Czech Culture Resources
History
- The Lost World of Communism – Czechoslovakia. A BBC documentary about Czechoslovakia. In English.
- Czech history in a nutshell. A tutorial on the Czech history by Jan Čulík. In English.
- Kingdom of Bohemia. An animation showing a different shape of Bohemia throughout centuries.
- Czech history in 10 minutes. A presentation showing the key events in the Czech history. In English.
- Czech history in 5 minutes. An animation showing the Czech history in brief. In Czech, EN subtitles.
- Animated videos about the Czech history. Educational cartoons about the Czech history. In Czech.
- Animated Czech legends and histories. Educational cartoons about the Czech history. In Czech.
- History of the Czech lands, Prague and Czech legends. A section on the Czech history. In English.
- History of the Czech lands (Wikipedia). A section on the Czech history. In English.
- Paul Wilson talking about the normalisation. A talk on the Czech normalisation by Paul Wilson. In English.
- Royal experiences at Charles IV sites. A video about the sites built by Charles IV. In Czech.
- Charles IV. A short video about the Czech king Charles IV. In Czech.
- Czech traditions. A series of videos about Czech traditions typical for different regions. In English.
- Mining history of Ostrava. History of mining in Ostrava. In Czech with EN subtitles.
- České století. Czech TV documentary focusing on the key events in the modern Czech history. In Czech, CZ sub.
- Vyprávěj. TV programme depicting life in Czechoslovakia during Communism. In Czech, CZ sub.
- A brief history of the Czech lands. A study on the history of the Czech lands by James Naughton. In English.
Literature
Useful websites
The following are general resources, focusing mainly on Czech literature.
- Portál české literatury. Information and news on contemporary Czech authors. In Czech and English
- Ústav české literatury. Institute of Czech literature. In Czech and English.
- Czech writers. In Wikipedia. In English.
- Slovník české literatury. A dictionary of modern Czech literature. In Czech.
- Dějiny české literatury. History of Czech literature. In Czech.
- Czech literature since 1918. A study on the history of Czech literature by James Naughton. In English.
Videos
- Czech Literature and Poetry since 1900, by Blanka Maderová. A talk on Czech literature. In English.
- 19th Century Czech Literature, by Martin Pilař. A talk on Czech literature. In English.
- 20th Century Czech Literature, by Jan Čulík. A talk on Czech literature. In English.
- An interview with Jáchym Topol, by British Library. An interview with the Czech writer. In English.
- Czech novelist Jiří Hájíček in London. A talk with Jiří Hájíček about his work. In English.
- Paul Wilson talking about Václav Havel I. A talk on Václav Havel. In English.
- Paul Wilson talking about Václav Havel II. A talk on Václav Havel. In English.
Literature magazines
- A list of Czech literary magazines. In Czech.
- Host. Literary journal. In Czech.
- iLiteratura. Literary journal. In Czech.
Writers
- Ludvík Vaculík. A personal website.
- Jan Křesadlo. A personal website.
- Miloš Urban. A personal website.
- Milan Kundera. A personal website.
Electronic texts and audiobooks
- Books by Karel Čapek
- RUR, by Karel Čapek. Parallel Czech and English version. (PDF)
- Audiobooks. Czech audiobooks at Český rozhlas.
- Czech literary works. (PDF)
- Kytice, by Karel Jaromír Erben. (PDF)
- Markéta Lazarová, by Vladislav Vančura. (PDF)
- The Power of Powerless, by Václav Havel. In English. (PDF)
- Moc bezmocných, by Václav Havel. In Czech. (PDF)
Adapted texts for students
- Česká čítanka. Adapted Czech literary works by Kořánová Ilona. Level A2-B1.
- Pohádky. Adapted Czech fairy-tales by Lída Holá. Level A2.
- Pražské legendy. Adapted Prague legends by Lída Holá. Level A2.
- Staré pověsti české a moravské. Adapted Bohemian and Moravian legends by Lída Holá. Level A2.
- Povídky Malostranské. Adapted by Lída Holá. Level B1.
Bookstores, libraries and literary events in Prague
News, journals, radio, TV
- Britské listy. Czech newspaper.
- Lidovky. Czech newspaper.
- iDnes. Czech newspaper.
- Právo. Czech newspaper.
- Hospodářské noviny. Czech newspaper.
- Respekt. Czech journal.
- Česká televize. Czech TV.
- Český rozhlas. Czech radio.
- iPlayer. Český rozhlas.
Music
- Czech Music Blog. English translation of Czech songs by Vanya Jones.
- Jaromír Nohavica. Czech singer.
- Tomáš Klus. Czech singer.
- Jelen. Czech band.
- Karel Gott. Czech singer.
- Kryštof. Czech band.
- Chinaski. Czech band.
- Colours of Ostrava. A music festival in Ostrava.
- Rock for People. A music festival in Hradec Králové.
- Hip Hop Kemp. A music festival in Hradec Králové.
Crafts, arts, architecture
Czech glass
- Czech glass. A video about the glass factory in Nový Bor. In German with EN subtitles.
- Czech glass and Czech crystal. A website about the Czech glass.
- Clear vission. Czech glass. Contemporary Czech designers. In English.
- Crystalex – Czech glass producers. In Czech.
- Rebecca Bell. A personal website of a PhD student focusing on the Czechoslovak glass. In English.
Czech architecture
- Villa Tugendhat. A history of the Villa Tugendhat. In English.
- Tugendhat Villa in Brno. About the Villa Tugendhat. In English.
- Villa Müller in Prague. About the Villa Müller. In English.
- Villa Müller. An animation.
- Villa Muller, Adolf Loos, 1930. An animation.
- Adolf Loos and the Strategy of Sorting. A talk by Christopher Long. In English.
- Famous villas in the Czech Republic.
- The house of Black Madonna. Cubist house in Prague. In English.
- Oko nad Prahou. A documentary about the Czech architect Jan Kaplický. In Czech with EN subtitles.
- Jan Kaplický. A talk by Jan Kaplický about his work.
- Czech and Slovak funcionalist architecture. Photographs.
- Funcionalism in Brno. Photographs.
- Romanesque in the Czech Republic. An article on Romanesque architecture in the Czech Republic. In English.
- Gothic in the Czech Republic. An article on Gothic architecture in the Czech Republic. In English.
- Renaissance in the Czech Republic. An article on Renaissance architecture in the Czech Republic. In English.
- Baroque in the Czech Republic. An article on Baroque architecture in the Czech Republic. In English.
- Social Realist architecture. An article on Social Realist architecture in the Czech Republic. In English.
Czech design and arts
- UMPRUM. Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague.
- DOX. A centre for contemporary art in Prague.
- Národní galerie. National Gallery in Prague.
- Czech design. A website on the Czech design. In Czech and English.
- The future of design. Talks, workshops discussing the future of design.
- David Černý – selected works by the Czech artist. In English.
- David Černý on arts. The Czech artist talking about arts, graffiti, politics etc. In English.
- In Pursuit of Toyen. A study about the Czech artist by Karla Huebner. In English. (PDF)
- Toyen’s Queer Desire. An essay about the Czech artist by Karla Huebner. In English. (PDF)
- Prague, Capital of the Twentieth Century. A Surrealist History. By D. Sayer. In English.
Czech films
- ČSFD. Czechoslovak film database. In Czech.
- Filmový festival v Karlových Varech. International Film Festival Karlovy Vary.
- The making of Amadeus. Miloš Forman is talking about making one of his films. In English.
- Most. A 21st-century parable about a loving father, his young son, and the fateful day. In Czech with EN subtitles.
- Gympl. A film about the graffiti scene in Prague, hiphop, drugs and the young. In Czech with EN subtitles.
- Panelstory. A film by Věra Chytilová. In Czech with EN subtitles.
- Second Run DVD. A selection of international films, including the Czech ones.
Cuisine
- Street food in Prague. A video about the street food in Prague. In English.
- A girl talking about the Czech food. In English.
- Americans trying Czech food. A funny video by Americans eating Czech food. In English.
- Discovering Czech food. A video about trying different meals in Prague. In English.
- Czech food in Prague. A video guide describing traditional Czech food in Prague. In English.
- Eating in the Czech Republic. A video about Czech food. In English.
- Czech cook book. Czech video recipes. In English.
- Czech wine. A video about Czech wine. In Czech with EN subtitles.
- Czech beer. A video about Czech beer making. In English.
- Taste the Czech Republic. A video showing typical Czech food. In English.
- Moravian wine. A video showing history of wine in Moravia. In English.
The Czech Republic
- Czech Republic, a land of stories. A website about the Czech Republic. In English.
- About the Czech Republic in 3 minutes. A video about the Czech Republic. In English.
- 10 facts about the Czech Republic. A video about the Czech Republic. In English.
- Welcome to the Czech Republic. A video for people planning to move to the Czech Republic. In English.
- Visit the Czech Republic – 5 facts you will love and hate. A video about the Czech Republic. In English.
- A journey through the Czech Republic. A video about the Czech Republic. In English.
- Best of the Czech Republic. A video about the Czech Republic. In English.
- Discovery Channel – Megaworld: Czech Republic. A video about Czech engineering.
Prague
- Finding real Prague. A video about secret places in Prague. In English.
- 90 seconds in Prague. A video showing Prague in a nutshell. In English.
- A tour in Prague. A tour in Prague. In English.
- Foreigners living in Prague. Different stories of people who moved to Prague. In English.
- Living and working in Prague. A video describing life in Prague for foreigners. In English.
- A documentary about migrants in the Czech Republic. Stories of immigrants. In Czech with En subtitles.
- UNESCO video. A UNESCO video showing gems of Prague. In English.
- A trip to Prague. A video about a trip to Prague. In English.
- Basic information about Prague. A video about Prague. In English.
- Modern architecture in Prague. A video about the modern architecture in Prague. In English.
- Jewish Prague. A video about the Jewish quarter. In English.
- Jewish quarter Josefov. A video about the Jewish quarter. In English.
Other cities, towns and places
Bohemia
- Karlštejn
- Krušné hory
- Krkonoše mountains
- Ještěd Tower
- Terezin Fortress
- Třeboň
- West Bohemian Spa
- Karlovy Vary
- Pilsen
- Český Krumlov
- Český Krumlov travel guide
- The Czech Republic beyond Prague
- Pilsen, a home of a good beer
- Mariánské Lázně
Moravia and Silesia
- Luhačovice
- Spa in Luhačovice
- The best from South Moravia
- A taste of South Moravia
- Castles and chateaux in South Moravia
- South Moravia
- Music festival Colours of Ostrava
- Ostrava
- Coal mine in Ostrava
- Ostrava – Come and taste
- Olomouc
- Kroměříž
- The Beskids
- Pálava
- Bohemian Paradise
- Zlín
Traveling in the Czech Republic
- Travel guide. Useful information about traveling to and in the Czech Republic. In English.
- My Czech Republic. Useful information about traveling to and in the Czech Republic. In English.
- Transport in the Czech Republic. Useful guide. In English.
- Buses and trains timetables
The Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a country of stories. Its beautiful capital Prague is literally in the middle of Europe. Discover the capital and other major cities full of historical sites and outstanding architecture. Relax in the countryside and enjoy picturesque landscapes.
History and Traditions
The Czech history is very diverse and rich. Hundreds of traditions have been created on the nation’s journey from “Bohemia” to “Czechia.” Discover Czech folklore and learn about the dramatic moments of this small country in the middle of central Europe.
Czech Cuisine
Czech cuisine is not exactly synonymous with healthy cooking, but everybody will find a meal they’ll love. It may be the traditional roast pork with dumplings and sauerkraut, the fruit filled dumplings, Svíčková, gulash, the apple strudel or the Czech beer.
Literature and Arts
The trajectory of Czech arts and literature over the centuries and into the present day has mirrored its turbulent history. Discover Czech culture through works by illustrious Czech artists, like Hrabal, Havel, Kundera, Kafka, Toyen, Mucha, Kaplický and Jiřičná.