Quintessential Czech Gifts and Unique Czech Flowers

Czech culture against the backdrop of Czech products

History of the Czech lands

Czechia, located in Central Europe, is characterised by its charming nature, beautiful historic cities (Prague, Český Krumlov, Kutná Hora) and countryside, as well as a deep sense of history permeating the entire country.

The history of the Czech lands and people living there began in the 6^th century AD with the arrival of the Slavs who then went on to found the state of Great Moravia, later followed by the Duchy of Bohemia and Kingdom of Bohemia which lasted from the 9^th to the 16^th century. After the dissolution of Austria-Hungary, a new state was established in 1918—Czechoslovakia. In 1939, Czechoslovakia was invaded by the Nazi Germany and turned into a protectorate. From the end of WWII to 1989, the region was governed by a Communist regime. In 1993, Czechoslovakia split in two states which remain separated to this day.

Eminent Czech figures

Czechia boasts a relatively high number of famed figures from all walks of life, aptly demonstrating the country’s vast cultural background:

World-famous Czech artists:

• Czech composers Bedřich Smetana, Antonín Dvořák, Gustav Mahler, or Leoš Janáček
• Czech writers Milan Kundera, Bohumil Hrabal, Franz Kafka, Karel Čapek, Jaroslav Hašek, or the Nobel laureate for literature Jaroslav Seifert
• Czech directors, such as Miloš Forman
• Czech artists, such as Alfons Mucha, František Kupka, Antonín Slavíček, or Josef Mánes.

Renowned Czech scientists and inventors:

• Gregor Johann Mendel for genetics
• Otto Wichterle, the founder of macromolecular chemistry and the inventor of contact lenses
• Jaroslav Heyrovský, the Nobel laureate for his discovery of polarography
• Jan Janský, a Czech physician who was the first ever to classify blood into four types
• Sigmund Freud or the car- maker Ferdinand Porsche were also born in the Czech lands

Other world-famous Czech figures, regardless of time and place, include Charles IV, Agnes of Bohemia, St. Wenceslaus, John Amos Comenius, T. G. Masaryk, or Václav Havel.

Czech cultural background and Czech products

The Czech cultural background is formed not only by history, arts, and famous figures, but also the language, folklore, customs, traditions, and holidays, as well as food, law, and fashion. One of the reasons why Czechia remains a popular destination is the diversity of the country’s traditions and its historic and cultural wealth.

This cultural background is related to the Czech talent for arts, crafts, and business. The Czech culture has an effect on what makes for a quintessential Czech gift, and it’s a good idea to take it into consideration when choosing a suitable present. When picking a Czech gift for a foreigner residing in the country or abroad, focus on finding one based in the Czech cultural background.

The potential of quintessentially Czech gifts

Historic and modern quintessential Czech gifts

Renowned Czech products as gifts

Czech historic development saw excellent crafts and traditional Czech products emerge primarily in relation to glasswork, porcelain, design, musical instrument production, beer, and alcohol in general. In Bohemia, a couple of world-renowned Czech businesses were founded, such as Baťa, Škoda, Kohinnor, Pilsner Urquell, Moser, or Petrof. If you’re interested in finding a traditional Czech gift, these brands and areas of interest are a good place to start.

The present state of Made in Czechia

The Made in Czechia designation and its potential for gift-giving has been undergoing marked changes. Czechia has an active start-up scene, demonstrating the Czechs’ thoughtfulness and ability to launch products. Entirely new fields and brands are popping up, yet to catch the public’s eye. In a few years’ time, we might likely need to update our list of quintessential Czech products and brands to include yet unheard-of names.

Historically quintessential Czech gifts

Based on a well-established, historic awareness of quintessentially Czech products, the following might make the list of typical Czech gifts for foreigners:

• Czech glassware and porcelain

• Czech bijou

• Czech design and arts

• Books by known Czech writers

• Czech musical instruments and sheet music

• Czech puppets and other folk crafts products

• Kohinnor pencils

• Beer and the Becherovka bitters.

Modern quintessentially Czech gifts

If you’re looking for an unusual gift that steps outside the confines of what’s considered typically Czech and fits well in the recipient’s life, you can focus on modern quintessentially Czech gifts which are steeped in the Czech culture. Pick among current quality products from Czech manufacturers which are characteristically or uniquely Czech.

Modern quintessentially Czech gifts primarily include modern Czech design, including fashion, décor and jewellery, as well as modern Czech art. The field of Czech design, jewellery making, and quintessentially Czech gifts for foreigners also encompasses unique jewellery flowers from GIYOU.

Unique Czech jewellery garden

Tips for a typical Czech gifts