Compiled by Anita Lišková “Don’t ask and vote against.” – answered MP Petr Nečas, ODS vice-chairman, to his colleague when she asked what part of the VAT law was being discussed. “Are you trying to tell me that there are still communists left in the Czech Republic?” – former Czech porn star Dolly Buster, who…

movies Pirates of the Caribbean This visually lush adventure follows a young blacksmith who enlists the aid of Capt. Jack Sparrow to rescue the governor’s kidnapped daughter from pirate captain Barbossa and his cursed crew of “living dead” cutthroats. Gore Verbinski’s cast obviously has great fun – Johnny Depp’s Sparrow is a work of mischievous…

Written by: Anita Lišková Art: Nenad Vitas What did you want to be when you were a kid? A garbage collector. I always liked the way they hang behind the car at the footboard. In which country would you like to live? In a country where no one has to pay taxes. What is your…

Compiled by Marie Šrámková Photo: archiv Swan song After nearly three years the National Theater Ballet is presenting a reworking of one of the most beautiful romantic ballets, Giselle, which brightens many stages around the world. The traditionally conceived version of the ballet is based on the original libretto and music, enriched by the artistic…

Written by: Galina Pembroke Thomas Jefferson said, “Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal.” In preparing for a marathon, we see how this credo applies to business as well. THOUGH IT MAY NOT SEEM like it when we’re drenched in sweat and our legs feel like lead, running…

Written by: Anita Lišková & Todd Shaw Photo by: Tomáš Kubeš In the 1001 Nights, it says “He who hath not seen Cairo, hath not seen the world”. While visitors are intrigued by the city’s twisting streets, oriental bazaars, and Islamic architecture of sculptured domes and minarets, they should also be prepared for some negative…

Written by: Anita Lišková Photo: Dorothea BylicaIn the 10th century, Czech royalty headquartered itself at Vyšehrad. Today, in the middle of this fortified settlement, you’ll find a restaurant which reflects the historical atmosphere, as well as enlivening it with Franco-Italian cuisine. Vyšehrad is one of the most commemorated Czech sites, and it has maintained its…

Written by: Libor Ševčík True, you won’t encounter sprightly Gascony cadets led by D’Artagnan here, but visitors to this southwestern corner of France will find an astounding variety of wines. foto: allphoto images Atrip for acquainting yourself with wines from the wine-producing region in southwestern France is rather complicated and involved. This is a region…

Written by: Štěpánka Strouhalová Photo by: Věroslav Sixt Karen Feldman The American Karen Feldman is enriching traditional, elegant crystal cutting with fresh playfulness and perspective. She produces Czech glass as assuredly and easily as if she had generations of experience behind her. WHEN SHE MOVED to Prague in 1994, she didn’t know much about Czech…

Written by: Klára Smolová Photo by: Jana Labuťová a Jiří Vaněk Last year Universal Production Partners, a post-production company, opened a new office in downtown Prague. Šimon Caban designed its unconventional, comfortable, and at the same time fully functional interior. Managing director Vít Komrzý says his primary interest was having people feel good there, and…