The Festival is one of the most important Czech classical music festivals. Traditionally, it has been held in the town of Cesky Krumlov since its inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992. With his concerts he connects the interiors and exteriors of this city and other historically and culturally interesting locations of southern Bohemia. The festival has been held in more than 40 locations so far, and this year’s 32nd edition will bring several unconventional locations to life with music. In addition to the variability of concert venues, the festival is central to supporting young artists and connecting music with other art forms. Chamber, symphonic and choral works are often presented in combination with dance, acting and original stage design. The drama also accentuates works by vocal, opera or opera galaconcerts. The festival’s programme features the names of top Czech and foreign soloists together with the most prominent performers of the young generation. 18 concerts, at the 12 venues of Cesky Krumlov and the surrounding area: newly welcomed to the synagogue, Egon Schiele Art Center as well as the Laundry Cultural Center. It will offer not only chamber, symphonic and choral works, but also opera arias, Spanish zarzuela and ballet. The festival welcomes renowned Czech and foreign performers, including pianist Alexander Melnikov, a tenor; Charles Castronovo, sopranos Zuzana Marková, Adriana Kučerová and Simona Šaturová, guitarist; Rafael Aguirre and violinists; Vadim Gluzman and Josef Špaček and many others. The accompanying programme in the Festival Zone monastery garden will offer FREE arts, sports and educational activities and, of course, multi-genre concerts.      The opening concert of the French Night festival will bring music to the poetic scenery of the Summer Riding Hall on July 14. Under starry skies, works of Romanticism and Impressionism by French composers will be performed by pianist Alexander Melnikov and the Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra. The world renowned choreographer Jiří Bubeníček has prepared original choreography for the evening, which will be danced by a ballet ensemble composed of stars of the European ballet Les Ballets Bubeníček. The festive evening will end with Maurice Ravel’s Bolero with a strutting dance choreography. The whole evening will mark one of the key dates of European history – 14 July 1789 – The Fall of the Bastille.

JK