Hungarian performers at Prague's biggest festivals

The Liszt Institute Prague supported the debut of the Hungarian band Freakin' Disco at the United Islands of Prague festival, and also contributed to the performances of Swing à la Django and the Khamoro Budapest Band at the world's largest official Roma festival, Khamoro. The institute co-organised with the Petőfi Cultural Agency the Prague International Book Fair and Literature Festival, the largest book fair in the Czech Republic, and in Zlatá Koruna commemorated the Hungarian and Czech soldiers who died at the end of World War II.

This year, the festival season in Prague started on the first days of May, with the celebration of Europe on the islands in the centre of Prague on 1 May. The original Europe Day, which has been organised for several years, became Europe Week this year. This included the traditional United Islands of Prague festival, where the organisers showcased not only the best of emerging Czech artists, but also some of the most interesting discoveries of the European music scene. The event was officially opened by President Petr Pavel. Hungary was represented by the unique sound of Freakin' Disco, organised by the Liszt Institute Prague. The band, which blends electronic music with live jazz, closed the evening as the main act on the Evropa Stage, the main stage, and was a huge success. As part of the programme, the Liszt Institute Prague also organised an interesting online quiz to mark the 50th anniversary of the invention of the Rubik's cube, with prizes for successful participants. The quiz was very popular with young and old, Czechs and foreigners alike. In addition, visitors were also given booklets on the beauties and tourist attractions of Hungary in the courtyard of the National Theatre on Václav Havel Square.

Every year on 8 May, the Liszt Institute Prague and the Embassy of Hungary, together with the municipality of Zlatá Koruna in southern Bohemia and the monastery that forms the historical core of the village, pay tribute to the memory of the Hungarian and Czech soldiers who died at the end of World War II. The solemn commemoration, which has a tradition going back more than two decades and has become a well-known part of the cultural life of the area, began this year with the laying of a wreath at the monument to the war dead in the village of Rájov, where Milan Štindl, Mayor of the village of Zlatá Koruna, gave a speech. Representing the Hungarian Mission in Prague, the wreath was laid by Ambassador András Baranyi, Hajnal Kassai, Director of the Liszt Institute Prague, and Attila Szabó, Military Attaché, before the procession moved to the cemetery in Zlatá Koruna, where the heroes' graves were also laid. Ambassador András Baranyi delivered a speech at the cemetery. This was followed by the opening of an exhibition entitled Unnoticed Existence by Hungarian artist Henriett Szabó in the monastery's abbey halls and then a world music concert by the Fililibi Project artists (Ágnes Kutas - violin, vocals and Andrea Gerák - vocals) in the abbey's concert hall. The programme was attended by more than 150 people.

The Prague International Book Fair and Literary Festival was held from 23 to 26 May 2024. The Hungarian presence at the fair was supported - for the fourth time - by the Petőfi Cultural Agency, with the participation of the Society of Writers and the Liszt Institute Prague. The design of the Hungarian stand in the international pavilion of the largest book fair in the Czech Republic was based on the cover design of the Hungarian Literary Kaleidoscope, published on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Liszt Institute, and was presented at the fair. Visitors to the book fair were able to take part in six events related to Hungarian literature. In addition to contemporary Hungarian fiction, the stand showcased Hungarian books, children's books, Hungarian-themed books in Czech translation and professional publications.

The Khamoro (Roma meaning day) festival is the world's largest official Roma festival. The event has been organised in Prague since 1999 by Slovo 21 and Studio Production Saga. During this time, more than 260 bands from 33 countries have performed at the festival - including world-famous bands such as Mahala Rai Banda, Kočani Orkestar and Parno Graszt. In addition to concerts by Roma bands from all over the world, Khamoro also offers exhibitions, children's programmes, storytelling, film screenings, dance workshops and professional conferences. On 27 May 2024, one of the highlights of the festival was the performance of the Hungarian jazz band Swing à la Django at Jazzdock, Prague's most popular club, on 27 May 2024. The concert was more well attended than ever before, with the stage almost "exploding" with the virtuoso energy of the musicians. On the final day of the festival, also organised by the Liszt Institute, the Khamoro Budapest Band will perform for the Czech capital.