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Almost every theatre group - including the National Theatre - in Prague takes part in this annual event held since 1992, organized by the people at the Bohnice Mental Hospital. The hospital is quite active in culture, as their philosophy is that theatre and art can bring people from different backgrounds and different worlds together. Often, their events also attempt to help erase the stigma that is still attached to mental illness in this country. The weekend features myriad theatre and music performances, displays of art and workshops for the public.
Late May, Psychiatricka lecebna Bohnice, Ustavni 91, (take bus 200 from Nadrazi Holesovice metro), Prague 8, tel. 857 4515

Spend Earth Day at the EcoGroup Happening, where you will have the opportunity to help plant a row of trees on Lublanska Street in Prague, shop at an ecological market, see art and hear music, play kids' games, glean information about the environment from several ecological information booths, eat vegetarian food and attend a seminar about the problems faced by greens in Czech cities - all presented in cooperation between Green Circle, Children of the Earth, Rainbow, Greenpeace and other biggies in the Czech eco-movement. If that isn't enough green-like activity for you, you can spend the two evenings prior at the "Earth Day" festival featuring music and theatre performances and film screenings at the Cultural Centre in Prague 6.
April 21
Zeleny kruh (Green Circle), Lublanska 18, Prague 2, tel. 296 048
Kulturne socialni centrum, Kafkova 9, Prague 6, tel. 322 953

The Annual Days of European Film festival began in Prague in 1994 and its intent is to show current pan-European film in its broader context. In its brief history it has so far featured films by directors such as Theo Angelopulos, Emir Kusturica, Niki List, Jan Schuette, Benoit Jacquot, Endaf Emlyn, Karel Kachyna, and Marie Knilli. Greek and French directors Angelopulos and Cedrik Klapisch attended the opening in 1996, as did European Union representative Giorgio Ficcarelli and representatives from 13 foreign embassies in the Czech Republic. Angelopulos' film "Ulysses' Gaze" was shown after the opening ceremony. The festival is organized jointly by the EU Commission in the Czech Republic, the Czech Ministry of Culture, the Prague Magistrate and the embassies of 15 EU countries. The festival runs for ten days in April at two cinemas in Prague and then moves to Brno for six days. Twenty-seven films from European Union countries were screened in 1996. Informal discussions with the directors follow most screenings.
Mid-April, Kino 64 U Hradeb, Mostecka 21, Prague 1, tel. 535 006

This municipal festival, begun in 1985, is meant to celebrate the history and beauty of this, one of the Czech Republic's loveliest cities. Cesky Krumlov, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is well worth the trip any time of year. At the festival, however, you have a chance to see the historic spirit of the city rekindled as the entire town will be decked out, with performers in historic costumes performing Renaissance theatre, fencing shows, and chess matches with live figures in the Castle gardens. Classical and historic music performances, marionette theatre shows, fireworks, folklore music and dancing (and much more!) ensure a well-rounded program.
Late June, Cesky Krumlov; for information call (0337) 67 113 or (0337) 5670

Held every April since 1995, this annual weekend retreat is intended primarily for gay and bisexual women, but it is open to members of the general public who care about gay and lesbian issues as well. The retreat is intended to provide a weekend of leisure but also support - especially in breaking through the taboos surrounding gay and lesbian life which still exist in this country. Information and legal advice, workshops and a strong emphasis on culture are also intended to help raise women's self confidence. The weekend offers theater performances, art exhibits (art by lesbians and art depicting women) feature films, documentary videos, poetry readings, volleyball, lectures, and workshops on a variety of themes, including: lesbian mothers, coming out, transsexualism, feminism, literature, and self-protection. Organizers hope to provide a forum where women can get in touch with their feelings and learn some ways to begin dealing with social discrimination - such as the fact that there is no legislation in place in the Czech Republic for same-sex unions, not to mention homophobia, intolerance, verbal and other abuse suffered because of their choice of an alternative lifestyle. The weekend is organized by the "Promluvy" group, a civic association that's also a member of Soho.
Mid-April, Divadlo za plotem, Ustavni 91, Prague 8 - Bohnice, tel. 231 2356

Held since 1964, this international television festival is organized by public-service broadcaster Czech Television. Dozens of programmes from countries around the world will compete in the festival, parts of which are traditionally open to the general public - the best one of which is probably "Golden Veterans," featuring the best entrees of the last 20 years.
Mid-May, Kaiserstejn Palace, Prague 1, tel. 61 13 11 11

The Czech Gramy awards feature only half the "m's" but hope to whip up all the glamour of their American equivalent for which they are named. Held since 1991, this is the annual Czech music awards ceremony for domestic talent, and all the Czech Republic's best and brightest pop musicians and television film crews will be in attendance. The entertainment should equal the effort it will take to scare up some tickets.
Mid-March, Palace of Culture (Palac Kultury), ulice 5. kvetna 65, Prague 4 (at Vysehrad Metro), tel. 611 727 11/21

Here are two more likely picks from those on offer while the 'Ball Season' rages. Dressed in your best, waltz over to the Moravian Ball for an evening of Oom-pah-pah music and middle-aged people dressed in national costumes. A good pick if you want to experience Czech folk culture in the flesh. The Lesser Side Ball is as unorthodox as the Moravian Ball is traditional, with jazz tunes as played by the Original Prague Syncopated Orchestra and rock music from the Classic Rock'n'Roll Band. Held at the Malostranska Beseda, Prague's oldest operating club, it should prove to be more of a modern evening, and isn't likely to end before midnight, as most balls do, so you shouldn't count on taking the Metro home. If these two balls don't fit into your schedule and you desperately want to polka, look out for the word "Ples" (Ball) in local listings sources, as most balls are open to the public, or try one of the others listed below.
The Moravian Ball, mid-February, Smichov National House (Narodni Dum Smichov) , namesti 14. rijna No. 16, Prague 5 - Smichov (no phone)
The Lesser Side Ball, late February, Malostranska Beseda, Malostranske namesti 21 (539 024)
Prague Municipal Ball, late January, Zofin, Slovanksy ostrov, Prague 1, tel, fax: 242 300 71
Winter Ball, late January, Kulturni Dum Eden, U Slavie 1, Prague 10, tel. 747 029

Running every September since 1991, this is your chance to see what Czech music was all about when your grandparents' grandparents were young, as leading "folklore" groups from Bohemia, Moravia, and Slovakia perform traditional songs and dances in traditional costumes all month long. Such groups always try their best to recreate the sound of the original songs, but this is nigh on to impossible, as there wasn't anyone to tape record them back then. They are usually less exacting in their efforts to sing the lyrics to the songs exactly as their ancestors had sung them - because most of the songs, in their original versions, were remarkably lewd - so the texts are usually "cleaned up" for modern audiences. In their costuming efforts, though, the folklore groups are eminently successful. Traditional national costumes here are quaint and colorful, and vary a great deal from region to region. They represent what Czechs of a few generations ago would have worn as their "Sunday best" - or just the outfits they would chosen to be seen in at the village fete, where they would have sung these songs and danced these dances as well.
September, Divadlo Mestske knihovny (Theater at the City Library), Marianske namesti 1, Prague 1, tel. 688 54 16

In the distant past, fairs sprung up around places of pilgrimage. They were meant as an activity to occupy the youngsters while their parents were being devout. More than half of the Czech population today are atheists and pilgramages are now things of the past - yet the fun part of it all - the fairs - are still around. The St Matthew's Fair is by far the biggest event of its kind in the Czech Republic, and includes all the most important element of any fair: dangerous roller coasters, greasy, sticky, sweet foods, and a funhouse. If you are longing for a grilled klobasa or a spin in the bumper cars, this is the place for you. You will find all the regular features of the fairgrounds, including the Krizik Fountain, the National Museum Lapidarium (where the originals of the statues on the Charles Bridge are kept) and the long-running Czech production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" here as well.
February - April, Prague Expo Grounds (Vystaviste), Prague 7 - Holesovice, tel. 37 43 47

Since 1989, this annual Prague festival dedicated to dance has featured top performers and groups from all over the world, such as Joseph Nadj, Yoshiko Chuma, Pavel Smok, Simone Sandroni, Christopher Bruce and Iztok Kovac. Performances are just one part of this noteworthy festival, which also includes workshops, seminars and discussions.
Second half of June. For detailed program see listings sources, for tickets and other information contact traditional outlets or festival organizers at tel.231 22 51/65

Prague's closest thing to a traditional street festival, Zizkovsky Masopust is an excuse to get dressed up and get drunk. Many Prague denizens skip the first part and go straight to the second, however. The carnival is organized by one of the best of the Zizkov district's many rowdy working-class pubs, U Vystrelenyho Oka (At the Shot-Out Eye) which is named for Jan Zizka, the one-eyed Hussite general from whom the district takes its name. The celebration is not for the faint hearted, yet it is a whole lot of fun. The party begins at the pub in the evenings in the week before Ash Wednesday (February 21) but ends up all over Prague, so look for details on posters which should be plastered around Zizkov around mid-February.
Evenings from about February 17, U Vystrelenyho Oka, U bozich bojovniku 3, Prague 3 (no phone)

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