As the security situation in Europe grows more uncertain, Czech leaders are calling for urgent steps to strengthen the country’s defenses. US support seems less certain than ever and the Old Continent may soon find that it has to fend for itself.

The fifth anniversary of the start of the Covid epidemic in Czechia came and went (March 1st ) without any significant attention or debate. Approximately 42,000 people died of Covid or Covid related complications – a death toll surpassed only by the two world wars. Yet the country has no worthy memorial to the victims. Why are Czechs reluctant to look back at the pandemic that turned their lives upside down?

In addition to Germany, Poland, and Austria, Czechs may also be able to reach Slovakia by train on the high-speed line in the future. The Slovak side has completed a feasibility study for the route between Bratislava and the Czech border, which now needs to be approved by the local government. Both sides will be able to begin detailed planning of the connection.

A major exhibition dedicated to the legendary Mongolian ruler Chinggis Khan opened this week at Prague’s National Museum. Showcasing more than 260 rare items from Mongolia, many of which are seldom seen abroad, the exhibition includes an extraordinary highlight—a unique wooden horse saddle from the Great Mongol Empire.

Exactly fifty years ago, Olga Hepnarová became the last woman to be executed in Czechoslovakia. Her case still haunts the Czech public imagination. It was one of the most shocking crimes in Czechoslovakia's post-war history.

The One World Documentary Festival kicks off in Prague on Wednesday, shedding light on some of the most pressing social and political issues of our time. This year’s program features 84 documentaries, along with several fictional, immersive, and short films. In addition to the screenings, visitors can look forward to discussions, workshops, and other special events. I spoke with Ondřej Kamenický, the festival’s director, about this year’s programme.

Although women composers have been around for centuries, the field remains largely male-dominated, with few women leading prominent global ensembles. Born 110 years ago, Vítězslava Kaprálová may have been one of those women had she lived longer. Following in her footsteps today is Anna Novotná Pešková, appointed conductor of the National Theatre Opera and the State Opera at just 28. In this edition of our series on Czech female pioneers, I asked her for her perspective on working in a male-dominated field, the challenges young conductors face in earning respect, and what drives her passion for conducting:

Top officials met at Prague Castle on Monday to discuss the foreign policy and security developments of Europe and the world. President Pavel acknowledged that Czechia desires a close alliance with the United States, but that Europe must also be prepared for a scenario in which the continent has to rely on itself.

Even after nearly eight decades, the circumstances surrounding the death of Jan Masaryk remain unclear. The son of Czechoslovakia’s first president and the country's top diplomat died on March 10, 1948, just weeks after the Communist coup d’état.

At the height of his career in the 1960s, jazz legend Louis Armstrong embarked on a tour across eastern Europe. Czechoslovakia was both the first and longest destination for the American trumpeter and singer. In March 1965, he spent 10 days in Prague, performing nine sold-out concerts at Lucerna with his band, the All Stars. The feat was unusual for the famed musician’s career and stands out as one of the memorable moments of Prague in the 1960s.