Hradec Králové (Czech Republic) has a well established theater tradition, with cultural festivals that culminate a prolific theatrical season each year. This summer, Hradec Králové will host the XVIIth edition of the international festival Theater of the European Regions, between June 21 – June 30, 2011.
A scene from Chocolate Eaters, directed by David Drábek, one of the pays in program. Photo: Jan Hřebíček
Klicpera theaters are already selling tickets for the last shows of the season at 50% discount. Some of the shows have already been sold out, some are still waiting for spectators. The varied program of the festival offers a bit of every theatrical genre: comedy, drama, satire and musicals. Children will enjoy special productions for their age, including fairy tales, puppets shows, and mask theater.
Scenes from Mrzák Inishmaanský, photo by: Viktor Kronbauer
The festival will enjoy the presence of theater companies from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Russia, Poland, Great Britain and many other European countries. Within ten festival days, there will be about 220 shows performed on twenty festival scenes. The most important part of the festival takes place on an open-air scene, where theatrical performances are followed by live concerts, and dance. There will be free performances on the streets of the old city as well, in pedestrian zones and in parks – to make theater available to a broader audience. The complete open air program, in Czech, here.
Scenes from the open air part of the festival in 2010.
Whether you understand the language or not, the festival is an event you shouldn’t miss. Hradec Králové is only 1 hour 25 mins drive (118 km) from Prague – if you are in town, you could consider a weekend escape to the capital of Královéhradecký kraj. The city is already renowned for other festivals that take place here, including the largest hip hop festival in Europe, held in August, and the “Jazz goes to town” international festival held in October.
All featured images, courtesy Klicpera theaters.