2026 – 60th Anniversary of the Partnership between the Cities of Plzeň and Limoges (France), 15th Anniversary of the Cooperation between the Plzeň Region and Bjelovar-Bilogora County (Croatia), and a Traditional Wedding Procession from the Plzeň Region

The 28th CIOFF® International Folklore Festival Plzeň 2026 took place from 10 to 14 June 2026. The festival commemorated two important anniversaries: the 60th anniversary of the partnership between the cities of Plzeň and Limoges (France) and the 15th anniversary of the cooperation between the Plzeň Region and Bjelovar-Bilogora County (Croatia).

Another central theme of this year's festival was the beauty of traditional folk wedding customs. As part of the programme entitled "All My Bridesmaids Are Seated at the Table…", the audience enjoyed a reconstruction of a traditional wedding procession from the Plzeň region, including authentic 19th-century bridal and groom's costumes. The programme also featured a staged performance of the Chod wedding tradition (svarba) from Postřekov, as well as a traditional wedding from the Horácko region.

In cooperation with the Plzeň Region, the festival stage once again hosted the ceremonial presentation of the Plzeň Region Awards for Traditional Folk Culture. The titles "Master of Traditional Handicraft of the Plzeň Region 2025" were awarded to Helena Šrámková (Kladruby) for bobbin and needle tatting lace-making, and Gabriel Hájek(Klatovy) for glass decoration through engraving and cutting.

The festival was held under the patronage of Kamal Farhan, Governor of the Plzeň Region, and Roman Zarzycký, Mayor of the City of Plzeň.

The festival was honoured by the personal attendance of H.E. Mr. Víctor Aquiles Abujatum Sepúlveda, Ambassador of the Republic of Chile to the Czech Republic.