ADAMEK'S FOLKLORE
CELEBRATION (AFS)I
Vysočan ensemble together with the Town of
Hlinsko and the
Folklore Association of the Czech Republic
have annually held Adámek's Folklore Celebration
(AFS) since 1996. AFS is a two day's meeting of
folklore groups (about 5 Czech and 1 or 2
foreing groups). The celebration is held at the
last weekend in August in the oldest part of
Hlinsko called "Betlém". Every ensemble presents
there dances, songs and costumes mostly
originate from its region or county.
Why Adámek's celebration? Karel Václav Adámek
(1868 - 1944) was one of the most distinguish
representatives of the Hlinsko region. He was
engaged in homeland study. Many customs, songs
and dances are preserved in his collections.
The celebration is devided into
two days - Saturday and Sunday. Children's
folklore groups present their performances in
Saturday's programme - in the afternoon - and
adult in Sanday .
Costumed procession through the
town of Hlinsko and performances by folklore
groups from the Czech Republic and abroad under
the title Youth Sings and Dances are held on
Sunday. There are some of the participants to
celebrations in last years: the Czech Republic:
Hořeňák - Lázně Bělohrad, Lipta - Liptál, Beskyd
- Zubří, Podjavořičan - Telč, Nisanka - Jablonec
nad Nisou, Slovakia: Váh - Půchov, Holland:
Hoogwoudar Dancers, Spain: Magisterio and El
Ventolin, Greece - the Ensemble from
Thessaloniki, Hungary: Kenderke, Poland: Krakus
and Magurzanie, Italy: Musikkapelle and Banda
Musicalle Civitela and of course Vysočánek and
Vysočan are participants every year.
Audience have opportunity of
watching various groups and comparing culture
and history of their regions and countries.
After a modest beginning festival in Hlinsko has
a very good standard at present. Audience take
interest in watching it as well as folklore
groups like to take part in it. Also reviews of
professionals are good.
Adámek's Folklore Celebration is
a cultural event that endeavours after
preserving and performing old folklore
traditions and customs because:
„The nation that does not
honour its cultural and historical
traditions has not time to come.“
