Archive: Culture | Folklore Folklore
Bonfires, broomsticks and barbecues: Czechs mark Witches’ Night
April 30 is Čarodějnice, or Witches’ Night. In the past, this date was
believed to bring the arrival of spring. People would gather to burn
bonfires in order to dispel evil spirits. Nowadays, the celebration is
still popular among Czechs, and the organizers of Prague’s biggest
witches’ night celebration at Ladronka park are getting ready for a night
full of magic and fire.
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Bohemian Carnevale – a splash of colour to liven up February's frozen grey
Say the word ‘carnival’ and people usually think of the colourful
extravaganzas of Brazil or Venice, but the period leading up to the
beginning of lent is celebrated across the world, including the Czech
Republic. Here it’s known as “masopust”, which means pretty much the
same thing as the Italian “carnevale” – i.e. to refrain from eating
meat. Masopust is mostly celebrated in Moravia, but a husband and wife team
is trying to resurrect the lavish Prague carnival that was the social event
of the year in centuries gone by.
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Česká mše vánoční - the most popular piece of Czech Christmas music
In today’s special Christmas show on Radio Prague we’ll introduce you
to what
is undoubtedly
the most famous piece of Czech Christmas music, Jakub Jan Ryba's
"Česká mše
vánoční" or "Czech Christmas Mass". More
Martin C. Putna, director of the Václav Havel Library
Czechs are reputed to be one of Europe’s most atheist nations. Yet in the
course of its history, the nation has produced many outstanding religious
thinkers, philosophers, writers and other personalities who left their
mark
on the development of theology and religion. In this edition of One on
One,
we talk to one of the country’s leading Catholic intellectuals, Martin
C.
Putna, a literary historian, specializing in Czech Catholic literature,
who
has recently become the head of the Václav Havel library. He recently
hosted a popular TV show which combined religion – and cooking. More
Film and TV fairytales – an essential part of Czech Christmas
One of the most traditional elements of any Czech Christmas – hand in
hand with Jakub Jan Ryba’s Christmas Mass, golden mistletoe, winter
scenes by Josef Lada, and carp and potato salad, are Czech fairytales on
film, screened every holiday season on Czech TV. Kids in the West had
Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and The Grinch Who Stole
Christmas, but the Czechs have many, many classics of their own - not
animated - but live-action fairy tales which have been loved for
generations. In this Special, we look at why film fairytales are so popular
here, and look at some of the classics considered “essential” holiday
viewing.
More
The magic of Czech Christmas music
If any country in the world is home to the Christmas carol, it has to be
the Czech Republic. The tradition of carolling goes back centuries, and
Czech Christmas music is a wonderfully rich mixture of spiritual, secular,
classical and folk traditions. So for this special programme, we take you
on a journey into the world of Czech Christmas music. In order to enjoy
this programme fully, you need to hear the music. Just click on the
“listen” icon. But even if you are not able to listen, you can read a
transcript of part of my interview with a person who is a walking
encyclopedia on the history of Czech Christmas music. Daniel Špička has
been interested in Czech “early music” for many years, yet by
profession he is an architect…
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Two Czechs first Europeans to join the World Tea Union
The Czech national beverage is unquestionably beer but, more and more
Czechs are taking a fancy to quite a different liquid – tea. Not only
does the Czech Republic have the highest number of tea rooms per person in
Europe; Czechs have recently become the first Europeans to join the
prestigious World Tea Union, an association joining tea experts from all
over the world.
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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
The Easter market on Prague’s Old Town Square
The sun has just come out over Prague’s Old Town Square, and the Easter
market is now looking a lot less sodden - and a lot more appealing - than
it was five minutes ago. So, I’m going to take advantage of this little
window of good weather to ask some of the people shopping at the Easter
market about what they are buying, and some of the stall holders about the
traditional crafts that they are selling.
More
Burning the Morana
I’m here in the Vysočina region of the Czech Republic, in a small
village in the midst of hills, fresh air and idyllic countryside. Next to
me are a couple of young ladies who are preparing a Morana which is the god
of winter. Basically what happens is that you make a figure out of some
branches which are just being put together now, and that is going to be
taken for a long walk and we’re going to find a river and set alight to
it. Thus, symbolically saying goodbye and setting fire to winter.
More
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