PragueBuzz!

I was deeply disappointed by the result of Eurovision final when Tereza Kerndlova was crowned the winner. So this is how Czech wants to be represented abroad: a country which can’t find anything better than a pretty face who doesn’t know how to sing.

Though Kerndlova’s “Have Some Fun” and her images are Eurovision materials: English song, catchy tunes, cheesy lyrics, and pretty costumes, they won’t save this young singer from the embarrassment of performing live in an important European event, under the scrutiny of a broad international audience. Her voice is utterly horrible, if not the worst from all participants. She was off-key in many occasions and failed to sync with the music. Of course, she “can” sing in her music videos with all the aid from technology, sound filter and so on, but this is a live performance, period.

How pathetic! Has last year’s bottom finish taught these Czechs anything? Unless Tereza attends more singing lessons or conceals her weak, off-key voice, I don’t see how she can go very far in the final competition in Belgrade. Kabat, Czech’ previous representative, is both right and wrong when commenting that the ability to sing doesn’t matter so much as long one knows how to uniquely present oneself. Singing well does not guarantee a satisfying position; however, I have never seen any singer or group with a half-ass voice make it to the top ten.

Gipsy.cz and Cechomor

It is yet another disappointing year for this unique and talented group of young Roma artists. They write their own songs with unmistakable beats, and their performances are funny and original. If they can change one thing, it is their casual jeans and t-shirts.

Cechomor is a well-known Czech semi-folk band which crafts beautiful and soulful songs. Their entry “Józef, mój kochany” is blended with Polish folk; some of the words are spoken in the Silesia region, comprising of Czech and Poland. Unfortunately, Eurovision in the Czech Republic is quite young, thus the audience and those who care to vote are teenagers and young people who don’t identify withCechomor’s music. Additionally, Cechomor’s style is a bit high-class for Eurovision , certainly they will not get to the top five. Their song reminded me of Ireland’s last year performance which ranked near the bottom.

Having watched and listened to Gipsy.cz and Cechomor and some other groups, I can’t not help but “Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Stupid audience.” They have all these great performers, and they had to choose this girl. Normally I vote for the singer/band whose country I have some affiliation with, but this year,Tereza won’t get any SMS from me or from other voters either.

Tereza’s Have some Fun

Gipsy.cz’ Benga Beating


Cechomor’s Józef, mój kochany

Czech representative for the upcoming Eurovision in May in Serbia will be crowned Saturday night on Ceska TV.

The following video introduces all finalists and their song entries.

[Ceska TV]

He believes environmentalism is an ideology which threatens human’ freedom and liberty, and that global warming is not caused by people .

More on this subject @AbcPrague

Frustrated by the low number of IT females in the Czech Republic, IBM, one of world leaders in IT industry, sets out to encourage, motivate, recruit young girls and women, and arouse their  interests in computer and information technology, a field has long been male-dominated.

According to IBM, “IT is a very dynamic and fast developing area for which the most important precondition is to be willing to learn. One doesn’t have to hold a university diploma of computer science or have years of practice in the field to succeed with technology. Women are usually surprised that IT jobs can also be family-friendly because work from home is possible. Some companies, including IBM Czech Republic, are also starting to open job-share arrangements and opportunities for women to keep in touch with work via smaller projects while on maternity leave. In fact, the IT sector offers better work conditions for women in terms of equal opportunities and work-life balance than other areas of business.”

[via Park Life Oct. newsletter]