What is it about New Year’s Eve and lentils? Well – there is an old Czech saying – “Jak na Nový rok, tak po celý rok” which translates as: “As on New Year’s Day, the same throughout the whole year.” Therefore, on New Year’s Day, most Czechs consume lentils (čočka). Lentils are served on New...
How many of you remember growing up with Czech Christmas chocolate collections? You know, the ones that came in the large box which included hooks for hanging on your Christmas tree? The chocolates themselves were wrapped to resemble all sorts of Christmas ornaments. In our house, Christmas was not complete unless we had these included...
Today we are looking at some of the earliest Czech autochrome photographers. The Autochrome Lumière is an early color photography process patented in 1903 by the Lumière brothers in France and first marketed in 1907. It was the principal color photography process in use before the advent of subtractive color film in the mid-1930s. Commercial...
In the August of 1968, crowds of Soviet tanks rolled into the shining capital of Prague, marking the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. This historical event, which would change the lives of the Czech people for years to come, has come to be known as The Prague Spring. During the invasion, one young man took to...
Arguably one of the most famous characters in Czech fairytales and legends, Vodník, also known as hastrman, is a mythical water goblin who lurks in dark ponds and lakes, luring beautiful young women to their deaths. This mysterious water sprite, who is often portrayed as a hideous green man dressed in dripping coattails and riding...
Jiří Slíva was born in Pilsen in 1947 and has lived in Prague since 1966. After completing his studies in economics he spent eight years working as a sociologist and futurologist. Since 1979 he has worked very successfully as a freelance cartoonist, illustrator and graphic artist. Jiří Slíva’s first drawing was published in 1972. He...
Alphonse Mucha was a Czech artist whose contributions to the Art Nouveau movement are incredibly vast, including multiple stunning paintings of ethereal figures circled with delicate flowers and shady leaves. His works are famous around the world and his unique style makes his paintings and posters instantly recognizable. He is known for his striking paintings...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
