This weekend in Prague: Bold new photography and films from afar

The yearly edition of Prague Photo 2022 opens on Oct. 18 at Hrzánský palác with an exhibition of young photographers’ works, including students, and recent graduates. It will run through Oct. 23.

A joint exhibition of two renowned Czech painters, Oscar winner Theodor Pištek and his son Jan Pištek, “Pištek & Pištek: Two Worlds” opened this week at Villa Pellé Gallery in Prague. The exhibition will run through Jan. 20 and features the hyperrealistic works of the former and the postmodern paintings of the latter.

A short-term exhibition of "The Most Beautiful Czech Books" is the inaugural exhibit of the newly opened Museum of Literature. In addition to marveling at striking typography, visitors can tour the storied Petschek Villa which is now the headquarters of the National Literature Monument (admission is free through Oct. 23). The exhibition runs through Mar. 15. 

A new exhibition "fragilités" at Galerie Rudolfinum, explores the impermanence of human nature by embracing transfiguration and metamorphosis. The exhibit highlights a number of mixed-media artists whose work will be shown for the first time in Czechia. Through Jan. 8.

The Hawaiian Poke Festival is a one-day mini-festival hosted by Café Sofa on Oct. 22. Five different poke bowls will be on offer as well as a signature drink the "Hawaii Kawaii," a concoction of matcha green tea with mango, pineapple, and lychee.

Spoon up a selection of classic Czech soups (potato, cabbage, or brave the tripe) as well as steaming bowls from around the world: pho, chipotle, and bouillabaisse among them on Sunday, Oct. 23, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Karlín market. The event will be accompanied by live performances and entertainment.

It isn't yet St. Martin's feast but Prague gets in the mood early with a Czech husobraní (goose festival) on Oct. 22 at Smíchovská náplavka. Try goose, turkey, and chicken dishes and delicacies from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Folklore band Blue Diamonds will liven up the festivities.

The annual festival of German films Das Filmfest returns with selections from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland screening at three cinemas across Prague from Oct. 20-Oct. 26. Visit Lucerna, Atlas, and Ponrepo Cinemas to see German-language releases with English and Czech subtitles. This year's program includes a retrospective of great filmmaker Rainer Werner Fassbinder.

The Israeli film festival Kolnoa (“film” in Hebrew) opens Oct. 20 and will run through Oct. 23 at Kino Pilotů. The festival features a collection of new Israeli films, as well as classics and an accompanying program.

The Cimrman English Theatre premieres "Plum" on Oct. 21. The play tells the tale of a retired railway signalman who returns to his old station, now run by a young signalman, to harvest the plums he once planted only to be told he only has until 6 p.m. that day to harvest all the fruit before it becomes the property of the railway.

London native Nilüfer Yanya comes to Prague's Rock Café on Oct. 22 as part of a tour to promote her second album PAINLESS. Her colorful sonic palette has been variously compared to Radiohead and Slade, as well as other angsty female singers, such as PJ Harvey; a cover of PJ Harvey's "Rid of Me" has been part of Yanya's setlist at recent concerts.

Cavetown, a young indie pop and rock singer and songwriter from the UK, is coming to Prague on Oct. 24 to hit the stage of Lucerna's Great Hall. The artist originally was supposed to perform at Roxy Club but due to high demand, the concert was moved to a bigger stage. 

Irish rock band Kodaline returns to Prague's Forum Karlín on Oct. 24. The band will debut songs from their last studio album “One Day at a Time” which racked up 300 million streams among fans.

From Oct. 21-24, 2022, in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Oriental Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, the Oriental Institute and the National Gallery Prague will bring three lantern-craft specialists from Kyoto, Japan. The public is invited to see how these craftsmen make lanterns at the Salm Palace in Hradčany Square where craftsmen will demonstrate their skills in the creation of a large lantern (with a diameter of 150 cm) — using bamboo string, washi paper, paint, and special glue.

Celebrate International Tree Day this Saturday, Oct. 22 at Toulcův dvůr. At the Tree Day event, children and adults will be able to learn more about the trees, as well as plant them together and enjoy an evening concert at the end. The event starts at 1 p.m. and is free of charge.

Combine your art skills with the Halloween spirit by carving some pumpkins at Best Pumpkins at Vystaviste Holešovice on Oct. 23. Design simple ornaments, jewelry, and decorations in this relaxed environment.

Halloween parties for both kids and teens are taking place on Oct. 23 at One Party Story with a range of activities including face painting, photo booths, and a costume contest. Additional parties take place on Oct. 30 and 31.

As part of the second Festival of Sustainability, The First Sustainable Mall will run through Oct. 24 at Hala 17, Pražské tržnice. The festival’s organizers aim to make sustainable shopping and the swap culture more popular in the Czech Republic, as similar events are becoming more widespread in such European cities as Stockholm and Berlin. It costs 220 CZK to swap; bring clothes, jewelry, and accessories to exchange for free.