There was a small reception before midnight, which took place in the Charles Bridge Museum on Křížovnické Square. Prague’s mayor Pavel Bém and other government members turned up joining historians and experts associated with the Bridge through their work.
At the stroke of midnight the legendary magician Žito appeared opening the night to a flood of legends. Following this was a rich program initiating onlookers to the rich history of Bridge. A laser “pointer” dynamically highlighted Old Town Tower Bridge as experts took turns at enlightening the deep and mysterious historical background of the construction.
Křížovnická Street, adjacent to the Bridge, was changed into the medieval knights jousting ring, the podium in front of Charles Bridge Museum became the domain of musicians, jugglers and to cap it all there was a firework display. The Bridge was being scaled by Swedes, even Golem and his creator showed their faces. The headless knight representing Czech ghosts also arrived and a story about a misfortunate jealous man was unravelled to the audience. They learned that the man can be redeemed only by a kiss from a virgin and that can happen only once every hundred years.
Wet Morning Marred the Ceremony
The morning, unfortunately wet, was approaching. With the advancement of the magic hour 5:31 (the hour when Charles IV taped 650 years ago on the Bridge foundation stone) the sky was getting cloudier and finally burst out raining. The ceremony of “touching the stone” was carried out between drops of water by Pavel Bém and the 47th grand master of the Křížovníci with Golden Star knight order. It is a pity that the symbolical act and celebration wasn’t attended by the President and Cardinal, who were also expected.
In spite of the low budget (especially when compared with the millions of euros invested in 200th Eiffel Tower anniversary) the celebration was a success. Those who made it to the very morning can be proud to have been there as the next similar celebration is expected to happen in fifty years time.