EUROCITIES Cooperation Platform 2015

Prague, 21 - 22 May

P R A G U E

Prague has always played an important role in the history of the country and in Central Europe. The history of the city dates back to the 9th century. As early as in the Middle Ages, Prague had the reputation of being one of the most beautiful towns in Europe and in 1348 the University was founded, the first one in Central Europe. Eleven centuries of rich history, great architecture, arts and culture together with a lovely natural position created a unique atmosphere, which attracts people from the whole world. Since 1992, the historic town centre, which extends over an area of 866 ha, has been included in the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage list. We have tried to choose different venues so that you could enjoy the variety of our historical buildings even during the working part… And we hope that you will enjoy it.

Practical information How to get to Prague

By air

Getting to Prague is very easy. Prague is in the heart of Europe and there are flights from most destinations throughout Europe. The Václav Havel Airport Prague is located in the northwest of Prague, some 20 km from the city centre. http://www.prg.aero/en/

To get to the centre you can use public transport: • bus - line № 119, the stop is outside the arrival hall and goes from the Prague airport to Dejvická

Metro Station - 24 minutes. From the Dejvická metro station (line A) you can get to the city centre (the Old Town) in 6 min. Metro station Staroměstská or Můstek. Note. A new part of the Metro line A should open in April. It will mean some changes (including faster public transport from the airport). Up-to-date information will be circulated in April/May.

Other possibilities: • bus line № 100 Prague Airport - Zličín Metro Station (line B) - 18 minutes • bus line № 179 Prague Airport - Nové Butovice Metro Station (line B) - 45 minutes • special barrier-free bus line AE - Airport Express Prague Airport - Main Railway Station and Hlavní

nádraží Metro Station (line C) 50 minutes Basic fares : 32 CZK – approx. 1.15€ (transfer ticket valid 90 min), 24 CZK approx. 0.9€ (transfer ticket valid 30 min) For timetables and detailed information, please see www.dpp.cz/en • taxi The taxis are just in front of the departure and arrival halls. The price to the centre should not be more than 500 - 600 CZK but check the price before getting into the taxi and see if the taximeter is on. By train The Main Railway Station (Hlavní nádraží) is very central, Metro line C – Hlavní nádraží Metro Station. Another train station is Nádraží Holešovice, also on the Metro line C – Nádraží Holešovice Metro Station. By coach The main bus station is situated right on the Metro Station Florenc – one/two stops from the city centre (Metro lines B and C). Getting around Prague Prague public transport Prague public transport is a well-organised system of transport in the city, it includes underground, trams, trains, buses, ferry, and funicular. Prague Metro network consists of 3 lines: A - green colour B – yellow colour C – red colour. It runs from 05.00 to 24.00. The frequency is every 2 - 3 minutes during the workday rush hours, in the evenings and at the weekends every 6 - 10 minutes. There is also a dense network of trams (they run from approx. 4.30 a.m. till midnight), night trams and buses. Tickets may be purchased at many kiosks, in vending machines at metro stations and many tram and bus stops, at Prague public transport information points. Basic fares are: 32 CZK – approx. 1.15 € (transfer ticket valid 90 min),

24 CZK - approx. 0.9 € (transfer ticket valid 30 min)

If you decide to take a taxi in the centre here are some recommendations:

• Each taxi has to be equipped with a permanently installed roof lamp with the TAXI sign. • The registration number, company name and the price list including the basic rate, kilometer rate

and one-minute-waiting rate must be displayed on both front doors of the taxi. These prices must correspond with the prices set on the taximeters in the taxi.

• Customers are recommended to order a taxi by means of nonstop dispatching offices, where the information on fares is available in advance.

• When the journey is completed, the driver is obliged to issue an orderly and fully filled receipt for the payment. The receipt has to be issued by the taximeter printer.

• AAA radiotaxi, +420 222 333 222 , www.aaataxi.cz • City taxi, +420 257 257 257, www.citytaxi.cz • Halotaxi, +420 244 114 411, www.halotaxi.cz • Taxi-Praha, +420 222 111 000, www.taxi-praha.cz

Where to stay?

As mentioned before, there is a high demand for hotel rooms in May / it is the top season, plus there are important big events taking place in the city (2015 Ice Hockey World Championship, Prague Spring Festival, The Beer Festival,…) and the Prague City Hall has no influence on the rates of hotel rooms. We strongly recommend that you make your hotel reservation as soon as possible as availability is limited and price have become quite high. Here is a list of hotels in Prague http://www.prague.eu/en/objects/accommodation or you can book via a hotel booking website such as www.booking.com or www.hotels.com.

Venues

All venues will be in the city centre near the Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí), at Mariánské náměstí and Novoměstská radnice/New Town City Hall (Karlovo náměstí/ Vodičkova ulice, Nové Město). Please see the map link below:

http://www.mapy.cz/s/gnrw

New City Hall, Mariánské náměstí 2, Praha 1; Chamber of Deputies, New City Hall, Mariánské náměstí 2, Praha 1

The building of the New City Hall was built between 1908 -1911 in an Art Nouveau style by a famous Czech architect, Osvald Polivka. The facade is decorated by beautiful sculptures done by leading Czech sculptors of the beginning of the 20th century. Since the year 1945 it has been the seat of the Prague City Hall and of the Mayor of Prague. The plenary session will be held on the first floor in the beautiful space where the Prague City Assembly holds its sessions.

The Residence of the Mayor of Prague, Mariánské náměstí 1, Praha 1

The Residence of the Mayor of Prague is located in the new building of the Municipal Library, which was built between 1925 and 1928. The neoclassical facade of the building is quite austere but the interior was conceived in an ornamental way. It combines elements of late Art Nouveau with a strong influence of the Czech Art Deco of the 1920s. The representative space of the residence and the apartment of the Mayor contains a large tapestry, sculptures, paintings by thirty leading Czech and foreign painters of the 20th century and other decorative objects. It is not open to public so you will have a unique opportunity to visit this place and enjoy a nice buffet lunch there.

Chateau of Troja /Zámek Troja, U Trojského zámku 4/1, Praha 7 - Troja

It is one of the most beautiful Baroque monuments in Prague. It is located in the vicinity of the Prague Zoo, Prague Botanical Garden and a lovely St. Clare´s Vineyard. The chateau is surrounded by a beautiful French-style garden. You will have a unique possibility to admire the decorative frescos during the dinner and to listen to music which is so much connected with Prague… This is only venue that is outside of the city centre but a special bus from the centre will be provided. It is also reachable by public transport:

• By metro (line C) to the metro station Nádraží Holešovice where you take a bus № 112 in the direction of Zoologická zahrada /the Zoo, where you get off.

• another possibility is to take a Tram № 17 (you get off at the stop Trojská) and you take a bus № 112 in the direction of Zoologická zahrada /the Zoo, where you get off.

• Transfer ticket valid 90 mins – 32 CZK. Google maps link: https://maps.google.cz/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=cs&geocode=&q=Trojsk%C3%BD+z%C3%A1mek,+Praha-Troja&aq=0&oq=trojsk%C3%BD+&sll=50.066396,14.465561&sspn=0.334534,0.580902&vpsrc=6&brcurrent=5,0,0&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=&ll=50.115818,14.41505&spn=0.010443,0.018153&t=m&z=16&iwloc=A&cid=6675825703066449888

The New Town City Hall, Karlovo náměstí 23,(Vodičkova street) Praha 2

The history of the New Town Hall in Charles Square dates back to 1377. The building was rebuilt several times; several parts were added at the beginning of the 15th century, including the high tower with a big bell and a chapel inside, the south wing was rebuilt in a Renaissance style. The New Town Hall used to be a seat of the municipal administration until the 18th century, later it served as a criminal courthouse and a prison with a torture chamber. Many people, especially revolutionaries, were kept here. But it is especially famous for a special event that happened in the 15th century - the First Prague Defenestration which started the Hussite movement asking for reforms in the Catholic Church… Optional walking tours

Wednesday, 20 May

15.00 -18.00 Optional walking tours

15.00 -18.00 First Time in Prague - Old Town Square– Charles Bridge – Prague Castle -Lesser Quarter 15.00 -18.00 Prague in Modern History - May 1945, VE Day; February 1948, Communist takeover; Prague Spring 1968, Velvet Revolution 1989, Civic Forum and Václav Havel. Get to know the places connected to the modern history. 15.00 -18.00 Musical Prague - Did you know that Bedřich Smetana came from a brewmaster’s family? Do you know where Dvořák composed his famous Stabat Mater oratorio and why? What about Mozart Prague?...

Saturday, 22 May

9.30 – 12.30 Optional walking tours

9.30 – 12.30 Prague – a wonderful school of architecture - Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Art Nouveau and other interesting artistic and architectural styles can be found in Prague everywhere. Discover the most beautiful buildings in Prague and learn about the stories behind them.

9.30 – 12.30 Prague in Modern History - - May 1945, VE Day; February 1948, Communist takeover; Prague Spring 1968, Velvet Revolution 1989, Civic Forum and Václav Havel. Get to know the places connected to the modern history. 9.30 – 12.30 Art Nouveau in Prague – Prague in 1900 What was life in Prague like a century ago? … the highlights of Prague's Art Nouveau architecture, design and social life.

Information about Prague : http://www.prague.eu/en

Culture in Prague

Prague is known as the city of culture. There are many events going on in May… We have selected some of the events for your inspiration ….

Prague Spring –70th International Music Festival (12 May - 3 June 2015)

The 70th-annual Prague Spring International Music Festival will offer about 45 classical music concerts at 14 magnificent

Prague concert halls. Prague will welcome around 90 orchestras, chamber ensembles, and soloists from 20 countries.

www.festival.cz

Kokoschka and Prague (20. 2. 2015 – 28. 6. 2015)

National Gallery in Prague – Veletržní Palace (Národní galerie v Praze – Veletržní palác) presents a selection of works by Oskar Kokoschka from his “Prague” period…

http://www.ngprague.cz

Czech Beer Festival Prague (7. 5. 2015 – 23. 5. 2015)

…more than 70 brands of Czech beer of large but also small Czech breweries, Czech meat, charcuterie, traditional folk costumes, live music …

www.ceskypivnifestival.cz/en

Prague Fringe Festival (22. 5. 2015 – 30. 5. 2015)

…. a mixture of theatre, comedy, music and entertainment. Actors from all over the world come to Prague to showcase their art in small Prague theatres. The original festival was created in Edinburgh in 1947, in Prague in 2001…

www.praguefringe.com

Khamoro (24. 5. 2015 – 30. 5. 2015)

World Roma Festival Khamoro, one of the largest Roma festivals in the world will present the Roma culture and traditions….(musical and dance performances, professional seminars, films and workshops, the traditional parade of participants….) www.khamoro.cz

2015 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship (1. 5. 2015 – 17. 5. 2015)

The Czech Republic will host 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in May. It will be held in Prague (O2 arena) and Ostrava and played at two venues. The mascots are Bob and Bobek, two rabbits living in magician´s hat…

http://www.iihfworlds2015.com/en/

Mysterious Distances: Symbolism in the Czech Lands 1880-1914 (3. 4. 2015 – 27. 9. 2015)

The exhibition in National Gallery in Prague - Convent of St Agnes of Bohemia (Národní galerie v Praze – klášter sv. Anežky České) presents a specific part of the art scene in the Czech lands, influenced by symbolism in the period between 1880 and 1914. The well-known and respected artists (Alfons Mucha, Max Švabinský, František Bílek, Josef Váchal, Bohumil Kubišta, Jan Zrzavý etc.) will be presented…

http://www.ngprague.cz

Final MIA Dance Festival FESTIVAL, Voice Festival, semifinal Pole Dance 22. 5. 2014 – 24. 5. 2015

….International multivariate festival in Prague www.miafestival.cz

For more information on what´s going on in Prague, the complete programme of galleries, museums and concert halls, please have a look at http://www.prague.eu/en/events