Czech culture at home: 5 tips for what to stream, eat, and read this weekend, March 19–21, 2021

"We Children from Bahnhof Zoo (Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Zoo)" is a German series on Amazon Prime, but if you look a little closer, you might recognize some of the locations used in the hit show including reportedly the former concert venue KD Eden, Bio Oko cinema, Pragovka, and Smíchovské nádraži. A number of scenes are filmed in Prague. The show is inspired by the memoirs of Christiane F. and follows six young people growing up in Berlin. It is a re-make of the 1981 film which starred singer David Bowie.

The series stars Jana McKinnon as Christianne and is directed by Philipp Kadelbach. It is available in its entirety is available to stream now on HBO in the Czech Republic. The show is in German but can be watched with English subtitles.

Zlín zoo is offering people the chance to virtually adopt an animal for weekends, from elephants to sea lions! Zoos are currently closed due to the current coronavirus pandemic, but through this scheme, you can get a gift certificate representing the animal, as well as instructions and a cartoon drawn by the zoo's own graphic designer.

There are five animals in total that can be "virtually rented" including an elephant and a sloth with more animals to be revealed for the future. So if you wanted to get closer to a sea lion or miss the trip to the zoo, this is a great way to learn more about various animals and support the team in Zlín. To find out more and temporarily adopt an animal, visit the Zlín zoo website.

On Wednesday evening you may have seen the Petřín Tower looking green or perhaps heard some Irish music being played from a nearby house. Yes, March 17 marked St. Patrick's Day but there is still time to get involved in the celebrations. Veronika. The Cook and Baker is offering a number of Irish specialities this weekend.

The menu includes seafood chowder and/or a Guinness stew as well as sweet treats such as bread pudding. The cafe originally held the Irish-themed menu last weekend but decided to extend it following its success.

Orders can be made via phone and there is more information on the company Facebook page. There is also free delivery for the special Irish breakfast on Saturday and Sunday for people in Prague 6.

The Grammy Awards took place on Sunday and while it may have gone under the radar their was a small acknowledgment for at least one Czech musician on the night. "Bohemian Tales" was nominated for the Best Classical Instrumental Solo. The album from Augustin Hadelich missed out on the award but does feature Czech conductor Jakub Hrůša.

Hrůša is currently the chief conductor of the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra and chief guest conductor of the Czech Philharmonic and of London’s Philharmonia Orchestra, but this was his first Grammy nomination. The album features compositions by famous Czech composers Antonín Dvořák, Josef Suk and Leoš Janáček. You can listen to the recording of it on Spotify or buy it via Apple Music.

The biographer Hermione Lee looks at the life of the famed playwright Tom Stoppard who was born, of course, in then Czechoslovakia before going to England aged eight. Lee explores papers, diaries, letters, and conducted a number of interviews to put together this biography which was released last month. Stoppard, who has won numerous international awards, was involved in plays such as "Arcadia" and "Every Good Boy Deserves Favour" and co-wrote the screenplays for "Brazil" and "Shakespeare in Love."

The book "Tom Stoppard: A Life" is described by The Guardian as "an astute study of the dazzlingly clever playwright." It is available now to buy online and can be purchased via Apple Books.