The Prague Spring International Music Festival (not related to the 1968 Prague Spring) is a festival established by the Czech Philharmonic Rafael KubelÍk to commemorate the death of Czech composer Bedřich Smetana. Every opening night for the last 80 years, Smetana’s national masterpiece Má Vlast is played by a different orchestra. Smetana’s music life began in his youth, developed further by collaboration with one of his inspirations, Liszt. This 2025, Semyon Bychkov will conduct the next opening.
Bohemian artist Frantisek Kupka is the forefront mind behind the art form of Orphism. Orphism focuses on color and abstraction, similar to Cubism but also an “evolution” where abstract shapes are given precedence in contrast to solid, known geometric shapes. There are many examples of Orphism to see, spanning many years.
From the Brevnov Monastery to the modern-day Pilsner, the Czech people have been enjoying beer for over a thousand years. Known as the beer of tradition, Czech beer is ingrained into history itself. When beermaking was banned. the Brenov Monastery, as the first-ever Bohemian brewery, was exempt. Initially, after the ban on brewing ended, only noble families or homeowners were allowed to brew beer. It was in 1842 that the famous Pilsner was created.
Eliška Junková is the first woman to win the Grand Prix, in 1927. Even before, Junková was “Queen of the Steering Wheel,” a well-earned title that she worked towards since 1922. Her dedication to racing began with her dedication to her husband, Vincenc “Čenêk” Junek, whom she met at her job at the Prague Credit Bank.
After the death of Samo, there was uncertainty about the Czech and Moravian lands, but after the rise of Charlamange of the Frankish Kingdom, Moravians were able to recover. The princes of Moravia consolidated their power, and one in particular Mojmir I, rose beyond tribal institutions to establish Great Moravia. After Mojmir I's deposition, his nephew Rostislav became Louis the German's loyal vassal. In secret, however, Rostislav had ambitions beyond this.
Although Eurovision started as an experiment in broadcasting, it is now a show-stopping competition that unites Europe. The Central European nations of Czechia and Slovakia have a relatively short, yet important history with Eurovision. While Czechia’s the only of the two still competing, this 2025, their next entry is a Slovak named Adonxs, an accomplished artist of many skills.
Intervision began as the Eastern bloc alternative to Eurovision, initiated by Czechoslovakia’s national television broadcaster. Though the initial contest lasted four years, it was abruptly ended by “Normalization” in Czechoslovakia. The Intervision concept gets picked up by Poland’s broadcaster for their Sopot International Festival, where it lasts four more years before being interrupted by political upheaval, yet again. Though the future of Intervision is uncertain, its past is worth a look for the intersection between art and politics.
