No Siren Test

On the first Wednesday of each month, at noon, there's a regular siren test across the country, except in Olomouc.  The siren goes off for 140 sends and is followed by an announcement in Czech that it was only a test.

In Olomouc, the tests take place ten minutes later, at 12:10 pm, so that it doesn't conflict with the astronomical clock.  

They started up following the 2002 floods.  However, the Czech Fire and Rescue Service cancelled this month's test so as to not create any unnecessary panic given the Russian invasion of Ukraine.  This isn't the first time the test has been cancelled.  It was cancelled during the floods in 2009 and 2013, in 2010 when the U.S. and Russian presidents met together in Prague, and in 2020 during the four worst months of Covid lockdown.

Here's a video I found out on YouTube so you can hear what the various warning sirens sound like over here in Czechland.

There's a fire alarm signal for voluntary firefighters to report to the station.  There's a general warning siren for people to seek refuge in a brick building and two Seall all air accesses due to a possible radiation or chemical hazard.  

There used to be a flood wave signal that was in used until November 2001.  That's when the laws pertaining to siren signals were changed and it was replaced by the general warning siren.

©Czech Siren Tech

Update: The tests were also cancelled in April and May.  They resumed in June 2022.

Я за Україну. Я за Україною. Слава Україні  Stojím za Ukrajinou!  I stand with Ukraine. 

Mezipatra 2021

Mezipatra is an annual gay film festival that takes place every November in Prague and Brno.  There are usually additional events such as lectures, art exhibits, theatre performances and parties that take place in Prague and Brno, as well as in other cities like Ostrava and Olomouc.

The festival first started in Brno back in 2000 and in 2002 it started using the name "Mezipatra" and expanded to Prague.

Mezipatra is also part of the coalition of non-profit organisations that makes up Jsme fér, that campaigns same-sex marriage here in Czechland.

This year is the 22nd year and the theme is Oslava života (Celebrate Life).  Last night was the kick off of the week long festival and I went with Aleš and Vašek.  We followed that up with a bit of dancing at a club afterwards.  I can't remember the last time I went out dancing but it was a lot of fun hanging out with the lads.

Olomouc Weekend

Thanks to Covid I haven't been able to travel at all like I normally do.  I decided that this weekend I was going to at least get out of Brno for the weekend so I decided to spend it up in Olomouc.

It's been a while.  The last time I was here was back in 2014 with my parents.  I still think of Olomouc as a little tiny Prague but without all of the tourists.

Not much has changed.  There's still the plague column, all of the fountains, the astronomical clock, and the cathedral.

It does look like St. Michal's church, where the bells are, is having some serious internal work being done.

There was no stinky cheese on this trip though.  The city has renovated the main tourist information office and for some reason they no longer have the tvarůžky vending machine which was a bit of a let down. 

Other then this slight disappointment it was a nice little weekend away.

I need to make sure that it's not another seven years before my next visit back.

Hana Říčná

Hana Říčná was an artistic gymnast who represented Czechoslovakia during the 1980s.  She's the most successful Czech gymnast after Věra Čáslavská.

At the 1983 World Championships she won a silver medal on the balance beam.  Due to the Soviet-led boycott of the 1984 Olympics she missed her shot at an Olympic medal.  Instead she competed at the 1984 Friendship Games, held in Olomouc, which were the Eastern Bloc's alternative to the Olympics.  There she won silver medals in the all-around and balance team and a team bronze.  She would have been a contender for a medal in LA.

At the Wold Championships in 1985 she won a bronze medal on the uneven bars.  She probably would have retired after the '84 Olympics but she hung around so that she could compete in the 1988 Olympics even though she was no longer in her prime.  At the '88 games she placed seventh with the team and 29th in the all-around.

In 1983 she invented a move on the bars that is named after her.  It is a Stalder to counter reversed straddled Hecht over the high bar.  Here's a video I found out on YouTube of her bronze medal performance at the '85 World Championships.  The first trick that she does on the high bar is the move that's named after her.

She was a local Brno girl.  She was born and also trained here.

In 1994 she moved to the USA and is now a coach in Rhode Island.  Her son, David Jessen, is an elite gymnast who represents Czech Republic internationally, most recently at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Here's a video of him competing at the 2019 World Championships.  The third release and catch move in his routine is the move that his mom invented.

©FIG Channel

Brno Asteroid

Two weeks ago a sculpture of silver asteroid was installed in the city centre on Kobližná street.  The sculpture weighs three tons and is the work of Czech artist Michal Gabriel.  

The sculpture reflects light so its shape appears to alter depending on how you look at it.

The asteroid was previously exhibited in Olomouc and Prague.  It will remain in Brno for at least four months.

Czech AIDS Aid Society

On Thursday I went to the University Hospital for a free HIV test.  Česká společnost AIDS pomoc (ČSAP), the Czech AIDS Aid Society, is a non-profit organisation that was founded in 1989.  They offer free, anonymous HIV testing at several locations called "checkpoints" across the country. They also provide counselling and accommodation services for people who are HIV-positive.  All of their funding comes from subsidies and donations.  

Checkpoints for testing are in Prague, Brno, České Budějovice, Hradec Králové, Olomouc, Ostrava, Teplice, Ústi nad Orlicí, and Ústi nad Labem.

In Brno, the testing is at Bohunice hospital in the Department of Infectious Diseases.  Every Thursday from 3 to 6 pm.

There is a pre-test questionnaire that you have to take.  I went online and completed the questionnaire before I arrived.  It's not mandatory to complete it ahead of time but I thought it would be faster.  Plus online you can complete it in Czech, English, or Slovak. I was given an 8-digit code which I gave to the nurse.  With this code I have the option of getting my results online or I could come back later to pick them up in person.  

Everything was really easy.  I got there a little early so I was the first person in line and I was done in about 10 minutes.  I was told that the results would be available in 5 to 7 business days.

Well it turned out to be much faster.  I had the test on Thursday afternoon and I randomly checked today and the results were back.

In addition, they also test for syphilis and hepatitis C.

Regular testing is important and most people know their Facebook status but not their HIV status.  

Update:  As of 1 October, the Brno Checkpoint is temporarily closed due to COVID-19.  I assume that the other locations are closed as well.

Czech Citizenship Exam: Sociocultural Background

Here are the 10 study questions for the Czech Citizenship exam from section 21: Sociocultural Background. 

1.  Approximately how many inhabitants does the Czech Republic have?

10,6 million.

2.  A national minority is a group of citizens of the Czech Republic who declare themselves to be of a nationality than than Czech.  Who is the largest national minority in the Czech Republic.

Slovaks.*

3.  The Haná cultural region is an important agricultural area and is known for its folk customs.  Which regional city is the centre of the Haná cultural region?

Olomouc.

4.  Public service radio is a radio service which provides a service to the public.  Its duties are defined by law.  Which of these radio stations in public?

Český rozhlas - Czech Radio

5.  How many inhabitants does the capital city of Prague have?

Approximately 1 300 000.

6.  In which of these regions of the Czech Republic is currently the highest percentage of unemployed?

In the Moravia-Silesian Region.

7.  Which religion is most widespread in the Czech Republic?

Christianity.

8.  In which city in the Czech Republic, after Prague, has the largest population?

Brno.

9.  Which statement corresponds to the position of women in Czech society?

Women have the same rights as men.

10.  What is the name of the largest city in Moravia?

Brno.

*Slovaks have been the largest national minority in Czechland.  Recently Ukrainians outnumbered Slovaks but for the exam the answer is still "Slovaks."

Czech Citizenship Exam: Regions and Places

Here are the 10 study questions for the Czech Citizenship exam from section 19:  Regions and Places. 

1.  Mr. Novák lives in a small town in the South Bohemian Region.  Which city will he go to, to visit the regional office?

To České Budějovice.

2.  What is the name of the largest airport in the Czech Republic?

Václav Havel Airport Prague.

3.  Kateřina was accepted to study at Palacký University, which is the oldest university in Moravia.  In the city where she will study, there is also a UNESCO monument - the column of the Holy Trinity.  In which city will Kateřina study?

In Olomouc.

4.  In which city is the Regional Office of the Central Bohemian Region located?

In Prague.

5.  Which city is the centre of the Moravian-Silesian region?

Ostrava.

6.  Which number on the map indicates the Olomouc Region?

3.

7.  Perník (gingerbread) is a traditional Czech pastry with honey and spices.  Which city is famous for making gingerbread?  

Pardubice.

8.  Czechia consists of three historical countries: Bohemia, Moravia and Silesia.  Which of these cities lies in Moravia?

Zlín.  

9.  Which number on the map indicates the Vysočina Region?

2.

10.  Which of these cities is the industrial centre of northern Bohemia?

Ústí nad Labem.

Olomouc Day Trip

Olomouc main train station

On Thursday we headed off to Olomouc for the day.  This is one of my favorite towns in Czechland.

I describe it as a mini-Prague, without all of the bloody tourists. 

Plague column

There is so much to see in one day.  There's the beautiful plague column, that's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, all of the fountains, the astronomical clock, the bells at St. Michal's church, and St. Wenceslas cathedral.

Mom & me at the turtle fountain

And no visit to Olomouc is ever complete without having some of the stinky cheese.

I think that this so far has been one of my parents' favorite cities so far.

Olomouc Aviation Museum

I tagged along with a fellow IBMer from Bratislava who was off to see a couple of aviation museums.  The first one was just outside of Olomouc, in Neředín.

Not much to see from the outside

The Olomouc Aviation Museum was founded in July 2009.  It was an idea of Zdeněk Svobodník who is a well known stage actor.

The city of Olomouc provided two hangers for the museum.  The staff of aircraft mechanics, pilots and engineers are all volunteers.

The foucs is on the history of Czechoslovak aviation.  It's pretty small but if you like aviation then it's worth seeing.  The entrance is only 50 Kč ($2.50).

The MiG-21 is the most heavily produced supersonic jet aircraft in history.

The cockpits were always painted a turquoise green color.  Apparently, it was found out that this color helped keep pilots awake and reduced stress on long flights.


The Aero L-29 Delfin was Czechoslovakia's first locally designed and built jet aircraft.  It was used for jet training and in the 1960s it was the standard jet trainer for all of the Warsaw Pact countries.



The Mil Mi-24 is a large attack helicopter that could transport eight people.





The Let L-610 was a prototype aircraft.  It could transport 40 passengers.  It was only in Czechland as only eight were ever built.



The Ilyushin Il-14 was a Soviet twin-engine aircraft.  It was used to transport military personnel and cargo.  The planes were manufactured in Czechoslovakia and East Germany. 

There's something a bit sad about seeing the planes there in pieces.  Kind of like visiting an aviation cemetery.  But still worth going for a visit.

Olomouc Fountains

Olomouc is well known for its six Baroque fountains.  I've been to Olomouc lots of times but it's always been in winter so this was the first time I've actually seen them with water. 

Legend has it that Olomouc was founded by Julius Caesar.  This isn't true but it does explain why the Caesar Fountain is the largest in the city.  The fountain was built in 1725.

The Hercules Fountain was created in 1687 - 1688.  It depicts Hercules, dressed in lion skins, killing the Hydra.

The Jupiter Fountain was built in 1707.  Originally there was a statue of St. Florin in the basin.  In 1735, it was replaced by the statue of the Roman god.

The Triton Fountain is at Náměstí Republiky.  This fountain was built in 1709 and was moved to its present location in 1880.

The Neptune Fountain was completed in 1863.  This is the oldest fountain in the city.

The Mercury Fountain is considered the most artistic of the fountains.  It dates back to 1727.



In 2002, the modern Arion Fountain with a turtle and dolphin was added to the city's collection.