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Culture

Explore the Rich Culture & History of 3Seas Region

Leszek Lichota as Antoni Kosiba

Polish Cult Movie Remake Coming to Netflix Near You!

by Przemysław Bociąga
25 March 2023
Poland/Culture

A new adaptation of a classic Polish-novel-turned-cult-film was just announced by Netflix, sending the Internet into a frenzy. While younger generations seem open, fans of the original film are up in arms over the remake of a beloved masterpiece.

pedestrian crossing lights in vilnius Lithuania get a wardrobe change from men to women

Crossing Lights in Vilnius Get the Glow Up Treatment

by Przemysław Bociąga
25 March 2023
Poland/Culture/People

In Lithuania's capital, pedestrian crossing lights recently got a makeover as part of the celebration to commemorate 100 years of women’s right to vote in the country. Lights featuring figures wearing skirts now dot the intersections of a bustling Vilnius neighborhood.

Papcio Chmiel with his comic picture

Comic Book Author & Warsaw Uprising Combatant Papcio Chmiel

by Przemysław Bociąga
24 March 2023
Poland/Culture/People

"Tytus, Romek i A'Tomek" was the longest-running Polish comic book series. But its creator's biography extended beyond the adventures of a monkey born from an inkblot.

Melex: A Polish Electric Export Hit

by Jakub Warzecha
24 March 2023
Poland/Culture/Tech

For 50 years, the Polish company Melex has been creating EVs, which sell like hot cakes all over the world - long before electric vehicles became fashionable.

Magdalena Abakanowicz Exhibition: Every Tangle Of Thread And Rope

Famous Polish Sculptor Takes Over London’s Tate Modern

by Przemysław Bociąga
22 March 2023
Poland/Culture/People

"Every Tangle of Thread and Rope" is the title of Magdalena Abakanowicz's retrospective in the most notable British modern art museum. The late artist's relationship with her body takes the form of unusual sculptures.

Daily Life In Split, Croatia

The Roman Villa So Large, It Became an Entire City

by Przemysław Bociąga
21 March 2023
Travel & Food/Culture/Croatia

There's little doubt that one of the best holiday destinations in Europe is Croatia's Dalmatian coast. This is somewhat old news, as the area was already known as a dream retirement spot 1,700 years ago, attracting even the likes of Roman emperors.

Lajkonik tradition in Cracow

The Unlikely Symbol of Cracow, Poland Explained

by Weronika Edmunds
20 March 2023
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

Ever wondered what a Mongolian man on a hobby horse is doing representing one of the most gorgeous and historical Polish cities? There is a valid explanation!

Dracula castle in Bran, Transylvania

Romania, the Land of Artistic Inspiration

by Naomi Gherman
19 March 2023
Romania/Travel & Food/Culture

Bram Stoker and Jules Verne, defining figures in the world of literature, took great inspiration from the Romanian lands - despite having never stepped foot inside the country.

Couple in front of large map of Livonia from The Palmse Manor

Estonia – the Story of the Most Northern Central European Nation

by Weronika Edmunds
19 March 2023
Estonia/Travel & Food/Culture

Every good story has intriguing protagonists who make you want to figure out who they are and where they came from. In the Three Seas Region, there is a country whose history causes a lot of “I didn’t know that!” reactions. Want to know which one?

Kofola became an instant hit in its native Czechoslovakia, so much so that at one point, the country ran out of the herbs needed for its production and they had to be imported from abroad

The Communist-Era Soft Drink That Resists the Appeal of Coke

by Przemysław Bociąga
18 March 2023
Culture/Slovakia/Czechia/Travel & Food

There are only a handful of countries around the world where Coca-Cola does not reign supreme. Czechia and Slovakia are among them. Meet Kofola, the socialist Coke alternative introduced in the 60s, still holding strong and topping the soft-drink market.

Couple in yellow raincoats holding polish flag in front of lake in Tatra mountains

Born Abroad? Better Check –You Might Be Polish!

by Weronika Edmunds
18 March 2023
Poland/Culture

It should be fairly straightforward. You are born in a country, which means you are its citizen. If someone moves abroad, then after some time, the original connection is lost. Simple? Not when it comes to Poland! We'll tell you why.

US President Joe Biden Visits Warsaw. The US President, Joe Biden arrives to deliver a speech at the Royal Castle Arcades on February 21, 2023 in Warsaw, Poland. The US President is in Warsaw for his second visit to the country in less than a year. It comes after his surprise trip to Kyiv on February 20 to reinforce US support for Ukraine almost a year after Russia's large-scale invasion

In Wartime, Central Europe Is Rising to the Task

by Agaton Koziński
16 March 2023
Money/Culture

The past year of the war in Ukraine was also a year of forging an awareness of the common destiny of Central Europe.

Aritst mark Rothko standing in front of his paintings

Mark Rothko: The Latvian Artist Who Pioneered a Movement

by Przemysław Bociąga
16 March 2023
People/Latvia/Culture

Latvia's second-largest city, Daugavpils, is home to the Mark Rothko Art Center, named after one of the most famous artists in the world, who was born in the city in 1903.

Venus of Piatra Neamț: Archeological Marvel or Elaborate Hoax?

by Przemysław Bociąga
13 March 2023
Romania/Culture

The discovery of the 17,000-year-old Venus of Piatra Neamț figurine in North-Eastern Romania in 2019 was supposed to be an archeological miracle. However, some eagle-eyed journalists discovered that certain puzzle pieces do not fit into the story.

The Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic

The Czech-Vietnamese Connection

by Marek Koten
12 March 2023
Czechia/Culture

Vietnamese are the third largest national minority in the Czech Republic. What brought these emigrants to Czechia, and how have they assimilated into Czech culture?

Victor Babes, young, after he published the first Treaty of Bacteriology

The World-Changing Destiny of Victor Babeș

by Naomi Gherman
12 March 2023
Romania/Culture/People

Romania’s most renowned bacteriologist, Victor Babeș, dreamt of being an artist – until a tragic event changed the path of his life forever.

oil painting from 1845 depicting people in front of an inn

The Importance of the Jewish Tavernkeeper in Early Modern Poland

by Przemysław Bociąga
12 March 2023
Poland/Culture

The Jew as a tavernkeeper remains a staple of any historical narrative based in early modern Poland. And there's a reason for that, as the occupation was virtually reserved for members of this closed society.

Tokaj: The First Official Wine Region in Europe

by Przemysław Bociąga
11 March 2023
Travel & Food/Culture

The Tokaj region, famous for its wines that have been prized since the 18th century, became an official appellation in 1737, some two centuries earlier than the famous Burgundy.

A statue of ruler Charles IV stands next to the Charles Bridge

Ruling Europe From Prague: The Story of Charles IV

by Marek Koten
11 March 2023
Czechia/Culture

Czech King and Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV is considered the most influential ruler of the High Middle Ages. Despite his education in France, he always remembered where he was born: Prague.

Top view of baklava desserts served on light blue background

Bulgaria’s Reigning King of Baklava

by Galina Ganeva
11 March 2023
Hungary/Travel & Food/Culture

Most of the shops on this beautiful street in the center of Shumen in northeastern Bulgaria have seen better days. Except for one bakery still bustling with life.

Woman swimming in beautiful clear water in Croatia

Fjaka: The Croatian Secret to Happiness

by Ewelina Sadura Marinović
10 March 2023
Croatia/Travel & Food/Culture

Do you want to be a happier person with nothing standing in your way? All you have to do is learn the Croatian practice of fjaka. The people of Croatia have found their own foolproof recipe for happiness and joy every day – and it’s something that anyone can bring home with them.

Glass of fresh dark podpiwek in male hand close up

Poles Call This Traditional Refreshing Soft-Drink The ‘Underbeer’

by Przemysław Bociąga
10 March 2023
Culture/Poland/Travel & Food

Podpiwek, which can be peculiarly translated as 'underbeer', is a traditional beverage made from cereal coffee, hops, and yeast. Not unlike malt beer, it provides refreshment on hot summer days.

Esotiq summer 23 campaign with Marcelina Zawadzka

The Latvian Capital of Lingerie 

by Lelde Benke
10 March 2023
Latvia/Money/Culture

People all over the world wear pants, bras, and pajamas made in Latvia. A lot of the garments originate from Liepāja. How did this coastal city become the Northern country’s unofficial capital of lingerie?

1971 - Fiddler On The Roof - Movie Set, pictured Chaim Topol as Tewje

Searching for “Our Little Anatevka” as Chaim Topol Dies at 87

by Przemysław Bociąga
9 March 2023
Lithuania/Poland/Culture

When the Fiddler on the Roof praised his home village, what part of Central Europe did he have in mind?

Ötzi

The Disputed Nationality of a 5,000-Year-Old Man 

by Przemysław Bociąga
8 March 2023
Austria/Culture/People

A corpse found on the border between Austria and Italy seemed so fresh that the tourists who found it called the police. But it was archeologists would eventually dispute the nationality of the ice man.

Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia in Netflix series

Who Still Remembers the Witcher’s Polish Roots?

by Weronika Edmunds
7 March 2023
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

The Witcher - a successful Netflix series, a mind-boggling game, and… a musical. All of these are spin-offs of a highly witty fantasy saga. So where did it all begin?

Left: Circa 1038, King Stephen I of Hungary (979 - 1038), canonized by the Pope in 1083. Right: Saint Stephen painting by Luis de Morales

The Saint Stephens Confusion – Who’s Who?

by Przemysław Bociąga
5 March 2023
Travel & Food/Culture

Under the English name Stephen come two different saints. Depending on where in Central Europe you are, it's important not to confuse them.

The interior court of the eastern Orthodox Stavropoleos Church in the old city area in Bucharest, Romania

How Romania Created Its Unique National Architectural Style

by Naomi Gherman
5 March 2023
Travel & Food/Culture/Romania

At a time when European states were looking to establish and reaffirm their culture, Romania decided the best way to cement its identity was through… architecture! Cue the birth of Romanian Revival style that, to this day, continues to brighten up the streets of Bucharest.

Giant figure of Saint Casimir carrying by people at traditional theatrical Kaziukas

Saint Casimir’s Fair – A Tradition Uniting Poland and Lithuania

by Weronika Edmunds
4 March 2023
Poland/Culture/Lithuania

Everyone loves their birthday. In some countries where the Catholic Faith is prevalent, people also tend to celebrate the day of their patron saint. The people of Vilnius make sure the day of Saint Casimir is a party no one wants to miss.

Tourist woman eating bagel obwarzanek traditional polish cuisine snack waling on Market square in Krakow. Traveling Europe in autumn

The Centuries-Old Trademarked Delicacy With Just Six Ingredients

by Weronika Edmunds
3 March 2023
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

If you are planning a trip to Cracow, Poland (if you are not – then you should do), we want to help you avoid one of the most terrible culinary faux pas anyone can commit while in this gorgeous city. One that the locals would not forgive.

Wood Is Not Just Future Building Material

by Lelde Benke
2 March 2023
Culture/Latvia/Travel & Food

Some of Riga's wooden buildings date as far back as the 18th century. Witnesses of wars, power struggles, and transformation, the sturdy structures are a living archive. What is their status today?

Blossoming tree branch and martisor against the blue sky

Romanian Mărțișor – the Celebration of Spring

by Weronika Edmunds
1 March 2023
Travel & Food/Culture/Romania

These days much is being said about the carnival season and various celebrations that take place as the Earth prepares for its rebirth. Romania tops it with its very unique take on the welcoming of Spring.

Martenitsa or Martisor on a bouquet of yellow daffodils on a green wooden table top view

Spring Is Here. Say It With a Martenitsa

by Galina Ganeva
1 March 2023
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

It’s the one accessory that goes with everything and never goes out of style. On March 1st of each year, Bulgarians adorn their clothing and wrists with martenitsas. The ancient bracelet, usually made of twisted red and white woolen or cotton threads, announces the end of winter. And so much more.

European Union flags are pictured outside the European Commission building

A Slowly Eroding Sense of Importance of the EU in Central Europe

by Agaton Koziński
28 February 2023
Three Seas Initiative/Culture

Due to its history, Central Europe is very sensitive about its own security. That is why since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the importance of the EU in the eyes of the people of CEE states has started declining.

A worker cleans the gold Vienna Philharmonic coining die in the Austrian Mint Muenze Oesterreich headquarters in Vienna

Vienna Philharmonic Coin Is Among the Most Prized Forms of Gold

by Przemysław Bociąga
27 February 2023
Austria/Money/Culture

Many countries have their own versions of one-ounce gold coins treated as a form of investment. But globally, the most important commemorates Vienna’s dedication to music.

Mural in Mangalia

The Mangalia Mural So Controversial Its Creator Had to Flee

by Przemysław Bociąga
26 February 2023
Romania/Travel & Food/Culture

One of the largest and most elaborate murals from Communist Europe consists of three million porcelain pieces and makes a huge impression. In fact, it had such an impact upon its unveiling that its creator was forced to flee Romania.

good luck fairies

Bippity Boppity Boo: Fairy Godmothers and Romanian Birth Fetes

by Naomi Gherman
26 February 2023
Culture/Romania

Should the Romanian Ursitoare have been present at the birth of Sleeping Beauty, she may not have ended up cursed, as it is the job of these creatures to protect and bless the newborn baby. Who, or what, are these mythological fairies, and why are they so important in Romanian culture?

A June 29, 1898, editorial cartoon by Leon Barritt depicts Pulitzer and Hearst each pushing for war with Spain

The Pulitzer Prize Is Named After a Hungarian Journalist 

by Przemysław Bociąga
26 February 2023
Hungary/Culture/People

The founder of the most prestigious awards in journalism was a lifelong rival of William Randolph Hearst. It was this rivalry that set the stage for modern journalism.

The Court House in Sofia, Bulgaria

When Lions Roared in Bulgaria

by Galina Ganeva
25 February 2023
Bulgaria/Culture

Once upon a time, lions roamed parts of the Balkan Peninsula. Excavations show that the last lions were spotted in Bulgaria somewhere around the 3rd or 4th century BC. And while lions were not around to witness the birth of Bulgaria or its struggles, they remain one of the country’s symbols. Why?

Bouillon served in two bowls

Why Polish Bouillon Base Is Called the “Italian Stuff” 

by Przemysław Bociąga
25 February 2023
Hungary/Travel & Food/Culture

The magical combination of carrot, parsley, celery, and leek is so ubiquitous in Polish cuisine that it forms its own category called "the Italian stuff”. The tradition dates back to one dynastic marriage in the 16th century. 

Couple in traditional costume in Bistrita Valley on archive black and white photo

Romanians’ Perfect Excuse for Forgetting About Valentine’s Day

by Naomi Gherman
24 February 2023
Romania/Culture

Cupid and Eros had nothing on Romania’s Dragobete - a young demigod whose sole purpose was to remind people to love and appreciate one another. Celebrated on the 24 February, the holiday has become Romania’s version of Valentine’s Day.

The image shows the lighthouse located on the southern tip of the peninsula on the island of Saaremaa, aerial view

Saaremaa, the Livonian Knights’ Island – As Poetic As It Sounds

by Przemysław Bociąga
24 February 2023
Culture/Estonia/Travel & Food

The largest of the Estonian islands was already inhabited thousands of years ago. In the 21st century, it’s still thriving, and its expansive heritage is just the cherry on top.

Mariacka Street in the old city of Gdansk is the kingdom of the workshops and goldsmiths of amber jewels

Poland’s Rich Amber Shores

by Weronika Edmunds
23 February 2023
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

About 40 million years ago, a large pine forest was growing on land now long gone. As the Earth was rapidly changing, the forest saw its time was coming to an end. Resigned to its fate, sure of being lost and forgotten for all eternity, it… cried.

group of bisons in the morning

European Bison – Return From the Other Side

by Weronika Edmunds
21 February 2023
Poland/Culture

The population of the American Bison was severely hit after the arrival of the settlers. From an estimated 60,000,000 animals living on the land prior to 1800, only about 300 lived in the US in 1900. Its European cousin wasn’t that lucky.

"Just Married" sign and cans attached to convertible car's trunk. Horizontal shot

The Knots of Marriage Still Holding Tight in Central Europe

by Agaton Koziński
20 February 2023
Culture

The decline in the number of marriages and the rise in the number of divorces are ongoing trends in Europe. But in CEE countries, this trend is taking a much slower path. And there are examples of countries where it is even reversing.

Atractive woman in traditional romanian costume on mountain green blurred background. Outdoor photo. Traditions and cultural diversity

Traditional Romanian Woman’s Blouse Gains UNESCO Recognition

by Naomi Gherman
20 February 2023
Romania/Culture

The traditional Romanian woman’s blouse, known as ie, the symbol of authenticity and unity, has recently been recognized as an Intangible Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO.

Hikers on a bridge over river Soca

The Slovenian-Italian River (Possibly) Fortified by Da Vinci

by Przemysław Bociąga
19 February 2023
Slovenia/Travel & Food/Culture

Spanning 140 kilometers, the Soča may not be the longest or largest European river. Still, it is among the most important and – last but not least – the most stunningly beautiful on the continent.

Kingsize movie set

The Polish Communist Cola That Turns You Into a Giant Dwarf

by Przemysław Bociąga
19 February 2023
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

Communist countries were jealous of a few things from the West, and one of them was the famous "capitalist" soft drink. A Polish copy became the symbol of attempts at escaping communism – but in a very unexpected way.

People run during the sauna marathon

Oh, the Weather Outside is Frightful… Let’s Hit the Sauna!

by Weronika Edmunds
19 February 2023
Estonia/Travel & Food/Culture

During the longest, cold winter nights, you may want to curl up under your blanket with a cup of hot cocoa and a favorite film. But why not try something different? Estonians did. And now, each year, they host the European Sauna Marathon!

Buso carnival, traditional hungarian winter closing festival

How to Scare Away the Winter – the Hungarian Approach

by Weronika Edmunds
18 February 2023
Hungary/Travel & Food/Culture

After a long period of short, cold days and endless, dark nights, there comes a time when something has to be done about it. In Hungary, the people of Mohács might just have the answer.

budapest name origin

Budapest Was Almost Named Pestbuda After a Long Debate

by Przemysław Bociąga
18 February 2023
Hungary/Travel & Food/Culture

It turns out it was far easier to unite the city made up of several different towns than to come up with a proper name for it.

archive photo from 1959 shows students running out of school

Poland Celebrated 1000 Years of Christianity with… 1000 Schools

by Przemysław Bociąga
17 February 2023
People/Poland/Culture

Known as the "Millennium Schools," characteristic buildings made with one ingenious design are still the most prevalent of their kind in Poland.

fat thursday poland

Fat Thursday or Mardi Gras? In Poland, We Say, Why Not Both?

by Przemysław Bociąga
16 February 2023
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

Used to fasting and celebrating Easter as a time of penance, many Poles limit indulgences to only a few special occasions each year. But when it’s time to feast time, they do it 100%. Or, in this case, 200%.

Carnival in Central Europe - Celebrated In Bohemian-Moravian Highlands

Carnival in Central Europe – What Sets It Apart

by Weronika Edmunds
15 February 2023
Travel & Food/Culture

By late February, everyone is sick and tired of winter, especially as the eternal cycle of the seasons promises the soon arrival of spring. For millennia, the human race was celebrating that time, trying to scare away the death of winter and invite the season of rebirth and fertility.

view of the medieval fortress Ovech near Provadia Bulgaria europe

Salt, Gold & History: the Competition to Be Europe’s Oldest City

by Krasimir Cheshmedzhiev
13 February 2023
Bulgaria/Culture

Europe is not called “the old continent” by chance. Civilizations here have spawned for millennia. But three cities in Bulgaria are competing to be Europe’s oldest city.

sezatoarea - Young women spinning and sewing in Bistrita Valley, north-east Romania, photo taken between 1920 and 1945

The Ultimate Romanian Social Gathering Event

by Naomi Gherman
13 February 2023
Romania/Travel & Food/Culture

Winter is coming, and for Romanian peasants, that is good news: they can now indulge in the much-beloved șezătoare, where anything can happen. From song learning to marriage planning, șezătoarea was the place where to catch up on village life.

Her'lany geyser

This Slovak Geyser Erupts Every Two Days

by Przemysław Bociąga
12 February 2023
Slovakia/Travel & Food/Culture

In a small town in eastern Slovakia, an underground spring shoots a 15-meter-tall column of water every day and a half. This is the only place in Europe outside of Iceland where you can see such a marvel.

Lithuanian book smuggler Vincas Juska

The World‘s Only Book Smuggling Ring

by Augustas Kalinauskas
12 February 2023
Lithuania/Culture

Books are probably the last things that come to mind when you hear the word “illegal.” Crazy as it sounds, this was once the reality in Lithuania. And it wasn’t just books – it was everything from newspapers to shop signs - which sparked a lucrative smuggling trade.

The living fires of Buzau county in Romania

The Living Fire That Can Foretell Earthquakes

by Naomi Gherman
11 February 2023
Romania/Travel & Food/Culture

If the phenomenon of a self-burning fire is not mind-blowing enough already, know that the living fire of Vrancea is more than just pretty flames. It is an indicator that the disaster that lies underneath is about to erupt.

Beehive panel

Where Artistic Expression Flows Like Honey

by Vid Sosic
10 February 2023
Slovenia/Travel & Food/Culture

A unique aspect of Slovenian folk art is the way it intermingles with everyday farm life in the form of artfully decorated beehives. It is not only an excellent example of how creativity takes shape in all environments but also how seriously the culture of beekeeping is taken in this country.

top night view of the Hotel Kasprowy in Zakopane

Hotel Kasprowy – The Lux Socialist Hotel in the Polish Tatras

by Przemysław Bociąga
10 February 2023
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

Socialism’s great hotel investment in the heart of Polish Tatra Mountains is glamorous again. And it gets one hell of an (unofficial) product placement in the latest production of the most famous Polish opera.

Wooden barrels in front of wine museum in a of city of Melnik a small town in southwest Bulgaria in Pirin Mountains famous with its traditional architecture and local wine

Wine and History: The Story of Melnik, Bulgaria’s Smallest Town

by Galina Ganeva
10 February 2023
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

The 2021 census in Bulgaria confirmed something that most Bulgarians know: the town of Melnik’s spot as one of the smallest towns in Europe is safe.

Ruins of Doftana prison

Romania’s Bastille: A Hotbed for Communist Thought Leaders

by Przemysław Bociąga
9 February 2023
Romania/Culture

Doftana Prison, located in Prahova county at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains, was notorious in the early 20th century for its harsh confinement of political prisoners, and ultimately became a veritable breeding ground for future leaders of a Red Romania.

łazy radio mast

Polish Radio Mast Unseated as World’s Tallest by Burj Khalifa

by Przemysław Bociąga
8 February 2023
Poland/Culture/Tech

At almost 650 meters tall, the radio mast in Konstantynów was the tallest structure of its time. Although it toppled in 1991, it held the record until the completion of Burj Khalifa in 2008.

Summer view of Cesky Krumlov old town. Cesky Krumlov is a small city located in South Bohemia

The Real Life Fairy Tale City of Český Krumlov

by Marek Koten
7 February 2023
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

It's like walking through a fairytale city. When you add snow, you feel like you're in a romantic movie. All this is Český Krumlov, a town in Southern Bohemia where time seems to have stood still.

Authentic tour of The Coal Mining Museum of Slovenia in Velenje with heirs of mining – Sailing on Velenje lake and virtual dive into the past

The Mysterious Underwater Villages of the Šalek Valley

by Vid Sosic
5 February 2023
Slovenia/Travel & Food/Culture

In the Šalek Valley in Slovenia, new lakes were unintentionally created as a consequence of coal mining. They covered old villages where people have lived for millennia, which are now to be found at the bottom of the lake, hiding a mysterious underwater world.

Closing Concert "Following the Starry Path" during The Song and Dance Celebration

Latvian Song Becomes the Unofficial Anthem of Catalonia

by Lelde Benke
4 February 2023
Latvia/Culture

A song, which some Latvians would like to see become the national anthem, has become an unofficial anthem of a faraway place - Catalonia. The Catalan independence movement gave the song new lyrics and meaning with the composer's blessing.

Top part of the tower of St. Olaf's Church in Tallinn, Estonia view from the alley

World’s Tallest Building in Estonia (Or, At Least, It Was 500 Years Ago)

by Przemysław Bociąga
4 February 2023
Estonia/Culture

Today’s race for the tallest building in the world is usually a competition between the United Arab Emirates and China. However, a few short centuries ago, St. Olaf’s Church in Tallinn held the title. (At least, maybe it did.)

prague zoological garden

The Wild Jungle in the Center of Prague

by Marek Koten
4 February 2023
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

At only 91 years old, it is not the oldest Zoo in Europe. However, Prague Zoo is repeatedly ranked as one of the best zoological gardens worldwide. Let us give you a virtual tour.

The steering wheel of a 1977 ARO car

The Birth and Death of the Glorious Romanian ARO

by Naomi Gherman
3 February 2023
Romania/Culture/Tech

The “Romanian SUV” took over the world in the mid-90s. What followed was a success story that made a hit around the globe and put Romania on the map of the automobile world, only to disappear into thin air less than 50 years later.

The Neptun restaurant in the Sunny Beach resort in Bulgaria

The Rebranding of Bulgarian Cuisine Behind the Iron Curtain

by Galina Ganeva
3 February 2023
Travel & Food/Culture/Interviews/Bulgaria

Can sweeping political changes impact what and how we eat? You bet, argues historian and writer Dr. Albena Shkodrova, author of “Communist Gourmet.”

cartoon krtek in the forest with lollypop in his hand

Czech(ia) This Out – the Name Debate Solved

by Cynthia Sklodowski
3 February 2023
Culture/Czechia

You’ve probably seen or heard the name “Czechia” used instead of “Czech Republic” and may have wondered what the deal was - which name is right? It’s an easy answer: both. Depending on the situation, of course.

Language family tree

The Truly Eastern Roots of the Central European Languages

by Weronika Edmunds
2 February 2023
Culture

The formation process of the world’s languages is one of the most fascinating stories humanity has ever written. At least for language geeks. Or can you get sucked in too?

Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams in episode 105 of Wednesday

Romania the Setting for Netflix’s Wednesday

by Naomi Gherman
1 February 2023
Culture/Romania/Travel & Food

Step inside the filming set of the newest adaptation of Adams Family, Wednesday, the coming-of-age spin-off that took the world by storm. From the ordinary city of Jericho to the outstanding Nevermore Academy, discover the locations of one of the most binge-watched series.

ointment with natural beeswax component on light grey stone table

The Curious Case of Evija Ointment, Beloved by Latvians

by Lelde Benke
31 January 2023
Latvia/Culture

Found in bathroom cabinets around Latvia, the ointment is said to help ease colds and soothe burns and muscle aches in humans and pets. While several products co-exist on the market, only one claims to be the real Evija.

Sexy woman in swim suit with snowboard on spring mountains

Springtime on the Slopes in Central Eastern Europe

by Przemysław Bociąga
30 January 2023
Poland/Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

Not ready to hang up your skis come April or May? No need to worry. Some of Central Eastern Europe's top ski resorts will keep you on the trails well into spring.

Baobab trees along the rural road at sunny day in Madagascar

How Lithuania (Almost) Moved to Madagascar

by Augustas Kalinauskas
30 January 2023
Lithuania/Culture

Lithuania has always been at the crossroads between East and West, with hardly any moment in history when the people were not fighting for their freedom. The 20th century is no exception, but exactly then, a brand-new idea of ensuring security emerged.

Screenshot from Samorost

Czech Videogame Creator True to Socialist Cartoon Imaginarium

by Przemysław Bociąga
29 January 2023
Czechia/Culture

Amanita Design’s hit series Samorost, “Machinarium”, and the slightly lesser known “Botanicula” draw from multiple sources of inspiration, including Marcel Duchamp’s Readymades. But they also capture the spirit of Eastern Bloc cartoons, such as “The Little Mole” and “The Tales of Moss and Fern”.

RAF-22031 Latvija

A Legendary Minibus for the Masses 

by Lelde Benke
29 January 2023
Latvia/Culture

The RAF Latvija minibus, a close relative of the Volkswagen Type 2, never managed to achieve the same legendary status as its competitor beyond the borders of the Soviet Union. But then again, it was little more than an inferior copy, after all.

statue in europos park in Lithuania

The Center of Attention: Lithuania’s Europos Park

by Przemysław Bociąga
28 January 2023
Lithuania/Travel & Food/Culture

Europos Park is a “monument valley” on the outskirts of Vilnius to celebrate the spot being exact center of Europe. But the celebration was a bit hasty, as now one of claimants to the title is 11 km away.

Down Town Mill Colonnade-an iconic structure with hot springs-in western Bohemia. Not just the architecture but also the health spas of the city in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic

Where You Can Relax in Aristocratic Style

by Marek Koten
28 January 2023
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

The European aristocracy and artists loved the Czech Spas. The fame of Czech healing waters has gradually spread worldwide. The result is the 2021 inscription of the Czech Spa triangle to UNESCO.

10 bani banknote from 1917

The World’s Smallest Printed Money

by Naomi Gherman
27 January 2023
Culture/Romania/Money

We know – pockets are getting smaller, and wallets are only becoming heavier. This would be no problem for the world’s tiniest print money – which measured a mere 27.5 x 38 mm. How much could you fit in your pocket?

Traditional Lithuanian dish Zeppelin, boiled potato dumplings stuffed with minced pork, on a colored ceramic plate on a gray concrete background

The National Dish Named After an Airship

by Przemysław Bociąga
27 January 2023
Lithuania/Travel & Food/Culture

Cepelinai dumplings, the fist-sized Lithuanian delicacies, derive their name from Zeppelins - the long, cylindrical airships of the early 20th century to which they bear a striking resemblance. And like their dirigible counterparts, cepelinai will leave you high... on carbs.

happening of Orange Alternative

Tiny Bronze Dwarves a Monument to 1980s Opposition

by Przemysław Bociąga
26 January 2023
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

"Can you treat a police officer seriously when he is asking you: "Why did you participate in an illegal meeting of dwarfs?" This was the ethos of Poland's Orange Alternative movement - and the origin of the dwarves that now adorn Wrocław's streets.

Sailors on the Vltava River in Davle

Timber Rafting: The Newest Addition to UNESCO Heritage

by Marek Koten
26 January 2023
Poland/Czechia/Culture

Despite worldwide usage in the past, timber rafting is very rare today. Last year, a group of countries led by Czechia and Poland nominated and safely navigated it to the UNESCO heritage list.

Srot Park

Unexpected Beauty – Scrap Metal Art in Central Eastern Europe

by Przemysław Bociąga
24 January 2023
Travel & Food/Culture

In this outdoor cabinet of curiosities on the outskirts of Bratislava, Slovakia, animals made of the most unlikely of materials – scrap metal – come to life. It is an art form that is quickly growing in popularity across Eastern Europe.

Traditional folklore dances

Old Is New: The Return of the Bulgarian Folk Costume

by Galina Ganeva
22 January 2023
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

Bulgarian folk costumes, once considered a thing of the past, now live on Instagram, attracting younger crowds along the way

Vegetable Bulgarian shopska salad. Wooden background. Top view

Shopska Salad: the Most Iconic Dish of the Balkans

by Przemysław Bociąga
22 January 2023
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

Shopska salad is a bone of contention between a few Central European nations. However, its origins are easily traced to the post-war creation of Bulgaria as a socialist paradise of sun, relaxation, and good food. The red, green, and white salad easily fits the image of traditional Bulgarian cuisine.

plane ejection seats

Bringing Safety to the Flying Dream

by Ioana Marandici
22 January 2023
Tech/Czechia/Culture

The 20th century: a time when everyone wanted to touch the sky, but few were thinking about the dangers. Apart from one whose work was centered around the question of, “How can one survive if things go wrong?”

Truffles

Sniffing For Hidden Treasures

by Agnieszka Sawala
21 January 2023
Slovenia/Travel & Food/Culture

An unusual hunt: digging for truffles in the forests of Slovenia’s Istria.

winter sleigh ride in Beskid Żywiecki

Come, Sleigh With Me! In Poland, It’s a Tradition

by Weronika Edmunds
20 January 2023
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

When frosty winter hits, people tend to stay home and warm themselves up with a nice cuppa… not! Not when they're Polish, anyway. Winter at the end of the carnival was considered by the nobles as the best time to hit each other's pads and party.

Jesus Christ with open arms statue in front of Pilgrimage Basilica of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary and St. Cyril and Methodius at Velehrad Monastery, Moravia, Czech Republic

Czechia: An Atheist’s Heaven

by Marek Koten
20 January 2023
Czechia/Culture

The Czech Republic has often been crowned the most atheistic country in Europe, sometimes even the world. Is it so that all Czechs are non-believers, or is it a bit more complicated?

France v Croatia - FIFA World Cup 2018 Final Croatia supporters at Luzhniki Stadium on July 15, 2018

The Origins of the Croatian Chessboard

by Danijel Bačan
19 January 2023
Croatia/Culture

When the Croatian national football team played the final of the World Cup in 2018, the whole world noticed the red and white squares on the Croatian fans and players. These same squares are also found on the Croatian coat of arms and are popularly called a chessboard.

Women's hands hold many shopping bags

Making ends meet: The European Income Gap Is Closing

by Mateusz Walewski
18 January 2023
Poland/Culture/People

Households in our region have to allocate relatively high shares of their budgets to basic needs. Their ability to buy non-essential items is limited. The consumption structure in our area will converge to the western European average in line with closing the income gap.

Students meeting in library

Baltic States Have the Highest Literacy Rates in the World

by Przemysław Bociąga
17 January 2023
Culture

Perched high atop the list of countries with the most literate people in the world are Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania... and North Korea. While the first three have some solid proof behind the statistics, the fourth makes the list based on more dubious claims.

L-410NG aircraft

The Unexpected Aviation Heavyweight

by Marek Koten
17 January 2023
Czechia/Culture/Tech

Czechia is an aviation superpower. It's one of a handful of countries worldwide that can manufacture an entire airplane – from nose to tail. And Czech aviators and pilots are mighty proud of it.

house of Hungarian music in Budapest

Where Nature and Music Collide

by Cynthia Sklodowski
15 January 2023
Hungary/Travel & Food/Culture/Green Transformation

Nestled amongst the trees in a park in the center of Budapest, Hungary, the much-anticipated House of Music, designed by famed Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto, has finally opened its doors to the public.

Valley in czech national park Giant mountain- Krkonose

The Majestic Krkonoše Mountains: A Lush Forest Haven

by Marek Koten
15 January 2023
Poland/Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

The Krkonoše Mountains are like a wall, yet they are a bridge linking Czechia and Poland. They consist of deep woods and crystal-clear rivers, yet they are very open to the public. This is the story of the wilderness haven.

woman lay on sand on beach

Balkantourist – Communist Airbnb but with Donkeys

by Przemysław Bociąga
14 January 2023
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

Contrary to popular belief, the Airbnb travel model wasn’t invented in the 2000s. Examples of it can be found 60 years earlier with Balkantourist, travel agent in communist Bulgaria.

group of women

Rural Girl Power! The PR Specialists of the Polish Countryside

by Weronika Edmunds
14 January 2023
People/Poland/Culture

The countryside is the bread and butter of every nation. Undoubtedly, a vast part of Polish cultural heritage originates in Polish villages and fields. It could not be so if it weren’t for the women!

Genuss Festival in Austria

Food in Central Eastern Europe

by Weronika Edmunds
14 January 2023
Travel & Food/Culture

French, Italian, American, Mediterranean, and so on – cuisine from all over the world seems to enjoy recognition. After all, tasting local specialties is an integral part of any travel. So what about Eastern Europe? What do people eat there?

old post card showing przemsza

The Spot Where Three Empires Converged

by Przemysław Bociąga
13 January 2023
Travel & Food/Culture/Poland

Przemsza is the name of a Polish river that is nearly impossible for non-Polish speakers to pronounce. Regardless, three Emperors speaking these languages had to know its name, as their countries joined at its junction for decades. Now it's almost forgotten in the middle of modern-day Poland.

Hannes Schneider Demonstrating for Ski Students

A Central European Skiing Heaven

by Weronika Edmunds
13 January 2023
Austria/Travel & Food/Culture

Which of the Central European countries has in total over 7000 kilometers of ski runs and about 2,500 ski lifts? This whole infrastructure comes complete with guaranteed snow. I can hear you're sold. Want to know where to book your tickets?

Jewelery in a showcase of precious garnet stone

Bohemian Garnet – The Crown Jewel of Czechia

by Marek Koten
12 January 2023
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

The blood-red bohemian garnet is considered the national gem of the Czech Republic. Not only is it good-looking, but legends also say that this beloved stone can replace bad moods with joy.

Street content of a hungarian mangalica pig

It’s a Pig! No, It’s a Sheep! No, It’s a Mangalica!

by Przemysław Bociąga
12 January 2023
Hungary/Travel & Food/Culture

These funny-looking, curly haired pigs are a Hungarian specialty. Their breeding is protected and regulated by law, and their meat is, well, quite simply delicious.

Head of white cabbage closeup shoot

Cabbage – The Queen of Central European Cuisine

by Weronika Edmunds
11 January 2023
Travel & Food/Culture

Due to the climate, which tends to bring rather cold winter months, the nations of the Three Seas Region developed their cuisines following the particularities of each season. But one vegetable dominated all four of them.

Mask dancers take part in a parade during the the International Festival of Masquerade Games Surva in the town of Pernik. n ancient times the old Thracians held the Kukeri Ritual Games in honor of the god Dionysus

Move Over, Evil Eye – The Kukeri Are in the House

by Galina Ganeva
9 January 2023
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

At the end of January, masked people with countless bells tied around roam the streets in villages across Bulgaria. But despite their scary outfits, locals are not intimidated. These are the Kukeri, and they are here not to scare onlookers but to chase away the evil forces

A re-enactment of the coronation of Charles IV as king of Bohemia was staged in Prague's St Vitus Cathedral, Prague, Czech Republic, September 4, 2016 at the close of two-day festivity the City of Prague and Charles University jointly organised to mark the Holy Roman emperor's 700th birth anniversary

The Path of Greatness – Prague’s Royal Road

by Marek Koten
8 January 2023
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

It is a route that Czech Kings took upon their coronation for centuries. And while there are no kings in Czechia these days, the Royal Road is still a crucial sightseeing trail through Prague.

Pope Gregory XIII illustratopn

In Central Europe, You Can Celebrate Each Holiday Twice 

by Przemysław Bociąga
7 January 2023
Culture

Everyone knows that Christmas is on 25 December. It's just that we can't agree on exactly when 25 December should be. The same is true for movable feasts, such as Easter. And - say - the anniversary of the October Revolution, which falls in November. 

Beautiful Christmas setting, decorated fireplace with woodburner, lit up Christmas tree with baubles and ornaments, lantern, stars and garlands, selective focus

Christmas in Bulgaria: A Cozy Fire and Fortune-Telling

by Galina Ganeva
7 January 2023
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

The fire by the Christmas table is not meant only for Instagramming: try this Bulgarian fortune-telling Christmas tradition instead.

Statue of Marco Polo in the window of souvenir shop

Marco Polo Could, In Fact, Be (Sort of) Croatian

by Przemysław Bociąga
6 January 2023
Croatia/Travel & Food/Culture

The original traveler-storyteller is thought to have been born not in Venice but on the Croatian island of Korčula.

A man kisses wooden crosses thrown by Orthodox archbishop in the Danube river

The Floating Cross and Other Epiphany Traditions

by Naomi Gherman
6 January 2023
Romania/Travel & Food/Culture

Would you swim in the frozen waters during Romania’s coldest month to fetch a cross thrown by the Priest? Some wouldn’t - but many would. Or so the tradition proved for the past hundreds of years. Learn about Romania’s most astonishing Epiphany traditions.

R.U.R ROSSUM'S UNIVERSAL ROBOTS 1921 science fiction stage play by Czech writer Karel Capek

A Robot Invasion? Blame the Czechs Who Invented Them

by Przemysław Bociąga
5 January 2023
Czechia/Culture/Tech

2022 marks the one-hundredth anniversary of the word “robot,” brought to you by famous Czech science-fiction author Karel Čapek. However, the term, actually coined by his brother, has deep historical ties to centuries of feudal economics.

The Last Judgment fresco

Europe’s Most Unique Fresco Paintings

by Naomi Gherman
4 January 2023
Romania/Travel & Food/Culture

Unique in Europe for their one-of-a-kind, inside-out appearance, these fresco paintings on Moldavian Churches stand out for being more than mere wall decorations – they are systematic, comprehensive, and inclusive visual representations of the religious cycles in the Bible.

Poland Mazurian canal with nazi symbol

The Legend of the Lost German Nazi U-Boat Shipyard in Poland

by Przemysław Bociąga
3 January 2023
Culture/Poland/Travel & Food

Some say that the woods in Poland's Masurian Lake District harbor a secret: that an abandoned channel project from the Polish Lake District to the Baltic Sea wasn’t only for an inland trade route - it was to provide access to a secret German WW2 era submarine shipyard.

team of the restaurant

Dining in the Dark to Shed New Light

by Galina Ganeva
3 January 2023
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

While the concept of dining in the dark is not novel, in most such restaurants, the point is to have you guessing at what you’re eating, provided you’ve been able to locate your plate first. In Bulgaria, one restaurant takes this a step further to educate.

woman and man looking at the grapes in wine yard in Poland Europe

Winemaking and Poland: The Perfect Pairing

by Cynthia Sklodowski
2 January 2023
Travel & Food/Culture

Friday night. Chic restaurant. Notable chef. You've finally picked a mouthwatering main dish, and the sommelier recommends pairing it with... a Polish wine? Seems crazy, right? Not if a new crop of Polish winemakers has anything to do with it.

Maribor, Slovenia - August 6th 2015. The Old Vine, Stara Trta - at over 400 years old, this is the oldest living grape vine, and is one of Maribor's most popular tourist attractions.

400-Year Old Vine in Slovenia With the Secret of Youth

by Przemysław Bociąga
1 January 2023
Travel & Food/Culture

If this grapevine could talk, oh... the stories it could tell. Wars, plagues, and fires haven't been able to stop one remarkably resilient vine in Maribor, Slovenia, that is still producing fruit - and wine - at a ripe 400 years old!

Crowd cheering in front of vibrant firework

New Year Traditions in Central Europe

by Weronika Edmunds
1 January 2023
Culture

The clock strikes 12, and we all suddenly find in a new year. New Year's Eve is the one day that unites people of all religions (and time zones) in celebration and has always been connected with many traditions.

The Great Wall of Jinshan Mountains in the Cloud Sea

Europe Divided Over Its Attitude to China

by Agaton Koziński
31 December 2022
Money/Culture

Until 1989, Europe was partitioned by the Berlin Wall. Now, it is divided by the Great Wall of China. CEE countries are looking at Beijing with caution, but Western European states are looking for business opportunities with China.

Ruzyne Airport in Prague. Archive photo of flight attendant in front of the plane

It’s OK to Fly Czech

by Marek Koten
30 December 2022
Czechia/Culture/Tech

Wherever you are flying with Czech Airlines, it will always be OK. Why? Because OK is the Czech Airlines callsign. Let us tell you the story of the fifth-oldest airline in the world.

Struve Geodetic Arc

The 3,000 km Long Monument That Proved the Earth’s Shape

by Przemysław Bociąga
30 December 2022
Culture

The Struve Geodetic Arc is a network of triangulation towers spanning Scandinavia to the Black Sea. They made it possible to take the first accurate measurement of a meridian arc.

Euro money euro banknotes in bronze bowl.

Is it Always the Euro? Currencies in Central and Eastern Europe

by Weronika Edmunds
29 December 2022
Money/Culture

Those traveling to Europe often think it will be sufficient to bring along some Euro, but this is not always the case. So what currency do you need when you find yourself in the Three Seas States?

Postcard From Austria

Remember Postcards? The First Were an Austrian Invention 

by Przemysław Bociąga
28 December 2022
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

On 1 October 1869, the Austrian Post Office issued its first postcard. Today merely a collectible, they were for decades a communication staple, as texting is now.

lider of polska partia przyjaciol piwa drinking beer

The Rise of the Polish Beer-Lovers Party

by Przemysław Bociąga
27 December 2022
Poland/Culture

English-style beer consumption stole some ground from vodka territory when a jokingly named quasi-political movement called the Polish Beer-Lovers Party gained Members of Parliament (MPs) in the early 1990s.

School of sea bream fish, Sarpa salpa, swimming to water surface

Feeding the Planet: Turning Sunlight Into Seafood

by Martin Hochel
26 December 2022
Travel & Food/Culture

Austrian startup Blue Planet Ecosystems has been presenting its product on efficient, bio, eco-friendly, and sustainable fishing production called LARA systems (Land-based Automated Recirculating Aquaculture). The product aims to address future food shortages.

Beautiful nativity scene with baby Jesus. Traditional Christmas background of Christian holidays.

Christmas in Czechia: A More Secular Affair

by Marek Koten
26 December 2022
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

With Christmas approaching, let's look at how it is celebrated in the Czech Republic, where little attention is paid to faith and church. And is Christmas here still a Christian holiday?

Kutya, candles and christmas decor on a wooden table. Christmas Slovenian food. Traditional Christmas sweet dishes in Ukraine, Belarus and Poland. Christmas dinner kutia.

Three Central European Christmas-Only Dishes

by Weronika Edmunds
25 December 2022
Culture/Travel & Food

Many festive dishes tend to be present in some shape and form throughout the year. But can you find dishes that are so Christmas-exclusive that you can’t really taste them outside of the season?

Statue of Adalbert of Prague

Czech Heaven: The Home of the Saints of Czechia

by Marek Koten
25 December 2022
Czechia/Culture

Despite being called the most atheist country in Europe, Czechia has a rich religious history. Including having many saints.

Christmas Eve red borscht with ravioli and beet chips and other dishes

Polish Christmas Eve Feast One of the Healthiest in the World

by Przemysław Bociąga
24 December 2022
Culture/Travel & Food

Yes, there is a ranking of the world’s healthiest traditional feasts. And guess who’s at the top of the ranking? Poles with their fish-abundant, vegetable-based Christmas Eve supper. Never mind that it consists of twelve courses!

1950s USA Levi's Magazine Advert

The Latvian Contribution to the Origin of Jeans

by Przemysław Bociąga
23 December 2022
Latvia/Culture/People

Though merchant Levi Strauss is mainly credited for the invention of jeans, little would have happened in this area if not for Latvian-born tailor Jacob Davis. In 1871 in Reno, Nevada, Davis found denim to be the perfect fabric for workhorse pants.

Kid is eating fast food at Christmas market. Cute child is tasting festive sweets, fritters, chocolate doughnuts outside in old town street. Cozy fair atmosphere in Dubrovnik, Croatia

Christmas in Croatia – Get Your Fireplace Ready!

by Weronika Edmunds
23 December 2022
Croatia/Travel & Food/Culture

Believe it or not, winter in Croatia can get pretty cold. Most households used to have fireplaces, which served as the basis for developing an interesting Christmas tradition.

Welcome to the Year 7528!

by Mihail Petrov
22 December 2022
Culture

The date is the 18th of the second month. The year is 7527. And no, there is nothing wrong with your calendar. According to the Ancient Bulgarian Calendar, the year is very accurate, recognized by UNESCO as the most accurate calendar in the world.

Krampus Creatures Parade In Search Of Bad Children

Christmas in Austria – Not Even Krampus Dares to Disturb

by Weronika Edmunds
22 December 2022
Austria/Travel & Food/Culture

It has been said and will never cease to be repeated that Austria – the home of Silent Night, the world's revered Christmas carol – certainly knows how to turn Christmas into a special time of year, spiced up with a short visit by the underworld demons.

Croatia, Dalmatia, Brac island, Pucisca village, Klesarska skola stonemasonry school

The Marble Kingdom of Brač Island, Croatia

by Weronika Edmunds
21 December 2022
Croatia/Travel & Food/Culture

The second largest island in Croatia is the home of the town of Pučišća. I know – it most probably doesn’t tell you anything. And it should, as its quarry has been supplying the world with marble for centuries.

Holiday Gold place setting, funny Christmas table with ornaments and natural berries on wooden table

Why Latvians Need a Big Table for Christmas

by Lelde Benke
21 December 2022
Latvia/Travel & Food/Culture

Never ones to leave their guests hungry, on one particular day of the year, Latvians load the table with nine foods. Traditionally, this was Yuletide to mark the winter solstice. Today, many celebrate Christmas but still keep up with tradition, too.

Truffle Harvest

Bulgaria’s Truffle Treasure

by Galina Ganeva
17 December 2022
Travel & Food/Culture

Hidden in the forests of Bulgaria are immense riches. How should one go about obtaining them?

A waitress at a cafe terrace on archive photo from 1930 waiting for tip

A Tourist’s Guide to Tipping Culture in Central Europe

by Przemysław Bociąga
16 December 2022
Hungary/Travel & Food/Culture

How much exactly should you tip in Central Europe? We've made a handy guide to help you figure it out.

Front of Nobel prize medal

Austria – Land of Prodigies

by Weronika Edmunds
15 December 2022
Travel & Food/Culture

Is Austria a factory of geniuses? It certainly looks like it! Let us briefly remind ourselves what the Nobel Prize is and what it is awarded for.

shop with black balsam elixir in Riga

The Latvian Elixer Spicing Up Cocktails and Curing Indigestion

by Przemysław Bociąga
14 December 2022
Latvia/Travel & Food/Culture

Riga Black Balsam, concocted by a pharmacist in the mid-18th century, was used as a magic cure for numerous diseases. Today it's a drink, cocktail ingredient, cure for indigestion, and, most importantly, Latvia's pride.

teenagers on carousel at amusement park

This Amusement Park Started as “Venice in Vienna”

by Przemysław Bociąga
14 December 2022
Austria/Travel & Food/Culture

Created in 1766, Vienna’s Prater is one of the oldest public leisure spots on the continent. The amusement park in the center of Prater began operations in the 18th century.

participants of the Herring March

Can You Walk Like a Herring?

by Weronika Edmunds
13 December 2022
Culture/Poland/Travel & Food

Are you able to survive in water for a few hours at one time? Can you swim (advisable)? Do you like challenges? If your answer to the above question is ‘yes,’ then we have a proposition you won't want to pass up.

The Colindat Men’s Group

The Colindat Men’s Group, a UNESCO Christmas Tradition

by Naomi Gherman
13 December 2022
Culture/Bulgaria/Travel & Food

Christmas is one of the most celebrated holidays worldwide. In Romania, the Christmas spirit is spread around by the Juni – a group of young men who carol the streets and houses for days in a row.

Poster of Czech-Slav etnographic exhibition in Prague from 1895

1895: The Year Slavic Folk Was Born

by Przemysław Bociąga
13 December 2022
Culture/Czechia

Prague’s Czechoslavic Ethnographic Exhibition of 1895, the Central European answer to the World Expo (of sorts), was the first time the people of Central Europe noticed the richness of regional folk culture. It immediately started a folk craze.

poster for the

Lake Bohinj “Is Too Beautiful for Murder”

by Agnieszka Sawala
12 December 2022
Travel & Food/Culture/Slovenia

What do Agata Christie, Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce, Ulay, Jackie Chan, and Nick Cave have in common? A Slovenian episode!

one milliard pengo

How Much Could You Buy for One Hundred Million Billion Pengő?

by Przemysław Bociąga
11 December 2022
Hungary/Money/Culture

A massive level of inflation in Hungary created the need to issue the highest-nominated banknote ever.

man in the air swings in Estonia

Estonians – The Master Swingers

by Przemysław Bociąga
11 December 2022
Estonia/Travel & Food/Culture

In most European countries, you grow out of swinging in your early teens. But not in Estonia, where kiiking, or swinging, is a national sport recognized by the Estonian Sports Association.

Christmas winter snow family contemplative dad mum child night evening Oberndorf

Turning Christmas Carol Into a Worldwide Hit Song

by Weronika Edmunds
10 December 2022
Austria/Travel & Food/Culture

During Christmas, one melody is sure to unite the world. This carol has been sung for over two hundred years by Christians all over the world. Do you know it? Where does it come from?

Mushroom picking, illustration to III tome of Pan Tadeusz

Polish Romantic Prophet-Poet Was Basically a Foodie

by Przemysław Bociąga
9 December 2022
Travel & Food/Culture

Adam Mickiewicz was perhaps the most important figure in Polish 19-century culture. His epic novel Pan Tadeusz – the epitome of Polish national sentiment – contains descriptions of more traditional Polish dishes than any other features.

Cup of herbal tea and an assortment of ingredients, herbs, fruits and flowers

Teetaimed: The Original Estonian Hot Drink

by Przemysław Bociąga
9 December 2022
Estonia/Travel & Food/Culture

If you order tea in an Estonian café, you can expect a wide variety of herbal drinks, though not necessarily what we usually call tea. Influenced by Russian culture, the social division between Estonian tea vs herbal infusion drinkers has left traces to this day.

Closeup of a weaving loom with colorful ropes stock photo Romania, Tradition, Wool, Loom, Art

Rug Craftsmanship, A Way for Romanians to Express Themselves

by Naomi Gherman
8 December 2022
Romania/Travel & Food/Culture

Many communities and cultures would use words, foods, melodies, or actions to express themselves – not the Romanian people, however. For them, the deepest feelings of the human soul were best transmitted through a rug.

This posthumous portrait of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was painted by Barbara Kraft at the request of Joseph Sonnleithner in 1819, long after Mozart died.

Mozart – The Austrian Genius Everyone Knows. Or Do They?

by Weronika Edmunds
8 December 2022
Austria/Culture/People

Who was the greatest musician ever alive? A celebrity by today's definition – famous, talented, and wealthy? Whose compositions are known to practically every human, even if they have no idea about classical music? There is only one answer – Mozart!

thinly sliced salami on a wooden cuttingboard

The Origins of (Not-Entirely) Romanian Sibiu Salami

by Naomi Gherman
8 December 2022
Culture/Romania/Travel & Food

Sibiu salami, a trademark of Romanian cuisine, is not even made in Sibiu. In fact, it wasn’t even invented by a Romanian. How did this internationally-appreciated aliment gain popularity, and where did the name actually come from?

frame from the film's trailer

Watch Hollywood-style Treatment of Polish 1946 Children’s Classic

by Przemysław Bociąga
7 December 2022
Poland/Culture

"Mr. Blot's Academy" was a magical school described by Jan Brzechwa six decades before "Harry Potter." In the character of the Professor, some see Janusz Korczak, a pedagogue so dedicated to the Jewish orphans in his care that he went with them all the way to the gas chamber.

Panoramic shot of a plywood Christmas scene under arc made by wood and lights

The Cornucopia of Hidden Meanings in Polish Christmas Carols

by Weronika Edmunds
7 December 2022
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

World-famous Polish ski jumper, Adam Małysz, was once asked what he did to relax when sitting on the bench, waiting to jump. He answered – "I hum Christmas carols." His answer might have astonished everyone but Poles. Poles smiled and understood.

Stylish christmas gift in hands under christmas tree with lights. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Woman in cozy sweater putting wrapped christmas present in atmospheric festive room

Festive Gift-Giving Craze in Central Eastern Europe Explained

by Weronika Edmunds
6 December 2022
Culture/Bulgaria/Travel & Food

To: Mum, From: Nicky – is what you may find written on your Christmas present, for example, in the UK or the USA. However, Central Europeans are adamant that the gifts have a more otherwordly origin. So what is it about all this gift-giving tradition?

Santa Claus

When Does Saint Nick Really Pay a Visit?

by Weronika Edmunds
6 December 2022
Travel & Food/Culture

We seem to take it for granted that Christmas presents are brought by Father Christmas in his sleigh. That's down to C.C. Moore, but what came before and is still practiced in many Three Seas States?

city where houses have eyes

Sibiu’s Houses Are Watching You

by Naomi Gherman
5 December 2022
Romania/Travel & Food/Culture

They’re everywhere. And they’re all watching you. However, this is not a horror story but rather the charming story of the Sibiu roofs, known for their “eyes” that watch over the city.

detail od traditional colorful Czech tourist marking on hiking trails

Heritage in Three Stripes

by Marek Koten
4 December 2022
Poland/Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

The Czech Republic is crisscrossed by one of the most perfect and dense networks of hiking trails. The marking system is so good that it is used worldwide.

Dark bread kvass

Kvass Redux. Popular Eastern European Drink on the Rise

by Przemysław Bociąga
3 December 2022
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

Popular across Central and Eastern Europe from Poland to Estonia to Caucasus, this refreshing drink, which comes sweet or savory, is a zero-waste drink from bread leftovers. Its most recent Polish iteration has taken a turn to promote more responsible beer drinking.

Mickey Mouse

That Time Romania Cancelled Mickey Mouse

by Naomi Gherman
3 December 2022
Culture/Romania

In 1935, the Romanian government banned any visual representation of Mickey Mouse, and the reason behind this drastic measure might make you take a double look at Disney’s most beloved character.

Tallinn Christmas Market

The Best Christmas Markets in Central Europe

by Weronika Edmunds
2 December 2022
Travel & Food/Culture/Poland

Ho! Ho! Ho! With the merriest time of year around the corner, the cities of Europe are getting into the festive spirit. What better way to do so than by eating, dancing, and Christmas shopping? What are the best destinations to travel to?

boy bathing and swimming in the cold water of a lake or river among the ducks, cold therapy, ice swim with forest trees on background

Dive On In! The Water’s Just… Freezing

by Weronika Edmunds
2 December 2022
Travel & Food/Culture

In the middle of the summer, as we are stocking up on that lush, sun-generated heat, it seems safer to think about the growing trend of swimming in icy-cold water in the middle of winter. A sport that unites some of the Baltic countries. Which ones?

Aerial drone view of small beautiful church on top of a mountain in Slovenia at dawn. Beautiful autumn morning landscape

Slovenia – The Land of Chapels

by Vid Sosic
1 December 2022
Slovenia/Travel & Food/Culture

Slovenia has a rich tradition of building chapels. You can see them everywhere, in any shape and form, old and new. Although visitors to the lands would point to this extraordinary fact, it is unclear why the tradition was so alive among Slovenes.

Closer to the Moon (2014) - filmstill

The Communist Heist of 1959

by Naomi Gherman
1 December 2022
Culture/Romania

You’d have to be pretty out of your mind to rob a bank – let alone during the communist times. But it happened, and the authorities were so shocked that they documented the investigation in a movie, casting in the leading roles the real-life protagonists of the heist.

portrait of Tomas Rousek, the New Prague architect

“New Prague”, or the Czech City in Space

by Marek Koten
30 November 2022
Czechia/Culture/Tech

Next year, Czechia will celebrate 45 years since the first Czech entered space. Even though the country is not a space superpower, it has plans for a base on the Moon. And a lot more!

A group of children in a computer shop gathered round an Atari ST

The Polish Creator of the Computer for the Masses

by Przemysław Bociąga
30 November 2022
Culture/Tech/People/Poland

Born Idek Trzmiel in Łódź, Poland, Jack Tramiel was the creator of the Commodore 64, the computer that holds a Guinness World Record for being the best-selling machine of its kind.

Colour image of hands demonstrating ASL sign language letters

SignAll Invents Revolutionary Tool to Translate Sign Language

by Martin Hochel
30 November 2022
Hungary/Culture/Tech

Hungarian-American startup SignAll has been intensely working for over a decade to invent the SignAll Lab tool, which translates American Sign Language (ASL) into American English.

St. Andrew’s Eve Fortune Telling

St. Andrew’s Eve Fortune Telling – The Original Tinder

by Przemysław Bociąga
29 November 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

A national holiday in Romania and a popular customary feast in more countries of Central Europe, the commemoration of St. Andrews Day on November 30 is an occasion to witness ghostly activities and get them to share insights from the future.

Stalactites and stalagmites inside the Postojna cave

The Mysterious Classical Slovenian Karst

by Vid Sosic
28 November 2022
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

Slovenia has proportionally more karst than any other country. It shaped its history and identity. It was here that most karst phenomena were studied very early on. Even the name karst came from the Kras region in Slovenia, a smaller region within the Slovenian Classical Karst.

portrait of Ivo Boscarol in plane

Pipistrel: A Slovenian Success Story

by Vid Sosic
28 November 2022
Slovenia/Culture/People

Ivo Boscarol is a Slovenian entrepreneur and aircraft designer with a great success story. Throughout his continuing success, he has remained true to his birthplace and dedicated a lot of made money to local causes.

Christmas tree in fire

The Fir Tree and the Christmas Miracle

by Przemysław Bociąga
27 November 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

Not sure if you want to believe the legend that a fir tree in this exact spot is one of the oldest Christmas traditions in Europe? Heirs to the Brotherhood of the Blackheads can show you historic proof.

mole cartoon

The Story of the Mole

by Marek Koten
26 November 2022
Czechia/Culture

No, this is not a story of an enemy spy inside the Czech secret service. It is a story of a Czech icon that raised generations at home and abroad. And even made it to space!

old typewriter detail

Central European Diacritic Letters: A Typewriter Buying Guide

by Przemysław Bociąga
26 November 2022
Culture

The rise of national languages in Central Europe led to the expansion of diacritic letters, unique to a few groups of them. Nowadays, Unicode has given us an easy computational solution. But the fight for diacritic inclusiveness lasted for decades.

Ripe, fresh sea buckthorn, Hippophae in a tin mug. Harvesting, vintage style. Selective focus

Immunity-Boosting Sea Buckthorn Thrives in Latvian Soil

by Lelde Benke
25 November 2022
Latvia/Money/Culture

Developing since the 1980s, Latvia's sea buckthorn industry is now well and truly ripe. Not only is export on the rise, but growers are creating new products to introduce people to the vitamin-packed berry and its powers.

Brazilians girls of Polish descent

Polish Is the Official Language in… a Brazilian Town

by Weronika Edmunds
24 November 2022
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

Polish citizens, who found themselves under a foreign rule for 123 years, were often forced to leave their native lands in pursuit of opportunities unavailable to them under new rulers. Collectively, they are referred to as Polonia.

Group of backpackers

Czech Tramping: A Wild West Tale Set in the Heart of Europe

by Marek Koten
23 November 2022
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

Imagine this: It's Friday afternoon in socialist Czechoslovakia. It may seem like there are not many options if you are into American culture. Not to fear - grab your cowboy hat, guitar, and military boots and catch a train to the Czech wilderness!

moszna castle

A Disney Castle Lost

by Weronika Edmunds
22 November 2022
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

Everyone has heard of Neuschwanstein, the real-life Disney castle in Bavaria. If only tourists knew this picturesque destination has a long-lost sibling in a much more accessible and equally unexpected location in Southern Poland.

Karel Gott surrounded by women

The Frank Sinatra of the East

by Marek Koten
22 November 2022
Czechia/Culture/People

Karel Gott's story is about passion and love for music. After becoming a revered Czech pop legend, his talent and name spread to the world, becoming a symbol.

Rhodope bagpipers playing tunes on a famous Rozhen folklore festival

Bulgaria’s Eternal Love for Bagpipe Music

by Galina Ganeva
22 November 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

At the two opposite ends of Europe, two countries hold the bagpipe in the highest esteem possible. What links Bulgaria and Scotland when it comes to bagpipe music?

statue of Jan Zizka near Vitkov

Raising the Chalice Banner

by Marek Koten
21 November 2022
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

The Czech Kingdom of the 15th Century became the birthplace of what we would later know as Protestantism. It was thanks to Hussites, an armed religious group that vowed to reform the Catholic Church.

main visual of the Vilnius G-spot campaign

Sex Sells. Vilnius Hits the Marketing G-Spot

by Przemysław Bociąga
20 November 2022
Lithuania/Travel & Food/Culture

This award-winning promotional campaign for the capital of Lithuania will make you pant and scream.

annual Poland Snuffing Championships

Snuff Your Way to Poland’s Kashubia Region

by Weronika Edmunds
19 November 2022
Poland/Culture

Certain species of plants and animals tend to raise in importance in different areas of the world. Such is the case with tobacco. Brought to Europe from North America, it found a special place among Kashubians.

Colorful fishing boat near the transparent and clear turquoise water on a remote paradise island

Was Poland a Colonial Power? Or Was It a Latvian Territory?

by Przemysław Bociąga
18 November 2022
Poland/Latvia/Culture

Although interwar Poland had unrealized ambitions to become a colonial empire, the truth is that at some point, in fact, it was one. Here’s the surprising history of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth as a seafaring metropolis.

Young attractive woman with bright umbrella. Amazing sunrise on trocadero place and eiffel tower in Paris

How Bulgaria (Sort of) Became a French-Speaking Country

by Galina Ganeva
18 November 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

In 2023, Bulgaria will celebrate three decades of belonging to the global Francophonie family without ever speaking French as an official language. What happened?

Ski Jumping World Cup at Planica

Planica: Where Ski Flying Was Born

by Vid Sosic
17 November 2022
Slovenia/Travel & Food/Culture

In the Slovene Alps, there is a valley called Planica. Although incredibly beautiful, that isn’t what sets it apart from other alpine valleys. What makes it unique is a century-old tradition of ski flying, an extreme version of ski jumping, with much longer distances.

KAPKA KASSABOVA

Bridges and Borders: The Role of the Balkans in Europe

by Galina Ganeva
17 November 2022
Interviews/Bulgaria/Culture/People

Writer Kapka Kassabova has made it her mission to go back to the Balkans, bringing closer to readers a part of Europe that is still either unknown or misunderstood.

The months and days of the year on calendar paper stock photo

The Unusual Slovenian Calendar

by Agnieszka Sawala
16 November 2022
Slovenia/Culture

Although Slovenia uses the common Gregorian calendar, the local names of the months might seem confusing.

Kingdome Come game

From the Mafia to a Medieval Kingdom

by Marek Koten
16 November 2022
Czechia/Culture/Tech

Computer games are much more than just a childish pleasure. In the case of Czechia, it is a 250-million-Euro industry making the country famous worldwide.

Aerial view of town of Sandanski

The Bulgarian Town Where Summer Continues

by Galina Ganeva
15 November 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

As beautiful as autumn is in its many colors, you wish summer would last longer. This is quite possible in Sandanski, a small mountain town in Southwestern Bulgaria.

windows in old wooden house

Čičmany, the First Folk Architecture Reserve in the World

by Przemysław Bociąga
15 November 2022
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

It is neither a museum nor a theme park. Opened in 1977, this Northern Slovakian village is a unique merger of tourism and folklore studies.

Ita Rina

Ita Rina: A Forgotten Movie Star

by Vid Sosic
15 November 2022
Slovenia/Culture/People

Ita Rina was a movie superstar in Europe in the 1930s, when she starred in many successful movies, the only Slovenian to make it that far. She was even offered work in Hollywood but turned it down to focus on her family. Today she is a forgotten yet legendary icon of that period in film history.

forest eagle

The Polish Eagle Drawn Into Nature

by Jakub Warzecha
14 November 2022
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

It took a lot of planning and hard work – and still, from up close, there's not much to see... However, the picture comes into focus as you rise above the horizon. The image of the white eagle, the emblem of Poland, miraculously depicted with trees into the Polish landscape.

Basilica on the Holy Mountain

The Famous Venetian Church Near a Small Polish City

by Przemysław Bociąga
14 November 2022
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

If you cannot afford to visit Venice’s Santa Maria della Salute church, you can visit Gostyń instead. This town, like many others in Poland, has one unexpected feature: a church based on virtually the same blueprint.

Gurion visits the 101 Squadron

Defending the Star of David

by Marek Koten
13 November 2022
Czechia/Culture

When Israel declared its independence in 1948, it was immediately attacked by its neighbors. The desperately needed weapons, planes, and other supplies came from an unlikely source: Czechoslovakia.

Zawoja mountain village

You Could Hike All Day Long in the Longest Village in Poland

by Przemysław Bociąga
12 November 2022
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

Zawoja is the longest linear village in Poland, spanning 18 kilometers, which may be considered an average day’s hike. But to perpendicularly cross such a village, a few minutes is usually enough.

Tombul Mosque at night

Inside Bulgaria’s Most Stunning Mosque

by Galina Ganeva
12 November 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

Built in 1744, Sherif Halil Pasha Mosque is preceded in size only by Selimiye Mosque in Edirne, Turkey, on the Balkan Peninsula.

emblem of poland

The Eagle Has Landed! Origins of the Polish National Emblem

by Weronika Edmunds
11 November 2022
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

Poles and Americans have a lot in common, like respect for national flags and taste in national symbols. For both, the eagle reigns supreme, and while the US favors the bald eagle, Poles are 100% devoted to their white eagle. When did this noble bird steal the Slavic hearts?

Roast goose in a roasting tin

Goose, Wine, and Sweets – Saint Martin’s Feast in Central Europe

by Weronika Edmunds
11 November 2022
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

Sometimes referred to as the European Thanksgiving, Sant Martin’s day is a feast that unites many countries in the region. Like every good party, it is marked with traditional specialties – wine, goose, and sweet pastries.

Czechoslovak Pavilion in Brussels

EXPO 58: The Czechoslovakian Triumph in Brussels

by Marek Koten
10 November 2022
Czechia/Culture/Slovakia

The World EXPO is an always an event unlike any other. However, the EXPO of 1958 was particularly special for Czechoslovakia because it won the Golden Medal, despite going through the darkest times of the Communist regime.

propaganda poster with Stalin

Remnants of Nazism and Communism Still Hang Over Central Europe

by Agaton Koziński
10 November 2022
Money/Culture

The countries of Central Europe still have not shaken off the stigma left on the region by the two forms of totalitarianism that dominated the 20th century: Nazism and Communism.

Monument of Grand Duke Gediminas Vilnius Lithuania

The Unbelievable (and Absolutely True) History of Lithuania

by Weronika Edmunds
9 November 2022
Lithuania/Travel & Food/Culture

In the north of the 3 Seas Region, you can find a land adorned in a green gown of forests and crowned with the gold of sandy beaches. With her majesty accentuated by blue jewels of lakes, Lithuania is a mysterious land where the tales of old don’t seem old at all.

Aurel Persu car

The Romanian Invention That Had Ford and GM in a Bidding War

by Naomi Gherman
9 November 2022
Romania/Culture/People

In 1923, Romanian engineer Aurel Persu concluded that aerodynamics played an important role not just up in the air but down on earth, too. By introducing wheels inside a car's frame, he successfully built the very first aerodynamic vehicle. 

morning photo of tourists group on popular lookout tower

Bohemian Switzerland: The Sandcastle of Czechia

by Marek Koten
8 November 2022
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

A tourist paradise in the Elbe Canyon, home to sandstone formations of European importance and the scene of a recent catastrophe. Welcome to the Bohemian Switzerland National Park.

inside of Art Noveau Building

Riga, Central European Capital of Art Nouveau

by Przemysław Bociąga
8 November 2022
Latvia/Travel & Food/Culture

As Riga grew exponentially in the early 20th century, some one-third of all the buildings in the historical center of the city center were built in this style.

Actress Angelina Jolie an audience with Queen Elizabeth II

The Magic Carpets of Bulgaria

by Galina Ganeva
7 November 2022
Culture/Bulgaria

In the 1500s, the Persian carpets entered the halls of European monarchies by way of the Ottoman empire. Once these pieces of art were laid out on floors in castles across Europe, they stayed for good.

portrait of Marian Eile

The Socialist Lifestyle Magazine With a “Civilizing” Mission 

by Przemysław Bociąga
7 November 2022
Poland/Culture

Established in 1946, Poland's "Przekrój" was a unique concept for an opinion and lifestyle magazine in a country where opinions were suppressed, and lack of style was due to scarcity. 

portrait of Stefan Batory and Konrad Howard

Which Polish Startup Fills the Barber Shops of Paris and Rio?

by Weronika Edmunds
7 November 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

Did you know that you are probably a proud user of the same app as Barack Obama’s barber and Beyonce’s hairstylist?

Gellert Thermal Baths and Swimming Pool

The World’s Spa Capital

by Weronika Edmunds
6 November 2022
Hungary/Travel & Food/Culture/Green Transformation

Hungary is known to have more thermal spas than any other country. With over 1300 springs nationwide, a staggering 123 are found in Budapest alone. Fancy a spa getaway? This is the place to go!

Dancers in traditional costumes perform at the Grand Folk dance concert of Latvian Youth Song and Dance Festival

16,000 Singers in One Choir? Yes, It’s Possible!

by Weronika Edmunds
5 November 2022
Culture

The Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are throwing the biggest folk festivals in the world. The event is so grand that it takes four years on average to prepare. What is it all about?

Bear in Belitsa Bear Sanctuary

How Brigitte Bardot Saved Bulgarian Bears

by Galina Ganeva
5 November 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

For 22 years now, bears, which were used to act in shows across the Balkans, get a new chance for life in a unique bear sanctuary sponsored by French actress, Brigitte Bardot.

Moving Stage Curtains

Bulgarian Theater Enters the Stage

by Galina Ganeva
4 November 2022
Bulgaria/Travel & Food/Culture

A new permanent exhibition in the city of Shumen will soon tell the story of Bulgaria’s first theater performance in 1856. One issue: Another Bulgarian town claims they got there first.

Fishermen on boats and ashore catch fish using fishing net

Czechia: The Fish Farming Superpower

by Marek Koten
4 November 2022
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

Fish farming in Czechia has a tradition dating back to the early Middle Ages. It helped the landlocked country to secure enough fish supply. What started as a food variety necessity became part of national identity and Czech culture.

Zofia Rydet's collage

The Photographer Who Set to Capture Every Household in Poland

by Przemysław Bociąga
3 November 2022
Poland/Culture/People

The Sociological Record was a 1960s art project by photographer Zofia Rydet that did precisely what it says on the lid - it captured Polish society in the transformation process. Until her death, Rydet managed to document some 20 thousand Polish households.

collage of capitals of 3 seas countries

The 12 Capitals of Central Europe in a Nutshell

by Weronika Edmunds
2 November 2022
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

There are many types of capitals - like business capital (London, UK), love capital (Paris, France), or food capital (San Sebastian, Spain). Such flashy tags are bound to attract tourists from all over the world. Do conventional capitals stand a chance?

father and son in amphibious on water

3-in-1 Solution for Camping on Land and Water

by Lelde Benke
2 November 2022
Latvia/Culture/Tech

If only camping trips weren’t so challenging… Latvia’s BeTriton has a solution! Their amphibious electric vehicle allows crossing terrain and water at ease and eliminates the need to pitch a tent at night.

River Angara in winter

Kralovec Was the Beginning. Now Poles Claim Siberia’s Irkutsk

by Przemysław Bociąga
2 November 2022
Poland/Culture

Czechs claiming Russia’s Kaliningrad was a political statement heard around the world. Inspired, Poles reached even further, declaring the annexation of the Siberian city of Irkutsk to protect its Polish minority. How did Poles end up thousands of kilometers from home?

The Union of Lublin painting of Jan Matejko

When the Polish King Lit a Candle Stub for the Devil

by Przemysław Bociąga
1 November 2022
Lithuania/Poland/Culture

Among the early modern empires of Central Europe, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth is perhaps the least known. It was in a state of forming for some two hundred years and remained more than a strategic alliance for another two centuries, shaping the culture and history of more than those two nations.

Night Cemetery at All Saints' Day in Slovakia

All the Dearly Departed

by Weronika Edmunds
1 November 2022
Travel & Food/Culture

Throughout millennia, humans have always paid respects to their dead and laid them to rest with elaborate burial styles. Gradually, these were replaced by rituals. Are you sure you know how they developed and what remains of them today?

Professor Ivaylo Ditchev

Where Is Bulgaria, Actually?

by Galina Ganeva
1 November 2022
Interviews/Bulgaria/Culture

Over three decades after the fall of communism in 1989, Bulgaria seems to be at a crossroads, with four parliamentary elections in less than two years and forces pulling the country into opposite directions: West and East.

Huge tourism balloon floats very close to a church rooftop, in the city of Vilnius

Lithuania’s Airborne Love

by Weronika Edmunds
31 October 2022
Lithuania/Travel & Food/Culture

What do a paper bag, a sheep, a duck, a rooster, and hot air have to do with Lithuania's most beloved hobby?

Postcard with scene from Dziady

Spirits Awakened During This Slavic-Style Halloween Precursor

by Przemysław Bociąga
31 October 2022
Romania/Travel & Food/Culture

In Halloween costumes, light-hearted witchcraft, and door-to-door trick-or-treating, many conservatives in Central Europe see Satanism, postmodernism, and westernization. But in times past, the spirit of Halloween was summoned even here on Forefather's Eve.

painting of Jacek Malczewski

A Guide to Central Europe’s Supernatural Creatures

by Przemysław Bociąga
30 October 2022
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

Pop culture warns us of ghosts appearing at midnight. But according to Central European beliefs, demons could possess you even at noon – or at any other time if you find yourself in the wrong places.

Skulls In bone chapel - Sedlec Ossuary

Christian Chapels Decorated With Human Bones

by Przemysław Bociąga
30 October 2022
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture/Poland

In past centuries, wars and epidemics were so frequent and their death toll so huge that all you could do to the dead was reduce, reuse, and recycle.

still from movie

The (Maybe) Polish Birthplace of Frankenstein’s Monster

by Przemysław Bociąga
29 October 2022
Poland/Travel & Food/Culture

People from the Polish town of Ząbkowice Śląskie see their connection with the first proper science fiction novel ever created. And there's a reason for that: until 1945, the city was known by its German name: Frankenstein.

Crew of Soyuz-28 Cosmonauts Alexei Gubarev, Vladimir Remek climb into the ship before the start in 1978

The Central European Space Crew of the Past

by Przemysław Bociąga
27 October 2022
Culture

Bertalan Farkas (Hungarian), Mirosław Hermaszewski (Polish), Vladimir Remek (Czechoslovakian), and Franz Viehböck (Austrian) were among the first astronauts, or cosmonauts as they were called in the Soviet space program, from Central Europe.

Cargo ship on the Rhine-Main-Danube Cana

The Danube-Oder-Elbe Canal: A Multipurpose Water Corridor

by Marek Koten
27 October 2022
Poland/Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

The Danube-Oder-Elbe water corridor is the missing link that would connect Czechia to the rest of the European waterways. This multifunctional water project could raise the global importance of the Three Seas Region in the World Economy.

eastern european flags

Central European Flags

by Weronika Edmunds
25 October 2022
Culture

Ever wondered who came up with the colors and patterns on national flags? Is there even any purpose to them? Well, not just a purpose but a whole lot of history. Let us tell you about the flags of the Three Seas States.

winner

Central European Women in the Vanguard of Change

by Agaton Koziński
25 October 2022
Poland/Culture/People

Women in Central Europe have long played an important role in the home and also in public spaces. Centuries of fighting for independence, defending against the Nazis and the communists have meant that women in this part of Europe have emancipated themselves in many fields relatively quickly compared to other parts of the world.

painting of Polish Legionnaires in Saint-Domingue

The 9th Generation of Poles… in Haiti

by Weronika Edmunds
24 October 2022
Poland/Culture

When, 200 years ago, Napoleon sent Polish troops to the Haitian islands, even he – one of the greatest strategists of all time – could not have foreseen what was about to happen.

Gothic Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Most, Czech Republic

A Traveling Church? Just Another Part of a Traveling City!

by Marek Koten
24 October 2022
Culture/Czechia

In 1975, Czechoslovakia and the World experienced something that had never happened before. A church in the city of Most made it to the Guinness Book of World Records. Why? Because it took a train ride.

Rear view shot of long haired woman wearing straw hat while standing with arms outstretched in front of Basilica

Central Europe Tourist Attractions. All You Need to Know About Central Eastern Europe!

by Weronika Edmunds
23 October 2022
Travel & Food/Culture

Tired of choosing the same old destinations for your holidays? Why not try something new! Central and Eastern Europe has lots to offer!

Martin Strel swimming

The Man Who Swam It All

by Vid Sosic
23 October 2022
Slovenia/Culture/People

Meet Martin Strel from Slovenia. He is a 67-year-old retired guitar teacher, he is overweight, he enjoys Cviček, a sort of wine from his native Lower Carniola region, a bit too much, and he might just be the most powerful athlete alive.

Czechs sail to golden victory in thrilling 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics

Why Czech Communists Were Afraid of the Number Eight?

by Marek Koten
22 October 2022
Czechia/Culture

1848, 1918, 1938, 1948: these are just four recent examples of important years in Czech history ending with number eight. Four out of 40. Should the Czechs get superstitious?

interior of one of the oldest and most famous Ruin-pubs

Budapest Ruin Bars Live Up to Their Name

by Przemysław Bociąga
21 October 2022
Hungary/Travel & Food/Culture

It seems that Hungarians don’t care about the design of their drinking venues as they made so-called “ruin bars” an iconic part of their imbibe culture.

Saltpans in Piran in summer

Slovenian Salt: The “White Gold” of Piran

by Agnieszka Sawala
21 October 2022
Slovenia/Travel & Food/Culture

Time stopped about seven centuries ago in the Slovenian salt pans on the Adriatic Sea. This is the story of the traditional harvesting of exceptional salt.

living stones in Romania

Mr Living Stone, I Presume?

by Naomi Gherman
20 October 2022
Romania/Travel & Food/Culture

“How is it possible for a rock to grow or move on its own?” is the question many, if not all, who visit the enchanted realm of the trovanți ask themselves. What is this place, and how can these huge rocks change their size - and location almost overnight?

Otton III

The Medieval EU: Facts & Gossip From the Congress of Gniezno

by Przemysław Bociąga
20 October 2022
Poland/Culture

When Otto III, Caesar of the Western Roman Empire, came to the capital of still-forming Poland, could he have hoped to establish a new geopolitical initiative in Eastern Europe?

Emil Racovitza as diver

A Deep Dive Into the Life of Biospeleology Founder Emil Racoviță

by Naomi Gherman
19 October 2022
Culture/People/Romania

The Romanian founder of biospeleology did not study sciences – he studied law. But his true calling was too prominent to be ignored, so Emil Racoviță pulled a one-eighty and completely changed not only his life but the world we live in today.

Volkswagen Advertisement from 1930s

Luxurious and Democratic: Porsche for the Masses 

by Przemysław Bociąga
19 October 2022
Czechia/Culture/Tech/People

Eponymous with both luxury supercars and the designer of the Beetle, the most renowned democratic car of the first half of the 20th century, Ferdinand Porsche is the most important Czech-Austrian contribution to automotive history.

Norwegian temple Wang in Karpacz

The Oldest Wooden Church in Poland, Imported From Norway

by Przemysław Bociąga
18 October 2022
Poland/Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

In the case of a church called Vang in southwestern Poland, it is not custom or faith that was imported but the building itself. It is a rare occasion when one construction can write several cities into its itinerary.

American Pop Artist Andy Warhol, half-length Portrait in front of Marx Brothers Screen-print

Slovakian Town Hosts the 2nd Largest Collection of Andy Warhols

by Przemysław Bociąga
18 October 2022
Slovakia/Culture/People

Although one of the most notable artists of the 20th century was born in Pittsburgh, the Slovakian town of Medzialiborce, where his parents were born, now displays 160 original works of the pop-art master in the Andy Warhol Museum of Modern Art.

Laibach group

Stateless Passport to Utopia

by Agnieszka Sawala
17 October 2022
Slovenia/Culture

Originating in Slovenia, Neue Slowenische Kunst (NSK) has spread all over the world. A country with no land, but with a passport.

gogea mitu

Gogea Mitu, the Romanian Goliath

by Naomi Gherman
17 October 2022
People/Romania/Culture

Gogea Mitu was Romania’s tallest sportsman and the world’s tallest boxer. With a promising future in front of him, Mitu was just about to make his debut in the United States when he tragically – and mysteriously - died. What really happened to the “Romanian Goliath”?

map of the world

Where is Central Europe?

by Weronika Edmunds
17 October 2022
Culture

That, my friend, is an excellent question. Everyone seems to know where Western Europe is. And everyone seems to be an expert on calling everything else the East. But hey! What happened to the Center?

Hungarian doctor and journalist Edith Bone holds a cat

How a Hungarian Professor Remained Sane After 7 Years Alone

by Przemysław Bociąga
16 October 2022
People/Hungary/Culture

Born in Budapest and educated in the West, Edith Bone was imprisoned for alleged espionage in Communist Hungary. The story of her 7-year solitary confinement is an extraordinary account of human survival skills.

couple walking on the street with winter decoration

Vilnius: The City of Low-Flying Angels

by Weronika Edmunds
15 October 2022
Lithuania/Travel & Food/Culture

A city foretold by an iron wolf, built by a pagan Duke, developed by Christian kings, drowning in green vegetation, and home to hundreds of angels – Vilnius might just be the most exceptional European capital.

Bridge over the water surrounding the island village of Nim in Croatia

The Smallest Cathedral in the World

by Weronika Edmunds
15 October 2022
Croatia/Travel & Food/Culture

It is surprising how the charming little town of Nin in Croatia is the home of many wonders. Among such riches as salt and mud (yup!) is a Cathedral fit for the size of the town – namely, very small. In fact, it’s the world’s smallest.

Romanian bride poses with mock kidnappers holding a toy weapons at the Triumph Arch in Bucharest Romania

Hide Your Wife – Or Be Ready to Pay Up

by Naomi Gherman
14 October 2022
Romania/Travel & Food/Culture

One look away and oops, she’s gone! Best advice for the groom? To keep his eyes on his bride. The sudden disappearance of the bride is a normal thing during a Romanian wedding reception. And getting her back does not come cheap.

The Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia

The Rise and Fall of the Common Country of Czechs and Slovaks

by Przemysław Bociąga
13 October 2022
Czechia/Culture/Tech

Natural as it is now, the existence of two separate states of Czechia and Slovakia is a rather new thing in the region. Here’s how it happened.

Portrait of young caucasian woman college student in eyeglasses hiding behind a book and looking at camera.

The Best Cities for Bookworms in Central Europe

by Weronika Edmunds
13 October 2022
Travel & Food/Culture

Nowadays, when reading books could be considered a dying pastime, it is refreshing to learn that book-reading is still important enough to rank based on their friendliness toward bookworms. So which cities are the best and which are the worst?

group of spectators sitting in a movie theater wearing 3-D glasses

From 3D Movies to Microwave Ovens: Romania’s Famous Inventor

by Naomi Gherman
12 October 2022
People/Romania/Culture

Do you enjoy the experience of watching a 3D movie and getting to “live” every minute of it? It is all thanks to the Romanian inventor Theodor Ionescu who brought 3D images to TV and cinema and created one of the biggest industries in the world.

Patek Philippe products are displayed during the press day

Admire Swiss Watches? The Industry Was Started by a Pole

by Przemysław Bociąga
12 October 2022
Tech/People/Poland/Culture

Born in Piaski Szlacheckie, an inconspicuous village near Lublin, Poland, Antoni Patek made his name as part of the most prestigious brand in the history of watchmaking. A true trailblazer in the industry.

portrait of Marisa de Lempicka and painting of Tamara Lempicka

The Lasting Legacy of Tamara de Lempicka

by Danuta Nierada
11 October 2022
Interviews/Poland/Culture/People

3Seas’s Creative Director, Danuta Nierada, recently sat down with Marisa de Lempicka, the great-granddaughter of iconic artist Tamara de Łempicka, to talk about the life and times of the third most expensive female painter ever, also widely considered the greatest Art Deco artist of all times.

swan lake ballet

The Phoenix of Prague

by Marek Koten
11 October 2022
Czechia/Travel & Food/Culture

While walking along the banks in Prague, the capital of Czechia, you will encounter the majestic building of the Czech National Theatre. The building was built with contributions from everyday Czechs and… burned down right after its completion.

Aerial view of Old Town Square in Prague

Which City Is the Fairest of Them All?

by Weronika Edmunds
11 October 2022
Travel & Food/Culture

Ever thought of an idea of a beauty pageant starred by…cities? People behind the Online Mortgage Advisor did and, acting as the grand jurors, decided which ones should be crowned as the most beautiful.

A group of tourists walking down along the the Walls of Ston, towards the ancient town of Ston, Croatia

The Great Wall of Croatia

by Weronika Edmunds
10 October 2022
Croatia/Travel & Food/Culture

As the old saying tells us: good fences make good neighbors. And it is pretty convincing since, throughout history, great rulers have insisted on building walls to stop their enemies. It happened in China, Great Britain, and… Croatia.

Friday The 13th Alert

Are You As Superstitious As a Pole?

by Weronika Edmunds
10 October 2022
Romania/Travel & Food/Culture

Every country has its superstitions. Some of them are still popular, while others bring a smile of disbelief that someone could have treated them seriously. And it looks like they are still alive and well in Poland.

Trakai castle

Why You Should Want to See the Ghost at Lithuania’s Trakai Castle

by Weronika Edmunds
10 October 2022
Lithuania/Travel & Food/Culture

The most fascinating medieval castles are those which were impossible to force by the enemy. And, of course, those haunted by ghosts. Trakai Castle belongs to both categories.