Frank Trnka's Czech Adventures - 2009, 2012, 2014 & 2017: August 24, 2014 - Strakonice Festival

The day began with an incredible presentation of folk costumes (kroje), mostly from South Bohemia, but also most of the international performing groups had someone demonstrating their most elaborate male and female costumes. It was narrated by the leading Czech authority on kroje, Jiřina Langhammerová, who has written books many of us love, and who has a new one out specifically about South Bohemia. She spoke at least five minutes about each piece and it would have been great to understand more of what she was saying, but it was wonderful to see everything regardless of the language barrier. The lighting in the room was strange, so unfortunately many of my photos of the kroje didn't turn out!

After lunch was the closing festival parade and then a three hour program including some groups we hadn't seen perform before, including finally the Spanish group which was one that I had most wanted to see! The Polish men put on a wild set of gymnastic feats that was the big crowd pleaser, and the Bulgarians also did a great set!

15:00 - Gala Closing Concert

Kamil Jindřich, a member of Domažlice Dudácká Muzika, was MC.

Real Banda de Gaitas de Ourense

Finally, Real Banda de Gaitas de Ourense, one of the groups I had come to see. I videoed almost their whole performance! Since they were one of the most famous groups here, I'm wondering if we missed them by not knowing we could get into the sold-out opening night Cassation with our festival passes? Everyone else got to perform several times, and that was the only big concert that we missed. At least we got to see them once!