Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
News

Vendor City Guide: Brno, Czech Republic

Street secrets revealed by the people who know them best

1385 Brno City Guide

Our guides this week: Jarda and Jozef sell Czech street paper Nový Prostor [meaning New Space] in Brno. They are two of the best vendors in the city with a lot of regular customers. They have overcome a series of adversities in their lives, but despite all that have a wicked sense of humour.

Best places to go in Brno

Jozef:  Špilberk Castle, of course.

Jarda: Špilberk, classic, definitely.

Jozef: And we must not forget the famous Brno astronomical clock.

Jarda: Or I would send you to the King’s Field area. In Šelepova Street there is the Šelepka club and restaurant – there are benches around and dancing for middle and older generations.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Jozef: Well… it’s no disco!

Your favourite places in Brno

Jozef: I sometimes go to Lužánky, take a walk, sit on a bench and watch people enjoying the day.

Continue reading for free

Registration is free and takes less than 30 seconds.

Our supporters make Big Issue’s work possible. Join us to see the impact we’re having together and discover more ways to help people facing poverty access income, opportunity and support.

Jarda: It’s good there, it’s the largest park in Brno.

Jozef: And in the summer [Czech singer] Radůza sang there.

Jarda: Yes, that was great. I have seen Radůza six times already, she is very good.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Jozef: I sit there for two hours, and when I leave I am lighter.

Jarda: I have the most beautiful memory of the festival that once took place on the Green Market, it was called ‘sedm smrtelných hříchů’ – like seven deadly sins. It took a week and every day there was a theatre performance, then a concert and a movie at night. It ended at three in the morning. That was something so beautiful! And probably the greatest joy over the years I had last winter, before Christmas. It was when a good customer, an attorney and his wife, also an attorney, came to me and brought me a ticket to The Animals concert at the Sono Centre. The band I have known since I was young, and now I could finally see them live!

Where to eat

Jozef: Severka in the King’s Field is good, you can get great

Czech cuisine. The pork dumplings and cabbage are particularly excellent.

Jarda: You know what I haven’t eaten in a long time? Belgrade schnitzel! This is a cutlet which comes with a lot of garlic, vegetables such as peppers and tomatoes and is very spicy.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Jozef: But I don’t go to restaurants. I buy a croissant in a convenience store and eat at the hostel.

novyprostor.cz

Illustration: Megan Reddi

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Do you know how Big Issue 'really' works?

Watch this simple explanation.

Recommended for you

View all
NEET numbers fall but young people still face jobs crisis: 'This is not a turning point'
people walking
NEETs

NEET numbers fall but young people still face jobs crisis: 'This is not a turning point'

Can transforming closed pubs into homes offer a solution to the housing crisis? 
Keely Dalfen (second from right) with some of the team at The Brick
Housing

Can transforming closed pubs into homes offer a solution to the housing crisis? 

'Disabled people are having to work 10 times harder to live their life and pursue their dreams'
Bella Roberts
Employment

'Disabled people are having to work 10 times harder to live their life and pursue their dreams'

Energy bills to rise to highest level in three years leaving households facing 'brutal winter'
a person turning a thermostat on a radiator
Energy Bills

Energy bills to rise to highest level in three years leaving households facing 'brutal winter'