Pavlina Peskova Kalm, UNM
September 8, 2019

Prague is a historical jewel that offers a rich architectural heritage with many centuries of historic buildings, bridges, and parks. Not only is it a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it is also the cultural and economic heart of the Czech Republic and, because of its geographic location, of Europe as well.  Prague is famous for the Prague Castle, the largest castle in the world, and the Old Town square with its third-oldest astronomical clock. Prague is also famous for its rich cultural life: Czech composers such as Bedrich Smetana or Antonin Dvorak are known all over the world. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart lived in Prague (where he wrote his Prague Symphony), and the well-known Czech/Jewish writer Franz Kafka was born and raised in Prague. Since the fall of the Iron Curtain, Prague has developed into a lively magnet for lovers of bohemian life from all over the world. Dr. Peskova will discuss some of the key historical moments that have made Prague such a fascinating city, both culturally and historically. She will also share some fun facts about Prague. For example, did you know that the night lighting of the Prague castle’s exterior was designed and paid for by the Rolling Stones? Did you know that Prague has a pedestrian street so narrow that pedestrian traffic has to be navigated by a stop light on each side? 

Pavlina Peskova Kalm was born in Prague, where she studied at the Akademicke Gymnazium.  She moved to New Mexico to study linguistics at UNM. Her Master’s Thesis focused on the Czech language and she is now a PhD candidate in the Linguistics Department.  She currently teaches Semantics at UNM and is working on a research project funded by the US government.

Supported in part by Urban Enhancement Trust Fund, Haverland Carter Lifestyle Group
and Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union