Captain St. Sarkis

  By  the  order  of  His holiness  Karekin II ,  Supreme  Patriarch  and  Catholicos  of  All  Armenians, the  Feast  of  St.  Sarkis  the  and  his  soldiers-companions  is  proclaimed  day  of blessing  of the youth.  This year  the  feast  is celebrated  on  26.                                                                 Captain    St.  Saris  is  one  of the most  beloved  saints among  the  Armenian  nation.  Together  with  his  14 soldiers- companions   he was   martyred  for  the sake  of Christian  faith.                              During  the  period  of  region  of  the  king  Kostandianos   the  Great (285-337)  St. Sarkis,  being  very  courageous,  was  appointed   the  prince  and  General  in chief  of  the  region  of  Cappadocia  bordering  Armenia.  When    during  the  period  region   of    the   king    Julianos  the  Betrayer  (360-363)  the  persecutions  against  Christians  started  by  God’s  will  St.  Sar kis  and  his  only   son—Martyros,  came   to  live   in Armenia,  and  the   Armenian  King   Tiran,  grandson  of   Tiridates,  received  them   very  well.  From   Armenian  St.  Sarkis  and  his  son  went  to  Persia,  and  started  serving  in  the   army   of the   Persian  King  Shapouh   as  the   captain   of    regiments.  Become  aware  of  the  fact   that  Sarkis   was   Christian  the king  Shapouh  ordered  him   to  worship  the   fire   and  offer  sacrifice  to  the   heathen  gods.  But the   captain   immediately  refused   to  obey   the  order  saying,  “We   should   worship  one    God—the  Holy   Trinity,  which  has  created   the   earth  and  the  heaven.  Whereas  fire  idols  are  not  gods  and   the   human   being   may   destroy  them.”  After  these  words  the  saint   destroyed  the  temple.   The   annoyed  crowd  fell   on  the  saint  and  his  son.    First  the  son  of the  saint  was  martyred.  The  saint  was  put  into  prison  and  remaining   unshaken  in  his  faith  was  beheaded. After  the  martyrdom  of  the  saint  light  appeared  over  his  body.  14  soldiers-companions  of the  saint  also  were martyred for the  sake  of  Christian  faith.                                                                                                                                                Later  St.  Mesrop  Mashtots  brought   the  relics  of  the  saint  to  the  village  Karbi  and  the  Church  of   St.  Sarkis  was  built  over  his  relics.                                                                                                    According   to  one  of  the  folk  stories  upon  return  of  their  victorious  battle  Captain  st.   Sarkis  and  his  39  soldiers- companions  celebrated  their  victory  in  the  royal  palace  all  of  them  were  drunk  and  went  to  sleep,  the  king   ordered   40  young  women  to  kill  the  brave  soldiers.  39   of  the woman  obeyed  the  order  and  killed  soldiers,  whereas  one  of   them   seeing  the  handsome  and  peaceful  face  of  sleeping  Sarkis  fell  in  love  him  and  instead  of  killing  kissed  him.  Getting    up   and  seeing  what  had  happened  St.  Sarkis  straddled  his  white  horse  and  taking  the  young  woman  with  him smashed  the  gates  of  the  city,  brought  up  violent  snow-storm  and  left  the city.  It  is  because  of  this   folk  story  people  in  love  started    to  consider  St.  Sarkis  their  intercessor  and  protector.  St. Sarkis  always   helps  and  supports  all  young  people  asking  his   help  and  support.                                                      According  to  the   studies  of   Academician   Karapet   Melik-Ohanjanyan ,  St.  Sarkis   was  the  patron  of  David  of   Sassoon  and  all   heroes  of  Sassoon  not  only      in  the  field  of  battle, but  also in  love.                                                                                                                                                                                        The   feast   of  St.  Sarkis  the  Captain  and his   soldiers-companions  is  celebrated  not  only  by  means  of  church  rites  and    prayer ,  but  also  folk  traditions.                                                            Wonders  are  worked  by  the  mediation  of  St.  Sarkis .  on  the day  of the  feast  young people  pray  asking  the  saint  to make   their  pryers  audible  to  God.  The  day  before  the  young  people  eat  salty  cookies  and  relate  the  appearance   of   their   future  bride  or bridegroom  in their   dream   to eating  of  the  salty  cookie.  After  eating  the salty  cookie  they eat   nothing  thanks  to  sincere  faith.                                                                                                               There   are  many miracles  and  folk   traditions  related  to the  saint.  On  the night preceding  the  feast  of  St.  Sarkis   the   faithful  people  place a   tray  full  of  gruel  before  the  door  believing  that  while  passing  near  their   door  at dawn  St. Sarkis   will  leave  his  footprint  on the  grul  symbolizing  the  fulfillment  of their  dreams. 

People  in  love  present each  other cards, flowers or sweets  on the  occasion of the feast.  

  

This material has  been  courteously  provided by the press service of the  Ararat Patriarchal  Diocese at    qahana.am/

Christmas

   Why do the Christian churches  celebrate  the Feast  of the Holy Nativity  and  Theophany of Our Lord  Jesus Christ  on various  days?

   The Armenian Apostolic Church  celebrates  the Feast  of  the Holy Nativity  and Theophany  of  the Lord Jesus  Christ  on January 6.  the roman  Catholic  celebrates  the Feast of   the holy  Nativity  and Theophany  of Our Lord   Jesus Christ  on December 25.

   Before  the 4^th  century all  Christians celebrated  the Feast of the  Holy Nativity  and   Theophany  of Our Lord Jesus Christ  on  January 6.  However, even  after adopting  Christianity  Romans  continued  to  celebrate  heathen  feasts.  The thing  is  that   on  December  25  the feast  dedicated  to the  worship  of sun was  solemnly  celebrated.  In  order to hinder  the  celebration  of  heathen  feasts in 336  the Roman  catholic  officially  proclaimed   December  25  as the day  of birth  of Jesus  Christ.  Later  the day  of Jesus Christ  was   moved  to December  25  in Assyria  and almost in all  parts  of the  east, and  January  6  remained  as the day  of the holy nativity and Thophany  and Baptism  of our Lord  Jesus    Christ.

  Only  the Armenian apostolic  Church  has  remained  loyal  to the ancient  tradition  and  evangelical  calculations  and  celebrates  the Feast  of the Holy Nativity  and Theophany  of  Our Lord  Jesus  Christ  jointly  on January 6.

  Why  does period of fast coincide  with  period  of New  year?

  According  to the Armenian  apostolic  Church  the week preceding the Feast  of the Holy  Nativity  and  Theophany  of Our Lord Jesus  Christ- December  30- January  5-is  fasting  period  and  people  eat  food  of exceptionally  vegetable  origin.

 According  to the old  Armenian  Calendar  the  new Year  was celebrated  of August  11  which  didn’t  coincide  with  the fasting  period.  Later the new  calendar was accepted  and as the  result  of it  people  started to  celebrate the New  Year on December  31  which  coincided  with  the  period  of fast  preceding  the Feast  of the holy Nativity  and Theophany  of Our lord   Jesus  Christ.

  The period of  fast  comes to end  in the  evening of  January 5 when a candlelight  Divine  Liturgy  is  celebrated  and the great  tiding of Jesus’  birth is proclaimed  to the  faithful.  People   greet  each  other  saying,  Christ  is born  and Revealed !  Blessed  is the Revelation of  Christ.  

  What is Candlelight  Divine Liturgy?

It  is interesting that  the celebration of the Feast of the holy Nativity  and Theophany  of Our   Lord  Jesus  Christ  starts  on the  evening of January 5  as  the church  day  changes  at 17: 00  p.m.,  after  the evening  service.  So the  celebration  of the  feast  starts  in the  evening of   January 5 and is  continued on  January 6 . 

  In the evening of January 5  candlelight  Divine  Liturgy  is celebrated  in all  Armenian

churches.  It is  interesting  that  candlelight  Divine Liturgy  is   celebrated only  twice  during  the   year  on the eve  of the Feast  of the Holy  Nativity and Theophany  of Our Lord  Jesus  Christ  and on the eve of the Feast  of the Glorious  Resurrection  of  Our Lord Jesus  Christ. In the evening of that  day people  take to their homes  candles lit in the church  symbolizing  the divine light and the  blessing  of the Church. Lighting  candles  symbolizes  also the light  of Bethlehem  star  leading  the magi  from the  east to the   Baby Jesus.

 Ceremonies  related to the Feast  of the Holy Nativity  and Theophany  of Our Lord  Jesus Christ

 Blessing of the Waters  Service  to  celebrate  the Baptism  of Christ  in the river  Jordan.  The  wonder-working  water blessed  by means  of cross  and  Holy Chrism  is  distributed  to the  faithful  for spiritual  and bodily healing.

  Among the ceremonies  related to the  feast  is the Blessing  of the Home Service.  After the  Feast  of holy Nativity  and Theophany  of Our Lord Jesus Christ  and the Feast  of the  Glorious  Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ  people  invite  clergy  to their  homes  and  offices  to  receive the life-giving  tiding and  divine  blessing. Blessing of the Home Service is  performed  also  when the peace of home is disturbed and the  presence of evil forces is felt.

  January 7, as well  as all  the days  following  the major feasts are memorial days ( or  days of Remembrance  of the dead).  On January 7 ( and all  memorial  days ) a special  Repose  of Souls  Service  is  offered in memory  of the dead  after which people  go the graveyards  to pay visit  to  their  relative’s tombs.

   The ceremonies  related to the  Feast of the Holy Nativity  and Theophany  of Our Lord Jesus Christ are concluded on  January 13,  the Feast of   Naming of Our  Lord Jesus  Christ.

           

   

This material has  been  courteously  provided by the press service of the  Ararat Patriarchal  Diocese at    qahana.am/

NEW YEAR IN ARMENIA

    In reality Santa Claus  has been  a clergyman. He  is one of  the most beloved  saints  of the Universal Church-Pontiff Nikoghayos( Nicholas the bishop). In   his time Greek pontiff  Nikoghayos  used  to  go  from  home to  home  and to  put  money  or  gifts on the windowsills   of the houses of the poor.  The  image of Santa Claus  derives  just from  that fact.  The translation  of Santa  Claus  means  St. Nikoghayos ( Nicholas ) .  That’s why  children  admit  the  gifts  of  Santa Claus  as God-granted  gifts.   For the  Armenian  nation the New  Year  is an appeal,  an  invitation  to  celebrate  a  feast.

  In  Christian sense  the new Year  is  a day  of special  analyses  when  all  deeds  done during  the year are  summarized  and  thought  over.

  The Feast  of the Holy Nativity  and Theophany  of Our  Lord  Jesus Christ  ( Christmas) ,  which  is the commemoration of the  Birth  and Baptism  of  Jesus  Christ,  is one  of the most important and beloved  feasts of  Christians throughout  the world. Both  by its essence  and sacrament Christmas  is  more  important  than  the  New year.  The New  Year is merely a change  of calendar  year  and has no sacrament. Whereas Christmas  itself  is the sacrament  of the Birth of the son of   god which  becomes a new and endless  beginning  for the mankind.  That’s why  it is already more than  2000  years  that  all  calendar  calculations are conditioned  by the Birth  of Christ  and are  divided into BC ( before the  birth  of Christ )  and AD ( Anno Domani  in the year since the  birth of Christ).

  The Feast of the Holy Nativity and Theophany  of Our Lord  Jesus  Christ ( Christmas ) is preceded  by  a fasting period starting  on December 30and  ending  in the evening of  January  5, when  a Candlelight  Divine  Liturgy  is  celebrated.  Any food of animal origin is  forbidden  during  that period.  Clergy  exhort the faithful  to  meet  the New Year in the Church, to  ponder over  the spiritual state and  to receive  God’s  blessing.

  By the order of His Eminence  Archbishop Navasard  Ktchoyan, Vicar  of  Araratian  Patriarchal  Diocese,  on the night from  December 1 to January 1  all  central  churches  of Yerevan  will be open till 2.00 a. m.

This material has  been  courteously  provided by the press service of the  Ararat Patriarchal  Diocese at    qahana.am/

Intoxicating tradition

     It is agreeable  to your palate, it creates  mood,  it soothes  your  soul and clears your mind…

  Wine-making  has been  one of Armenia’s calling cards forever.

 However, to be able to share in the mystery of wine-making, one would have  to at least peek in through the crack  in the secret  door of vilification or enology.  To do that, you do not necessarily  have to wander through  various  departments of a wine factory.  All you need to do is  just partake  in one of the traditional  festivities  of wine-making  held  in Armenia annually.  Observing  the ancient ritual of wine creation will help imprint  the flavor and fragrance  of the divine beverage in your memory and imagination.  The gigantic wooden containers filled with sun-flavored ripe grapes will transform  into an immortal fluid under the feet of the beautiful  young women.

  Wine intoxicates the fools, but inspires the sages…

DAY:3

More  Vegas  freebies

  Vegas  offers plenty more affordable  activities.  There are the fountain shows at the Bellagio Hotel and Caesars Palace, the brilliant  lights and booming sounds of the  Fremont Street Experience, the Sirens of Treasure island  pirate  battles, and the volcano at the Mirage Hotel. While at the Mirage, the white tigers are also always good for a gawk,  as well as the wildlife habitats  at The Flamingo and at the MGM Grand Hotel. Here are some other frugal  ways to spend a day: 

Hit the clubs  on an  off day

   For example,  there  is usually no  cover charge at  the Voo Doo Lounge on Sunday  nights  since the place isn’t as “happening” as  it is on other days of the week. Some clubs also have restaurants where you can eat first,  then stay longer and not pay a cover charge. Just ask,  and you may receive.

 Golf outside the strip

  Don’t  even try to golf at the hotel-chain courses.  In most such instances,  you need to be a guest to play on the course. And even as a guest,  you’ll still need to dish out about $500  for 18 holes. And why do that when a short drive beyond the Strip will find you  quality courses for a fraction of the cost?

   Extra economical  tips

Use the concierge. The concierge is there to help.  He  can really assist you in finding the best deals for  tickets to shows,  nightclubs,  restaurants, and more. Remember to tip your concierge for his assistance.

 Ask a local

      Locals can suggest deals and attractions “ off the beaten path”, like  high-quality restaurants that are close to the Strip and  not too expensive. If you can charm some local ladies into partying with you, bringing them to certain places on certain nights can translate  into free drinks and cover charges.

Dress  sharp

  If you really have to ask why you should  put a bit of effort into your appearance, just check  out the herds of retirees in  their matching warm-up  suits. Try  to  be  comfortable  and look your  best  at  the same  time.  Sometimes the  illusion  of  wealth  can  make  others believe your  part  of the “in”    crowd,  and  you might get  away with  some special  treatment  at  clubs,  restaurants  and on the casino floor.  Since you’ll  be on your  feet  for extended periods,  break  in your new  shoes well  before the trip.

  Viva Las Vegas

 Remember! You could easily drop your life savings on a single game at just one casino,  but with a  little planning you can  have a great time  in Las Vegas and still  have open bank accounts  when you return to the real world. 

LAS VEGAS

 DAY:2

Get   around in Vegas 

  Once you’ve landed, you’ll want to move freely-or should we say, cheaply. You can save  bucks by renting an economy car from the off-airport and off-brand agencies, but be sure to weigh the pros and cons of doing so beforehand. Parking is free in Vegas, but be prepared for tipping if you park at the casinos. Also, traffic on the Strip is typically heavy, so even simple drive can be a pain. So, if your hotel doesn’t offer a low-cost shuttle from the airport, try public transportation or let  a cab  take you. Just be sure to verify the rate before you roll, as this is a prime chance to get gouged. Be wary of quoted fares over &20, even to the Fremont area and off-Strip  hotels. You can also grab a limo for around  &35.

  Cheap Vegas food & drinks

  Las Vegas has no shortage of urban  legends, including tall like the &1.99 steak buffet. Think about it: Would you really trust a two-buck trough-o’-been?  Don’t be discouraged,  though. There are plenty  of ways to fill your stomach without draining your  wallet. A few buffets under &15 on the Strip include the New York Steak Buffet at the hotel and Casino, the Surf Buffet  at the boardwalk Hotel and Casino, or the Circus Buffet at Circus Circus. Here are a few more cheap eats:

  Breakfast chow

Breakfast specials under &2 are found at Café Siena, Cannery Casino Hotel, Ellis Island, and Texas Café. Stretch your breakfast budget to &5 and you can hit at least a dozen joints, including Barbary Coast, Boulder Station, the California Hotel and Casino, the Fiesta Casino and Hotel, the Las Vegas Club Hotel, the Marriott, Pink Pony Café, and Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall.

 Cheap drinks

  But of course!  That’s another Vegas specialty. A lot of places have specials for the ladies, but we can get buzzed for less with a little effort. Even if you hit the cheap slots at casinos, you’re bound to score some free drinks. Just don’t expect stellar service, even if you tip well. After all, you’re at the nickel slots, Slick. Gilley’s lets you suck ‘em down to your liver’s content Thursdays after 9 p. m. for one flat price.

 Economical entertainment

 If you haven’t already guessed, there’s more  to Vegas than sitting at casinos, blowing your vacation  budget one game at a time.  Online and print attraction  guides and coupon books are prime sources for discounts on attraction. You can also score club and show tickets on websites like Craigslist and eBay, or on the street-just be careful you don’t buy fakes.

  If it’s free entertainment  you’re after, there’s no shortage of options.  Make it a point to hit the Barbary Coast Hotel and Casino and catch Pete Valley as” Big Elvis” (what’s Vegas without Elvis?). At the imperial,  head up to the fifth floor to the Auto Collection, featuring a constantly changing display of over 300rare and celeb-owned  cars. 

 

LAS VEGAS

   DAY 1:

When  reading  Arthur  Hailey’s ‘  Airport”  as  an adolescent,  I  would  never imagine  that  I would  once  myself  appear in the focus of such ironic circumstances and moreover,  that the scene of action would be on other place than, one of the  airports in Illinois,  this time the O’Hare International airport in Chicago.

  …Weather forecast for December 15,  despite the heavy snow and severe wind, had predicted “favorable” conditions for the flight. I  had checked in and had several minutes (that  later turned into hours) before the flight, so  I decided to have a refreshing cup of coffee  reviewing my holiday plans for the upcoming  several days that I had managed to make  out from my busy schedule.

  Las Vegas… a city that has an appeal  so frustratingly unfathomable for people that are unaware of its secrets. I  had anticipated  this journey for a long time with most serious  preparation and eagerness.

  In a few more hours I would be on the scene of the Phantom of the Opera  and David Copper field’s  miracles, I would be watching Le Reve and admiring the stunning light  and sound effects of the Blue Men show. I had taken care of the tickets long in advance, on the internet. By the way, that is what I would recommend to everyone, otherwise standing in the line for the tickets just before the show is sure to leave you excommunicated from the “ myth” of the Phantom.

  Chicago-Las Vegas flight on US airways will be delayed for an indefinite time… This single message from the endless myriad of airport  announcements was referring to me. I recalled  the scene from Hailey’s Airport and smiled at the semblance of circumstances. Realizing that the airport and carrier staff were doing their best to deal with the bad weather conditions and the situation at the airport, I decided not to appeared before the information counter, and looked around…

  Just like me, Collin had “ scratched out” a few days off to visit the capital of world hedonism,  surprisingly with no more than a thousand US  dollars in his pocket. Five minutes later we had made friends and in ten more minutes we  were enveloped by a pack of other passengers  from the delayed flights who were watching  spellbound the smooth movements of Collin’s  miraculous fingers. Before the boarding there were five such “ Origami’s” formed.

   After a “brief” seven-hour waiting (that were easily whiled away thanks to Collin and his “Origami’s”) we were on board exchanging some cost-cutting solutions  on how to “conquer”  Las Vegas without spending a lot.

 Cheap  Las Vegas

 Perhaps the best way to begin to understand Las Vegas is to  see it firsthand. If you've never been to Las Vegas, plan a jaunt immediately. Not enough  cash to party like the casino whales?  No worries.  You can still have a decent time on a guppy’s  budget. After all, in this  desert mirage, the suggestion  of wealth is  often just  a fallacy  supported by “ comps.” We’d like to take in as much as we can without  maxing our accounts and suffering a vacation hangover when it’s all over. So here are some easy ways to cut expenses when visiting Las Vegas. We’ll look at cutting costs without sacrificing the  fun factor. 

  All amounts are listed in U. S. dollars.

 Cheap rooms in Vegas

Hotel  accommodations  in Las Vegas  are an easy way to either spend a fortune or save a  bundle. Considering our mission, we’re obviously shooting for the latter. Think about it: You really just need a place to crash and wash up. That doesn't  necessarily  mean that you’ll end up in a sleazy roach motel with hourly rates. When you research airfare or hotels  on the major  discount travel websites, consider lodging around Carranza International Airport, Fremont Street ( the old-school, downtown casino area),  at the north end of the Strip, or off the Strip altogether.

You’ll still be close to the big attractions,  and a few extra steps can mean big savings.
                                                                                                                         DAY:2

PRAGUE: OPEN 24 HOURS

          Early  in the  morning, the minute  you get off  the plane  you find yourself  in a miraculous  dream called  Prague…

   “ Ahoy’  is the  first  word you hear when  arriving  in the  Czech  Republic.  Whenever  you hear “Ahoy”  be sure that they are welcoming you and offering a closer acquaintance  with their wonderful  country.  Thousands  of people  visit  Czech  to just  stroll  along  the ancient the inimitable  architecture.

    The city,  with a population of 1,21  million,  is astounding  with the fusion  of Czech,  German and Jewish  cultures.  The variety  of architectural  styles, the ancient  monuments  and the   well-preserved  Old town  make  Prague  one of the most  beautiful  cities in Europe.

 An  ancient legend  goes that the legendary Princess Libuse,  who had visionary  powers,  exclaimed in her  dream:  “I see an  enormous  city and its fame will reach the stars and  its name will be  Prague!  Thus ,  in the  seventh  century  the Princess predicted the future glory  of the city. 

  Why  is Prague  so enthralling  and what is the secret of its attraction?  Maybe it’s the romantic  evenings  when the city  turns  into an illuminated  scene, or maybe it’s the enchantment  of the hundreds of cozy  pubs inducing  beer-lovers.  Maybe it is the indescribable  thrill  to be in the homeland of Franz  Kafka or the  exhilarating  moment of walking with  someone  close to  your  heart along the Carl’s  Bridge. Maybe…  By  the way,  about Carl’s  Bridge or the Karlov Most as  the  citizens  call it…

  This  structure  is  one  of  the most  famous  historic  monuments  of  Prague.  It was  built  according to the  designs  of Petr  Parlor  .  The  exact  date and time  the  cornerstone  was  laid  was July 9,  1357  at 15:31.  If  you  regard  this  date closely,  you will  see  that  it consists  of odd  numbers  in an  increasing  and  decreasing  order: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 5, 3, 1.  The  date  was specifically  chosen  by  mathematicians and astrologers  as the most  favorable  time for construction.

   Each  of the 30 statues  located along  Carl’s Bridge has  a peculiar  history,  but the most incredible is the story of  Jan  Nepomuck or St. John Nepomucene. In his fully  developed legend he was the confessor of the Queen  of  Bohemia.   Her husband,  Wenceslas  4  King  of Bohemia  and emperor  of  Germany  was  very jealous   and suspicious  of the Empress,  who  used to spend  hours  in the Church  praying.  The king  called St. John Nepomucene  and  ordered  him to reveal  what his  wife had  told him in confession,  but the confessor  refused  to  divulge the secrets of the confessional,  for which he  was tied up and thrown  into the Vltava  River  from  Carl’s  Bridge.  When  peasants found  his drowned  body in the river,  golden stars were  shining above his head.  Since then,  sculptors  have been  depicting  St. John Nepomucene with five  stars circling  his head.

  People still believe  that if they touch the bas-relief  beneath the sculpture with a dream in their mind, it will certainly come true.

 Strolling along the streets in Prague is  sheer delight.  It  helps explore this wonderful  city more thoroughly  and  intently.  One of the most  magnificent structures in the Old Town is the Casle,  presently the Presidential  Residence. The Prague Castle is the largest  medieval castle  complex in Europe and the ancient seat of Czech kings  throughout the ages. A little charming  passageway leads into the famous Golden  Lane,  yet another interesting part of the Prague Castle  complex. The tiny colorful  houses that were once inhabited by the castle servants, perhaps  goldsmiths and castle marksmen, take you back to a childhood fairy tale. Dating from the 15^th  century,  this small street is lined by 11 historic houses,  which exhibit medieval armory and textiles,  as well as selling tourist  souvenirs.  From 1916 to 1917  house  No.22  was inhabited by the writer Franz Kafka.

  Throughout centuries , one of Prague’s most notable and popular  attractions was the

Prague Astronomical Clock or the Prague  Orloj  mounted on the southern wall of the Old Town  City Hall in the old Town  Square in 1338 and  featuring the procession of the Twelve Apostles.

    The nearby Jewish Quarter with its historic buildings and monuments is an  important part of the  history of  Prague.

  On the opposite bank of the Vltava  River rises the world-class Dancing House (Tancini Dum),  a  masterpiece of contemporary architecture and a most daring experiment.  Built between 1992-1996, by  Yugoslav-born Vlado Milunic and the renowned American architect Frank  Gehry, the Dancing House forms a strikingly modern contrast  to  Prague’s historic attractions.  At first the citizens  of  Prague were too reluctant to accept the “gigantic  Monster” covered in glass and iron in their beloved fairy-tale city.  But in a short time span they reconciled  themselves to its existence and even  named it the “Ginger & Fred Building”, after the legendary dance  duo. In  fact,  amidst the daring, curvy outlines of the building there is a fine love melody as if the famous dancers are giving their best performance in front of the audience.  Dancing House is home to one of the city’s leading restaurants, La Perle de Prague Restaurant that offers magnificent views over Prague.  Prague is the political and cultural  center of the Czech Republic. More than 2000 cultural events take  place every month in this wonderful city. Aside from aesthetic pleasure,  Prague offers a large variety of entertainments.

   Cafes have always been  a favorite  venue  for   artists and intelligentsia  alike who can freely discuss  various political  and cultural  issues inspired  by the peaceful  coziness. Café “Medusa” ,  for  instance,  hosts a  diversity of exhibition sales by  modern  artists.  This is a popular  meeting point, as well as  a place for  round  table discussions and, of  course,  drinking.  You are sure to find something  amazing here. Majority of pubs and  cafes are open  until 1 o’clock  in the morning and even 04:00  or  05:00  a.m.  on weekends. Night  clubs are normally  working  until 05:00 a. m.,  but if you  are not contented you can attend  the so-called “ after-parties”, the  clubs that are open 24 hours. After sunset, Prague  divulges its  night  life. If you are a real  party animal,  then  this is just the place  for  you to go.  The  city has  numerous  top-scale  night clubs and you  are sure to  like at  least one of them. Night life in  Prague  opens endless  opportunities  to  meet  interesting  people and spend the night  in a friendly  environment.

  During the entire trip I could not  help  but recall  the saying that  “Prague  is like a woman:  tender and  persistent,  impulsive  and deep, like  a well  where you can  recognize  your  real  face.” Who  knows,  maybe  Yaroslav  Seyfert’s  words reveal  the  whole truth about  Prague…

  “Prague  is  like a woman: tender and  hard,  capricious and deep as a well  in which you can recognize your real  face.”