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Pride, Country, and a Balance Beam

Pride, Country, and a Balance Beam

V臎ra 膶谩蝉濒补惫蝉办谩 was a Czechoslovakian Olympian gymnast, born in May 3, 1942 and raised in Prague. Her sense of pride came from more than her sport, as it centered around her love for Czechoslovakia and her people, such that she signed the Two Thousand Words manifesto during Prague Spring. Even through possible persecution she continued to train for the Olympics. After the Olympics, the persecution continued, but she remained resolute though her life, earning her the love of the Czechoslovakian people.

Hans Krasa and Terezin

Hans Krasa and Terezin

Born in 1899, Krasa was a young musical prodigy who composed his first songs at the age of ten. By the age of 39, he would compose his most famous song, Brundibar. By the age of 40, in 1939, the occupation of Czechoslovakia by Nazi Germany took place. After their occupation, Krasa was arrested by the Nazis and deported to the Terezin concentration camp, forced to compose as a part of a propagandic smokescreen.

An Army with No Country: A Siberian Odyssey 

An Army with No Country: A Siberian Odyssey 

It鈥檚 the First World War, and the Czechoslovaks must get their soldiers from Ukraine to France, but without going through a Central Powers country or a sea without enemy ships. What do they do? Naturally, they go East: fight through the Bolsheviks, take over the Russian railway network, capture most of Siberia, and reach Vladivostok before the ships arrive to get you home. All this while losing less than 10% of your men over three years of fighting. It might sound crazy, but this is just the 2nd part to the story of the Czechoslovak Legion.

Current Events in the Czech Republic

Current Events in the Czech Republic

Milo拧 Zeman is the current president of the Czech Republic, recently checked into a hospital for chronic health conditions. Due to the unfortunate circumstances facing the president, both houses of Parliament would need to discuss and pass a clause that allows lower officials to carry out presidential duties.

Rock Music in Czechoslovakia

Rock Music in Czechoslovakia

The history on rock music in Czechoslovakia begins with its introduction in the early 1950s, beginning apolitically. By 1968, the apolitical aspect changed, in response to the 1968 Soviet bloc invasion, causing rock music to finally rebel and criticize the government, through satire and cryptic messaging, as the lyrics and content of rock songs were monitored.

Ten Popular Breweries in the Czech Republic

Ten Popular Breweries in the Czech Republic

Ten small breweries in the Czech Republic that you should Czech out!

Prague Travel Guide

Prague Travel Guide

Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is a popular destination for tourists. It is ranked as the 20th most visited city in the world and hosts around eight million tourists each year.

The Dancing House of Prague

The Dancing House of Prague

The architectural style of Prague is typically characterized by gothic spires and neo-classical buildings, yet one structure stands apart from the rest. The Dancing House has a much more modern exterior, made up of curving lines of glass and concrete.

The Church of St. Cyril and Methodius: A History Old and New

The Church of St. Cyril and Methodius: A History Old and New

St Cyril and Methodius lived in the 9th century and are important figures in Eastern Orthodox Churches. In the 1730s, the Church of St. Cyril and Methodius was built, creating a foundation of Czech Orthodox faith. It protected soldiers through the Nazi鈥檚 occupation.

Emperor Rudolf II: Prague's Patron of Arts and Science

Emperor Rudolf II: Prague's Patron of Arts and Science

Rudolf II, leader of the Holy Roman Empire, ruled from 1575-1612. His reign as emperor was nontraditional and he was well known for his patronage of arts and science. Under his rule, alchemists were protected and allowed to experiment and learn, making Prague one of the cultural centers of this scientific discipline. His rule also allowed artists from all over Europe to thrive and flourish, which artists noticed and greatly appreciated.

Bohemian Garnet

Bohemian Garnet

The blood-red stone, known as the Bohemian Garnet, is a Pyrope gemstone found in the Czech Republic. Although you may be familiar with garnet as January鈥檚 gemstone, it has a long history within the Czech Republic, as it had been seen in pieces tracing back to the middle ages.

Cinema Under Communism: The Czech New Wave

Cinema Under Communism: The Czech New Wave

The Czech New Wave was an important film movement led by daring, rebellious film directors in the sixties. Since the nationalization of the film industry in 1945, cinema had gone stale. In the fifties, each film adhered so tightly to the standards set by the communist government that moviegoers found themselves bored in the theatres. Plot threads were , an aspect that would be criticized extensively during the movement (Kehr 2008).

The Czech Republic and its鈥 Contribution to Cinematography

The Czech Republic and its鈥 Contribution to Cinematography

Europe is known for its beautiful scenery and panoramas of its countryside used for movies. However, one country in central Europe takes the cake in picturesque landscapes, and it is named the Czech Republic.

Czech Spring Rituals and Celebrations of Love

Czech Spring Rituals and Celebrations of Love

In Slavic cultures, spring has always been the most important time of the year - it鈥檚 the time of rebirth, associated with life, fertility, and love. Ancient Slavs celebrated the end of winter and the coming of spring with a number of festivals and rituals. Among Czechs, one such tradition has survived to this day - popularly known as Czech Valentine鈥檚 Day.

Czech Street Food

Czech Street Food

Food is one aspect of culture that is almost universally accessible. For many traveling, trying different cuisines, especially street foods, is an exciting part of visiting a new country. The Czech Republic has its own unique kitchen, and although the popularity of street foods is still growing, there are some dishes that are well-known in the country.

The Czech Republic's Communist-Era Architecture

The Czech Republic's Communist-Era Architecture

For the Communist countries in Eastern Europe, the necessary rebuilding following World War II was accomplished in the construction style that the Soviet Union popularized. As a result of this period, the Czech Republic has many buildings and monuments that differ significantly from the historic ones surrounding them, serving as a reminder of its Communist era.

Five Czech Towns to Visit

Five Czech Towns to Visit

With twelve UNESCO World Heritage Sites, four awe-inspiring national parks, and literally thousands of castles, there is much to see in the Czech Republic beyond the beautiful city of Prague. Today, we鈥檝e compiled a short list of five towns that definitely warrant the trip next time you visit the country.

Memento Mori

Memento Mori

Like something out of an Edgar Allen Poe macabre tale, an Ossuary is often misconstrued as a morbid and perhaps even a malevolent arrangement of skeletal remains. However, that is far from the truth.

Jan Hus: Czech Reform Theologian

Jan Hus: Czech Reform Theologian

Only a few years before Jan Hus was born, the Middle Ages came to a close. The term "Middle Ages" is used by modern scholars to reference a specific period in history. It began roughly with the collapse of Roman civilization around the 5th Century CE to the Renaissance. There are a few conflicting starting points for the Renaissance period. Depending on the location in Europe, the Renaissance started around the 13th, 14th, or 15th Centuries.