PARDUBICE:

Pardubice city:
Pardubice is a city of around 100 000 inhabitants. It is situated in lowland of Eastern Bohemia on the banks of the rivers Labe and Chrudimka. Many people think it is the town of industry. When they come there, they are surprised. Pardubice is mainly the town of sport, culture and history.

History:
The first written records of Pardubice are from the late 13th century it was granted "town" status in 1340. In the late 15th century Pardubice was bought by Pernstejn family, who began an extensive program of construction. They rebuilt the castle into the early renaissance chateau, which became their residence. The largest expansion of the city began in 1845 because of the beginning of the railway traffic through Pardubice to Olomouc and Prague. It was also the start of great industrialization.

Beginning of the 20th century in Pardubice is marked for the most part by Jan Kašpar who was the first Czech aviator to successfully accomplish the first long-distance flight from Pardubice to Prague in 1911. It was at the beginning of the 20th century when chemical and electronical industries emerged and were represented by two major factories – Explosia (presently Synthesia) and Telegrafie (later Tesla).

At the brink of World War II, Pardubice had some 35 thousand residents, and therefore it did not take long for various forms of resistence to begin to show against the occupants. Well-received was particularly the influence of English paratroops from the Silver A section whose members found support, collaborates and shelter in Pardubice and the surroundings. It is known that preparations for the assassination of the acting Reich’s Protector R. Heydrich took place partially in Pardubice. As a result of the successful assassination, the Gestapo established execution sites at the so-called Little Castle on the edge of the town where 194 Czech patriots were executed between 3rd June and 9th July 1942. Some of them were from the village Ležáky that was burnt in order to demonstrate Nazi power. After the liberation in May 1945, the post-war reconstruction was looked upon with excitement. Yet the development of political events brought the country to a new totalitarian regime after the revolution in February 1948.

The private-owned factories and property were nationalized, massive production in heavy industry became the economic priority, and citizens had to quietly accept a new restrictive social-political environment once again so that they could keep their jobs with large, mostly eastward-oriented manufacturing companies of the TMS or Synthesia calibre.

One of the few positive aspects of this period has been the success of the local ice-hockey team that has played consistently well in the first league (today known as Extra-League) since 1950s.

Since the end of the communist regime Pardubice has changed for the better. Both the old town and the chateau were reconstructed, the latter has turned from dilapidated ruins into a wonderful historical monument. In addition to many renovated buildings a number of new ones have grown up in the city.

Pardubice is both a historical and modern city. It is a city of industry and trade as well as of culture and sports. It is a place that has something to offer to everyone, whether they come to do business or simply wish to be entertained and enlightened.

Scouting and guiding in Pardubice :

Junák - Association of Scouts and Guides of the Czech Republic

Junák - Pardubice [Website in Czech]

Junák - svaz skautů a skautek CR [Website in Czech]

Pardubice [city pages in English]

Pardubice scouting organisation called "Plamen" has now new troops in Horni Jeleni where the paticipating members of the TWITOCO conference in 2003 stayed.

The contact person of Pardubice is Josef Kusicka, you can contact him through the Browse Members section.