Reading time: 4 minutes 
Summary for: PODCAST: Glitchy border checks, an American tenor's 'Ř' nightmare, and Halloween unites PragueIntroducing a new podcast from Expats.cz, Expats Extra. Think of it as the cutting board of our newsroom—where snippets from our stories, behind-the-scenes reporting, and surprising soundbites come together each week. You can listen to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Music, or Podbean.
Elizabeth Zahrandnicek Haas:
Halloween in Prague has evolved from a cultural curiosity into one of the city’s most anticipated autumn traditions. This week on Expats Extra, we explore how an American holiday became a force for charity, examine the new biometric system at Prague Airport, and hear from opera singer Evan Leroy Johnson on tackling Czech’s famously tricky consonants.
Shownotes: Bits and bytes for Oct. 16, 2025
- Join Prague Halloween Trick or Treat
- See Evan LaRoy Johnson perform in Idomeneo and Rusalka
- Read more about navigating Prague Airport in the age of biometrics.
An opera star on singing the Czech letter 'Ř'
Anica Mancinone:
For anyone learning Czech, one letter can humble even the most confident linguist: the dreaded ř. In our office poll, even native English speakers struggled to produce the rolled “r” mashed with a “z.” Imagine having to sing that sound on stage.
American tenor Evan Leroy Johnson, who has performed at major European opera houses and debuted at New York’s Metropolitan Opera, first encountered this challenge while performing Dvořák’s Rusalka.
The hardest part isn’t the long cantilena or the high notes, but putting the words together—consonant clusters without a single vowel. It’s almost impossible at first,” Johnson explains.
Johnson found the solution in immersion.
It took me a while to get it right in my head and mouth. But listening and immersing yourself is key. The more you hear it, the more natural the singing becomes.”
Thanks to composers like Dvořák, who considered singers’ needs, Johnson has been able to master these linguistic hurdles. He’s currently performing Idomeneo at Prague State Opera, with his final show this weekend on October 18th, and will reprise Rusalka starting October 29th.
Turning Czech skeptics into American do-gooders
Elizabeth Zahrandnicek Haas:
Once viewed with suspicion as a foreign import, Halloween in Prague is now a charitable event that unites the local and expat communities. The initiative, Prague Trick or Treat for Charity, began in 2017 in the Vinohrady neighborhood, founded by journalist Dinah Spritzer-Richter.
I never imagined how big this would become. I wanted all of Prague, all of Czechia, even Europe, to participate,” Spritzer-Richter says. “What I didn’t foresee was the impact it would have on people—bringing Czechs and expatriates together through inclusion and intercultural exchange.”
Today, hundreds of families participate, raising money for SOS Children’s Villages. Last year, the event collected 263,000 CZK to support vulnerable children.
Prague 2 city councillor Tomáš Halva emphasizes how the charitable component changed perceptions:
Halloween isn’t originally Czech, but this isn’t about replacing traditions. It’s about creating a fun, imaginative space for children to discover a different culture and enjoy creativity.”
The event’s format is simple: families register online for a map of participating homes and businesses. At each stop, kids donate 10 CZK, turning treats into contributions. Kateřina Holečková of SOS Children’s Villages explains how the funds are used:
From literary carnivals to sports programs, the money allows us to create enriching experiences for children—helping them learn teamwork, patience, and resilience.”
Now in its ninth year, the event has expanded to include local businesses, while outreach is bilingual.
Vinohrady is an expensive neighborhood, so it’s a wonderful way to show that the community cares and gives back, Spritzer-Richter says.
It’s amazing to see this initiative grow each year,” Holečková adds. “None of us expected it to become such a beautiful tradition, and we’re truly grateful to everyone who makes it possible.”
Families can still join the fun on October 23rd. Follow Prague Trick or Treat on social media to sign up.
Reader radar: The big picture behind biometrics
Elizabeth Zahrandnicek Haas:
In our Reader Radar segment, we also explored the EU’s new biometric entry/exit system (EES) at Prague Airport Terminal 1. Thomas Smith, our news editor, shared insights from thousands of social media comments and explained what travelers need to know.
Thomas Smith:
EES replaces passport stamping with fingerprint and facial scans for non-EU travelers. But some travelers—especially those with residence permits—have faced long queues and delays.”
Social media feedback highlighted frustrations:
Maladin92: “Those with residence permits still have to go to non-EU passport windows and get stuck in long queues.”
Gabriella from Prague: “I don’t see the benefits if other borders don’t have the same measures.”
Teot1: “The only thing that gave sense and beauty to a passport—eliminated.”
Elizabeth Zahrandnicek Haas:
Thomas spoke with foreign police spokesperson Josef Urban who warned that longer processing times are expected during the rollout. But the broader purpose of EES is crucial: authorities see it as a key tool in combating organized crime and human trafficking.
Biometric data—including fingerprints and facial scans—is retained for up to three years after your last exit, or five years if an overstay is detected.
Terminal 1 chaos is a symptom of a larger shift toward biometric monitoring. The debate over balancing border security with personal privacy is far from settled.
Thomas Smith:
Thanks to everyone who shared their experiences. Keep sending comments—you might hear your words featured in our next episode.
That’s all for this week’s Expats Extra. For links and details mentioned in today’s episode, visit Expats.cz.
This episode was written, edited, and produced by Elizabeth Zahrandnicek Haas, Anica Mancinone, and Alexis Carvajal, with contributions from Thomas Smith. Follow Expats Extra wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a story.
