Life

After three Christmases in Prague, I knew where to find all the most twinkly markets, soothing cups of hot chocolate and the best festive events. Here are my tips for having a merry Christmas time in Prague.

The Deer Moat (Jelení příkop) at Prague Castle, which is currently under reconstruction, opened to the public on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution and the return of democracy to the country.

Across the country, Czechs have been marking the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution in 1989, as well as commemorating student Jan Opletal and others murdered by the Nazis on the same date 50 years earlier. Students at Charles University organised the event at Albertov this year as part of the Svobodný listopad festival.

Thirty years ago Czechs took to the streets to demonstrate for freedom and democracy, for the chance to speak their mind without reprisals, to vote in free elections and shape their own future. Today they are taking stock of the country's successes and failures, of how far they have come along the road to a liberal democracy and market economy and whether the ideals of 1989 are still alive in people's hearts and minds.