Arts & Leisure

Viva la Villa!

Guest Writer — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 11:01:28 +0000

When it comes to architectural discussions in Prague, today it often seems to be a bitter battle of words from preservationists versus developers. Hearken back to the “golden” days of Czech architecture when art nouveau dominated at the beginning of the 20^th century (think Obecní dům), which was soon followed by the iconic Czech cubist style pioneered by Josef Gočár

Spend the night at a museum

Raymond Johnston — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 12:36:40 +0000

One event that has grown massively since its introduction is Prague Museum Night. Every year, museums across Prague open their doors for free (or almost free), and buses run special routes to ferry the culture curious around.

Prague Fringe starts its second decade

Raymond Johnston — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 12:31:43 +0000

This year, the Prague Fringe Festival goes up to 11 — at least, it is the 11^th edition of the alternative theater festival.

Hidden spaces, free concerts highlight Church Night

Raymond Johnston — Wed, 30 May 2012 10:12:27 +0000

The Czech Republic is one of the least religious countries in the world. Oddly, though, most major cities are filled with churches ranging from historical landmarks to hidden gems. Many are only open to the public a few minutes before or after services, and some not even that much.

Enjoy the ‘silence’: Prague exhibition honors John Cage

Guest Writer — Tue, 29 May 2012 10:37:36 +0000

An extensive and diverse exhibition dedicated to the pioneering American composer, music theorist, writer, and artist John Cage has just begun at Prague’s DOX Centre for Contemporary Art, marking the centenary of his birth and 20^th anniversary of his death.

Colorful Khamoro

Guest Writer — Mon, 28 May 2012 15:02:59 +0000

The colors, the dancing and most especially the music is what you’ll take away from any event you attend at this week’s World Roma Festival Khamoro in Prague. Organizers hope you’ll remember something else as well.

Viktor Ullmann: musical triumph out of tragedy

Michael Stein — Mon, 28 May 2012 09:44:00 +0000

Of all the art forms that experienced a modernist renaissance in Central Europe in the first few decades of the 20^th century, music was paramount, simultaneously advancing on and reconnecting with the German musical tradition of Bach, Mozart and Beethoven.

Zlín film fest brings Irish cinema to children

Guest Writer — Fri, 25 May 2012 08:19:41 +0000

One of the biggest and oldest film festivals in the world — and the only one for children in the Czech Republic — will launch its 52^nd annual showcase of films for children and youth in the east Moravian town Zlín this Sunday.

Mezi ploty takes the audience between the gates

Raymond Johnston — Wed, 23 May 2012 08:36:43 +0000

Practically every weekend there is one music festival or another in and around the Czech capital. Mezi ploty stands out from the pack because it is held on the grounds of the mental health hospital in the Bohnice district of Prague 8.

Nice to meet you

Guest Writer — Fri, 18 May 2012 08:03:37 +0000

“Modern prose cannot be written without a certain degree of erudition, without knowledge of what is going on in the other arts, especially fine art. Fine art and literature are indelibly linked.” – The Homework by Bohumil Hrabal, 1970.

Radical filmmaker has Prague retrospective

Michael Stein — Thu, 17 May 2012 14:17:21 +0000

It is not uncommon to find artists who came to film from work in other mediums. Some are painters turned filmmakers, while others turned to film from work in theater or writing. German filmmaker Alexander Kluge’s path to film was as strikingly different as his work continues to prove itself.

Czech Literature Night goes European

Michael Stein — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:05:04 +0000

What began as a Czech project called Literature Night has now spread from Prague across the continent, with Czech and European authors appearing and having their work read from London to Yerevan.

Prague’s Brooklyn celebrates its separate identity

Raymond Johnston — Mon, 14 May 2012 08:08:46 +0000

The Žižkov district of the Czech capital has always been a bit different, marching to its own drummer. It is often described as Prague’s Brooklyn, with a mix of working class people and artists.

Czech Surrealist brought out of hiding

Michael Stein — Mon, 07 May 2012 05:52:16 +0000

Jindřich Heisler: Surrealism under Pressure at Chicago’s Art Institute presents 70 works by the still little-known Czech Surrealist whose work straddles the line between a variety of artistic media.

Ion Barladeanu: ‘Art Against All Odds’

Guest Writer — Sat, 05 May 2012 11:26:43 +0000

His story has been told by The Guardian, the BBC and even made into a movie. From complete obscurity, Ion Barladeanu, a Romanian artist in his sixties, a freedom fighter of sorts who for much of his life chose to live outside of the system, skyrocketed to fame shortly after his work was discovered while he was living by the garbage bins behind an apartment block.