Musical summer holidays in the Czech Republic

Are you wondering how to spend this year's summer holidays? Take a break from exams, school and the routine of everyday life and come and enjoy some music and dance in the Czech Republic! You are invited to a summer of music with something for everyone at numerous open air festivals.

The 11th Rock for the People festival will take place from 4th - 6th July this year in Český Brod. The festival is one of the most popular on the Czech music scene. The main programme over 3 days on four stages will feature up to 150 Czech and foreign acts. Apart from the live music there will also be a Global Zone with leading DJs. At the festival there will also be a special relax zone, extreme sports, a computer games tent, an internet café and numerous other attractions. Some of the stars performing at the festival are Die Toten Hosen, Leningrad Cowboys, Clotaire K, US Bombs, Persiana Jones, Horkýže slíže, Divokej Bill, Chinaski, Aneta Langerová, Sunshine, Kryštof, Pražský výběr and many others. The organizers have made vast improvements in the provision of services at the festival. Some of the new features are live internet streaming, interactive chatrooms and personal micro pages with messaging, audio and video content, competitions and games. Tickets have gone on sale through the Ticketstream network and cost 650Kč plus booking fee when purchased in advance, and 780Kč on the day.

The North Moravian town of Ostrava will hold the international the 4th Colours of Ostrava festival this year from 8th - 10th July. Acts set to draw the largest audiences at the festival are the 'father of funk' George Clinton and his bands Parliament and Funkadelic, the Portuguese singer Mariza, the ethnic dance trio from Great Britain Asian Dub Foundation, Fun-Da-Mental and Trans-Global Underground and Septeto Nacional a band from Cuba. Over 100 bands and DJs from every corner of the globe as well as the Czech Republic will be performing over the three days. Apart from the open air stages there will also be a special dance area and events held in various clubs. One of the new features at this year's festival will be a cinema showing videos and music films. Once again those wishing to attend the festival will be able to take advantage of Czech Railways' VLAK+ tickets, whereby a return ticket from anywhere in the Czech Republic to Ostrava can be purchased for the price of a single on production of a festival ticket. Accommodation will be provided in a tent city where tents can be hired. A three day ticket from Ticketpro costs 580Kč, on the day the price rises to 650Kč.

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Apocalyptica, Dreadzone, Kosheen, Stereo MC's, The Sisters of Mercy - These are the main stars who will be performing at this year's inaugural open air Love Planet festival set to take place 12th and 13th of August at the airfield near Tábor. In addition to the two main stages, DJ sections each with their own styles, and dance and hip hop stages there will also be a theatre and film tent and an extreme sport area where visitors will be able to try out various activities or just watch exhibitions and competitions in skateboarding, BMX and other sports. Two -- day tickets are available from Ticketpro Tickets bought in advance cost up to 890Kč and 990Kč on the day.

Do you like jazz or are you into folk and country? If so, travel to the south of the Czech Republic to Český Krumlov, one of the most attractive towns in the country and venue for the Jazz at the End of Summer series of concerts which are spread out throughout the year. Approximately every fortnight the festival puts on an interesting performance with a club style atmosphere. A date worth noting is Saturday 10th September when the bands Madfingers and Yvonne Sanchez and her band Latin Groove will have the town dancing. The Holidays in Telč festival has an equally unique venue. This year the romantic town of Telč (www.zamek-telc.cz) will welcome folk and country music lovers for the 23rd time and the festival is set to take place from 29th July until 14th August. Both towns are UNESCO protected sites and in addition to the music on offer visitors can also experience the many wonderful sights in both towns.

If the above is not enough for you then there are yet more festivals you can attend. Two festivals take place in the fairy tale Czech Paradise Region. From 29th - 31st July there is the Benátky Night festival and from 19th - 21st August the well known Trutnov Open Air Music Festival will take place. Those who prefer dance and techno music are invited to the Summer of Love festival, Creamfields and many more, information on which can be found at www.techno.cz.

For more information contact:

Mgr. Helena Kopecká
Czech Tourist Authority - CzechTourism, PR Dept.
tel.: +420 221 580 485
e-mail: kopecka@czechtourism.cz

source: CzechTourism - iNFO bulletin