Czech Update
The latest updates from news and events for all interested in Czech language and culture.
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Czech crooners (dead and alive) on YouTube
Author: Dominik Lukeš Posted: July 7th, 2008
Karel Hála, a star of Czech big band pop music since the 1950s just died as reported by Lidové Noviny. Here's a cliop of him and another stallwart of Czech pop Karel Gott.
read more »
Czech Worldmusic via Čankišou on YouTube
Author: Dominik Lukeš Posted: June 23rd, 2008
Categories: Music
• You Tube Pick
Czech folklore music often counts as World Music but this is Czech musicians having fun with what they perceive to be the music of the world. I found out about this video via an American friend who saw it on a World Music channel. read more »
Karel Gott, the never-aging pop star, marries in Las Vegas
Author: Dominik Lukeš Posted: January 13th, 2008
He's been a fixture on the Czech, German and general East European music scene since at least he mid-1960s. Started off with Rock'n'Roll and descended into broad pop in the 70s. Sold millions and millions of records and is the subject of adoration and derision in equal measure. Most Czechs and their parents have grown up listening to him and watching him win music contests. read more »
Čechomor - Czech You Tube Pick of the Week
Author: Dominik Lukeš Posted: October 10th, 2007
Song Velické zvony by a folklore rock group called Čechomor. You can get both the lyrics (sorry Czech only) and the guitar chords at Akordy.sk. The song is about a funeral for a man poisoned by his lover who is now crying for him.
read more »
Czech autumn full of jazz (festivals)
Author: Dominik Lukeš Posted: September 1st, 2007
Czech jazz has long and proud tradition. This article on Travel Video Television News has the scoop on where to travel for jazz in the Czech lands. Watch the two YouTube videos below to see what's in store (two foremost Czech jazzmen Viklický and Stivín each play a variation on a folk tune). read more »
Koledy: The sounds of Christmas
Author: Dominik Lukeš Posted: December 24th, 2006
Tradice koled pochází ze středověku - www.lidovky.cz V dnešní době jsou koledy synonymem pro vánoční písně. Ve středověku tomu tak nebylo.Koledy (Carols) are as indispensable for a Czech Christmas as carp and Christmas trees. In fact, they have a long history, going all the way to +šth century. Originally, they were associated with small gifts from householders to roving singers (trick-or-treat - Czech verb: koledovat) and were not limited just to Christmas. Now, they can be heard in homes around the country, they come on radio and appear in shopping malls and elevators. read more »
Irglová: Czech singer and actress reaps fame rewards after Oscar win
Author: Dominik Lukeš Posted: June 14th, 2008
Categories: Culture
• Film
• Idioms
• International perspectives: Czechs and the world
• Music
• National identity
• You Tube Pick
"Co Čech to muzikant" (Scratch a Czech, find a musician) goes an old Czech saying (going back to 1800s at least) that used to be known around the musical world. And now it is again! read more »
Velvet Revolution in video (YouTube weekly)
Author: Dominik Lukeš Posted: November 17th, 2007
YouTube is a great source of video to illustrate historical events and the Velvet Revolution is no exception. Here are a few clips.
Montage of moments from the days of and after 17 November: read more »
Dictionary of Czech culture
Author: Dominik Lukeš Posted: September 15th, 2007
Categories: About Czechs and Czech Republic
• Architecture
• Art
• Families
• Film
• Food and drink
• Gender relations
• Habits and customs
• History
• International perspectives: Czechs and the world
• Literature
• Music
• Myths and tales
• National identity
• Politics
• Regional Differences
• Seasons
• Sport
• Tourism
• Cultural Life
The Amazon reviewer got it right! read more »
Czech opera on YouTube
Author: Dominik Lukeš Posted: August 25th, 2007
YouTube is known mostly for funny little clips or stolen content. But it is also a great resource for music. One thing I came across by accident are a number of clips from Czech opera. This one is a famous and beautiful aria from Dvořák's Rusalka. It is sung in Czech by the American soprano Renée Fleming. read more »
