The Prague Spring International Music Festival (not related to the 1968 Prague Spring) is a festival established by the Czech Philharmonic Rafael Kubel脥k to commemorate the death of Czech composer Bed艡ich Smetana. Every opening night for the last 80 years, Smetana鈥檚 national masterpiece M谩 Vlast is played by a different orchestra. Smetana鈥檚 music life began in his youth, developed further by collaboration with one of his inspirations, Liszt. This 2025, Semyon Bychkov will conduct the next opening.
Bohemian artist Frantisek Kupka is the forefront mind behind the art form of Orphism. Orphism focuses on color and abstraction, similar to Cubism but also an 鈥渆volution鈥 where abstract shapes are given precedence in contrast to solid, known geometric shapes. There are many examples of Orphism to see, spanning many years.
From the Brevnov Monastery to the modern-day Pilsner, the Czech people have been enjoying beer for over a thousand years. Known as the beer of tradition, Czech beer is ingrained into history itself. When beermaking was banned. the Brenov Monastery, as the first-ever Bohemian brewery, was exempt. Initially, after the ban on brewing ended, only noble families or homeowners were allowed to brew beer. It was in 1842 that the famous Pilsner was created.
Eli拧ka Junkov谩 is the first woman to win the Grand Prix, in 1927. Even before, Junkov谩 was 鈥淨ueen of the Steering Wheel,鈥 a well-earned title that she worked towards since 1922. Her dedication to racing began with her dedication to her husband, Vincenc 鈥溎宔n锚k鈥 Junek, whom she met at her job at the Prague Credit Bank.
After the death of Samo, there was uncertainty about the Czech and Moravian lands, but after the rise of Charlamange of the Frankish Kingdom, Moravians were able to recover. The princes of Moravia consolidated their power, and one in particular Mojmir I, rose beyond tribal institutions to establish Great Moravia. After Mojmir I's deposition, his nephew Rostislav became Louis the German's loyal vassal. In secret, however, Rostislav had ambitions beyond this.
This article describes the lives of two Annas, Bayerova and Honzakova, who pursued medicine during the era of women's suffrage. Both doctors faced obstacles to their passions, but prevailed, such as Anna Bayerova graduating from the University of Bern due to being unable to receive her degree in Czechoslovakia. Anna Honzakova had an easier time pursuing medicine but was initially refused participation in her exit exam until the University of Prague relented.
There are several Czech artists who have and continue to influence the world, and four of them are highlighted in this article. These artists are Jiri Trnka, Anna Daucikova, Libuse Jarcovjakova, and Yemi AD. From film to painting, glassblowing to photograph, and performance to dance, these artists present a variety of expressions that have influenced the world.
White, red, and blue make up the Pan-Slavic Tricolor, chosen based on the flag of Russia since that nation, during the late 17th century, represented Slavic independence and power. In fact, their flag was initially too similar to the Russian flag for them to keep it that way, thus the decision to ultimately add the heraldic symbol was made on September 1, 1992.
Kamil Kubik grew into an internationally recognized artist from a rough beginning to his life, having to escape his home in 1948 due to radical political changes. He's most famous for his cityscape paintings, including paintings of Central Park, Prague, London, and the White House, along with a scenic painting from nearly every state in the United States. He became the official artist for the White House.
Diana Cam Van Nguyen, up-and-coming Vietnamese-Czech animation director, debuts her animated documentary, "Love, Dad." It centers around an exchange of letters between a daughter and her father. In her film, several animation techniques are used in a fitting manner. Her future as a filmmaker is only beginning, but she's already made international waves!
"The Butcher of Prague" Reinhard Heydrich established himself as a ruthless authority among the Nazis, terrorizing Eastern Europe. Czechoslovakian president Eduardo Bene ordered a team of assassins to kill Heydrich. These assassins were Josef Gabcik, a former blacksmith and locksmith, and Jan Kubis, both of whom rose up the ranks in the Czech military. Of course there were others, 7, in fact, and if they were successful is written.
Milada Horakova was an advocate for democracy, stuck between both the Nazis and Communists for her adult life. During the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia, she resisted, helping emigrants escape and harboring fugitives of the occupiers. Although she faced torture and death from the Nazis, she not only survived but also continued her same fight, this time with the Soviets. Sadly, she was sentenced to death and executed, even when eminent individuals of the time demanded her release.
Inspired by the American holiday, many nations in the world celebrate Flag Day, including Czechia. Before Czechia, there was Czechoslovakia, whose flag, created in 1918, featured 2 horizontal stripes, white on the top and red on the bottom. The flag changed to include a blue wedge from the left and has remained this way since, including after the separation of Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Toyen, born Marie 膶别谤尘铆苍辞惫谩, was a foundational Czech Surrealist artist who explored gender expression. In her early days, she traveled to Paris where she promoted a poetry-inspired art style called "Artificialism." Her own art explored gender, politics, and eroticism, which challenged viewers. After the Communist takeover of Czechoslovakia, Toyen lived in Paris, creating new, expressive pieces, for the rest of her life.
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.
Through history, celebrating Mother鈥檚 Day in the Czech Republic was more complicated than one could imagine. It begins with the wife of Tomas Masaryk, Charlotte, who fought for women鈥檚 rights and taught her daughter, Alice Masarykova, to do the same. After her mother鈥檚 death, Alice established Mother鈥檚 Day in 1923. The complications of Mother鈥檚 Day lasted for a long time, into Czechoslovakia鈥檚 Communist occupation.
Opera is as popular as ever in the Czech Republic! The musical artform got its beginnings back in Bohemia during the early 17th century, when an Italian comedy performed at King of Bohemia Ferdinand III. Music artist and songwriter Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart lived his life in Prague since his performance of Figaro was lauded there, in contrast to Vienna in Italy. Opera has a significant role in the Czech lands鈥 cultural future and present, as it was a part of the Czech National Revival.
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.
Despite being a landlocked nation, Czechoslovakia had a naval army, one which fought a single battle. This singular battle took place on Lake Baikal in Russia during WWI. Being that Czechoslovakian soldiers fought so far away from their own nation and that they seemed unwelcome in Russia, the situation of their naval military grew more complicated.
