Czech republic history
The prosperous Czech Republic, like most small eastern European countries, has a long and varied history comprising years of rule by other stronger nations. Back in the 9th century the Czech state was known as Bohemia, named for the Celtic race of Boii people who had inhabited the region from 400 BC. Bohemia didn’t become Czechoslovakia until after World War I, when it also encompassed Slovakia. It was still much later, in the 1990s, that the Czech Republic was formed when Czechoslovakia and Slovakia parted ways and became independent countries.
Quick fact!
Historically, the Czech Republic was composed of the Kingdom of Bohemia and the March of Moravia, both part of the the Roman Empire, then also within the Habsburg Empire.
1914 – 1947
In the early 20th century Bohemia’s location to the east of Germany, meant that it was right in the thick of it for both world wars. The Czechs fought hard against the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary,Turkey and Bulgaria) in World War I resulting in great loss of life. In 1918 Bohemia became a province of the new republic of Czechoslavkia.
During World War II, the country effectively became part of Germany because of the many ethnic Germans that lived there at the time, though they resisted the occupation. Overall the Czech citizens didn’t fare well during the occupation of the Third Reich. Hundreds of thousands of Jews were killed or sent to concentration camps and labour camps. A concentration camp was based north of Prague in Terezin.
After the liberation of Czechoslavkia from the Nazis by Russia and America in 1945 the ethnic Germans that lived in the country, approximately 3 million, were expelled to Germany and Austria. Some 250,000 were allowed to remain for industry purposes.
Quick fact!
The Charles University in Prague, founded in 1348, is the oldest university in Eastern Europe, and one of the oldest in the world in continuous operation.
1948 – present
In 1948 there began a number of decades dominated by Stalin’s communist rule. Under the communist regime, all decisions were made by the Russian rulers of eastern Europe based in Moscow. Subsequently, the 20th century was a time of economic stagnation and discontent for the country. Three important times during this period of the country’s history are the Prague Spring of 1968, the Velvet Revolution of 1989 and the Velvet Divorce of 1993.
The Prague Spring was a movement which attempted to lessen the grip of the communist regime by relaxing some of the rules. This optimism was soon crushed when the Soviet troops were sent in from Moscow. The Velvet Revolution, so named for the lack of blood involved, was the return to liberal democracy and the dissolution of communism, and the Velvet Divorce, the peaceful split from Slovakia.
Today the Czech Republic, as it is now called, is a prosperous nation with a highly developed agriculture, flourishing economy and many tourist attractions. It joined the EU in 2004.
Czech language and culture
Culture of Czech Republic
The Czech Republic has a culture that is based on centuries of history and diversity. Celtic, Germanic and Slavic settlers all called what is now known as the Czech Republic their home from the 4th century B.C.E. to the 6th Century A.D. From communist Czechoslovakia to the now Czech Republic, this rich history of varying communities and migratory settlers has created a rare and timeless set of cultural traditions unique to the Czech people.
Festivals and Traditions
There are many holidays and traditions that occur in the modern day Czech Republic that are centuries old customs. The biggest holiday and festival time is that of Christmas. Traditions include a large feast, decorating a Christmas tree with candles and sweets, and placing presents under the tree. The first of January is not only the New Year, but it is also the Czech Republic Independence Day.
One of the most interesting traditions takes place on Easter Sunday; Czech boys prepare what is called an “Easter twig”, they visit girls and playfully strike their legs and bottoms with the twig so that the girls are healthy and refreshed all year round. The girls then give the boys treats and Easter eggs.
The Czech Republic is also home to many popular European music festivals, such as the Prague Winter Festival, the Prague Spring Festival and the Brno International Folklore Festival.
Music
The musical traditions of the Czech Republic are extremely diverse. Traditional, or Czech folk music, can be similar to Celtic and traditional Irish folk music. There are some major differences however, with instruments like the hurdy gurdy (a stringed instrument that operates with a complicated crank system and sounds similar to a bagpipe) and more guttural sounding singing styles, Czech folk music can have a sound and creativity all its own. Prague and Brno are also home to some of Europe’s largest music festivals. Throughout the year, there are music based festivals for opera, classical music, folk and traditional music, as well as modern pop and indie music.
Cuisine
The cuisine found throughout the country is inspired by many of the surrounding countries as well as historical influences. Czechs consume quite a lot of pork, beef and chicken. Meals are traditionally served in two or three courses.
The first course of the meal is usually a soup. Soups are normally meat or potato based, with the option of a nutmeg dumpling served with the first course. The second course of the meal is the main course. The traditional Czech main course consists of roasted or smoked meat, potatoes or noodles, and sauerkraut or dumplings. Pastries and deserts found in Czech cuisine are famous for their assorted fruit fillings and delectable creams.
Literature
Czech literature has an educational and poetic history. Throughout the Middle Ages and into the period of Enlightenment, Czech literature was solely for academic purposes. Books and scholarly works were written in Latin and German only. Books were not written in the Czech language until the Age of Enlightenment at the end of the 18th century.
Before the start of World War I, many native Czech authors began to write prose that were completely imaginative and fiction. As the country faced both World Wars, literature began to transform into works of poetry, fiction, novels and brilliant prose. After the fall of the communist party, literature became free and creative once more. Modern day authors and playwrights such as Ivan Klíma, Egon Bondy and many others have created works that are world-renowned.
Languages of Czech Republic
The official language of the Czech Republic is Czech spoken by about 96% of the population. The minority languages are Slovak, Polish and Romani while English, German and Russian are the most common foreign languages.
Basic Czech words and phrases
Hello – Dobrý den
Goodbye – Nashledanou
Please – Prosím
Thank-you – Děkuji
My name is… – Jmenuji se…
Where is…? - Kde je…?
I don’t speak Czech – Nemluvím česky
Czech republic weather
Czech Republic’s climate, although generally mild, varies according to the height above sea level – therefore, the highest mountains usually experience a 10 degree temperature difference from the rest of the country. The coldest month of the year is January, when temperatures fall below zero degrees, even in the lowlands.
Spring in the Czech Republic
Spring (particularly April or early May) is one of the best times to visit Czech Republic, as temperatures start to increase and snow begins to melt. With the average temperature rising a bit above 10°C in the lowlands, the weather is perfect for walks, photo taking and sightseeing, provided you put on boots, warm trousers and a coat.
Summer in the Czech Republic
Temperatures tend to go over 20 degrees in July and August, as this is the hottest (and wettest) season of the year. The capital receives more than 140mm rainfall during the summer; therefore, it would be best to pack an umbrella and a rain coat next to the comfortable summer clothes.
Autumn in the Czech Republic
September is only a bit colder than the summer months, but October is when temperatures really start to fall and by November the average temperature rarely exceeds 4°C. Make sure you pack a few sweaters and a coat. Rain is not uncommon so also take an umbrella and waterproof clothing.
Winter in the Czech Republic
Czech Republic doesn’t receive much sunshine during the winter day, therefore temperatures average 0°C and will regularly go under. Nights can get really cold compared to daytime temperatures, so be sure to avoid night-time walks and dress appropriately (boots, sweater and an overcoat).
Average temperatures in Prague, Brno and Ostrava
Average rainfall in Prague, Brno and Ostrava
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