2024 - THE YEAR OF CZECH MUSIC, CORONATION OF THE KING OF PILSEN BAGPIPE PLAYERS, NEW STAGE IN PLASY, AND 15 YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE PILSEN REGION AND CARAŞ-SEVERIN COUNTY IN ROMANIA

As June began, Plzeň once again came alive with the sounds of folklore, as exceptional dancers, musicians, and singers from across the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Serbia, and a group of Mexican dancers from the USA took to several festival stages in Pilsen and its surrounding areas. A new partnership was established with the town of Plasy, where, for the first time in the festival’s history, part of the program was held.

We proudly joined the Year of Czech Music 2024 with a special event. We were thrilled to celebrate the 80th birthday of Jaromír Konrady, a master bagpipe player, bagpipe maker, holder of the title "Master of Traditional Craftsmanship of the Plzeň Region," and founder of the festival. During the festival, we ceremonially crowned him the "King of Pilsen Bagpipe Players" and organized a major gathering of bagpipe players from the Pilsen region in his honor. We also marked 15 years of partnership between the Plzeň Region and Romania’s Caraş-Severin County, featuring a special program showcasing the Association of Czechs from the Banat Carpathians.

In collaboration with the Pilsen Region, the festival stage also hosted the ceremonial announcement of the Pilsen Region Awards in the field of traditional folk culture, including the presentation of the titles "Master of Traditional Craftsmanship of the Plzeň Region" and "Bearer of Intangible Heritage of the Pilsen Region" for 2023.

The festival was held under the patronage of the Czech Minister of Culture Martin Baxa, the Governor of the Pilsen Region Rudolf Špoták, and the Mayor of Pilsen Roman Zarzycký.