Spring festivals roundup

English-language media in the Czech Republic tends to focus on events in or close to Prague, undoubtedly because that’s where most of their readers live. Understandable, but also a pity because there are wonderful and unique events in other places and with the excellent and inexpensive public transport, it’s not difficult to get around.

Here then are the top events of Spring 2009 that you won't find in the Prague Post or on expats.cz.

April
April 14 – 19 AFO documentary film festival
April 15 – 18, Polička Jazz festival

May
This year, the 1st and 8th of May public holidays fall on Fridays.
May 7 – 10 Znojmo wine and food festival There’ll be wine and food of course, but the hidden gems of this festival are the top-notch Romany musicians performing on the Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
May 8 - 9, Valtice Wine Expo
May11-June 4 Dvořák’s Olomouc
May 12-June 12 Mahler’s Jihlava
May 13 – 17 Olomouc beer festival The Czech Republic’s largest beer festival with dozens of breweries and 20 bands on two open air stages.
May 20 – June 5 Janáček’s May Classical music festival at the Hukvaldy castle ruins
May 23 – 25 Mikulov Weekend of Jewish culture
May 23 - June 8 Ignis Brunensis The Brno fireworks festival is like five festivals rolled into one with a hot air balloon rally, a magicians’ weekend and dragon boat races just some of the opening acts for the fireworks displays
May 29 – 31 Vlčnov Ride of the Kings If you only see one traditional festival in the Czech lands, make it this one.
May 31-June 7 Zlín Film festival

June
June 12 – July 6 Smetana’s Litomyšl International opera festival in Bohemia’s prettiest small town.