Smetana‘s Litomyšl Festival
International Music Festival Český Krumlov
June–July
Smetana‘s Litomyšl International Opera Festival is the oldest music festival after the Prague Spring and the largest openair classical music festival in the Czech Republic. It mainly presents opera performances, gala concerts, oratorios or cantatas. The festival's main center is right on the premises of the magnificent Litomyšl State Chateau, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage. ▪ www.smetanova-litomysl.cz
Film The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival is the largest film festival in the Czech Republic and the most prestigious such festival in Central and Eastern Europe. Every year, the festival presents some 200 films from around the world, and regularly hosts famous and important filmmakers. The Karlovy Vary festival is intended for both film professionals and the general public, and offers visitors a carefully designed programme, excellent facilities and a broad range of other services. ▪ www.kviff.com
Music Prague Spring
May–June
The Prague Spring festival was founded in 1946. From the very beginning, Prague Spring has had the profile of the most important cultural event of post-war Czechoslovakia and has maintained that standing in the Czech Republic to this day. During more than seventy years of its existence, the festival has welcomed to its stages nearly all of the most important Czech and foreign performers, orchestras and other musical ensembles. ▪ www.festival.cz
International Music Festival Český Krumlov July–August The International Music Festival Český Krumlov is one of the most important cultural events in the Czech Republic with a tradition dating back to 1992 and has become a permanent element in the European cultural calendar. The festival is a prestigious summer showcase of world musical culture and its latest trends, with a wide range of music from the 15th till the 21st century, presenting important Czech and foreign artists which takes place during four weeks in July and August. ▪ www.festivalkrumlov.cz
Colours of Ostrava
July
Colours of Ostrava is a multi-genre music festival held annually in the city of Ostrava. Since 2012, the event is being held in the impressive surroundings of Dolní Vítkovice – the site of former blast furnaces, mines and ironworks. During four days, this one of the biggest summer festivals in the Czech Republic offers over 350 program items on 20 stages – bands, DJs, films, discussions, workshops and theatrical performances, including the biggest stars of the world music. ▪ www.colours.cz
Hrady CZ (Castles CZ)
July
July–August
This festival ranks among the largest cultural and social events in the Czech Republic. It takes place against the backdrop of attractive historical monuments. The tour has eight stops in Bohemia and Moravia. The festival presents Czech and Slovak artists, and so attracts mainly domestic visitors. ▪ www.hradycz.cz
more film trips: Architecture and Design Designblok
October
Designblok, Prague Design and Fashion Week is the largest selection of design and fashion show in Central Europe. Designblok traditionally shows a selection of works of designers and manufacturers from all over Europe, represents new prestigious brands and prototypes of young and well established designers and design studios. ▪ www.designblok.cz
Signal Festival October Video-mapping, site-specific projections, interactive and light installations, workshops, international conferences… the Signal Festival first lit up Prague in 2013, and has since shone on Prague every autumn. Current trends that combine creativity, new technology and public space appear regularly in the streets of the city. The backdrop of the Royal City on the River Vltava makes the festival a unique European experience. ▪ www.signalfestival.com
Folklore Chodsko Folk Festival
August
The Chodsko Folk Festival, held since 1955, is one of the oldest folk festivals in the Czech Republic. Nowadays, it always takes place the first weekend after 10th August and is connected with St. Laurence’s Fair. The major part of the programme is devoted to local folk music and folklore dance groups. Besides, groups from other Czech regions and from abroad also perform every year. The main programme takes place on five stages and consists of more than 20 different kinds of performances. ▪ www.chodskeslavnosti.cz
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