Gorgeous Czech Glass Bead Necklaces

Today we are shopping! We’re sharing these lovely artisan-made V-Style necklaces made of Czech glass beads. They are iridescent and they shimmer and shine, definitely making a statement. Perfect for a dinner or cocktail party, an evening on the town or just to spruce up a simple dress. These one-of-a-kind necklaces are unique in that...

LIFESTYLE, Shopping

July 27, 2019

Looking Back in Time at Czech Yankees

The following article entitled Czechoslovaks, Yankees of Europe appeared in a very old issue of National Geographic magazine from August of 1938. A wonderful 52 page article with 30 “cyclorama” color photographs. It is an excellent piece which shows us the Czech lands pre-World War II. As the title suggests, author John Patric found a...

History, NOSTALGIA, Periodicals

July 22, 2019

Grated Apples with Carrots

Today we are sharing a super easy old Czech recipe for grated apples with carrots or strouhaná jablka s mrkví. This was my go-to after school snack when I was hungry. While my American friends were munching on Twinkies and Ding Dongs, I got this. I didn’t much like it as a child, but now...

LIFESTYLE, Recipes

July 18, 2019

Movie Scenes from Prague

Today we are looking at movie scenes from Prague. Many films and music videos choose Prague for obvious reasons, it’s beautiful, picturesque, romantic, haunting, glamorous, unique, and well… just picture perfect. Each of these videos are just a few minutes, so take a peek and enjoy your little video visit to Prague. Mission Impossible –...

ENTERTAINMENT, Movies

July 15, 2019

The Embroidery of Traditional Czech Aprons

Today we have a guest post article on the stitching of traditional Czech aprons. Often seen over a kroj, many people believe these Czech aprons are a part of traditional kroje, but they are also a stand alone apron. We hope you enjoy the article… My Czechoslovakian mother and grandmother gave up trying to teach...

Art and Design, Fashion, Retro Chic

July 11, 2019

Česnečka – Traditional Czech Garlic Soup

Czechs are known for their comfort foods. Many of these are simple to make and yet very satisfying and delicious in a stick-to-your-ribs kind of way. One personal favorite is Česnečka, or what we could call a traditional Czech Garlic soup. With just a few ingredients, this is like the Czechs’ version of French Onion...

Recipes

July 7, 2019

Stunning & Unique Czech Inspired Embroidered Coat

Oh my goodness, have you ever seen anything so lovely? I am literally drooling over this one. My friend Lynette embroiders and she’s been playing with some Bohemian, Moravian and Slovak designs. Some of the items she creates are absolutely stunning… Like this beautiful coat. This coat is an eye-catcher. Have you ever seen anything...

Retro Chic, Shopping

July 2, 2019

The Folk Aprons of Czechoslovakia

Picture a tiny village in Eastern Europe, surrounded by forests and vineyards. Roses and daisies riot in front of small white-washed cottages. A tall-steepled church dominates the dusty village, and the road to the church is filled with blazing colors. It’s the matrons of Ratiskovice, Czechoslovakia, on their way to church in their richly embroidered...

Art and Design, Fashion, LIFESTYLE, Retro Chic

June 25, 2019

Watch This: Swingtime – StB – A False State Border Within the Republic

Imagine it… The StB – A false state border within the republic – and a fictional story of people who have crossed it. This is the theme of the the 2006 film Swingtime. It focuses on the so-called akce Kámen (Stone action), during which State Security agents deliberately mystified the citizens of the Czechoslovak Republic. Especially...

ENTERTAINMENT, Movies

June 20, 2019

Classic Czech Lečo Recipe

While surely upper Hungarian (Slovak) in origin, classic Czech Lečo (lecsó, letscho; leczo) is a simple dish and a quick and tasty meal that Czechs eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner or even as a snack. It is a classic among traditional Hungarian cuisine which migrated to the Czech lands. Our Czech Lečo Recipe can be...

LIFESTYLE

June 16, 2019

Zem Spieva or the Earth Sings – A Czech/Slovak Magnum Opus

Zem spieva (The Earth Sings) is a 1933 Czech documentary film written and directed by Karel Plicka (in Slovak: Karol Plicka) (1894 – 1987), a Czechoslovak photographer, film director, cinematographer, folklorist, and pedagogue. He is considered a founder of Slovak film education and film making. He helped establish the genre of ethnographic film in Czechoslovakia. Following Karel Plicka’s graduation...

History, Movies, PEOPLE

June 14, 2019

Sweet Sleeping Babies Clad in Slovak Kroje

What a special post today, as we are looking at the most adorable and sweet sleeping babies clad in Slovak kroje thanks to the creative mind and eye of Slovak photographer Monika Klučiarová. She has taken precious little newborns and dresses them in kroje (traditional Slovak folk dress/costume) to create the most adorable portraits, we promise you...

CULTURE, Photography

June 11, 2019

Purdue University’s Study Abroad: Annual Tour of the Škoda Factory in Mladá Boleslav

For the past three years, students from Purdue University have traveled to Prague along with faculty member Jim Tanoos as part of a Study Abroad program entitled “Purdue Polytechnic’s Central European Multinational Automobile Organization Supply Chain Experience”. Purdue University offers move than 200 majors and specializes in agriculture, engineering, and technology. It has an enrollment...

Czech Republic, LIFESTYLE, PEOPLE

June 9, 2019

The Tragic Fate of the Vyšehrad Train Station

Located in a whimsical part of Prague that many tourists do not venture to, is the abandoned Vyšehrad Train Station. This Art Nouveau gem sits quietly in her old grandeur, a crumbling boarded up beauty laden with graffiti just waiting (like many other gorgeous structures in the city of Prague) for a new face-lift. Seeing...

Architecture, History, LIFESTYLE

June 6, 2019

Dr. Miroslav Tyrš Founder of the Czech Sokol Union

Let’s travel back in time, to 1920, and take a look at Dr. Miroslav Tyrš Founder of the Czech Sokol Union. Miroslav Tyrš was actually born as Friedrich Emanuel Tirsch on September 17, 1832 and died on August 8, 1884. He was a Czech art historian, sports organizer and as we’ll learn today, the founder of...

Bohemians, History, PEOPLE

Czech-Literature-Strahov_Theological_Hall-TresBohemes

June 2, 2019

Czech & Slovak Literature Through 1964

Today we are looking at Czech & Slovak literature through 1964. I write “through 1964” because the information comes from a booklet entitled Czechoslovakia by the Assembly of Captive European Nations Czechoslovak Committee. It was published in 1964 and was volume 3 in a series of nine booklets. I found their writing on literature interesting and wanted to share...

Books, ENTERTAINMENT