The Jirásek Hronov Theatre Festival has arrived!
From Friday, August 1 to Saturday, August 9, 2025, Hronov will welcome the 95th version of the long-established international festival of amateur theatre called Jirásek’s Hronov. This festival is recognized as one of the most important amateur theatre events globally by the international non-governmental organization AITA – IATA.
This year’s festival will take place at the Jirásek Theatre, Josef Čapek Hall, at the Sokolovna, and in the WIKOV arena (once a winter stadium) featuring the Black box, which was a new addition last year. Additionally, there will be free events at the Square, as well as on two stages in Park A. Jirásek and, for the first time, in the yard of the Hronov rectory.
Jirásek’s Hronov will kick off on the night before August 1, starting with the raising of the festival flag, the arrival of seminarians and guests, and a performance by the Náchod theatre group showcasing It happened in Chamonix or a trap for a lonely man. The main program consists of non-professional theatre groups that make their way through a series of showcases. Each group that hopes to perform in the main Jirásek Hronov program must first go through regional and county shows, where they can receive nominations from specialized juries to advance to national shows. The most impressive groups from these national performances are then invited to participate in Jirásek Hronov. There are eleven national shows across the country, categorized by type of theatre.
The best of Jirásek Hronov 2025
The festival’s opening ceremony will be held on Saturday, August 2 starting at 14:00 at the Square Čs. Armády in Hronov, featuring performances by a thirteen-member brass pop-rock band called The People. During this opening ceremony, the Pavel Dostál Award will be presented to the Josef Tejkl Theatre for its significant contribution to Czech amateur theatre, along with the Mayor’s Award of Hronov for Jaroslava Červená, recognizing her dedication to amateur theatre in Hronov. From that moment until Saturday, August 9, visitors can enjoy performances from over 40 ensembles, four of which are professional shows that serve as inspiration (Tantehorse with Iris, Geisslers Hofcomoedianten with Simply Simplicius, Theatre Where Are You Going? collaborating with the Vejminek Theatre from Brno for Podcasts, and Drama 2025 with Norway Today).
One of the highlights, a heartfelt comedy named Casanova at Dukhovtsy Castle from the Karel Čapek Theatre Association Děčín, showcases the last days of the famous lover and traveler at Duchcov castle. Here, facing loneliness and deception, he penned his famous memoirs, which gained worldwide fame. This chapter of his life includes his final love, Sophie. An intimate monodrama titled Vlnolam (Divadlo Navenek Kadaň) introduces us to Alex, a British photographer devoted to his family, comprising his wife Helen and daughter Lucy. During several pivotal years, we also meet Alex’s father-in-law Arthur, who owns a home on the French Riviera… Be sure to catch Unsolicited advice, a puzzling talk show that gives you tips on how you’ve been doing things right all your life. The DISK Trnava theatre group will present Convection. Idiots are the others!, which depicts a group of people in a space that serves as both their sanctuary and prison. Another Slovak group, DS Lunetrdlo from Partizánska Ľupča, will be performing a comedy The dice are rolled about the turmoil of love and heartbreak. The zany comedy The Action Movie Encyclopedia (Radar Theatre / Za oponou, Prague) tells the incredible stories of actual YouTubers and pays homage to the action film heroes of the world, along with preserving the history of Czechoslovakia through the lens of those who managed to remain free during tough times.
A comedic monodrama entitled Model XXL (MonAmour Monk) focuses on women’s struggles with self-image. One hand holds a chart for calories, while the other grasps fashion magazines filled with slim models; their stomachs might contain low-fat yogurt but their cravings lean toward chocolate bars. The main character, Venda, was on her way to a successful modeling career at the young age of twelve. Now, two decades later, she has gained about 35 pounds… Never mind, by V.A.D. Theatre, is a funny exploration of honesty. Is it even feasible to be more straightforward with oneself and act without pretense? Play Lousy (Komorné divadlo Stupava) presents a dramedy about a seemingly ordinary family (father, mother, son, and daughter) who perceive themselves as just one among many typical Catholic Slovak families yet hide a deeper secret beneath their calm family facade.
Accompanying programme and educational seminars
In addition to the main festival events, there will be more than 70 concerts and theatre performances available, including fairy tales suitable for all ages. Festival concerts will feature artists like Vlasta Horváth and his band, Tomas Matonoha & friends, Monika Načeva, Papír sklo plasty & Jirka Kára, Blonde, Waroving, and many other performers. Slam Poetry will also be part of the lineup, with Anatol Svahilec performing in both the Square and the park. In the Parish Garden at All Saints Church, festival attendees can enjoy a variety of programming, including two film screenings. A film directed by David Batla, showcasing amateurs during the Covid-19 pandemic, named Actor’s Heaven, will debut here, alongside the film Directions, which will also have appearances from its creators Martin Písařík or Jan Hájek.
This year’s festival will also include educational seminars, with a total of 21 seminars, including two discussion-focused ones, featuring over 200 participants registered. These seminars will be led by experienced teachers, such as Kateřina Císařová, Braňo Mazuch, René Levinsky, Luděk Horký, Jiří Havelka, Petr Michálek (rector of JAMU), and Miriam Kičiňová (Director of the Drama Department at the Slovak National Theatre) running from August 2 to 9. These seminars will culminate in public demonstrations, showcasing the fruits of their week’s effort.
The event organizers are also planning several exhibitions during this time. In the Jirásek Museum, visitors can view an exhibition honoring the life and creations of Hronov native Jindřich Freiwald. Additionally, there will be the customary exhibition of Ivo Mičkal’s photography, which highlights scenes from the last year’s festival.
