Booty bonfire to foil rhino hunters

In business and wellness,
mineral water really “can”,
says Mattoni boss
FACE TO FACE pages 10–11
Phenomenal Lucie
39
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Hits the spot
Monday, 22 September 2014
Legendary band’s comeback
tour manages three big
sell-out dates in a row
FEATurE pages 12–13
In your face
Czechs excel in protecting the world’s precious
rhinoceros population, but at the same time,
some hunters are playing a major part in driving
the giant mammal species to extinction.
A bonfire of smuggled rhino horn at Dvůr
Králové zoo may help set things to rights
Miroslav Zámečník, Tomáš Jeník
E
liška likes nothing better than
to have the outside of her ears
given a thorough scratch. A person can’t be sure if it tickles her,
but she seems to enjoy it, noticeably vying
with her brother for who will get the most
scratching time. And when she is scratched
in that characteristically soft spot at the
base of the ear which all rhinos possess,
she lets out screams of pure ecstasy. A little
further down towards the nose, however,
we find a part of these adolescent rhinos’
anatomy that has seen their species marked for death by humans who are rather
less than sentimental: two slowly growing
horns. When fully developed, they can reach a combined weight of 5-6 kilograms.
Continues on page 8
Photo: Hynek Glos
Booty bonfire to foil rhino hunters
2/3
news
Ministry: The agreement relates to this year’s GDP, not to developments in the years ahead
Untenable state of affairs.
At present the Czech
Republic spends
approximately one percent
of GDP on defence
armed forces
Pavel Otto
A
czk
70bn
Photo: ČTK
round one month after
the government coalition reached an agreement on incremental increases
to the defence budget, it is still
not clear how much money the
defence ministry will be able
to count on in 2020. While the
Social Democrat and Christian
Democrat coalition partners
talk about an additional CZK
20-30bn, ANO wants to rein
in such expectations.
After nearly six months of
negotiations, the government
parties agreed to gradually increase the defence budget to
1.4 percent of GDP over the
next six years (the recommended percentage within NATO
is 2 percent). However, questions remain over how this will
be reflected in real terms.
According to Deputy Defence Minister Jiří Borovec,
the agreement relates to the
economic figures for this year,
rather than the GDP the Czech
Republic will be recording by
the turn of the next decade.
However, his interpretation is
not supported by the 28-member NATO alliance.
Defence Minister Martin
Stropnický (ANO) said that
the defence budget is set to
rise by about CZK 2bn per
year. But even this would
not be enough to fulfil the
agreed 1.4 percent of GDP
target, even when applying
a calculation based on this
year’s GDP as advocated by
deputy minister Borovec. If
Stropnický’s interpretati-
on is correct then the army
would receive an additional
CZK 10bn over the 2016-2020
period, amounting to a total
of CZK 53.5bn. However, if
this year’s GDP is taken as a
benchmark, the resulting sum
should actually be CZK 56.8bn
According to optimistic
estimates, the defence
budget could receive a
boost by 2020. According
to some GDP forecasts, it
could be CZK 13bn or less
and would be higher still with
further economic growth.
A defence and security consultant for the Social Democrats,
Miloš Balabán, has calculated
that six years from now the
army could have as much as
CZK 70bn at its disposal.
‘We’d last one
month minus
Russian gas’
Coalition and opposition send
through civil service law
Jana Havligerová
One of the most important bills
of law targeted by the Sobotka cabinet has been approved.
Some 127 of 172 present lower
chamber legislators raised their hand in favour of the new
civil service law after a debate
lasting more than two hours.
Just 12 parliamentary deputies
were against.
The government coalition
and the opposition ODS and
TOP 09 parties stuck with a
preliminary agreement meaning a directorate general of
the state civil service will not
be established. An amendment
proposed by the Úsvit (Dawn)
movement, and requested by
President Miloš Zeman, which
would have removed a provision for “political” deputies, did
not succeed in the vote. Zeman
has already declared that he is
set to veto the law. That would
mean the chamber of deputies
having to once more vote on the
legislation.
Before concluding their approval of the law, the deputies
had to deal with around five
dozen proposed amendments,
of which they supported just
a few. For example, they can-
No way. President Zeman wants to push out
political deputies to civil servants
celled the option to lower civil
servants' personal bonuses in
the event of an increase in their wage scales in tandem with
an inability of the state to find
enough money. The deputies
also shortened the period after which a civil servant can be
transferred to other work without giving their agreement.
Pricier high-end cigarettes,
green diesel win for farmers
A packet of luxury-type cigarettes is set to cost three or four
crowns more from next February. The price increase was
approved by the government coalition and the communists.
ODS voted against it, while TOP 09 and Úsvit abstained
from the vote. The chamber of deputies has also definitively
approved the maintenance of a partial consumer tax rebate
on green diesel used by farmers. Farmers will thus be able to
this year reclaim CZK 1.3bn. The approval now only needs the
signature of the president.
Big plus for planetarium
Planetarium Prague has spent CZK 30m to acquire a more modern projection system that will enable it to boast the highest
resolution digital imagery in Europe. Instead of the former two projectors beaming up toward the 23.5m inner cupola,
the new technology utilises six projectors with a total luminance akin to 54 home cinema screens
Photo: ČTK
Those seeking a concerted
battle against climate
change face a dose of
cold water. All the while,
energy producers are likely
wringing their hands. The
European Commission
will no longer have a
dedicated climate change
commissioner, it has been
revealed. Instead, former
Spanish agriculture minister
Miguel Arias Cañete will
serve as climate and energy
commissioner. This makes
sense. So long as energy
producing firms seek
the like of rapid reforms
in the emissions permit
system, which may lead to
at least partial electricity
Precious darkness
price increases, they will
now have an ear for their
grievances. At the same
time, the change means
Europe will lose a strong
voice in the global emissions
reductions debate. During
her tenure, outgoing climate
action commissioner
Connie Hedegaard turned
the EU into something of
a “global saviour”. Cañete
won’t be able to afford to
play this game with energy
firms. EU president-elect
Juncker is not looking for a
saviour. Indeed, in his letter
of appointment, Juncker
placed tacking climate
change at the very end of
his list of tasks for Cañete.
Marek Schwarzmann’s notebook
Apple’s magic
wearing off
It’s been more than a
week since Apple Inc
presented its new mobile
phones and first smart
watches, the sales of which
are expected to fund the
salaries of the engineers
and managers in Cupertino,
California. Although
neither the presentation
nor the detailed technical
specifications convince
one that the devices are
indeed revolutionary – and
“revolutionary” was a
matter of course during
the times of the late Steve
Jan Stuchlík
Thanks to the Czech Republic’s underground gas storage
tanks, its economy could subsist for one month if Russian
gas supplies were completely
suspended. This was revealed
by sustainability tests conducted by the Ministry of Industry
and Trade jointly with the European Commission. “We are
not prepared, however, for a
cessation of Russian exports
lasting six months,” warned
Industry and Trade Minister
Jan Mládek.
The gas storage tanks,
which can cover 40 percent of
annual domestic consumption,
are currently filled to over 97
percent capacity. However, the
tests have also highlighted the
pressing need for the Czech
Republic to build pipeline connections with gas producers
other than Russia.
Jan Stuchlík’s notebook
No more saviours
Photo: ČTK
Coalition split over defence budget
Jobs who is sorely missed
at Apple – any fears of an
approaching hunger strike
at the corporation are
definitely unfounded. The
pricey gadgets bearing the
bitten apple logo will find
their buyers, as always. It
is anyone’s guess, however,
as to how long the magical
spell created by Jobs and
cast by Apple over its
consumers will last. The
rising frequency of miffed
reactions suggests it may
already be past its sell-by
date.
Photo: ČTK
The Manětínsko dark sky preserve has been outlined and declared in the Northern Pilsen region.
Such a preserve is a location where the night sky does not suffer from skyglow produced by the
artificial lighting of built-up areas. Prior to Manětínsko, two such light pollution-free areas had been
set aside in the Czech Republic: one in the Jizera Mountains and the other in the Beskydy Mountains.
Manětínsko was declared following an agreement struck by 10 municipalities and five other entities,
all interested in attracting more tourists by retaining a pure night sky
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4/5
business
Popularity of online groceries on the rise
Media business focused
on your Events & Congresses
Sales of food via the internet now account for business worth more than CZK 1bn
The times they are
a changin’.
Ordering food over
the internet is
becoming popular
with a growing
number of people
retail
Daniel Novák
Photo: Jan Rasch
I
nternet shopping is experiencing a hitherto
unprecedented boom in
the Czech Republic. The exception until now has been in
online groceries. But given
the ground yet to be broken
in this area, the potential for
business worth billions and
billions of crowns is starting
to attract attention. To date,
the strongest market entry
into online grocery shopping
has been made by one of the
biggest retail chains, Tesco.
However, successful internet entrepreneurs such as
Tomáš Čupr and investment
group Miton, with its Rohlik.
cz project, are also beginning
to sense opportunities and
start-ups such as Nákup jedna dvě (Shopping One Two)
are emerging.
“Food, drink and toiletries are items still primarily
bought in brick-and-mortar
stores – even when it comes
to the Czech internet population which today accounts
for around three-quarters of
Czechs. But not even these
fast-moving consumer goods
categories will in future be
wholly safe from online [competition],” stated market research company Incoma GfK
in its Incoma FutureBuy 2013
study.
All the signs point to the
forecasts of analysts being
fulfilled. “The interest in the
[online] service grows every
month. If we compare the
first half of this year with
that of 2013, sales have climbed by around 56 percent,”
said Tesco spokesman Jiří
Mareček.
Precise figures for spending on online grocery
ENTRUST YOUR PROJECT TO MEDIA PROFESSIONALS
shopping are not available.
The Czech Statistical Office
(ČSÚ) has so far opted not to
track the extent of this retail
market. A study relying on
data from 2010 concluded
that food and food accessory
spending accounted for three
percent of annual expenditure via the internet. But even
back then this small share
accounted altogether for
around one billion crowns.
Tesco gives an indication of
the current state of the market. It now takes two percent
of its revenues from internet
sales of groceries, which in
the last financial year meant
earnings of towards a billion
crowns. It is therefore clear
that the market as a whole has
by now crossed that particular border.
MICE events
Kellner’s PPF purging O2
Leisure
PRAHA
BRATISLAVA
BUKUREŠŤ
Event Promotional Staff
Wedding
Teambuilding
One turbo or two?
Photo: ČTK
Autoshow, a car show to be held in Prague at the end of September, will showcase a unique
McLaren P1, a limited production plug-in hybrid supercar. A sensation at the Geneva Motor Show
last year, and worth approximately CZK 32m, the twin-turbocharged rear-wheel drive car will be
seen at Autoshow thanks to its Czech buyer. The event will feature more than 20 models never
before exhibited in the Czech Republic
ad ve r t is i ng A141011961
PPF is continues to purge O2
while trying to figure out a
solution to the telecom operator’s dwindling revenues
and profits. Further investments will be costly and the
company is meanwhile losing
capable people. The cleanup
at the company started more
or less immediately after PPF
acquired it from Spain-based
Telefónica.
It has now been more than
six months since Petr Kellner
and his PPF team assumed
control of the CZK 63bn acquisition but the personnel
changes are still far from over.
Nearly 500 people have already exited O2 and others may
follow. PPF aims to reform
the inflexible giant – the tangled-up descendant of mobile operator Eurotel and fixed
line infrastructure operator
Český Telecom – and turn it
into a much nimbler enterprise, perhaps along the lines
of Air Bank, a new-entrant
bank that is also in the PPF
portfolio.
Air Bank is notable for its
extremely slender hierarchy,
something O2 is striving to
emulate. The current ongoing significant reduction in
the O2 workforce numbers
applies even to middle-level
and higher management. The
employee headcount is already
down to less than 5,000.
O2’s new management is
also scrapping scores of company car arrangements and is
implementing more stringent
internal rules.
The steps are seen as inevitable. The company has
existed as an inefficient business capable of comfortably
surviving only during times
of plenty.
Transportation services

Jan Sedlák
Accommodation
Gala and dinner parties
PRAHA
e-mail: info@mfec.cz
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BRATISLAVA
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SR Mobil: +421 907 365 303
6/7
opinion
up close & personal
T
he European Commission happened to praise the Czech Republic
a fortnight ago for its success
in improving its competitiveness. It goes against the grain
– somehow a majority of EU
member states seem to have
slowly lost ground. The success is certainly something to
be happy about.
Rankings are fine and it
is especially politicians who
are grateful for them. They
ly merit a mention if it were
not for the current apparent
grave importance of competitiveness.
Assessing the latest ranking
we can state clearly and openly that Czech competitiveness has indeed improved. The
progress, however, neither
results from our politician’s
ingenious legislative efforts
nor from the anti-corruption
crusade of the Olomouc Chief
Prosecutor.
It is all down to businesspeople who in previous years
have acted rationally and have
looked further into the future
than European rivals. The unit
cost of labour has thus decreased in recent years, thanks to
role is to serve the taxpayer.
Unfortunately, this dire state
of affairs seems set to persist, possibly also thanks to
the famed civil service bill.
It seems bound to carve in
stone the existing status quo
for ever.
Salaries of those driving
Czech competitiveness today
will inevitably grow as their
numbers decrease. However,
the outlook for the near future
and our ability to compete on
global markets in hi-tech industries – still the country’s
declared priority – will just as
inevitably deteriorate.
A similar situation prevails
regarding the solution to
energy prices, labour market
The assembling of such rankings is akin
in its complexity and demanding nature
to the creating of imperial horoscopes
in the times of Johannes Kepler
are always convinced that any
improvement is thanks to the
current government, while all
setbacks are the legacy of the
previous one.
The assembling of such rankings is akin in its complexity
and demanding nature to the
creating of imperial horoscopes in the times of Johannes
Kepler. But that would hard-
accursed pay and workforce
cuts. Businesses have also cut
financial costs by reducing the
amount of bank loans. As a
result they’ve suffered lower
profits. But only temporarily,
it is to be hoped.
What certainly aren’t temporary are the government’s
rigidity and its unwillingness
to accept the reality that its
flexibility and other matters.
Perhaps, we could find some
comfort it staying a relatively
well-integrated country of the
ever less competitive EU.
Maybe, everything will
miraculously change once
the EU adopts a new Lisbon
Strategy that will make us all
catch up with and overtake
China by 2035.
The state is falling apart,
and everyone is swiping
what they can. Only Andrej
Babiš is battling to put all
this right. This much was
learned by the inhabitants
of Havířov from the ANO
leader, visiting the town
as part of campaigning
for upcoming local and
Senate elections. However,
as is his custom, he spoke
mainly about himself. He
emphasised that other
politicians only care about
publicity for themselves,
but he is actually trying
to work: “For me, it is
important whether people
who see me are being sick
or spitting on the ground.
Personally, I am against
everything.” Does this
mean he is against his
constituents too?
The Czech soon-to-becommissioner to the
European Commission,
Věra Jourová, will not be in
charge of “space”. This is a
nasty surprise, given that
it follows active – and to
be frank, also inspirational
– declarations from Czech
politicians at several top-
joke
level meetings of the EU
and NATO. Back home, we
were already convinced
that the Czech Republic
is the bellybutton of the
world. Hopefully, our reps
will understand the EU’s
reasoning.
And to close, an
itinerary, should you be
craving an outline of the
calendar of the Czech
parliament from the last
week but one and the
week that followed. On
Wednesday 10 September,
at 10 a.m., the 14th
plenary session of the
Lower House of Czech
parliament convened.
Ten minutes after this
ended, the 16th session
proceeded for another
10-minute bloc. After that,
the 15th plenum came into
session. At this point, the
14th and 16th sessions
were already over. The
15th plenum was then
adjourned until 6 p.m. on
September 16th. At which
point, the 17th session was
to begin at 2 p.m. Yes, the
Lower House really runs
like clockwork...
Oliver
Steindler
The victory of the
No-to-independence
vote was a triumph of
reason and economic
judgement over
nationalistic fervour.
Arriving for the first time in China
a couple of years ago, one could comment about just how other-worldly it
seemed. A different language, its diversity of food, strange signs everywhere
and overcrowded streets. Welcome to
China, the country of 1.3 billion people.
Even though many people in Europe
still shape their world with outdated
history books, the reality is now different. Since 1978, when market reforms
were initiated, China has switched from
central planning to a market-based
economy. Yearly average GDP growth
of 10 percent has lifted more than 500
million people out of poverty. And most
of the set millennium goals have been
accomplished or are about to be met.
Bearing in mind recent data,
China has become the second largest
economy in the world and plays an
influential and important role in the
global economy. Nevertheless, its fast
economic rise has brought about many
challenges. These include demographic
issues related to the migration of labour
and an ageing population, along with
issues related to rapid urbanisation,
the environment and external trade
imbalances.
Michael
Zámečník
A
t one point, it almost appeared
as if all hope was lost. The No
majority dwindled after an
extraordinary shellacking meted out
during a televised debate. Pollsters
attributed the rise in the Yes camp’s
support to a last-minute decision by
Labour supporters to throw in their lot
with the independence movement. With
less than a week to the referendum, an
independent Scotland was seemingly
becoming a harsh reality. But by the
early morning of Friday 19 September,
it was no longer in prospect. The No
vote scored a resounding victory. A
rational decision, said supporters of
staying in the United Kingdom, and
the exercising of pragmatic economic
judgement over nationalistic zeal. The
markets responded accordingly.
The London Stock Exchange posted
strong gains across the board, with the
FTSE 100 rising 0.8 percent as traders
expressed their relief at the decision.
The FTSE Eurofirst 300 and FTSE
Asia Pacific also moved up, by 0.8 and
0.5 percent, respectively. Scottish
banks became particular beneficiaries
of this wave of relief. Royal Bank of
Scotland shares climbed 3.5 percent,
Lloyds Banking Group rose 1.5 percent
and Standard Life gained 1.7 percent.
The market fillip came as no surprise.
Many investors had feared a Scottish
vote to leave the UK would trigger a
long period of political and economic
uncertainty and might ultimately have
resulted in the UK leaving the EU. “The
LSE posted strong gains across the
board, with the FTSE 100 rising 0.8
percent as traders expressed their relief at the decision”
The pound sterling also responded
well to the poll result announcement,
surging to hit a high of USD 1.6524,
and touching its strongest level against
the euro since mid-2012. Howard Archer, chief UK and Europe economist
at HIS Global Insight, said: “Economic
fundamentals still look broadly suppor-
with the S&P 500 hitting a record in
anticipation of the result. It all served
to illustrate how damaging things could
have become if the Scots had voted Yes
and triggered a contentious currency
Pollsters attributed the rise
in the Yes camp’s support to
a last-minute decision by Labour
supporters to throw in their lot
with the independence movement
tive to the pound, particularly against
the euro. Furthermore, the no vote for
independence removes one factor that
could have delayed the Bank of England
raising interest rates.”
London’s response to the news also
brought optimism across global equities,
debate and prolonged economic talks.
However, not everything is over and
done with. Many business leaders have
voiced concern over continuing political
uncertainty. New powers of devolution
mean there are still big changes on the
cards in the months and years ahead.
Photo: Reuters
Pavel
Páral
Photo: Martin Pinkas
Greater
competitiveness
has been
brought about
by businesspeople
able to see
further ahead
than European
competitors
Babiš bemoans
Earth, Jourová falls
short of space
It’s a No, thank you: Scotland
decides, markets rally
The awakened
Chinese dragon
Photo: Reuters
The unrivalled
future
Jana Havligerová’s political diary
Despite all these factors, there is
now more forecasting showing that
in line with purchasing power parity
(PPP) – used to address the relative
values of different currencies – the
Chinese economy is likely to pass that
of the US by the end of 2014. Even if
that milestone is disregarded, it is a
fact that China will have the largest
economy sooner or later. Addressed in
the country’s 12th Five Year Plan (20112015), however, are pollution reduction
and healthcare access improvement
targets, education challenges, the expansion of the social safety net as well
as the targeting of social imbalances
and better energy efficiency. As the
annual targets show, the intention is
to focus more on quality of life rather
than speed of growth.
8/9
cover story
Booty bonfire
to foil rhino hunters
The market
won’t save them.
“Opening up the
trade in rhino horn
would not bring
about a reduction
in demand, but
rather an increase,
and that would
then lead to a
greater slaughter
of rhinoceroses,”
says Dvůr Králové
zoo boss Přemysl
Rabas
In your face
of Czechs directly own farms in
South Africa. Some are dedicated to breeding; others invite
“friends” over for a hunt.
Prior to authorities tightening regulations for issuing
permits in February 2012,
around 20 Czech “white horses” travelled to the country to
“hunt”. This means people who
may not necessarily even be
qualified hunters, and as in the
case of the Vietnamese community, the actual trophy may
have been gained by an experienced hunter on their behalf.
The trophy that arrives some
months after this successful
trip to South Africa is then
promptly handed over to local
Let us set aside the kind of “thrill” that
a hunter might seek to derive from the
slaughter of an elderly creature, brought
out on a platter by rangers, and shot with
an optical sight-mounted rifle. The raw
commercial numbers tell the full story
few traders here have managed
to turn the country into a notable stop for the illegal rhino
horn trade. Added to that, a surprising number of people from
northern Bohemia have become
rhino trophy hunters.
The Czech way
The recent worsening troubles
with the rhino horn black market, mainly occurring in South
Africa, have been dubbed the
“Rhino Wars”. Within the space
of seven years, the number of
slaughtered protected rhinoceroses has risen from 15 per year
to 2013’s more than 1,000. The
price of rhino horn has risen
exponentially too – from around
USD 250-500 per kg in the
1990s to today’s USD 65,000
Photo: Přemysl Rabas – ZOO Dvůr Králové
Nothing when compared to the
overall several-tonne weight of
such a creature (classified as
‘megafauna’ in zoology).
But the poachers, and their
customers, are only interested
in the horns. Prices around USD
65,000 per kilo currently make
rhino horn more precious than
gold, or even cocaine. And unlike with cocaine, the trade is
almost risk-free.
Demand for rhino horn remains huge, mainly in Vietnam,
where myths about its medicinal
properties prevail. And because
the Czech Republic has a sizeable Vietnamese community, a
per kg. This means a single horn
can fetch around CZK 5.5m. on
the black market. Fortunately
for poachers, rhinos possess two
horns – the larger of which measures around 90 cm.
Rhino horn can be obtained
legally in only one way – via
a trophy hunt. Surprisingly,
Czechs have become masters at
this particular activity. Our hunters head out to South Africa or
Namibia, where regulated rhino
hunts are permitted for creatures deemed to have fulfilled
their biological reproductive
role and to have left sufficient
offspring.
Let us set aside the kind of
“thrill” that a hunter might seek
motivated patient a “miracle”
cure for their fever, or even
cancer. The fact that ground
keratin (in essence the same
material from which your fingernails are made) won’t even
cure a hangover (another fable)
is obvious to any enlightened
mind. All that is left is the placebo effect.
ries of (hitherto unidentified)
“former politicians” cured
of cancer and other such ailments. “The worst thing is that
the rhino horn has become a
status symbol. Gradually, anybody who thinks of themselves
as ‘somebody’ wants to own
at least a piece of rhino horn,”
says Přemysl Rabas, head of
the Dvoře Králové zoo.
And this particular zoo has
a unique relationship with rhinos. Thanks to this zoo alone,
one sub-species of rhino is
still with us today – the northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni),
which some zoologists have
declared is its own species.
They are now extinct in the
wild, and the Dvůr Králové
zoo is trying to enable them to
spread beyond captivity. That
is if the ultra-strictly guarded
reservation, within the overall tightly guarded central
Kenyan Ol Pejeta reservatiA piece of horn.
The black market
in rhino horn
continues to grow,
and the Czech
Republic has
become a key stopoff point en route
to Asia. Czech
authorities have
already managed
to intercept several
such consignments.
On 21 September,
many of these
confiscated horns
were due to go up
in flames in Dvůr
Králové
Up in flames
Despite the facts, many in the
to derive from the slaughter of Vietnamese middlemen. Soon Vietnamese community still
an elderly creature, brought out after, a Vietnamese doctor mi- cling to the associated myths.
on a platter by rangers, and shot ght be able to offer a (highly) They are kept alive by viral stowith an optical sight-mounted
rifle. Rather, let us examine the
Czechs and rhinos
raw commercial numbers: a trip
to Africa, including securing the
Dvůr Králové zoo is voluntarily returning to the wild some
required permit costs around
of its most precious animals. For those unconvinced that
USD 100,000. One rhino can
zoos serve a role in conservation, the following example
provide up to 6 kg of horn, and
may be instructive: in the 1970s, when Josef Vágner
if the hunter sells this, the net
acquired his breeding herd, there were at least 20,000
cost still leaves him some CZK
eastern black rhinos (Diceros bicornis michaeli) in the
8.5m in the black. And he will
wild in South Africa. In the case of the northern white
still be left with other trophirhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni), around one
es from his hunting trip. Euro
percent of the total 1976 global population was being
magazine received confirmatiremoved from the wild, but that only represented a
on from two separate sources
quarter of the annual natural reproductive growth of the
that the above describes how the
species. Unfortunately, efforts at mass captive breeding
“Czech journey” has hitherto
proved unsuccessful, while 99 percent of the world’s
worked, in spite of tighter South
population was slaughtered. The battle is now on to keep
African regulations on hunting
the remaining one percent alive.
rhinos. Furthermore, a number
Photo: Hynek Glos
Continued from page 1
In Dvůr Králové alone,
around CZK 80m
of horn will go up in
flames, which is more
than half of the annual
budget of the entire zoo
on, can really be regarded as
the wild. Rhinos have never
previously lived in this area,
but it at least approximates
their natural habitats in southern Sudan, southern Chad,
northeastern Congo and
northwestern Uganda. Furthermore, the local staff are
skilled in rhinoceros care.
Dvůr Králové has organised an event designed to
alert the public to the slaughter of rhinos. It is called
“Burn Horns, Save Rhinos”.
The Sunday before World
Rhino Day (22 September),
Dvůr Králové zoo will publicly burn its supplies of rhino horn, reportedly totalling
more than 60 kg. Fifty kg of
this will come from its own
stocks, with the rest sourced
from hauls confiscated from
smugglers by the Czech Environmental Inspectorate. At
the same time, rhino horn will
also be burned in other zoos
of the world: in Pilsen; in
Slovakia’s Bojnice and Bratislava; in Tallinn, Estonia;
in Wrocław, Poland; and in
Port Lympne and Howletts
in the UK.
In Dvůr Králové alone
around CZK 80m will go up
in flames in a giant bonfire
(more than half of the annual
budget of the entire zoo). The
zoo has no use for its horns,
but was tasked with their
secure storage. Given how often thefts have occurred from
such collections, as well as at
museums and even auctions,
the horns heading for the zoo’s bonfire will be transported
under guard from a vault in
ČSOB bank. And at the site
itself, five armed customs guards will also be present.
The sale of the horns, even if
such a transaction were made
legal, never came under consideration. “Opening up the
trade in rhino horn would not
bring about a fall in demand,
as is sometimes erroneously
predicted, but rather an increase, and that would lead
to a further wide-scale slaughter of rhinoceroses,” explains
Přemysl Rabas. For the head
of the Dvoře Králové zoo, the
biggest problem lies in the
erosion of the stigma of illegality that currently dissuades
many from this trade. Furthermore, a legal rhino horn trade
could easily serve as a cover
for an illegal one, especially
since (for middlemen, not end
purchasers) illegally obtained
horn will always be a cheaper
option.
For opponents of legalisation, the only workable longterm solution is to reduce demand from southeastern Asia.
And that is why they are trying
to team up with celebrities (for
example, Dvůr Králové works
with Miss Earth ČR Monika
Leová) and to counter viral
myths with a campaign of enlightenment. But so far, the
results of such efforts are
unclear.
But other viewpoints also
exist – namely the legalisation of a tightly-regulated rhino horn trade. Proponents of
such a move claim that a rhino
can produce up to 60 kg of
horn in a lifetime.
Such proponents know that
South African stores contain
around 18 tonnes of rhino
horn, many times the amount
gained by poachers last year.
They recommend the creation
of a cartel of rhino horn suppliers and buyers – something
akin to De Beers’ role in the diamond trade. Revenues from
this trade would yield taxes
which could be used to further
protect rhinos in the wild. The
aim of such a model would be
to make legally obtained rhino
horn cheaper than that offered
by poachers and the chain of
illegality that surrounds this
entire trade.
10/11
face to face
AlessAndro PAsquAle:
Alessandro Pasquale (42)
until Mattoni
is no more
Vadim Fojtík
Having pushed the glass aside, he grabs
the Mattoni-labelled bottle without a care
and takes a sip. “My apologies, but this is
the way we all drink it here,” says Alessandro Pasquale, CEO of Karlovarské minerální vody, the biggest producer of bottled
mineral water in the country. “I seem to
forget myself occasionally and drink this
way, even during business meetings. It
costs us a considerable effort to get our
water to the consumer in the most immaculate state possible, so I’m not inclined
to spoil it with a glass,” he adds.
The mineral water market seems to be
quite strained and heading for consolidation. It is said that everyone is negotiating with everyone else, discussing
selling or taking over competitors. What
is the position of Karlovarské minerální
vody in this respect? Are you for example
going to buy competitor Ondrášovka any
time soon?
We buy only quality water. Just kidding, of course. The Czech Republic is
very fortunate in having an abundance
of mineral water springs of a very high
quality.
My father used to say that half of the
world sells and the other half buys. The
only difference is in the price. Of course, I
cannot rule out some development on the
Czech market, I agree that there could
be some consolidation happening on the
mineral water market.
We are aiming to export mineral
waters to Austria as well, through our
Waldquelle, our Austrian subsidiary. So
yes, these are projects where growth is
possible in mineral water, but where the
Czech Republic is concerned the way
forward is rather through the development and expansion of our [product]
portfolio as such. We export about 20
percent of what we produce in the Czech
Republic.
five years ago and it has since roughly
doubled [in size].
Where the development of our portfolio in the Czech Republic is concerned
you have, for example, Poděbradka which
has launched its “honest lemonade” and
has already surpassed Fanta in market
What would be a good offer?
share. We have also acquired a licence
I haven’t yet thought it through.
to produce Schweppes, so I believe we
have been doing quite a lot of interesting
You mentioned the mineral water ri- things here.
ches of the Czech Republic. Is it realistic
to imagine a new producer joining the Does it mean that you see your future
market should a mineral water spring of more in the production and sales of soft
drinks and mineral waters mixed with
good quality be discovered?
No. This would be very difficult to achi- fruit juices?
eve. I have been offered various sources,
I would sum this up by saying that
basically for extremely high amounts. we are mainly good at making [bottThe initial investment required for a new led] mineral waters. Of course, given
producer simply to make it past the cri- the market saturation in that segment,
tical point at which production becomes we also look elsewhere, we search for
profitable is so high it would never be and develop other types of products.
recovered.
The data available at the European level speak clearly: the consumption of
How many companies will there be when sweetened beverages and soft drinks
the consolidation of the mineral water continues to decline as people increproducers on the Czech market is finis- asingly desire natural mineral water.
That is why we believe that mineral
hed?
That question is quite difficult to an- waters will be the cornerstone of our
swer. In order to be able to withstand future.
the pressure from major distribution
networks my guess is that there will be Does that mean that further developthree to four producers.
ment in mineral water sales would be
impossible without an acquisition?
What is the forward-looking strategy of
Of course, there are other products
linked to mineral water alone, but they
your company?
Our strategy is following two very involve a minimum of effort, speaking
simple paths. The first one includes the about the Czech Republic. In contrast,
development and improvement of our we have seen considerable increases
portfolio in the Czech Republic. The se- in sales abroad, such as in Slovakia,
cond one deals with acquisitions abroad. Germany and Poland. These are our
We bought a company in Austria about most important export markets.
If you got a high offer would you sell Karlovarské minerální vody?
Of course, but I am afraid that an offer
I would consider to be a good one is still
a very long way away. It seems that you’ll
have to put up with me for a bit longer.
My family has always produced and
drunk mineral water. Moreover, the
members of my family usually live
to a late age. I don’t know whether it
is actually down to drinking mineral
water, but I certainly like the idea
The best known brand in your portfolio is
Mattoni. Will you have enough of it even
when you increase your exports?
My father was very provident in this
respect, so yes, we have enough water.
Photo: Tomáš Novák
M
y father used
to say that
half of the
world sells and the
other half buys. The
only difference is in
the price, recounts the
boss of Karlovarské
minerální vody
Born in 1972 in Padua, Italy. The family moved to Lugano, Switzerland, in 1978.
Alessandro Pasquale settled in the Czech Republic in 2003, firstly in Karlovy
Vary and then in Prague. He holds dual Italian and Swiss citizenship.
He has worked for various food processing companies, initially in Switzerland
and then in the Czech Republic, namely for Karlovarské minerální vody, a
family company for which he has served as CEO since 2008. He has a passion
for vintage cars and music, both classical and modern.
I read somewhere that the original Mattoni water came from two springs while
now, with the mineral water conducted
to the bottling plant via several kilometres of pipes, the resulting product is quite remote from the original…
We are getting into technicalities
now. It is still the same water since its
chemical qualities remain unchanged,
it still comes from the same hill. These
are aspects that are strictly defined
by stringent regulations. There was
once a volcano and the water passes
through rock. It is essential to pinpoint
the correct place where to tap into the
spring. Each such spring produces very
little water since there is little space
[within the rock], but then there are
numerous bores drilled into it. Make
a comparison, for example, to Dobrá
voda. This mineral water comes from
an aquifer located 150 metres below
the surface, between two impermeable layers. In this case it is enough to
make a single borehole to reach it. I do
not know where the original sources
of Mattoni were but the water and its
qualities are defined by the rock from
which it obtains its minerals. All Mattoni water comes from this hill, from
the rock in it that provides the same
types of minerals.
I must also point out that the relevant
authorities monitor all this very closely
and I think the level of regulatory oversight is one of the highest in Europe.
We use automatic monitoring of all
our boreholes with accurately configured parameters that are observed,
and we send the data obtained to the
relevant authorities every five minutes.
From what I have seen there is no similarly precise control system deployed
anywhere else in Europe.
Could it ever happen that the Mattoni
flow will dry up?
Yes.
Under what circumstances?
It would certainly not happen due
to our inadequate care for Mattoni. A
possible reason would be an act of God.
Nature can sometimes do strange things,
anything is possible. For example, if there
was to be an earthquake or a similar seismic phenomenon, then the rock could be
displaced and the flow of water could be
changed as a result, and then the parameters of the water would change.
What is interesting about our work,
and I mean that of all producers of mineral waters, is that we are the greatest
protectors of the environment. All of us
who process natural mineral waters in
any way look after and protect the zones
and environments where our springs are
located. One of the leading producers in
France even pays farmers who farm land
adjacent to their protective buffer zones
to abstain from using fertilisers to ensure that nothing untoward gets into the
water. Other producers strive to acquire
the land around their sources.
Do you also buy out land?
Yes, we do, when we can. We are lucky
in that our plants are in locations with no
risk of contamination. For example, here
in Kyselka [in the western Czech Republic
region of Karlovy Vary where Mattoni is
bottled] there is a military zone, itself a
protected area. In the case of Dobrá voda,
the plant is in the middle of a forest, while
Poděbrady is a spa resort.
How much Mattoni do you drink a day?
Quite a lot. Two or three litres for
sure.
Can’t it be harmful in such quantities?
No, it only makes you go to the loo
more often. My family has always produced and drunk mineral water. Moreover,
the members of my family usually live
to a late age. I don’t know whether it is
actually down to drinking mineral water,
but I certainly like the idea.
Do you still have some links to the original
founders of the company, the Mattonis?
There are a few descendants, but not
many. I personally keep in touch with
Rudolf Mattoni and my father managed
to discover another descendant in Germany several years ago. But I do not know
anything specific about them.
12/13
feature
Lucie
in the Sky
The group
today.
Lucie 2014,
from left:
Robert Kodym,
Michal Dvořák,
PBCH and
David Koller
Dušan Kütner,
There has never been a series
of pop or rock concerts held
in a single Czech location. The
most we’ve seen are a number
of two-day affairs, held in Prague’s 02 Arena, from the likes
of Madonna, or Roger Waters
and his “The Wall”, or homegrown folk singer Jaromír
Nohavica. But now the history books have been rewritten
thanks to 1990s pop sensation
Lucie, with three concurrent
sell-out concerts at O2 Arena
in June, along with another
seven concerts held across the
Czech Republic and Slovakia
over the summer. According
to organisers Live Nation, a total of 108,313 tickets were sold
for these concerts, with another
20,000 special guest seats also
occupied. This, despite the fact
that the group has been pretty
much defunct for the last eight
years, releasing no new material. Or perhaps that is why...
set up in Prague 1985 along
neo-romantic lines, had remained together. As it is,
certain members like Robert
Kodym (guitar) and Petr Břetislav Chovanec, alias P.B.CH.
(bass), are still in. Others, such
as singer Michal Penk, moved
Lucie is the first pop
group to perform three
consecutive concerts at
Prague’s O2 Arena.
A total of 48,000 people
watched them play
on from being musicians to
new lives as mainstream pop
idols.
In 1988, the group’s updated
line-up included Michal Dvořák
(keyboard) and singer David
Koller, propelling the band to
On a pedestal
domestic superstardom within
Who knows what would have the space of two short years.
happened if the founding Lucie was aided in this not just
members‘ line-up of the band, by successful hit singles, but
Playing for Kellner
By the end of the 1990s, Lucie’s
popularity was so unshakeable
that CDs were selling in shops
at prices unthinkable today –
CZK 600 – meaning their output was more expensive than
that of many foreign stars. But
then the bubble began to burst
with the onset of Mp3 digital
downloads, in particular via
the illegal file sharing website
Napster.
Furthermore, tensions within the band were growing, and
in February 2003, keyboardist
Michal Dvořák was booted out.
Following that, Lucie embarked
on a tour accompanying the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, in
which guitarist Tomáš Vartecký
replaced the departed Dvořák.
Then in 2004, David Koller also
departed the group, both for
personal and musical reasons.
“I am unbearable, excessively
conceited, I don’t listen, and I
behave in public in a manner
different to my internal state of
mind. I have different opinions,
I like different music – all this
I learnt last week,” the singer
angrily told the media at the
time of his departure. From that
point, only a few people would
have bet that the quartet would
ever play together again. Lucie’s
members were now all focused
on individual projects.
But the definitive end merely
turned out to be an eight year
pause. In December 2012, Lucie’s members were induced, via
Those were
the days...
The hit single
“Šrouby do
Hlavy” (Screws
into the Head)
heralded the
rise of the
group
Photo: ČTK
also by the Velvet Revolution.
And even though Keller may
not have written it that way, his
verse “We never again want to
go back to that horrible place,”
from the song “Oheň” (Fire)
became for many one of the
symbols of the burgeoning democracy and concurrent desire
to never go back to a totalitarian
regime. The debut of an eponymous album in October 1990,
containing such hits as “Dotknu
se ohně” (I’ll Touch the Fire) or
“Nech to stát” (Let it Stand) immediately saw sales of around
100,000 units. The album featured a rather provocative image
of four naked Lucie members
as gold statuettes atop a marble
pedestal.
Between 1990-2002, Lucie
issued seven studio albums, all
well regarded by both critics
and the public
Some sponsors sought considerable
cooperation with Lucie on the tour,
but over two years scaled back plans
as their budgets were slashed
a sum reportedly considerably
higher than a mere six figures, to
perform at a Christmas party for
the richest Czech, PPF owner
Petr Kellner (who had previously managed to secure a private
performance from Sting).
At that time, the group’s
members already knew that
a major comeback tour was and industry insiders had litin the offing. But the public tle inkling of the plans. “The
fact that I would be serving
as producer-manager of the
Going live.
overall tour was agreed with
the band in September 2012,”
Asides from
band member and tour manaplaying 10 new
ger Michal Dvořák told sister
indoor concerts,
Lucie’s comeback magazine Strategie. “Thanks to
an agreement that existing comalso included an
mitments prevented us from
outdoor event in
undertaking the tour prior to
Pilsen, and the
Spring 2014, I had around two
Rock for People
festival in Hradec years to plan and prepare.”
Last May, the group conKrálové
vened a press conference to
formally announce the tour
to be held in a year’s time.
“We were under pressure
from fans, friends and each
other too, because we missed
being able to perform some
of the old songs together,”
Lucie band member Robert
Kodym told the press at the
time. “There had been a longer period of disagreement
among us; I dare say we were
Photo: Isifa
W
hether it is at London’s Royal
Albert Hall, or Prague’s O2
Arena, global superstars such
as Eric Clapton have no trouble selling
seats, even for multiple concerts.
But on the Czech scene only pop
group Lucie has so far met with such
widespread adulation
Photo: Ondřej Pýcha
with Diamonds
actually in open conflict. But
that was many years ago.
Time has smoothed over
many of these edges, and now
we are wiser.”
According to figures released by organisers at the time,
the tour cost around CZK 80m
to stage. Asides from sponsorship deals, revenue was secured via ticket sales costing
from CZK 490-1,290.
But not all sponsors continued to avidly support the
idea of backing the tour. “At
the start, I often encountered
the view that in the current
wild economic situation, no
company was capable of planning such a tour two years
in advance, making binding
guarantees and signing contracts,” recalls Dvořák. “Some
companies wanted considerable cooperation from us,
but over the two years their budgets were continually
slashed, until they barely
had anything even for office
supplies. Ultimately, the only
rock solid guarantee came via
tremendous media interest.
And not only commercial stations – even the public broadcaster Czech Television (ČT)
ultimately ended up devoting
a still ongoing record series of
10 programmes to the Lucie
tour and the overall history
of the group..
According to Dvořák, Lucie is once again set for a period of dormancy of at least
two years. “Individual band
members’ projects have gotten a green light and Lucie is
resting,” he explained. “How
long this phase will last, we
will see – everything depends
on the atmosphere within the
group and its individual members.”
Taken from the magazine
14/15
wine & dine
society
society
RestauRant Jakub
sushi competition
the fish lords of krumlov
Internet users and lovers of sushi have until 1 October to cast their vote
for the Best Sushi in Prague, a poll organised by the largest English-language
portal in the Czech Republic, Expats.cz. Dita Pecháčková
and Pavel Šporcl helped to choose the 40 leading Prague sushi bars,
restaurants and distributors that you can vote for at nejvpraze.cz
Photo: E15
Restaurant
Jakub is where
Krumlov’s
gastronomy
raises its game
above the
mediocre
trade reps enjoy celebratory breakfast
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K
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Photos: archive
The Verdict
Period interior with
the distinct imprint
of history
A surprising menu
with a good selection
of fish dishes
Pleasing results from
the kitchen, thanks
to a discerning chef
Efficient staff
An interesting wine
list at acceptable
prices
h 2014
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Monday, 3 Marc
24/¤ 1 l www.e15
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Issue 14 l newsst
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RestauRant Jakub
Kájovská 54
381 01 Český Krumlov
tel.: +420 728 401 349
e-mail:
krcin.racak@gmail.com
http://jakubrestaurant.cz
Photo: Profimedia
south
bohemian
kulajda.
With real
boletes and
a poached egg
tatoes. The fillet was in optimal
condition, delicate in flavour
and not overwrought. Garlic,
used here with judicious intensity, effectively breaks down
the carp’s somewhat higher
fat content. The chef had also
doused the fish with a splash
of cuvée, providing another
dimension to the delicious flavour – distinguished, full, with
just enough acidity.
The peppery accents of spinach, along with caraway seeds, provided lively contrast to
white fish meat, while velvety
smooth potatoes consummated this thoroughly enjoyable
dish.
The homemade drop scones with blueberry sauce and
sour cream were irresistible as
a dessert. They rewarded with
a rich buttery taste in which
the blueberry sauce took on the
essential role of lubricant.
Restaurant Jakub has become the place where Krumlov’s
gastronomy raises its game
above the mediocre. To the
delight of all who love good
food.
9 771803 454314
rčínův dům is one of the
most picturesque hotels
in Český Krumlov. And
unlike some hotel restaurants,
its in-house eatery Jakub is a
comfortable and friendly place.
Wherever you sit, a feeling of
relaxation soon takes over. A
brief study of the menu also
raises hopes that your sense
of well-being will soon be enhanced.
The appetisers are especially tempting. If you’re a
soup person, then choose the
Kulajda. The version served
at Krčín is rather luxurious,
both in terms of its thickness
and composition of flavours.
The tone is set by dill, fresh
and copiously applied. A scent
of forest announces bolete mushrooms picked that morning.
Their flavour is by no means
lost in the intense creamy-dill baked trout.
liquid, which carries the con- With herbs, garlic and baby potatoes
versation without overpowering. And with the finale, as
you pop the poached egg and
a perfectly cooked golden yolk
oozes out over the surface, the
pleasure is complete.
Krčín (a celebrated fishpond
engineer of the 16th century)
would probably never forgive
us if we didn’t order fish at Jakub’s and even before we sat
down I was hankering for carp.
I chose the simplest preparation on the menu with caraway
seeds, spinach and mashed po-
Photo: expats.cz
In the gallery of the Municipal House a breakfast meeting of Czech-Russian
business representatives was held to celebrate the appointment of the new
Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in the Czech Republic.
The newly appointed Trade Representative, Sergei Stupar, took part in the event
while on a private visit to Prague. The outgoing Trade Representative, Alexander
Turov, (on the left with František Masopust, head of the Chamber of the CIS) is
taking up a new post in France. These regular breakfasts are organised by the civic
platform of the Prague Public Council, the Chamber of the CIS and E15 daily
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Photo: Reuters
diversions
picture of the week
Time to stick one’s neck out
A giraffe in its paddock at Moscow Zoo peeks out to see whether it is still necessary to hide from the rain.
The 21.5 hectare zoo in the centre of the Russian capital looks after more than 8,000 animals at two sites that are connected
by a footbridge over a street, making it one of the biggest in the country. It is this year celebrating 150 years of existence
invitations
buildings
CaRiCaTuRE, WiT
dRinks
MusiC
M&S celebrates
130 years of existence
Architecture
in Time and Space
No Comment exhibit
at People in Need
Whisky Live!
at New Town Hall
20th birthday
of the Philharmonia
British brand Marks & Spencer
is lauding 130 years of style
and quality. For the occasion
of the anniversary, M&S has
arranged an exhibition of
bygone visual advertising at
Tančící dům (Dancing House),
80 Rašínovo nábřeží, Prague.
It will run until 28 September.
Entrance is free.
The eighth edition of the
international Architecture
Week Prague 2014 will run
until mid-October at Prague
Castle and other locations
in the capital. The main exhibition will showcase examples of
well-known constructions and
prominent people from architectonic periods and styles
from pre-Roman to contemporary times.
An exhibition of Czech and
Slovak caricatures, jests and
comics from 35 artists and
designers will be open from 25
September under the auspices
of the Open Society Fund
together with Google in the
Czech Republic and Newton
Media. The venue is Langhans
– People in Need Centre in 37
Vodičkova, Prague 1.
A festival not only for lovers
of whisky and bourbon will
include the participation of
Czech drinks makers and their
brands. Visitors can sample
over 150 kinds of drink at the
Prague New Town Hall event
on Friday and Saturday. The
festival star is Jim Murray
(pictured), a connoisseur and
author of the guide Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible.
First-class orchestra Prague
Philharmonia (or “PKF”) this
season celebrates its 20th
anniversary in style. From 28
September, PKF offers a trio
of concerts under the baton of
principal conductors who have
worked with the orchestra.
Along with star conductors
Jakub Hrůša (pictured), Kaspar
Zehnder and Jiří Bělohlávek,
top soloists will also perform.
Photos: archive
Fashion