Ivanza - Czech it OUT!!!

2009-03-25T17:44:00.000-07:00

Follow the link for UPDATES >> http://ivanza1.blogspot.com

current pages are on hold as of March 2009.

p.s. Due to storage limitation the continuation of this blog will be posted at new address.

2009-02-20T16:23:00.001-08:00

BohemianCarnevale is in town. I admit the event is original to bring back the ancient tradition of balls. Same as before it remains High Society privilege. For 7000Kc (~250Eur) + 45 Eur for rental of fantastic 16 century costume you are in for the show. It sounds an interesting and good effort also exclusive public only seems to opt for it.

Photos from the pre-carnaval exploration at Clam-Gallas palace, Husova 20, Prague 1 .

For those savy persons the alternative is to go for MeetInPrague party at the local Cathedral bar where you can enjoy yourself for 50Kc fee entrance that includes free drinks.

Need I say more?!

2009-01-14T03:34:00.001-08:00

got this fun song today from my best, very best, lovely sister!

2008-12-05T04:36:00.000-08:00

2008-12-02T04:31:00.000-08:00

Weekend of celebrations:
-Christmas Party of BohemianToastmasters, photos.

-Christmas Charity Bazaar at Hilton Hotel, photos.

-Birthday party at home, photos.

2008-11-25T16:06:00.000-08:00

French Film Festival started this year. Many excellent movies will be presented this year. I'm volunteering to help and see some movies for free. Some photos.

2008-11-25T16:02:00.000-08:00

Concert of SunSay from Kharkiv, Ukraine in Palac Akropolis, Prague, Czech Republic - 21.11.2008... in photos.

2008-11-20T16:56:00.001-08:00

Fringe C0medy Nights are ON at Divadlo Na Pradle.

Steven Frost and ImproAllStars were great this year. Very funny improvisation comedy. Many acting so they don't have to understand native English that well.

Stephen K Amos - was funny. Also English is quite advanced and not all humor I could catch. The stage presence nad relaxed movements on stage are excellent.
Here is his other performance caught on video.

2008-11-20T16:55:00.001-08:00

A Bday of Sasha, from Belorussia, Gomel was nicely celebrated. My Italian friend Simone joined. One of the most memorable Birthday present was a Spanish dance by Luba (Grunya). Here are photos of a lovely sangria-nemiroff celebration. Also as an aevening continued I had a luck to visit a sectred bar in Zizkov - A Blind Eye, something that I have heard a few times "as a hard to find place", but never been. So it was the day, pardon evening...

2008-11-14T08:23:00.000-08:00

Fringe Comedy Nights is ON! Go!

2008-11-14T08:17:00.001-08:00

Greenarchitecture.cz exhibition of eco friendly buildings and concepts at Architecture Faculty of Charles University, Prague in photos.

2008-11-05T11:58:00.000-08:00

10 days of adventure and sightseeing with Ivushka in photos.

2008-10-11T14:28:00.000-07:00

Designblok.cz - hit Prague again, for 10th year in a row now. Nice, clean, massive. All-in-all great fun to spend time and few krowns. The cheesecake at Sony Cafe (Superstudio Dox) with selected berries - is just jammy!

Tickets can be purchased at both Superstudios form 7. 10. to 12. 10. 2008. The admission is 150 CZK, students 100 CZK and children under 15 are free of charge.

2 major locations:
Superstudio Dox - catwalks fashion shows and design concepts.
Poupětova 1a, Praha 7
10:00 - 21:00

Superstudio Corso - design concepts
Křižíkova 34, Praha 8
10:00 - 21:00

last entry 20:30

Now GO! You will love it!

2008-10-07T06:07:00.000-07:00

I have seen this lyrical and fun comedy at kino Svetozor as part of the Der Film, German movie festival in Czech Republic. Simple, romantic, funny. Music is very nice. Note the original version is in Russian, but there are also dubbed version in Czech and German. Check it out at your local cinema...

2008-10-07T05:58:00.000-07:00

How would national folklore look like in the dry statistic data?! ... Now you know... Thanks to Andrew (Sand) who send me this... Have a fun day!

2008-09-30T03:18:00.000-07:00

Sunday:

19:30 at Rudolfínum listened to Prague Autumn Classical Music Festival:

PROKOFJEV - Skytská suita
MONTSALVATGE - Cinco canciones negras
ČAJKOVSKIJ - Symfonie č. 5 e moll

Orquesta Nacional de Espana
Soprán: Nancy Fabiola Herrera - I was not expecting anything like this...Brilliant, magnificent and strong voice. It was so emotional. My 1st opera-like singing that captured my soul.
Dirigent: Josep Pons

Saturday:

MANHATTAN SHORT FILM FESTIVAL 2008 at kino Svetozor

My personal preference:

The Golden Thread
dir.: Diego Sanchidrián Rubio | 16' | Spain
Sometimes, mystifying bonds are set up between people. Bonds which overcome distance, oblivion and unawareness. And when those bonds are created, they can become what we need to survive.

Ripple
dir.: Paul Gowers | 16' | United Kingdom
One small random act of malice forces an ordinary man off the safe road and on to a dark journey he’ll never forget.

Ode Ober
dir.: Hiba Vink | 11'| Netherlands
The waiter has been supplying perfect strangers with food and drinks for as long as he can remember. His murmured maelstrom of acute observations reveals an acquired omniscience regarding his clients’ preferences and character traits. One day, something makes him ponder the concept of life beyond the doors of the restaurant.

New Boy
dir.: Stephanie Green | 11'05'' | Ireland
The only thing harder than Joseph’s first day of school in Ireland was his last day of school in Africa.

Make My Day
dir.: Pelle Moeller | 8' | Denmark
A Man arrives in the emergency hall with his son who has sprained his ankle in school. The father has always told the boy to never let anyone put you down, and what would “Clint” do in such a situation. However, when the attending doctor turns out to be one of those that bullied his father back in his school days, the kid takes matters into his own hands.

2008-09-25T03:23:00.000-07:00

Music of the moment: T9, Vdoh-Vydoh (Breath in - Breathe out)

2008-09-25T03:17:00.001-07:00

Photos from the concert.

2008-09-21T15:04:00.000-07:00

Recent photo reports:

Shakesperovski Spavnosti - "Comedy of Mistake". It was a comedy or mistake after all. As the rain started using umbrellas and not much of the actual show could be seen; also many people left. After 30min sitting under rain it was a last drop and I have left this comedy evening. Here some photo impressions.
Boyka (my roommate) Birthday cake eating event at home here.
Art installation by the Andel neighborhood to promote recycling habits. Here.
As part of the Days of Poland in Czech Republic a photo exhibition at the garden by the Czech Parliament (zahrady Strakovy akademie, entrance from the river side, Kosarkovo Nábřeží) installed and be opened on Sat and Sun 10-17:00 till end October. Worth attending as it is usually closed to public.
For Your Freedom and Ours
Few pics from captured a day without a car - drive your bicycle day. Nice, interesting, but now the pedestrians could be annoyed by bicycles everywhere same as bicyclists are annoyed by car traffic sometimes.
http://www.wpppraha.cz/ - World Press Photo 2008, Praha, Karolinum 19.9. - 12.10. 2008. IN parallel in the same areal there is an Charles University Exhibit where you could see the original order of the King Charles to organize this world renown institution.

2008-09-05T04:53:00.000-07:00

If you happen to know Russian language, then here is a comparative table of basic slang terms development over recent years:

2008-09-02T14:17:00.000-07:00

Papa has visited me in Prague 27-31 August, 2008. In photos.

2008-08-26T03:17:00.000-07:00

I have visited Kiev for a wedding of Denis Aparshyn, one of my best friends. He has married Marina. They are now husband and wife. Here are some photo moments.

2008-08-13T05:17:00.001-07:00

2008-08-11T03:04:00.001-07:00

Great sunny weekend. Tip to Krivoklat castle photos.

2008-08-05T03:15:00.000-07:00

On Saturday with Tomasz and Iva visited Dobris castle in about an hour drive from Prague. There Tomasz showed Iva how to take nice photos using his professional Nikon D 700 camera. Their masterpieces are yet to be posted (here). In comparison here are few taken by my blue Nikon Coolpix 4100.

2008-07-22T08:11:00.000-07:00

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Déborah
Date: Mon, Jul 14, 2008 at 10:24 PM
Subject: Ah ah
To: Anastasia
Cc: Ivan, Producer of arthousetraffic.com, Ivanna

Merci pour les cartons!!!! Bises from Iva,Marina,Ivan,Dennis and Deborouchka

Envoyé depuis mon iPhone

2008-07-21T07:58:00.000-07:00

Hilarious film I would recommend to see is "Hank and Mike".

"HANK and MIKE's Blurbs:
HANK and MIKE is a feature film that is probably unlike anything you've ever seen. It's the story of two Easter Bunnies who get fired and have to figure out what to do with their lives. It stars Thomas Michael as the hard drinking, chain-smoking HANK; Paolo Mancini as the neurotic and insecure MIKE; Chris Klein as the arrogant efficiency expert CONRAD HUBRISS; and Joe Mantegna as the mischievous businessman MR. PAN. We're just getting this site up and running, so stay tuned. In the meantime, check out the official HANK and MIKE website at www.hankandmike.com. Word to yo mama! -Hank & Mike"

2008-07-21T07:41:00.000-07:00

Few photos from the Karlovy Vary Film Festival.

2008-07-21T07:33:00.000-07:00

If you understand Russian then here is an interesting moment from the fresh Russian movie "Playing victim"/ "Изображая жертву" about the current generation Y to think about:

2008-06-26T10:34:00.000-07:00

As part of modern Russian (soucastny rusky - in cz) film series going on in KinoSvetozor I have seen this movie - Качели - Houpacka (in cz). Very stong and emotional. Would recommend. Here is a headliner sound track by Splin.

2008-06-15T07:40:00.000-07:00

Fifth Prague Museum Night took place on June 14th 2008 from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. For me it was a 3rd one I have participated. Free entrance to museums, free organized transportation. Friends, Prague at night, walking and fooling around. Also it was a chance to learn about one more MEETinPRAGUE community from meetin.org - and opportunity to meet new, cool people. Photo report here.

2008-06-11T14:30:00.000-07:00

Latest adventures were:

Trip to Hanover, Germany to meet my dad and help him with translation and moral support during the CeMAT intralogistics exhibition. Here is photo story.

Meeting with Dominic and Pieter in Basel, Switzerland for some culture, city-walk, party time and watch the opening of the EURO2008 championship on a big TV in a public fun zone. Here is photo story.

2008-05-28T06:32:00.000-07:00

I'm volunteering my free after work time for the Prague Fringe Festival this year (same as I did last year).

http://www.praguefringe.com/2008/programme.php
From the insiders perspective of Fringe Festival:

I would recommend to see/hear at least:
-40 Feathered Winks (touchy feeling...)
-Adolf (mind opening... please remain till the very end of the story
even if you feel like quitting in the middle)
-Sax to the Max! (many many great musicians exported from UK in
location that is normally hidden from general public)
-Magic & More with Frisco Fred (just hilarious)

Personal rating:
1. Magic & More with Frisco Fred
18:30 - 19:30 Divadlo Na Prádle - Kavárna
Comedy On The Square
Come spend a fun hour with the world's only nearsighted comic, magician, ...

2. 40 Feathered Winks
21:00 - 22:00 Divadlo Na Prádle
The Paper Birds
One third of human life is spent in bed; resting, crying, hiding,
lovemaking, ...

3. Adolf
8:15 - 19:15 Nosticovo divadlo
Pip Utton
Utton, looking uncomfortably like the Fuhrer, stands before a huge Nazi ...

4. Karagiozis Exposed
19:30 - 20:20 Divadlo Na Prádle
Open Arts
Karagiozis is a Cypriot shadow puppet. Through a mistake of his
puppeteer, ... In English and French

I heard was good (did not verified yet myself):
-The Sacred Sow
19:30 - 20:30 A Studio Rubín
Prague Playhouse
Dark and lyrical, the play's characters spin yarns about themselves, each ...

-The Tale of a T-Shirt
18:30 - 19:30 Divadlo Inspirace
Kennwort:Bergstation & Fixt Point Theatre
Float around the world as you follow the fantasy of a t-shirt, from cotton ...

-A Stretch of the Imagination
19:45 - 20:45 Nosticovo divadlo
Monk and Mort
Monk O'Neil, in the back of beyond, is facing death alone, with resilience ...

For those who appreciates music and songs:
-Sax to the Max!
19:30 - 20:30 Kostel sv. Jana Křtitele na Prádle
The National Saxophone Choir of Great Britain
SAX to the MAX! pushes the energy and imagination of thirty feisty
saxophonists ...

-Yellow Sisters
5:30 - 16:30 Divadlo Na Prádle
Ženská vokální skupina (Female a cappella group)
"… four hearts, four souls, four voices, four ways to share emotions ...

Some photos from volunteering times here /some more here / from Kostya.

2008-05-19T16:18:00.001-07:00

Great, great District 59 Toastmasters conference is over. I have enjoyed every moment of helping to organize this conference. I have learned so much!!! Even guiding the Prague castle and old town walking tours under the rain was somewhat new and interesting, that I have never done before. Here are photos from main event and following gala dinner.

2008-05-14T11:28:00.000-07:00

Been to Kiev on May vocation. Home. Intense meeting days. Got charged emotionally. Kiev is not an easy place to live, but it there is an electricity of growth and development. Very motivational environment - feels like you have to do something, stand for your rights, dreams, territory, otherwise you may be pushed overboard. Natural survival. But at same time there is tender love and natural beauty everywhere.

Here are photos.

2008-04-23T06:54:00.000-07:00

It was a fun weekend. Been to Arno concert at Palac Akropolis; Arthur's (a fellow toastmaster from Bohemian toastmaster club) speech video record at Casa Luisitana, Karlin, Praha; Depressive photo Exhibition of Gregory Crewdson at Rudolfinium; Museum of the Prague city, incl. Prague's coffeeterias exhibit and historic/modern images exhibit; Gypsy music at studio Rubin. Here are photos.

2008-04-09T11:08:00.001-07:00

Horoscope for Russian readers.

2008-04-02T14:46:00.001-07:00

Photo report from SUN Tech Days in Saint Petersburg.
Photo report from my 1st social event with Czechs/(other photos). 1st!!! Believe it or not but it took me 2,5 years in Prague to be invited for a social event by Czech colleagues. I don't know if I had a bad luck or it is really Czechs being a closed society. I believe in many other countries it would have happened much earlier.
Photo report from the concert of a French band Les Touffes Kretiennes and opening of the Febiofest 2008.

2008-03-27T10:31:00.001-07:00

Been to a great concert of Rihanna. But the most important I had a great and fun company to go with. So it was another cool day with Ivanna. Despite it was snowing and cold.

Photos are here.

2008-03-17T06:25:00.000-07:00

Great weekend we have been up to:

Have met a girl, who I was thinking was my classmate visiting from Kiev, who has contacted me via odnoklassniki.ru community site, and later on I have figured out that we actually have never been a classmates before, but she has just got on my friends list by chance. Interesting and fun, huh?!
But we had a great fun climbing to the Petrin Hill Tower, that offered a best city overview in the sunny weather. Definitely it is my favorite tower location in the city now.
Been to the Birthday party of a friend Aisa. Congratulations, darling!
On Sunday: Iva's friend Nadia took us by her lovely little silver Skoda Fabia to a nice town neighboring Prague - Teplice. We were very surprised by the picturesque areas around it and the noble history of this spa city itself.

Photos here.

2008-03-10T05:31:00.000-07:00

During the last weekend we have been up to:

Angelka, sister's friend from Kiev was on a biz training here in Prague and stopped by our home.
Motorbike exhibition at Vystaviste.
Checked the dentist emergency service, since Iva has a "wise tooth" appearing.
Saw the Japanese movie, within OneWorld festival -Mechanical Love.

Photos here.

2008-03-10T05:18:00.001-07:00

Yesterday seen quite a cool move:

Mechanical Love / Mechanical
LovePhie Ambo / Denmark / 2007 / 79 min.
The ability to love and be loved is one of the basic definitions of humans. Nevertheless, as modern technology increasingly encroaches upon people's everyday lives, this idea might need to be redefined, i.e. how does artificial intelligence fit into this concept? Director Phie Ambo follows the story of Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro from Osaka University who creates a Geminoid – a remote–controlled duplicate of himself – and prepares to introduce him to his wife and daughter. Another Japanese scientist creates an artificial baby seal called Paro, who keeps lonely and mentally handicapped people company and demonstrably increases their brain activity as a result. The animal–robot responds to the voice of its owners and can even "remember" its name with the aid of sensors. Naturally, these innovations necessarily give rise to some ethical questions: Is it right to allow someone to live under the illusion that they are "loved" by a machine, which does not have the same feelings for them? And then there is the old question about robotics itself: If machines can replace us, are we therefore not totally redundant?

Today is preparing myself to see quite a difficult one. But I prefer to see the reality how it is even if it is something very, very unpleasant.

On the Edge. Six Episodes on AIDS in Ukraine / Am Rande. Sechs Kapitel über AIDS in der Ukraine
Karsten Hein / Germany / 2006 / 105 min.
Ukraine has one of the highest rates of AIDS in Europe. According to the official statistics, 26,000 people in the country are HIV positive. In reality 200,000 to 300,000 Ukrainians are infected and experts from non–governmental organisations describe the situation as a rising epidemic. This alarming situation has probably also been facilitated by the changes of the past two decades, which robbed people of their certainties and stable social order, leaving many lost in the process. In six chapters, this film examines the issue from all possible angles and pays attention to the other problems that are connected with the spread of HIV, particularly drugs, prostitution and infected children. The director not only presents several people suffering from this insidious disease, but also shows workers from non–profit organisations who are striving to temper the consequences of the illness for both individuals and society as a whole.

OneWorld photos.

2008-03-07T02:49:00.001-08:00

With Ivanna we were on the opening of the 10th One world / Jeden Svet documentary film festival in Lucerna, Praha. Very unusual presentation with toy theater, founders speeches and very emotionally strong movie The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo story about consequences of war resulted in raped and assaulted women in Democratic Republic of Congo that was pesented by it's director of the film Lisa F. Jackson. I have been working in Kinshasa, DRC for 6 month and I felt the movie is objective in showing this narrow problem, but the move does not show and analyzes the much bigger problem of a social catastrophe resulted by the civilian war. I would say the situation in DRC is similar to 1945 in Europe, when some places were completely devastated by war and building of a new social society has to be done from zero.

Yesterday in small hall of Svetozor seen Czech documentary Pul Ctvrte (http://www.pulctvrte.cz) about the simple live of people in the Ukrainian village in Carpathian region, close to the highest Ukrainian mountain Goverla. The film is said to be about the "rich live in poor region". Either it is only a story about one region and does not compares the regions of the countly for example with modern and wealthy capital Kiev, or advanced Odessa or Lviv, I still found it funny and interesting, very realistic from insider point of view. It made me think were Ukraine and myself are now and were I want myself and Ukraine to be and how to get there. Which values are really important to me. Recommend to watch.

2008-02-26T14:43:00.000-08:00

La Pelicula 2008 - Spanish Film Festival in Prague. Visited the opening today at KinoSvetozor. Photos.
Movies I have seen:

La Dama Boba - it was an opening of the festival at Svetozor. Unfortunately the director an main actress could not attend the opening as planned. But even without knowing a word in Spanish I felt it was funny, romantic and nice love story.
Obaba - interesting movie. A flash back to beautiful village in Spain and the multiple storylines about graduates of the local school. Nice images. Great if you love to feel how different time runs in small places and corners - not like in big cities.

Move I have not seen since all tickets has been sold out prior a 5 days - Yo soy La Juani / official website. Hope to see it some other time and place.

2008-02-25T03:14:00.000-08:00

Saturday, Feb 24th day trip to JindrichuvHradec in photos.

2008-02-21T04:16:00.001-08:00

Now my favorite cartoon "Adventures of Vrungel(Liar ;-)) Captain" / "Приключения капитана Врунгеля" from childhood is available online. Sofar for free view.

2008-02-20T05:38:00.000-08:00

Fri, 15 Feb - Sun, 17th Feb. Great weekend meeting with friends (ex-AIESEC trainees in Ostrava, ex-rommates) Dominic, who flew from Basel, Switzerland and Pieter, Netherlands who hosted us in Rotterdam and was guiding our Party Squad through Rotterdam, Scheveningen, Amsterdam.

Photo report here.

Music of the moment - I'm from Holland by Bobby Burns feat. Casablanca Connect:

2008-02-13T10:18:00.000-08:00

Songs of today:

Когда мои друзья со мной. When my friends with me - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Voys6mQug9s
Голубой Вагон. Blue cart - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j95qCtdpmlc

Song of the yesterday

2008-01-22T05:51:00.000-08:00

I saw new documentary about Czech photographer Jan Saudek who became world known before he got recognition in his own home country after 1989. I recommend to see it. It is unusual and interesting perspective on live through eyes of one man. I believe he made art from nudity, differentiated from what otherwise could be seen as pornography.

2008-01-22T05:49:00.001-08:00

Been to the Festival of Contemporary Japanese Film. Saw: Ramblers and Bright Future. I liked "Ramblers" more due to some unusual humor.

2008-01-06T05:44:00.000-08:00

Fantastic holidays at home in Ukraine is just over. I'm back to Prague from Sat, 5th Jan, 2008. What a memories. I don't really have many words. It is just pure emotions...highest state of mind. Here are some fantastic moments in photos.

and music of the moment...

2007-12-14T05:13:00.000-08:00

My preliminary plan for Christmas and New Year vocation 2007/2008:

V Jaremche ostanovlus zdes:
http://karpaty.nezabarom.com.ua/yaremche/fortuna/984/photo/ -150 hrn
predlojyli 2x mestny polulux vmesto standartnogo 2x mestny nomer
http://www.karpaty.info/ua/uk/if/jr/jaremche/houses/fortuna/
-500 м від центру міста
-skoree budem odni v dome iz 3h nomerov (tak chto mesto prisoedinitsya est...)
-WC/dush v nomere
-ryadom chastnaja kuhnya 50hrn s chel za zavtrak i ujyn

14 Dec, Fri - last work day at work, WFH, packing.

15 Dec, Sat - by bus going Prague to Lvov, 85 USD
16 Dec, Sun - by marshrutka going Lvov to Lutsk, 5 USD, buy train ticket Kiev-Lvov on 19th (if no ticket stay in Lutsk, take tickets train to Lvov on morning 20th Dec)
17 Dec, Mon - Lutsk, 10 USD
18 Dec, Tue - Lutsk to Kiev by car with Lisa, 20 USD
19 Dec, Wed - Kiev, evening departure by train to Lvov, 30 USD
20 Dec, Thur - by train from Lutsk to Lviv, Iva by train N 085 arrives to Lviv 13:50, excursion around Lviv, by marshrutka going to Jaremche (2,5hours one way, 5USD), from 10+20, znat kak budem vozvrashcatsya v Kiev 27 Dec i esli poezdom to kupit obratnye bilety.
21 Dec, Fri - Karpaty (Jaremche), 15USD accomodation + 10 USD food + 15USD snow equipment rent per person
22 Dec, Sat - Karpaty (Jaremche), 15USD accomodation + 10 USD food + 15USD snow equipment rent per person
23 Dec, Sun - excursion to Ivano-Frankivsk, 15USD accomodation + 10 USD food per person +10 USD for transportation.
24 Dec, Mon - Karpaty (Jaremche), 15USD accommodation + 10 USD food per person - Lisa or mam or pap join us in Karpaty
25 Dec, Tue - Karpaty (Jaremche), 15USD accommodation + 10 USD food + 15USD snow equipment rent per person - Lisa or mam or pap join us in Karpaty
26 Dec, Wed - Karpaty (Jaremche), 15USD accommodation + 10 USD food + 15USD snow equipment rent per person - Lisa or mam or pap join us in Karpaty
27 Dec, Thur - going from Karpaty to Kiev, likely by car with Pap or Liza, (70 USD total) or train (20-30 USD per person)
28 Dec, Fri - Kiev, 15 USD babushka Dina greeting
29 Dec, Sat - Kiev, 15 USD buy return train tickets for Iva Kiev-Crimea or Odessa-Crimea.
30 Dec, Sun - Kiev, 15 USD / alternative going to Odessa by car with Liza
31 Dec, Mon - Kiev, NY celebration, 30 USD / alternative going to Odessa by car with Liza
1 Jan, Tue - Kiev, 15 USD / alternative going to Odessa by car with Liza
2 Jan, Wed - Kiev, Iva by train back Kiev-Crimea, 20-30 USD / alternative coming back to Kiev from Odessa by car with Liza and Ivanna back to Odessa-Crimea by train.
3 Jan, Thur - Kiev, 15 USD
4 Jan, Fri - by bus going from Kiev to Prague, 85 USD
5 Jan, Sat - Prague
6 Jan, Sun - Prague

7 Jan, Mon - back to work

2007-12-11T04:49:00.000-08:00

Friend, Andrew sent me a photo and a text report (in Russsian) about his trip to CZ some time ago. Nice observations about Krusovice and Karlovy Vary.

2007-12-09T03:21:00.000-08:00

Had a Turkish evening party at home yesterday. Rommate Fhari has invited his Turkish friends and cooked a fantastic meals. Yammy. I wish we have more Turkish evenings like this... ;-)

2007-12-05T05:57:00.000-08:00

This is 2nd year in a row when I'm helping to organize the presence of the French Embassy at the International Charity Bazaar at Hilton Hotel. The whole event is organized by Diplomatic Ladies Association (DLA), which is union of ambassador's wifes to Czech Republic. The event is supported by the Mme Klausova, the wife of the President of Czech Republic. The President of the DLA is Mme Helene Fries, wife of French ambassador. She is in charge of both representing the French table and the event in general. I was helping mostly with French table mostly.

The way it works - each embassy contacts the companies and organizations they know to donate for the event i- either money or products for sale. Donated products are then sold at the bazaar at the discounted prices so it would sell faster and buyer would be more happy. All received money are then donated to the charities. For the general public there is a small fee (50Kc/2,5USD) for entrance with is also a source of income that goes to charity. But overall it worth visiting since it is a unique opportunity to shop for cool products from around the world at discount. ;-)

Also as the way networking works I had a change to invite my friend and colleague and a professional photographer (at the beginning of his photography career) from work Tomasz Slota (from Poland) to take the photo report of the event. Here you may see the result:

http://tomslot.info/Bazaar2007 /any my few shots

Overall the event was great fun and I'm packed with my Christmas and New Year gifts thanks to it.

2007-12-02T13:29:00.000-08:00

we had a small friends warming party in our kitchen on Saturday... wine.candles.talks.
here is some music we listened:

2007-11-26T05:32:00.001-08:00

Last week brought French Film Festival to Prague...again.
I have seen an excellent movies that would strongly recommend it to see:

And photo reports from this weekend parties - DJ Tiesto and Stereo MC's.

Previous weeks small photo reports: Toastmasters Regional Conference In Pardubice, Swank Bar LungerieFasion Show, some last minute change show in celebration of 100 years to Divadlo Na Vinohradah.

Also I have heard a cool rhythm that I liked - listen on YouTube - Clock - Coldplay and Buena Vista Social Club.

2007-11-02T16:30:00.000-07:00

Halloween celebration in Prague on Wed, Oct 31st. It has turning in one of the most fun events for the expats living in Prague. Very, very, very popular event!!! Wowwwwwwww!!!

2007-11-02T16:20:00.001-07:00

Last weekend spend with my last year roommate Vishal from London. He Djed at Acropolis on Fri night and on Saturday we have a chill out conversation a the bar of newly opened Palladium shopping center. Photos here.

2007-10-29T05:02:00.000-07:00

On Sunday I have seen the Devil's Bible at Klementinum, during it's vocation timebeing in Prague, coming from Stockholm, Sweden. Which is by coencidence is happened at the same time as Komiksfest! 2007.

2007-10-22T09:33:00.001-07:00

"How often do you find the right person? ONCE." You got to see this ONCE movie!!!

Now this weekend in Praha, which becoming my 2nd home. Autoshow, Presentation of the movie Once at the MOFFOM film festival, The Art of Can Installation. Photos here.

2007-10-22T09:16:00.001-07:00

Been one fantastic week in Kyiv. Home is home. Nothing on the planet is like HOME. Here photos.

2007-10-04T07:12:00.001-07:00

Andrew Semenov has sent me his story and photo report from his recent visit of the Czech capital, Prague. Here.

2007-09-28T01:24:00.000-07:00

Been to the concert of French band Nouvelle Vague. At Palac Akropolis. Fantastic!!! Recommended!!!

Look for a vibe at blogmusik.net

Here are my photos from the concert. other photos.

2007-09-25T09:58:00.000-07:00

Svershylos. Snova edu v Kiev. Ura!!!

Zamette chto edu. S samoletom kak planiroval ne slojylos. Bilety na samolet cherez milan uje uleteli, a na drugie options ne hvataet cash. Spasibo pape, mame za predlojennuju fin podderzhku, no luchshe sekonomim nemnogo. Otpusk na rabote podpisan.

Ja vzyal bilety na avtobus. Patnica, 5go 9:00 utra vyezd iz Pragi, 6go v rajone 9:0 utra priezd v Kiev na j/d vokzal.

Nazad v Pragu - Subbota, 13go 9:00 utra vyezd ot z/d vokzala Kiev, 14go v rajone 9:0 utra priezd v Prague na Florence vokzal.

Ja budu vmeste s devushkoj - Ivannoj, ona priedet iz Kryma (6-10go Oct).

Ostanovimsya na Bereznyakah (ili u Lizy na kuhne... ;-) ).

Highlights of the program:

- 6go, Oct, Sub 9 utra priezd, vstrecha Ivy poezd 027 (Simferopol) 11.23am, 6j vagon, na svadbe u druzey (Sasha, Natasha) 15:00 official part, then dancing till 00:00, Andreevsky spusk.
- 7go, Oct, Vos, D/R Babushki Diny vecher u babushki (utka s jablokami ili kovkijka + samovar)
- 8go, Oct, Pn - 11:00 SUN biz meeting at Sun Microsystems, Regus Business Center 42-44, Shovkovychna str. 01601 Kiev, Ukraine; S obeda s papoj
- 9go, Oct, Vt - s mamoy
- 10go, Oct, Sr - s Lizoj; otjezd Ivy, 17:50; vecherom k 7 u Lizy - meeting of all friends
- 11go, Oct, Cht - sutra rynok Petrovka, 17:00-19:00, отель <Русь>, ул. Госпитальная - MBA expo
- 12go, Oct, Pt - sutra ?, vstrecha s gruppoj (Max, Denis), vypusknikami NTUU KPI, vecher/noc
- 13go, Oct, Sb - 9:00 otjezd

Do skoroj vstrechi!
-Vas suslik

2007-09-25T02:09:00.000-07:00

Adding photo albums sent to me recently by:

Julia Shkvarun - international adventures
Kostya - from his trip to Jaroslavl and Kyiv, Ukraine

2007-09-23T13:22:00.000-07:00

Photo report from Architectureweek.Cz

2007-09-23T13:12:00.000-07:00

My cousin bro Max living in Canada has started a video news series. Check this out here.
The song of a weekend - In the Sun (here is lyrics), Coldplay feat Michael Staipe (R.E.M.). You could find it on www.deezer.com if you type Coldplay in search.

2007-09-23T13:04:00.000-07:00

Been to the Narodni Divadlo (National Theater) for the Czech Ballet Symphony modern ballet performance. Liked it a lot.

2007-09-16T07:56:00.001-07:00

Journées du patrimoine

16.9. 10h00 - 17h00

Francouzské velvyslanectví Velkpřevorské náměstí 2 Praha 1

Portes ouvertes au Palais buquoy [photo report]

Depuis une vingtaine d’années, en France tout d’abord et dans toute l’Europe maintenant, nombre de monuments habituellement interdits à la visite ouvrent leurs portes et livrent leurs trésors à la curiosité du public le temps de quelques journées. Siège de l’Ambassade de France depuis 1919, construit en plein cœur du quartier de Malá strana entre 1736 et 1738, le Palais Buquoy est un exemple très abouti du baroque pragois et le creuset des relations franco-tchèques depuis la première République. A la faveur de ces journées, le public pragois pourra découvrir ce joyau architectural. Ainsi, de l’escalier d’honneur où trône un buste du philosophe René Descartes au salon de musique où Mozart a donné plusieurs concerts privés, de la salle à manger où le 9 décembre 1988, François Mitterrand reçut Václav Havel et des dissidents tchèques pour un petit déjeuner célèbre, chacun pourra se pénétrer de la richesse patrimoniale de ce lieu singulier.

Déroulement : de 10h à 17h, déambulation libre et gratuite assistée d’un petit guide de visite individuel. L’accueil du public et l’entrée dans le palais se feront de Velkopřevorské náměstí 2, Prague 1.

Entrée libre

2007-09-15T11:15:00.001-07:00

Been to the concert of Paul van Dyk. They sey he is N1 DJ in the world. Hard to believe. What about other 100 of the N1s in the world? Also I enjoyed music and dancing I did not feel like staying longer then 2am, so I went home as I had to get up early. Yet another intro into the CZ culture that I have saw many people wasted by alcohol and other stuff. But overall this was event of the week or probably month's to be at.

Here is photo report from the live set
I believe photo with friends may also be posted here - www.poslouchej.net

2007-09-13T13:27:00.000-07:00

It happened that in one day we were lucky to attend 2 festivals. Prague Food Festival 2007 at Kampa park (www.praguefoodfestival.com) and discovered a JoyRide extreme sports and music festival at Císařská louka island (www.JoyRide.cz)

Festival photo report here

2007-09-13T13:22:00.000-07:00

Interesting event on Saturday. Went to Hvezda Sports Bar to meet with some friends and watch Italy-France football game. Afterall friends did not show up, but I have met another ones I knew. Together we maid a downtown night clubs minitour, hit - U Sudu, Zlaty Casy, Aloha, ... (?) and finally Popo Cafe Petl. Nice and unexpected.

2007-09-13T13:17:00.000-07:00

Been to LetniLetna cirqus performance - Cirque ici: Secret . Totally outstanding event. The show like nothing else. Would totally recommend.

2007-09-13T13:11:00.000-07:00

Actually there are many graffity covering walls and houses in Prague. Especially in the suburbs. Check this out.

2007-08-29T03:08:00.000-07:00

London. Reunion of friends who met during Helsinki Summer School 2002 (selected photos are here). Nikolay (RU, living London), Jeroen (NL, living Amsterdam) and myself Ivan (UA, living Prague). We have meet in London over this 5 calendar days (23 - 27 August, 2007), where Nikolay lives in a nice light and couzy 2 bedroom appartment with bright kitchen.

We have experienced an exponential growth of sunshine (12 seconds on Thu, 12 minutes on Fri and 12 hours on Sat onwards!), participated in a spot-at-least-one-Ferrari-per-day competition, attend the first ["children's"] day of Notting Hill carnival with 1.4 million fellow party
lovers and explored Cambridge.

See photo report here from London and from Cambridge.
Also see the photos from Nikolay's gallery.

2007-08-16T03:20:00.000-07:00

I have got a nice links from my Austrian friend Mario, (Mario Krenn , we have met during our AIESEC traineeships in Ostrava, Czech Republic), who is having a great life in US, New Orleans now. I believe this is how he spends his quality time there... by attending music c0ncerts:

2007-08-09T02:33:00.000-07:00

It is time to start a new chapter in life after all... hopefully new love... either love is eternal it can't be old or new... just feel it... get rid of the pain... I believe love overcomes pain... like in Harry Potter 5... the strongest positive emotions overcome the ones that hurt the most...Should work... I hope. I believe. I love. That is what my sister Lisa told me today in the night when I have called her and we listened to the storm of the Black Sea. Vse bude dobre - sings to me Vokarchuk from Okean Elsy...and I know that is the way it would be.

Here are some recent photos.

2007-08-09T02:21:00.000-07:00

July 19 - October 21, 2007

Museum Kampa - the Jan and Meda Mládek Foundation has prepared in cooperation with the Andy Warhol museum in Pittsburgh an exhibition with the title "Disaster Relics", which presents prints by Warhol dealing with the theme of catastrophes. Many of these works belong to a series which was created at the beginning of the nineteen sixties; they reflect Warhol's fascination with death as well as his obsession with "fifteen minutes of fame". Some of these works document the life of the famous, for example a portrait of Jackie Kennedy shortly before and after the assassination of Kennedy. The rest, chronicling the lives of ordinary people, for example prints inspired by racial unrest in Alabama or by car and airplane accidents.

Been there.

2007-08-09T02:18:00.001-07:00

Prague walk with roommate Sophie. Photos.

2007-07-28T15:16:00.000-07:00

Recent photo reports:

Day-of-moving-out-from-Hadouvka-to-Chodov-office
Back-to-Prague-week-end 1st week-end after California
Laid back Friday with friends Prague-Fri-July-16th
Prague-walk-with-roommate-Sophie

2007-07-20T08:10:00.000-07:00

I was happy to receive a reply to my blog post about San Francisco from my friend Ayumu since studying in Western Kentucky University, USA in 2000/01. He mentioned that he has recently been to San Francisco with hie wonderful wife Megmi in March and that they really enjoyed the time, seeing very beautiful city. They really loved it. Now Ayumi enjoying his work in Japan. He is in charge of selling YAMAHA outboard engines in South East Asian Countries, such as Indonesia and Malaysia.

That must be fun, sailor!!! I guess when the time comes... I would have to order from you a nice engine for a white yacht.

On the other photo - Fumio (also our JA friend we spent time together at WKU), Ayumu, Megmi.

2007-07-20T07:57:00.001-07:00

My schoolmate of Lyceum "Intellect" (Kyiv, at school N 21) Andrew Semenov has sent me a link to his photos from the Pripyat Festival (near Chernobyl).

2007-07-18T11:28:00.001-07:00

July 7th to 19th I have been spending in San Francisco Bay area. Was here on the business trip working and meeting people at the headquarters of my company. It was a lot of meetings I had to go through, had to meet about 20 different people. Also few colleagues took care of me well and took me for a few nice off work exploration events. Among others:

Exploring streets of San Francisco and San Francisco museum of modern arts for exhibit of sculptures works by Matisse
A dog walk in recreation park
Filoli - residence, trees and rose garden
Santana Row cool district and a French restaurant
The Crucible's Fire Arts Festival
Russian Disco event at Avalon club
Pacific Ocean by Santa Cruz, wharf area with nice Italian restaurant
Solitude walk and dinner in the restricted recreation area of Pacific Ocean bay area

Also I had a chance to visit US friend Dina and her dad in UC Davis.

Here is photo report.

2007-07-18T11:18:00.000-07:00

Today I got a few photos from my comrade Denis (and Valik, 1st on the left), who were probably been to Odessa beaches recently.

2007-07-06T08:03:00.001-07:00

On June together with my colleague visiting from US we have visited an amazing performances of William Shakespeare at the Prague Castle. We have seen the "Storm" (Boure)

2007-06-17T03:15:00.000-07:00

http://praha.muzejninoc.cz/ this year attracted thousands of people. I have invited about 8 people, but only 1 showed up. So we spend the museum night with my colleague Tomas. Photos are here.

We did the following program:

18:30 Meeting by the exit from the M Vysehrad

19:00-19:30
The Vyšehrad Casemates and the Subterranean Hall "Gorlice" now home to
6 original statues from Charles Bridge. 20 min down to catacombs. Need
sweater and lighter.
http://praha.muzejninoc.cz/clanek.php?id=2&objekt=23

19:30-20:00 going by metro to Staromestska.

20:00-20:30
Umelecko Prumyslovy Museum back garden, Jazz Concert
http://muzejninoc-cz-praha.cattani.netservis.cz/clanek.php?id=5&ida=90

20:45-21:30
Rudolfinium, Antonín Dvořák, Symphony No 9 in E minor "From the New World"
http://muzejninoc-cz-praha.cattani.netservis.cz/clanek.php?id=5&ida=92

21:45-22:15
Charles Bridge Museum, Midevel carnaval and Photos exhibit
http://praha.muzejninoc.cz/clanek.php?id=2&l=en&ida=&inst=&amp;objekt=47&linka=&stanice=

22:30 - 23:30
Jewish museum - Guided tour - History of the Jews in Bohemia and
Moravia I. – From the First Settlements to the Beginning of
Emancipation.
Meeting point: in exposition
http://praha.muzejninoc.cz/clanek.php?id=2&inst=6

00:00– 00.30
Jazz Before Midnight at Czech Museum of Music
http://muzejninoc-cz-praha.cattani.netservis.cz/clanek.php?id=5&ida=101

2007-06-14T02:23:00.001-07:00

Encore une fois - Equador!
DJ Sash in Prague. I wanted to hear his music but was not sure if going pary in the middle of the week is that of a good idea. But when I learnd that I can get in for 7USD I did not hesitated and joined the party at MischMasch .
Je regarde le disc jockey!!!

2007-06-14T02:12:00.000-07:00

On Saturday went on rafting trip by Vltava river from Vyssy Brod to Cesky Krumlov with friends Gerald and Nick and Elsa + 10 more French people. We did not get a change to speak much to French people and Elsa since we were going the fastest. I would recomend you try this sport one day. Cool feelings in your mind and body after 8 hours on the water. You may find all the info at: http://www.ingetour.cz/boat-rental-canoes-rafts/general/basic-information
We were afraid of our camers getting wet so NO Photoes for today.

2007-06-02T01:39:00.000-07:00

This week I'm volunteering for the international theater festival Fringe (PragueFringe.cz) .
The concepts and events are unbelivably cool, as you may find out from some photos. So many happenings in one week!!! You can enjoy one great performance after another. My personal hit parade of the shows:

Velvet Scratch
The Friends of Jack Kairo
Stephen Frost Impro Allstars
A play on two chairs
Troubadour
Blow This Popsicle stand

2007-06-02T01:32:00.000-07:00

The weekend of May 24-28 my Dutch friends Pieter (wich whom we have been rommates for 3 months in Ostrava during the AIESEC traineeship) and George (his friend) from Rotterdam has visited Prague and I hosted them. We aslo had a farewel party for Elsa on Friday (she will come back to France after a year of ERASMUS studies here in Prague). Photoes here.

2007-05-22T05:25:00.001-07:00

My dear friend Deniska (we have studied in university together for 5 years) jast sent me few photoes (top right - amigos Denis and Nastja, buttom - Nastja's black cat) from his reunion with school mates. Can you imagine it that we have graduated from school 10 years ago and from university 5 years ago?

2007-05-20T04:23:00.001-07:00

Been to a great and fantastic ballet yesterday "Solo pro Tri". Modern choreography theatre inspired by the lives and songs of three singing poets of the 1960s and 1970s French - Jacques Brel, Russian - Vladimir Vysotsky and Czech - Karel Kryl.

2007-05-20T03:54:00.001-07:00

Photoes from last week-end as Kirsten was visiting from Germany and Albert from Canada. What a reunion of ex-AIESEC trainees from Ostrava in Prague!!!

2007-05-19T07:13:00.000-07:00

Ura!!! My cousin Zephyralka (known by parents as Lida) has sent me her photoes from adventures in Canada, where she is visiting her bro and my cousin MAX and his pretty Katerina...

2007-05-15T02:24:00.000-07:00

My colleague Martin has just came back from his 2 weeks vocations in Cuba. Fantastic views and colors!!! Photoes here.

2007-05-13T10:21:00.000-07:00

I have came back from 10 fantastic days of visit my home in Ukraine - Kyiv. On the way we had a great visit in Lviv with my sister, then we went to visit our grandparents in Lutsk, and finally came back to Kyiv. Of caurse most of the time I have spent with mam, dad, sis and grandma, but I have met most of my friends.

I would say it was defenetely the best home coming event for last 4 years. I'm all so happy and now I'm looking forward to my future with a dream of come back to Kyiv some day, have own business there, own property, few fast cars and the most important - family with kids.

As for now I'm just homesick, but looking at all those moments make me smile and fell happy. You can check the photo report from the trip by yourself.

2007-05-11T02:46:00.000-07:00

Kostya sent me photoes from this weekend. He celebrated WW2 Victory Day with colleagues at his garden. I wish I could join the celebration...but I was having a greatest fun in Kyiv. Well we would do another "shashlyky picnic" sometime this summer.

2007-05-06T23:52:00.000-07:00

I'm on the few vocation days in Kyiv now. I have met with Natashia and Sasha, cool friends as we all have started our careers at KP Publications. I have just recieved a link to their online photo gallery. I hope they will come to see me in Prague sometime this year.

2007-04-24T15:32:00.000-07:00

Evgeniy Kravchenko, who is now residing and doing business in Romania, my former colleague from Mitridat.com has sent me his cool Picasa web photo album.