HEAR PRAGUE

A sound map of Prague's creative industries.

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In 2008, a collective of Czech entrepreneurs led by Jan Řežáb founded Socialbakers, a start-up focused on social media analytics. Now, the company boasts with 300+ employees of more than thirty nationalities that work in 11 cities around the world. Recently, Socialbakers secured $34 mil. USD funding and half of Global Fortune 500 use their social analytics platform to define and improve their social media performance, although you don't have to be a corporate giant to be able to use their amazing social media insights. Just go to www.socialbakers.com and learn how social marketing could work for your brand.

Think this is a success story? And what if I told you Jan Řežáb, sometimes called Czech Mark Zuckerberg, founded his first start-up at the age of 12 (under his father's licence), and that he's currently on the Forbes' 30 under 30 list. Beat that. Now listen how their amazing new spacious slightly industrial offices sound like:

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Zachraň jídlo / Save Food points at the poignant issue of food waste and its economic impact for both Czechs and on global scale. While more than a third of the world's food production is thrown out, food shortage is becoming an increasingly urgent issue in the so-called first world as well. Save Food raises awareness about the alarming situation by organising city-wide information campaigns, community activities, promoting ugly vegetables, but also consulting public administration and lobbying for supermarket chains to release unsold groceries to those who are in need.

I spoke to one of its founders, Adam Podhola.

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Prague never lets you go… this dear little mother has sharp claws.

Franz Kafka

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When in 2013 Ondřej Kobza installed a dozen of pianos in the streets of Prague, he unleashed a spectacular tsunami, finally proving that public space can be actually used for city and community activities, including art. Everyone played, small children or grandpas, bankers and homeless, and even a policeman - a video of whom subsequently spread all over the world. The project quickly extended to different cities and on to different projects, such as chessboards or cultural boxes. Ondřej Kobza's latest idea was to install Poesiomat, a metal pole that broadcasts poetry by distinguished Czech authors. Besides his public space activities, his two cafés continue to champion independent music and arts, encouraging everyone to pursue their dreams, no matter how crazy they are.

For more information on all Ondřej's projects, read here: http://www.piananaulici.cz/english-version Listen to a homeless woman playing her own minimalist variations on the piano, recorded on 5th July 2015.

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"When we were talking about opening the bistro here, in Veverkova street, people were laughing at us, saying no one ever passes through here. And that we’ll lose all our investments if we open the bar here. And I was said, well, finally people will have the opportunity to pass through the Veverkova street.”

Petr and Iva Jakešovi opened Bistro 8 three years ago. Since then, the small family-run joint has become a flagship centre of community life in Letná. Despite all their acclaim throughout the quarter and beyond, they remain extremely modest and down-to-Earth. “Maybe we’re just saturated with great words and acts. And the ordinary thing is attracting us, in a way.” Listen how their ordinary rainy summer afternoon sounds like:

And while still dreaming about your coffee, check their menu here: http://bistro8.cz or https://www.facebook.com/Bistro8

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By virtue of its political system, Central Europe is the East; by virtue of its cultural history, it is the West.

Milan Kundera, The Tragedy of Central Europe

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ImpactHUB Prague. More than 500 entrepreneurs in an international environment with focus on social businesses. Yes, it's possible to do good and earn money at the same time. www.impacthub.cz

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Makerslab, Prague's only 3D printing workshop. Also part of Paralelní polis / Institute of Cryptoanarchy in Prague - Holešovice. Get to know the hack behind 3D printing trough collaborative workshops where you can design & print your own stuff right on the spot. www.makerslab.com www.paralelnipolis.cz

Ever wondered how 3D printing sounds? Actually, sounds like techno, in a way.

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Recycle with love is a second-hand vintage store located at Veverkova 8, Letná. It seeks to promote the concept of sustainability and slow fashion through offering a selected set of pieces that won't ruin neither your budget not your style. Not the kind of scruffy over-priced Berlin vintage chains. Check them out - www.recyclewithlove.cz

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Whenever we are, what we hear is mostly noise. When we ignore it, it disturbs us. When we listen to it, we find it fascinating.

John Cage

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Papírna. Locally-sourced, locally-produced stationery by designer duo Michal Koubský & Jaromír Koubek on a spectacular journey from local markets to Prague Design Week and beyond. Hard to leave especially if you're into notebooks, sheets, envelopes, all can be personalised. Just like your business cards. And, so Letná. www.papirna.net

Listen what paper sounds like :

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Phil's Twenty7 bistro in Holešovice. Traditionally working-class district accommodated large-scale media and advertising spaces and corporate offices in 2000's, followed by an internationally renowned independent theatre La Fabrika and DOX centre for contemporary arts in 2009. Now the district nestles plenty of designer cafés, art galleries and local farmers' markets to satisfy the needs of the creative class, which is rediscovering the quarter, fast-paced. Phil's Twenty7 bistro located at Přístavní 27 (hence the pun) was designed by the award-winning designer duo Jan Plecháč & Henry Wielgus. Check out more here: http://www.janandhenry.com https://www.facebook.com/Twenty7bistro

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Plevel is a raw / vegan restaurant nestled in the very centre of the Krymská district. Set up by Vojtěch Jílek, a creative entrepreneur who lacked enough good-quality vegan fare in Prague, the restaurant specialises in crafting typical Czech fare (think greasy potato dumplings and meaty goulash) with locally sourced, fresh vegan food. The instant success of Plevel (which literally means "weed" in Czech) enabled Vojtěch to open another branch, this time in the very centre of Prague. Vegan times, good times. Plus incroyable chocolate & mint cakes, and craft beer. What more do you need? www.plevel.cz

Listen what Plevel sounds like:

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Krymská. From a gritty working class neighbourhood to community, urban creative nest in less than five years.

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The presence of entrepreneurial dynamic has rarely been acknowledged in most subcultural analysis.

Angela McRobbie

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Polagraph. Made by PolaroidLove. Žižkov used to be a no-go zone, with high crime rate and socially disadvantaged population. Now the shabby cobbled streets and uninviting courtyards get slowly transformed into a "poor but sexy" myriad of galleries and coffee rooms. www.polagraph.cz

Get the sound of polaroid...

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Náplavka. Originally a sleepy riverside hangout on the pathway of Prague's biking tracks, the place has experienced a massive burst of popularity due to its iconic sunset and archway pop-up bars. Bajkazyl (asylum for bikes) was one of the first to open. It was the "young urban creative" community that first set to enliven this place, with farmers and designer markets, and later on with live music gigs. Subsequently, the place came to be popular with mass crowds, thus crossing the path between underground to widely known phenomenon.

This is how Náplavka sounded one summer evening: