AGP Executive Report

Film: Brno’s 67th BRNO16 short-film festival runs October 14–18, with 33 international and 17 Czech-Slovak competition films. This year’s food theme includes Jan Švankmajer screenings and a special showing in Brno’s ossuary. Havel’s Legacy: Prague’s 30th Forum 2000 opened with awards for three Burmese pro-democracy activists and the General Strike Coordination Body, bringing together more than 800 participants from 100 countries. Czech Tradition: Irish-trained Final Orders won the Velká pardubická steeplechase, edging Czech favourite Godfrey in the race’s smallest field since 1993. Public Art: Prague 7 is turning streets into an outdoor gallery with designs by local children.

Short Film: Brno’s 67th BRNO16 runs Oct. 14–18, with 50 films in its Czech-Slovak and international competitions. This year’s theme is food, including a Jan Švankmajer retrospective. Opera & Music: The Janáček Brno festival opens Oct. 13 with Janáček’s Destiny and a programme of Czech and international artists. Civic Courage: Myanmar’s anti-coup strike coalition and three pro-democracy activists received Forum 2000’s International Award for Courage and Responsibility in Prague on Sunday. Velká Pardubická: Irish horse Final Orders won Czechia’s famed steeplechase, giving trainer Gavin Cromwell back-to-back victories. Folklore Revival: Folk costume celebrations in Parliament reflect a wider revival of tradition, now taking root even in globalised Prague. Book Fair Debate: The Czech Culture Minister was booed at Frankfurt Book Fair and criticized writer Radka Denemarková’s speech, drawing attention to tensions around culture and politics. Public Art: Prague 7 has turned streets into an outdoor gallery featuring designs by local children.

Velká Pardubická: Irish-trained Final Orders won the Czech race’s 136th edition, battling over 31 obstacles for Gavin Cromwell’s second straight victory. Forum 2000: Prague’s three-day gathering marks its 30th anniversary with Václav Havel’s legacy at its heart, as guests discuss democracy’s challenges. Travel Links: Vietjet has launched a Prague–Hanoi service, opening a new direct connection for tourism, study and cultural exchange. Czech Culture Abroad: Czechia is withdrawing from Eurovision 2027, citing budget pressures. At the Frankfurt Book Fair, Culture Minister Oto Klempíř was booed during the opening, while writer Radka Denemarková delivered a stark warning about Europe. Prague Arts: St Nicholas Bell Tower has opened an interactive exhibition, while Prague 7’s streets are getting outdoor art designed by local children.

Senate Vote: Opposition coalitions outperformed Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s ANO movement in the first round, sending 26 opposition candidates and 13 ANO candidates to next week’s runoffs. Four of five outright winners were from opposition parties. Velká Pardubická: The 136th running of the Czech Republic’s famous steeplechase takes place today in Pardubice. Just 10 horses are entered, and seven-time winner Jan Faltejsek could match Josef Váňa’s record of eight victories. Forum 2000: The Prague conference opens today, bringing around 800 participants from about 100 countries together to discuss democracy and the legacy of Václav Havel, who would have turned 90 this month. Czech Film: Šimon Holý’s “Chica Checa,” about a widow whose son introduces her to his drag persona, is drawing attention at the Newport Beach Film Festival with its story of grief, acceptance and family. Autumn Break: Mariánské Lázně offers mineral springs, historic colonnades and spa treatments in one of Czechia’s UNESCO-listed spa towns.

Dance: Canadian tap instructor Heather Dennis is heading to Prague to represent Canada at the International Dance Organization’s World Tap Dance Championship. Prague Pop Culture: A local event is bringing K-pop, matcha, DJ workshops and creative sessions together over three days. Arts Debate: Czech Culture Minister Oto Klempíř was booed at the Frankfurt Book Fair, then criticized writer Radka Denemarková’s speech, stirring debate over culture and free expression. Czech Music: Czechia is withdrawing from Eurovision 2027, citing budget pressures. Prague Attractions: The St Nicholas Bell Tower has opened a new interactive exhibition, while Prague 7 is turning streets into outdoor art featuring local children’s designs. Tourism: Prague scored ahead of Vienna and Berlin in a visitor-satisfaction ranking.

Prague Visitors: The city scored 92.7 out of 100 for visitor satisfaction, ahead of Vienna and Berlin. More than a third of visitor posts about Prague focused on art and culture. Book Fair Debate: The Czech culture minister was booed at the Frankfurt Book Fair opening, where writer Radka Denemarková warned that Europe is “turning brown.” The minister later criticized her speech. Prague Exhibitions: A new interactive exhibition has opened in the St Nicholas Bell Tower, while Prague 7 has turned streets into an outdoor art display featuring local children’s designs. Literature: A newly discovered book by Czech writer Ivan Klíma has been published a year after his death. Eurovision: Czechia will withdraw from the 2027 contest, citing budget pressures.

Prague Visitors: The city scored 92.7 out of 100 for visitor satisfaction, ahead of Vienna and Berlin. Art and culture featured in more than a third of visitors’ social media posts, while foreign visitor spending rose 18% in the first half of 2026. New Exhibition: St Nicholas Bell Tower has opened an interactive exhibition tracing its past as a fire lookout and communist-era surveillance post, with visitors able to hear its 16th-century bell. Frankfurt Book Fair: Czech Culture Minister Ota Klempíř was booed at the opening amid controversy over writer Radka Denemarková’s warning about Europe’s political direction. Prague Arts: Designblok takes over six venues this week, while Prague 7 has turned streets into outdoor art featuring designs by local children.

Prague History: A new interactive exhibition at the St Nicholas Bell Tower traces its changing role, from fire lookout to communist-era surveillance post. Visitors can also hear its 16th-century bell. Frankfurt Book Fair: Czech Culture Minister Oto Klempíř was booed at the fair’s opening, where Czechia is the guest of honour. Art and Design: Prague 7 has turned its streets into an outdoor gallery featuring local children’s designs, while Designblok 2026 is taking over six venues across the city. Film and Performance: Prague’s Indian Film Festival returns for its 23rd edition, and queer arts festival PINKBUS is back with new performances and international guests. Czech Literature: A newly discovered book by Ivan Klíma has been published a year after his death. Václav Havel: Czechs are marking the writer and former president’s 90th birth anniversary, with a recent poll finding that three-quarters view his legacy positively.

Books and Publishing: As Czechia takes the spotlight as guest of honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair, its culture minister was booed at the opening. A Czech-German discussion on publishing also highlighted shrinking readership and the pressure on independent bookshops and publishers. Prague Travel: The capital scored 92.7 out of 100 in the Global Tourist Perception Index, ahead of Vienna and Berlin; visitors gave high marks to its hotels and tourism services. What’s On: Designblok is taking over six Prague venues, while the Bollywood and Beyond Prague Indian Film Festival returns for its 23rd edition. Czech Music Abroad: Dvořák’s music joined works by Georgian and Armenian composers in a concert by the Armenian National Philharmonic Orchestra in Tbilisi, part of Armenian Cultural Days.

Frankfurt Book Fair: Czechia is this year’s Guest of Honour, with books and political debate on the programme through October 11. Culture Minister Klempíř was booed at the opening. Prague Streets: Prague 7 has brightened streets near schools with artwork based on drawings by local children; some residents have questioned the cost and safety. Design and Film: Designblok 2026 is taking over six Prague venues, while the Prague Indian Film Festival returns for its 23rd edition. Havel’s Legacy: Czechs are marking Václav Havel’s 90th birth anniversary, with events celebrating the former president and playwright; a poll found three quarters view him positively.

Prague Street Art: Prague 7 has brightened streets near local schools with large-scale designs based on children’s drawings. Residents have praised the colour, though some questioned the cost and safety of the painted surfaces. Frankfurt Book Fair: Czechia opened as guest of honour, with a programme spanning literature and political debate. Culture Minister Oto Klempíř’s speech drew boos and whistles, despite his claim it was well received. Design & Performance: Designblok 2026 takes over six Prague venues this week, while queer arts festival PINKBUS returns with new performances and international guests. Film: The Bollywood and Beyond Prague Indian Film Festival is back for its 23rd edition. Havel’s Legacy: Events mark Václav Havel’s 90th birth anniversary; a new poll finds three quarters of Czechs view the former president positively.

Culture & Politics at Frankfurt Book Fair: Czech Minister of Culture Ota Klempíř was booed at the fair’s opening as Czech writers push back on cuts to arts funding. Prague Water Tech: Podolí Waterworks opened a new central lab to monitor Prague drinking water around the clock, adding faster modern analyses plus AI and automation. Czechia in Europe-China Debate: A CHOICE seminar argues CEE’s stance on China varies widely by country, shaped by Beijing’s shifting “16+1/17+1/14+1” engagement. Václav Havel Legacy: Bill Clinton marked Havel’s 90th birthday with a saxophone tribute, recalling a Prague jazz night with the Czech dissident-president. Sports with Czech Links: England beat Czechia 3-0 in the Nations League as Harry Kane hit a record-equalling milestone; Spain also edged Croatia 2-1. Community Spotlight: Doosan Bobcat employees in Czechia and across EMEA joined volunteer days supporting public spaces, wildlife habitats, and local charities.

Frankfurt Book Fair, Czech spotlight: Czech Culture Minister Ota Klempíř’s opening address was booed as Czechia serves as Guest of Honour, with 70 writers and a strong national presence at the world’s biggest book event. Queer arts in Prague: PINKBUS returns Nov 3–14 with Forward March!, mixing theatre, dance, drag, music and visual art, including new Czech premieres and international guests. Czech culture diplomacy: CTA President Penpa Tsering will attend Prague’s Forum 2000 conference, linking democracy and human rights debates to Václav Havel’s legacy. Media freedom in Czechia: Czech editors and public broadcasters sign a “Basic Ground Rules” declaration demanding equal access to official information for all media, after disputes over journalist accreditation. Sports & culture crossover: England’s Nations League run stays in the headlines as Czech fans watch the Czech Republic’s matches amid wider European attention. Public health watch: ECDC says no evidence of sustained human-to-human plague transmission after a suspected case in Siberia, while Russia investigates.

Czech Education & Community: Belinda Weller became head of primary school at the Deutsche Schule in Prague, aiming to strengthen bilingual, international “encounters” in everyday school life. Czech Economy & Industry: Czechia’s pharma push faces headwinds from high energy costs, strict EU environmental rules, and reliance on Asian suppliers, even as the state seeks more investment in manufacturing, research and biotech. Czech Immigration & Family Life: Czechia eased short-term visa rules for relatives of Belarusians legally living in the country, expanding who can be invited for family reunions. Czech Culture & Memory: Prague marked Václav Havel’s 90th birthday with a series of cultural events, including a new play inspired by his ideas. International Politics & Archives: Hungary plans to open Communist-era informer files online, letting the public search lists of collaborators tied to Cold War repression. Sports & Czech Spotlight: Jirí Lehecka reached the Japan Open final, setting up a title match against Carlos Alcaraz. Arts & Film: VIFF screened “Send the Rain,” a story of Okinawan Canadian identity and wildfire evacuation, shaped by director Hayley Gray and cinematographer Kaayla Whachell.

Prague Sports Infrastructure: The City of Prague is set to expand Aquacentrum Šutka in Prague 8, with plans for a new covered 50-metre pool, outdoor swimming, wellness facilities, a hotel and even an ice rink—aimed at serving both the public and schools, clubs and elite athletes. Belarus-Czech Mobility: The Czech government has expanded short-term visa options for some Belarusian citizens to invite close relatives, including parents, grandparents, children and grandchildren, for those with Czech citizenship or long-term residence permits. Czech Culture & Memory: Czechs are marking Václav Havel’s 90th birth anniversary, with multiple events highlighting his legacy. Arts & Film (Czech link): Ukrainian director Oleh Sentsov has started pre-production on the fiction feature “Kai,” with producers from Ukraine, Poland, Germany, France and the Czech Republic, set to film in Ukraine in early 2027. Health Awareness: A Prague oncologist warns that cancer can show up through vague, persistent symptoms that people often dismiss—urging earlier check-ups.

Designblok 2026: Prague’s international design festival returns Oct 6–11 across six venues, themed “Light,” with exhibitions, talks and installations tackling social and economic challenges. Havel90: Czechia marks Václav Havel’s 90th birthday with plaques, exhibitions and discussions nationwide, coordinated by the Havel90 project. Prague music tourism: Depeche Mode fans are flocking to Charles Bridge to recreate an iconic 1988 Pietà photo, turning the landmark into a pop-culture pilgrimage. Film & culture: The Prague Indian Film Festival (Oct 8–10) brings Bollywood, arthouse and a vampire comedy to Kino Světozor. Sports with a Czech link: England’s 7–0 Nations League rout of Croatia sparks debate after Luka Modrić says the team looked “four or five players” short; meanwhile Czech player Nikola Bartunkova stuns Aryna Sabalenka in Beijing. EU politics: Brussels moves closer to a possible EU funding and registration crackdown on the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN).