The Wednesday of the Holy Week before Easter is called škaredá or sazometná. The first one means “ugly” while the second word would be translated as “on which the soot is swept out”.
Czech Holy Week: Grey Tuesday
There’s not much known about the traditions of the Grey Tuesday. Compared to the later days of the Holy Week Tuesday – just like the Blue Monday – is an outsider.
Czech Holy Week: Blue Monday
Holy Week is called pašijový týden or also svatý týden in Czech and it’s the last week of the 40 day fasting period. Each day of this week was given special names because of the very specific traditions. Let’s learn more about Blue Monday.
Masopust: Fat Thursday and Master Pronobus
Czech Masopust or Fašank starts with the so called Fat Thursday (Tučný čtvrtek) and its prominent character Master Pronobus (pán Pronobus).
St. Agata’s Day and the Fire Protection Ritual
To our ancestors, St. Agata was the one that protected them from fire. Her day was February 5 and it was the day to perform the ritual to secure protection for the upcoming year.
Burning of the Witches and 1st of May in Czech Republic
The Burning of the Witches is a pagan festival celebrated on the 30th of April. It is referred to in Czech as Pálení čarodějnic (burning of the witches), Čarodějnice (witches), Filipojakubská noc (night of St. Philip and Jacob). As is obvious, it is connected to the belief in witches although nowadays it’s especially a fun festival for children. Let …
Fašank, Ostatky or Masopust, the beautiful and unusual Czech Mardi Gras
Colorful and somewhat scary costumes, lots of music, dancing and cake. That’s fašank, masopust, končiny or ostatky, the legendary Czech Mardi Gras, the time of strange traditions like burying the contrabass…
Zabíjačka – pig slaughter Czech way
Zabíjačka is a very special event in the Czech Republic and although many families decided to abandon the tradition of slaughtering their own pig they still purchase the products.
Czech habits that might suprise you
If you’re coming to the Czech Republic from far, you are in for a cultural shock in some aspects. Don’t worry, it’s still a great country but you should know a few things about the local habits…