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A new exhibition about one of the most famous Czech painters, Alfons Mucha, opens this Friday in Prague’s Waldstein Riding School. Titled “Mucha: The Family Collection”, the exhibit offers a closer look at the development of Mucha as an artist and individual. It features materials that haven’t been displayed before, such as Mucha’s last grand but unrealised project. According to his grandson, Mucha developed a philosophy towards the end of his life that is particularly prescient in current times.

Lavender fields are generally considered to be the hallmark of Provence. But you do not need to travel to southern France to delight in the wondrous sight and heady scent of endless rows of purple lavender bushes. Chodouň in Central Bohemia is a lavender haven and boasts the biggest organic lavender field in Europe.

The National Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Addictions monitors the use of illicit drugs, alcohol, tobacco and gambling.  This year, for the first time, it also mapped addictions to digital technologies and has concluded that close to half a million Czechs over the age of 15 are seriously “hooked” on mobile phones, social networks, and online gaming.

On the occasion of the Czech EU Presidency, the European network of Czech Centres has prepared a wide range of events. Most of them will take place abroad, but the new project Laboratory of the Future is also intended for a Czech audience. From 11 to 31 July 2022, Mariánské náměstí in Prague 1 will host an unusual installation with the goal of opening a broader critical debate about what sustainability actually means.

Czechia may soon have its own version of the 2012 US Magnitsky Act which would allow the country to impose national sanctions for serious violations of international law on individuals and legal entities who are not on the EU sanctions list. The state could, for example, bar them entry to this country or freeze their assets.

The church of Sv. Jiří in the village of Lukova is a place steeped in mystery. Consecrated in 1352 the church served many generations of believers until the mid-20th century when, due to a freak accident, it gained a reputation for being haunted and was allowed to go to ruin. Ten years ago, an art student chose it for his bachelor’s thesis with a project that made international headlines and raised funds for its reconstruction.

After a lengthy Covid-imposed break, one of Czechia’s biggest music festivals, Colours of Ostrava, is back. The first edition since 2019 kicked off on Wednesday and as well as big international acts such as The Killers will again feature the popular Melting Pot forum. I spoke to Colours spokesperson Jiří Sedlák just as the event began.

The Cesky terrier, sometimes known as the Czech terrier or Bohemian terrier, is a small, agile dog, weighing in at no more than 10 kg. Even though it was created by inbreeding three related individuals, nowadays it is a very healthy and robust breed. It was internationally recognized by the International Canine Federation (FCI) in 1963.

The halt of Russian gas supplies to Europe via the Baltic Sea pipeline Nord Stream 1, allegedly for technical maintenance reasons, has raised questions about how EU member states would survive the winter without Russian fuels. According to Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Síkela, Czechia would face an uncomfortable period.

According to the results of an audit by the Supreme Audit Office, Czechia still lacks a comprehensive system for protecting so-called soft targets from terrorist attacks. The statement, released on Monday, has evoked concern regarding the level of security in the country, which is now moreover hosting dozens of events connected to the Czech Presidency of the EU Council. I asked Andor Šandor, former head of Czech military intelligence, and a respected security expert, for his take on the matter.