Record number of costumed Wallachians gather in Rožnov, president joins celebration

A record 1,449 Wallachians and Wallachian women in traditional costume gathered on Saturday on Masaryk Square in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm as part of the international Rožnov Folklore Festival. The event, now officially registered in the Czech Book of Records, was also marked by an unexpected visit from President Petr Pavel. He joined the colorful parade heading to the Wallachian Open Air Museum, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The festival features over 40 ensembles from the region and abroad, including guests from Belgium, Hungary, Romania, and Croatia. A special program recreates the spirit of the original 1925 ethnographic celebration.