Hundreds of folk dancers, singers and musicians from thirty three local and foreign ensembles will perform at this festival daily. Thirty five stalls will be located by the stage at Ovocný Trh where visitors can get acquainted with traditional Czech crafts. The director of the festival Jan Šlajs briefed journalists today.
“The best ensembles of the participating countries are bringing to Prague exotic dances, top quality folk music, as well as demonstrations of the traditional customs of their cultures,” says the director. Dancers, singers and musicians will come to the Czech capital from the following countries China, Congo, Indonesia, Cape Verde Islands, Cyprus, Georgia, Israel, Russia, Turkey, Slovenia, Italia, Kazakhstan and Serbia for the sixth year of the festival.
The majority of the twenty Czech ensembles performing come from Prague; in spite of this they represent regional folklore. According to Zdeněk Pšenica, the chairman of Folk associations of the Czech Republic, this organisation spans over 412 ensembles. It is said that there are about 30 in Prague and in Central Bohemia, and out of it two thirds are devoted to regional folklore.
Performers will process through Prague city centre on Wednesday afternoon. This gala parade of performers will start at Old Town Square after two p.m. They will present a short dancing parade and then they will march through Celetná and Rytířská Streets to Ovocný Trh.
Visitors may try their hand at traditional Czech crafts such as weaving, wiring or pottery. According to Jan Šlajs the refreshments will also be focused on Czech cuisine. Apart of the distinctly Czech pig sticking specialties visitors may look forward to tasting Třeboň carp, trdlo pate or special Czech potato pancakes (bramboráky).
Source: ČTK