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Carolina (English) No 155
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STUDENT'S E-MAIL NEWS FROM CZECHOSLOVAKIA
Faculty of Social Science of Charles University
Smetanovo nabr. 6
110 01 Prague 1
Czech Republic
e-mail: CAROLINA@cuni.cz
tel: (+42 2) 24810804, ext. 252, fax: (+42 2) 24810987
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
C A R O L I N A No 155, Friday, April 14, 1995.
EVENTS FOR THE WEEK APRIL 5-12
Vaclav Havel Returns from Journey to the Pacific
President Havel returned on Sunday from a two-week trip to the
Pacific, where he was promoting Czech business interests. Havel himself
evaluated the trip as a great success, saying he had paved the way for
Czech firms to enter the Pacific Asian market, which experts see as
a trade center soon to rival those of Europe and the United States.
One of the main reasons for Havel's visit was to commemorate the
50th anniversary of the end of World War II in the Pacific, an event
which the president said was comparable in importance with the defeat of
Germany. Tomas Kopecny/Mirek Langer
Prime Minister Klaus Negotiates with Dutch Counterpart
Czech integration into European structures was the main subject of
discussion between Vaclav Klaus and Wim Kok in The Haag last Thursday.
According to the Dutch prime minister, the Czech Republic could be
admitted relatively soon.
Both Wim Kok and Dutch Foreign Minister Hans Mierle voiced support
for the Czech Republic's admission in the coming months to the
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and in the
coming years to the European Union (EU) and then NATO.
Andrea Rihova/Tomas Kopecny
Foreign Minister Zieleniec on Integration of Czechs in NATO
On his return from a one-day visit to the United States, Czech Foreign
Minister Josef Zieleniec said he welcomed the decision of both NATO and
the United States to expand the North Atlantic alliance on an individual
basis. According to him, the Czech Republic and Poland could be the
first two new NATO admissions.
According to the Czech daily "Lidove noviny," the United States
wants to make it clear to the Kremlin that NATO expansion has already
been decided and that Russia will not have the right to veto any new
members of the alliance. Andrea Rihova/Tomas Kopecny
Parliament Head Uhde Visits European Parliament
Czech Parliament Chair Milan Uhde visited Strassbourg April 5 on
a one-day visit to the European Parliament for meetings with the heads
of parliament of the six European Union associate countries.
Said Uhde, after meeting with EP Chair Klaus Hansch and the heads
of the Polish and Bulgarian legislatures, "Both East European partners
would like to firm up their contacts with the Czech Republic and toward
this end invited us for a visit."
From Svobodne slovo by Andrea Rihova/Alex Zucker
Sudeten Germans Demand Dialogue with Czech Government
The leaders of the Sudetendeutsche Landsmannschaft will demand to
be part of an official German government delegation for negotiation with
the Czech Republic unless the Czech government agrees to a dialogue with
Landsmannschaft representatives.
Rudolf Hilf, German publicist and historian, said this in a speech
last weekend at a conference on Czech-German relations in the South
Moravian town of Jihlava. Other signatories of the document
"Reconciliation 95" (see the last issue of Carolina) also attended the
conference.
One of the main issues discussed in Jihlava was the recent Czech
Constitutional Court verdict upholding the "Benes decrees" which
stripped Sudeten Germans of their property in Czechoslovakia after World
War II. According to Herbert Werner, president of the Ackermann Society,
this verdict could make the Czech Republic's reputation worse. Hilf
labeled the verdict "barbaric."
Some of the conference's participants said they believed Hilf's
demand to be included in the government-level negotiations was aimed at
Prague rather than Bonn.
According to the head of the Czech president's office, Lubos
Dobrovsky, Hilf's threats could strengthen Czech nationalism, which
Dobrovsky is against. "I am sure the politics of blackmail will not
became the policy of the government in Bonn," he said.
Vera Vitkova/Mirek Langer
Christian Democrat Believes Death Penalty Was Recalled Too Soon
In a live debate Sunday on TV Nova, Minister of Education and
Chairman of the Christian Democratic Party (KDS) Ivan Pilip said that if
the death penalty still existed in this country today, he would not call
for it to be repealed.
Reacting to a petition written by relatives of a brutally murdered
10-year-old boy in which they called for the reinstatement of the death
penalty, Pilip said society should protect itself from people who so
clearly digress from its rules. He dismissed the Council of Europe's
argument that the death penalty could not be reinstated.
Said KDS Vice Chair Vaclav Benda, "There are and always will be
good reasons for keeping the death penalty." He said Parliament's
decision to repeal it five years ago had been rash. Representatives of
the Club of Engage Non-Communists (KAN) and the opposition
National-Social Liberal Party (LSNS), neither of which are in
Parliament, were of the same opinion.
The spokesperson of the other Christian party in the government
- KDU-CSL - said the only other acceptable solution was a life prison
sentence. The strongest government party, the ODS, has not taken an
official standpoint and is allowing its members to decide in accordance
with their conscience. The successors to the Communist Party, the Left
Bloc and the Party of the Democratic Left, agreed in their denouncment
of the death penalty.
In a column for the daily "Lidove noviny," Vaclav Belohradsky
pointed out the severe conflict between the standpoint of the Christian
parties and that of the Pope's recent encyclic, adding that it is hard
to avoid succumbing to the "un-Christian" desire for revenge. Another
commentary in "Mlada Fronta Dnes" favored a more neutral solution - life
in prison.
Polls show two-thirds of Czechs in favor of the death penalty and
17 percent against. Jiri Schneider/Andrea Snyder
Teachers Threaten to Strike for Higher Pay
More than 150 South Moravian schools have joined teachers in Zlin
demanding higher pay. In addition to higher pay scales, they are calling
for twice-annual inflation adjustments in June and December.
Most teachers, as well as the teachers' unions, however, do not
agree with the threat to walk out on strike unless the Ministry of
Education meets their demands by June 15.
The Ministry of Education has rejected the teachers' appeal, noting
that in July it is planning to raise salaries 18 to 20 percent for
current teachers, as well as to improve salaries for starting teachers.
The low teachers' salaries often lead to older retirees taking the
place of younger teachers. Mirek Langer/Eftychia Damianidou
Minister Holan Claims Army Managed Funds Poorly
The Supreme Accounting Office (NKU) has unearthed discrepancies of
several hundred million crowns in funds managed by the Czech Army,
according to the Czech daily "Rude pravo." The newspaper reported that
there had been widespread violation of "legal regulations in exercising
the right to manage state funds."
Defense Minister Vilem Holan admitted to journalists that state
funds had been poorly allocated between 1990 and 1994, saying it was in
part due to administrative shortcomings. Had the inspection not taken
place, Holan said, he would have ordered it himself.
"There will be connected consequences" once personal blame can be
assigned, Holan said, though he added he had yet to study the NKU's
report. He denied speculations that the audit would create chaos at his
ministry. Just the opposite, said Holan, it is going "from terrible
disorder toward gradual order and gradual cultivation."
From Rude pravo by Tereza Hadravova/Andrea Snyder
Hundreds Turn Out for Vavrousek's Funeral
The funeral for former Czechoslovak environment minister Josef
Vavrousek and his 19-year old daughter Petra took place at the Bethlehem
Chapel in Prague's Old Town. Vavrousek and his daughter, who has yet to
be found, probably died March 18 in an avalanche in the western Tatra
mountain range in Slovakia.
Hundreds of people took part in the funeral service, including
representatives of Charles University, of Czech and foreign
environmental organizations, foreign diplomats, mountain climbers,
students, Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus, Social Democrat leader Milos
Zeman, Minister of Transportation Jan Stransky, Prague Mayor Jan Koukal,
and current Czech Environment Minister Frantisek Benda.
Former Czechoslovak Prime Minister Marian Calfa, Free Democrat
leader Jiri Dienstbier, and Faculty of Social Sciences Dean Miloslav
Petrusek spoke at the funeral. Vavrousek was vice dean of the Faculty of
Social Sciences. The service concluded with the national anthem.
Tereza Hadravova/Andrea Snyder
New Measures Taken Against Careless Drivers
The highway patrol has announced a clampdown on careless drivers
under pressure from the Ministry of Transportation, which is worried
about the rise in undisciplined drivers on the roads.
Police headquarters are sending out new schedules of recommended
fines, Chief of Police Oldrich Tomasek announced at an April 6 press
conference. He urged police to use the highest fines on the scale.
Traffic police may assess on-the-spot fines of as much as 2,000
crowns to drivers who run a red light, exceed the speed limit, fail to
respect right of way, or pass in a non-passing zone. Any driver who
violates traffic regulations but does not endanger others will be
slapped with a 500-crown fine.
Tomasek said police could assess fines of up to 10,000 crowns on
the spot, though in the case of court prosecution, the driver could end
up paying as much as 15,000. However, Zdenek Bambas, director of the
Traffic Patrol Services Administration, disagreed, saying careless
drivers may be fined a maximum of 7,000 crowns in court, with the
highest on-the-spot fine 2,000.
The new fine schedule is not yet official, as some details remain
to be settled. Jana Maruskova/Andrea Snyder
National Fund Chairman Injured in Car Accident
Roman Ceska, chairman of the National Property Fund (FNM), had an
accident April 5 on his way to a Cabinet meeting in Kolodeje when the
car he was riding in crashed into the front of a truck. Both drivers
were badly hurt, though Ceska escaped with only a slight injury.
The driver of Ceska's Tatra 613 has been charged by police with
bodily harm and negligence, and now faces a maximum penalty of five
years in prison. Jana Maruskova/Katerina Rus
Female National Minorities to Drop "-ova" Ending on Last Name
The Czech Republic is going to abolish the requirment that women
attach the traditional "-ova" ending to their last names in order to
avoid violating its own Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms and
also to comply with the Council of Europe's General Agreement on
National Minorities.
Igor Nemec, chairman of the Czech Republic's Council on
Nationalities, announced this move, saying it would apply only to women
belonging to national minorities.
He said it would also be necessary to allow women living in areas
where two languages are spoken to have two names. This is especially
relevant in the Tesin region, bordering on Poland, where the Czech
Republic's Polish minority is concentrated. Muhammad Shah/Katerina Rus
BUSINESS/ECONOMICS
Exchange Rates of the Czech National bank (valid from April 13)
Checks Cash
country buy sell middle buy sell
Great Britain 1 GPB 41,391 41,807 41,599 40,18 43,02
France 1 FRF 5,313 5,367 5,340 5,14 5,54
Japan 100 JPY 31,018 31,330 31,174 29,87 32,47
Canada 1 CAD 18,184 19,038 18,943 18,05 19,83
Austria 1 ATS 2,635 2,661 2,648 2,59 2,71
Germany 1 DEM 18,542 18,728 18,635 18,18 19,10
Switzerland 1 CHF 22,515 22,741 22,628 22,13 23,13
USA 1 USD 26,027 26,289 26,158 25,46 26,86
Slovakia 1 XCU -- -- 34,286 -- --
CULTURE
Detective Writer Dick Francis in Prague for Three Days
Dick Francis, the near legendary British author of horse-track
detective stories, arrived in the Czech Republic April 9 for his third
visit to Prague. Besides meeting with friends and fans, he also paid
a visit to the horsetrack in Chuchle.
The 75-year-old former jockey admitted that it had been nine years
since he last sat on a horse. Writing books is much more difficult,
according to him. Francis said that he was working on a new book though
he would not reveal the plot.
Accompanying Francis was Jaroslava Moserova, the former Czech
ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, who translates his books into
Czech. According to her, Francis has the same qualities as the heroes of
his books - honor and a sense of fair play. Vera Vitkova/Katerina Rus
10th Czech Film of 1995 a 13th-Century Historical Drama
The story of the legendary Zdislava of Lemberk is the 10th Czech
movie to come out this year, opening in Prague on April 11. Directed by
Ludvik Raza, "V erbu lvice" ("In the Lioness' Coat-of-Arms"), is based
on the 1977 novel of the same name by Alena Vrbova.
The story takes place in the mid-13th century at the Lemberk castle
near the small town of Jablonne (Northern Bohemia) where the
aristocratic Zdislava uses her abilities as a healer to help the
townspeople.
Milena Steinmasslova plays Zdislava, and appearing in his final
role as a delirious monk is Josef Kemr, who died earlier this year.
But there is another side to this movie, as there were
disagreements on the title, which was changed several times prior to
release. While the working title was simply "Zdislava," in the final
stages the makers reached an agreement with the producer to rename it
"Zdislava of Lemberk," which was then used in the promotional campaign,
including the movie posters.
Less then three weeks before the premiere, however, the producer
had to change the name to "In the Lioness' Coat-of-Arms," as director
Georgi Ivanov claimed he had already registered the title "Zdislava" for
a film on the same subject he was making and his producers were
threatening to sue to protect the name.
Vrbova, the author of the book, agreed to the name-change in
Raza's version. Tomas Kopecny/Katerina Rus
"Finale 1995" Film Festival Closes with Awards Ceremony
"Indianske leto" ("The Indian Summer"), Sasa Gedeon's directorial
debut, won the Golden Kingfisher award in the Finale 1995 film festival,
which we wrote about in the last issue of Carolina.
Martin Dejdar won best actor for his starring role in "Ucitel
tance" ("The Dance Instructor") and Ivana Chylkova took best actress for
"Diky za kazde nove rano" ("Thanks for Each New Morning").
Tomas Kopecny/Mirek Langer
SPORTS
With a Lot of Luck, Sparta Defeats Slavia
In round 21 of the Czech soccer league, all eyes were focused on
the match between the league leaders, the 127th running of the "Prague
S Derby," Sparta Prague vs. Slavia Prague.
Both teams came out with heavy emphasis on defense, battling hard
for every square meter of the playing field. Slavia Prague had the first
scoring chances, but the real drama came only after halftime when
national team defender and Slavia captain Jan Suchoparek needlessly got
himself ejected in the 68th minute.
Sparta, now with a a one-man advantage, stepped up the pressure.
First Hornak had a header saved stopped by Slavia's goalpost, then
substitute Koller failed to capitalize on two big chances. Just as it
was looking like the match would end in a draw, Kristofik, a Slovak who
plays for Slavia, lost the ball to Sparta's Nedved who turned round and
skillfully found the upper corner of the Slavia goal.
In the run for the league title, then, Slavia now leads Sparta by
just two points.
Other results: Union Cheb - FK Jablonec 0:2, Viktoria Plzen
- Bohemians Praha 4:0, Slovan Liberec - Ceske Budejovice 0:1, Sigma
Olomouc - Svarc Benesov 2:1, Viktoria Zizkov - Petra Drnovice 0:1, Svit
Zlin - Banik Ostrava 0:0, Boby Brno - Hradec Kralove 0:0.
Rudolf Cernik/Mirek Langer
Czech and Slovak Figure Skating Success
Slovak figure skater Jozef Sabovcik took the silver at the
professional world championships in Paris, finishing behind Paul Wylie
of the United States. Petr Barna of the Czech Republic finished fourth.
Czech and Slovak fans remember Jozef Sabovcik as the first skater
to attempt a jump with four spins in a major competition. Since he
landed on both feet, however, Canadian Brian Orser's name made the
record books instead. Mirek Langer/M. Langer
WEATHER
While last week the sun colored Prague's rooftops gold with
unusually warm temperatures, since Sunday the weather has been changing
(as usual for April), with temperatures ranging from 0 to 15 degrees
Celsius. So if you're going to Prague, take your swimsuit, a cap and an
umbrella. Martina Krizkova/Mirek Langer
SUPPLEMENT 1
Czech Easter, Yesterday and Today
Easter, according to the dictionary, is the most important religion
in Christianity, commemorating the death and resurrection of Jesus
Christ. Theologically and historically this holiday is connected with
the Jewish holiday of Pesah, when Jesus was crucified. The heart of
Easter is Easter Sunday, the celebration of Jesus' rise from the dead,
falling on the first Sunday after the first spring full moon.
According to Czech custom, the most important day of the Easter
cycle is Monday. The custom itself dates back a long way, as does the
decoration of the Easter egg. Originally it was a magic ceremony only
for adults and only later did it take on a playful nature. The boys walk
from one house to another whipping girls and woman with the pomlazka,
a braided willow sprig, which is supposed to ensure that the next year
they will be healthy, happy and diligent. In return, the boys then
receive the decorated Easter eggs. Traditional baked goods are also an
inseparable part of the Czech Easter holiday, with lambs, hot cross
buns, bochanky and cakes.
Today Easter is celebrated not only in villages, but also in towns.
Proof is the event "Czech Easter 95," taking place on Prague's Old Town
Square April 7 to 17. The public will have the chance to see 42 stands
selling traditional artistic handicrafts. The organizers have also
planned various competitions in the Easter spirit. Every day there will
be concerts and performances, celebrating the holiday's folk traditions.
P.S. To make your Easter more happy and rich, here is a recipe for
a great Easter cake:
1/2 kg of flour , 12 dg of butter, 10 dg of sugar, 3 egg yolks, 3
and 1/2 dg of yeast, 200 ml of milk, salt, 3 dg of almonds, 4 dg of
raisins, vanilla, lemon peel, a little bit of rum, crushed almonds.
With a little mild milk, a teaspoon of sugar and crushed yeast make
a leaven. In a serving dish wipe the butter, the sugar and the yolks,
then add vanilla, lemon peel, salt, rum, the rised leaven and the mild
milk. Mix in the flour, the peeled roasted almonds and the raisins.
First knead the dough with the cooking spoon, then with the rolling
board. Leave it to rise, then make one or two small Easter cakes. After
the rising spread the eggs, cut with a cross and sprinkle on the crushed
almonds. Bake on a medium flame at first, later lower it.
On behalf of everyone at Carolina, Eftychia Damianidou and Martina
Krizkova wish you bon appetit and a Happy Easter.
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Our Calling Cards, or Who's Who on the Staff of This Year's Carolina
(Translated by Vera Vitkova)
I am 19 years old, almost 20. What I like is summer, water, wine,
good food, newspapers, books, sculptures, paintings, Bach, jazz and my
Russian boyfriend with whom I've been living in Prague for some time.
I've got a sister, parents and step-parents. I don't have a dog.
Martina Krizkova
I am 20. I graduated from gymnasium (high school) in 1992. Then
I worked in several Czech dailies - Cesky denik (the Czech Daily),
Telegraf (Telegraph), Lidove noviny (the People's Newspaper), always as
an editor of Czech news. For a while I was also employed in an agency
dealing with public relations, but I did not enjoy it a whole bunch. At
the moment I am studying at the Department of Journalism at the Faculty
of Social Studies at Charles University (FSV UK). Apart from my studies,
I am working as a reporter at Tyden (the Week) magazine in the Events
section, covering mostly politics and the economy. Besides this
I totally enjoy reading everything, if possible, as well as listening to
classical and rock music. Not to forget, I love skiing. As well, I go
crazy about animals. Stepanka Kucerova
M. K., or the Life of a Beginning Journalist
I was born on October 28, 1975. That's the day when the entire
Czech nation celebrates its national holiday. I was brought up in
a foothills town with a population of six thousand people. Already
during my high school studies I was enchanted by radio. I started to
work at a student radio station broadcasting once every two weeks. This
activity foreshadowed my decision regarding my future studies. I applied
for a journalism major at the FSV UK and, eventually, I was accepted.
Soon after I had started my studies, the passion for radio was revealed
in myself again. I began to work as an announcer for the Classics Radio
Station. This station broadcasts almost only classical music and
partially journalistic programs. What I like is beautiful music,
literature and the arts. Martin Kupka
There's a man who's been (for 18 years) emitting radioactivity derived
from his home, the uranium-mine-filled town of Pribram, thus influencing
the people and the environment surrounding him. In his view, within the
18 years he's been getting less and less normal, because a jacket is
what he likes to put on most of all while he would not be caught wearing
jeans, because he likes to listen to classical (Czechs call it
"serious") music while he would have to be violently forced in order to
listen to heavy metal. This man had always thought he would become
a teacher one day (physics and mathematics) until the day he learned
that he was accepted to study journalism. Being pretty hopeless in P.E.
(physical education), he'll be deeply engraved in the minds of two
generations of P.E. teachers. Yet, despite this fact, he enjoys doing
the sports reports. By the way, already in his early childhood he was
fortunate to be the commentator covering the great successes of Czech
sports when leaning over sports toys such as Hockey Igra and Chemoplast
Soccer. This man is, I beg your pardon, me. Mirek Langer
For the great favor I did for my parents (meaning that I was born) I got
the pretty ordinary, not-too-nice name of Jana. This happened one fall
of the year 1974. Within the 20 years of my life I've been able to
graduate from a gymnasium in my hometown of Brandys nad Labem, to get my
graduation certificate, and to start my studies at the Social Law
Academy in Prague. I've always felt close to the issues of law and
journalism. I've always strived to link these two issues somehow and so
I started to work with the staff of Cesky denik (the Czech Daily). In
1994 I was fortunate enough to pass the college entrance exams at both
the Faculty of Law and the Department of Journalism. Nowadays I am
trying to keep pace at both schools and at the same time not to lose
contact with the intense social life I'm enjoying. Jana Maruskova
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