Meanwhile in Czechia... 4/25
24.01.2025
Accused arsonist acquitted
In 2022, a major fire in Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland devastated an area of around 1100 hectares and has resulted in access bans to this day. In November, the former national park ranger Jiří L. was charged as the alleged arsonist, who was also accused of other smaller arsons (e.g. the hut at the observation tower on Vlčí hora, high seats and feeding sites). Yesterday, the public prosecutor had demanded 12 years in prison for this.
Today, however, the defendant was acquitted of the main charge by the Ústí nad Labem District Court. He received a two-year suspended prison sentence for the smaller fires and must undergo inpatient psychiatric treatment. However, according to the court, it could not be proven that he had set the major fire in the summer of 2022. He had - already undergoing psychiatric treatment - made a confession, which he later recanted. According to the defense, this confession by a mentally ill person was the only evidence. As a motive, the public prosecutor cited pent-up anger over the fact that he had not been offered a job as a ranger. The verdict is not legally binding; the public prosecutor lodged an appeal on the spot.
Edmundsklamm gorge partially open again in spring
Edmund's Gorge, which has been closed since the forest fire in summer 2022, will be partially accessible again from Easter, announced the mayor of Hřensko, Kateřina Horáková. Work is underway to clear paths and repair railings. The first tourist groups with guides will be able to enter the gorge again around Easter. The Wild Gorge above will be accessible again from the beginning of April.
At the same time, the mayor had to announce that the Gabrielensteig to the Prebischtor will remain closed until at least 2027. The danger of falling trees and boulders would simply be too great, both for forest workers and tourists. You can see what it looked like in spring 2024 in a video on YouTube (with German subtitles).
Beer exports are rising, beer consumption is falling
Beer exports by Czech breweries reached a new high of 5.74 million hectolitres in 2024, according to the Statistical Office. The most important target countries were Slovakia, Germany, Poland and Russia. With regard to the latter, all major Czech breweries point out that they do not deliver to Russia, but that this must have been done via intermediaries.
While Saxony has a state winery, there is one state brewery in the Czech Republic: Budějovický Budvar in České Budějovice. On average, around 75% to 80% of all Czech breweries' production is consumed in the country. The reverse is true for Budějovický Budvar, where around 70% goes abroad. This state brewery also set a record with 1.9 million hectolitres of beer in 2024 and increased exports by 4%. This is a significant proportion of total Czech exports.
In contrast to these increases, beer consumption in the Czech Republic is falling. In 2023, an average of "only" 128 liters were consumed per capita (2022: 136 l). The reasons generally cited are not increasing health awareness, but above all rising prices for beer itself and for restaurant visits in general. Nevertheless, the Czech Republic remains the undisputed world champion in per capita beer consumption by a clear margin. This was followed in 2023 by Austria (99 l), Germany (88 l) and Poland (87 l). Consumption is also declining in these countries.
Czechs more satisfied with the EU
The Czechs' attitude towards the European Union has improved again, and in some areas the number of pro-Europeans was higher last year than it has been for years. For example, 51% of citizens were satisfied with the country's EU membership and three-fifths of citizens would vote to remain in the EU in a referendum, the highest figure since 2019. Only a quarter of people are in favor of the introduction of the euro in the Czech Republic, which is low, but a similar proportion was last recorded by the agency 11 years ago. This is according to a survey conducted by the STEM agency in August and September 2024, the results of which were published yesterday.
Milan and Věra Kundera back in Brno
The urns containing the remains of Milan Kundera and his wife Věra have arrived in Brno. Milan Kundera died in July 2023 and his ashes were kept at home by his wife. She then contacted the city of Brno, Kundera's hometown, and agreed on the burial of both of them in Brno. The Brno City Council agreed to bury their remains in the last available grave in the Circle of Honor of the Central Cemetery. Věra Kundera also died in September 2024. Both urns have now been brought to Brno, where they will be kept for the time being in the Moravian Regional Library, to which Kundera had also bequeathed his literary estate. An architectural competition is currently being held for the design of the tomb.
Tip for Kundera fans: On February 5, we will be showing the 1968 film "Žert" (The Joke), based on the novel and screenplay of the same name by Milan Kundera, at Czech Film Wednesday.