Video of Parague
Prague News
Good Fast and Cheap
People often speak of the idea that there are generally three things you want when trying to make something happen: you want it to be good, fast and cheap. However, they also say that the truth is that you can only have two of these things exist at once and that you cannot have the third. For instance, if you are remodeling your kitchen, it can be good and fast, but it won’t be cheap. Or, it can be fast and cheap, but it won’t be good. Or, it can even be good and cheap, but it won’t be fast. You can imagine how you could apply this theory to nearly anything.
Weather Forecast
Important Info
You need check all tickets,hotel reservations and other documents when you receive them.If you have any questions,please call us immediately
Exchange Rate
Powered by
On Your Site! © 2010
| |||
Prague Holidays and TraditionsPrague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is one of the most beautiful and culturally significant destinations in central Europe to spend your vacations. So, if you intend to visit the city, you have various options to explore. You may choose to visit the historically important venues – many of which have been declared UNESCO heritage sites – and learn more about them, go sight-seeing and experience the night life of this vibrant and colorful locale, or even enjoy the Czech holidays and traditions. It is also possible that you would want to delight in all three during your visit to this ancient European city.
If you are among the vast lot of tourists who would like to savor each moment of your stay in Prague and would, particularly, like to witness and maybe participate in the locals’ traditions and celebrations, you ought to know about the calendar of events in and around Prague. Each season or, rather, each month has something in store for you in the Czech capital. Below, is a brief outline of some of the important holidays and traditions in Prague.
If you are among the vast lot of tourists who would like to savor each moment of your stay in Prague and would, particularly, like to witness and maybe participate in the locals’ traditions and celebrations, you ought to know about the calendar of events in and around Prague. Each season or, rather, each month has something in store for you in the Czech capital. Below, is a brief outline of some of the important holidays and traditions in Prague.
More Information
Hromnice The Day of Recovery of the Independent Czech State Liberation Day The Day of Slavonic Apostles Cyril and Methodius Jan Hus Day Day of Czech Statehood The Day of Establishment of the Independent Czechoslovak Republic Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day The Burning of the Witches St. Joseph's Day Easter The Day of Love St. Nicholas Tradition Christmas (Vánoce)
Hromnice
February 2. The day of Hromnice (pronounced HROM-nyi-tseh) is a significant day for the Czechs owing to its weather-related folklore. The day falls on the same day on which the customary Groundhog Day is celebrated in the United States. Hence, it is little surprising that both the festivals are based on the same ancient Celtic tradition. It approximately marks the middle of winter and is linked to dozens of weather-related proverbs and predictions. In fact, the term Hromnice is derived from hollowed "hromnice" candles that were lit on the night of February 2nd if there was a heavy shower accompanied with thunder and storms.
According to the Czech, the weather on Hromnice is an indication of how long the winter will linger. Going by the tradition of Groundhog Day, the groundhog comes out of his hole after his winter sleep on February 2nd and if he sees his shadow, signifying that the day is sunny, he will return to his hole and one should be ready for six more weeks of winter. If the day is cloudy, he will stay above ground, expecting the spring. Grippingly, there are dozens of Czech Hromnice adages that predict the same – many of them are reminiscent of the fact that although we are starting to think about the spring, winter is definitely not over and may not have even reached its max.
The Day of Recovery of the Independent Czech State
January 1. Every year this is celebrated together with New Year's Day. People recall the establishment of the independent Czech Republic and the separation of Czechoslovakia at the turn of 1992 and 1993.
Liberation Day
May 8. Annually, people celebrate this day in memory of May 8, 1945, when Czechoslovakia, until that time occupied by Germany, was set free by American and Russian military units. Thus, finished one of the worst and most destructive modern wars in the history of Europe.
The Day of Slavonic Apostles Cyril and Methodius
July 5. This day celebrates the coming of Slavonic Apostles Cyril and Methodius, who brought Christianity to the territory of today´s Czech Republic in about the year 863, and some other foundations of European culture, for example, a new type of writing.
Jan Hus Day
July 6. This day marks one sad moment in Czech history. In 1415, Jan Hus, a Czech religious thinker, philosopher and reformer of the Catholic Church and a priest, was burned for his ideas in the Constance. He left for the Council of Constance endowed with a protective deed from Zikmund the King. He thought that, at the time of solving the split of the church, he would be able to present his ideas, but he was asked to recall his teachings, which had moved all of Europe. He refused to do so. For promotion and the development of John Wickle´s ideas and Catholic reformation, he had been previously placed under interdict by Pope John XXIII.
Day of Czech Statehood
September 28. Perhaps the second most important bank holiday celebrated, it is one related to the tradition of Christianity and the tradition of Saint Wenceslas. On that day, Saint Wenceslas, the monarch and future patron of the Bohemian nation, was murdered by his brother Boleslav in Stará Boleslav. Every year there is a Saint Wenceslas pilgrimage organized at this place, and at Prague Castle the president awards Saint Wenceslas medals to individuals who contributed to the Czech statehood.
The Day of Establishment of the Independent Czechoslovak Republic
October 28. Exactly one month later, perhaps, the most important day is remembered, which is associated with the existence of the Czechoslovak Republic itself. In 1918, after several decades of effort of Czechs and Slovaks for recognition of their national rights and the end of the World War I, the independent Czechoslovakia was established, one of the succession states of Austria-Hungary, consisting of Bohemia, Moravia, part of Silesia, Slovakia and Under-Carpathian Russia. On this day each year, the president of the republic, together with eminent state officers, places bunches of flowers on the grave of the first president and the leader of foreign revolt at the time of World War I, Tomáš G. Masaryk, at the castle in Lány, and also at the monument in Vítkov. In the evening of this day, the president honors eminent personalities of cultural and social life.
Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day
November 17. On this day in 1939, a student demonstration against the Nazi occupation was organized, during which a student, Jan Opletal, was shot. Right after that, universities were closed and Nazis persecuted and executed more students. In 1989, a students' reminder of this incident was permitted by the communist authorities and this event turned into an open anti-communist demonstration on the National Avenue in Prague. This was strictly suppressed by police, but marked the beginning of the Czech Republic .
The Burning of the Witches
April 30. “The Burning of the Witches” is a weird Czech practice that bids a final farewell to winter and can still be witnessed in many villages across the country. As a part of the custom, Czechs get together on the evening of April 30 to build a bonfire and prepare an effigy of the witch that kept winter around so long. Earlier, Czechs used to believe that the influence of witches would grow weaker as the weather got warmer. Hence, they considered that if they made something that resembled a witch and burned it, they could finally get relief from the chilly weather.
Accordingly, they first tie two large sticks together to form a cross. Next, they stuff old clothes with straw and place a pointed hat on the top of the stack. The witch is then tied to a broomstick and kept inside until darkness falls. As soon as it's dark, the effigy of the witch is brought out and held up for all to see. Then, with a tug of the arm, it is thrown on top of the bonfire. As the witch burns, it also ends the last of winter's coldness. In fact, everyone eagerly looks forward to nightfall, when they would meet the spirits of the witches. In the end, all the evil spirits of the village go up in the smoke with the foul witch. Interestingly, while the fire is thriving, people roast sausages on sticks, strum guitars, and sing their favorite songs.
St. Joseph's Day
The Czech St. Joseph's Day is a more restrained adaptation of the Irish St. Patrick's Day and is celebrated around the same time in March every year. In fact, Josef is among the most common of Czech names and generates annual celebrations around the nation.
According to history, Josef is one of the most common Czech first male names and in the past, it used to be enormously popular. For instance, the village of Josefovice used to have at least one Josef living in each of the houses there. However, the name is no longer on the top of name popularity charts anymore, as names like Filip, Tomáš, Adam, Jan or Lukáš have gained more popularity over the years. Nevertheless, around 266,000 Czech men are still named Josef and that makes it the fourth most used Czech male name! Hence, it is of little wonder that the Josef name day is still celebrated across the nation and talked about on the news every year.
Easter
Easter in Prague is a time of enjoyment. Different villages and regions in the country have their own varied Easter customs and traditions. The main Easter holiday in Prague is the Easter Monday. Boys and men visit their friends in the morning and carry pomlazkas with them. Pomlazkas are braided willow sticks with colored ribbons tied at the ends. They chase and lightly whip the females wherever they visit. In return the boys get colored eggs from girls and women. The custom was meant to assure fertility.
The genesis of the pomlázka tradition – pomlázka means both the whip and the tradition itself – dates back to pagan days. Its initial idea and representative meaning was to chase away illness and bad spirits and to usher in health and youth for the rest of the year to all who are whipped with the young pussy willow twigs. Boys would whip girls lightly on the legs and possibly soak them with water that had a similar symbolic meaning. An Easter carol, typically asking for an egg or two, would be narrated by the boy while whipping. The girl would then recompense the boy with a painted egg or candy and tie a ribbon around his pomlázka. As the boys progressed through the village, their bags filled up with eggs and their pomlázkas were adorned with more and more colorful ribbons.
Significantly, this ancient custom is still largely maintained, especially in villages and small towns. However, the custom has lost its symbolism and romance and is now performed mainly for fun. Some boys and men seem to have even forgotten that the whipping is only intended to be symbolic and girls don't always like that. The reward too has changed – these days, money and shots of plum brandy (slivovice) are frequently offered instead of the traditional painted eggs and candy.
The Day of Love
May 1. In the Czech Republic, this day is devoted to lovers and the Czech romantic ‘poet of love’ Karel Hynek Mácha. On this day, couples get together at the statue of Karel Hynek in Prague's Petřín Park where they lay flowers and spend a few moments. The park is predominantly a romantic place in May when its cherry trees are in bloom. Since May 1 is a national holiday in the Czech Republic, hundreds of people come to Petřín for a stroll provided the weather is pleasant.
It may be mentioned here that Karel Hynek Mácha (1810 - 1836) was a great Czech romantic poet and author of the epic poem ‘Máj’, meaning ‘May’. The poem, composed in an extraordinarily beautiful style, tells about the sad love of two young people and has become a poetic magnum opus of the Czech romantic period and Czech literature, in general.
St. Nicholas Tradition
December 5. The eve of St. Nicholas is especially fun-filled in Prague. On this day, parents bring their children to the Old Town Square where one can see the tradition in full swing roughly between 5 pm and 8 pm. Children also receive St. Nicholas presents from their parents and relatives. Gifts like sweets and chocolates can be put into a stocking and hidden somewhere in the child's room.
The St. Nicholas tradition is supposedly based on a 4th century Greek bishop named Nicholas who is said to have left a gift of money on the windowsill of three poor girls to enable them to get married.
On this evening, if one happens to be walking the streets of Prague, you may run into a group of strange characters – St. Nicholas (Mikuláš), the Angel (anděl) who represents the ‘Good’, and the ‘Devil’ (čert) symbolizing the ‘Evil’. All wear costumes. Mikuláš resembles a bit like Santa Claus whose origin was also reportedly enthused by St. Nicholas.
Christmas (Vánoce)
December 24. For most Czechs, December 24 (Štědrý den) is the most pleasurable day of Christmas holidays. Its Czech name literally means "Generous Day", probably for the wealth of food that has traditionally been served for Christmas dinner. Even poor families would make sure that their plates were full on this one day of the year.
December 24 is Adam and Eva's name day. On this day, the Christmas tree is decorated with traditional Czech Christmas ornaments in many households and preparations are made for the most festive dinner of the year. Christmas Eve is related with many superstitions that usually connect to life, love, and destiny that awaits one in the year to come. According to one Czech Christmas tradition, one is supposed to fast all day to see the "golden piglet" (zlaté prasátko) in the evening.
February 2. The day of Hromnice (pronounced HROM-nyi-tseh) is a significant day for the Czechs owing to its weather-related folklore. The day falls on the same day on which the customary Groundhog Day is celebrated in the United States. Hence, it is little surprising that both the festivals are based on the same ancient Celtic tradition. It approximately marks the middle of winter and is linked to dozens of weather-related proverbs and predictions. In fact, the term Hromnice is derived from hollowed "hromnice" candles that were lit on the night of February 2nd if there was a heavy shower accompanied with thunder and storms.
According to the Czech, the weather on Hromnice is an indication of how long the winter will linger. Going by the tradition of Groundhog Day, the groundhog comes out of his hole after his winter sleep on February 2nd and if he sees his shadow, signifying that the day is sunny, he will return to his hole and one should be ready for six more weeks of winter. If the day is cloudy, he will stay above ground, expecting the spring. Grippingly, there are dozens of Czech Hromnice adages that predict the same – many of them are reminiscent of the fact that although we are starting to think about the spring, winter is definitely not over and may not have even reached its max.
The Day of Recovery of the Independent Czech State
January 1. Every year this is celebrated together with New Year's Day. People recall the establishment of the independent Czech Republic and the separation of Czechoslovakia at the turn of 1992 and 1993.
Liberation Day
May 8. Annually, people celebrate this day in memory of May 8, 1945, when Czechoslovakia, until that time occupied by Germany, was set free by American and Russian military units. Thus, finished one of the worst and most destructive modern wars in the history of Europe.
The Day of Slavonic Apostles Cyril and Methodius
July 5. This day celebrates the coming of Slavonic Apostles Cyril and Methodius, who brought Christianity to the territory of today´s Czech Republic in about the year 863, and some other foundations of European culture, for example, a new type of writing.
Jan Hus Day
July 6. This day marks one sad moment in Czech history. In 1415, Jan Hus, a Czech religious thinker, philosopher and reformer of the Catholic Church and a priest, was burned for his ideas in the Constance. He left for the Council of Constance endowed with a protective deed from Zikmund the King. He thought that, at the time of solving the split of the church, he would be able to present his ideas, but he was asked to recall his teachings, which had moved all of Europe. He refused to do so. For promotion and the development of John Wickle´s ideas and Catholic reformation, he had been previously placed under interdict by Pope John XXIII.
Day of Czech Statehood
September 28. Perhaps the second most important bank holiday celebrated, it is one related to the tradition of Christianity and the tradition of Saint Wenceslas. On that day, Saint Wenceslas, the monarch and future patron of the Bohemian nation, was murdered by his brother Boleslav in Stará Boleslav. Every year there is a Saint Wenceslas pilgrimage organized at this place, and at Prague Castle the president awards Saint Wenceslas medals to individuals who contributed to the Czech statehood.
The Day of Establishment of the Independent Czechoslovak Republic
October 28. Exactly one month later, perhaps, the most important day is remembered, which is associated with the existence of the Czechoslovak Republic itself. In 1918, after several decades of effort of Czechs and Slovaks for recognition of their national rights and the end of the World War I, the independent Czechoslovakia was established, one of the succession states of Austria-Hungary, consisting of Bohemia, Moravia, part of Silesia, Slovakia and Under-Carpathian Russia. On this day each year, the president of the republic, together with eminent state officers, places bunches of flowers on the grave of the first president and the leader of foreign revolt at the time of World War I, Tomáš G. Masaryk, at the castle in Lány, and also at the monument in Vítkov. In the evening of this day, the president honors eminent personalities of cultural and social life.
Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day
November 17. On this day in 1939, a student demonstration against the Nazi occupation was organized, during which a student, Jan Opletal, was shot. Right after that, universities were closed and Nazis persecuted and executed more students. In 1989, a students' reminder of this incident was permitted by the communist authorities and this event turned into an open anti-communist demonstration on the National Avenue in Prague. This was strictly suppressed by police, but marked the beginning of the Czech Republic .
The Burning of the Witches
April 30. “The Burning of the Witches” is a weird Czech practice that bids a final farewell to winter and can still be witnessed in many villages across the country. As a part of the custom, Czechs get together on the evening of April 30 to build a bonfire and prepare an effigy of the witch that kept winter around so long. Earlier, Czechs used to believe that the influence of witches would grow weaker as the weather got warmer. Hence, they considered that if they made something that resembled a witch and burned it, they could finally get relief from the chilly weather.
Accordingly, they first tie two large sticks together to form a cross. Next, they stuff old clothes with straw and place a pointed hat on the top of the stack. The witch is then tied to a broomstick and kept inside until darkness falls. As soon as it's dark, the effigy of the witch is brought out and held up for all to see. Then, with a tug of the arm, it is thrown on top of the bonfire. As the witch burns, it also ends the last of winter's coldness. In fact, everyone eagerly looks forward to nightfall, when they would meet the spirits of the witches. In the end, all the evil spirits of the village go up in the smoke with the foul witch. Interestingly, while the fire is thriving, people roast sausages on sticks, strum guitars, and sing their favorite songs.
St. Joseph's Day
The Czech St. Joseph's Day is a more restrained adaptation of the Irish St. Patrick's Day and is celebrated around the same time in March every year. In fact, Josef is among the most common of Czech names and generates annual celebrations around the nation.
According to history, Josef is one of the most common Czech first male names and in the past, it used to be enormously popular. For instance, the village of Josefovice used to have at least one Josef living in each of the houses there. However, the name is no longer on the top of name popularity charts anymore, as names like Filip, Tomáš, Adam, Jan or Lukáš have gained more popularity over the years. Nevertheless, around 266,000 Czech men are still named Josef and that makes it the fourth most used Czech male name! Hence, it is of little wonder that the Josef name day is still celebrated across the nation and talked about on the news every year.
Easter
Easter in Prague is a time of enjoyment. Different villages and regions in the country have their own varied Easter customs and traditions. The main Easter holiday in Prague is the Easter Monday. Boys and men visit their friends in the morning and carry pomlazkas with them. Pomlazkas are braided willow sticks with colored ribbons tied at the ends. They chase and lightly whip the females wherever they visit. In return the boys get colored eggs from girls and women. The custom was meant to assure fertility.
The genesis of the pomlázka tradition – pomlázka means both the whip and the tradition itself – dates back to pagan days. Its initial idea and representative meaning was to chase away illness and bad spirits and to usher in health and youth for the rest of the year to all who are whipped with the young pussy willow twigs. Boys would whip girls lightly on the legs and possibly soak them with water that had a similar symbolic meaning. An Easter carol, typically asking for an egg or two, would be narrated by the boy while whipping. The girl would then recompense the boy with a painted egg or candy and tie a ribbon around his pomlázka. As the boys progressed through the village, their bags filled up with eggs and their pomlázkas were adorned with more and more colorful ribbons.
Significantly, this ancient custom is still largely maintained, especially in villages and small towns. However, the custom has lost its symbolism and romance and is now performed mainly for fun. Some boys and men seem to have even forgotten that the whipping is only intended to be symbolic and girls don't always like that. The reward too has changed – these days, money and shots of plum brandy (slivovice) are frequently offered instead of the traditional painted eggs and candy.
The Day of Love
May 1. In the Czech Republic, this day is devoted to lovers and the Czech romantic ‘poet of love’ Karel Hynek Mácha. On this day, couples get together at the statue of Karel Hynek in Prague's Petřín Park where they lay flowers and spend a few moments. The park is predominantly a romantic place in May when its cherry trees are in bloom. Since May 1 is a national holiday in the Czech Republic, hundreds of people come to Petřín for a stroll provided the weather is pleasant.
It may be mentioned here that Karel Hynek Mácha (1810 - 1836) was a great Czech romantic poet and author of the epic poem ‘Máj’, meaning ‘May’. The poem, composed in an extraordinarily beautiful style, tells about the sad love of two young people and has become a poetic magnum opus of the Czech romantic period and Czech literature, in general.
St. Nicholas Tradition
December 5. The eve of St. Nicholas is especially fun-filled in Prague. On this day, parents bring their children to the Old Town Square where one can see the tradition in full swing roughly between 5 pm and 8 pm. Children also receive St. Nicholas presents from their parents and relatives. Gifts like sweets and chocolates can be put into a stocking and hidden somewhere in the child's room.
The St. Nicholas tradition is supposedly based on a 4th century Greek bishop named Nicholas who is said to have left a gift of money on the windowsill of three poor girls to enable them to get married.
On this evening, if one happens to be walking the streets of Prague, you may run into a group of strange characters – St. Nicholas (Mikuláš), the Angel (anděl) who represents the ‘Good’, and the ‘Devil’ (čert) symbolizing the ‘Evil’. All wear costumes. Mikuláš resembles a bit like Santa Claus whose origin was also reportedly enthused by St. Nicholas.
Christmas (Vánoce)
December 24. For most Czechs, December 24 (Štědrý den) is the most pleasurable day of Christmas holidays. Its Czech name literally means "Generous Day", probably for the wealth of food that has traditionally been served for Christmas dinner. Even poor families would make sure that their plates were full on this one day of the year.
December 24 is Adam and Eva's name day. On this day, the Christmas tree is decorated with traditional Czech Christmas ornaments in many households and preparations are made for the most festive dinner of the year. Christmas Eve is related with many superstitions that usually connect to life, love, and destiny that awaits one in the year to come. According to one Czech Christmas tradition, one is supposed to fast all day to see the "golden piglet" (zlaté prasátko) in the evening.
