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

November 30, 2023

Christmas at the Rumcajs’ – Vánoce u Rumcajsů

“Vánoce u Rumcajsů” (Christmas at the Rumcajs’) is a charming and festive Czech tale that captures the spirit of Christmas in the world of Rumcajs and his family. In this story, set on the third Christmas, Rumcajs and Manka decide to get a carp for their Christmas Eve dinner. The narrative unfolds with delightful episodes,...

Childrens Books

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 4, 2022

Czech Fairytale – The Bird of Happiness

Today we are looking at an old Czech fairytale – The Bird of Happiness, or in Czech, Pták štěstí. It is an old Chod tale. I will first present actual scans of the book, then the text of the story, and finally, at the very end, a link to a pdf file which you may...

Childrens Books, ENTERTAINMENT

July 1, 2022

Pexeso A Czech Memory Game

Czech children love to play pexeso. Pexeso is a memory game and it really is a great family card game because you can play it with a regular pack of cards, or with picture cards that your child might like. The best part of this game is that younger players are often able to compete...

ENTERTAINMENT, Prague

February 24, 2020

Czech Fairy Tales in Advertising

During the First Republic, when shopping at the grocery store, children would receive a short fairy-tale pamphlet as part of selecting specific merchandise. These were usually printed on double-sheets with color illustrations. Usually the first page contained a picture with the name of the fairy tale, the inner part then had the text and an...

Childrens Books

February 12, 2020

The Fabulous Lost and Found and the Little Czech Mouse

A wonderful new book was brought to my attention and I believe it’s perfect for those who want to teach kids Czech. Not only is the story fun and the illustrations adorable, but there is an awesome science behind it that you”ll be happy to learn about today. This book a part of a groundbreaking...

Childrens Books, LIFESTYLE

May 25, 2019

Learning About the Czech Alphabet

One of our favorite Czech alphabet works were published as an “experimental textbook” that most remember as school posters entitled, Živá abeceda (pokusná učebnice) (Living Alphabet), published by the State Pedagogical Publishing House in 1954. Živá abeceda was created as a collective and featured the talents of Jarmila Hřebejková, Irena Fabianová, Anna Šimanová; illustrated by...

Childrens Books

November 9, 2018

All About Doggie and Pussycat: A Czech Classic of Children’s Literature

All About Doggie and Pussycat: How They Kept House and All Sorts of Other Things As Well (Czech: Povídání o pejskovi a kočičce: Jak spolu hospodařili a ještě o všelijakých jiných věcech) is a charming Czech children’s book about a dog and a cat who live together in a house and wish to do everything...

Childrens Books, ENTERTAINMENT

January 21, 2018

Fairytale Ax Soup Recipe from Honza Málem Králem

You know we love sharing Czech recipes and today we’re sharing another from a Czech pohádka (fairytale) movie called Honza Málem Králem (How Honza Almost Became a King). Czech and Czechoslovak fairytale films, known locally as pohádky are especially popular during the holidays. This specific fairytale soup is called Sekyrková polévka (Ax soup). I have elaborated a bit, added...

ENTERTAINMENT, Movies, Recipes

November 25, 2017

Czech Puppets Make a Worldwide Debut

Today’s post comes to us from an article originally written by Jacqueline Ruyak. The article appeared in the August 1996 issue of Doll World magazine. Unfortunately, I tried to search the company but to no avail. Does anyone have an update on Rezek Marionettes? Dating to medieval times, modern puppeteers keep Czech tradition alive with...

NOSTALGIA, Time Warp

October 25, 2017

Czechoslovak Armored Car from WWII Skoda Panzerwagen II Turtle

Czech Master Kits, more commonly known as CMK, has been one of the Czech Republic’s contributions to modeling since the mid-1990s. Originally it focused on the production of resin cast kits but later production expanded and a range of resin detail accessories, detail sets, and white metal accessories together with modelers’ tools and aids was...

History, NOSTALGIA

August 12, 2017

Otakar Štáfl Takes Us To The Moon and Beyond

Otakar Štáfl was born on December 30, 1884 in Havlíčkův Brod. Located in the medieval town fortifications of Havlíčkův Brod is a bastion, which today bears the name of Otakar Štáfla. He had his studio on the premises. He did not finish grammar school and headed straight for Prague where he was admitted to the...

Childrens Books, ENTERTAINMENT

June 8, 2017

The 6th Annual Conference of Czech Schools in North America

This past weekend (Friday, June 2, to Sunday, June 4, 2017), we were able to attend a few sessions of the 6th Annual Conference of Czech Schools in North America. This years conference was hosted by the Czech School of Atlanta Honoring Karel Velan and the conference organizer is a division of the Czech North America Chamber...

Czech Schools, PLACES

January 10, 2017

Czechoslovakian Folk Toys by Emanuel Hercík

The book Československé lidové hračky (Czechoslovakian Folk Toys) by Emanuel Hercík was truly a labor of love. He worked on this project for over 30 years and as you look at the illustrations, you can see his passion in each pen stroke. Hercík was born in Komárov on September 5, 1892 and died in Brno on March 8,...

LIFESTYLE

December 28, 2016

The Twelve Months – A Czech Fairy Tale

Twelve Months (O dvanácti měsíčkách) is a Czech story that dates back to the 14th-century and is attributed to Mistr Klaret. At that time and through many centuries after, it served as an exemplum, or a moralizing story. Mistr Klaret, Latin Magister Bartholomaeus de Bohemarius Solencia Dictus Claretus own name Bartholomew of Chlumec, also called Master Claret...

Childrens Books, ENTERTAINMENT