The snow isn’t lying about deep and crisp and even today in Prague but still let’s Czech out just why Wenceslas was good anyway.
And why we celebrate him this day, St Stephen’s Day, or Boxing Day, if you will.
Well, quite simply that’ll be down to his good deeds and December 26 traditionally being a giving day.
Most carol singers don’t get past the first verse but the gist is that he helps the poor man gath’ring winter fuel.
It was his USP and it’s why the Czechs, especially, love him.
As big as you get
Quite simply Wenceslas is as big as you get in Prague, alongside King Charles V of course, he of the King Charles V Bridge.
The story goes that if Prague is ever in danger the statue of King Wenceslas will come to life.
He will then raise a sleeping army and reveal a legendary sword to bring peace to the land.
Wenceslas, you see, is sleeping on a grudge, an injustice, a thousand years after being killed by his brother Boleslaus The Cruel.
So you see it’s not just your family, or mine, which has squabbles.
You can find Wenceslas these days in the mammoth St Vitus Cathedral where his remains lie and are venerated.
And, of course his statue in Wenceslas Square, the beating heart of Prague.
Velvet Revolution
You might wonder why he did not rise with his sword when the Nazis wrought carnage on the city.
Or when the Communists moved in and then in 1968 reappeared with their tanks to quell the Rising.
Wenceslaus was looking out though and not just on St Stephen’s Day but every day.
And sharpest between November 17 and 28, 1989, when Wenceslas Square became the cradle of the Velvet Revolution.
The Velvet Revolution
Now if you find yourself in Wenceslas Square today then lucky you.
But despite the carol, written by an Englishman, it is in fact just another day in the Czech calendar.
Although they are like the good king very giving.
There is, of course, a special day for Czechs, St Wenceslas’s Day, the country’s national day when he is celebrated, September 28.
Now, any time to visit Prague is a good time, but their national day, their Wenceslas Day could be a chance to renew my Czech connections.
And a further opportunity to Czech out just why Wenceslas was good… and toast their patron saint of beer with Pilsner Urquell.
And Ryanair with flights from Edinburgh, and likely your city, from €24.99.
