During Christmas time Prague becomes even more magic, and this is due above all to an event that takes place every year since 1990, and which s now become an important happening for all music and Christmas lovers: the International Festival of Advent and Christmas Music. The 18th edition of the Festival will take place, as usually, on the first weekend of Advent (28th-30th November) in the breathtaking Old Town Square, and it will make Christmas time begin in the best possible way.



The Festival is a real competition of choirs, who challenge each other singing Christmas carols. Choirs are divided into different categories (female, male, youth, mixed and children up to 16 years old), and according to the number of their members (on one hand the choirs with a maximum of 24 members, on the other hand the choirs with more than 24 members). Each choir will have the possibility to sing for 15 minutes, performing up to a maximum of 5 carols, and one of this will have to be performed a cappella.

Obviously music pieces will all be linked to Christmas and Advent, and at least one of them will have to be a piece composed after 1950. A jury of experts, including important figures of Czech and international coral music, will evaluate the performances according to various criteria, such as the singers? technical level, criteria of interpretation, and overall artistic impression, and they will then award several prizes: apart from the prize for the best choir, special prices will be awarded, to make an example, to the best director and the best performance of the piece composed after 1950. After the award of the prizes, the Festival traditionally ends with a Christmas carol sung by all the members of all the choirs together, who in this way thank and say goodbye to the audience.

The festival is worthy a visit, also because in Prague music has always been important, and the advent weekend is made even more appealing by the traditional Christmas markets that open just on the 29th November, and then run daily until the beginning of January in Old City Square and in Wenceslas Square. In the wooden huts that characterise the market visitors can find all what is typical of Christmas time, from scented candles to woollen gloves and scarves, from Christmas tree ornaments to wooden toys, and they can also enjoy delicatessen and hot drinks (like hot wine). The atmosphere is made even more magic by the Christmas tree shipped from the mountains in the South of the Czech Republic to Old Town Square, and the Bethlehem manger scene, featuring living animals!

Come and enjoy the Christmas spirit in Prague!

Prague is a magic city, characterised by wonderful sights, and in Christmas time it is made splendid. Do not miss the chance to immerse yourselves in Christmas thanks to the markets and above all to the festival: book now your cheap hotel in Prague.

Tickets: free event

Date: 28th-30th November 2008

Location: Old Town Square, Prague, Czech Republic