Starting from September, first activity you are warmly welcomed to is Technika Run on 27th September. This charity race takes place in the campus of university and offers two racing tracks (5km and 10km). The next day, 28th September, is Saint Wenceslas Day so it means no classes and you can have a rest after the charity run. This day the shops and all state institutions will be closed.
International Week takes place on the Faculty of Economics from 10th to 14th October. You will have a chance to hear interesting lectures from international academics. 28th October is the anniversary of Independent Czechoslovak republic which was created in 1918. It is a big event in the Czech and Slovak history. Of course, school and other institutions will be closed. The end of the month is traditionally dedicated to Halloween celebrations. You can look forward to many parties.
November starts on a little bit of a sad note because on 2nd November people in the Czech Republic remind themselves of all the deceased loved ones. This means they are going to the cemetery in the evening and light a candle. 16th November is the Day of Students and Academic Council ceremonial session at our university and all classes are cancelled. Another very important day is 17th November. It is the anniversary of The Struggle for Freedom and Democracy or shortly The Velvet Revolution. On this day in 1989 students went through the streets of Prague and demonstrated against the totalitarian government. The police intervened very harshly and it caused other demonstrations and protests against the government. This was one of the momentous events that led towards the downfall of the Iron Curtain.
Hand in hand with December the Christmas time is coming. From 1st December there are Christmas markets in all bigger cities all around the Czech Republic. Don’t miss them and try to feel the magical Christmas spirit. The Czech Republic celebrates Christmas on 24th December – Christmas Eve. On this day families are together and spend the day by decorating a Christmas tree, eating sweets, drinking cocoa and watching fairy tales. The most important period of the day is Christmas Eve when families meet at dinner, which composes of pea or fish soup and fried carp with potato salad. After dinner it is time for opening of presents and having fun. Some families are also going to church for Midnight Mass. On Christmas Day and Saint Stephen´s Day the program is pretty much the same as on Christmas Eve. Families are together and enjoy the time with each other.
31st December is almost the same everywhere. Last day of a year people celebrate and welcome New Year with fireworks and champagne. On 1st January the Czech Republic marks the anniversary of establishment of the Czech Republic in 1993.
Author: Karolína Ondrušková