Searching for “The Lost Churches” of Europe
A New 5-part Series Direct from The Continent
by Dawn Mermer
Part Two: Prague
"Can you believe we're at a concert?!?" my friend exclaimed, high-fives all around. We're at the Jazz Dock in Prague watching Chuck Wansley & the Motherfunkers tear up the stage with all the funky hits people know and love all over the world. All around the 70 capacity barge venue, everyone is so excited to finally be dancing and singing full voice to live music with other people. During this show, another friend showed me a notice she just received from her co-worker, the city's Minister of Health Adam Vojtech, stating you can easily and safely go to concerts now because we tested it at Jazz Dock tonight. Well, yay, but safely?
I was told that just a week ago, no dancing or singing was allowed at indoor venues, only standing with a mask on, nodding your head. My how things have changed. I've been in 5 establishments where live music is taking place and they are packed full, no one is wearing masks (even in the bathroom), and none have asked for vaccination or negative covid-test proof, even though each venue explicitly states on their websites that there are strict Covid rules to follow. Don't get me wrong, it's been extremely fun to be able to carry on like this again, but I am a bit concerned. After all, this is the city that declared Covid over last July then held a dinner on the Charles Bridge and surrounding streets attended by thousands to celebrate. At that point, only about 350 had died of the disease in the entire Czech Republic of about 10 million people. A year later, that number is over 30,000. Only about 37% are fully vaccinated here and the tourists haven't even arrived yet.
Who knows what may happen here next. But what I do know is that of the numerous Pragers I've told about and shown pictures of The Lost Church, they said sadly they've got nothing like it here.
Hmmmmmm TLC San Francisco, TLC Santa Rosa, TLC Prague…
Next week...Part Three: Brno, Czech Republic
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