International music festival “Prague Spring. When is the best time to go to Prague? Prague Spring

The largest international music festival Prague Spring is the most prestigious and ancient classical music festival in the Czech Republic. Every year during the festival they are given dozens of traditional and experimental concerts in the most beautiful halls of the capital. Many celebrities and world stars come to the Czech Republic for it every year. The festival starts May 12 “My Homeland” by Bedřich Smetana which will be performed Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of conductor Daniel Barenoim. This magnificent orchestra is often called the best orchestra in the world. Also at the 2017 festival a number of concerts from series “Spain and Latin American countries”. Many stars from Spain, Brazil, Mexico and Argentina will perform in Prague. First International Music Festival “Prague Spring” took place in 1946 in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. The traditional venue for festival concerts is the Rudolfinum; a significant part of the concerts also takes place in the Smetana Hall of the Prague Public House. Also every year, as part of the festival, a competition of young musicians in a variety of specialties is held.

A music festival that rightfully bears the title of the most important event in the cultural life of the Czech Republic over the past 70 years.

The Prague Spring International Competition is the oldest and largest music festival in the Czech Republic. This event is considered one of the most prestigious competitions for classical musicians around the world. Every year it brings together the most outstanding performers, orchestras and ensembles from all continents on its stages.

The Prague Spring Festival is the brainchild of the legendary Czech conductor Rafael Kubelik, who distinguished himself as the director of such orchestras as Covent Garden and the New York Metropolitan Opera. Already the first festival, held in 1946, brought together the entire cream of Western academic music, including the debut of the famous American pianist and composer Leonard Bernstein. Traditionally, one of the main venues for the musical festival is the famous Rudolfinum. In total, about 17 stages are involved in the Prague Spring, where more than 50 concerts will be held with the participation of musicians from 22 countries.

Tickets for the Prague Spring festival start from CZK 350.

The Pražské jaro festival is the greatest event in the world of classical music.

In 2017, Prague Spring will last three weeks - from May 12 to June 2.
The festival program is available.

The festival begins with a procession from the grave of Bedřich Smetana, located in the local cemetery, near the ancient castle, to.

History of the festival

“Prague Spring” is rightfully recognized as one of the grandest classical music festivals in all of Eastern Europe. For almost seven decades, this international cultural event has attracted the most outstanding musicians and opera singers from all over the planet. But one of the main features of this music festival is that young talented performers can also take part in it, for whom the Prague Spring is a kind of start in life.

The idea of creating the festival originated back in 1946, when Czechoslovakia and its capital Prague celebrated the first anniversary of Victory in World War II. That same spring, the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra turned 50 years old. In honor of these two significant events of national scale, the director of the orchestra, Rafael Kubelik, with the support of his musicians and simply fans of classical music, decided to organize the Prague Spring Music Festival. This initiative was supported by the then President of Czechoslovakia, Edvard Benes, and the first musical event was held under his patronage. At that time, the festival was attended mainly by Czech musicians, and the organizers did not even imagine that it would become so popular and gain worldwide fame.
In the first Prague Spring, performers from Russia aroused great interest from the public and other musicians: Lev Oborin, Evgeny Mravinsky and David Oistrakh. Igor Oistrakh, the son of David Oistrakh, subsequently also performed at the festival.

Since 1947, as part of the Prague Spring, a special competition has been held in honor of one of the outstanding Czech musicians, in which young musicians from a variety of specialties participate. For example, the 1947 competition was dedicated to Rafael Kubelik’s father, the great Czech composer and violinist Jan Kubelik.

In 1952, a new tradition was born: the opening of the “Prague Spring” from then on began on May 12, the day of the death of the outstanding Czech pianist, composer and conductor Bedřich Smetana, and Smetana’s symphonic poems from the cycle “My Homeland” became obligatory musical works on the opening day.

Over the course of three weeks, many concerts take place in the best halls in Prague: in, in (in the Smetana Hall), in, in, in and in the Church of St. Simon. More than 70 performers and 20 orchestras from all over the world manage to perform at the festival venues. Every year, on average, about 50 concerts are held as part of the Prague Spring.

The festival brings together not only talented performers from all over the world, but also thousands of listeners, so during the days of the “Prague Spring” there is a special revival in the capital of the Czech Republic, and the beautiful ancient city is filled with an atmosphere of magical musical art.

The festival program, in addition to the performance of classical works by world-famous composers, includes performances by artists with musical works by contemporary authors, which makes the Prague Spring unique in comparison with similar festivals and events.

Participation in the Prague Spring festival is considered a high honor among true musicians, but only truly talented artists who have repeatedly demonstrated the highest level of their skills have a chance to receive an invitation to this prestigious event. Every year before the festival an international competition of young performers is held, and the winners of this competition will participate in the Prague Spring.

Over the years, such world-famous stars as Herbert von Karoyan, Svyatoslav Richter, Mstislav Rastropovich and many others performed at the Czech music festival.

Today, Prague Spring is a large-scale festival, including chamber, symphonic and opera works in its concert program, and a unique forum for performers of immortal classical music.

Prague is the main tourist trump card of the Czech Republic. This ancient city is always beautiful - in winter and summer, in rain and snow. And yet, is there a specific time of year that is most suitable for visiting Prague? This is true! And there are several such seasons: September, December, April and May.

Let's look at each period separately.

Winter (December)

The gothic, slightly fairy-tale architecture of Prague seems to have been created for a snowy setting. Many tourists are attracted here by the images of ancient winter roofs of medieval buildings covered with a thick layer of snow. We hasten to disappoint you - not everything is so simple with snow in the Czech Republic. Winters here are quite mild and with little snow. Sometimes, right up to the beginning of December, there are fresh flowers here and there. But, thanks to local climatic conditions, you will have the greatest chance of getting snowed in at the most ideal time imaginable - Christmas Eve.

In winter, it’s worth going to Prague for two things: to look at the classic Advent (the pre-Christmas period in Catholicism) and to catch the period of the biggest discounts in the Czech Republic.

The best time to travel is undoubtedly mid-December, when air ticket prices have not yet fully risen, but the city already appears in all its Christmas splendor. Average temperature this month day/night: +1/-2. In Prague, the Christmas season opens on the night of December 5-6 with the honoring of St. Nicholas (roughly speaking, this is the local Father Frost, who also gives gifts to Czech children). On this day, on the streets of Prague you can see disguised Angels and Bishops handing out candy. There are decorated Christmas trees all over the city, garlands are everywhere, cheerful Christmas markets are held in the main squares of the city, everything around is sparkling with New Year's lights. The main city tree is installed on the Old Town Square, and the main fair opens there with wonderful Christmas gifts and strange at first glance products like Christmas carp - the main gastronomic attribute of this holiday in the Czech Republic.

An important point: for Czechs, Christmas is a very family holiday, which is usually celebrated at home. Therefore, most Prague public places (shops, restaurants, clubs, museums) are not functioning on December 24 and 25, even transport operates in limited mode. But the New Year is celebrated here on a grand scale. And already in the first days of January, the city begins to take on its usual appearance, since there are no long New Year holidays in the Czech Republic, and holiday paraphernalia does not linger for long.

Another important advantage of winter holidays in Prague is the annual sales, which in the Czech Republic are called “Sleva”. There are 4 such sales a year, the largest of which are held in winter. All Czechs look forward to it, since the discounts at this time are not only the largest, but the season itself is very long - from mid-December to the end of February.

What to visit in winter:

· Old Town Square;

· Wenceslas Square;

· The Charles Bridge

Spring (April - May)

This time of year is wonderful in itself and not only in Prague. But here spring begins much earlier, and therefore lasts longer than, for example, here in Russia. While in Moscow we are seeing slush, dirt and periodic snow, in Prague warm weather is already setting in, and the awakening nature is fragrant with the aromas of blooming magnolia, cherry and lilac. In April, temperatures range on average from 10 to 20 degrees, in May - from 12 to 22.

It is worth explaining that March is somewhat inferior to April and May in terms of weather, but the prices for air tickets for this period are quite low.

Prague Spring is a season of festivals and holidays:

March is famous for the international auteur film festivals “Febiofest” and “European Film Days”.
At the beginning of April, the entire city begins preparations for Easter. The streets are decorated with Easter decorations, Easter fairs begin to operate on Old Town and Wenceslas Squares, and festive events are held. Everything looks unusual and colorful.
On the night of April 30 to May 1, Walpurgis Night takes place, which transformed from the ancient custom of scaring away witches by burning their effigies into harmless, but very large-scale and colorful city festivities. Celebrations take place in the parks of Landronika and Kampe and feature cheerful processions with stuffed witches, dances dressed as evil spirits, guests, performances, competitions, concerts, and, of course, burning of effigies.
On May 1, Prague celebrates Labor Day, with large-scale processions and folk festivals.
On the same day, May 1, the festival “Cherry Blossoms on Petryshyn”, a local Valentine's Day, takes place. On this day, many couples climb Petrin Hill to kiss in the flowering bushes - then their love, according to local legend, will bloom forever.
In mid-May, Prague hosts the International Book Fair and the Prague Spring international classical music festival.
At the end of May, the colorful gypsy festival Khamoro is traditionally held here for a week, but entrance to the festival is paid - 200-500 CZK.
The main festival event of spring in Prague takes place in mid-May. This is a three-week Czech beer festival. Every year, many Czech producers present more than a hundred different types of beer here. It's essentially a less-hyped version of Oktoberfest.

It should be noted that the closer summer gets, the faster prices for air tickets, hotel accommodations and tourist services rise. The peak occurs during the May holidays (by the way, this is when there are especially many Russians here). To save on the trip, but still catch the beginning of May, it is best to go there in the last week of April, capturing the first days of May.

What to visit in spring:

· Mala Strana region;

· Observation deck of the Petrin Tower (at this time, thanks to flowering plants, the panorama of the Czech capital acquires lilac-pink shades);

· Complex Loreta;

· Strahov Monastery

Autumn (September)

With the arrival of autumn, the velvet season begins in Prague. The main tourist flow subsides, the summer stuffiness is replaced by comfortable temperatures and the freshness of light autumn winds. According to many familiar with the climate of the Czech Republic, the best weather in Prague occurs at the beginning of autumn, the temperature stays at 15-22 degrees above zero. In addition, September is considered one of the sunniest months - if rain does occur, it is very short-lived, the bright sun shines most of the day.

Prague has a lot of parks and greenery; by the end of September the whole city is covered with a golden blanket. The ideal time is coming for peaceful walks through quiet city squares and alleys.

At the beginning of autumn it is good to go on a one-day excursion to the Prague suburbs or deep into the Czech Republic. Prague's museums and attractions remain active before going on hiatus until spring. During this period, the city's theatrical life also intensifies; art lovers should visit local productions. And on September 28, Czech Statehood Day is celebrated throughout the country.

Another pleasant aspect of an autumn holiday in Prague is that at this time prices for food drop, and sales of summer products begin in stores.

What to visit in autumn:

· Prague Castle;

· city observation decks;

· Royal fortress Vysehrad;

· Kampa Island;

· water excursion along the Vltava River;

· Jewish city;

· Old Town Square;

As you noticed, we did not include the summer season in our list. In the summer, Prague, of course, is no worse than the rest of the time. However, the Czech Republic, and its capital in particular, is perhaps the most popular tourist destination in Eastern Europe. Therefore, the city, which never suffers from a shortage of tourists, is filled with them to the maximum in the summer, which can make few people happy. However, in any case, Prague is always magnificent!