Saint Wenceslas Celebrations in Český Krumlov

The town will come alive with singing and dancing. The streets will be filled with street musicians and theatre players. Local taverns will offer traditional medieval fare and the main square will stage an authentic Old Bohemian market. A festive atmosphere will descend upon the town during the weekend of 26 to 28 September. During that weekend we will celebrate St. Wenceslas, patron of not only the entire Czech country but also of the town of Český Krumlov and … of brewers and wine makers.

The St. Wenceslas Celebrations also provide an opportunity to highlight the rich and varied cultural life of Český Krumlov. A lot of museums and galleries will open their doors to visitors both young and old. The newest addition to local museums, the Museum Photo Gallery Seidel, will also participate in the open-door day for the first time during the St. Wenceslas Celebration. Come to discover the place where many photographs were created during the 19th century and where time stood still.

On Friday the town will dance to the tune of the International Folk Music Festival. The Festival will begin at 7 p.m. at various places around the town center. The folklore shows will take place at the following spots among others: IInd Castle Courtyard of the Český Krumlov State Castle and Chateau, Hotel Růže atrium, Široká Street and the Na Ostrově Street.

The visitors can look forward to both some new events and favorites from previous years. A varied assortment of artisanal goods will be on offer on the popular St. Wenceslas market. There will be a special promotion of Czech made food products awarded the “Klasa” seal of quality. Draft beer of Budweiser Budvar will be on tap as the Budvar company is the main partner of the St. Wenceslas Celebrations.

A spiritual music concert will certainly please the visitors. The concert will take place in the Monastery of the Knights of the Cross with the Red Star and will see performances by the chamber music choir Capella Moraviae and municipal singing choir Perchta. There will be many other events taking place during the Celebrations, including a festive St. Wenceslas Mass in the St. Vitus Church together with the re-consecration of the church organ. The Roman-Catholic Church – Český Krumlov prelature has organized an organ concert in the St. Vitus Church for Sunday afternoon. The organ concert will be performed by Vladimír Roubal, regenschori of the Strahov Monastery in Prague.

An artistic happening to celebrate the St. Wenceslas Day will begin on Saturday at 8.30 pm on the Svornosti Square. Local artist, musician and a Jack-of-all-trades Mr. Karel Dvořák will create another part of the St. Wenceslas statue (in the last years, he has already created a St. Wenceslas spear, flag and a helmet). This year, he will add a horse harness to the statue. There are many other events taking place during the Celebrations and the rich selection on offer will surely satisfy all Town Celebrations lovers. Highlights include: Folk Inspiration – Inspiration by Folk with performances by many musical ensembles, special narrated viewings of the St. Vitus Church and the St. Wenceslas Chapel, guided tours of the Eggenberg brewery, St. Wenceslas open-door night of museums and galleries with free entry or an evening flatboat ride. The Celebrations open their arms to all visitors however men and women named Václav and Václavka will have special privileges. Everyone bearing that name can come to a meeting of all Václavs and Václavkas taking place on Saturday morning and sign their name in the St. Wenceslas Celebrations Memorial book next to names of personalities from the public and social life.

As for Sunday, the St. Wenceslas Celebration will please especially children and their parents. The children can for example come to the Fairytale House for a Fairytale viewing with performance by the Mimotaurus theatre, or to the Regional Museum Český Krumlov for the “Little Traveller or from Bohemia to the New World” Competition or for a train ride into the underground in the Graphite Mine.

Selected restaurants will present a special St. Wenceslas Menu – tasty Bohemian cuisine dishes prepared from traditional materials according to old recipes.

Mother with little children will find a safe and quiet haven where they can safely feed their babies or change their nappies. The mimibar services for the youngest visitors of St. Wenceslas Celebrations will be on offer on Saturday at the Prelature Courtyard in Horní Street.

St. Wenceslas Celebrations in Český Krumlov belong to everybody. They offer entertainment, education and also unusual experience. Come and visit us for a taste of tradition as interpreted by us.

For more information and latest programme please view: www.ckrumlov.cz/svs2008.