Czechast, Radio Prague International

A visit to Letohrad exposed an embarrassing gap in my knowledge: the town had changed its name not once but twice in the years after the Second World War. It also brought me back to a question that has resurfaced at the highest political level: Czechia or the Czech Republic?

Is Czechia undermining its own security and economic interests by refusing to guarantee European loans to Ukraine? In this episode of Czechast, Czech Radio's chief analyst for European affairs, Viktor Daněk, explains why he believes the government of Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO Party) is turning the country into a free rider in Europe. He discusses the political and economic costs of Czechia's position, growing frustration among European allies, and the consequences for the country's reputation and influence in the EU.

Jaroslav Peprník taught himself English from three books in his father’s library, pursued it through war and communist persecution, and helped generations of Czech students master the language. Now his lifelong contribution has earned him the British Empire Medal. In this personal episode of Czechast, Vít Pohanka revisits an earlier interview with his former teacher and speaks to British ambassador Matt Field about the royal honour.

The Czech government's plans to abolish television and radio licence fees have triggered strikes, demonstrations and a heated debate about the future of public-service broadcasting. Following a controversial parliamentary vote in the early hours of October 24, thousands of people gathered in Prague to protest against the proposed changes. In this episode of Czechast, Vít Pohanka brings together the views of leading politicians, Czech Radio Director General René Zavoral and demonstrators on Wenceslas Square.

Moravia was once a distinct historical land, and some of its inhabitants still consider themselves Moravian rather than Czech. But the number declaring exclusively Moravian nationality has fallen sharply since 1991. In this episode of Czechast, Vít Pohanka explores the old boundary between Bohemia and Moravia and revisits interviews with a Moravian political activist and a historian who disagree about the region's identity and future.

In his October 28 address marking the anniversary of Czechoslovakia's independence, President Petr Pavel delivered a warning about complacency, political courage and the future of Czech democracy. He called for greater responsibility in national security, public finances, climate preparedness and public debate, arguing that freedom and democracy require constant effort. This special edition of Czechast presents his complete speech in English translation. As a bonus, it features a rare archival interview with legendary Czech-American filmmaker Miloš Forman, who was posthumously awarded the Order of the White Lion, Czechia's highest state decoration, in 2026.

After years of political interference in public broadcasting in Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, attention is turning to Czechia, long considered a stronghold of independent public service media in Central Europe. The government's plan to replace radio and television licence fees with state-budget funding has triggered fierce parliamentary debate and large demonstrations. In this edition of Czechast, Vít Pohanka examines the government's arguments, talks to protesters in Prague and Brno, and reports on Prime Minister Andrej Babiš's response to mounting criticism.

In this episode of Czechast, we travel to opposite corners of Czechia to explore two cities with very different histories and identities. Ostrava, once a powerhouse of coal mining and heavy industry, has to reinvent itself, while picturesque Český Krumlov has struggled with the consequences of mass tourism. Singer-songwriter Jaromír Nohavica, artist Jana Pešková and radio documentary maker Ivan Studený share their personal memories and explain what makes these places special to them.

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s ANO movement failed to win a single seat in Czechia’s latest Senate elections, leaving the opposition with a comfortable majority. In this special episode of Czechast, Vít Pohanka examines the results and why low turnout calls for caution when interpreting them. He also traces the Senate’s history and explains its powers, its role as a constitutional safeguard, and why calls to abolish it have so far failed.

What made Václav Havel a leader people trusted? In Czechast, Alexandr Vondra recalls their years in the dissident movement and the transition from opposition to working at Prague Castle. Through memories of underground publishing, speechwriting and Havel’s gift for listening, he offers a personal perspective on the man and his legacy.