The Czech Republic is truly a unique country. I will forever be thankful for having the opportunity to study abroad in Prague and will never forget the people I met abroad who shaped my study abroad experience. During my time in Prague, there were several themes that emerged. To understand these themes, I immersed myself in the Czech Republic by learning the language, cultural norms, and, most importantly, how its former religious ties heavily influence Czech society today.
The author explores the walls in Cesky Krumlov, home to a thirteenth century castle just three hours outside of Prague
I noticed a resistance towards change in the country. The Czech Republic is one of the most atheist countries in the world. This is attributed to Soviet rule from 1948 to 1989, where religious practice of any kind was outlawed. Today, there are minority religious groups that make up the population. In fact, the Czech Republic is currently dealing with a priest shortage, needing to bring in over 200 Catholic priests from neighboring countries such as Poland and Slovakia to fill this void.
Tourists admire the grand ceilings of St. Nicholas Church, a thirteenth century church located in the heart of Prague.
The Czech Republic is a homogenous society, with 92% of the population being ethnically Czech. This explains why 42% of Czechs dislike hiring foreigners, according to a 2020 survey from the European Commission. The Czechs don’t like outside help from neighboring countries. Yet, they took in the most Ukrainian refugees per capita in the European Union. Czechs are generous in helping their neighbors, but when it comes to needing support, it leaves a bad taste in their mouths.
Crowds fill the streets of Wenceslas Square during a sunset on a warm October day.
Tradition was another theme that emerged during my time in the Czech Republic. When I arrived in Prague, I was taken aback by the city’s historical architecture. You are guaranteed to walk past at least one religious statue or church while walking the streets of Prague. Three extravagant neo-Gothic churches dominate the old town square alone; the city center totals 17 beautifully constructed churches. I think that the religious buildings symbolize the country's history rather than an image of a Catholic country.
The Gothic church, Our Lady Before Tyn, dominates the Old Town Square skyline in Prague.
The intersection between religion and culture in the Czech Republic is predominantly reflected in its architectural landscape. For example, the use of crosses in Czechia is used to signify death, not to symbolize Christianity. At the beginning of Wenceslas Square lays a bronze cross embedded into the cobblestone streets to memorialize the death of student protestor Jan Palach. Jan Palach set himself on fire to protest the 1969 Soviet occupation of the former Czechoslovakia. Even though it was a resistance against an oppressive regime and not for any religious stance, the bronze cross symbolizes his active life.
Flowers border the Jan Palach memorial in Wenceslas Square.
Tradition is also rooted in Czech politics. A school field trip to meet with a Christian Democratic Party member of Prague’s Parliament revealed how traditional family values, such as a strong stance against same-sex marriage, fuel this party and its voters. Even the holiday season is deeply rooted in Catholic tradition despite many Czech participants being atheists. Whether it is Czechs dressing up as a saint, an angel, or a devil for St. Nicholas Day; partaking in the Christmas markets; or celebrating Christmas on December 24 with the traditional meal of potato salad and freshly cooked carp, tradition is an important part of Czech culture. Religion intersects society in the Czech Republic through religious traditions. Whether Czechs are atheists or not, they still honor old traditions that are still carried on today.
Czechs enjoy the trinkets and foods at the Tylovo Náměstí Christmas Market.
Similar to the phrase “never judge a book by its cover,” one cannot understand a foreign country just by what they read on the news. Through exploring the Czech Republic from a theological perspective, I can confidently say that this lens is imperative to understanding why and how a particular country and its citizens function the way they do. I employed this approach while engaging with local Czechs in coffee shops, conversing with Czech students in university classes, and during office hours with my Czech professors, all aimed at gaining deeper insights into my host country.
A view of Prague from Vysehrad, a historic fort in Prague built in the tenth century.
The role religion plays and how it intersects a country’s culture and politics is profound and must be applied when trying to understand a new country. I have learned that exposing myself to new experiences and new people has enabled me to learn so much more about the world around me and has shown me how important it is to keep asking questions and exchanging stories and experiences with others to understand our differences and, most importantly, our similarities.
Grace Blendonohy (C’25) is a junior at Georgetown University studying government, journalism, and theology with a concentration in religion, politics, and the common good. Born and raised in Lake Forest, Illinois, Grace is studying abroad in Prague, Czech Republic, during the fall 2023 semester to fuel her passion for traveling and immersing herself in new cultures. On campus, Grace is an active member of the European Club, the Alexander Hamilton Society, the Hoya, and the 1634 Society. In her free time, Grace enjoys going on runs, trying new cuisines, and hiking.
