Years ending in a four have a similar significance in Czech music as the years ending in eight for the whole nation and the country. Strangely enough, they often coincide with the anniversaries of the birth death, or creation of key works of the most prominent Czech composers.
One such year of four started the tradition of celebrating the Year of Czech Music a hundred years ago. This was on the occasion of the centenary of the birth of Bedřich Smetana. The dominant theme of Smetana's time was the search for Czech identity in a turbulent developing world. The same theme remains relevant today, 200 years after his birth. Bedřich Smetana contributed to this debate in a language that is still understandable to the whole world today.
This year's edition of the Year of Czech usic will be held in the spirit of the main message: We are music. In addition to classical music, it will also offer other genres: from folk music to jazz to alternative genres. Top artistic events, explorations, exhibitions, theatre performances, and events for the general public and the emerging generations are just a small sample of what this year has to offer.
Everyone can join the Year of Czech Music. By attending, organising, playing, performing, or even just listening to the music that continues to define who we are today.
