Summer is slowly coming to an end, but the 8žije neighbourhood meetings continue.
We believe that local politics should not take place only in meeting rooms. It should start where people really live: in courtyards, parks, by playgrounds, on housing estates, by the metro or on ordinary walking routes.
That is why we are inviting you to a series of meetings in September and October. Some will be sporting, others will be for families, others simply relaxed neighbourhood get-togethers. They have one thing in common: we want to be in direct contact with you.
We start with some exercise in Čimický háj
The first taster is an evening run through Čimický háj with 8žije.
We will meet on 26 August at 19:00 by the Čumpelíkova polyclinic, at the Koupaliště sculpture group. An easy-going run of roughly 6 kilometres awaits us, led by our candidate Jana Pavlíčková.
We will adjust the pace to suit everyone. This is not a race, but a pleasant run in one of the most beautiful green parts of Prague 8. And if people feel like it, we can round the run off informally at the U Rodrů restaurant in Kobylisy.
A picnic in the Čumpelíkova courtyard
Straight after that, on 1 September from 17:00, we invite you to a neighbourhood picnic in the Čumpelíkova courtyard.
We want to talk about courtyards: what living in them is like, what works there and what could be improved. Courtyards are not leftover space between buildings. They can be pleasant places for neighbours to meet, for rest, for children and for everyday life.
Bring something nice to eat with you and, above all, a good mood. Children are of course welcome.
A family afternoon at Invalidovna
On Thursday 3 September from 16:00 to 18:00 we will meet at the Molákova playground at Invalidovna.
We are preparing a relaxed family afternoon right in the heart of the housing estate. The meeting is for all generations: for children, parents and seniors. Children can look forward to sports activities, competitions and prizes. Adults can enjoy a pleasant sit-down, meeting their neighbours and space to talk about what could be changed for the better on the estate.
We will be glad to hear your ideas, comments and specific suggestions from the neighbourhood.
A neighbourhood breakfast in Staré Bohnice
On Saturday 5 September from 9:00 to 11:00 we invite the residents of Staré Bohnice and everyone who is fond of this part of Prague 8 to a neighbourhood breakfast in V Nových Bohnicích street.
Bread, pastries and drinks will be ready on site. You can also bring something of your own for the shared table. The point is simple: to meet, to get to know one another better and to let Staré Bohnice come to life again a little.
The host of the meeting is Tomáš Němeček, who lives in Staré Bohnice and is the 8žije neighbourhood contact for this area.
Why we hold these events
Every neighbourhood in Prague 8 is different. Čimice, Bohnice, Invalidovna, Kobylisy, Ládví, Holešovičky, Libeň and Karlín have different problems and a different rhythm.
That is exactly why one universal debate about the whole of Prague 8 is not enough. We want to meet directly in the individual places, listen to specific experiences and collect suggestions that can be carried over into further work.
At events like these, things often come up that would otherwise never make it into official documents: where a bench is missing, where a pedestrian crossing is dangerous, where green space is poorly maintained, where communication from the town hall does not work or where a small change would be enough to improve people's everyday life significantly.
The first four events are only the beginning
The run, the picnic, the family afternoon and the neighbourhood breakfast are only a first taster.
In September and October we will continue with further meetings in various parts of Prague 8. We want the debates to involve people who really live here, go to work, take their children to school, look after their surroundings or simply want their neighbourhood to work better.
Come and meet us. Bring your suggestion, your question or just the desire to spend a while with your neighbours.
Prague 8 can do better. And it starts with people talking to each other.