Prague Talk

Englishman Simon Johnson heads the Czech branch of developers Crestyl. They are behind Prague's major Savarin Palace project, Libeň Dock and much more besides.

Mirek Gosney on Building Hitler's Empire, a documentary about the Nazis' massive forced labour system, under which his own great-grandfather worked in Germany during WWII.

Petr Kratochvíl on a new paper he co-authored which says Russia’s war on Ukraine is novel in that it is also a fight against gender and sexual equalities, with Moscow presenting itself as a defender of traditional values against the "decadent" West.

Jindřiška Bláhová, editor of a new book looking at the history of Karlovy Vary film festival pre-1989, shares fascinating insights into the event in the Cold War era.

Foreign policy expert Benjamin Tallis on neo-idealism, and why the term applies to Jan Lipavský, and what the Ukraine crisis means for the future of the EU.

Veteran DJ Jana Kománková discusses her new book about the Prague alternative station Radio 1, including its pirate beginnings as Radio Stalin and anarchic early years.

UK linguist Danny Bate, who moves between Prague and Edinburgh, discusses some of the joys of life in Czechia, learning the language, "annoying" aspects of Czech and more.

Arne Springorum is part of a climate crisis activist group that has been blocking the main road through Prague. He says he is willing to lose a lot for his beliefs.

Pre-1989 dissident John Bok, whose parents met in England during WWII, looks back on a fascinating life. Close at one time to Havel, he stood up to the StB more than most.

California-based author Ethan Scheiner discusses his new book Freedom to Win, centred on Czechoslovakia's 1969 ice hockey wins over the USSR, and the riots that followed.

Yulia Oleinik heads UNICEF's Czech office. She discusses how well young Ukrainians, particularly small children, have been integrated – but warns about losing those gains.

Biographer Bohumil Vostal discusses the fascinating story of Czech František Bělský, the only sculptor ever to create busts of four generations of the UK royal family.

Jakub Cigler is perhaps THE architect of modern Prague. His studio is behind the redesign of Wencelsas Square and is also involved in the huge overhaul of Masaryk Station.

Director Michal Bregant on the creation of the National Film Archive under the Nazis, the restoration of classic Czech movies and how the NFA saved many treasures.

Co-founder Leon Jakimič discusses his plans to make international lighting and glass installation producers Lasvit Czechia's first new global luxury brand – and much more.

Pavel Trojan was appointed head of the Prague Spring International Music Festival last year. He Czechia's top classical event -- and his own sometimes suprising background.

The recently installed UK ambassador to Prague, Matt Field, discusses Czech-British relations, learning Czech, his experience of life in the city so far and much more.

Michal Horáček, co-writer of several of Czechia's best-loved songs, shares some great stories about his family, the Velvet Revolution, his bid for president and far more.

US journalist Mark Baker discusses the plans of communist Czechoslovakia's secret police to employ a honey trap operation to recruit him as a spy against his own country.

Architecture expert Adam Gebrian on recent development projects in Prague, including the remodeling of Wenceslas Square and the major overhaul of the Masaryk Station area.

Jiří Přibáň discusses the "gloves off" approach adopted by candidate Andrej Babiš ahead of round two of the presidential election and what he feels a Babiš win would mean.

The Czech minister of foreign affairs discusses a whole host of subjects, including Ukraine, sanctions, economic diplomacy, China, the name Czechia – and his core values.

Outgoing UK ambassador to Prague Nick Archer discusses a whole range of subjects, from matters of state to the things he has most enjoyed about life in the Czech capital.

Ivan Chvatík worked closely with Jan Patočka, helping organise underground seminars for the great Czech philosopher, and since his death has done more than anybody to keep his legacy alive. Chvatík shares stories about his clandestine activities in Communist Czechoslovakia, the deaths of his parents when he seven and much more.

Some are concerned tensions in Czech society could intensify this winter. What can the government do to prevent further radicalisation? We ask extremism expert Jan Charvát.