Archive: Culture | Folklore Folklore
Marta Topferova's new album draws on Moravian music, landscape and folklore
In this special program we speak to the singer and songwriter Marta
Töpferová about her newest album Milokraj, her relationship to her home
country and her love of Moravian folk music. More
Prague's Žižkov district celebrates twenty years of Masopust
Traditional carnival celebrations preceding the beginning of lent are
taking place all over the Czech capital, with many neighborhoods organizing
their own celebrations. Prague’s Žižkov district holds the claim to the
longest running post-communist tradition of Masopust festivities, as they
are called in Czech. This year, Žižkov celebrates the twentieth Masopust
in the neighborhood. More
Baroque Bohemian Carnevale recreating centuries-old tradition long lost
The annual Bohemian Carnevale got underway this week, and for the next
seven days carnival-lovers will have a chance to forget the freezing
temperatures in Prague with masked balls, parades and acrobatic
performances. The event is an attempt to revive what was a major social
event in days gone by – one that attracted big-name celebrities such as
Mozart and Casanova. More
Carp and Carols with the Nightingales
A few days ago David Vaughan went to meet the Slavíčci – or Nightingales – one of Prague’s best-known children’s choirs. He talked to members of the choir about the rich tradition of Czech Christmas music, about why you might find yourself sharing your bath with a carp in the days before Christmas Eve, and what it’s like to sing beneath the towering Gothic vaults of Saint Vitus’ Cathedral. And, of course, the choir also brings us some of the best loved Czech carols, recorded especially for Radio Prague. That and more, in Radio Prague’s special Christmas Day programme. Happy listening. More
Ryba’s Czech Christmas Mass premieres in Chicago
It has taken more than 200 years for Jakub Jan Ryba’s Czech Christmas
Mass to come to Chicago, but it seems that good things come to those who
wait. The Ryba Mass was premiered in the Windy City on Saturday and Rosie
Johnston was there. More
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
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
UNESCO-listed carnival procession draws crowds at open-air museum
Hundreds of people came to see the carnival, or Shrovetide processions at
the open-air museum at Veselý Kopec, near Hlinsko in eastern Bohemia, on
Saturday. It was the first opportunity to see the centuries-old folk
tradition after it was added to the UNESCO list of world heritage. More
Czech carols from Christmas past and present
Christmas is not Christmas without music, and on this occasion we will be
sharing with you some of the rich spirit and history of Czech carols, some
from Christmas past and some from Christmas present.
More
Grandson of Josef Lada discusses artist’s classic Christmas cards and more
Cards featuring the work of Josef Lada are an integral part of Czech
Christmas. Lada is best known internationally for illustrations of the Good
Soldier Švejk, but his simply drawn carol singers, snow covered villages
and nativity scenes are just as popular in his native country. His
grandson, also named Josef Lada, says the artist's images capture something
everyone can relate to. More
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