Ian Willoughby
@ianwilloughby.bsky.social
📤 1227
📥 88
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Irish journalist, and Czech citizen, resident in Prague. Contact me at
[email protected]
reposted by
Ian Willoughby
Alex Zucker
about 1 month ago
@ianwilloughby.bsky.social
talks with Susan Reynolds, whose new translation of one of the most important books in Czech literature — The Grandmother (Babička) by Božena Němcová, first published in 1855 — will be launched by UK-based
@jantarbooks.bsky.social
Oct 30.
english.radio.cz/grandmother-...
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The Grandmother translator Susan Reynolds on bringing Czech classic to English-speaking readers
A new translation of a key work of Czech literature, The Grandmother (Babička) by Božena Němcová, will be launched this month. It’s the work of Englishwoman Susan Reynolds,
https://english.radio.cz/grandmother-translator-susan-reynolds-bringing-czech-classic-english-speaking-8865553
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Photos from my In Conversation With… with Zhanna Nemtsova — one of the best guests to date — at the Václav Havel Library yesterday evening. 📸 Ondřej Němec, VHL
about 1 month ago
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I am hosting a talk after a screening of this documentary on Friday within the Press Play Prague festival. Speakers will be RFE/RL journalists Vladyslav Yesypenko, who the film is about, and Alsu Kurmasheva, who was also imprisoned in Russia. Details:
www.kinoatlaspraha.cz?program=6050
about 1 month ago
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My own personal moment of the day yesterday was when the host on France24 referred to my podcast! In fact the first time he mentioned it — quoting something about Babiš in an earlier interview — I was so surprised that I almost forgot what I wanted to say!
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about 1 month ago
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I spoke to Czech Philharmonic chief David Mareček. Why do they bother doing loss-making tours of the US? Do they feel they are competing with other European orchestras? And what's the nature of the ensemble's collaboration with The National's Bryce Dessner?
english.radio.cz/david-marece...
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David Mareček: We want whole nation to feel part of success of Czech Philharmonic – it’s theirs too
David Mareček, director general of the Czech Philharmonic, discusses the appointment of Jakub Hrůša as next music director, the orchestra's international standing and more.
https://english.radio.cz/david-marecek-we-want-whole-nation-feel-part-success-czech-philharmonic-its-8863860
about 2 months ago
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Is "the tycoon's ambiguous relationship with NATO" an actual reason Pavel may consider not appointing Babiš PM? Surely it would actually "only" be over the Stork's Nest case and AB's ownership of Agrofert?
www.politico.eu/article/czec...
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Babiš is on track to return as Czech prime minister. The president can say ‘no.’
Right-wing populist Babiš is tipped to win October’s election, but the president is weighing barring him over his business interests and ambivalence toward NATO.
https://www.politico.eu/article/czech-president-petr-pavel-andrej-babis-election/
about 2 months ago
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I wrote a piece for Seznam Zprávy, my first, about the new official Czech logo – and efforts to promote the name Czechia.
www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/volby...
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Česká volba: Nový lev funguje, teď ještě dořešit značku „Czechia“ - Seznam Zprávy
Vláda nedávno posvětila jednotný vizuální styl, který má zemi reprezentovat doma i v zahraničí. Je to povedený počin, teď je třeba zabrat s propagací anglického názvu země.
https://www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/volby-do-poslanecke-snemovny-ceska-volba-novy-lev-funguje-ted-jeste-doresit-znacku-czechia-285323
2 months ago
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I spoke to Czech political marketing expert Anna Shavit about electioneering this time out, her experience of working closely with Babiš when ANO were on the rise, and potential coalitions (e.g., she sees ANO-STAN as more likely than ANO-ODS).
#Czechpolitics
english.radio.cz/anna-shavit-...
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Anna Shavit on campaigning with early ANO, “very polarised” 2025 elections – and potential coalitions
Anna Shavit is one of Czechia’s top experts on political marketing and has herself worked on major election campaigns. So how does she see this year's campaigning?
https://english.radio.cz/anna-shavit-campaigning-early-ano-very-polarised-2025-elections-and-potential-8861833?fbclid=IwY2xjawMoyZNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBobVNlRUZIdXFWa0dlcjZqAR7HbAUFW2h58w0AZvOz8SCp8UM_9ZouLq0rsXZWdoKxbwQrac60h0LQMcujAw_aem_t2bsb7TRn3H1Gbr8DLaOSg
2 months ago
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I've just spoken to Barbora Baronová, head of Prague publishers Wo-men. Bára literally puts everything she has into the company, who publish wonderfully designed books, and this was one of the most inspiring conversations I've had in some time!
english.radio.cz/barbora-baro...
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Barbora Baronová, the “punk” publisher putting art before financial stability
Barbora Baronová runs Wo-men, an independent publishing house based in Prague. She literally puts everything she has into the company, which is a true labour of love.
https://english.radio.cz/barbora-baronova-punk-publisher-putting-art-financial-stability-8861331
3 months ago
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Forbes says Prague's renovated Grand Hotel Evropa feels straight out of a Wes Anderson film. The part on Wenceslas Square certainly looks amazing but AFAIK the majority of the hotel is a new build at the back.
www.forbes.com/sites/saraht...
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This Hotel In Prague Feels Straight Out Of A Wes Anderson Movie
A historic hotel in Prague has been renovated with both historical accuracy and 21st century panache
https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahturner/2025/08/28/a-wes-anderson-hotel-for-real-in-prague/
3 months ago
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My latest interview is with the charming and extremely successful Karel Kovář, AKA Kovy. Our conversation takes in a LOT of subjects, including his making little videos with his grandad as a kid, marriage equality, and Czech politicians' social media "skills".
english.radio.cz/top-czech-in...
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“Top Czech influencer” Kovy on politics, marriage equality – and life beyond social media
Karel Kovář, who goes by the name Kovy, is one of Czechia’s biggest social media stars. This year he reached a million subscribers on YouTube and was named top influencer.
https://english.radio.cz/top-czech-influencer-kovy-politics-marriage-equality-and-life-beyond-social-8860486
3 months ago
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Today I had a great chat with Karel Kovář, AKA Kovy, influencer supreme and lovely fella. Interview coming soon on Radio Prague International!
3 months ago
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I interviewed documentary maker Šimon Šafránek about his new podcast on CzechTek and how it culminated in a clash between riot police and ravers. "There was such a strong display of force against youth. And it was the first one of this size since 1989."
english.radio.cz/police-vs-ra...
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Police vs. ravers: Šimon Šafránek on how CzechTek culminated in violence
Šimon Šafránek is the creator of a new podcast on CzechTek, an unauthorised techno music event that culminated in 2005 in clashes between police and participants.
https://english.radio.cz/police-vs-ravers-simon-safranek-how-czechtek-culminated-violence-8858983
3 months ago
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Filmmaker Dužan Duong's super debut Summer School, 2001 made a big impact at @KVIFF. Our conversation covers everything from why Vietnamese families often send their kids to the home country for a while to a new project scheduled for release in 2030.
english.radio.cz/czech-vietna...
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Czech-Vietnamese director Dužan Duong: I’m torn between two worlds – but I use this as an advantage
Writer-director Dužan Duong made a big splash at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival with his debut Summer School, 2001, dubbed the “first Czech-Viet” movie.
https://english.radio.cz/czech-vietnamese-director-duzan-duong-im-torn-between-two-worlds-i-use-advantage-8857801?fbclid=IwY2xjawLwLItleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBhOTZrTVdEQzVXUlVPb0dDAR5wSp0CczfocImr6J0HwQ7Qp0E70gBgMppfHxSpjIRK3orMDxNNwSLYHnIGig_aem_efTl1mwPrqlPO5tMcbT0dA
4 months ago
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I interviewed Marcus Mucha, great-grandson of artist Alphonse, about his former career in Hollywood with Morgan Freeman, how the Mucha Foundation cultivates Alphonse's brand today and way more. He also shared some pretty amazing stories from the family's history.
english.radio.cz/marcus-mucha...
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Marcus Mucha: It’s not nice when you see your family name in Goebbels’ handwriting
UK-born Marcus Mucha is the great-grandson of Alphonse Mucha and helps preserve the legacy of the world-renowned Czech painter, illustrator and graphic artist.
https://english.radio.cz/marcus-mucha-its-not-nice-when-you-see-your-family-name-goebbels-handwriting-8854882
5 months ago
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Writer-director Ondřej Provazník is on the cover of Respekt with the lead actors from his incredible new film Sbormistr/Broken Voices, for which I did the subtitles. The movie is in the main competition at Karlovy Vary IFF and gets its world premiere a fortnight from today.
5 months ago
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Halfway through my interview today with director Ondřej Provazník Pixie started barking at some guy doing weird exercises in the park. But I will cut that bit out and my interview with Ondřej on his brilliant new film Sbormistr/Broken Voices will go out, bark-free, in a couple of weeks!
5 months ago
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The really bad C-word is back
www.euractiv.com/section/poli...
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Czech far right gains ground, reigniting talk of ‘Czexit' - Euractiv
The upcoming parliamentary election in October has brought renewed discussion of a possible Czech exit from the EU.
https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/czech-far-right-gains-ground-reigniting-talk-of-czexit/
5 months ago
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reposted by
Ian Willoughby
isabeltranslates
5 months ago
This happened. I'm still pinching myself!
english.radio.cz/isabel-stain...
Many thanks to
@ianwilloughby.bsky.social
for suggesting it, and for bringing along his gorgeous dog!
#xl8
#literarytranslation
🌐 💙📚 🇨🇿
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Isabel Stainsby: My parents said, “We forbid you from studying Czech” – Don’t say that to a teenager
Brit Isabel Stainsby is the translator of a gripping memoir by Roma journalist Patrik Banga, which has just been launched in English under the title The True Way Out.
https://english.radio.cz/isabel-stainsby-my-parents-said-we-forbid-you-studying-czech-dont-say-a-teenager-8854283
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Tomorrow evening I will be moderating the launch of the English version of Romany writer Patrik Banga's memoir The True Way Out at the Globe in Prague. Come! Details:
facebook.com/events/s/boo...
5 months ago
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Eighty-three years ago on this day, these young heroes, Jan Kubiš and Jozef Gabčík, carried out an operation to assassinate Nazi governor Reinhard Heydrich in Prague, one of the most daring moves of WWII. Glory to their memories. 🇨🇿🕯️
6 months ago
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RIP Marcel Ophüls. I had the privilege of interviewing the great French documentarian at @jihlava_idff in 2017 and he was a lovely old gent with a real spark in his eyes.
6 months ago
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It's 20 years today since the greatest football game I have ever seen, the Miracle of Istanbul!
6 months ago
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Not new but still good to see -- on Panská in Prague
6 months ago
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Yesterday I got to moderate a Q&A at Světozor with the lovely Markéta Irglová and Glen Hansard about her documentary on the making of the new Swell Season LP Forward – and then to see them play a brilliant show a couple of hours later at Forum Karlín. What a day!
6 months ago
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Yesterday I spoke to a Czech psychiatrist researching the use of hallucinogenics in treatment and remembered this kind of amazing article by the great filmmaker Jan Švankmajer about his (bad) experiences of LSD testing when he was in the army:
www.theguardian.com/film/2001/oc...
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Out of my head
In the spring of 1972, the Czech military subjected a group of volunteers to experimental doses of LSD. Among them was Jan Švankmajer – then a struggling artist. Thirty years on, the award-winning ani...
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2001/oct/19/artsfeatures
6 months ago
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At the weekend author Dan Brown posted a pic of himself in Prague. His forthcoming book The Secret of Secrets is set in the city and I have heard he may be here again around its launch in September.
6 months ago
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This is pretty funny if you know Czech swear words 😂
6 months ago
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Some photos from the In Conversation With... with Czech Philharmonic chief conductor Semyon Bychkov at Prague's Václav Havel Library last night. The maestro was charming, thoughtful and super interesting, as can be seen in this video of our talk:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRlk...
📸Ondřej Němec
6 months ago
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"Nobody outshone Jiří," says veteran film journalist Steven Gaydos in an interview following the death of Karlovy Vary IFF main man Jiří Bartoška. But Gaydos has no concerns for the festival's future: "There’s a fantastic continuity... There is no transition."
english.radio.cz/movie-stars-...
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“Movie stars were greeted by a real movie star”: Steven Gaydos remembers Jiří Bartoška
Among the tributes to Jiří Bartoška, who died last week at 78, has been one published by Variety from Steven Gaydos. He shares his memories of Bartoška and the festival.
https://english.radio.cz/movie-stars-were-greeted-a-real-movie-star-steven-gaydos-remembers-jiri-bartoska-8850893
6 months ago
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This very special edition of In Conversation With... at Prague's Václav Havel Library is this evening!
6 months ago
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My newest interview is with Martina Skála, a Malá Strana-born, California-based woman who worked with Forman and Polanski, had a brother in Psí vojáci and literally danced with horses in France. She also has the funniest story of discovering how her dad was cheating.
english.radio.cz/martina-skal...
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Martina Skála on working with Forman and Polanski – and dancing with horses
Writer and artist Martina Skála has had an unusually broad range of jobs, from coaching the female leads on The Unbearable Lightness of Being to dancing with horses.
https://english.radio.cz/martina-skala-working-forman-and-polanski-and-dancing-horses-8850240
6 months ago
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RIP William H. Luers, a legendary US diplomat in Prague, who has died at the age of 95. "His longtime career in the Foreign Service included protecting Vaclav Havel, the writer and dissident who became the first president of the Czech Republic."
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/11/u...
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William H. Luers, Diplomat Who Backed Czech Dissident Leader, Dies at 95
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/11/us/william-h-luers-dead.html
6 months ago
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Happy 75th birthday to Gabriel Byrne, a cool handsome Irish movie star before that was common!
6 months ago
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Yes!
6 months ago
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ICYMI laser beams were projected from the Žižkov TV tower in Prague on Thursday in connection with the 80th anniversary of VE Day 📸 Prague 3
6 months ago
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Man this new pope gets better and better — he stands up to Trump AND he knows Brno!
6 months ago
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Maybe the new guy is going to be ok
6 months ago
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Actor and president of the Karlovy Vary IFF Jiří Bartoška has died at the age of 78. With artistic director Eva Zaoralová he made KVIFF what it is today. RIP.
6 months ago
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Poster for Caravan, the first Czech film in over 30 years to compete at Cannes (Un Certain Regard), seen as a very big deal among the local film community. Zuzana Kirchnerová’s feature-length debut gets its world premiere on May 22.
6 months ago
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“You, Flock of Seagulls”
6 months ago
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Last night I went to a screening of Mr. Nobody Against Putin, a powerful, recommended documentary based on footage shot by Pavel Talankin, who as a teacher at a Russian school documented post-2022 militarism, "patriotism", etc. The film is 🇨🇿 co-produced and Talankin has applied for asylum here.
6 months ago
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Delighted to announce there will be a VERY special guest in the next edition of In Conversation With... at the Václav Havel Library: Czech Philharmonic chief conductor Semyon Bychkov! This is a really rare chance to hear him speak, and to ask questions if you like. Free admission, all welcome!
6 months ago
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This is what the entrance to Czech Radio looked like on this day — the second day of the Prague Uprising — 80 years ago.
7 months ago
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This is pretty awesome: At the Czech Parliament today Volodymyr Zelensky had his photo taken with Ukrainian cleaners, some of whom were moved to tears.
#hero
7 months ago
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Today is the 80th anniversary of the start of the Prague Uprising in the final days of WWII. This picture of citizens erecting a barricade is from a spot I pass often, the corner of Korunní and Nitranská in Prague 3.
7 months ago
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My phone thinks people are more likely to visit space than Spain. Bloody tech bros!
7 months ago
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Allen Ginsberg was named “king of May” in Prague on this day in 1965, when 150,000 took part in May Day celebrations. The whole story, including his expulsion from communist 🇨🇿 days later, is recounted in this article, which I translated some years ago:
www.ustrcr.cz/data/pdf/pub...
7 months ago
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Prague's most spectacular bakery and cafe, a new branch of Antonínovo pekařství on the corner of Francouzská and Náměstí Míru, opens tomorrow. And ahead of that occasion I did a wide-ranging and colourful interview with the man who started the chain.
english.radio.cz/antonin-koke...
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Antonín Kokeš: We saw great bakeries in Germany and France – I said, Why don’t we have it here?
Antonín Kokeš is the man behind Antonínovo pekařství, a successful chain of bakeries just about to open a new branch, and also owns leading Czech board game makers Albi.
https://english.radio.cz/antonin-kokes-we-saw-great-bakeries-germany-and-france-i-said-why-dont-we-have-8849577
7 months ago
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😂😂😂
7 months ago
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