Radio Prague International - latest articles

The Nazis operated Terezín (Theresienstadt in German) as a transit ghetto between late 1941 and May 1945. They first used the fortress town north of Prague to intern mainly Czech Jews, before the arrival of Jewish prisoners from other countries made its population far more heterogeneous. In her new book The Last Ghetto: The Everyday History of Theresienstadt Anna Hájková draws on extensive research to recreate the world of Terezín. Most notably the historian explores the ghetto’s social hierarchies, detailing how they relate to ethnicity and language, as well as influencing access to food and even arts events. I spoke to Dr. Hájková from her home in the UK.

The Czech Republic is the last country in the European Union where children under the age of three are placed in institutional care rather than with foster parents. Over 1200 children a year, a quarter of them toddlers, are committed to orphanages each year. According to children’s rights advocates, new legislation aimed at placing children with foster families will fail to bring about real change.

Broadcast in English - 01/16/2021

A new book, published by the Czech Philharmonic in collaboration with the National Heritage Institute and the National Technical Museum, pays tribute to one of Prague’s most beautiful landmarks, the Rudolfinum concert hall. On the space of five hundred pages, it maps the history of the building from the first construction plans to the early 1990s. The book, called Temple of Art: Rudolfinum, also features over 270 historical photographs, drawings, plans and posters.

Broadcast in English - 01/15/2021

This Friday, January 15, registrations opened for the priority vaccination group of people over the age of 80. A tenth of the relevant population segment registered online within one hour but several people have reported problems in the process such as a delay in registration confirmations. Meanwhile, the Health Ministry is facing a backlash after a report it prioritised its own staff for the vaccine.

The city of Prague started testing a new system that should prevent the loss of satellite signal in the city’s tunnels. The system, which should make life easier for drivers who rely on car-navigation technology, is currently being tested in Prague’s Blanka tunnel. If it proves successful, the municipality wants to install the device in other strategic locations around the city.

As the numbers of faithful in Europe decline, the question has arisen about what to do with the many churches that are being decommissioned, says Architect Marek Jan Štěpán who is particularly well known for his modern designs and reconstructions of churches in the Czech Republic. His projects have received much attention at home and abroad.

Broadcast in English - 01/14/2021

Pavel Jerie has been a professional conservationist for more than half a century, serving as general director of the National Heritage Institute in Prague when many would be easing into retirement. He continues to crisscross the Czech Republic to advise on how to best preserve and restore the nation’s cultural monuments. Among them is the Honz Nex Palace in Telč that he now calls home.