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The National Theatre in Prague, one of the country’s most important cultural landmarks, celebrates an important anniversary on Wednesday. One hundred and fifty years to do the day, on May 16 1868, the foundation stone of the building, which became a symbol of the Czech national revival, was laid.

After strong growth last year, the Czech Republic’s economy continues to thrive. Indeed, according to freshly released preliminary figures, gross domestic product expanded by 4.5 percent in the first quarter. This was down from the 5.5 percent recorded in the final quarter of last year but is still a notable result. I discussed the new data with economist Jan Bureš of Patria Finance.

Prague’s flagship annual baroque river festivities are currently underway at Charles Bridge in Prague marking the feast of St John of Nepomuk, the patron of boatmen and bridges. The traditional ceremony, called Navalis, dates back to the 17th century and was renewed in the Czech capital in 2009.

The head of the state’s Military Research Institute, Bohuslav Šafář, was sacked on Monday by Defence Minister Karla Šlechtová. While no reason for his firing was given online, it is not completely a bolt from the blue: Šafář had gotten into hot water for his words about the so-called production of the deadly nerve agent Novichok in the Czech Republic.

Negotiations over forming a minority Czech government between the dominant ANO party and the Social Democrats have been wrapped up regarding the outstanding policy issues. But the Czech communists, whose support is crucial for a new government, have dropped what amounts to a bombshell, warning that they will not line up with the minority government if a pledge to boost Czech foreign missions is not dropped.

The annual international book fair and literary festival Book World Prague got underway on Thursday at the city’s Výstaviště grounds, featuring over 400 exhibitors from 22 countries. I spoke to Radovan Auer, the head of Book World Prague and asked him to tell me more about this year’s main topics, comics and the revolutionary 20th century.

Czech power giant ČEZ says there’s no reason why its Temelín nuclear reactor can’t operate for 60 years or more. That’s one way to deal with the problems being faced building new nuclear reactors but it’s likely to raise hackles in some neighbouring countries.

Final preparations are underway for the Prague Spring music festival, which begins on Saturday evening with the traditional rendition of Smetana’s My Country at the Municipal House. As always, it will showcase a plethora of major names in classical music. But this year there will also be a special focus on the centenary of the foundation of Czechoslovakia. Pavel Trojan, the festival’s spokesperson, told me more.

The Czech Republic has backed the EU’s decision to continue to respect the 2015 nuclear weapons agreement with Iran, after President Trump’s announcement that the US would withdraw from the pact. However the Czech Foreign Ministry noted that the international community should not close its eyes to the dangers of Iran’s ballistic program.

The Czech Republic’s Mikolas Josef has advanced to the finals of the Eurovision Song Contest with his offering Lie to Me. The 22-year-old singer, who performed despite sustaining an injury during rehearsals, is one of nine participants to make it out of the first semi-final and only the second Czech in history to reach the finals.