Radio Prague International - latest articles

Dec 12 2024 19 ep. 4 mins 1.1k
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Gun sales in Czechia to come under stricter control

Dec 12 2024 2 mins  
The Senate has passed an amendment to the gun law that will oblige arms dealers and shooting range owners to report suspicious clients to the police. The measure is a forerunner of a massive overhaul of the gun law that will come into force in 2026, approved in reaction to the tragic shooting at the Prague Faculty of Arts almost exactly a year ago.

A Czech linguistic genius with a lasting legacy: Bedřich Hrozný, the decipherer of Hittite

Dec 12 2024 13 mins  
On the 12th of December 1952, a senior academic died in Prague. This lifelong scholar was Bedřich Hrozný, a Czech man born in the Bohemian town of Lysá nad Labem, and he remains famous today for his work on ancient languages. Most notably, it was thanks to him that the first translations of the lost language of the Hittites were not into English or French, but Czech. To understa

New documentary sheds light on Nazi attempt to reinterpret Bedřich Smetana's music

Dec 12 2024 3 mins  
On Thursday, Czech Radio Vltava will premiere the documentary Postscriptum of Bedřich Smetana. Created by Tomáš Dufka, head of the radio archive, the project examines pivotal political and social events, such as the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia, through the lens of Smetana's music, which left a powerful legacy after the composer's death. The documentary uses dozens of newly

One-of-a-kind Laurin & Klement racing car set for auction in Miami

Dec 11 2024 3 mins  
A unique racing car from the early 1900s, built by Laurin & Klement—the company that later became Škoda—is set to be auctioned off in Miami next year. The Type S2 Sportswagen, with its groundbreaking design, has been preserved in its original, unrestored condition, making it a rare find for collectors.

“Lex Babiš” law barring cabinet ministers from owning media outlets hits the rocks in court

Dec 11 2024 3 mins  
The “Lex Babiš” law prohibiting members of the government from owning media outlets has been a political battleground since it was approved in 2016. Now significant parts of the law have been invalidated by the Constitutional Court for procedural reasons, presenting a new setback in efforts to prevent conflict of interest in politics.

The Eve of the Clearance: new exhibition showcases photos that helped to save Prague’s Žižkov from being demolished

Dec 10 2024 15 mins  
In the late 1950s, the communist authorities came up with a plan to demolish Prague's district of Žižkov, replacing it with modern, prefabricated housing. Their plans moved slowly, and it was only in the 1970s that they commissioned photographer Pavel Štecha to document the poor conditions in the district. However, his photographs had an unintended effect: rather than justifying

Church in Dolní Věstonice restores Baroque masterpiece

Dec 10 2024 3 mins  
Conservationists discovered extensive Baroque paintings on the walls and vaults of the Church of St. Michael the Archangel in Dolní Věstonice. They describe it as a fundamental contribution to the history of early Baroque art in Moravia. Its discovery was shortlisted in this year's competition of the National Heritage Institute Patrimonium Pro Futuro.

Brno scientists are testing use of algae in water purification

Dec 10 2024 3 mins  
Scientists from Mendel University in Brno have cultivated highly efficient algae capable of removing residues of fertilizers and pharmaceuticals—including paracetamol and antibiotics—from water. These algae are grown in specialised bioreactors, and laboratory experiments are yielding promising results.

Are the Motorists on the road to government?

Dec 09 2024 4 mins  
Although only founded in 2022, the Motorists political party is quickly establishing itself in Czech politics. Following success in the 2024 European elections, and a confident first party congress on December 7th, the Motorists are striving to present themselves as a valid contender for Czechs’ votes. Danny Bate spoke to political scientist Jiří Pehe about the appeal of the pa

Czech foreign minister expresses cautious optimism in response to Assad’s fall in Syria

Dec 09 2024 2 mins  
Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria has collapsed after 13 years of conflict, bringing to a close over 50 years of rule by the al-Assad family. The fall of the Assad regime in Syria has been welcomed by the West – including Czechia. But what exactly are Czech political representatives saying about the developments?