Archive: Culture | Folklore Folklore
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
New Czech Fables – From the culture of tramping, to children’s toys, to compulsory military service
Last week the Czech National Museum launched a new exhibition called New
Czech Fables (or New Czech Myths) at the Kinský summer palace, located at
the edge of Prague’s Petřín Hill. The show examines urban legends,
sayings, social rituals and counter-culture movements in the former
Czechoslovakia as well as present-day Czech Republic. In this week’s
Arts, Radio Prague takes a closer look. More
Blacksmith’s craft showcased at West Bohemian international symposium
The charming and historic West Bohemian town of Bečov nad Teplou has just
hosted its third international symposium showcasing the blacksmith’s
craft. The two-day event gave the public the chance to get up close and
feel the heat of the braziers as a series of top smiths showed that this is
very much a craft making a comeback.
More
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