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’s occupation.

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 Languages of Kafka

Czech novelist Franz Kafka was a man whose deliberate use of language would come to define key aspects of his life. Having known German, Czech, and Hebrew, these three represented the continuous struggle for identity he faced up until his death.

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’s gemstone, it has a long history within the Czech Republic, as it had been seen in pieces tracing back to the middle ages.

Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol

While Googling Andy Warhol, Wikipedia describes him as an American artist born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Although he was born in America, Warhol’s ethnic identity is Eastern European.

Remembering Libuše Šafránková

Remembering Libuše Šafránková

Beloved Czech actress Libuše Šafránková passed away on June 9, 2021. She starred in several well-known films, including the 1973 Christmas classic “Three Nuts for Cinderella”.

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 entirely predictable and dogmatic, an aspect that would be criticized extensively during the movement (Kehr 2008).

Ride of the Kings

Ride of the Kings

Each spring, people in the Czech Republic celebrate many different events and holidays. The Ride of the Kings is one of the Czech Republic’s many unique customs. It is so deeply rooted in the history and culture of the area that it was placed on the UNESCO heritage list and has been painted, photographed, and filmed to preserve its tradition.

Celebrating Czech Heritage in America

Celebrating Czech Heritage in America

In 2019, over 2 million people in the United States reported being of Czech or Slovak heritage, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Many of these individuals are descendants of Czech immigrants that have developed their own unique culture that blends their Czech heritage with American traditions.

The Czech Republic and its’ Contribution to Cinematography

The Czech Republic and its’ 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’s 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’s Day.

Pilgrimage Church of St. John of Nepomuk

Pilgrimage Church of St. John of Nepomuk

Czechia is home to twelve different UNESCO World Heritage Sites, each one with something different to offer visitors. One of these sites, Pilgrimage Church of St John of Nepomuk, has a uniquely designed and beautiful building and a fascinating history.

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.

10th Anniversary of Krtek in Space

10th Anniversary of Krtek in Space

Today, March 5th, 2021, marks the 10th anniversary of the little mole's flight into space with American astronaut Andrew Feustel onboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour's mission STS-134.

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’ve 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.

The Kroj - A Connection to Czech Heritage

The Kroj - A Connection to Czech Heritage

Kroje (singular: kroj) are Czech and Slovak traditional costumes. A combination of western and eastern influences shaped by centuries of stylistic shifts, from the Gothic to the Baroque, they are stunning pieces of cultural heritage.

Prague's St. Vitus Cathedral

Prague's St. Vitus Cathedral

Prague Castle is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the city. This complex is the largest in the world, and people from around the world visit to marvel at the site. Inside the castle complex lies St. Vitus Cathedral, the biggest cathedral in the Czech Republic and a wonder of Gothic architecture.

Joža Uprka

Joža Uprka

The traditional folk costumes worn in Czechia are one aspect of the country's cultural heritage perhaps most well-known. These clothes vary from region to region, and one artist, Joža Uprka, is particularly famous for his paintings capturing his home's unique style.