Advent and Christmas in Český Krumlov

A magical Krumlov - a creative youth project, the popular Five Petalled Rose Celebrations, Water Music for Český Krumlov concert, signing of a charter as a message to future generations or last but not least the autumnal St. Wenceslas Celebrations: this is a selection of events that were part of the year-long 700^th anniversary celebrations of the town of Český Krumlov in 2009. The celebrations of this important anniversary continue also in the winter months. At the end of the year the town will put on an Advent cloak and celebrate Christmas with a rich program.

The advent and Christmas program in Český Krumlov is traditionally focused toward the weekends and in particular Sundays. Mr. Jan Vozábal, director of the Municipal Theatre, explains: "This year, as in the past years, we try to prepare a program aimed in particular at the local citizens of Český Krumlov. The weekend program in the town center is an ideal opportunity for meetings of locals from our town and surrounding villages. It offers a chance to walk through the decorated town and relax from the pre-Christmas bustle, for example by visiting one of the advent events."

Starting from 27 November, the Svornosti square will turn into a Christmas market every weekend from Friday till Sunday. Artisanal products as well as popular Christmas goods will be on sale. For the first time, this year's market will be accompanied by music and interesting performances without a fixed schedule. Mr. Vozábal says: "Friendly encounters and musical performances of local bands and musicians on the square will make the brighten the markets up."

The program for the four Advent Sundays on the Svornosti square is a traditional one. The Advent will be opened and jointly blessed by the vicar of Český Krumlov Mr. Václav Pícha and a clergy of the Czech Hussite Church Mr. Lubomír Braný in an ecumenical ceremony. The mayor of the town Mr. Luboš Jedlička will light the Christmas tree and let the Advent enter Český Krumlov on a musical and poetic note. On the second Advent Sunday on 6 December, the visitors can sing along the Kapka choir at the Christmas tree. On the third Advent Sunday on 13 December, the Christmas postmen will open their post office on the square, expecting letters from well-behaved children and adults to Baby Jesus. Silent Night in several languages will be sung on the third Advent Sunday on 20 December. This famous carol will be sung by the town inhabitants of different nationalities accompanied by local musicians. Czech folk carols will be sung also by children from local kindergartens and elementary schools.

"As for other events, I would recommend the Sunday performance for children in our theatre, the traditional Czech Christmas Mass by Ryba, St. Nicolas presents distribution, St. Lucia Feast happening, a charity flea market, dog Christmas in the municipal dog shelter or Live Bethlehem. On Christmas Eve we will bring presents to the bears in the Castle ditch for the twentieth time and on New Year's Eve we will festively say goodbye to the old year on the square," adds the director of the Municipal Theater.

Many citizens of the town of Český Krumlov, as well as civic associations, bands, cultural and educational institutions as well as other cultural and social event organizers contribute to the rich Advent program.

The six week-long program of the Advent and Christmas will be concluded on the 6 January by the march of the Three Kings and the Three King collection of the Czech Catholic Charity.

For the entire program of Advent and Christmas 2009 in Český Krumlov please view http://www.ckrumlov.cz/advent2009.

The general partner of Advent and Christmas in Český Krumlov is Budějovický Budvar, n.p.

Main partners of Advent and Christmas in Český Krumlov are Czech Tourism - Czech center of Travel, Schwan Cosmetics CR, s.r.o. and Grass Czech, s.r.o.

Photo Gallery from Previous Years