Ahoj, Monday! 5 tips for surviving the week ahead in Czechia

Can’t get a ticket to Prague Spring’s opening concert? ČEZ Open Air brings Smetana’s My Homeland to you, live-streamed in front of the Rudolfinum on May 12. From 2 p.m. see student ensembles, then Catch the Clarinet Factory; the Wihan Quartet reimagines Beatles classics at 7 p.m. At 8 p.m., settle in for a live broadcast of Prague Spring’s grand opening—Smetana’s My Homeland, conducted by Semyon Byčkov. Entry is free—just bring a blanket!

Ever toured a Communist dorm, a forest kindergarten, or a sensory walk for the blind? Starting today, Open House Prague (May 12–18) gives you access to 125 off-limits sites across the city. This year’s theme, Past Heritage, Future Challenges, spotlights innovative educational spaces like the energy-efficient Českobrodská High School. With debates, screenings, and guided tours, the festival is a must for urban explorers and architecture lovers alike.

A WhatsApp scam is making rounds in the Czech Republic, tricking users into clicking links that give hackers remote access to their accounts. Once compromised, scammers send urgent money requests to the victim’s contacts, often posing as a friend in need. Police report rising cases, including users in Pilsen and Chomutov. The message often mentions a competition or emergency. Don’t click unfamiliar links—even from trusted contacts—and report suspicious activity immediately.

May 18 is International Museum Day, with many institutions opening their doors, exhibitions, and expositions for free or at reduced admission prices. Some of the museums and galleries taking part in Prague are: the National Gallery Prague, the National Museum, Schwarzenberg Palace, and the Museum of the Capital City of Prague.

It's not too soon to start thinking about summer camps for kids. With children’s camp costs rising, Czech health insurers offer contributions to help parents. Most insurers—including ČPZP, OZP, RBP, and VoZP—provide between CZK 1,000 and CZK 10,000 for summer camps, sports activities, or seaside health stays.

Eligibility depends on the child’s age, health condition, camp type, and documentation. Contributions are typically paid after the stay. Some insurers also support long-term sports or offer cancellation insurance in case of illness or emergencies. VZP, however, excludes camp support entirely. See this overview (in Czech) for more details.