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Tonight, Czech star Daniel Žižka takes the stage in Vienna for Semi-Final 2, performing his song "Crossroads" as Czechia's entry at Eurovision 2026. We'll find out if he makes it through to Saturday's Grand Final.

We're working on a story about what Eurovision means to the international community here in Prague, and we want to hear from you. Are you watching? Who are you rooting for? And what does Eurovision mean to you in 2026?

Drop your opinions and favorites in the comments.

Two European strains of hantavirus already circulate in Czechia – but this isn’t a new situation. These strains have existed in parts of Europe for decades, including Central Europe, where cases appear sporadically each year.

Hantaviruses are typically carried by rodents, especially mice and voles, and humans can be exposed through inhaling particles from droppings, urine, or nesting materials, most often in cabins, sheds, basements, barns, or forested areas.

In Europe, the strains linked to Czechia are generally associated with hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS), which tends to be less severe than the hantavirus pulmonary syndrome more commonly discussed in the Americas. Most people are never exposed, and widespread public risk remains low.

Read more: expats.cz/r/dflsg

Hantavirus in Czechia: The strains, the risks, and what you need to know Two European strains of hantavirus circulate in Czechia, but they differ from the strain that recently infected Dutch cruise ship passengers.

Czechia operates with two punctuality cultures: The flexible 15-minute 'academic quarter' and the far stricter rules of professional timekeeping.

Have you noticed any patterns with Czechs and punctuality?

Read more about the unwritten rules of punctuality in Czech culture: expats.cz/r/feouk

The number of students in technical fields such as engineering has fallen drastically in the Czech Republic, and the situation may only get worse as demographic trends go down.

In the meantime, a growing share of those who do study in technology, manufacturing and construction are now coming from abroad: about 7,000 out of 40,000, mainly Slovaks, Ukrainians, Russians, Kazakhs and Indians, according to the Czech statistical office.

Read more: expats.cz/r/fqifk

This week on our Community Picks: One of Prague's most spectacular annual traditions returns to the Vltava this Thursday and Friday.

The St. John's Festival Navalis, now in its 18th edition, commemorates St. John of Nepomuk with an elaborate procession of decorated gondolas, historic Venetian boats, and vessels from Austria, Germany, and Croatia gliding beneath Charles Bridge.

St. John of Nepomuk, Vicar General to the Archbishop of Prague in 1393, was thrown from Charles Bridge into the Vltava river by orders of King Wenceslas IV, reputedly for refusing to reveal the confessions of the queen. He was canonised in 1729, and his tomb in St. Vitus Cathedral became one of the great pilgrimage sites of Central Europe.

Navalis festivities kick off on Thursday, May 14, with a Venetian afternoon on the embankment at Hergetova Cihelna from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m..

On Friday, 15 May, horse decorating at Hradčany Square begins at 2:30 p.m., followed by a Holy Mass in St. Vitus Cathedral at 5:30 p.m.. A candlelit procession then moves across Charles Bridge, followed by a regatta of boats, a parachute jump, and a concert on the water – all free to watch from the riverbanks.

Read about more Community Picks for this week: expats.cz/r/qjcyy

Prague’s Florenc bus station is getting a major redesign, but the new passenger terminal will only be temporary.

The winning proposal features a modular steel structure designed to serve travelers for the next 20 years while the wider Florenc district is transformed into a new neighborhood.

Read more: expats.cz/r/helbm

Last night's Prague Derby between Sparta and Slavia ended in chaos as fans stormed the pitch, forcing the match to be abandoned with minutes of play remaining.

Police are now investigating suspected assaults and public disorder after hundreds of supporters entered the field at Fortuna Arena.

Read more: expats.cz/r/wilcg

Recent ATM attacks in Prague may be linked to the same kind of organized cross-border networks behind similar bombings across Europe.

Here’s why Czechia could be increasingly vulnerable, and what the attacks mean for residents, bank users, and public safety.

Read more: expats.cz/r/esluf

Prague residents were surprised to see bright blue beam shooting into the night sky heading into the weekend, prompting numerous posts on social media.

The light from the Žižkov TV Tower marks the end of WWII in Europe, and you still have one last chance to see it tonight (May 9), from dusk until midnight.

Read more: expats.cz/r/wmuvk

This spring, Expats.cz is partnering with OPERO to present Truth and Love 2.0: Living Philosophy of Václav Havel, a three-part English-language lecture series exploring the enduring ideas of Václav Havel and their relevance in a time of global uncertainty.

The series offers an intimate setting for reflection, discussion, and big-picture thinking, part lecture, part self-development journey.

Get tickets now: expats.cz/r/pbrjn

You might have noticed some of these picturesque photo booths dotted about the city; but with the current restoration of the National Theatre and recent reopening of Kasárna Karlín, a couple of the most recognizable stations have relocated. There are fewer than two hundred functioning analog photo booths left on the planet, so the machines in Prague are worth seeking out.

And beyond the analog models are some grungier, digital outposts dotted around the city and in metro stations, for ID photos needed in a pinch or quick snippets of memorabilia. Head to the link in bio for a full list of where to find them.