Experience the Vibrancy of Easter Traditions and Spring Celebrations at the Wallachian Open Air Museum

The Wallachian Museum will be open every day from April 19 to April 21, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visitors can look forward to a very diverse and engaging Easter program. The main events will take place in the Wooden Town throughout these three days, showcasing traditional Easter and spring customs. Attendees will be able to enjoy performances by folklore groups, learn how to make pomlázek (decorative Easter whips), and see unique techniques for decorating Easter eggs. The event will also feature a wide array of handcrafted products from local artisans and plenty of delicious refreshments.

In celebration of the museum’s 100th anniversary, visitors will have the chance to see something truly special at St. Anne’s Church—this Easter, the church will host a remarkable artefact from the museum’s collection, a transparent mosaic tomb of God borrowed from Nový Hrozenkov.

White Saturday, Easter Feast and Red Monday

On White Saturday, April 19, 2025, the Wooden Town will host an exciting Easter Fair filled with activities like Easter egg decorating, making pom poms and wicker baskets. Local craftspeople will display and sell items such as Easter wreaths, decorative ceramics, carved doves, and products made from rushes, tallow, and straw. You will also find decorated gingerbread cookies, cozy woolen socks, and beautiful folk embroidery. Attendees can watch demonstrations of traditional sheep wool processing on spinning wheels, learn about carving, wirework, and the making of birch brooms, as well as splintered dishes and glassware. Various artisans will be showcasing their skills. The overall atmosphere will be enhanced by the delightful sounds of dulcimer music performed by Jiří Nechanický and Aldamáš, and the children’s music group Jarášek will entertain with Easter Passion plays in St. Anne’s Church.

This is followed by Sunday, April 20, which is the Feast of Easter. Visitors can anticipate a lively Easter fair and enjoy demonstrations of Easter and spring traditions performed by various folklore groups. Artists will stroll through the Wooden Town, while local “aunties” will be busy painting Easter eggs and cooking traditional Easter dishes like spring soup in Bill’s house. Children can even try their hand at making an Easter linocut. The dulcimer music group Javořina will perform on the stage near the pond, and the palouk Wooden Town will showcase the Radhošt’ Wallachian ensemble oračka with performances scheduled for 10:30 and 1:30.

The festivities continue on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, featuring traditional smigrust (Easter whip) and fair. Starting at 10:00, the delightful sounds of Soláň dulcimer music will fill the Wooden Town’s palouk, while the Radegast dulcimer music group will entertain on the pond stage. At 11:00 and 13:30, the folklore ensemble Ševčík will perform traditional dances and customs. To top it all off, bagpiper Petr Sovják will offer some uplifting tunes for everyone to enjoy.

Easter at the Wallachian Open Air Museum

Dates & Setting
Celebrate traditional Easter customs and springtime traditions from April 19–21, 2025, in the heart of Wallachia’s heritage village.

Hands‑On Workshops & Customs

• Pomlazek Knitting & Tartar Weaving
  Learn to braid the willow whip (“pomlazek”) and weave palm‑twig “tartar” under the guidance of local artisans.

• Egg Decorating & Pucca Preparation
  Master classic folk techniques for painting Easter eggs and discover how to cook a savory “pucca” dish, central to Wallachian Easter tables.

• Rapaces Traditions
  Explore the meaning and rituals behind local Easter customs—rapaces—and see them brought to life by costumed guides.

Living History & Guided Characters
Museum guides costumed as traditional aunts, uncles and elders will lead you through the village, sharing stories and demonstrating daily life as it was lived centuries ago.

Folklore Performances & Live Music

• Dance Ensembles: Jarášek, Javořina, Radhošt’ and Radegast perform vibrant regional dances.

• Dulcimer Concerts: Enjoy live sets by Jiří Nechanický and Aldamáš, alongside ensembles Javořina and Soláň, filling the air with lilting folk tunes.

Craft Market & Local Goods
Shop for authentic Wallachian crafts, including:

• Hand‑thrown ceramics and straw‑woven goods

• Decorated gingerbread treats

• Cozy woolen socks and embroidered textiles

• An array of other folk‑crafted souvenirs

Special Exhibition: Transparent Mosaic Tomb
At St. Anne’s Church, view the museum’s rare transparent mosaic “Tomb of God”—a one‑of‑a‑kind artifact exhibited only during the Easter celebration.

Heritage Exhibitions

• Heart and Soul of Wallachia: Discover the region’s pivotal figures at the Wallachian Slavín tribute exhibit.

• Wallachian Heritage Village: Wander through authentic historic buildings relocated from across Wallachia, each illustrating traditional rural life.

Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and tastes of Wallachian Easter—where every workshop, performance and artifact tells a story of living heritage.