A painting by Oskar Kokoschka, prints by Václav Hollar, a drawing by Mikoláš Aleš : those and other art works from the estate of former foreign minister Jan Masaryk have been gifted to the Czech state, courtesy of the family of Lumír Soukup, Masaryk’s personal secretary in London. At a ceremony at Černín Palace this week Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský expressed his thanks for “a gift of exceptional significance for the Czech nation”.

Prague’s Švanda Theatre has embarked on a tour of the United States and Canada, which will include the English-language premiere of A Girl on a Trampoline, a play inspired by the lives of Zdena Salivarová and Josef Škvorecký, two exceptional novelists and translators who founded the exile publishing house ’68 Publishers. Ruth Fraňková spoke with Daniel Hrbek, director of Švanda Theatre, just hours ahead of Thursday’s premiere in Toronto:

Tom Kotík, artist and musician based in New York, is the great-great-grandson of Czechoslovakia’s first president, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk. He returned to Prague to witness the unveiling on Friday of a sealed envelope believed to contain Masaryk’s last words. In an interview for Radio Prague International, he reflects on his Czech-American identity, the influence of his family history, and his life in art and music.

Zavolíme! is a unique project that organizes student-led election debates. Created by students, for students, its name loosely translates to ‘We Will Vote’- a fitting reflection of its mission to boost youth voter turnout, promote civic engagement, and connect formal and informal education.

After drawn-out disputes between the Czech Railway Administration and conservationists over the future of Výtoň Bridge –one of Prague’s iconic landmarks- it has been announced that the bridge will be reconstructed, not replaced. The news has raised a cheer from both heritage experts and the public.

The Czech crown jewels, including the St. Wenceslas Crown, sceptre, orb, and robes used in the coronation of Czech kings, are on display at Prague Castle. This year’s exhibition designed by the famous London-based architect Eva Jiřičná, highlights their fate during WWII.

The Czech Air Navigation Services have introduced DroneMap: a new digital tool that helps pilots navigate both air and ground restrictions. The app provides instant information about no-fly zones, required permissions, and areas where rules have been eased. According to the UAV Alliance, it represents a major step toward safer and more accessible drone operations.

A new exhibition at the Museum of Music in Prague pays tribute to one of the most significant figures of Czech and world music, opera singer Soňa Červená, on the occasion of what would have been her 100th birthday.

Last week’s incursion of Russian drones into Polish territory has put NATO on high alert. Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Friday announced the launch of operation Eastern Sentry to bolster the alliances’ eastern flank and France, Germany and the Czech Republic are sending additional aircraft and troops to help guard Polish airspace.

Kutná Hora’s Chocolate Museum may well be the smallest museum of its kind in the world. But the story it tells – of Lidka chocolate, its 20th century rise, fall, and later 21st century revival – serves as a very large mirror of modern Czech history.