Meanwhile in Czechia... 11/26
20.03.2026
Over 100 new Czech books in German
At least 102 new translations of Czech literature have been published in German since 2024. This was announced by the Director General of the Moravian Regional Library, Professor Tomáš Kubíček, at the opening of the Czech stand at the Leipzig Book Fair. The large number of translations into German was made possible in large part by support from the Czech Ministry of Culture. The figure of 102 translations is not yet final, Kubíček added. He also heads the Czechia2026 project, which is organizing the Czech Republic’s appearance as the guest country at the Frankfurt Book Fair in October of this year. On this occasion, the Czech Ministry of Culture allocated an additional 1.2 million euros (approx. 50,000 euros) to support translations into German. From 2022 to 2024, annual funding amounted to around 18 million crowns (750,000 euros).
At the Leipzig Book Fair, the Czech Republic will be represented by 14 authors at 17 events. The Czech stand is also one of the largest at the fair.
Rose Garden at Děčín Castle Reopens
The rose garden at Děčín Castle reopens its gates on Saturday. After more than two years of renovation, visitors will experience the popular garden in a new light. The grounds now resemble their Baroque-era appearance. Fountains, water features, and historic rose bushes have been restored to the garden. Visitors can look forward to a total of 700 rose bushes. For the first time in a long while, visitors also have access to the bastions again.
As part of the restoration of the rose garden, the Sala terrena pavilion and the Lange Fahrt access road were also renovated. The latter has been completed for some time. The lighting in the rose garden itself has been updated. Individual statues are now illuminated.
Lynx Spotted in Bohemian Switzerland
Friday the 13th was a lucky day for the Visokai family. Late in the evening, the family managed to capture a very special photo. While driving to Doubice, they spotted a lynx. The animal was initially moving through the forest alongside the road, and only its glowing eyes were visible, which is why the family thought it was a fox. The family had the presence of mind to slow down the car and stop. This made the lynx feel so safe that it crossed the road right in front of them. The Bohemian Switzerland National Park later published the photos on its website.
A photo of a lynx in Bohemian Switzerland is a rare occurrence. So far, there have been photos from 2011 and 2020. The lynx was also moving along the border between Bohemian Switzerland and the Lusatian Mountains Protected Landscape Area. It therefore has a larger range. Further investigations will determine whether the lynx was merely passing through the area or whether it is already established there.
Czech In! sparks interest in the Czech Republic
Last week, the Vitzthum-Gymnasium in Dresden-Zschertnitz focused on the neighboring country of the Czech Republic. The “Czech In!” initiative, which has taken on the mission of raising awareness of the country among young people, was the guest of honor. Speakers from the project presented the Czech Republic in four informative and engaging lectures to a total of about 100 tenth-grade students.
The presentations weren’t just about dry facts about the country and its culture; the speakers also shared their personal experiences from stays abroad in the Czech Republic and offered practical advice on volunteer opportunities, internships, bilateral exchange projects, and study abroad programs. For many of the young people, this was their first time learning about the opportunities available in this nearby neighboring country and discovering that there are numerous funding opportunities—they just need to know about them and take advantage of them.
Through these events, “Czech In!” aims to encourage young people in Germany to dare to look across the border. After all, the neighboring country is not only easily accessible from Saxony but also offers exciting career opportunities for young people, not to mention new personal connections across borders. “Czech In!” has already been a regular guest at schools in Dresden. The free informational presentations can be requested directly from the project (also on Facebook and Instagram).
Czech Republic Bans HHC
The Czech government has banned the possession of hexahydrocannabinol (HHC). This automatically restricts its sale. Health Minister Adam Vojtěch announced the decision, which will take effect upon publication in the Collection of Laws. The previous government had already placed the substance under observation. Products containing HHC were freely available in the Czech Republic and could be found in vending machines as well as in supermarkets, especially in the region bordering Saxony. German shoppers also liked to buy them there. The effects of HHC have not yet been definitively documented. As soon as the amendment to the law is published in the statute book, possession of HHC will be a criminal offense.
Freight Shipping Struggles with Elbe Water Levels
There is a conspicuous number of cargo ships on the Elbe at the moment. After months of low water levels, companies are now trying to send as many ships as possible down the Elbe, especially those carrying large-format goods. One of these companies is Chart Ferox in Děčín, which manufactures large tanks that cannot be transported by land. However, the customer in Sweden has been waiting nearly a year for his goods. A first batch of four large tanks is now on its way. Two more such shipments are to follow. The tanks are intended for filling with hydrogen and liquid gas, among other things. The cargo will be shipped to Hamburg via the Elbe.
The reason for the hustle and bustle, especially in the port of Děčín Rozbělesy, is the currently favorable water level of the Elbe, which—thanks to the thaw in the low mountain ranges—ensures the navigability of such large cargo ships carrying heavy freight. However, shipowners are aware that this window of opportunity could soon close again. Large generators are also being transported on the Elbe. “We have already transported six generators to Bremerhaven, where they are waiting for two more generators, which we are now sending off,” says Lukáš Hradský of the shipping company Evropská vodní doprava (EVD). Later, another generator weighing 220 metric tons is scheduled to be shipped down the Elbe. “We have not planned any further shipments, because after that, transport would be too risky due to falling water levels,” Hradský told Czech media.