CzechFolks.com

Článek v ČEŠTINĚ dole (Klikněte na “Read the rest …”)

Spring is finally here and with it comes the necessary cleaning that most of us don’t look forward to. Many cities in the Czech Republic and Slovakia already started the cleaning despite mild snowing in certain regions. Like ever year, the streets are swept, windows are cleaned, buildings are painted or renovated, parks are cleaned and all damages, after a long and cold winter season, are repaired. People at home are preparing for Easter and also clean their homes or apartments to bring more sun and joy to their dwellings. In addition, new initiatives appeared to keep the environment clean. For example, Prague has a great solution to overall cleanness of the city that it achieves by utilizing the Internet and the involvement of local citizens.

Read the rest of this entry (Čtětě více ZDE) »

Článek v ČEŠTINĚ dole (Klikněte na “Read the rest …”)

March 8^th can be remembered differently amongst Czechs and Slovaks at home or abroad. This day used to be known as International Woman’s Day (IWD). It started as a political event and later it was mostly associated with the communist regime and red carnations. This holiday is similar to Mother’s Day and St. Valentine’s Day. It disappeared from our calendars for a while, but now it is back to bring awareness of the struggles and achievements of women around the world. Will you be one of people, who celebrate this day?

Read the rest of this entry (Čtětě více ZDE) »

Článek v ČEŠTINĚ dole (Klikněte na “Read the rest …”)

The traditional Czech carnival, called “Masopust” should end the night before Ash Wednesday that is known to be the first day of Lent - a period of fasting. This year, however, it was extended. The Old Town Square in Prague is still full of music and folklore ensembles. The carnival actually started on Ash Wednesday and, therefore, it is overlapping with the period of fasting from food and festivities. Why? There are two simple reasons behind it.

Read the rest of this entry (Čtětě více ZDE) »

Článek v ČEŠTINĚ dole (Klikněte na “Read the rest …”)
On February 23rd, a third year of the international festival against totalitarianism “Mene Tekel” has started. The cultural event accompanying the Czech presidency in the EU Council will last one week. During this time, people will revisit memories and hear testimonies of former political prisoners. The festival will also include artistic reflections of totalitarianism in films, books by living legends, verses of imprisoned men and woman, historians’ views, and much more.

Read the rest of this entry (Čtětě více ZDE) »

Článek v ČEŠTINĚ dole (Klikněte na “Read the rest …”)

It has been twenty years since the end of Communism in the former Czechoslovakia. Today, many adults of ages 40 and above still remember what it used to be like to live in a communist country. Some of them even attempted to escape the regime by illegal crossings through a border line with the western countries that was symbolically called the Iron Curtain. Many children today don’t know much about the tough times during the communist regime and even schools don’t teach them about this important part of the Czech and Slovak history. The change is emerging soon, however, since a new history curriculum is being tested at selected schools.  Possibly a new video for small children describing the end of the Iron Curtain by the Czech government will introduce a new way of teaching about the history of former Czechoslovakia after World War II.

Read the rest of this entry (Čtětě více ZDE) »

Článek v ČEŠTINĚ dole (Klikněte na “Read the rest …”)

Skoda Octavia 1959

On January 6^th, 1959 the Czechoslovak automobile company Skoda introduced to the public their new model. This day was special for the company because it was the first time the alphabetical naming was used instead of the usual numeric one. Since the car was the eighth model of the “nationalized industry” production, it was named Octavia. The car has changed throughout time and today it does not resemble its first version. As this model changed and as time went by, its manufacturer went through some changes as well. Would you like to find out how the company’s name originated? Continue reading the article to find out more about the company and Czech cars of today and the past.

Read the rest of this entry (Čtětě více ZDE) »

Článek v ČEŠTINĚ dole (Klikněte na “Read the rest …”)

Gerník

Where do you think you can find the most preserved Czech culture, language and traditions? If you guessed Romania, you just hit the nail on the head. If you visit Czech villages in the south of the Romanian Banat, you will feel like at home. People in Banat have preserved their heritage for more than 180 years by simply passing it from one generation to another.

Read the rest of this entry (Čtětě více ZDE) »

Článek v ČEŠTINĚ dole (Klikněte na “Read the rest …”)

Who doesn’t know Josef Lada, a writer, caricaturist and illustrator of cartoons of Svejk (The Good Soldier Svejk), Mikes (Mikes the Tomcat), beautiful Czech landscapes, and pictures from everyday lives? His self-taught drawing technique is known around the world. You may have seen his Water Sprite (Vodník), Hog-killing Time (Zabíjačka), Czech Bethlehem (Český betlém), Czech Countryside (Česká krajina), or Fracas in the Pub (Rvačka v hospodě). The lastly named illustration brought so much attention to the Czech public and organizers of Josef Lada’s Museum that they decided to reconstruct this scene with volunteers dressed in Czech historical costumes.

Read the rest of this entry (Čtětě více ZDE) »

Článek v ČEŠTINĚ dole (Klikněte na “Read the rest …”)

Both countries, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, finally announced their athletes of the year for 2008. As separate countries, they both continued in this tradition that is already 50 years old. The Czech athlete of the year became Barbora Spotakova - a world and Olympic champion and the world record holder in javelin throwing. Slovakian athlete of the year was Michal Martikan- a slalom canoeist, an Olympic champion and world champion.

Read the rest of this entry (Čtětě více ZDE) »

Článek v ČEŠTINĚ dole (Klikněte na “Read the rest …”)

Would you like to learn about the Czech Republic, its history and paths that lead the country to the European Union that it is presiding over? You may like the following animation that describes just that in the Czech language with English subtitles. The movie is called From Forefather to Union (Od Praotce k Unii) and the author of this cartoon is Pavel Koutsky. Even though the movie is animated, people of all ages can enjoy its simplicity and brilliance that captures all important aspects of Czech history.

Read the rest of this entry (Čtětě více ZDE) »

Článek v ČEŠTINĚ dole (Klikněte na “Read the rest …”)

It has been twenty years since the fall of communism and when we look back, we are amazed how different we used to live. It may seem that the former Eastern Bloc countries have moved on towards independence and freedom, but is it really true? The recent affair with Russian natural gas showed us again how much these countries are still dependent on this powerful country. This was a tough time for Europe, but it showed that EU countries could overcome this burden by helping each other during tough times. What will they do to make sure this won’t happen again?

Read the rest of this entry (Čtětě více ZDE) »

Článek v ČEŠTINĚ dole (Klikněte na “Read the rest …”)

K. Čapek

Karel Capek (1890 - 1938) was a Czech writer, political thinker, and philosopher that was known around the world. You have probably heard about him as an “inventor” of the word “Robot.” He was not only known for his resistance against the Nazis but also the Communists and always promoted a free and democratic Czechoslovakia. His work and pure democratic beliefs are just two of many reasons to read his great books that have been translated into many other languages. You may also find another reason to read his books - it has been 70 years since his death and anybody is able to freely publish his books, making them even more available to the world.

Read the rest of this entry (Čtětě více ZDE) »