Czech Republic

Hit the right note in 2024 with The Year of Czech Music celebrations

If you’re a music lover planning a trip to Czechia this year, you couldn’t have chosen a better time to go. 2024 celebrates The Year of Czech Music and a top programme of concerts and events is sure to be in tune with your travel plans.

 Held once a decade on every year that ends in the number four, The Year of Czech music celebrations commemorate the finest Czech composers and some of the best classical pieces ever written. The biggest tributes of the programme will be paid to Bedřich Smetana – his anniversary will be centred around a special project, Smetana 200 with a string of performances celebrating the great Czech composer.

Smetana’s birth centenary was the reason for the first ever Year of Czech Music in 1924. Since then, The Year of Czech Music has become an extraordinary cultural event commemorating the key figures of Czech music. Unlike previous years, 2024’s celebrations stretch beyond the classical world.

 For the first time, this year, other genres such as folk and jazz will also step into the spotlight.

What’s On

Throughout 2024, a series of concerts will be held commemorating not only the anniversaries of Bedřich Smetana, Antonín Dvořák, Leoš Janáček, Josef Suk, Bohuslav Martinů or Jiří Šlitr, but also a number of fascinating music based exhibitions, lectures or film screenings. Another date for the diary is the Dvořák Prague Festival in September at Rudolfinum, Dvořák Hall.

A full rundown of events can be found here

The world famous Czech Philharmonic will play a significant part in the celebrations. Among the dazzling array of concerts in their season calendar is a performance of The Cunning Little Vixen – an opera which is also commemorating a big milestone – 100 years since its premiere. And for anyone planning a city break in May or June – a lovely time to visit – the glorious Prague Spring International  Music Festival takes place and this year the full programme includes around 50 concerts.

Czech city break inspiration

To make the most of your music inspired holiday to the Czech Republic, don’t rule out some of the other cities beyond Prague, such as Brno  Olomouc and Pilsen.

Brno, Czechia’s second largest city is actually a UNESCO listed creative city of music and naturally another key location for the Year of Czech Music events. Brno and the wider South Moravia region has a rich folk music tradition yet also boasts its own opera house and philharmonic orchestra.

Another top spring break for music lovers is a trip to Olomouc, home to UNESCO-protected monuments, beautiful baroque buildings and the famous Tvaruzky cheese! The International Festival of Songs will take place in the city from 29th May until 2 June.

An easy train ride away is the historical city of Pilsen – perfect for beer lovers as well as music fans and visitors to the city can enjoy Smetana Days Festival as well as a full calendar of top events and attractions.

 And no fan of Czech music could skip a visit to Litomyšl, Bedřich Smetana’s birthplace. Something of a hidden gem, Litomyšl is the perfect place to visit for a deeper look at Czech music history as well as exploring the UNESCO inscribed Litomysl State Castle. Time it right and experience the glorious Smetana Litomyšl music festival. It takes place from 8th June to 7th July in the enchanting setting of Litomyšl Castle, which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary since its inscription on the UNESCO list.

Historical Towns

Narrow winding lanes, picturesque squares, town walls and church towers – this is the romance of the old market towns.
Set out on a trip to cities full of romantic atmosphere and pulsing with life! Unforgettable experiences await you – breathtaking views and superb culinary delights while taking a seat in one of the cafes or restaurants specializing in regional products. What for example would you say to a visit to Telč, Prachatice or Litomyšl? Kutná Hora and Český Krumlov are also popular tips for trips. Or would you rather set out for Mikulov?

For more information visit : https://www.visitczechrepublic.com/en-US/Things-to-Do/Category-Group-Pages/Cultural-Heritage/Historical-Towns

Natural Heritage

Explore caves and rock cities, climb to the tops of mountains and observation points!
A wonderful rest in the open air, beautiful scenery, and the charming corners of national parks – all that can be had from trips in the Czech countryside. Explore caves and rock cities, climb to the tops of mountains and observation points! Places you will never forget and where you will always be happy to go back to – such as the fairy-tale landscape of the Bohemian Switzerland National Park, the gorges of the Adršpach Rock City or Punkevní Cave in the Moravian Karst. The cold northern character is exuded from the shadows of Boubín Forest in Šumava, while you will be surprised by the warm, almost Mediterranean character of the landscape in the PalavaBiosphere Reserve. A number of geologically interesting sites can be enjoyed up close in the GeoLoci geopark in Tachovsko region.
Source: https://www.visitczechrepublic.com/en-US/Things-to-Do/Category-Group-Pages/Active-Holiday/Natural-Heritage

Gastronomy

Meat specialties, traditional sweets and delicious beer. Czech cuisine can offer you all this, and much more.
Czech cuisine, whether in a traditional or modern guise, has many influences. Traditional dishes sometimes have their roots far beyond the Czech borders. Taste goulash, sirloin with dumplings or roast duck with cabbage. Also try fried cheese – an interesting food not only for vegetarians. And what to have for a good dinner? Traditional Czech lager or Becherovka for good digestion. But traditional Czech cuisine also includes sweets. Do you know what frgals are or how traditional spa wafers taste? Just come and sample some for yourself!

Source: https://www.visitczechrepublic.com/en-US/Things-to-Do/Category-Group-Pages/Cultural-Heritage/Gastronomy