Between May 7 and 8 in 1945, the Nazis surrendered to the Allied forces in 笔濒锄别艌, 膶esk茅 Bud臎jovice, and Karlovy Vary. It took weeks of fighting and many casualties to effectively force a surrender from the German High Command. It was through the collaboration of the Soviet and US forces that the liberation was able to take place. Much celebration, the day of and after, was abound.
Intervision
Intervision began as the Eastern bloc alternative to Eurovision, initiated by Czechoslovakia鈥檚 national television broadcaster. Though the initial contest lasted four years, it was abruptly ended by 鈥淣ormalization鈥 in Czechoslovakia. The Intervision concept gets picked up by Poland鈥檚 broadcaster for their Sopot International Festival, where it lasts four more years before being interrupted by political upheaval, yet again. Though the future of Intervision is uncertain, its past is worth a look for the intersection between art and politics.
Czech Spa Cups
Spa cups were created for drinking natural spring water, supposedly endowed with healing properties. This cultural sipping cup began with a pig and its broken leg, which apparently recovered after rolling around in the mud from spring water, inspiring Teplice locals to soak in the water to cure their ailments. By the 19th century, the spa scene became popular enough to inspire studies and university courses. The spa cups themselves appeared in the early 17th century, made to taste the spring water and benefit from its healing properties.
Karlovy Vary Film Festival
The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, or KVIFF, hosts about 200 films from around the world and is the oldest film festival. Located inKarlovy Very, Czech Republic, the film festival is held annually in July and is the most prestigious festival in Central and Eastern Europe, boasting a popular feature film competition.