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The concept of international work camps is 100 years old. Every year several hundred foreign nationals come to the Czech Republic to participate in interesting projects in the field of renovation, environmental protection or community work, and hundreds of Czechs go abroad for the same purpose. I spoke to Zuzana Pitková from the NGO INEX which organizes international work camps in the Czech Republic about what they offer and in what way this year is different.

This week a proposal put together by some government and opposition members of the lower-house sparked a heated debate. It suggests imposing a new regulation that would oblige food retailers to ensure that 85 of all non-specialised products they sell are made in the Czech Republic. Politicians and farmers are divided in their opinion, with some seeing it as a welcome boost to Czech agriculture, while others fear it is a state intervention in the market.

Popular films, TV series and novels can profoundly shape a nation’s collective memory and cement the evolving historical master narrative. In her new book, ‘Velvet Retro: Postsocialist Nostalgia and the Politics of Heroism in Czech Popular Culture’, historian Veronika Pehe examines the evolving ways the era has been portrayed since 1989 – from early comedies to tragic narratives that cast the past as trauma.

At the start of the year Prague was gearing up for another record tourist season, but as the coronavirus pandemic hit, the city’s tourist figures plummeted. Cancelled flights and closed borders saw the number of foreign visitors to the Czech Republic drop by nearly a third in the first quarter and the outlooks for the rest of the year are bleak. In fact, Barbora Hruba, from Prague City Tourism says there is scant hope of a revival anytime soon.

The travel website Amazing Places has set itself an ambitious goal – to promote often hidden gems around the country which will guarantee an unforgettable holiday tailored to your preferences. The team of young enthusiasts creating the list have combed the country for the most magical places there are to be found from cozy wooden cottages, mills and farm houses to exceptional apartments and hotels, which offer quality services, beautiful surroundings and excellent food. I spoke to Hana Krausová, the company’s managing director, about how it all

The COVID-19 crisis leads to some unexpected positive trends. Many Czechs have exchanged their cars for bicycles. In fact, so many people are getting on their bikes that it can lead to congestion on some of the most popular cycling paths and forest roads in the country.

When Daniel and Marta Kolský opened their first cafe in Prague’s Londýnská street they shared a passion for coffee and a determination to fulfil their dream. Today they are respected professionals in the coffee business and own seven cafes and a bakery, operating with a certified fair-trade label. Their chain of Mamacafes is known for its excellent coffee, mouth-watering pastries and quality service. I asked Daniel Kolský to tell me how they established the business and why they chose to work with coffee.

If your experience with marmalade is limited to the traditional breakfast staples then you are missing out on an exciting culinary experience. Today marmalade makers from around the world are creating sophisticated recipes that have elevated the once-simple preserve from your grandma’s pantry to a new level – to be used on roast meat or fish.

The coronavirus pandemic is already changing our lives. Many everyday activities have moved into the virtual world. This applies especially to our social life but increasingly work and learning as well. Psychologists underline that the key to getting over this difficult time is to stay in touch and not to get into isolation. Vít Pohanka describes how he deals with the problem with his foreign students at the University of Pardubice.

The national flag of the Czech Republic, which is the same as the flag of former Czechoslovakia, will celebrate its centenary on March 30th. While the celebrations of the centenary of Czechoslovakia were grandiose, the flag’s golden anniversary is likely to pass largely unnoticed, overshadowed by the coronavirus crisis and other concerns. I spoke to the country’s leading vexillologist Aleš Brožek about how the flag was selected, why Czechs only bring it out in turbulent times and how to prevent hoisting it the wrong way round. I began by asking