Archive: Culture | Dance Dance
Ride of the Kings added to UNESCO heritage list
The Czech Republic’s Ride of the Kings – a tradition dating back
centuries still practiced in south-eastern Moravia – was added at the
weekend to UNESCO’s list recognising intangible cultural heritage. The
ride – practiced in just four villages in the Slovácko region – refers
to the flight of Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus from Czech King George of
Podébrady in the 15th century. Organisers had strived for years to see the
tradition recognised and – following UNESCO’s decision – had every
reason to celebrate. More
Robert Fulghum’s tango for one in Prague
The best-selling American writer Robert Fulghum has such an enthusiastic
following in the Czech Republic that he has published several of his books
here in Czech translation before they have even appeared at home. That
includes his latest book, “If You Love Me Still, Will You Love Me
Moving?” Its subtitle “Tales from the Century Ballroom” hints at its
theme – that most passionate of ballroom dances, tango. Last week Robert
Fulghum was in Prague to promote the book, and found time to pay a visit to
the radio. David Vaughan met him. More
Easter Special
Radio Prague's special Easter programme focuses on the music of Czech
composer and conductor Jaroslav Krček, who has arranged and recorded a
number of traditional folk songs pertaining to this time of year as well
as a number of his own compositions, which draw heavily on Czech Easter
traditions for their inspiration. More
New school in Prague center to offer Irish dancing classes
A new school devoted solely to Irish dancing will soon open its doors in
Prague. Lessons at Luas, Irish for speed, are due to start next month.
Ahead of the start of the first course, the school’s director, Tereza
Loužecká Bachová, invited all those curious about this dancing style to
try it out themselves. She spoke to us before the sample lesson, about
Irish dancing and why it fascinates her, and when classes will kick off.
More
Popular Let’s Dance festival returns for fifth year
The Let’s Dance Prague International Festival, focusing largely on
oriental dance including genres such as tribal, and styles like funky jazz,
flamenco, flirt or street dance, is an event unlike any other in the Czech
capital. The reason? It offers not only performances by professionals but
also by amateurs, and provides workshops with world-class performers.
Let’s Dance, now in its fifth year, began this Thursday and will continue
through to the end of the week. Even as it kicked off, I caught up with one
of the main organizers, Karolina Idrisová, who told me more about the
festival, both past & present.
More
Prima ballerina Daria Klimentová holds Prague celebration of 20 years on stage
The National Theatre in Prague is hosting a gala performance in honour of
the world-renowned Czech ballet dancer Daria Klimentová, who is
celebrating twenty years on stage. Born here in the Czech Republic, she has
been a prima ballerina at the prestigious English National Ballet in London
for the last thirteen years. On Wednesday night, the National Theatre will
be the venue of her 1000th stage appearance. I spoke to the dancer just
before her rehearsal for tonight’s event:
More
Actress Tatiana Vilhelmová takes dance to drama
A novel theatre production where poetry meets drama, original music and
modern ballet has just opened in Prague. Additionally, the big draw for
many audiences coming to Posedlost, or Obsession, will be the continued
transformation of one of the Czech Republic’s leading actresses, Tatiana
Vilhelmová, into a popular and accomplished dancer. Christian Falvey was
at the show’s premiere.
More
A trip to the eighth Irish dance summer school… in Prague
There was a Scotswoman, an Irish dance school, and a lot of Czechs… Not
heard that one before? Well, for the past eight years, Prague has played
host to a summer school of Irish dance and traditional music. This year,
the course is bigger than ever, attracting over 200 participants from
Europe and America. The programme has proved a hit with the scores of
Czechs to have taken part. On Tuesday, I paid it a visit.
More
Czechs treading the boards at the Edinburgh fringe festival
The Edinburgh fringe is one of the biggest arts festivals in the world,
with the Scottish capital more than doubling in population during the three
weeks each August when the fringe takes place. Parks, churches and even
public toilets are all transformed into venues, attracting performers and
visitors from all over the globe. This year, five Czech theatre groups are
in Edinburgh to perform at the festival. They are part of the ‘Czech
Republic @ The Fringe’ season, coordinated by Ladislav Pflimpfl from the
Czech Centre in London. I caught up with him in Edinburgh recently to ask
whether the Czech Centre had taken a risk planning such a Czech theatre
showcase:
More
Bohemian bagpipe tradition focus of documentary Call of Dudy
Dudy is the Czech word for the bagpipes and Call of Dudy is the title of a
documentary film focused on the Bohemian piping tradition. Featuring lots
of great music and interesting interviews, it takes viewers to the
instrument’s traditional strongholds in south and west Bohemia, and over
the border into Bavaria.
More
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