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Czech "One-Two Finish" at Wimbledon

In an all-Czech Wimbledon final last Saturday, 21-year-old Linda Nosková defeated her compatriot Karolína Muchová. She is now the third Czech champion at Wimbledon in the last four years and the sixth since 1998. It was the first all-Czech final, as when Hana Mandlíková and Martina Navrátilová faced off in 1986, the latter—who was in the stands this time—was already competing for the U.S.

Nosková created a very emotional moment during the award ceremony when she paid tribute to her mother, who passed away two years ago, and sent a kiss toward the sky.

Exhibition Marking Hurvínek’s 100th Birthday

The well-known and beloved marionette Hurvínek first appeared on stage 100 years ago, on May 2, 1926. To mark the occasion, an exhibition is running in Cheb (Eger) through October 11, 2026, which also features his well-known companions, such as Papa Spejbl, his girlfriend Mánička, and the dog Žeryk. However, the exhibition is primarily dedicated to Gustav Nosek, the creator of these characters and a native of Cheb.

The exhibition features many Hurvínek puppets, including Nosek’s original as well as some that were produced for theaters in the GDR. A visit with children is especially worthwhile, as they can enjoy the experience and even make the puppets dance on stage themselves.

Highway Vignettes Will Not Become More Expensive

The previous Czech government had introduced a mechanism that automatically increased the prices of highway vignettes in line with the inflation rate and the expansion of the highway network. The current government has now introduced a bill that abolishes this mechanism. The bill was approved by Parliament in its first reading.

A change to the vignettes announced by the Minister of Transportation is sure to please some: In the future, the daily vignette will be valid not only until midnight of the same day, but for a full 24 hours.

Czech Republic Lags Behind in Green Electricity

According to new figures from Eurostat, the Czech Republic continues to rank last within the European Union in terms of electricity generation from renewable sources. In the first quarter of 2026, the EU as a whole had a share of green electricity of 46%, while in the Czech Republic it was only 13%. Germany’s share was 50%.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), renewables accounted for just 1.6% of the total energy mix in 2024. If biofuels and waste (which are not reported separately) are included, the figure rises to 12.2%. Fossil fuels lead the way here at 66%, followed by nuclear energy at 21%.

Motorists’ Party Chairman Involved in Traffic Accident

Filip Turek, honorary chairman of the motorists’ party “Motoristé sobě,” allegedly caused a serious traffic accident in Prague on Monday that could have political consequences.

Turek was originally slated to become Minister of the Environment in the current government, but President Pavel rejected the appointment, deeming him unsuitable due to his past far-right and xenophobic statements. The months-long dispute ended with Turek being appointed as the representative for the EU’s Green Deal (effectively tasked with its abolition).

Footage from a traffic camera now shows Turek driving a Mercedes G-Class in the left-turn lane past a line of cars, but then failing to turn at the intersection and instead continuing straight ahead. In doing so, he rammed a blood transport vehicle traveling with its blue lights and siren on, causing it to roll over and leaving its driver with minor injuries. Turek subsequently announced that he would temporarily step aside from his role as Green Deal Commissioner and, if necessary, resign should he be found at fault for the accident.

Turek was once a race car driver and is—among many other things—also controversial because of videos showing him driving at high speeds on public roads.

Far-right extremist Liebich extradited

To conclude the Czech chapter on the escape, arrest, and extradition of right-wing extremist Liebich—who was sentenced to 1.5 years in prison for incitement to hatred, defamation, and insult—: On Wednesday, she was transported from pretrial detention in Litoměřice to Germany in a prison van and handed over to German authorities directly at the border. She was then initially taken to the women’s prison in Chemnitz, where she was actually scheduled to begin serving her sentence in August 2025. Prison officials quickly decided to transfer her to a men’s prison, which is why she is now being held at the Zeithain Correctional Facility.

 

(This is an automatic translation by DeepL Translator.)

Czech Republic Restores Graves of Prominent Germans

The Czech Ministry of Regional Development is funding the restoration of gravesites and monuments honoring prominent Germans. The ministry is allocating approximately 9.5 million crowns (about 390,000 euros) to 55 projects. Up to 70 percent of the total costs are being covered. The projects involve sites in seven districts of the Czech Republic, primarily in the border region. For example, the ministry is providing 150,000 crowns (about 6,250 euros) to restore the grave of Franz Tschinkel in Lovosice (Lobositz). In 1856, Franz Tschinkel, together with his brothers and his father, founded a factory in Lovosice to produce coffee substitutes from chicory. The factory grew into a company that bore the name “Deli” starting in 1938 and gave rise to brands known today such as Deli (bars), Tatranka (waffles), and Esíčka (cookies). The company is now part of the Mondelēz International group.

Funding of 56,975 crowns is also being provided to support the restoration of the Brettschneider family grave in Děčín (Tetschen). Rudolf Brettschneider was the owner of the local printing plant.

The funding from the ministry is based on agreements in the 1992 German-Czechoslovak Treaty on Good Neighborly Relations and Friendly Cooperation.

Court Confirms Extradition of Right-Wing Extremist Liebich

The Czech Republic is extraditing the far-right extremist Marla Svenja Liebich to Germany. This was confirmed by the Supreme Court in Prague. The ruling previously handed down by the District Court in Plzeň (Pilsen) is now final. Liebich had filed an appeal to prevent her extradition. She had been arrested in April in Aš on the basis of an international arrest warrant issued by the public prosecutor’s office in Halle/Saale. Liebich had already been sentenced in 2023—at that time still as a man named Sven—to 1.5 years in prison for incitement of the people, defamation, and insult; however, she evaded her sentence by fleeing to the Czech Republic.

Amnesty Yields 6,000 Weapons

It was one of the most successful gun amnesties in Czech history. From the beginning of the year through the end of June, unregistered firearms could be legalized in the Czech Republic without penalty. More people took advantage of this opportunity than in similar amnesties. In total, not only were 5,918 weapons turned in, but also 213,000 rounds of ammunition and 64 kilograms of explosives.

However, many of the weapons were historical and, as such, sometimes very valuable—for example, a British Sten MK II machine gun. A weapon of this type was used in 1942 to carry out the assassination of the brutal Nazi Deputy Reich Protector Reinhard Heydrich. In the Ústí district, among the weapons turned in was a German Vollmer-Erma EMP machine gun chambered for 9 mm Luger rounds, which would be worth around 24,000 crowns today (approx. 1,000 euros).

The weapons are being cataloged and subjected to ballistic testing to ensure that they were not used in the commission of any crimes in the past. If the owner of the weapon meets all legal requirements, they will have the weapon returned to them upon request and after registration. The remaining firearms are added to the collection of the Police Museum or the Institute of Criminalistics. Firearms for which there is no interest are destroyed.

Bílina River Cleared of Pipes

The Bílina (Biela) River will once again flow in its natural riverbed in the coming years. After 40 years, it is to be freed from the pipes and made visible again. The river had been channeled through pipes over a three-kilometer stretch between the cities of Chomutov (Komotau) and Most (Brüx) to ensure safe lignite mining. To achieve this, the river was forced into four large pipes. The area served as a spoil pile for mining, and there was a risk of water breaking through into the open-pit mine if the river were left to flow on the surface. Many communities in the area were also demolished because of the lignite mining, including the small town of Ervěnice (Seestadtl), which once had over 5,000 residents.

Since the Bílina is to flow in a near-natural state again in the future, its course will be extended to a total of 4.7 kilometers due to its meanders. Gradually, flora and fauna are expected to return to the river, and it is set to become a paradise for anglers.

The Bílina was once considered the most heavily polluted river in the Czech Republic. It rises in the Ore Mountains as a clear mountain stream, later flows not only through the coal-mining region but also past many chemical plants, and empties into the Elbe River in Ústí nad Labem (Aussig).

New Trail of Sacred Monuments in Šluknov

In the small town of Šluknov (Schluckenau), visitors can now explore a variety of religious monuments along a new educational trail. The 11-kilometer route connects a total of 18 monuments, including crosses, chapels, and Stations of the Cross. Three of these are located in the fields around Šluknov alone. The Schluckenau region, already rich in religious monuments, is particularly well-endowed in the region’s namesake town. The Stations of the Cross near the town center is also the oldest in the region. The many monuments date back to the period before 1945. By the time of the Recatholization, at the latest, the region had become one of the most devout in all of Bohemia and Moravia. Martin Chroust, head of the Department of Development and Environment for the city of Šluknov, attributes this to the region’s proximity to Saxony, which had been Protestant since the Reformation and was bypassed by the Recatholization. “The predominantly German inhabitants of the Zipfel were surrounded by other Germans, albeit of the Protestant faith. By erecting the crosses and statues, they wanted to demonstratively show them their Catholic devotion,” explains Chroust. With the new, yellow-marked trail, information panels were installed at five monuments for the first time.

Last year, four circular trails were marked in and around Šluknov. They are dedicated to the themes of “Architecture,” “Quarries,” “Fukov—Path Through the Vanished Village,” and “Grand Scenic Loop.”

Church in UNESCO Old Town Gets New Facade

The facade of the late-Gothic Church of the Assumption in Krupka (Graupen) is undergoing extensive renovation. The church is one of Krupka’s most important architectural monuments and is located in the heart of the UNESCO-protected Old Town. The Old Town is part of the UNESCO Mining Region.

The renovation is not being carried out by the church itself, but by the city, which has owned the building since 2016. Since then, a complete renovation of the church’s interior has already been carried out. The renovation of the facade also includes structural reinforcement and the restoration of numerous sculptural elements. Completion is scheduled for October 2027. The costs amount to nearly 20 million crowns (830,000 euros). The city is receiving financial support for the facade renovation from the Ústí Region and the Ministry of Culture. However, the city is contributing the majority of the approximately 13 million crowns.

 

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Czech Heat Record in Northern Bohemia

Since Sunday, the warmest location ever recorded in the Czech Republic has been Doksany in northern Bohemia. On June 28, the temperature at the local weather station rose to 41.9 degrees Celsius. This marks the first time the all-time high temperature has been reached in June.

The fact that the new record was set in Doksany is also due to several local factors. At 158 meters above sea level, the weather station there is the lowest-lying one in the entire Czech Republic. Doksany is also located in the rain shadow of the Ore Mountains, and more often than elsewhere, there is no wind in Doksany, as was the case on Sunday. Furthermore, temperatures in cities are usually 1.5 degrees higher than in rural areas.

Federal Cross of Merit for Kristina Kaiserová

Historian Kristina Kaiserová was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Kristina Kaiserová received the award for her contributions to reconciliation between Germans and Czechs. “The award also honors your often voluntary commitment to Czech-German relations and the study of our shared history,” Steinmeier continued. Kaiserová received the Federal Cross of Merit from the German Ambassador to Prague, Peter Reuss.

Kristina Kaiserová was born in Varnsdorf in 1956 and studied history and Czech at Charles University in Prague. After seven years at the archive in Děčín, she moved to the University of Ústí in 1990, initially as a research assistant in the Department of History at the Faculty of Education. She also became the academic secretary at the Institute for Slavic-Germanic Studies, which she has headed since 2006.

She is particularly credited with founding the Collegium Bohemicum, which organized the exhibition on the Germans in Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia and opened it in 2021. To this day, she serves as chair of the board of directors of the Collegium Bohemicum. But her commitment extends far beyond that. Her research has focused primarily on the history of Ústí (Aussig), but also on the entire Saxon-Bohemian border region.

For decades, she also volunteered to organize the successful language course “Colloquia Ustensia,” which took place every summer in Ústí. At the same time, she remains actively involved in many German-Czech initiatives to this day and continually encourages cooperation.

Czechs Are More Eager to Take Vacations Than Germans

Summer vacation has begun, as it does every year on July 1 in the Czech Republic. According to the Holiday Barometer, 8 out of 10 respondents in the Czech Republic plan to go on vacation in the coming weeks. This makes the Czech Republic one of the most vacation-loving countries among the eleven European nations surveyed. Only in Italy do people take more vacations, reports the daily newspaper Děčínský deník, citing the survey results. In Germany, the former “vacation world champion,” only 7 out of 10 respondents are planning a summer vacation.

The main reason for this reluctance is financial difficulties. In the Czech Republic, 62 percent of respondents among the 20 percent who are not traveling cited this reason. Forty-six percent cited personal reasons for their reluctance. Respondents could select multiple answers.

The Czechs’ enthusiasm for vacations isn’t limited to summer breaks. According to the Holiday Barometer, nearly two-thirds go on vacation twice or more per year. This figure is also lower in Germany. Half of the respondents from the Czech Republic spend at least part of their vacation within the country. In Italy, Spain, and France, the figure is significantly higher, at 7 out of 10 respondents. Furthermore, 56 percent of the Czechs surveyed consider their ideal vacation to be abroad. Only 3 out of 10 prefer to travel within their own country.

This may also be due to financial reasons, as the strong exchange rate of the koruna (currently, one euro costs 24.2 korunas) makes vacations abroad more affordable. Ten years ago, only 3 out of 10 respondents could afford a vacation abroad. According to the travel agency Invia, a Czech family spends an average of 69,000 crowns on a beach vacation—that is, abroad—which is equivalent to about 2,850 euros.

Hřensko Extends Firecracker Ban

The border town of Hřensko (Herrnskretschen) has extended its existing fireworks ban to cover the entire municipal area. An amendment to the previous ordinance had become necessary due to a new law that, among other things, prohibits the use of fireworks near hospitals or nursing homes. While neither hospitals nor retirement homes are located in Hřensko, the municipality was one of the few to have already implemented a fireworks ban prior to the law and was now required to adjust it accordingly. The ban now applies throughout the entire municipal area. This includes the trail to Pravčická brána (Prebisch Gate), which is used by over 100,000 people annually. However, the Forest Act and the Nature Conservation Act also apply there, and both likewise prohibit the use of fireworks.

The new regulation permits the use of private fireworks only within built-up areas—and even then, only during the transition from the old year to the new.

Overcrowded Emergency Shelters in the Giant Mountains

Emergency shelters are actually intended to be used only in emergencies, as the name suggests. However, as reported by the public broadcaster Česká Televize, the local national park administration in the Giant Mountains is complaining about deliberate misuse. Consequently, the emergency shelters are being used a bit too much. “These shelters are actually intended to provide refuge during bad weather. There, you can change into dry clothes and eat your packed lunch,” explains National Park spokesperson Radek Drahný. Given the current level of use, there is no room left for those who are truly in need. Furthermore, this intensive use is contributing to noticeable littering around the shelters. Since they are not equipped with restrooms, visitors relieve themselves all over the surrounding area. Paper tissues and other trash are left behind.

Mountain huts are intended for overnight stays. However, this is where completely different ideas about mountain tourism seem to clash. As the TV report goes on to show, spending the night under the open sky or in emergency shelters is an integral part of hiking in the mountains. “For us, the mountain huts are more of a last resort,” said Anna from Prague on television. She added that it’s often a matter of money as well.

In total, there are over 20 such simple shelters in the Giant Mountains where people seeking shelter can spend the night. However, there is no danger even in the event of “misuse.” National park rangers conduct checks at exposed locations. But there are only 19 rangers for the entire national park. Enforcing exclusive use for emergencies would therefore be impossible.

Unlike in the Krkonoše Mountains, overnight stays in simple shelters on the Bohemian side of the Ore Mountains are encouraged. There, the tourism association in particular is driving the establishment of various simple overnight accommodations for a single night. These accommodations are also equipped with restrooms. They are primarily intended for fans of long-distance hiking, which has been gaining popularity for several years now. Various long-distance hiking trails run through the Ore Mountains. One of them is the “Stezka Českem.”

Crowned Best Ice Cream Parlor

The best ice cream in the Ústí district can be found in the small village of Radejčín, which is best known for the highway tunnel of the same name that runs through the Bohemian Central Mountains. Now, the village’s “Kolotočka” café is also doing it proud. Readers of the daily newspaper Ústecký deník voted it into first place among the best ice cream shops, with 52 percent of the vote. Last year’s winner, “Zmrzlina z Garaže” from Svádov—a district of Ústí on the right bank of the Elbe—came in a close second. “Zmrzlina z Garaže” received 45 percent of the vote. The ice cream shop is conveniently located along the Elbe Cycle Route. Other ice cream shops were also suggested during the voting, but they received only a few votes.

(This is an automatic translation by DeepL Translator.)

For Czech Film Wednesday on July 1, we will be screening the 1979 comedy *Panelstory aneb Jak se rodí sídliště* (*Panelstory, or How a Housing Estate Is Born*). In this film, the renowned director Věra Chytilová—one of the few women in the Czechoslovak New Wave—depicts in an unconventional way the chaotic life in a Prague prefabricated housing estate still under construction.

What’s particularly unusual is the film’s chaotic narrative style, which weaves together many anecdotes involving various characters, thereby highlighting the chaos on this “inhabited construction site.” We meet a boy who skips out of daycare and spends the day in his own way, an old man from the countryside who wants to bring a bit of humanity to the anonymous coexistence, a pregnant student, a vain actor, some not-very-hardworking construction workers drinking beer, a somewhat corrupt master painter, and many more. Each anecdote is told with subtle humor, painting a picture of a community of people who are by no means socialist ideals, but who are primarily trying to muddle through life as best they can.

That’s why the film had to wait two years before it was released in theaters after completion. “This is not a critical reaction to the regime, but rather an observation of human behavior,” Věra Chytilová said later. Well, even that was a problem if it was too honest.

We’ve scheduled two screenings of this famous film again, at 5:45 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. The later showing is almost sold out again, so you’d better hurry if you want to attend.

More about the film and tickets

(This is an automatic translation by DeepL Translator.)