30, 2019

Poledník Lookout Tower – Then and Now

This wooden lookout tower in the mountains is known as Poledník. It is a Cold War secret surveillance tower which was used to spy on radio communications. An odd structure, right? The Poledník lookout tower is situated in the Šumava National Park near the Czech-German border, approximately 5 kilometers southeast of Prášily. Today, the lookout...

Czech Republic, PLACES