Eastern Europe Unit II Overview

At the end of the UNIT II,
students must have:
1. Discussed Eastern Europe
2. Enumerated the countries
found in Eastern Europe;
3. Named the History, Currency
and languages
4. Identified their Basic food
Consumption;
5. Collected and examined their

Eastern Countries found in
EASTERN EUROPE
Czech Republic
Hungary
Poland
Romania
Russia

Moto
"Pravda vítězí" (Czech)
"Truth prevails"

GOVERNMENT: Unitary
Parliamentary

Official Language
 CZECH
 Recognized Languages:
Slovak , German, Polish, Belarusian,
Croatian, Greek, Hunggarian, Romani, Russian,
Rusyn, Serbian, Ukrainian, Vietnamese

Let’s Learn Czech Republic
Language!!

History
 The history of what are now known as the Czech lands (Czech: České
země) is very diverse. These lands have changed hands many times,
and have been known by a variety of different names. Up until the fall
of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy after the First World War, the lands
were known as the lands of the Bohemian Crown and formed a
constituent state of that empire: the Kingdom of Bohemia (in Czech:
"Království české", the word "Bohemia" is a Latin term for Čechy).
 Prior to the Battle of Mohács, the Kingdom was an independent state
within the Holy Roman Empire. After that battle the Lands of the
Bohemian Crown were incorporated into the Austrian Empire, and
later into the aforementioned Austro-Hungarian Monarchy.
 They came to be known as the Czech lands after the fall of the
Empire, and the rise of the First Czechoslovak Republic, when the
term Bohemia (Czech: Čechy), which also refers to the core region of
the former kingdom, was no longer deemed acceptable by those
in Moravia and Czech Silesia (historically, other two core lands of the
Bohemian Crown). These three integral Czech lands (Bohemia,
Moravia and Czech Silesia) now form the boundaries of the Czech
Republic.

Mid-June–mid-July: Prague
Proms (musical festival)

 June 15–16: Microbrewery festival, Prague
 June 22–24: Celebration of the Rose, Český Krumlov (medieval festival
and knights' tournament)
 Late June (weekend): United Islands of Prague (cultural events and world
music on the city's islands)
 June 29–July 7: Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, western Czech
Republic
 June 29–July 8: Český Krumlov Chamber Music Festival
 July–August: Summer of Culture, Olomouc
 July 4–6: Rock for People, Hradec Králové (eclectic concert series in north
central Czech Republic)
 July 5: Sts. Cyril and Methodius Day (closures)
 July 6: Jan Hus Day (closures)
 July 9–10: Bohemia Jazzfest, Prague (free concerts in Old Town Square);
travels to other Czech towns in following week
 July 20–August 11: Český Krumlov International Music Festival (classical
music and opera)
 July 27–29: Czech Ukulele Festival, Únětice (near Prague; held in brewery)
 July 27–August 12: Telč Vacations Festival (folk music, open-air theater,
exhibitions)
 August 30–September 2: International Folklore Festival, Brno

 September 7–9: Pálava Wine Harvest Festival, Mikulov (music, medieval procession)
 September 7–21: Dvořák's Prague Music Festival
 September 9–11: Rosh Hashanah (Prague's Jewish Quarter sights closed)
 September 18–19: Yom Kippur (Prague's Jewish Quarter sights closed)
 September 21–22: Slunce ve Skle beer festival, Pilsen
 September 23–October 2: Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah (Prague's Jewish
Quarter sights closed)
 September 28: St. Wenceslas Day (celebrates national patron saint and Czech statehood;
kicks off three-day folk festival in Český Krumlov; closures)
 October 11–14: Signal Festival (light show on facades of landmark buildings), Prague
 October 26–November 30: Feast of St. Martin Wine Festival, Český Krumlov
 October 28: Independence Day (closures)
 November 1: All Saints' Day/Remembrance Day (religious festival, some closures)
 November 17: Velvet Revolution Anniversary (closures)
 December: Christmas festivals across the Czech Republic, most notably in Prague and
Český Krumlov (markets, musical events, lights)
 December 5: St. Nicholas Eve (St. Nicholas, devils, and angels walk the streets in search
of nice — and naughty — children)
 December 24–25: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (Vanoce, closures)
 December 26: St. Stephen's Day (closures)
 December 31: St. Sylvester's Day (fireworks in Prague)

Traditional Clothes
 Region: between České
Budějovice, Tábor,
Jindřichův Hradec and
Vodňany.
 It is richly embroidered
clothing; not only usual
embroidery is used, but
beads and sequins are
popular. The brightest and
richest part of the costume is
a large scarf called Blata
plena. It is worn over a soft,
three-part bonnet.
 This costume was formed in
the 19th century. The
women's shirt is richly
embroidered and decorated
with beads. Also it has an
unusual collar called
"výkladek".

Haná folk costume
Region: Haná.
 This national costume is very
beautiful and wealthy.
 Men's clothing consists of
trousers, a tunic, a waistcoat, a
hat, high boots, and a very
ornated belt. Also there are a lot
of accessories. Pieces of
clothes are decorated with
colorful embroidery, silver
buttons and other elements.
Festive garment in Haná region
implies a long blue coat with
copious pleated collar. Men in
this part of the Czech Republic
wore long hair.
 Women of Haná hid their hair
from anyone, including their own
husbands. They wore
headscarves or white
decoratively knitted bonnets.
Often women used both bonnet
and scarf.

Chebsko folk costume
 Region: Cheb region, Ore
Mountains.
 Traditional garment in these
regions was rather rich and
stylish. Both men and
women wore black. Among
fabrics brocade and silk are
popular. Silver jewelry is
used.
 The main women's pieces of
clothing are a velvet (or
made from other material)
bodice and a scarf. This
scarf is worn in an unusual
manner: it was tied on the
head, at the nape, and into a
crown above the forehead.

Chodsko folk costume
 Region: Chod region.
 This national clothing is
widely used today. People
in the vicinity of Domažlice
and Postřekov wear
wedding dresses that are
based on the Chodsko folk
costume. There are 3
different kinds of the
traditional costume in this
region of the Czech
Republic: horský (the
highlands), dolský (the
lowlands) and Stankov
costume. The shape of
dolský costume is focused
above the waist, and
horský costume – on the
waist. Stankov costume
has some elements of town
fashion.

Slovácko folk costume
 Region: Slovácko region, in the
southeast of Moravia.
 In this region the traditional
clothing is used very widely
even today. A lot of people,
especially old women and
youth, wear folk costumes partly
in everyday life. They even
simplified the national attire to
wear it in ordinary life.
 Women's national garment
consists of a short wide skirt, an
apron, a woolen or cotton
bodice, and a scarf on the head.
 Men's costume has very opulent
and embellished forms. Men
usually wear it only for festivals,
banquets and other events.

Táborsko folk costume
 Region: Tábor region, South Bohemia.
 This attire is also called "kozácký" folk
costume.
 Men's national attire is rather simple. It
consists of a thin linen shirt without
embroidery, trousers, a silk scarf, a
waistcoat, a jacket, a long coat, white or
blue stockings, and low shoes. The
waistcoat was of a simple cut, it was
fastened with a row of metal buttons. The
jacket was close-fitting without any without
embellishment. The long coat was tight-
fitting and extended to the waist, made of
dark blue or brown cloth. It had small
shoulder boards; its sleeves were broad at
the shoulder and narrow at the wrist. The
trousers were tight-fitting, made of leather,
and tied with a string under the knee.
 Women's national attire is decorated with
floral embroidery. The embroidery usually
is on cotton fabric. Women wore linen
aprons (called "fertoch"), tied up at the
front. They also used white stockings and
black shoes. Unmarried girls used white
clothing with multicolored ribbons, married
women wore clothes of solemn and
subdued colors.

Valašsko folk costume
Region: Moravian Wallachia.
 This garment isn't used by
people in the Czech
Republic today. It almost
disappeared. You can find
Valašsko folk costume only
in museums, and on folk
dancers and musicians.
 Men's clothing consists of a
white shirt, tight trousers, a
fur coat, peasant shoes and
a hat. Women's attire
consists of a bodice with
traditional sleeves, a white,
roughly pleated skirt, a black
apron, and a white
embroidered scarf on the
head.

 Over the course of its 1,000-year history, the
castle - the largest in the world in terms of area -
has undergone many dramatic changes in
architectural style, evidence of which can be seen
in the numerous buildings constructed within its
walls through the centuries.

 It's impossible to visit Prague without taking the time
to traverse the city's most important river crossing, the
spectacular Charles Bridge (Karlův Most). This
famous structure spanning the River Vltava was built
in 1357 and has many unique points of interest along
its 520-meter span, including numerous fine statues.
Perhaps the most famous are those of the bridge's
namesake, Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV, as well
as one of John of Nepomuk dating from 1683 and
honoring the country's most revered saint (he was
deliberately drowned in the Vltava in the 14th
century). The bridge is extremely popular among
tourists for its fine views, some of the best of which
can be enjoyed (along with the chance of avoiding the
crowds) at dawn and again at dusk.

Brno's Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul

 High above the old city of Brno is the beautiful Cathedral of
St. Peter and Paul, one of the Czech Republic's most
important national monuments. In addition to its splendid
exterior, the exquisite Baroque interior of this 18th-century
masterpiece is well worth exploring. Also of interest is its
crypt, home to numerous old tombs as well as remnants of
the original city walls. Other highlights include the
building's two 84-meter-high towers. Added in the early
20th century, they're home to a rather unique noontime bell
that is notable for being rung an hour early, at 11am, a
tradition that dates back to its founding and which
commemorates the city successfully tricking its besiegers
into ending their attack early. Also in Brno is the 13th-
century Špilberk Castle (hrad Špilberk), home to the Brno
City Museum, as well as the fascinating Tugendhat Villa,
built in 1930 and one of the most important examples of
modern architecture from the early 20th century in Europe.

 A short drive north of the city of České
Budějovice, the huge white Neo-Gothic Hluboká
Castle (Hluboká nad Vltavou) is often said to be
the most beautiful of the Czech Republic's many
fine castles. Built on the site of an older 13th-
century fortress, the current castle was
constructed in the 1660s and was given its
present Gothic Tudor style - loosely based upon
that of England's famous Windsor Castle - in
subsequent extensive renovations. Highlights of a
visit include its huge hedge mazes and lush
foliage, along with its fine interior woodwork,
stained glass windows, and furnishings. Also of
note is the castle's extensive collection of art,
including numerous pieces by leading Czech
artists.

 One of the most beautiful corners of the Czech
Republic is in Eastern Bohemia: the spectacular
Bohemian Paradise (Český ráj). This area of
outstanding natural beauty is notable for its many
massive rock formations that seem to stick up out of
the ground like so many giants, seemingly
unsupported and defying all laws of physics. Now a
UNESCO Geopark, the region draws hikers and
sightseers from across Europe for its stunning
sandstone hills, natural bridges, and tall basalt
columns and outcroppings, all accessible by a first-
rate network of trails and scenic drives. It's a region
that also boasts many fine old castles, including Kost
Castle and Trosky Castle. Start your adventure in
the town of Turnov, home to the Bohemian Paradise
Visitor Center, where you can access a great deal of
tourist-related information and maps of the region.

 If you're able to visit just one Czech town apart from
Prague, you couldn't do much better than Kutná Hora.
Just 80 kilometers east of the capital, Kutná Hora was
once home to one of Europe's leading silver mines,
the wealth from which helped finance many of the
town's most beautiful structures (much of the town
has now been declared part of a UNESCO World
Heritage Site). Highlights include the Baroque St.
Barbara's Cathedral, built in 1338 and notable for its
beautifully decorated interior and frescoes (some of
which feature mining references), along with a large
mural entitled The Vision of St. Ignatius. Also of note
are the town's old mint, housed in the splendid Italian
Court (Vlassky dvur), and the former palace of
Bohemian King Vaclav IV.

Bone Collectors: Czech Crypts,
Tombs, and Cemeteries

 Spread across the Czech Republic are a number of
fascinating locations dedicated to preserving the remains
of those slain in war or killed by diseases such as the
terrible plagues that gripped Europe in medieval times. But
what makes these places even more interesting are the
often bizarre way in which these centuries-old human
relics are displayed. Nowhere is this more evident than in
the small town of Sedlec, home to the famous "Bone
Church," the Gothic All Saints Chapel. Here, the curious
will be rewarded with a chance to see the remains of some
70,000 people who died between the 14th and 16th
centuries displayed in rather chilling artistic fashion,
including coats of arms, chandeliers, chalices, and bells. A
similar effect was created at the Brno Ossuary where the
remains of some 50,000 people were found stacked in
heaps in archways and used as decorative displays and
ornamentation. A little less spooky but impressive for its
sheer size is the spectacular Schwartzenberg Tomb, a
huge crypt dedicated to one of the country's most powerful
dynasties.

 This landlocked nation is located in the center of
Europe surrounded by Germany, Poland, Austria,
and Slovakia. Its terrain is mostly mountainous
with the Carpathians as the chief mountain range.
About 40% of its people are atheists and 40% are
Roman Catholics. Its industries include
machinery, chemicals, steel, weapons, aircraft,
and glass. Part of their fruits and vegetables
comes from neighboring countries

Basic Food Consumption
 Meals are usually heavy; the national dish is pork
with dumplings and boiled cabbage. Roast pork
with dumplings and Sauekraut is considered the
most popular Czech dish.

Traditional Foods
 They can be prepared from scratch, from
cabbage or from sauerkraut, which is most
common. There are different varieties, from sour
to sweet. Red or white cabbage can be used.

 Czech meals usually consist of 2 or more
courses: the 1st courses such is traditionally soup,
the 2nd course is the main dish, and then other
courses such as dessert or compote may follow.

Favorite Recipes are:
 Eggplant soup, bean, cutlets, and vegetable
salad with Bortsch dressing. Kolaches of the
Czechs are one of the best pastries in the world.

 Czechs prefer home cooking to eating in
restaurants. Metal flatware is used: plastics are
not allowed. Eating with the hands is only for
certain foods like sandwiches, toast, crackers.

Eastern Europe Unit II Overview

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