ČZU Welcome Centre for International Scholars and Researchers

☀️ Don’t let your Czech rust this summer!
As our Welcome Centre courses with Alena and Kristýna wrap up for the semester, there are many of amazing ways to keep practicing your language skills before we return in October.
Alena’s suggestions:
Charles University (UJOP) – Renowned Summer School & flexible semester options.
Czech Language Training (CZLT) – Intensive 2-week, evening, or weekend classes.
Mozaika – High-intensity courses, ideal for long-term learners.
AKCENT IH – Great summer intensive and standard programmes.
JIPKA – Popular public group classes with a free trial lesson.

Newly arrived foreigners can check out affordable or free programs at
ICP (Integration Center Prague) and
CIC (Center for Integration of Foreigners).
We hope you will have a wonderful summer, enjoy your holidays, and continue improving your Czech along the way. We look forward to seeing you again in the next semester!

Walking through history 🇨🇿🚶‍♀️✨
Last Saturday, our amazing community traded their weekend lie-ins for a guided walk through Prague’s stunning, story-packed hilltop terrain. Huge thanks to everyone who joined us and braved the weather! 🌧️💪
Our incredible guide, Monika, made the familiar feel completely new. A few highlights from our history class:
Standing at Písecká brána, we learned this gate was once the actual entrance to Prague. It’s wild to see how fast the metropolis exploded outward in the 20th century!
Up at the Castle District, we got an introduction to Jože Plečnik—the Slovenian architect hired by President Masaryk to modernize the complex.
We wrapped up at Malostranské náměstí, standing right in front of the building that hosted Czechoslovakia’s very first television broadcast!
A massive thank you to Monika for being the ultimate guide, and to our wonderful community for bringing the best energy.
👉 Missed out? We can’t wait to see you at the next event!

Are you feeling cold last days? There is a reason for that! ❄️ You’ve just met Pankrác, Servác, and Bonifác—collectively known as the Ledoví muži (Ice Saints) in the Czech Republic. These three saints—celebrated from May 12th to 14th—are legendary in Central Europe. According to folk tradition, they bring a final “signature” cold snap and morning frosts before summer truly begins.
Farmers have observed this meteorological phenomenon since the Middle Ages. It was so reliable that it became a crucial rule for agriculture: Never plant your heat-loving crops (like tomatoes or cucumbers) until the Ice Men have passed.
It’s not just a myth! Meteorologists call this a “singularita” (a weather singularity). Around mid-May, cold polar air often flows into Central Europe as the continent warms up, causing a sharp, temporary drop in temperature even when the previous days felt like summer.
So put your wintercoats back on, and be patient…or find a sauna 😅

On May 8th, the country observes Den vítězství (Victory Day) to commemorate the end of World War II in Europe in 1945. 🕊️

​It is a profound day dedicated to honoring peace, freedom, and the sacrifices made to liberate the former Czechoslovakia. Across the country today, you will see Czech flags flying proudly and wreaths laid at local memorials. 🕯️

​...And on a slightly less historical note, you will also notice securely locked supermarket doors and public transport taking a bit of a breather today. 🛒🚋 (We hope you bought your groceries yesterday!)

​Enjoy the peaceful day off! 🌸

📸 Photo credit: Profimedia.cz

🇨🇿🤝🇵🇱 Hosting colleagues from SGGW!
We were delighted to welcome a delegation from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW) to our Prague campus for two days full of sharing ideas and experiences.
From exchanging best practices at EURAXESS to a (rainy but lovely ☔) campus tour—including the greenhouse, Welcome Centre, brewery, and Food Pavilion—the visit was packed with inspiration.
Day two brought insightful presentations, discussions on internationalization, and a great Q&A with our international PhD students 🌍
A big thank you to our Polish colleagues for the visit—we’re looking forward to future collaborations!

A day of protests, parades… and a kiss under a cherry tree? 🇨🇿

May 1st in the Czech Republic has a fascinating double identity:
🌸 The Romance: It’s also the Czech version of Valentine’s Day. This comes from poet Karel Hynek Mácha, whose famous line “It was late evening – the first of May – the evening May – it was the time of love” made May 1st all about romance 💕 Thanks to his poem, couples kiss under blooming cherry trees (especially on Petřín Hill) to keep their love alive.

🔨 The History: It’s International Workers’ Day, inspired by the 1886 Chicago strikes. The first Czech celebration took place in Prague in 1890.
The Communist Era Twist: During socialism, May Day became a massive, almost mandatory show of loyalty. Schools and workplaces organized parades (průvody), and skipping without a valid excuse could get you in trouble

It’s a public holiday, but most stores stay open.
From compulsory parades to poetic kisses—May 1st here is truly iconic.
How are you celebrating? 🌹

Ever heard of a tree that needs bodyguards?
Welcome to Májka season in the Czech Republic!
Every April 30th (Walpurgis Night), villages raise a tall, stripped tree decorated with ribbons and a wreath at the top. It’s a symbol of life, love, and good vibes for the whole community 🌿—basically the village’s way of saying “new beginnings, please!”
But here’s the twist: rival villages might try to steal or cut it down. So locals literally stay up all night guarding it like it’s VIP property. Lose your májka? Major village embarrassment.
Oh—and rumor has it, secret couples might get “exposed” by chalk paths drawn between their houses 👀
Tradition, drama, romance… and a tree.

Are you ready for the most magical night of the year? Tomorrow, April 30th, Czechia lights up for Pálení čarodějnic (The Burning of the Witches)!
This centuries-old tradition, also known as Walpurgis Night, is all about protection, community, and celebrating the end of the cold months. Here is everything you need to know:
🧐 What’s it all about?
The Legend: Ancient folklore says that on this night, evil powers are at their strongest. To protect themselves and their livestock, people lit huge bonfires on hills to drive the witches away.
The Symbolism: we burn straw and rag effigies of witches to symbolically say “goodbye” to winter and welcome the warmth of spring. 🌷
The Vibe: Think of it as the “Czech Halloween”—but with way more fire and grilled sausages!
How to celebrate like a local:
Head to a local bonfire (Ladronka Park in Prague is legendary!) to see the witch effigy go up in flames.
Roast “Buřty”: No Čarodějnice is complete without roasting sausages over the open embers. 🥖
Dress Up: Many kids (and fun-loving adults!) wear witch or wizard costumes.

A Journey Through Time 🚋✨
Last Sunday, we explored with our researchers and their families the Střešovice Transport Museum, where history came alive—from vintage trams and trolleybuses to even a historic horse-drawn tram. One of the highlights inside was seeing the children step into the role of drivers, excitedly trying out the driver’s seat for themselves.
The adventure continued with a truly special experience: a ride on a working 1920 tram through sunny Prague. With wooden interiors and open windows, we enjoyed beautiful views of the castle, Malá Strana, and the Vltava as the city passed by.
Along the way, we heard fascinating stories—from the symbolic timing behind Charles Bridge’s foundation to the events of the Velvet Revolution on Národní třída.
Thank you to everyone who joined us—more adventures coming soon!

🌸🐣 Welcome Centre Easter Party 🐣🌸

On Friday, March 27th, the CZU Library briefly pressed pause on its “strictly quiet” rule as we hosted our Welcome Centre Easter Party—and what a celebration it was! Around 50 international researchers, PhD students, and their families swapped research papers for willow branches and paintbrushes, transforming the space into a lively workshop of Czech spring traditions through pomlázka weaving and kraslice decorating.🌿🎨 🥚

The children kept themselves busy throughout the afternoon with games and crafts prepared especially for them.

Our researchers even successfully recited the Czech Easter carol, then got competitive during the Easter Quiz 🧠🐰. Winners earned prizes after proving their knowledge of traditional treats like mazanec and beránek.

Speaking of treats, we also enjoyed homemade traditional Easter dishes prepared by the Welcome Centre team—almost every crumb disappeared!

Thank you to everyone who joined us—already looking forward to next time! 💐

Special thanks to our volunteers Dani and Katy 🙌💖