Ostrava
City
Flag Coat-of-arms
Country	Czech Republic
Region	Moravian-Silesian
Little District	Ostrava
Parts	23  - Hošťálkovice  - Hrabová  - Krásné Pole  - Lhotka  - Mariánské Hory a Hulváky  - Martinov  - Michálkovice  - Moravská Ostrava a Přívoz  - Nová Bělá  - Nová Ves  - Ostrava-Jih  - Petřkovice  - Plesná  - Polanka nad Odrou  - Poruba  - Proskovice  - Pustkovec  - Radvanice a Bartovice  - Slezská Ostrava  - Stará Bělá  - Svinov  - Třebovice  - Vítkovice
Center	Masarykovo náměstí
- elevation	260 m (853 ft)
- coordinates	49°50′08″N 18°17′33″E / 49.83556°N 18.2925°E / 49.83556; 18.2925
Area	214 km2 (83 sq mi)
- metro	3,896 km2 (1,504 sq mi)
Population	310 464 (January 2011)
- metro	1 164 328 [1]
Density	1,450 / km2 (3,755.5 / sq mi)
Founded	1267
Mayor	Ing. Petr Kajnar (ČSSD, 2006–2010, 2010–2014)
Postal code	702 00
Location in the Czech Republic
Location in the Moravian-Silesian Region
Statistics: statnisprava.cz
Website: www.ostrava.cz

City logo

Ostrava (Czech pronunciation: [ˈostrava] ( listen), German: Ostrau, Polish: Ostrawa) is the third largest city in the Czech Republic and the second largest urban agglomeration after Prague. Located close to the Polish border, it is also the administrative center of the Moravian-Silesian Region and of the Municipality with Extended Competence^{[clarification needed]}. Ostrava was candidate for the title of European Capital of Culture 2015.^[2] Ostrava is located at the confluence of the Ostravice, Oder, Lučina and Opava rivers. Its history and growth have been largely affected by exploitation and further use of the high quality black coal deposits discovered in the locality, giving the town a look of an industrial city and a nickname of the “steel heart of the republic” (Czech: ocelové srdce republiky) during the communist era of Czechoslovakia. Many of the heavy industry companies are being closed down or transformed, yet the city remains one of the most polluted in the EU.

Etymology[link]

Ostrava was named after the river Ostrá (meaning sharp) which today is called Ostravice.

History[link]

Ostrava was an important crossroads of prehistoric trading routes, namely the Amber Road. Archaeological finds have proved that the area around Ostrava has been permanently inhabited for 25,000 years. Circa 23,000 BC, the Venus of Petřkovice (Petřkovická venuše in Czech) from Petřkovice in Ostrava, Czech Republic, was made. It is now in Archeological Institute, Brno. In the 13th century, the Ostravice river marked the border between the Silesian duchy of Opole and the March of Moravia under Bohemian suzerainty. Two settlements arose on both sides of the river: Slezská Ostrava (Silesian Ostrava) was first mentioned in 1229, Moravská Ostrava (Moravian Ostrava) in 1267, it received town privileges in 1279. The Piast dukes of Opole in 1297 built a fortress on their side of the river. Both parts were largely settled by Germans in the course of the Ostsiedlung.

Until the late 18th century, Moravská Ostrava was a small provincial town with a population around one thousand inhabitants engaged in handicraft. In 1763, large deposits of black coal were discovered, leading to an industrial boom and a flood of new immigrants in the following centuries. During the 19th century, several mine towers were raised in and around the city and the first steel works were established at Vítkovice, acquired by Salomon Mayer von Rothschild in 1843. Industrial growth was made possible by the completion of Kaiser-Ferdinands-Nordbahn from Vienna in 1847. The 20th century saw further industrial expansion of the city accompanied by an increase in population and the quality of civic services and culture. However, during World War II, Ostrava – as an important source of steel for the arms industry – suffered several massive bombing campaigns that caused extensive damage to the city.

Since the Velvet revolution in 1989 the city has been going through major changes. A thorough restructuring of industry is taking place – coal mining in the area of the city was stopped in 1994 and a large part of the Vítkovice ironworks near the city center was closed down in 1998. Both actions improved the environment dramatically, although the Arcelor Mittal plant (ex-Nová Huť) continues to heavily pollute the Radvanice district and the surrounding area, resulting in one of the highest concentrations of PM10 dust in Europe.^[3]

Historical population[link]

Mayors[link]

Geography and climate[link]

Ostrava is located in the north-eastern area of the Czech Republic, very close to the Polish (15 km (9.3 mi)) and Slovak (55 km (34 mi)) borders. It spreads over the northern part of the natural north-south valley called the Moravian Gate (Moravská brána) with an average elevation of approximately 210 m (690 ft) above sea level.

The local climate is continental temperate, with hot, humid summers and mild, dry winters. The yearly average temperature is 10.2 °C (50.4 °F) (January low: −1.2 °C (29.8 °F), July high: 25 °C (77 °F)), the yearly rainfall is around 526 mm (20.7 in).

People and demographics[link]

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (September 2009)

As of January 2011, the official estimated population of Ostrava was 310,464 inhabitants, living in a total of 23 districts formed by the unification of 34 original small towns and villages. Ostrava covers an area of 214 km². The population density is 1450 people per km².

Historically, among the most influential ethnic groups besides Czechs in Ostrava were the Poles, Germans and the Jews. However, during and after the World War II years the situation changed completely, as most Ostravian Jews were killed or transported to concentration camps (on 17 October 1939, the first transport of Jews to a camp under the Nisko Plan, and the Nazi administrative innovation known as the General Government was held in Ostrava – the first of its kind in Europe). After World War II, Germans were expelled from Ostrava according to the Potsdam Agreement. Thus, the population of the city, has become a mixture of Silesians, Moravians, Czechs, Slovaks and Poles. The mayor of Ostrava Josef Hinner opposed the deportation with the magistrate and German forces and started to organize the resistance to smuggle Jewish citizens from the city and surrounding areas. Due to his opposition, mayor Hinner was deported and placed in a concentration camp, barely surviving World War II.

The unemployment rate is 12 % (as of December 2010).

Steel industry and underground coal mines[link]

All underground coal mines were closed down shortly after the Velvet revolution in 1989, due to unfavourable geological and political conditions which caused mining to become uneconomical in the post-communist system, and also because of ex-mayor Evžen Tošenovský's drive to modernize the city's industries. The last minecart with coal was retrieved from new Odra Mine (formerly František Mine) on 30 June 1994.^[5]

Some of the largest industrial companies lie in the city of Ostrava. The Vitkovice steel works, located in the suburb of the same name near the city center, concentrates on metallurgy and machine engineering. It was established in 1828 and now it is undergoing a major transformation. The Vítkovice complex Dolní oblast is set to undergo extensive reconstruction. The giant gas container for blast furnace gas (around 70 m wide and 33 m high) will be modified into a concert hall for 1,500 visitors, a gallery, café, etc., based on design by leading Czech architect, Josef Pleskot. Blast Furnace no 1 will become the start of a tour route, and the sixth energy central office will become an industrial museum (project authored by Václav and Helena Zemánkový). The expected date for completion of reconstruction is set for 2013.

Michal Mine whose history goes back to 1843, is an extremely valuable authentic industrial site in terms of construction and technical equipment. the museum provides visitors with the chance to look over all of the above ground work areas that a miner would have to go through to get to his shift. The tour includes, the dressing rooms, washrooms, registry, dispatching, and most importantly, the machine room, with its original and unique equipment that had worked until 1993, when the mine was permanently closed. The scene, intentionally left intact, without any artificial arrangements being made, gives the impression as if work there has just ended. Some of the rooms in the Museum house also other kinds of temporary exhibitions, often displaying works by foreign artists.

Located on the former Anselm Mine (one of the first to be established at the end of the 18th century in what is today the Petřkovice District of Ostrava), the Mining Museum was opened in the early 1990s. A unique exhibition of the Mining Museum highlights the evolution of coal mining in the Ostrava-Karvina region, as well as mining technology, and rescue services. In fact, it is the largest exhibition of its kind in the world. With the collection of miner’s lights and hand tools, visitors get a real taste of the hard work and dedication the men of the mines had. The tour includes a view of mining in the original seams with wooden braces, mining machines and belt conveyors.

Karolina[link]

Construction of Nová Karolina (2010)

Karolina is the name of an area approximately 30 hectares in size situated 500 m (1,600 ft) from the city's historic square. The Karolina area was originally used for heavy industry. After demolition of the old coking plant and clearing the entire area, the Karolina site can now be used to extend the Ostrava city center.

In late June 2006, the Dutch firm Multi Development won the contract to develop the grounds of the former Karolina site. Multi Development plans to invest 13 billion CZK (EUR 450 million).

Many new apartment buildings, offices and shops are planned for this new city district. There will also be a new church, a high-rise building, a large park by the Ostravice River and a university campus.

Culture[link]

Antonín Dvořák Theatre

There are four theaters in Ostrava: Moravian-Silesian National Theatre (Národní divadlo moravskoslezské). It has two buildings: Divadlo Antonína Dvořáka (named after Antonín Dvořák) and Divadlo Jiřího Myrona. Further there are Petr Bezruč Theatre (named after Petr Bezruč), Komorní scéna Aréna (Chamber theatre Arena) and Divadlo loutek (Puppet theatre).

Every July there is an international world music festival Colours of Ostrava taking place.

Ostrava's Janáček Philharmonic Orchestra (formerly called the Czech Radio Orchestra) is one of Europe's better orchestras.

Ostrava was candidate for the European Capital of Culture 2015.

Education[link]

This section requires expansion.

Technical University of Ostrava

• VŠB – Technical University of Ostrava
• University of Ostrava
• Business School Ostrava plc

Main sights[link]

While Ostrava is usually not in the top ten list of tourist attractions of the Czech Republic, there are a number of interesting places to see and things to do there.

Some technical landmarks, such as Lower Vítkovice Area, the Michal Mine, and/or Landek Park, with its Mining Museum exhibition, have no match within the entire Czech Republic.

Another attraction, which is becoming more and more popular mainly among young people, is Stodolní Street (Stodolní ulice), actually a collection of streets just next to the center, full of bars, pubs and clubs, bringing night-life to the city and thousands of visitors all year long. There are currently around 60 places to have a drink or dance on this street, each with its own style and atmosphere. There are a few bigger events at this area throughout the year, the largest of which is the Colours of Ostrava a summer music festival hosting many musicians and groups from all over the world.

The New City Hall Viewing Tower provides visitors a panoramic view of the city and surroundings from a height of about 72 m (236 ft). In clear weather, the Moravian-Silesian Beskids and Jeseníky mountain ranges are visible.

The Silesian Ostrava Castle is one of the city's most historic cultural monuments. The castle was built in the eighties and nineties of the 13th century. In 1534, the gothic castle was rebuilt into a renaissance chateau. It was restored recently after many years of dilapidation caused by coal mining under the castle. Today, the castle is one of the most important tourist attraction of the city. It hosted the Colours of Ostrava music festival in 2007.

The Ostrava ZOO was founded in 1949 and officially opened in 1951; the zoo originally had only eight animals: three roes and five pheasants. Since that time, it has expanded to include 230 species of animals and, after relocation in 1956 to its current place, has grown from its original 0, 5 km2 to 3 km2 today. The most favourite children attraction is called Petting Zoo, where children could go right to the exhibition with goats and sheep. Every day, people can go to watch special commented feedings of animals, where a worker feeds an animal and talk about the animal and answer people’s question. The 230 species are housed in outdoor and indoor exhibits which include: African mammal house, monkey house, elephant house, 3 aviaries for birds, small Amazonia, hippo house. The Ostrava zoo was the first in the Czech Republic to see the birth of an elephant. Two elephants were born in 2011. The elder, a male named Sethi, died after a two months. The second one, a female named Rashmi, has flourished and can be visited in the elephant pavilion.

The Miniuni is a collection of over thirty 1:25 models of Europe's prominent edifices spreading across a 1.5ha area. Some of the exhibits are Prague's Old Town Hall, London's Big Ben, Berlin's Brandenburg Gate and a dominant 12m tall Eiffel Tower. The exhibition also features the Seven World Wonders and the World's Skyscrapers. Railways with model trains and water canals with model steamers add extra fun.

The Ostrava museum was established by merging three older local museums in the Old Post-Office building after World War One. Since 1931 it occupies the Old Town Hall in Masaryk Square, the oldest existing example of original historic architecture typical of Ostrava's city core. On display are local history of Ostrava and a couple of other theme shows. Its singular feature and pride item is the 225 cm (88.58 in) tall indoor astronomical clock called the Mašek Clock. It boasts 51 different functional features and consists of four dials: clock, calender, astronomical and planetary dials.

The Fire-fighting Museum' building has been dedicated to fire-fighting since its completion in 1905. The exhibition features seven sections showing models of fire trucks and other fire-fighting hardware; model situations like fire, leaks of dangerous substances and traffic accidents; an exhibition of history and development of fire-fighting techniques and technology; breathing apparatuses and personal protection gear for chemical accident operations. Video features and documentaries show and explain the Whats and Whys of a fireman's job.

In the Ostravar brewery, an excursion route has been traced for visitors, who will be able to learn interesting things about the brewing of the Czech national drink. At the end of the route, visitors can taste their favourite brew. A great attraction of the Museum is a tap bar that is more than 60 years old. In addition to the tap-room, visitors can see a number of other interesting objects linked with brewing. There are, for example, specimens of barrels with illustrations of how they were made, transport glasses dating from the 1920s and 1930s and a historical barrelhead. All this is accompanied by historical photographs and labels.

The Ema Heap, made up of dirt, or mining waste material, from The Trinity Colliery, is now a favourite Sunday trip destination. It is 82 ha large and contains some 4 mil. cube meters of dirt. Spontaneous ignition appeared deep in its bowels in the 1960s and the invisible fire still keeps burning. Inside temperature reaches up to 1,500 °C (2,732 °F) creating suitable habitats for steppe species of fauna and flora along the dump limits. Extreme temperature produces rare minerals inside this man-made singularity of nature. Visitors should follow the marked yellow path.

Sport[link]

FC Baník Ostrava

Ostrava has teams in the four major Czech Republic professional sports leagues (football, ice-hockey, basketball and floorball). The city's two current League football teams are FC Baník Ostrava and FC Vítkovice. FC Baník Ostrava represent the city in the Czech Republic 1. League (Gambrinus Liga).

In ice-hockey, Ostrava has one team HC Vítkovice Steel represent the city in the Czech Extraliga and HC Poruba in second league.

The city's National Basketball League (NBL) team is the NH Ostrava.

In Ostrava are two teams in the first floorball league. 1. SC WOOW Vítkovice and FBC Ostrava.

Ostrava also supports athletics. Ostrava-Vítkovice hosts the Golden Spike athletics meeting, one of the IAAF World Challenge Meetings.

Transport[link]

Public Transport[link]

Public transport infrastructure consists of 17 tram (streetcar), 9 trolleybus, 59 day bus lines. Service is provided mainly by Dopravní Podnik Ostrava a.s. (Ostrava City Transportation Company).

Rail[link]

Ostrava lies on the main rail route connecting Vienna and Warsaw. Ostrava, as a third largest city, has direct train connection with the capital city Prague. Some EuroCity trains go also to Žilina and Košice.

Air[link]

Leoš Janáček Airport Ostrava serves a number of domestic and international destinations.

International relations[link]

Twin towns – Sister cities[link]

• Volgograd, Russia, from 1957
• Coventry, United Kingdom, from 1957
• Katowice, Poland, from 1960
• Dresden, Germany, from 1971^[6]
• Split, Croatia, from 1976
• Piraeus, Greece, from 1997
• Košice, Slovakia, from 2001^[7]
• Miskolc, Hungary, from 2001
• Pittsburgh, USA, from 2001
• Powiat Wodzisławski, Poland, from 2005
• Oral, from 2008
• Donetsk, Ukraine, from 2009

Ostrava has two triangular partnerships with Coventry: one with Volgograd since 1957 and one with Dresden since 1971.

The Consulate-General of the Republic of Poland is located on Blahoslavova Street in Ostrava.

An honorary consulate of the Russian Federation is also located in Ostrava.^[8][9]

People[link]

Notes[link]

External links[link]

Look up ostrava in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ostrava

• Ostrava travel guide from Wikitravel
• (Czech) Official web
• (English) DPO – Public Transport in Ostrava
• (English) City information center
• (English) Zoo Ostrava official website
• (English) Ostrava is candidate for the title of European Capital of Culture 2015
• (English) MÄHRISCH-OSTRAU 1923

v t e Cieszyn Silesia Municipalities in the Czech part of the region: Albrechtice · Bocanovice · Bohumín · Bruzovice · Bukovec · Bystřice · Český Těšín · Chotěbuz · Dětmarovice · Dolní Domaslavice · Dolní Lomná · Dolní Lutyně · Dolní Tošanovice · Dobrá · Dobratice · Doubrava · Havířov · Hnojník · Horní Bludovice · Horní Domaslavice · Horní Lomná · Horní Suchá · Horní Tošanovice · Hrádek · Hrčava · Jablunkov · Janovice · Kaňovice · Karviná · Komorní Lhotka · Košařiska · Krásná · Lučina · Malenovice · Milíkov · Morávka · Mosty u Jablunkova · Návsí · Nižní Lhoty · Nošovice · Nýdek · Orlová · Pazderna · Petrovice u Karviné · Petřvald · Písečná · Písek · Pražmo · Pržno · Raškovice · Řeka · Řepiště · Ropice · Rychvald · Sedliště · Šenov · Smilovice · Soběšovice · Staré Město · Stonava · Střítež · Těrlicko · Třanovice · Třinec · Václavovice · Vělopolí · Vendryně · Vojkovice · Vratimov · Vyšní Lhoty · Žermanice Partly: Baška · Frýdek-Místek · Ostrava · Staré Hamry Municipalities in the Polish part of the region: Bąków · Bażanowice · Bielowicko · Biery · Bładnice · Brenna · Bronów · Brzezówka · Chybie · Cieszyn · Cisownica · Czechowice-Dziedzice · Dębowiec · Drogomyśl · Dzięgielów · Frelichów · Godziszów · Goleszów · Górki Małe · Górki Wielkie · Grodziec · Gumna · Harbutowice · Hażlach · Iłownica · Iskrzyczyn · Istebna · Jasienica · Jaworze · Jaworzynka · Kaczyce · Kiczyce · Kisielów · Kończyce Małe · Kończyce Wielkie · Koniaków · Kostkowice · Kowale · Kozakowice · Łączka · Landek · Łazy · Leszna Górna · Ligota · Marklowice Górne · Mazańcowice · Międzyrzecze Dolne · Międzyrzecze Górne · Międzyświeć · Mnich · Ochaby · Ogrodzona · Pierściec · Pogórze · Pogwizdów · Pruchna · Puńców · Roztropice · Rudnik · Rudzica · Simoradz · Skoczów · Strumień · Świętoszówka · Ustroń · Wieszczęta · Wilamowice · Wiślica · Wisła · Zabłocie · Zaborze · Zabrzeg · Zamarski · Zarzecze · Zbytków · Zebrzydowice Partly: Bielsko-Biała, Bystra Other articles: Cieszyn Silesia, Cieszyn Silesian dialect, Duchy of Teschen, Olza (river), People from Cieszyn Silesia, Zaolzie

v t e Administrative seats of Czech regions Brno České Budějovice Hradec Králové Jihlava Karlovy Vary Liberec Ostrava Olomouc Pardubice Plzeň Prague Ústí nad Labem Zlín

vep:Ostrav

Damien Rice
Damien Rice performing in Villa Arconati, Milan.
Background information
Birth name	Damien Rice
Born	(1973-12-07) 7 December 1973 (age 38)
Origin	Kildare, Ireland
Genres	Folk, indie pop, folk rock
Occupations	Singer-songwriter, record producer
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, piano, clarinet, percussion
Years active	1991–present
Labels	Vector Recordings, Republic, Heffa, Warner Bros., DRM/14th Floor
Associated acts	Juniper, Bell X1, Lisa Hannigan
Website	www.damienrice.com

Damien Rice (born 7 December 1973) is an Irish singer-songwriter, musician and record producer who plays guitar, piano, clarinet and percussion.

Rice was raised in Celbridge, County Kildare, Ireland and began his musical career as a member of the 1990s rock group Juniper. After leaving the band he worked as a farmer in Tuscany and busked throughout Europe before returning to Ireland in 2001 and beginning a solo musical career.

In 2002 his debut album O reached #8 on the UK albums chart, won the Shortlist music prize and generated three top-30 singles in the UK. Rice released his second album 9 in 2006 and his songs have appeared in numerous films and television episodes.

Rice's personal activities include musical contributions to charitable projects such as the Songs for Tibet, Freedom Campaign and the Enough Project.

Early life[link]

Rice was born to George and Maureen Rice and raised in Celbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.^[1]

Career[link]

Rice began his music career using the stage name "Dodima" Rice^{[citation needed]} and formed the rock band Juniper along with Paul Noonan, Dominic Philips, David Geraghty and Brian Crosby in 1991. The band met whilst they were attending Salesian College secondary school in Celbridge, Co. Kildare as students. After touring throughout Ireland the band released their debut EP Manna in 1995.^[2]
Based in Straffan, Kildare the band continued touring and signed a six album record deal with Polygram. Their recording projects generated the singles “Weatherman” and “Single of the Fortnight” which received favorable reviews.^[2]

After achieving his musical goals with Juniper, Rice became frustrated with the artistic compromises required by the record label, and he left the band in 1998.^[3] Rice moved to Tuscany in Italy and took up farming for some time, then returned to Ireland before busking around Europe.^[3] After returning to Ireland a second time, Rice gave a demo recording to his cousin, music producer David Arnold who then gave Rice a mobile studio.^[4][5]

2000 to present[link]

Damien Rice at Coachella in 2007

In 2001, Rice's song "The Blower's Daughter" made a top 40 chart.^[4] Over the next year he continued to record his album with New York drummer Tom Osander aka Tomo, Paris pianist Jean Meunier, London producer David Arnold, Dublin vocalist Lisa Hannigan and cellist Vyvienne Long.^[5] Rice then embarked on a tour of Ireland with Hannigan, Tomo, Vyvienne, and Dublin bassist Shane Fitzsimons.^[5]

In 2002, Rice’s debut album O was released in Ireland, the UK and the United States.^[6] The album peaked at #8 on the UK albums chart and remained on the chart for 97 weeks, selling 650,000 copies in the US.^[6][7] The album won the Shortlist music prize and the songs "Cannonball" and "Volcano" became top 30 hits in the UK.^[7][8]

In 2006 Rice released his second album 9 which was recorded during the two years prior.^[9] That year he also recorded at Abbey Road Studios for the program Live from Abbey Road.

2007 was a year of heavy touring with Rice appearing at England's Glastonbury Festival and the Rock Werchter festival in Belgium. That same year he performed with David Gray at the UK leg at Wembley Stadium, London and played at the T in the Park music event in Scotland. Rice also performed at the Latitude Festival in Suffolk, the V Festival in Stafford, Staffordshire, Hylands Park in Chelmsford, Essex and the Osheaga Festival in Montreal.^[10] He made additional appearances in Ireland and North America.

In 2010, Damien played at the Iceland Inspires concert held in Hljómskálagarðurinn near Reykjavík centrum.^[11]

Rice recorded a cover of the Juniper track, "Crosseyed Bear" for the compilation, Help: A Day in the Life. Rice's albums are published under his record label Heffa (originally named DRM) in Ireland and Vector Records in North American. Records released in the UK, Europe and other countries are published by 14th Floor Records via Warner Music.^[12]

In spring 2011, Rice featured on the debut album by French actress and singer Melanie Laurent. He appears on two tracks on her debut album En t'attendant while collaborating on a total of five tracks which feature on the album.^[13]

In November 2011, the compilation album "AHK-toong BAY-bi Covered" was released to celebrate the 20 year anniversary of U2's Achtung Baby album. AHK-toong BAY-bi features Damien Rice in a cover of "One," a stripped-down, piano-driven interpretation of one of the most popular U2 songs.^{[citation needed]}

In December 2011, his song "Cannonball" was used as the winner's single on The X Factor (UK series 8). Little Mix, the winners released the song.^{[citation needed]}

In May of 2012, Rice's song "Volcano" was covered by American Idol finalist Phillip Phillips, drawing praise from the judges and Steven Tyler specifically, stating "Thats the kind of song I could listen to over and over on my headphones (sp)." ^[14]

Personal life[link]

Rice participated in the Freedom Campaign, the Burma Campaign UK and the U.S. Campaign for Burma to free Burmese democracy movement leader Aung San Suu Kyi.^[15] He campaigned for her release by writing and performing the song "Unplayed Piano" at the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo.^[16]

In 2008 he participated in a music album called Songs for Tibet in support of the Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso and Tibet.^[17]

In 2010, he contributed the song "Lonely Soldier" to the Enough Project which supported women's rights in the Congo.^[18]

Discography[link]

Studio albums[link]

Live albums[link]

EPs[link]

Singles[link]

Film and TV contributions[link]

Rice's songs have been heard on numerous television shows including American Idol, The L Word,True Blood, Hidden Palms, Bones, The Cleaner, Jericho, ER, The Black Donnellys, The OC, Alias, Lost, Huff, Crossing Jordan, Grey's Anatomy, Criminal Minds, House, Spin 1038, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, The Inbetweeners, One Tree Hill, and the Korean drama, Spring Waltz.^{[34][35][35][36][37][37][38][39][40][41]}

Rice's songs have appeared in films such as Reservation Road, Higher Ground, Closer, I am David, Stay, In Good Company, The Girl in the Café, Shrek the Third and Dear Frankie.^{[42][43][44][45]}

His music is referenced in the 2009 novel The Suicide Club by Rhys Thomas and his songs have been used in professional figure skating competitions.^[46][47]

Collaborations[link]

• "Be Yourself" with Jerry Fish and the Mudbug Club (September 2002)^{[citation needed]}
• Skylarkin' with Mic Christopher (November 2002)^{[citation needed]}
• "Get The Party Started," cover version performed with Lisa Hannigan (2003)^[48]
• "The Power of Orange Knickers" with Tori Amos (February 2005)^[49]
• "Don't Explain" with Herbie Hancock and Lisa Hannigan (August 2005)^[50]
• Live At The Olympia with Aslan (2005)^{[citation needed]}
• "Que Sera Sera" with David Gray (November 2007)^[51]
• "To Love Somebody" with Ray Lamontagne on Taratata^[52]
• "Making Noise" with The Cheshire Project ^[53]
• "There Are Debts" with David Hopkins on There Are Debts (December 2010)^[54]
• "Back to Beginning" on Lamb's album 5 (2011)^[55]
• "Everything You're Not Supposed To Be" with Mélanie Laurent (2011)
• "Uncomfortable" with Mélanie Laurent (2011)