Sokol: a loyal ally of sport and Czech nationalism

Sokol´s flag of Prague, that bears the motto: “let us harden ourselves”, by Josef Mánes. Source: Payne.cz CELIA PÉREZ CARRASCOSA In the 19th century, nationalism was on the rise in the Old Continent, leading to several revolts and protests against monarchs and rulers in the latter half of the century. The Austrian Empire consisted ofSigue leyendo “Sokol: a loyal ally of sport and Czech nationalism”

Jan Hus, instigator of the Protestant Reformation

Monument dedicated to Jan Hus in Prague’s Old Town Square. Photo: Celia Pérez CELIA PÉREZ CARRASCOSA The Czech Lands have witnessed many historical events. They have been the scene of hundreds of battles and have been the chessboard of various armies, ideologies and beliefs. Various Czech personalities have fought and contributed something unique to CzechSigue leyendo “Jan Hus, instigator of the Protestant Reformation”

Czechia and Cuba: the unspoken thaw

Fidel Castro, Cuban Prime Minister, and Gustáv Husák, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia (and later, President) in 1972. Source: G.cz CELIA PÉREZ CARRASCOSA During the bloc era, numerous relations were established and consolidated between various countries. Czechoslovakia, for example, developed and strengthened diplomatic and friendly relations with several Eastern Bloc states, includingSigue leyendo “Czechia and Cuba: the unspoken thaw”

The Czech Republic, an acknowledged specialist in the defence and aeronautics industry

L-200 Morava, the first aircraft designed by Aircraft Industries (Let Kunovice) in 1957. Source: Let Kunovice’s marketing team CELIA PÉREZ CARRASCOSA Industry has accompanied this Central European country’s development since its beginnings. Within this sector, arms and aircraft production has been of great importance since historical times. Communist Czechoslovakia was one of the world’s leadingSigue leyendo “The Czech Republic, an acknowledged specialist in the defence and aeronautics industry”

Czechoslovakia, a country which joined two nations II

Vladimír Mečiar (left) and Václav Klaus (right) during the last meeting on Czechoslovakia. Brno, 26/08/1992. Source: Czech News Agency (ČTK) Czechoslovakia, a consensual separation CELIA PÉREZ CARRASCOSA The new country that was established in 1918 was encouraging for both the Czechs and the Slovaks. In general, the development of Czechoslovakia was beneficial to both nations;Sigue leyendo “Czechoslovakia, a country which joined two nations II”

Czechoslovakia, a country which joined two nations I

Sculpture of Tomáš Masaryk on Hradčany Square, in Prague. Photo: Celia Pérez Czechoslovakia, a planned and desired union CELIA PÉREZ CARRASCOSA The First World War (1914-1918) ended four empires: the German, the Austro-Hungarian, the Russian and the Ottoman. This meant that the maps of Europe, and the Near and Middle East were forever changed dueSigue leyendo “Czechoslovakia, a country which joined two nations I”

Chmelař: “It is not a question of influencing, but of being heard”

Aleš Chmelař, Deputy Minister for Europe at the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo: Celia Pérez CELIA PÉREZ CARRASCOSA The Visegrad Group, or V4, was founded in 1991 by Václav Havel, President of Czechoslovakia (today the Czech Republic and Slovakia), Józef Antall, Prime Minister of Hungary, and Lech Wałęsa, President of Poland. One of theSigue leyendo “Chmelař: “It is not a question of influencing, but of being heard””

Czechia, destination of the Vietnamese diaspora in Europe

Vietnamese children in Chrastava (Czechoslovakia). 1956. Source: Růžena Tupé Archive CELIA PÉREZ CARRASCOSA The Czech Republic has one of the largest Vietnamese communities in Europe, surpassed only by France and Germany. About 60.000 Vietnamese live in this Slavic country. This places them as the third largest group of foreigners in Czech territory, behind Slovaks andSigue leyendo “Czechia, destination of the Vietnamese diaspora in Europe”

Uherské Hradiště: 75 years since the liberation

Welcoming the Soviet soldiers. Source: Enciklopedie Města Uherské Hradiště CELIA PÉREZ CARRASCOSA May 8th is celebrated in the Czech Republic, as in other European countries, as Victory in Europe Day. This day commemorates the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany to the Allies and thus the end of World War II in Europe. Before the warSigue leyendo “Uherské Hradiště: 75 years since the liberation”

Chronicle of a quarantine in the heart of Europe II

Uherské Hradiště’s train tracks. Photo: Isabel Gallego Nieto CELIA PÉREZ CARRASCOSA The time passes slowly over these days. I came back to the flat almost a month ago. However, it seems like an eternity has gone by since my last days at the guesthouse. Days in which I followed- and I continue to follow- theSigue leyendo “Chronicle of a quarantine in the heart of Europe II”