Month: May 2023

President Pavel praised General Koudelka for his “outstanding service” and “exceptional dedication” to the security of the Czech Republic. He also thanked him for his “unwavering commitment to the rule of law and the protection of the Czech people”.

The promotion was welcomed by the Czech government, with Prime Minister Andrej Babiš saying it was “long overdue”. He added that General Koudelka had “served the Czech Republic with distinction and honour” and that he was “proud to have him as a leader of the BIS”.

The promotion of General Koudelka is a sign of the Czech Republic’s commitment to protecting its citizens and upholding the rule of law. It is also a testament to the dedication and hard work of General Koudelka, who has served the country faithfully for many years.

Prime Minister Fiala believes that the current number of illegal border crossings is not high enough to warrant the establishment of border checks. He instead believes that the focus should be on stopping specific migration routes and on adjusting policies that are in place when it comes to returning migrants to their home countries.

The Prime Minister’s statement follows recent calls from interior ministers from the states of Saxony and Brandenburg in neighbouring Germany for the setting up of border checks.

The Prime Minister’s stance is in line with the European Commission’s position that the Schengen Area should remain open and that the focus should be on tackling the root causes of migration. The Commission has also called for increased cooperation between member states in order to ensure the effective return of migrants who have entered the Schengen Area illegally.

Vesna, the Czech girl group, is one of the favourites to win this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool. According to both BBC News and the Spotify streaming platform, their song My Sister’s Crown is currently the 11th most popular song on Spotify compared to other songs featured at this year’s Eurovision. The BBC also writes that Vesna has a chance to break into the top 10.

The most successful Czech contestant at Eurovision so far was Mikolas Josef, who ended sixth in 2018. With Vesna’s popularity, they have a chance to beat this record and bring home the win for Czechia.

On Monday, Czechia commemorated the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe with a ceremony at Prague’s Vítkov memorial. President Petr Pavel and other leading state representatives honoured the victims of the war and compared the conflict to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala said that Czechia should continue to support Ukraine and show Russia that aggression is not an option. Wreaths were laid at the symbolic tomb of the unknown soldier by the president, prime minister and the heads of both chambers of parliament.

The commemorative event was attended by church and veteran organisation representatives, as well as members of the wider public. Commemoratory events are taking place across the country on May 8, which is also a bank holliday in Czechia.

The Czech National Museum of Military History in Prague is a must-see for anyone interested in the country’s military history. Located in the Vítkov Hill area of the city, the museum is divided into seven segments, covering everything from prehistoric times to the present day.

The largest section is dedicated to the period from 1938 to 1948, with particular emphasis on the Prague Uprising of May 1945. Here visitors can explore an authentic map detailing the barricades set up by the resistance, as well as a range of weapons and artifacts from the period.

The museum also features a special hall dedicated to Bohemia’s medieval history, with archaeological exhibits, audio-visual displays and replica weapons. There is also a life-size replica Hussite wagon fort and a statue of John of Luxembourg, who fell in the Battle of Crecy in 1346.

Aside from the exhibits, the museum also features many statues and paintings that depict key moments and figures in the country’s history. The building itself is also impressive, having recently gone through a major renovation.

Those thinking of checking it out should dedicate at least half-a-day of their time. The museum is open daily, except for Monday, from 10 AM to 6 PM. More information can be found on the museum’s website.

The 2023 Prague Marathon was a thrilling event, with Kenyan Alexander Mutiso emerging as the winner. He completed the 42km course in an impressive 2:05:09, setting a new record for the event. Workenesh Edesa of Ethiopia was the fastest woman on the course, finishing in 2:20:42.

East African runners have been the dominant force in the men’s race since its inception in 1995, with Kenyan athletes winning 13 titles. This year, Vít Pavlišta became the first Czech runner to cross the finishing line, completing the course in 2:19:14.

The 2023 Prague Marathon was a great success, with Mutiso and Edesa setting new records and Pavlišta becoming the first Czech runner to finish the race. It was a thrilling event that showcased the talent of East African runners and the determination of Czech athletes.