Ahoj, Monday! 5 tips for surviving the week ahead in Czechia

Good morning, and welcome to the week of Oct. 28-Nov. 3. Here’s your friendly guide to making the most of Czechia this week, whether braving the cold, sorting out school holidays, or honoring loved ones lost. We’ve also got tips for winter driving prep (yes, it’s already that time), plus some ideas for unwinding later this week.

Oct. 28 is a special day in the Czech Republic’s calendar. Czechoslovak Independence Day (also known as Independent Czechoslovak State Day) marks the creation of an independent Czechoslovakia in 1918. It also means a day off from work for the national holiday. Keep in mind that large shops are closed, and some transport lines are disrupted, but with a number of activities taking place on Monday, you've got options.

Autumn school holidays fall directly after Czechoslovak Independence Day, on Tuesday, Oct. 29, and Wednesday, Oct. 30. This means an epic five-day “weekend” for some kids and potentially a whole week at home for others, should your school declare ředitelské volno, (principal’s holiday). Principals are entitled to declare a maximum of five days of leave in one school year. But plenty is going on for families this week: enjoy the opening of a new light zoo, Day of the Dead and Halloween celebrations, and open-door days at several public spaces and museums.

The Czech dušičky tradition (Nov. 2), known in English as All Souls’ Day, sees families leave candles and elaborate floral displays on the graves of loved ones. The Day of the Dead (Dia De Los Muertos) is observed with parades and altars to the dead and is a celebration not just for those with Mexican heritage. Halloween, on Thursday, Oct. 31, historically held on the eve of All Souls’ Day to celebrate saints, martyrs, and the faithful departed, now attracts costumed candy-seekers of all cultural backgrounds. You can mark all three in Prague this week.

On Friday, join Prague-based author Evan Rail for the release of his new book The Absinthe Forger Nov. 1, at 7 p.m. at Shakespeare and Sons in Malá Strana. The evening will feature a talk on absinthe’s cultural impact and a book signing. Rail’s book promises a true-life detective story and, as The New York Times writes, “a lively stand-alone seminar on temptation—as well as the culture and history of the much-maligned liquor and its reputation for causing madness and murder.”

Whisky Life! Prague, Nov. 1-2, 2024, at Prague’s Novoměstská radnice, offers whisky enthusiasts tastings of over 400 global varieties, including rare finds not typically available in Czechia. The event also features Masterclass tastings and aims to create a welcoming atmosphere for connoisseurs and newcomers.

From Nov. 1, drivers in Czechia are legally obliged to equip their vehicles with special winter tires in case of seriously adverse weather. This year, winter tire prices in have risen roughly three percent, as manufacturers adjust for increased production costs, according to Czech Radio. Depending on quality, expect to pay between CZK 1,000-3,000 per tire.

Czechia may see its first snow of the season this week as a cold front sweeps in from Scandinavia, lowering temperatures significantly with forecasts showing 13°C on Monday, 10°C on Tuesday, and 6°C by Wednesday. Meteorologists predict snowfall at altitudes as low as 300 meters, marking the end of mild autumn weather. Snowfall, however, is expected to be scattered.

Bonus tip: MSD Czech Republic and PurpleSpace are hosting a Prague event on Oct. 30, 2024, featuring strategies for disability inclusion, allyship, and neurodiversity in the workplace. Keynote speaker Kate Nash OBE will lead discussions alongside sessions on mental well-being and confidence-building. The event includes networking opportunities and practical insights for organizational change. Register here.