The F. L. Vek International Music Festival
Visit Dobruška to Discover F. L. Věk
Dobruška is primarily recognized for Alois Jirasek’s novel, which gained immense popularity due to its adaptation on television featuring Radoslav Brzobohatý as F. L. Vek. F. L. Vek is portrayed as a burgher and merchant from Dobruška and played a vital role in the Czech national revival. Interestingly, F. L. Věk was also associated with notable musicians who received instruction directly from W. A. Mozart. The special 15th F. L. Vek Festival will kick off on September 13, 2025, and will wrap up with celebratory events in early December. This year’s lineup consists of ten concerts, including several premieres, as well as two performances in the astounding Koenig & Bauer Grafitec factory hall in Dobruška. The organizers are optimistic that each concert will provide a unique experience for everyone attending. The high-quality programming ensures that top-tier Czech and international artists will perform classical pieces, including a traditional concert that focuses on a crossover initiative for all audiences. The main event will culminate with Hek’s Christmas Mass, presented by the symphony orchestra and mixed choir from the Pardubice Conservatory.
Highlights from this year’s lineup
The fifteenth F. L. Vek Festival will commence on Saturday, September 13, 2025, with a performance by mezzo-soprano Jana Hrochová alongside harpsichordist Martin Hroch. This concert, titled Ave Maria, will take place in the evangelical church located in Bohuslavice and will feature the same composition by three different composers. On September 20, the esteemed Collegium Marianum ensemble, featuring soprano Hana Blažíková, will perform in the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Deštné v Orlických horách. The program will showcase works by Alessandro Grandi, Adam Václav Michna from Otradovice, and Vincenzo Albrici. The traditional St. Wenceslas Concert on September 28 will be presented by young talents Martin Droppa (organ) and Daniel Plavec (violin).
A truly unique experience awaits with concerts in the Koenig & Bauer factory hall, which boasts excellent acoustics! On October 3 (Friday), Matyáš Novák (piano) and the F. L. Vek Festival Orchestra will perform works by J. S. Bach, W. A. Mozart, L. v. Beethoven, and Smetana’s Vltava. On October 4 (Saturday), there is a crossover project called Vivaldi as you don’t know it. A delightful performance is expected from the Janoška Ensemble. On October 12 (Sunday), the renowned Polish keyboardist Krzystof Lukas will grace Opočno Castle with his presence, filling the monastery church of the Nativity of the Lord with exquisite organ music. Additionally, on October 19 (Sunday), a special concert titled From the nursery to the big world of music will showcase young talents, including Radka Potočková (flute), Eliška Tomeňuková (soprano) and Klára Hůlková (cello) at the Dobruš synagogue.
The F. L. Vek Festival will wrap up on November 5 with a rendition of Mozart’s Requiem, featuring soloists from the National Theatre Prague along with the Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice. Enjoy the beautiful music inside the Social House in Solnice. On November 16 (Sunday), the show Opera Romance will enchant audiences at the Kodym National House in Opočno, performed by singer Gustáv Beláček and pianist Daniel Buranovský. The festival will culminate on December 4 at the large hall of the Social Centre – Cinema 70 in Dobruška with Hek’s Christmas Mass, presented by the Mixed Choir and the Symphony Orchestra of the Pardubice Conservatory, conducted by Tomáš Židek.
