Mailbox

Today in Mailbox: Czech presidential election, new listeners around the world, answers to Radio Prague's monthly listeners' quiz. Listeners/readers quoted: Jonathan Murphy, Charles Konecny, Mary Lou Krenek, Jonathan Kempster, Ragnhild Hanes, Emilio Marino Allen, Miguel Angel Lahera Rivero, Hans Verner Lollike, Ken Godfrey, Jaroslaw Jedrzejczak, Ian Morrison.

Karel Schwarzenberg, Miloš Zeman, photo: Kateřina Šůlová

Hello and welcome to Mailbox, Radio Prague’s regular listeners’ feedback programme. First of all let me thank you for all your comments on the recent Czech presidential election.

Jonathan Murphy from Ireland wrote in on the day of the second round of the popular vote:

“I have my fingers crossed for Karel today, I think he'd be a great president. One supporter on Euronews said his wealth was an asset because it would make him immune to corruption! Karel na Hrad! Keeping radio.cz open for updates today.”

As our regular followers will know, it is Miloš Zeman who will become the next Czech head of state in a month’s time.

Charles Konecny from Ohio writes:

“I enjoyed following your ‘popular vote’ presidential election. They both seemed worthy candidates. I wish our election turned out differently.”

And here’s what Mary Lou Krenek from Texas wrote:

“I want to congratulate Miloš Zeman for winning the election for President of the Czech Republic. I want to applaud the recent remarks of Vladimir Gudzenko from Russia on democracy. The Russian people were courageous in recognizing that democracy, despite its faults, is still the best government for freedom, prosperity, and human rights on earth. However, unbridled capitalism can be as harmful to humanity as communism. His remarks were inspiring from the point of view of a Russian citizen.”

Photo: Filip Jandourek

We also very much appreciate if you let us know you are out there following our programmes. Such as Jonathan Kempster from London:

“I have just listened to you for the first time on the internet. It's not quite the same as good old shortwave, where I have listened to you since 1979, but it's better than not hearing you at all!”

Ragnhild Hanes who is a teacher in Sweden also got in touch:

“After my first visit to Prague in 2003, I have become a great fan of your country and I read as much about its history as I can. I believe that that is a very good way of getting to know a country and its people. I have found a lot of interesting articles on your website, articles which are not only very brief. Today, for example, I found an article about Přemysl Otakar I and the Golden Bull of Sicily from the year 1212. I like it very much. So, I just want you to know how much I appreciate your website and to say 'thank you very much for it'. I will go on and look at it as often as I can.”

We are also happy to have a new listener in Cuba. He’s Emilio Marino Allen:

“I was very happy to receive your first letter containing the beautiful calendars, as well as the pin with the ‘microphone’ logo of your radio. Thank you very much. I have prepared some reception reports, which should soon reach you by post. In this new year I plan to follow your shortwave broadcasts, provided by WRMI on 9955 kHz, as it is the only way for me. Greetings to all the broadcasters!”

Also from Cuba Miguel Angel Lahera Rivero left us a comment on our Facebook page:

“I hope 2013 will bring happiness to all. I'll be with you, behind the microphones, thanks to the friendly waves of Radio Miami International stuck to the receiver as in the old days. The Internet is still a dream here in Cuba and although there are many positive changes I cannot yet be entirely happy. Best of luck and let’s stay together in 2013.”

Please keep those e-mails coming – we always like to hear from you, whether by mail or on Facebook.

And as usual now it’s time for your competition answers.

Hans Verner Lollike from Denmark wrote:

“The person you are looking for is Egon Schiele, born in 1890 in Tulln an der Donau, where his Austrian father was a station master. His mother was a Czech from Český Krumlov in Bohemia. He was one of the painters of pre-expressionism, heavily influenced by Gustav Klimt, but he developed his own style. He had a ‘stormy’ life and died of the Spanish flu only 28 years old. The biggest collection of his paintings is in Vienna, but there is also a Museum in Český Krumlov dedicated to Egon Schiele.”

Ken Godfrey from California added a personal note:

Egon Schiele

“The Austrian artist was Egon Schiele – his mother was from Český Krumlov in Bohemia (Czech Republic today). I heard your contest on WRN (XM-Sirius Satellite Radio). I love Prague (my wife and I have visited twice) and your beer is the best. Fortunately, we can buy Pilsen Urquell at a reasonable price now at Trader Joe's market. I am waiting for Staropramen to become available. Best of luck in the new year. (I also listen on WRMI and now I know about your website too).”

Jaroslaw Jedrzejczak from Poland writes:

“Egon Schiele was born in 1890 in Tulln on the Danube. His father, Adolph Schiele, was the station master of the Austrian State Railways at the Tulln station. His mother Marie, née Soukupová, was a Czech from Český Krumlov, in southern Bohemia.”

Ian Morrison writes from China:

“Egon Schiele lived for a short time in Český Krumlov, where he was said to have caused much commotion. Noted for his portraits, nudes, landscapes and still lifes, Schiele, who was greatly influenced by Gustav Klimt, has inspired a biographical film, dance productions and musical scores, as well as numerous essays.”

And Charles Konecny from Ohio writes:

Egon Schiele - 'Seated woman with bent knee', 1917

“Schiele knew early on in his study of art that he did not want to be limited by conservative classical art norms. So... he set out for the world of ‘expressionism’ and it was quite a trip. His artist life seemed to be fueled by his youthful raging hormones which includes his sexual escapades along with his many paintings of nudes that had the weird ‘Schiele’ look. Because of his life style and subject matter he had many detractors and was even forced to leave his mothers town of Český Krumlov. But despite this, he was held in high esteem in the avant-garde world of art and his style made him a good living. I guess it is fitting that Schiele's tombstone has a nude man and woman figures, although they appear to be in the ‘classical’ form. I wonder Egon approves?”

Thank you very much for your answers and the time you took to research them. This time the lucky winner is Nicolay Loginov from Russia. Congratulations and here’s another chance for the rest of you to win a small prize from Radio Prague.

This time we’d like you to tell us the name of the famous British actress whose father was born in 1889 in the central Bohemian village of Úžice to an Austrian mother and a father of British and Austrian descent.

Please send us your answers by March 6th to [email protected] along with your questions, comments and reception reports. You are also very welcome to leave your comments on our Facebook page. Until next time thanks for listening and take care.