10 Questions for: Katerina Batueva

I do think that it was Prague that chose long back in 2009… At this moment I was desperately searching for a new country, new life, and new occupation and surprisingly Prague and the Czech Republic became my first residence abroad. Ever since I have been travelling to different countries of the World for personal and professional reasons; however, always coming back to Prague, which has become my new home.

It is 5.5 years since I am here and I can definitely say that Prague is becoming more interesting place to live in: more international, more artistic, more mixed, more vibrant. I feel that now is the time of various interesting places to appear like street festivals, collaborative working and relaxing.

Brevnov (Prague 6) and for me it’s the best: calm, full of green parks and places to walk and run, plus  Prague Castle and Strahov Monastery are very close. I like the fact that we are living in Prague on one hand, therefore can enjoy all the events which are taking place in the capital, but on the other hand living in Brevnov makes you feel like coming back to a small city/village after a stressful city center.

I adore Cesky Krumlov, it’s my favorite Czech city so far. We are going there twice a year with my husband of friends because it’s always so different but always so awesome! The perfect day would start in Deli99 with their great waffles for breakfast, then walking around the city, laughing and listening to musicians (who are often in the streets), relaxing by the river, on the lawns…Having a coffee/wine in one of the cafes and enjoying meal at Cikanska Izba, the only Roma restaurant in Czech Republic, chatting with the owner about politics in and life…And at night going for sure to Apotheka, the craziest cocktail place in the whole Czech Republic! All this has to be accompanied by the people you love, and your dog!

I have been teaching in Czech at University since 2010, so I guess and hope it’s bearable for my students and colleagues. I have learned it in the first 5 months when I moved to the Czech Republic, however all the following years in my job and at home I mainly use English which leads to the fact that from time to time I do stupid mistakes.



Favorite Czech person – Alfons Mucha, admire his art. Places – Cesky Krumlov and Kutna Hora, beautiful small cities.

Building your life from scratch and establishing social networks in a new place…I moved to the Czech Republic in 2009 from Russia where I left my family, friends and colleagues, however, in the Czech Republic after 9 months I have discovered volunteering opportunities as a way for social integration and becoming the part of the civic society. I have been volunteering from 2009 with local non-proft organizations and think-tank, which made me learn a lot, brought me to interesting people and places. 

I am a very lucky person, as I have family members in Russia, Greece and Egypt. And what I miss is good food, which is difficult to find in the Czech Republic. Moreover, I miss sun, sea, and smiley people here; but hopefully we ourselves will contribute to change smiles and friendliness there soon!

Develop intuition towards people and situations, be with those whom you like, and do not waste your time and energy on people you dislike, if you want the changes, be a change, with small steps we can change the world, your friends reflect who you are, do not complain about things, but rather find a solution.

Open-minded.