Jan Velinger

Jan Velinger

Studied film directing at FAMU in Prague and began in current affairs in commercial television in 1996. Worked as a reporter and presenter at the English service of Czech Radio for more than sixteen years, before joining Charles University’s media team in June 2018. He is responsible for the English edition of Forum Magazine and Forum Radio podcasts.

Wednesday, 05 October 2022 13:38

Forum Radio: Rabbi in training

It has to be said that Kamila Kopřivová has followed an unusual path. After completing her Ph.D. in Jewish Studies at the Hussite Theological Faculty, Kamila set out to become the first Czech female rabbi. Her journey is almost complete: she is due to be ordained next year.

Monday, 03 October 2022 14:23

Researchers Night returns face-to-face

Over three thousand visitors saw, heard, felt, tasted or touched science on Friday, 30 September, the day that Czech European Researchers Night took place. Charles University prepared 80 activities for children and adults. Also on view was the FameLab competition final.

Friday, 30 September 2022 15:54

Matfyz celebrates 70 birthday in style

This week, the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics of Charles University celebrated 70 years since its foundation. “From today's perspective, the faculty seems young. However, the tradition of mathematics, physics and astronomy at Charles University has been going on for almost 700 hundred years,” Rector Milena Králíčková said.

The Czech labor market situation has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and in recent months by the war in Ukraine. What are the main characteristics of the Czech labor market now? Katarína Stehlíková talks about these issues with Klára Kalíšková.

September saw the opening of the Didaktikon Educational and Creative Centre at Kampus Hybernská, successfully fusing cooperation between Charles University and the City of Prague. Ten interdisciplinary exhibits and a number of events await visitors.

Sunday, 11 September 2022 11:25

Key agreement signed at Charles University

This Saturday saw a major meeting of rectors from international universities at Charles University discussing the importance of research universities in a time of multiple crises.  On the agenda was the signing of a new partnership agreement between two networks, broadening and deepening the contours of cooperation by LERU and CE7.

Seventy languages are taught at the Faculty of Arts of Charles University. This is unique not only here, but also in Europe. Students from other disciplines can study Finnish or Hungarian and boost their chances of finding a job using their language skills.

Many fans knew Pavla Horáková as the author of the Sexton Beetles trilogy. In 2018, Pavla gained renown for A Theory of Strangeness, which won the Magnesia Litera prize. She now has a second ambitious novel out called In the Heart of Europe.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz gave a key lecture at Charles University on Monday on the future of Europe and the European Union. A response, in no small part, to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which shook up decades of security strategy. 

Friday, 26 August 2022 11:53

The secret lives of animals in Prague

If you want to experience beautiful nature, head to Prague. You read that right. The Czech metropolis is a unique place in Europe when it comes to the number of species diversity of plants and animals. Don't believe it? The new film and book Planeta Praha will convince you.

Tuesday, 23 August 2022 09:20

Podcast: Challenges to the economy ahead

How are monetary and fiscal policy able to address the unprecedented challenges presented by the events of recent years, from the Covid pandemic to the war on Ukraine as well rising energy prices? In Talking Economics, Katarína Stehlíková and Jaroslav Borovička provide a macroeconomic look.

The 65th Summer School of Slavonic Studies in Prague, held at Charles University, wrapped up this Friday bringing to a close a month of intensive Czech language study. The programme featured not only language classes but also workshops and day trips.

Without question one of the most anticipated films this year is the epic motion picture Medieval by director and producer Petr Jákl. Forum talked to the CU graduate about working with world class actors such as Michael Caine and his own film past.

Wednesday, 03 August 2022 12:42

Forum Radio: The temple at Tel Moza

Filip Čapek is a professor at the Dept. of the Old Testament at Charles University’s Protestant Theological Faculty. Since 2019, he and colleagues have been contributing to the dig at Tel Moza excavation site near Jerusalem. The site of a remarkable Iron Age temple.

Did you know that it is possible to sleep overnight within the Carolinum complex? Charles University offers accommodation in its buildings to university guests. The most representative accommodation facility is known as Opitz House.

Thursday, 28 July 2022 11:39

Massive blaze ravages Czech national park

Earlier this week, much of the Czech Republic woke up to the acrid smell of smoke. Not from a fire in the neighbourhood or one town over but more than a hundred kilometres away: in Hřensko and the Bohemian Switzerland National Park. The scale of the fire shocked the country.

As of 1 July, the Czech Republic has taken up the Council of the EU presidency, a time when the bloc faces key issues of international importance. Charles University is contributing to the public discussion through a debate series entitled Task Europe.

An archaeological team from the Czech Institute of Egyptology discovered the tomb of an ancient Egyptian dignitary during fieldwork in Egypt, in the spring of 2022. Although it was already looted in antiquity, the site is neverthless invaluable.

Wednesday, 06 July 2022 16:35

Forum Radio: Learning Czech was essential

Hillel J. Kieval is an historian at Washington University in St. Louis. An expert on the history of the Jews in Bohemia and Moravia, Kieval taught a course at the Faculty of Arts at Charles University this semester based on his newest book: Blood Inscriptions: Science, Modernity, and Ritual Murder at Europe's Fin de Siecle.

Few experts in the social sciences have influenced their field as much as Leopold Pospíšil, whose memoir was published last month by Charles University’s Karolinum Press. During his storied career, the anthropologist befriended the Inuit in Alaska and the Kapauku in Papua New Guinea.

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