Prague
is a truly gorgeous city.Wonderful
architecture that has escaped the ravages of war
combines with a fantastic setting on the RiverVltava
to make Prague a memorable destination – and it’s
why the city is one of the most popular in Europe.
With a wonderful mix of architecture spanning the
Baroque, Rococo and Art Nouveau, Prague’s streets
are some of the most beautiful in Europe.
Prague is a small city, with around one and a half
million inhabitants.The city is easy to get around.
Most of the popular sights can be easily reached
on foot, and the excellent tram and metro systems
provide fast transport around the city.
There are plenty of places to stop for a coffee or a
beer and prices are generally extremely reasonable.
You’ll find a buzz in most bars and restaurants, and if
you head for ones slightly away from the most
touristy places in the city you can savour typical
fare in a local atmosphere.
Dominating the city’s skyline is Prague Castle –
Pra•ský hrad – which is where you will also find
Prague Cathedral.The palace gardens are well
worth a visit – particularly in the late spring and
early summer. Cross the Vltava via Charles Bridge
which for 400 years was the only structure that
linked the two halves of the city. Charles Bridge
has no fewer than 32 statues to admire, dating
back to the 17th and 18th centuries.
From Charles Bridge it’s only a few minutes walk to
the OldTown Square, the traditional
heart of the city.While the facades of
the buildings appear to be Baroque,
their origins often date back much
further.The Square became the city’s
main marketplace in the 11th
century and today it’s a place to
stroll or to sit and have a coffee or
beer while admiring the fabulous
architecture - and to watch the
amazingAstronomical Clock (left).
Stroll up towardsWencelas Square - more of a
long, wide boulevard than a true square - which
has been the focus of political rallies and protests
for more than 150 years. It was here in November
1989 that over a quarter of a million people came
night after night to demand an end to Communist
rule.The Square leads up to the National Museum,
and to the left of this is the Brutalist architecture
of the former Czechoslovak Parliament building -
now the headquarters of Radio Free Europe/Radio
Liberty and the venue for the
2004 AIB
Global Media Business Conference
.
There’s an irony here - it was in this building that in
the Communist era the government would rubber-
stamp the jamming of broadcasts by western radio
broadcasters such as RFE/RL. In May, however,
broadcasters from all over the world will meet to
debate and discuss the issues affecting the global
media in the 21st century and, interestingly, freedom
of the media will once again be in the spotlight.
The AIB’s annual
Global Media Business
Conference
is the only event in the broadcasting
calendar that specifically addresses the issues
facing the international broadcasting industry -
from audiences to programme formats, delivery
to production, public service and commercial. The
2003 Conference took place in London, just two
weeks after the end of the Iraq war, and brought
together more than 170 delegates from all over
the world who discussed and debated a tremendous
range of issues affecting the broadcasting industry
in a period of political turmoil.
The 2004 Conference will revisit the contentious
issue of the relationship between broadcaster and
government and examine whether our businesses
are sufficiently robust to withstand the pressures
that are being exerted. The Conference will debate
a host of other major subjects that international
broadcasters and the industries that support them
have to address. The
AIB Global Media Business
Conference
will help to define strategies for all
sectors of the industry.
The Conference is interactive - through workshops
and significant involvement from all delegates.
It’s an event where everyone will learn and benefit.
The Conference takes place in Prague, capital of
the Czech Republic and home to AIB Member Radio
Free Europe/Liberty. The headquarters of RFE/RL
- the former Czechoslovak Parliament Building at
the top of Wenceslas Square in central Prague -
will be the conference venue. Prague is an amazing
city to visit - in May the weather is often superb
and visitors have the chance to attend some of
the concerts and events of the renowned Prague
Spring festival.
Special air fares have been negotiated with British
Airways and our Prague travel agency also offers
special discounts for hotel rooms in the city centre.
Visit
for details on how to book.
Join the AIB and delegates from all over the world
for two days of intense discussion and debate,
and unparalleled networking opportunities.
