Daily news summary
Over 600 rail-related incidents reported in first half of 2019
The Rail Safety Inspection office reports that the number of rail-related incidents in the first six months of 2019 amounted to 634, which is 15- percent increase on the same period last year. The biggest accident took place in Brno in March, with 23 people being injured in a head-on collision of passenger trains.
The number of railway crossing incidents in the same period increased by 11 percent on the previous year, to 92, resulting in 13 deaths. The Czech Railway Infrastructure Administration plans to equip 132 out of the total 164 rail crossings on first class roads with barriers by the end of the year.
Prague to host international philosophy congress
Leading philosophers from all around the world will gather in Prague next week for the International Congress of Logic, Methodology and Philosophy of Science and Technology. The four-year event, organised by the International Union of History and Philosophy of Science and Technology, will take place at the premises of the Czech Technical University in Prague’s Dejvice.
One of the three main lectures will be delivered by Heather Douglas, a world-known philosopher of science best known for her work on the role of values in science, the importance of science for policymaking, and the history of philosophy of science. The motto of this year’s event is "Bridging across academic cultures".
Pasta Oner’s painting goes to auction at Sotheby’s in autumn
A painting by Czech artist Pasta Oner will be auctioned at London’s Sothebys in autumn. The picture, called Pipe and Phone, is currently on display at Kodl art gallery in the centre of Prague. Its purchase price is estimated at 280,000 to 420,000 thousand crowns.
The annual Sotheby’s auction, called 20th Century Art: A Different Perspective, showcases works by important modern and contemporary artists from Central and Eastern Europe. It is due to take place from November 4 to 12.
Some 2,000 people attend techno party in Čížkov
Police are monitoring a techno party in Čížkov, near the west Bohemian town of Pilsen, this weekend. Some 2,000 people are attending the event, which got underway on Friday night. Police have been dealing only with minor offences related to transportation and drug abuse, police spokeswoman told the Czech News Agency on Saturday.
This Saturday marks 15 years since an infamous police crack-down on a huge illegal techno music festival, known as Czechtek, which had spilled over onto private property. The intervention left dozens of people injured on both sides.
Summer Film School in Uherské Hradiště wraps up
One of the Czech Republic’s most-highly respected film festivals – the Summer Film School in Uherské Hradiště – wraps up on Saturday with the screening of a documentary film by Olga Sommerová about the Czech singer songwriter Jiří Suchý, founder of the legendary Semafor theatre.
The 45th edition of the festival featured over 200 films, as well as concerts, debates, shows and debates. Among the notable guests this year were Czech director Hynek Bočan, Polish filmmakers Lech Majewski and Wojciech Smarzowski, and the Slovak actor Milan Lasica.
Historic chimney demolished in Ostrava
A historic chimney in Ostrava, known as Strakáč, was demolished in the early hours of Saturday, despite petitions to preserve the industrial landmark.
The red-and-white brick chimney was built in the 1960s as part of a former industrial complex in Dolní Vítkovice near Ostrava. It was over 100 metres tall and weighed around 10,000 tonnes.
According to authorities, the chimney presented an environmental burden. The Ministry of Culture refused to pronounce the chimney a national cultural heritage site.
Weather
Sunday is expected to be mostly sunny, with occasional clouds, and daytime highs ranging between 22 and 26 degrees Celsius.
