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

It is not the first or last time that we have talked about different opportunities that will keep you connected with the home country. One of the most requested and popular ways to stay in touch with our language and happenings at home is, of course, the television. That is not a problem these days since we can watch Czech and Slovak movies, documentaries, news, or popular TV series through the Internet. Why not add to our list of online television stations? Today, you can read about TV Noe (Noah) - Good News Television that will keep you entertained, while opening your eyes and bringing new values to your lives.

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

Stanislav Kubicek (www.bestsail.cz)

How many of you, Czechs and Slovaks abroad, think you have traveled the world? You may have realized that it was hard to assimilate in a new country, especially its customs and language. Would you even imagine traveling around the whole world, especially to less developed countries? Could you even imagine traveling alone, as a couple, with a three-year-old baby? If you don’t want to try this on your own, read about Stanislav a Jitka Kubickovi that have done this for five years and don’t plan to stop any time soon.

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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.

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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.

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

Last year Czech Railways started a new luxury ride called Bohemian Train. The tickets for this twenty-four hour ride cost about the same as a summer vacation abroad. About forty wealthy individuals have tried this first ride to Elton John’s concert in Berlin. Czech Railways have started this new program to gain more popularity amongst other forms of transportation. On the other hand, the efforts may not be enough since the ordinary customers are still riding in obsolete or poorly remodeled wagons. Will this behavior really attract Czech and Slovak travelers to use their service?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Manhattan New York

The Czech Republic is getting lots of attention during its EU Presidency. During its six month presidency rotation we can expect many activities organized by the Czech government. The theme for this presidency rotation is “Europe without Barriers.” To prove the barriers can be overcome, two concerts in London and New York were performed by musicians from different countries or by people that have never played together before. The outcome of both concerts was very positive - all musicians were able to communicate with each other without long practice and preparation and the audience was thrilled.

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

Prague Castle (www.15wheelsetcongress.com)

After our successful video post with the Czech Christmas fairy tales, wer are adding another video sequence about Prague and the Czech Republic. We have selected two slideshows and two videos. All of them have something special about our country including famous politicians, movie stars, models, writers, conductors and more. Beautiful pictures of countryside, castles and cities don’t need explanations at all. The videos will either bring you back home or introduce this beautiful country to you for the first time. Enjoy!

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

Three Kings (www.studenec.cz)

Based on Czech and Slovak traditions, today is the last day, also known as the twelfth day, of Christmas. The 6th of January is celebrated as the Three Kings Day. During this day you can see children walking the streets caroling in their neighborhoods. It is also common today for many organizations to use this festive day for humanitarian activities to help others.

The three kings of three different countries, also known as wise men from the east, saw a bright star on the night when Christ was born. They followed it to Bethlehem and met the baby Jesus, to whom they gave three gifts: gold, myrrh and frankincense. Their names were Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar. Based on biblical stories, the three men represented three life stages - history, presence, and future (young, middle-aged, and old king). The oldest man also had a dark face that represented the shadow of death. Read the rest of this entry (Čtětě více ZDE) »