British Czech and Slovak Association 2010 Writing Competition
An author may submit any number of entries. The competition will be judged by a panel of experts. The writer of the prize-winning entry will be notified by 30 September 2010. Entry is free.
Submissions are invited from individuals of any age, nationality or educational background. Entrants do not need to be members of the BCSA.
The writer of this year's winning entry will be presented with the prize at the BCSA’s annual dinner in London in November 2010. The piece will be published in the December 2010 issue of the British Czech and Slovak Review.
Fact or fiction – both are welcome. A first prize of £300 and a second prize of £100 will be awarded to the best 1,500 to 2,000-word pieces of original writing in English on the links between Britain and the Czech/Slovak Republics, or describing society in transition in the Republics since the Velvet Revolution in 1989. Topics can include history, politics, the sciences, economics, the arts or literature. Entries should be submitted by post to the BCSA Prize Administrator, 24 Ferndale, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 3NS, England, or by email to prize@bcsa.co.uk
Entries should be received by 31 July 2010.
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BOOK Castles, Country Houses and other Monuments in the care of the National Heritage Institute
The English version of Hrady, zámky a další památky ve správě Národního památkového ústavu was released last week by the central office of the Národní památkový ústav - National Heritage Institute - in Prague. This lavishly illustrated book on the 114 properties managed by the state includes many photographs of the interiors, gardens and contents that have never been seen before, as well as a detailed building history, placing the buildings in their European context. As such it is a revelation.
Originally written by Karel Kuča, author of the Atlas of Monuments in the Czech Republic, the multi-volume Towns & Villages in the Czech, Moravian & Silesian Lands, and many other books, it has been translated and amended for the English reader by art historian Harriet Landseer, who has been leading museum tours to many of these castles for over 15 years.
The Czech Republic has the densest network of castles and country houses in the world; over 350 of them are open to the public. This is the first ever in-depth architectural history of many of the best of them to be published in English, and as such has been eagerly awaited.
Available directly from the NPU - National Heritage Institute - in Prague www.npu.cz and redakce@up.npu.cz at select bookshops in Prague, or from www.amazon.co.uk from March. ISBN 978-80-87104-50-7
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BOOK Bellaria: the work of František Jakub Prokyš This exquisite book by Czech publisher Fotomida celebrates the decorative paintings of Prokyš. The book is filled with beautiful photographs by Michal Tůma of Prokyš‘s work in situ in several buildings in South Bohemia. The painter‘s work also adorns the interior of the Music Arbour, recently restored with help from the Friends of Czech Historic Buildings, Gardens and Parks: click here to to be taken to 'Our Work', second item on page.
Postal address: Fotomida,U Tří lvů 11, 37001, České Budějovice, Czech Republic. Telefon/fax: +420 386 353 315
Also of interest by the same photographer and publishers and in the same format is the book ‘The Story of the Masquerade Hall in Český Krumlov Castle’. These beautifully produced books are available in English.
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ART+DESIGN The Baroque
The Czech Republic has a cultural significance out of all proportion to
its size. Architecturally it has one of the richest concentrations of
great houses and castles in Europe, numerous important historic gardens
and parks and countless enchanting and unspoilt Renaissance and Baroque
towns.
The great castle of Český Krumlov was once part of the
huge Schwarzenberg properties in South Bohemia. The château gardens were
laid out in the late-18th century as a series of Baroque terraces,
reached by way of a remarkable four-level bridge and corridor
construction that leads from one wing of the castle across a ravine. The
topmost corridor passes through the roof of the Castle Theatre.
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OPERA Exciting new productions in PraguePhotos by Hana Smejkalová
In repertoire until 21st October 2010 there is a new production of Les contes d'Hoffmann by Offenbach in the National Theatre,
A new production of Mozart's Idomeneo runs in the unique Theatre of the Estates, in repertoire until 23rd January 2011.
The permanent exhibition on three floors of the Veletržní palác acquaints visitors with the development of Czech and foreign fine art during the course of the last two centuries. The extensive exhibition space in this Functionalist building is home to over 2,300 exhibits and spans an area of1 3,500m2. The exhibition presents the work of leading artists in Czech fine art in monographic profiles or in a selection of key works, along with the work of foreign artists. The image of the period is complemented with examples of architecture, furniture, the applied arts, fashion, design and stage design.You will also find photographs, drawings and prints concentrated in graphic cabinets. Alongside celebrated figures there are works by artists who have been neglected in the past or are yet to be discovered. Czech art is shown through qualities which distinguish it from its international counterparts and which make it unique.
Open Tuesday to Sunday 10.00 - 18.000
National Gallery/ Národní
galerie, Dukelských hrdinů 47, Praha 7 - Holešovice.
From the Old
Town: Tram 17, direction Sídliště Ďáblice Tram 14, direction Vozovna
Kobylisy
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BOOK Castles, Country Houses and other Monuments in the care of the
BOOK Bellaria: the work of František Jakub Prokyš This exquisite book by Czech publisher Fotomida celebrates the decorative paintings of Prokyš. The book is filled with beautiful photographs by Michal Tůma of Prokyš‘s work in situ in several buildings in South Bohemia. The painter‘s work also adorns the interior of the Music Arbour, recently restored with help from the Friends of Czech Historic Buildings, Gardens and Parks: 
The Czech Republic has a cultural significance out of all proportion to
its size. Architecturally it has one of the richest concentrations of
great houses and castles in Europe, numerous important historic gardens
and parks and countless enchanting and unspoilt Renaissance and Baroque
towns.
In repertoire until 21st October 2010 there is a new production of Les contes d'Hoffmann by Offenbach in the National Theatre, 
A new production of Mozart's Idomeneo runs in the unique Theatre of the Estates, in repertoire until 23rd January 2011. 
The permanent exhibition on three floors of the Veletržní palác acquaints visitors with the development of Czech and foreign fine art during the course of the last two centuries. The extensive exhibition space in this Functionalist building is home to over 2,300 exhibits and spans an area of1 3,500m2. The exhibition presents the work of leading artists in Czech fine art in monographic profiles or in a selection of key works, along with the work of foreign artists. The image of the period is complemented with examples of architecture, furniture, the applied arts, fashion, design and stage design.You will also find photographs, drawings and prints concentrated in graphic cabinets. Alongside celebrated figures there are works by artists who have been neglected in the past or are yet to be discovered. Czech art is shown through qualities which distinguish it from its international counterparts and which make it unique.