A Sudeten German association’s plan to hold its first ever congress in Czechia later this month has become a hot button political issue. Now the prime minister has joined the debate, warning that such a gathering could harm Czech-German relations.

A fossil of a previously unknown arthropod species, Soomaspis labutai, has been uncovered in rubble during construction work on Prague Metro’s D line. Hidden beneath the city for nearly half a billion years, the find offers new clues about how some life forms survived Earth’s first mass extinction.

Thousands of people rallied in Prague on Tuesday in support of the country’s public broadcasters, amid growing concern over a government plan to scrap license fees and make them dependent on state funds.

Politicians, veterans and members of the public gathered outside Czech Radio’s Prague headquarters on Tuesday to mark the 81st anniversary of the Prague Uprising against Nazi rule. The uprising began on 5 May 1945, near the end of the Second World War, and the ceremony honoured those who fought and died in the final days of the occupation.

The annual Anifilm International Festival of Animated Films kicks off on May 5 in the North Bohemian city of Liberec. This year’s programme features more than 500 animated films and games, alongside exhibitions, talks and other accompanying events. I spoke with programme coordinator Radek Hosenseidl and began by asking him about this year’s main theme, which is myths and legends.

Firefighters across Czechia had a busy weekend, responding to hundreds of fires amid extremely dry and unusually hot weather. The most serious blaze is still burning in the Bohemian Switzerland National Park in the north of the country.

Rare archaeological finds from the era of Great Moravia, including an ivory vessel believed to have been brought to the region by Saints Cyril and Methodius, are now on display at the Archaeological Museum in Modrá in the Zlín region. The new exhibition in the site’s treasury presents some objects that have never before been exhibited.

While much of the world celebrates love on Valentine’s Day in February, in Czechia it is May 1 that truly belongs to lovers. This spring date is marked by kisses under blooming trees, meetings beneath the statue of poet Karel Hynek Mácha, and a long tradition of romantic symbolism.

An extremely dry April is beginning to take its toll on vegetation. A lack of moisture is threatening agricultural crops in two-thirds of Czechia and farmers fear a poor harvest if rain does not come soon.

This month saw the release of the first postage stamp designed by the multi-award-winning illustrator and writer Peter Sís. The Česká pošta stamp marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Vojtěch Náprstek, a Czech patriot and politician who was also a pioneering Czech language journalist in America. Peter Sís says the fact he himself lives in America may explain why he got the commission.