Czech Christmas Tree Ornaments

On December 22nd, 1812, the director of the Estates Theatre in Prague, Jan Karel Liebich, made history by introducing the first recorded Christmas tree to Czech soil. Despite resistance from Czech national revivalists, a group dedicated to preserving Czech traditions, Christmas trees gradually gained popularity and became widespread by the mid-20th century. Czech national revivalists...

Holidays

December 10, 2023

Czech Christmas Eve Traditions

Veselé Vánoce! A joyous Christmas to all from Everything Czech! In today’s special feature, we dive into the enchanting traditions of the holiday season as celebrated in the heart of the Czech lands. Much like in neighboring Slovakia and throughout central Europe, the 24th of December, Christmas Eve, takes center stage as the main event....

Holidays

December 4, 2023

Hermína Týrlová’s Czech Christmas Treasures

In today’s post, we step into the enchanting world of Hermína Týrlová’s Christmas-themed animated film shorts, where every frame is a tapestry of creativity and whimsy. As a prominent Czech animator, screenwriter, and film director, Týrlová’s masterful storytelling and innovative use of materials come to life in these beautifully crafted tales. Through her unique techniques,...

ENTERTAINMENT, Holidays, Movies

March 1, 2023

Photography Studio Ateliér Langhans

Jan Nepomuk Langhans was a renowned portrait photographer in Bohemia, operating his studio between 1888 and 1848. He captured portraits of hundreds of thousands of individuals and became a leading figure in his field. Jan Nepomuk Langhans (July 9, 1851 – March 22, 1928) was a Czech portrait photographer, who established his studio in several...

CULTURE, Photography

February 22, 2023

Ash Wednesday in the Czech Republic

Ash Wednesday, which is today, officially ushers in the Lenten period according to the Christian calendar. Around the world, numerous nations, including the Czech Republic, commemorate it. We’ll look at the history of Ash Wednesday and how it’s observed in the Czech Republic in this post. The History of Ash Wednesday Ash Wednesday is a...

CULTURE, Holidays

December 7, 2022

How Pepík and Mikeš Celebrated Christmas

Today we have a Czech Christmas tale for you. Jak Pepík a Mikeš slavili Vánoce (How Pepík and Mikeš Celebrated Christmas). It is from the 1966 Josef Lada book entitled Mikeš. We hope you enjoy it. (Click here is you cannot see the above video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymESBjcXegE) English Translation of this story… Dear children, how Pepík always...

Childrens Books, Holidays

October 28, 2022

5 Incredible Castles to Visit Near Prague

Any traveler would do well to pay a visit to the Czech Republic, a nation rich in history and culture with magnificent castles and exquisite architecture. Here are five of the most amazing castles you should visit close to Prague: Karlstejn Castle: One of the most well-known and well-preserved castles in the Czech Republic is...

Architecture, Czech Republic

October 20, 2022

The Life and Work of Ludvík Kuba

Ludvík Kuba was a Czech landscape painter, musician, writer, and professor at the Academy of Fine Arts. He was known for collecting folk traditions. He was also known as the artist of two centuries. In his painting, he was strongly influenced by both Impressionism and Art Nouveau. Ludvík Kuba studied to play the organ and...

Art and Design, Bohemians, CULTURE

September 18, 2022

Architecture: Lutheran Churches in Slovakia

Today I am sharing a few pages from a lovely book I received from Reverend Thomas J. Drobena. Thomas John was born on August 23, 1934 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Son of Thomas and Suzanne (Durec) Drobena. His heart and soul are in Moravia. Ordained to ministry Evangelical Lutheran Church in American, 1962. Grantee...

Architecture, Books, ENTERTAINMENT, History

September 10, 2022

Czechs In The American Northwest

Today we are learning a bit about Czechs in the American Northwest. My friend and historian Martin Nekola has been doing research on the Czech communities in the USA for many years. In cooperation with the Czech consulate general in Los Angeles, he recently finished a brochure about the Czechs in Northwestern states which is...

CULTURE, PEOPLE

August 5, 2022

Czech Couture by Oldřich Rosenbaum aka Oldric Royce

Today’s post tells the extraordinary story of the leading Prague tailor, couturier and clothing designer Oldřich (Ulrich) Rosenbaum (1896–1991), who for more than seventy years created an elegant and highly fashionable style of clothing for wealthy clients in Czechoslovakia and then in the USA. A renowned New York fashion designer of Prague, Czech origin who...

Art and Design, Bohemians, Fashion, LIFESTYLE

July 25, 2022

Zika & Lida Ascher Czech Textile Innovators

This is the story of Zika and Lída Ascher, famous Czech textile innovators who were entrepreneurs, artists and the United Kingdom’s hottest designer couple. They left Czechoslovakia before the break of World War II and built a textile business empire in the United Kingdom. The tale of Zika and Lida Ascher is one of survival,...

Art and Design, Bohemians, CULTURE

July 21, 2022

Czech, Moravian and Slovak Folklore Festival 2022

Today we are looking at lovely photographs from the 10th Czech, Moravian and Slovak Folklore Festival put on by the Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International. This years festival took place May 14, 2022 in La Mesa, California and from the look of these beautiful photographs by Gabi Dibos (contact info at bottom), it was a success....

CULTURE, Fashion

June 26, 2022

Czechoslovakia The Land of An Unconquerable Ideal

Today I wanted to share some illustrations by Jessie Mothersole from her book, Czechoslovakia The Land of An Unconquerable Ideal. This work of hers was inspired by a trip she took to the Czech Republic (then called First Czechoslovak Republic) in 1923 for a book she was asked to write by her London publishers. She...

Art and Design, History

June 24, 2022

Czech Illustrator Marie Fischerová-Kvěchová

Today’s post is about Czech illustrator Marie Fischerová-Kvěchová. The images below are from an old book of songs from 1925. The book is entitled, Folk Songs of Bohemia, published in 1925. A delightfully-produced collection of ten Czech love songs set to music with lyrics in English, including “Much Love”; “I Love You”; “Mariana”; “Frank”; “Johnny...

Art and Design, CULTURE

May 10, 2022

Forgotten History of Elias Palme Glassworks

Today we are learning about the forgotten history of Elias Palme Glassworks. It used to be a famous factory, now it is a famous ruin, but the aesthetics of ruin also attract people and currently, this old historic property is for sale. So who was Elias Palme (1827–1893)? Back in the times of luster and...

Bohemian Glass, History, NOSTALGIA