Let's be frank. This year, ruled by the Metal Rat, has really been tough on us! The world has been paralyzed by the coronavirus pandemic that has overshadowed a number of other important and traditionally celebrated events. We have no doubt that everyone is already looking forward to a better tomorrow. This should be brought about by the year of the Metal Ox, which officially starts on February 12, 2021 and will last until January 31, 2022.
Covid paralysis and eagerly expecting a vaccine
The Chinese Year of the Rat began on January 25, 2020 and promised a hectic period in which a number of trials awaited us, but also new opportunities. And that is what happened after all. At that time, there were already concerns in the world about the previously unknown coronavirus, which later completely paralyzed the world. The option to go to work without fear, to dine in a restaurant or to go on a holiday has become wishful thinking and a straight-up luxury.
Construction of backup hospitals and changing ministers
Individual countries have closed themselves off or declared states of emergency. Paramedics in a number of countries were collapsing from exhaustion and hospitals were unable to accept patients. Therefore, the construction of backup hospitals began. Governments began to come up with regulations that were generally not accepted by the public. Health ministers thus had a difficult job this year. Maybe that's why three of those took turns in the Czech Republic.
The boom of working from home
Revenues of most companies began to decline due to the pandemic, and leading fashion houses such as Louis Vuitton or Prada, whose profits fell by as much as 40 percent, were no exception. People began to lose their jobs or were prevented from doing business. Czechs started working primarily from home and working remotely is experiencing a huge boom.
The United Kingdom will leave the European Union on December 31
The development of a coronavirus vaccine became the most important task in 2020. Many companies have been competing for who will develop it first and which country will be the first to vaccinate. This has finally succeeded in the United Kingdom, which is due to leave the EU definitively by December 31, 2020, so it is no longer subject to strict rules for testing and marketing the vaccine.
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Boris JohnsonSource: Profimedia
But it's not just COVID-19 that has made a mark in people memories in 2020. Let us remind you of other important events that have shaken the world this year.
Year of the Rat in the Czech Republic
At the beginning of March, the coronavirus began to stop life in the Czech Republic for the first time. Schools closed and events began to be canceled, and on March 12, the government declared a state of emergency for the first time. In March, the Czech music legend Eva Pilarová left the world at the age of 80, the actress Hana Krampolová followed in August at the age of 59, and on 5 September, the Oscar-winning director Jiří Menzel. Health complications were also an issue by President Miloš Zeman, who broke his arm at the end of August and underwent surgery at the Central Military Hospital in Prague.
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Jiří Menzel v oblekuSource: archiv Olgy Menzelové
In 2020, the real estate market was also shaken to its core. Travel has been reduced and thousands of Airbnb apartments have been and still are empty. But there was also good news.
The "crown" of Karlovy Vary, the Thermal Hotel began finishing the reconstruction of its rooms in March. And the popular app TikTok conquered the Czech Republic in the middle of the year, for a change. Former First Lady Dagmar Havlová also started an account!
The legendary Karlovy Vary International Film Festival took place despite the pandemic, through the Tady Vary project, although no one walked the red carpet… And Czechs did not lose the popular Mercedes-Benz Prague Fashion Week this year either. It took place under the given epidemiological measures.
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Designéři Vanda Janda (uprostřed) a Boris Král na týdnu módySource: Profimedia
In 2020, the Czech Republic announced the Building of the Year winners and the title went to 8 projects, including the stylish headquarters of Lasvit. At the beginning of October, senate elections took place, which were completely dominated by the Mayors. Miroslava Němcová and Václav Láska also won senate seats in the elections.
At the end of September, Adam Vojtěch resigned as Minister of Health and was replaced by Roman Prymula. However, he remained in the post for only a month, and after he was caught leaving a restaurant, which was supposed to be closed at the time, without a mask, Andrej Babiš asked him to resign. Jan Blatný took office.
Coronavirus affected a lot at the end of this year. For example, fifteen years after ending his internship at the hospital, the mayor of Prague, Zdeněk Hřib, put on a white coat and went to help the hospital. With few exceptions, the celebrations on November 17 mostly took place online. Symbolically, on the Day of the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy, the sculpture Plamen paying homage to Jan Palach was also completed and unveiled after fifty years. Thalia Awards were also announced online. Among other things, Erika Stárková alias Dáša from Most and Josef Abrhám won the award.
In 2020, a number of celebrities celebrated their jubilee, including the charming model Daniela Peštová (50) and actress Hana Maciuchová (75). The beautiful 101st birthday was celebrated by the art collector and founder of the Jan and Meda Mládková Foundation and the Kampa Museum, Meda Mládková.
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Meda MládkováSource: Profimedia
What happened in the world?
Americans elected a new president this year, and after a dramatic duel, 78-year-old Joe Biden won. He is due to take office on January 20, 2021. After a year and a half, Americans also elected their new beauty queen, the 22-year-old Asya Branch of Mississippi.
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Nová Miss USA Asya BranchSource: Profimedia
The year 2020 also went well for love and motherhood! Actress Scarlett Johansson got married for the third time. Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton, or Brooklyn Beckham with actress Nicola Peltz got engaged, as an example. Singers Katy Perry, model Gigi Hadid and actress Jessica Biel became mothers this year.
Under strict epidemiological measures, the 48th edition of the prestigious American Music Awards took place in November. Taylor Swift became the Artist of the Year, and also triumphed in the categories of Favorite Music Video and Favorite Female Pop/Rock Singer, and became a record holder in the number of victories at the age of thirty.
Even the most prestigious film awards took place - the Oscars, a few months earlier! The award was won by actor Joaquin Phoenix in February for his captivating performance in the Joker film, and Renée Zellweger also celebrated, winning an Oscar for the movie Judy. The South Korean drama Parasite won best picture.
In 2020, however, the world cried. Legendary football player Diego Maradona, actor Sean Connery, wife of John Travolta Kelly Preston and also Conchata Ferrell, known as Berta from Two and a Half Men, died. The world was also shaken by the death of African-American George Floyd, who was killed in a police operation at the end of May.
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Herec Sean ConnerySource: Profimedia
What will the Chinese Year of the Ox be like?
The Chinese horoscope for 2021 predicts that we will be much better off than in 2020. The Year of the Ox promises that those who have dealt with great changes and difficult life situations in the year of the Metal Rat will finally be relieved. In 2021, we should also focus on improving everything - sort out our relationships, expanding our knowledge, or finding a better job. 2021 will be a good year for that in particular. The Year of the Ox is marked by diligence and hard work. So, deservedly, everyone will be rewarded. But success really won't be free, and the Year of the Metal Buffalo requires a lot of effort and trying on your part.
Sign of abundance
Finances will play a significant role next year. Those who dealt with them too much in 2020, or did not get any, will finally rest. Many can use the Year of the Ox to sort out their financial affairs, settle debts or even achieve financial independence. People who have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic will find other adequate employment and will be compensated for their financial losses. Those who want to change jobs should not hesitate next year - they should have enough offers.
Buffalo is good for relationships, but…
The Year of the Ox will also embody the spirit of reconciliation and the settlement of dysfunctional relationships. Find time for your family, friends and strengthen your relationships. However, in the case of long-term relationships and partnerships, beware of misunderstandings. If problems escalate, think twice about a breakup. Also, beware of quickly falling in love - such relationships may not last long in 2021 and could harm you instead. Therefore, choose a new partner carefully.
Take care of your health
Even in 2021, it is more than necessary to pay attention to your health and illness prevention. There is still an increased risk of respiratory diseases as well as accidents and injuries. Therefore, take care of yourself and don't forget to step into the new year off the right foot. So, make a note in your planners... the Year of the Ox starts on February 12!
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Muž s buvolemSource: Pixabay.com/sasint
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