19 things to do in Prague this week – from Designblok to Deep Purple

Prague puts design in the spotlight this week as Designblok spreads across some of the city's most striking cultural spaces, from the Trade Fair Palace to Prague Castle. Film fans also get two festivals to choose from, while one of rock's most enduring bands returns to the Czech capital.

Monday belongs largely to Václav Havel, who would have turned 90, with screenings and commemorations across his hometown. Elsewhere, Fink brings a dose of '70s-inspired folk to MeetFactory, English-language comedy returns to Vršovice, and Friday night ranges from techno workouts to hypnotic electronica. Here's what's worth putting on your calendar this week:

Celebrate Václav Havel at 90 Prague marks what would have been Václav Havel's 90th birthday with events across the city. Divadlo Na zábradlí, where Havel worked before becoming a leading dissident and president, hosts a theatrical walk through places connected to his life, an exhibition and a discussion on the state of democracy. Other commemorations include an English-language public lecture by former Belarusian political prisoner Maksim Znak.

Hear Fink channel the 1970s British singer-songwriter Fin Greenall brings Fink's ninth album, The City Is Coming to Erase It All, to MeetFactory. Recorded with a deliberate 1970s aesthetic inspired by musicians including Michael Chapman, the record marks another shift for an artist who began his career in electronic music. Nashville singer Angela Autumn opens, with doors at 7 p.m.

Get lost in light and movement Choreographer Věra Ondrašíková's GUIDE returns to ARCHA+ at 7 p.m. The visually driven dance performance uses light, electronic music and movement to create an immersive experience, and is listed by the venue as English-friendly.

See Havel on the big screen Prague cinemas offer an especially accessible way for international residents to join the birthday celebrations. Citizen Havel, the remarkably candid documentary following Havel through his presidency, screens with English subtitles at Bio Oko, while Kino Atlas shows Petr Jančárek's Havel Speaking, Can You Hear Me?, followed by a discussion with the director.

Get an early look at Designblok Prague's biggest design festival gets underway Tuesday with its professional program and Designblok Talks before opening fully to the public Wednesday. This year's theme is Light, with Designblok spreading across the Trade Fair Palace, Industrial Palace, Prague Castle Riding School, Museum of Decorative Arts and other venues.

Laugh in English in Vršovice Velvet Tuesday returns to Czech Inn Bar on Francouzská with an international lineup of comedians performing in English. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m., with traveling comics and occasional surprise guests joining Prague regulars.

Make some noise with Holy Fuck Canadian electronic band Holy Fuck brings its distinctive mix of live drums, bass, keyboards and electronics to MeetFactory. Known for producing dance music with the physical setup of a rock band rather than relying primarily on laptops, the group takes the stage Tuesday night.

Catch the last Day of Architecture Tuesday is the final day of the nationwide Day of Architecture festival, which has spent the past week opening normally inaccessible buildings and exploring neighborhoods through guided walks, tours and talks. It's one last chance to look at Prague from an architectural perspective before Designblok takes over.

Dive into Designblok The 28th Designblok officially opens to the public Wednesday, bringing Czech and international design to major venues across Prague through Sunday. This year's Light theme runs through exhibitions devoted to glass, lighting, fashion, furniture and contemporary craft, with installations including Maxim Velčovský's Veranda, Design for Václav Havel and a showcase of forgotten Czechoslovak lamps.

See Deep Purple at O2 arena Rock legends Deep Purple return to Prague Wednesday at 8 p.m. The hugely influential British band promises a trip through more than five decades of hard rock, including classics such as "Smoke on the Water" and "Highway Star," with British rockers Jayler opening the show. O2 arena.

Go from Cannes to Venice without leaving Prague The 13th Be2Can festival begins Wednesday, bringing acclaimed films from Berlin, Cannes and Venice to Edison Filmhub. English-friendly selections running through the week include Minotaur, No Good Men, Her Private Hell, Red Rocks and Memory of Princess Mumbi.

Relive Queen's night behind the Iron Curtain Freddie Mercury and Queen return to the big screen in Queen Budapest, documenting the band's historic 1986 performance in the Hungarian capital during the Magic Tour. The concert film screens Wednesday at Kino Světozor.

Take a cinematic trip to India The Indian Film Festival begins a three-day run at Kino Světozor Thursday, mixing new Indian cinema with Bollywood favorites. The 23rd edition opens with Imtiaz Ali's Main Vaapas Aaunga, with screenings complemented by dance workshops, a Bollywood party and Saturday's Bollywood Fiesta.

Go gloriously weird with Käärijä Finnish rapper and Eurovision phenomenon Käärijä brings his hyperactive mix of rap, metal and electronic pop to SaSaZu Thursday. Best known internationally for the infectious "Cha Cha Cha," the green-sleeved performer has turned his deliberately over-the-top live shows into something between a concert, rave and communal party. Little Sis Nora supports.

Watch Sparta face Kometa Trade galleries for the ice rink as Sparta Prague hosts longtime rival Kometa Brno at O2 arena Thursday. Faceoff is at 6:30 p.m., offering an easy introduction to the atmosphere of Czech hockey for newcomers to the city.

Sweat out your sins at Designblok Designblok turns wellness into an installation Friday with Got Any Sins?, a free community sauna session at the Trade Fair Palace from 6 to 9 p.m. Visitors are invited to "burn" their everyday transgressions in a functioning festival sauna. The session is Czech- and English-friendly. 

Eat, drink and celebrate at Břevnov Monastery The traditional Břevnov Fair gets underway Friday and continues through Sunday around one of Prague's oldest monasteries. Expect Czech fairground food, beer and burčák alongside market stalls, rides, live entertainment and the neighborhood atmosphere that has made the annual autumn celebration a fixture in Prague 6.

See where concert meets performance art Bulgarian singer, songwriter and performance artist Ivo Dimchev comes to Palác Akropolis Friday at 7:30 p.m. Known for blurring the boundaries between music, theater and performance art, Dimchev combines original songs with experimental vocals, humor and an unpredictable stage presence. The internationally touring artist has created more than 40 stage works and 100 original songs.

Work out to techno at Roxy If simply dancing isn't strenuous enough, Roxy starts Friday evening with a Techno Workout at 6 p.m., combining strength exercises, electronic music and club lighting before the venue transforms back into a nightclub later in the evening.