Nine-year-old boy leads annual Ride of Kings in Vlčnov
The annual Ride of the Kings folk celebration – a centuries-old UNESCO listed tradition – took place in the village of Vlčnov in South Moravia on Sunday. The festive ride of young men, led by a nine-year-old boy in the role of king, signifies their transition to manhood.
Hundreds of people gathered in Vlčnov on Sunday to witness the annual Ride of the Kings, which has been taking place in the village since 1808. The tradition refers to the flight of Hungarian King Matthias Corvinus from Czech King George of Poděbrady in the 15th century and is only practised today in four villages in the Slovácko region.
Alongside performances of traditional brass and cimbalom music, the ritual involves a festive ride of young men through the village, for whom it signifies their transition to manhood.
The ride is headed by a boy portraying the monarch, dressed as a girl in the regional folk costume, with his face partially covered, and a rose between his lips so that he is not tempted to speak and give himself away.
Performing the role of the king this year was nine-year-old František Janča, who followed in the footsteps of his older brother, father, and grandfather, who led the procession in preceding years.
Hundreds of people descended on Vlčnov on Sunday to witness the unique and colourful procession, which takes months to prepare. Among them was Hanako, who came all the way from Japan:
“I booked accommodation already two months before the festival and I was really looking forward to visit. I am really enjoying it because the people here are so kind and friendly.”
An elderly lady called Elena also came for the first time, although she lives in Zlín, a town located only about 35 kilometres north of Vlčnov:
“I never attended the event, although I have been living in Zlín for many years now. I have always just watched it on TV. So this is my first time and I am thrilled. My daughter offered to take me and I thought it was something I should do, before I die. I really love it. It’s beautiful!”
Among the people who came to see the procession was also Sonya Darrow, an artist from Cedar Rapid, Iowa, who is now based in Brno:
“This is my first time here, but I know about the ritual, because it is famous throughout Moravia. What brought us here is to understand the ritual a little bit better. We are actually here because we are working on a project regarding this tradition and its connection to drag.”
In 2011, the Ride of the Kings was added to UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage. Apart from Vlčnov, it occasionally takes place in another three villages in the South Moravian region, Hluk, Kunovice, and Skoronice.
