October 2023

• cover

• editorial

   “EXIT THE KING” (1962)…

   

  …is an absurdist drama by French playwright Eugène Ionesco (1909 - 1994) that I have never seen (or read, for that matter). 

  
  

  I don’t even know what it’s about. However, bringing it up is still appropriate, as there is now, in fact, a leader exiting. What you are currently reading is the first issue of Something published this school year, but also the last issue of Something to ever be published under my supervision. I am retiring. Sentimentality aside - we’ll get back to that later - let us look at what you can expect to find in these pages.

  
  

  Whether you are looking to be entertained, educated or to scoff at misinformation, I am sure you’ll find something to spend your time on here. Firstly, there is a joint double effort detailing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from an immediate and brief (Richard), or long-term cultural and historical perspective (Kerem), what follows is a short account of the work that went into the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics (myself), and some very interesting tips for cultural events in Ostrava in the present or near future (Martin). Moreover, the traditional material also makes a return: we have recommendations for Netflix (Karolina), an interview with a staff member - Ms. Humeníková in this case (Elen) - and an insight into the current punk scene (Marek). 

  
  Reflecting back on my two year experience as a chief editor, it has certainly been interesting. I learned a lot of things, such as the way people work in team settings (in the sparse instances they decide to do so) and that I am not exactly outstanding at time management. 

  
  That said, I am proud of the work and effort that my collaborators and I have put into this project, and I hope it will continue to grow even in my absence. Have I enjoyed working on it? Sometimes. Was it worth it? I will leave that as an open question for the readers to answer.

  
  

  Gabriel Makhoul, chief editor (formerly)

  
  
  

   

• Our crew

  CONTRIButORS TO THIS ISSUE

   

  Gabriel Makhoul

  Chief editor

   

  Writer

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Karolina Horáková

  Writer

  Netflix tips

  
  

  
  

  Elen Michalíková

  Writer

  From A to Z with staff members

  
  

  
  

  Marek

  Writer

  The World of Music

  
  

  
  

  Dominik Švrček

  Graphic editor

  
  

  
  

  Kerem Gür

  Writer

  Politics and power

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Martin Šelle

  Writer

  Graphic editor

  
  

  
  

  Richard Mattyasovszky

  Writer

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Lucie Kuluri

  Project consultant

  Cover designer

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Russell Wickwar

  Proofreader

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

• richard

    A Brief History of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

   Richard Mattyasovszky

   This article is about the underlying pre-war conflicts between Israel and Palestine. As currently the most talked about event in the world, it’s important to understand not only what is happening now but also what was happening before.

   Image: Fire and smoke rise from Gaza City following an Israeli airstrike on October 8, Author: Fatima Shbair, CNN.com

   1948 Israel declared independence

   After WW2, Britain mandated that Palestinian land should be split into two independent states. One Arabic and the other Jewish. Religiously significant Jerusalem was to be under special international administration. The Arab side rejected the plan arguing that it was unfavourable to the vast population which was the beginning of their many disputes. The day after, Israel declared independence. Arab countries in alliance with Palestine attacked Israeli forces leading to the first of many Arab - Israeli conflicts. Israel gained control over a larger part of the territory. Egypt had control over The Gaza Strip.

   The six-day war in 1967

  
  

  A short war between Egypt and Israel over the dispute of the Gulf of Aqaba left Israel taking over crucial territories such as the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. 

  munich olympics

   A terrorist attack during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich was organised by eight members of a Palestinian militant group called Black September. The eight members broke into the Olympic village, killed two Israeli athletes on the spot and kidnapped another nine. In negotiations, they demanded 234 Palestinian prisoners to be released from Israeli prisons. After a failed ambush by the German police, all kidnapped athletes were killed as well as five of the eight attackers.

  
  

  First intifadah IN 1987

  A Palestinian uprising that brought many clashes and protests against Israeli occupation in The West Bank and Gaza led to a long conflict between Israel and Palestine that left many victims on both sides.

  second intifadah IN 2000

  Riots broke out following a visit by Israeli political figure Ariel Sharon (who later became Prime Minister) to a compound in Jerusalem that is

  venerated in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Clashes continued until 2005.

  2006 - Hamas elected in gaza

  After Israeli troops withdrew from Gaza in 2005, Hamas, a Palestinian Islamist militant group, won legislative elections the next year.

  Three-week attack on gaza in december 2008

   After a rocket hit Israel, Israeli forces launched Operation “Hot Winter”. The operation resulted in 112 Palestinians and three Israelis dead.

   Death of Hamas military chief

  In 2012, Ahmed Jabari, the military chief of Hamas, died after back-and-forth rocket fire alongside at least 150 Palestinians and 6 Israelis.

  summer 2014

   Hamas militants killed three Israeli teenagers, prompting an Israeli military response. Hamas answered with rocket attacks from Gaza. A seven-week conflict left more than 2,200 Palestinians dead in Gaza. In Israel, 67 soldiers and six civilians were killed.

  JErusalem - the capital of israel

  The Trump administration recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in 2017. The U.S. shifted its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, outraging the Palestinians.

  al-aqsa mosque raided

  Al-Aqsa Mosque, located in Jerusalem, is the third-holiest site in Islam. It was raided in May 2021 by Israeli police setting off an 11-day war that killed more than 200 Palestinians and 10 Israelis.

  israel at war

   On October 8th 2023, Israel formally declared war on Hamas, following air strikes on Israeli territory from Hamas.

  Westfall, S., Murphy B., Taylor A., Pietsch, B. “The Israeli-Palestinian conflict: A chronology”, Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/israel-palestine-conflict-timeline-history-explained/

  
  

  Bubola, E. “Here is a timeline of the clashes between Palestinian militants and Israel.” https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/07/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-conflict-timeline.html

  
  

  USNews.com, “Israel and Palestinian War: What You Need to Know Right Now.”  https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2023-10-09/israel-and-palestinian-war-what-you-need-to-know-right-now

  
  

  Bella, T. “The Gaza Strip and its history, explained.” Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/10/09/gaza-strip-israel-hamas-explained/

  
  

  
  

  History.com,  “Palestine - History, Religion & Conflicts” https://www.history.com/topics/middle-east/palestine#sources

  
  

  BBC, “ In Depth  | Israel and Palestine  |  key documents  | UN partition plan” http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/middle_east/israel_and_the_palestinians/key_documents/1681322.stm

  
  

  CNN, “In Pictures: The Deadly Clashes in Israel and Gaza.”/ 

  https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/07/world/gallery/israel-gaza-attack-2023/index.html

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  
  

• kerem

   A NOT-So-Brief History of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict 

  Kerem Gür

   There are many words for addressing this crisis, according to a local Arab, an invasion, to a local Israeli, a tragedy and to an Orthodox Jew, a reclamation. 

  These are only a few ways of perceiving the conflict out of millions of others. A conflict that has claimed many lives, innocent, guilty, adult, senior, children, men and women without discriminating among them. As this topic has become popular again, there are many more people than ever justifying the deaths of numbers, while they are brothers, fathers and sisters to many others. If not today, for us to be able to change the future for the better, we must see the bottom of the iceberg, instead of focusing on the tip of it. So, let's ask the first question about this conflict, "When?".

  
  

  Image: Western Wall, Jerusalem, Brittanica.com

  WHEN?

   Surprisingly, the first Jewish attempt to return to "Eretz Yisrael''(lit. "Land of Israel") after the Roman exile, dates older than many people might assume. For instance, during the 10th century, as a result of the leaders of Karaite Jews, under Persian rule, urging their followers to return to their ancestral lands, an act of mass-immigration to Jerusalem began. Once they arrived in the region, they settled in Kidron Valley in today's Judea and Samaria region of Israel, also known as West Bank. Until the 19th century, the region welcomed many more waves of Jewish immigration, most of which arrived during Ottoman rule, as Ottomans offered religious freedom to the Jews, who were forcefully converted or persecuted at the places where they lived prior to their arrival. An example of this situation would be the immigration of Sephardim Jews after their expulsion from Spain. However, mass immigration to the area started occurring after the late 19th century with the first Aliyah. 

  
  
  Aliyah means “ascent” in Hebrew. However, it is also the given name for the mass immigration of Jews to their ancient lands. The first one of these mass immigrations occurred during the late 19th century, mainly as a result of Jews being persecuted in Russia, as they were blamed for the assassination of Tsar Alexander II. Especially after the introduction of anti-Jewish laws by the Russian state, (also known as “May Laws'') movements such as Bilu and Hibbat Zion gained popularity among Jews and encouraged them to settle into Jerusalem, which was then under Ottoman rule. First Aliyah was significant news for the Jews of the world, as it showed them what was possible while also laying the foundation for the upcoming settlements.

  WHAT?

  The mass movements of Jews to Jerusalem had many reasons, some immigrated there to escape persecution, and some immigrated there to find salvation. However, until the foundation of the idea of Zionism, it was on a limited scale and much less organised. So what is Zionism? Zionism is the idea of Jews returning to their "ancestral lands", instead of staying in exile or settling somewhere else.

  
  

  The idea of Zionism was first voiced by Nathan Birnbaum, who later went against his ideas, however, it was Theodore Herzl, who established the movement as we know it today. The movement became quite popular among the Jews of that time, due to the rise of antisemitism in Europe, which was more systematic than ever. For instance, it was the Dreyfus Affair, which was a case about a falsely convicted Jewish French soldier, that led Theodore Herzl, who used to be a Germanophile, to embrace Zionism. As similar incidents had been occurring all over Europe, the Jewish community lost their hopes of fully integrating within the European societies and started to direct their attention towards Zionism, which they perceived as a new hope.

  HOW?

  As the Jewish population kept increasing year by year in the area, it caught the attention of the local Arabs, who wished to keep the Arabian characteristics of the area, as well as their dominance. After World War I, the British took control of Jerusalem, and encouraged the Jewish settlements with the Balfour Declaration, in order to create a Jewish homeland. However, this encouragement did not last long as years later the White Paper of 1939 was issued by the British government, which restricted the amount of Jewish settlements in the area. These acts by the British did not ease the tensions in the region, which only kept getting worse due to the formation of local militias. 

  
  

  Things were not so bright for the Jews in Europe at the time either, as the persecution against them was at its historical peak under the Nazi regime. This caused more Jews to flee to British-controlled Jerusalem even though it was technically illegal for them, as restrictions had been placed on the amount of Jews that were allowed to settle. Throughout World War II this situation continued and as a result, a third of the region consisted of Jews. After the end of World War II, both Arabs and Jews in the areas demanded independence from their colonial rulers, which only caused the intensification of clashes in the region.

  
  

   This status resulted in the withdrawal of the British from the region following the partitioning of the region among Jews and Arabs by the UN, as two economically cooperating independent nations with a UN-administered Jerusalem in the middle. The Jewish side was content with this outcome decided on by the UN committee of 11 neutral states, however, the Arab side did not accept the existence of a Jewish state within the region, thus starting the first of three main wars between Arabs and Jews.

  
  

  WAR

   On 14 May 1948, Israel declared its independence within its borders decided on by the UN, which triggered the Israeli War of Independence, on the same day Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Iraq initiated their invasion of the British Mandate of Palestine. 

  
  This conflict lasted for 8 months in total and resulted in Israel capturing more territories than given in the UN  resolution, for the Palestinian state, the West Bank was annexed by Jordan and the Gaza Strip was put under Egyptian protection. The next crisis on the horizon was the Suez Crisis. On 26 July 1956, Egypt nationalised the Suez Canal and blocked Israeli access through it. This resulted in a French and British ultimatum to Egypt as well as an Israeli offensive to the Sinai peninsula. However, it lasted for a short while as Egypt agreed to stop its blockade against Israel on the Strait of Tiran in return for the Israeli withdrawal from Sinai, where the UN sent its peacekeeping forces subsequently. 

  
  Some years later in 1967, the conflict culminated a second time, giving rise to the Six-Day War. Despite lasting for a short period, the escalation phase prior to it was initiated by the Egyptian removal of the UN peacekeepers from Sinai and the deployment of 100,000 troops to its border with Israel. As a result of similar escalations from all sides, on 7 June 1967, Israel launched its surprise offensive against first Egypt, then Jordan and lastly Syria.

  
  

   Image: Six-day War in the Golan Heights, Brittanica.com

  By the end of the week, Israel had significantly expanded in the area and had fended off all threats to its existence. Despite the bloodshed, this war did not mark an end to the conflict either. Skirmishes on the borders of Israel continued until the next major conflict known as Yom Kippur War. On 6 October 1973, Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel, which caught Israel off guard as they did not expect to be attacked during Yom Kippur, the holiest two days of the year for Jews. This war was to last nearly for a month and it ended with Israeli victory. The end of this war also saw Egypt's recognition of Israel in return for the Sinai Peninsula. After this war, the conflict between the Israeli and local Arabs was more reserved for Israel and PLO, instead of including leagues of Arab nations. However, the end of major wars between Arab nations and Israel did not see peace coming to the region either, as PLO proceeded further with their activities, which resulted in later Israeli anti-terrorist operations in Israel and even in southern Lebanon continuing until this day.

  
  

  PEACE?

   In the early 90s, there were attempts to seize hostilities between the sides. There have been even some negotiations leading to the set of agreements between Israel and Palestinians, also known as the Oslo Accords. Its aim was to establish a Palestinian state alongside Israel based on the borders in UN Resolution 242. This would have seen self-determination coming to the local Arabs, alongside establishing a state for them, alongside bringing an end to the decades-long conflict. However, this treaty was not welcomed by everyone in both populations, as some perceived it as a loss of territory and some viewed it as a big compromise. Eventually, the Israeli prime minister (Yitzhak Rabin) who had signed it was assassinated, and PLO leader (Yasser Arafat) lost his popularity among the local Arabs, which later on led to the rise of the terrorist organisation called HAMAS.

   Image: Oslo Accords, Brittanica.com

  
  

  conclusion

  In conclusion, this conflict is deeply rooted within the region and its history. It is easy to make assumptions about the sides with limited information, calling them names or accusing them of things, and the hard thing is to actually hear their cry for peace. Without a good understanding of the conflict and its history, one would only contribute to its flames as he could only shout and accuse, instead of empathising and understanding. Especially at a time of crisis, like today, assuming sides to be black and white will only lead to more bloodshed, and silence the cries of peace, when almost everyone has lost a loved one to the conflict, and many other loved ones are waiting to close their eyes forever. 

   

  Britannica "Aliyah"  https://www.britannica.com/topic/aliyah

  
  

  Wikipedia "Daniel al-Kumisi"  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_al-Kumisi

  
  

  Britannica. "Judaism: Marginalization and Expulsion"  https://www.britannica.com/topic/Judaism/Marginalization-and-expulsion

  
  

  Jewish Virtual Library "Ottoman Rule (1517-1917)"  https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/ottoman-rule-1517-1917

  Unpacked. “The Rise and Fall of Jews in the Ottoman Empire | The Jewish Story | Unpacked,” Youtube.com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMFYBNMR3pg

  
  

  Ekinci, E.  "Jewish Community in Ottoman Empire," Dailysabah.com  https://www.dailysabah.com/feature/2017/10/13/jewish-community-in-ottoman-empire

  
  

  Israel Institute. "May Laws Instituted in Russia,"  https://israeled.org/may-laws-instituted-russia/

  
  

  Jewish Virtual Library.  "The First Aliyah (1882-1903)"  https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-first-aliyah-1882-1903

  
  

  Britannica.  "Zionism" https://www.britannica.com/topic/Zionism

  
  

  Jewish Virtual Library.  "Nathan Birnbaum" https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/nathan-birnbaum

  
  

  Britannica. "Theodor Herzl"  https://www.britannica.com/biography/Theodor-Herzl

  
  

  Britannica. "Dreyfus Affair" https://www.britannica.com/event/Dreyfus-affair

  
  

  Britannica.  "Palestine: World War I and After" https://www.britannica.com/place/Palestine/World-War-I-and-after

  
  

  Britannica. "Balfour Declaration"  https://www.britannica.com/event/Balfour-Declaration

  
  

  Jewish Virtual Library. "The British White Papers"  https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-british-white-papers

  
  

  Jewish Virtual Library. "Aliyah Bet (1939-1948)" https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/aliyah-bet-1939-1948US

  Holocaust Memorial Museum.  "Aliyah Bet," https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/aliyah-bet

  Britannica.  "Palestine: The Arab Revolt" https://www.britannica.com/place/Palestine/The-Arab-Revolt

  Britannica. "Palestine: Palestine and the Palestinians (1948-67)"  https://www.britannica.com/place/Palestine/Palestine-and-the-Palestinians-1948-67

  Britannica. "Palestine: Resurgence of Palestinian Identity"  https://www.britannica.com/place/Palestine/Resurgence-of-Palestinian-identity

  Britannica. "Palestine: International Recognition"  https://www.britannica.com/place/Palestine/International-recognition

  Britannica. "Palestine: The First Intifadah"  https://www.britannica.com/place/Palestine/The-first-intifadah

  Britannica.  "Arab-Israeli Wars" https://www.britannica.com/event/Arab-Israeli-wars

  Britannica. "Suez Crisis" https://www.britannica.com/event/Suez-Crisis

  Britannica.  "Six-Day War" https://www.britannica.com/event/Six-Day-War

  Britannica.  "Yom Kippur War"  https://www.britannica.com/event/Yom-Kippur-War

  Britannica.  "United Nations Resolution 338"  https://www.britannica.com/event/United-Nations-Resolution-338

  Britannica.  "Lebanese Civil War" https://www.britannica.com/event/Lebanese-Civil-War

  US Department of State. "Oslo Accords"  https://history.state.gov/milestones/1993-2000/oslo

  Britannica. "Oslo Accords" https://www.britannica.com/topic/Oslo-Accords

  Britannica. "Palestine Liberation Organization"  https://www.britannica.com/topic/Palestine-Liberation-Organization

  Britannica.  "Hamas"  https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hamas

• gabriel

  Wait a minute…

  Gabriel Makhoul

   … and sixty quintillion attoseconds pass. That is a number approximately equal to sixty times the number of seconds that have passed since the beginning of the universe.  

  
  

   While this may just seem like a “fun” (not really) fact with big words that is ultimately unimportant to anyone, attoseconds were key to the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics, awarded to physicists Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz and Anne L’Huillier "for experimental methods that generate attosecond pulses of light for the study of electron dynamics in matter," and because they "have given humanity new tools for exploring the world of electrons inside atoms.” In this article we will discuss a) what this means and what the three physicists have done to warrant the Nobel and b) ways their discoveries could be impactful in the future, even in “everyday life”.

  
  

  Image: Comparison of an attosecond, second and approximate age of the universe, Arstechnica.com

  However, before we get to actually covering these two topics, we need to define an attosecond, as it is key to understanding the whole subject. An attosecond is a unit of time equal to 1×10-18 seconds, that is, in daily language, one quintillionth of a second. That means one billion billion attoseconds pass every second. Why is this even a thing? Because it’s the timescale at which electrons (hopefully we don’t need to define what they are) and other subatomic particles work. For example, it takes an electron about 320 attoseconds to jump from one atom to another, or about 150 attoseconds to move around the nucleus of a hydrogen atom. As such, attoseconds are quite useful as a measure of these very quick and small processes happening everywhere all the time.

  
  

  Image: Ferenc Krausz, Anne L’Huillier, Pierre Agostini (left to right), Nature.com
  

   With this definition in mind, we can return to the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics. As stated before, it was awarded "for experimental methods that generate attosecond pulses of light for the study of electron dynamics in matter.” Knowing what an attosecond is, this description starts making more sense. Their research made it possible for us to observe the behavior of electrons, which was impossible before. This is because they were able to experimentally come up with pulses of light so short they exist at the attosecond level, so we can now study electrons from up close by observing their interactions with the light. Since electrons are everywhere and are a fundamental particle that is responsible for things like chemical bonds, this could have a profound impact in the future.

  
  This all began with Anne L’Huillier’s research in the late eighties, where she transmitted infrared laser waves through noble gasses. The infrared light passing through the gas produced much higher frequencies due to how the photons in the light interacted with the electrons of the gas. In the nineties a theoretical framework for this was worked out, but it wasn’t until later that the other two physicists’ contributions came.

  
  In 2001, Pierre Agostini managed to succeed in turning Anne L’Huillier’s discovery into attosecond-short pulses experimentally, also developing a technique to measure how long the pulses last and to confirm that they indeed exist in the attosecond range. In the same year, Krausz worked on developing individual short pulses, as they originally only came in quick succession and were thus useless for any measurements. Moreover, using his laser technology, he managed to create a pulse that only lasted 650 attoseconds, being the first person to create one that lasted less than 1000 attoseconds.

  
  In the following years, Krausz applied his discoveries to studying various phenomena related to electron interactions much closer, which, as stated already, had been impossible before. For example, he measured the speed of the photoelectric effect, which is the process of light ripping electrons off an atom.

  
  While this all may still seem far removed from daily life, the implications are potentially profound. These methods could be very useful in medicine, for example, used to excite molecules in blood in order to detect very small changes and diagnose diseases such as cancer at a very early stage depending on the infrared light they emit. There are also applications in chemistry and biology, where attosecond pulses of light could be used to investigate processes involved in photosynthesis, etc. on a very small scale.

   

  
  

  Pitruzzello, G. “A Bright Future for Attosecond Physics,” Nature.com, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41566-022-01031-w

  
  

  Krausz, F., Corkum, P. “Attosecond Science,” Nature.com, 

  https://www.nature.com/articles/nphys620

  
  

  Lawler, D. “What Are Attoseconds? Nobel-winning Physics Explained.” Phys.org, https://phys.org/news/2023-10-attoseconds-nobel-winning-physics.html

  
  

  Davis, N. “Nobel Prize in Physics Awarded to Three Scientists for Work on Electrons,” The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/oct/03/nobel-prize-in-physics-awarded-to-three-scientists-for-work-on-electrons

  
  

  Ouellette, J. “A New Time Window: Meet the Winners of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics,” Arstechnica.org, https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/10/nobel-prize-in-physics-honors-attosecond-pulses-to-study-electrons/

  
  

  Castelvecchi D. “Physicists Who Built Fast “attosecond” Lasers win Nobel Prize,” Nature.com, https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-03047-w

• martin

  Events and us

  Martin Šelle

  Ostrava is at first sight a bit of a vague city but under the all-surrounding fog, you can find kind and willing people. It would be a shame not to meet them. Here's a list of four events you shouldn’t miss.

  Polské dny v Ostravě 2023

  I know you all go there for shopping - but wouldn't you like to know a bit more about Poland? If the answer is yes, then this event is just for you. Polské dny v Ostravě is happening from the 18th October to the 12th November.

  
  

  And here's everything to expect: Talk shows with interesting people from Poland, culture enhancing exhibitions, traditional movies and music, and as always, traditional food. This event will not only teach you about Poland but it will also bring you closer to our already-so-close neighbors.

  
  

  Image: Polské dny v Ostravě, Ostravainfo.cz
  

  Karin Lednická - Šikmý kostel

   Karin Lednická is one of the best Czech writers. She writes about our region with such a passion only a Silesian like her could do it. And that's why you shouldn't miss any of her books. But maybe you are not one for reading, which is where Divadlo Petra Bezruče comes in with their theater version of Šikmý Kostel, her book about common people in an uncommon time. 

  Ms. Lednická herself was part of the script creation - now it's up to you whether you read it or you see it. The play is performed the whole month.

   Image: Karin Lednická: Šikmý Kostel, Ostravainfo.cz

  
  

  "The plot of the novel spans nearly three decades, and although it essentially focuses on several key personalities, it is colorful and elaborated with creative imagination and erudition. The narrative about a world where coal dust blends with the scent of blooming meadows has the same power as the indomitable women who are the main heroines."-Alena Slezáková, MfD

  
  

  Prodaná nevěsta

   The most popular Czech national opera is coming back to Divadlo Antonína Dvořáka. Orchestral music, an incredible story and characters, all in a feast of a comedic opera piece for your eyes and ears. 

    Image: Prodaná Nevěsta,  Filmovyprehled.cz 

  Česká kletba

   Based on The Irish Curse written by Martin Casella, the Mír Theater has created a new play, Česká Kletba (lit. "The Czech Curse"). You will experience a story about four men who go for confession to church and learn about their problems. Will they resolve them or will they stay under the Czech Curse? And more importantly - are you under the Czech Curse?

  
  

   Image: Česká kletba 1 - read trial, author: Jan Lipovský, Divadlomir.cz

   

  Černá louka s.r.o. „Polské dny v Ostravě 2023,”  https://www.ostravainfo.cz/cz/akce/festivaly/161155-polske-dny-v-ostrave-2023.html¨

  
  

  Černá louka s.r.o. ,,Karin Lednická - Šikmý kostel,”  https://www.ostravainfo.cz/cz/akce/divadlo/161478-karin-lednicka-sikmy-kostel.html

  
  Černá louka s.r.o.  ,,Bedřich Smetana - Prodaná nevěsta,”  https://www.ostravainfo.cz/cz/akce/divadlo/160019-bedrich-smetana-prodana-nevesta.html¨

  
  Černá louka s.r.o., ,,Česká kletba,”  https://www.ostravainfo.cz/cz/akce/divadlo/161545-ceska-kletba.html

  
  ČTK,  ,,Absolutním vítězem ceny Audiokniha roku 2020 je román Šikmý kostel,” Seznam.cz, 

  https://www.seznamzpravy.cz/clanek/absolutnim-vitezem-ceny-audiokniha-roku-2020-je-roman-sikmy-kostel-155505

  
  Zavřelová M. ,,Knihou roku je Šikmý kostel od Karin Lednické, rozhodli čtenáři v anketě,”  MAFRA, a. s., 

  https://www.idnes.cz/kultura/literatura/kniha-roku-2020-karin-lednicka-sikmy-kostel.A201014_110616_literatura_kiz

  
  Filmovyprehled.cz, „Prodaná Nevěsta,” https://www.filmovyprehled.cz/cs/film/397091/prodana-nevesta

  
  Divadlomir.cz, ,,Česká kletba,” https://www.divadlomir.cz/repertoar/ceska-kletba-17#lg=1&slide=2

   

• Elen

  From A to Z with Ms. Humeníková

   Elen Michalíková

   October is here and that means a new From A to Z! This time with our history and Czech teacher, Ms. Humeníková.

  
  

  Accomplishment… To inspire young people.

  Believe… In good values.

  Coffee… A speciality coffee for me please! Doppio always wins.

  Dancing… Like a crazy person in a living room! 

  Earth… Is full of adventures! 

  Family or friends… Are like plants, you have to water them to make them grow.

  Guilty pleasure… Vinegar chips and Reese’s!

  High School… Gymnázium in Jeseník! 

  Identity… I see myself lying in the grass with the book on the hill I climbed.

  Just… Do not take yourself so seriously.

  Kindness… Is more than being fair (my beloved quote from the book “Wonder boy”).

  Laugh… All the bizarre incidents that I encounter on a daily basis.

  Mountains… Always Jeseníky! But every mountain brings peace into my soul…

  Nation… Is a construct! We are all the same… but different!

  Ocean… Icy, dark and deep, hiding many secrets…

  People… I have learned that I do not have to ask for them. If they do not want me in their life, I gladly open the door for them!

  Queen… I want to break free!

  Running… Obsession or hobby?

  Summer… With a book and espresso tonic!

  Time… I am still learning that doing nothing can be a time well spent.

  Underrated… All movies about love with a happy ending!

  (la) Vie… Is beautiful when you have good music, coffee, a book and a nice view!

  Whenever I’m sad I… Cuddle my dog or my Patrick (similar feelings) or go for a run.

  Xantippa… Hope I never become one! 

  You… Are a special and beautiful person :)

  Z (Generation)… I am a Millennial but with the soul of an old person.

  SOMETHING… There is always something going on, but don’t worry, you will sort it out later :)… To inspire young people.

  
  

  
  

• karolina

  Netflix Tips For Autumn

  Karolina Horáková

   As the leaves turn golden and start to fall, there is no better time to light a candle, get cosy and watch something new during the autumn season. Now let's take a look at some new Netflix releases and tips to make the most of your autumn experience.

  
  

   At Home With The Furys

   This short, British TV series is not only about legendary boxer Tyson Fury, but also about his family life, mental struggles and daily routines. If you are not a fan of boxing, don't worry, it's still very entertaining. For me personally, boxing isn't anything I would voluntarily watch, but this TV series was interesting for me. In the episodes we get a glimpse of traveller culture (Tyson and his wife have Irish Traveller roots), which gave me a new perspective. 

  They talk about the way their ancestors used to live or the traditions they have. Many people might think that the whole plot is just about them showing how easy and posh their life is but it's more than just that. They show the real struggles they go through, how difficult it is to take care of seven children and maintain a household or how challenging it is to struggle with mental health, which features heavily as Tyson is diagnosed with bipolar disorder. 

   His wife Paris discusses it a lot and provides viewers with a lot of information that the media generally doesn't show. Paris occurs a lot throughout because she is a stay-at-home mum and she describes how she does it all. I really recommend this TV series because it's very real and gives the viewers new perspectives. 

   Image: At Home With The Furys, IMBd.com

  Beckham

  This month's Netflix tips might seem to be only about sports, but here is another very inspiring and interesting release. This new limited series with only four episodes is about well-known footballer David Beckham. It's quite similar to Tyson Fury's documentary so if you have already watched that, then don't hesitate and check this one out as well. David describes his humble beginnings and talks about his rise. The viewers will delve into his personal life, career and family struggles. 

  Many people might consider David a cold person who doesn't open himself to the public but this documentary provides it all. The filmmakers went beyond the surface to uncover Beckham's character. His wife Victoria Beckham, a former Spice Girl member, appears in the series as well. She describes the troubles and hassle the media has put them through and also about her romance with David. This work is directed with not only die-hard fans in mind, but also to those less familiar with his story. 

   

   Image: Beckham, IMBd.com

   New seasons

   A lot of new seasons of our favourite television series are coming soon! Fans of Spanish series Elite can be excited for the new season which is about to get released. Elite is a TV series about teenagers studying at a prestigious school where a lot of drama happens. I would say it's quite similar to Gossip Girl - so, if you have seen that and enjoyed it, then definitely watch Elite. And those who have been waiting for the new season of Lupin, the French TV show about a gentleman thief who stole many valuable things and now is hiding in Paris, it has just been released. So don't miss it!

  
  

  That was all for the Netflix tips for autumn, so go watch all the films and TV series on your watchlist and don't hesitate to add some more because the winter tips are just around the corner.

   

   

  IMDb, “At home with the Furys,” 

  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21875120/

  
  

  IMDb, “Beckham,” 

  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14524712/

• marek

   The Still Loved Blink-182: Delivering the Album “One More Time…” to You

  Marek Helebrant

   Blink 182, the iconic punk band formed in the early 90s in California is back after some time off and it’s a blast. 

   Image: Blink-182: “One More Time…,”  Stereogum.com

   You may have already heard some of their biggest anthems such as All the Small Things, What's My Age Again or Miss You. The trio Tom Delonge, Markus Hoppus and Travis Barker are a legend each in the industry and their band is definitely one of the pop punk originals sliding next to names like Green Day, The Offspring or Sum 41.

  After some years of rest and personal issues they got back together in the original line up and began touring again. The trio also visited Prague, leaving a high rated show with the atmosphere on top. Not long after their return, Blink 182 released a new song, Edging, and also announced a new album. The fans automatically had high expectations and their shows also had sky-high reviews. Blink 182 are back and better than ever.

   On October 20th they released their ninth album and named it One More Time, probably indicating something that fans don’t want to think of. The record instantly got amazing reviews and the fans weren't disappointed at all. All songs have the characteristics of the band starting with Travis’ drumming. Travis Barker is hands down the best current drummer, at least by fan choice. He has the quickest fill ins out there and still makes it sound unique and clear. It is a regular thing that after each show he posts a photo of his bloody palms and fingers, making it clear how hard he’s hitting his parts. 

  
  

   Image: own collage, author: Marek Helebrant

   Markus Hoppus is a talented bass player with a well sounding bass and a mind to make up all his beautiful lines. He isn’t really a fast player, but always makes it sound really melodic and the bass is always heard in each song. Regarding the frontman Tom Delonge, who plays the guitar and takes care of most of the vocals. He really isn’t that good in both of his jobs. Isn’t that good of a guitar player, but makes it sound good with loads of distortion effect and his singing isn’t at top form either, but his lyrics are really catchy and has an adolescent chemistry with his two band mates and that is what attracts the fans to listen more.

   From the sound perspective, the album is beautifully mixed. And the songs aren’t that bad either. Of course every song isn’t a hit, but they manage to keep your attention from start to finish. Some songs that stood out to me are Edging, Blink Wave, Turpentine, You Don’t Know What You’ve Got. These songs are catchy mostly because of the chorus, and to be fair, that’s what Blink know how to do the best.

  One More Time is a great album that hasn’t disappointed at all, in fact it confirmed that the Blink trio is still capable of producing great music in their pop punk genre area. All songs are catchy and you will probably want to listen to them again. Let’s just hope that this isn’t the last time.

  Trewn, P. “Premature evaluation: Blink-182 One More Time…” Stereogum.com, https://www.stereogum.com/2239895/premature-evaluation-blink-182-one-more-time/reviews/premature-evaluation/

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