Jirásek's Hronov amateur theatre festival gets underway

The 96th edition of the Jirásek's Hronov amateur theatre festival begins on Friday in the east Bohemian town of Hronov, with organisers expecting tens of thousands of visitors.

Running until August 8, the festival will feature nearly 150 theatre performances, 20 concerts and dozens of other cultural events. Around 80 amateur theatre companies from Czechia and Slovakia, along with three professional theatres, will take part.

Founded in 1931, Jirásek's Hronov is regarded as the world's oldest continuously running amateur theatre festival, having survived World War II, the communist era and the Covid-19 pandemic. Amateur theatre in Czechia is also recognised on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage.