Austerlitz
Gastronomy Fresh Festival
May–June
The Fresh Festival is a gourmet festival of good food and drink, which has already been held in many cities. For many years, it has been a stable programme point of the city of Plzeň; for a long time, it also took place in Pardubice, and it has also visited Prague and Brno. The aim of the festival is to promote the best of the current local and global gastronomy on offer. Celebrity cooking shows, presentations by TOP restaurants, breweries, and mini-breweries, wine industry, regional foods and delicacies. It has become the most visited gastro-festival in the Czech Republic. ▪ festival.fresh.iprima.cz
Historical events The Five-Petalled Rose Celebrations
June
The Five-Petalled Rose Celebrations is a town historical festival, set during the reign of the noble family of Rosenberg. The most attractive parts of the programme include historical parades, knight tournaments, a historical fair, festive fireworks and ancient games for children and adults. The programme takes place on eleven stages in the historical centre of Český Krumlov and there are almost 150 performances during the three days of the festival. ▪ www.slavnostipetilisteruze.eu
The Royal Silvering of Kutná Hora
June
The Royal Silvering of Kutná Hora is an annual Gothic historical festival, which symbolically opens the tourist season of the town of Kutná Hora, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Thanks to sophisticated dramaturgy, spectators become a part of the two-day theatrical performance, the highlight of which is a visit by King Wenceslas IV. Spectators learn about Czech history in an attractive manner (facts, fashion, habits, terminology, the court culture). The Royal Silvering represents an attractive opportunity to put on your own historical costume and enter the genuine history of the town. ▪ www.stribreni.cz
Historical Znojmo Grape Harvest
September
A spectacular historical festival, the largest one in the Czech Republic, featuring a costumed procession of King John of Bohemia, with 550 participants. Jousting and horse competitions, medieval markets with craft shows, a military
Ignis Brunensis
camp, the street of the poor, a medieval pub, and a rich cultural programme including various genres on twelve stages in the centre of Znojmo. Programme for children, quiet zones. A wide offer of wine and young wine, period maashaus, wine tasting. ▪ www.znojemskevinobrani.cz
Austerlitz (Slavkov u Brna)
December
Austerlitz generally sees the culmination of the tourist season in the form of a major commemorative event dedicated to Napoleonic history in Central Europe. It takes place on the Austerlitz battlefield near the village of Tvarožná at the end of November. The programme includes a battle re-enactment with up to 1,000 soldiers in period uniforms, dozens of horses, and wartime cannons. The programme is supplemented by numerous accompanying events. ▪ www.austerlitz.org
Culture Ignis Brunensis
from May to June
Ignis Brunensis is an international fireworks competition that regularly lights up the Brno sky in May. The event takes place by the Brno Reservoir, where a number of fireworks shows take place. The festival aims to showcase the atmosphere of the city along with catering and events aimed at fun and nightlife – the fireworks are set off once it’s dark, with an entertaining accompanying programme before and after the main event. ▪ www.znojemskevinobrani.cz
The Commencement of the spa season
May
The commencement of the spa season consists of two social and cultural events which regularly take place on the first weekend of May in Karlovy Vary and the second weekend of May in Mariánské lázně. The events connect the local population, hotel guests, and visitors to the spa towns. The rich cultural programmes associated with celebrations of the spa industry and the blessings of the local springs are open to all. ▪ www.marianskelazne.cz ▪ www.karlovyvary.cz
For more events visit: www.czechtourism.com/events/
www.visitczechrepublic.com 63