CZECH REPUBLIC: Record number of weddings set for 08/08/08

Town halls report boom in ceremonies for the 'lucky' date PRAGUE (The Prague Post), August 6, 2008: By Kimberly Hiss, Staff Writer A record number of weddings are being reported throughout the country for Friday, the “lucky” date of 8/8/08. The Czech Statistical Office recorded a sharp increase in weddings on last year’s corresponding date of July 7, 2007, with 4,406 of the year’s total 57,200 ceremonies taking place that day. But the number of weddings this August 8 could be higher — a likely result of local beliefs in the significance of the number eight. “No one here remembers so many weddings,” said Jitka Welzlová, town hall spokeswoman for České Budějovice, south Bohemia. A record 30 ceremonies are scheduled there for August 8. To accommodate the high number, two officials (as opposed to the usual one) will be conducting ceremonies during extended hours, starting at 9 a.m. and running through 8 p.m. Welzlová added that even last year’s “lucky” date of July 7 couldn’t match this year’s popularity, with only 20 ceremonies scheduled for that day. “People are really attracted by the eights,” he concluded. Years ending in the number eight have long had significance in Czech history — although, the events of those years can’t always be considered lucky. The independent republic of Czechoslovakia was founded in 1918; Germany annexed the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia in the Munich Agreement of 1938; the Communist Party came to power in 1948; and Prague Spring took place in August 1968. Despite any negative historical connotations, the popular wedding location of Karlštejn Castle in central Bohemia is also seeing a sharp increase in weddings Aug. 8 this year, with 11 scheduled as opposed to the usual four or five. As with České Budějovice, the ceremonies will run throughout the day, but the fact that the castle is also a tourist destination creates some specific challenges. “It will be a busy day because there are also regular castle visitors,” said castle administrator Jaromír Kubu. “Everything must be perfectly organized with regular visitors, then the wedding guests.” He added that the town of Karlštejn will be providing a police officer to help with parking issues, and that a security agent will be admitting wedding attendees. — Naďa Černa contributed to this report. Kimberly Hiss can be reached at news@praguepost.com