Portál Pražana
Prague: the heart of nations
The 21st international festival, "Prague Heart of Nations 2019", is the largest joint event for minorities in the Czech Republic, bringing a wealth of traditions from nations around the world. From the 30th of May to the 3rd of June, the festival will symbolically take place in the heart of Europe - the historical centre of Prague. Since 1999, musicians, singers and dancers have come to the Czech capital to perform traditional folk art from their native countries. This year, Prague will welcome a wide range of artists once again.
This year's festival will be extraordinary because it is the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution and the Czech Republic’s stepping out on the path of freedom and democracy. “That is why we would like this year’s festival to take place in the spirit of this anniversary. We want this spirit to be present in our programme, which will be dedicated to the celebrations, be it on Wenceslas Square or in Old Town Square,” Mária Miňová, the director and soul of the festival, said for praha.eu.
The birth of the festival
How did it all begin? The large Slovak minority and the Slovak folklore ensemble Limbora are at the festival’s origins. They addressed other nationalities that were enthusiastic about joining it. "The students of Limbora experienced a transition to freedom and democracy live in 1989 with their participation in the Velvet Revolution in Národní třída and subsequently on Wenceslas Square and Letná,” Mudr. Mária Miňová added.
National traditions
More than 25 different nationalities have accepted the invitation. For example, you can look forward to experiencing African, Belarusian, Bulgarian, Czech, Hungarian, Mexican, Moravian, Mongolian, German, Polish, Roma, Romanian, Russian, Greek, Serbian, Slovak, Tatar, Ukrainian, Vietnamese and Jewish traditions. The outstanding Hungarian ensemble ALBA REGIA, Romanian ensemble FLORILE MUREŠULUI, Serbian RUDAR and Bulgarian RITM will be among the performers. Mariachi Azteca will bring the lively melodies with huapango rhythms, Mongolian ensemble Dunjingarav will introduce overtone chanting, the Njachas group will play African rhythms and URARTU will perform traditional Armenian dances. Czech band Hašlerka and the excellent Slovak ensemble from Poprad, VAGONÁR, will also contribute to the anniversary celebrations.
Other programmes
As in previous years, other programmes will include Treasure of Beauty, a show of traditional costumes from around the world, a parade through the centre of Prague of participants dressed in their traditional national costumes, and a religious music concert to promote peace and reconciliation among nations in the Church of St. Salvator (‘kostel Nejsvětějšího Salvátora’). You can also look forward to exhibitions, creative workshops, crafts, dance schools and other events.
Gala Concert in Vinohrady Theatre
The festival’s finale is the Saturday Gala Concert ‘Velvet Echoes’, which is traditionally held in the festive atmosphere of the Vinohrady Theatre. The concert will offer a selection of the festival’s most interesting ensembles and soloists. It is the only event that tickets have to be purchased for. Other events in Prague city centre are free of charge.
On Friday, the 31st of May, Hana Třeštíková, the Councillor for Culture, will welcome representatives of the ensembles in the Old Town Hall.
For more information, please visit www.prahasrdcenarodu.cz
INFORMATION ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
30/05/19 – 03/06/19
◾’Staroměstské náměstí’ (Old Town Square) and ‘Václavské náměstí’ (Wenceslas Square)
◾ Outdoor concerts are free
01/06/19 at 7pm Galakoncert
◾‘Divadlo Na Vinohradech’ (Vinohrady Theatre)
◾Admission: CZK 100/150/200/300