Pilsen Shines with a Dazzling International Show and an Unforgettable Theatre Experience
This year, Pilsen is really showcasing its ability to celebrate anniversaries in an impressive fashion. Pilsen in the glow is yet another highlight and serves as a sort of grand finale to a culturally vibrant year and summer season. This year marks the ten-year milestone since it was named the European Capital of Culture, an achievement that has transformed not just the cultural scene but also the city’s image. 2015 brought an unprecedented surge of energy, openness, and fresh creative ideas that continue to thrive in Pilsen today.
On Friday and Saturday evenings, the program kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with a concert by the pop-rock band The Rackers from Mons, Belgium, which was sister city to Pilsen during the ECC project ten years ago. The Rackers are known for their vibrant performances and catchy songs that have a vibe similar to England’s Arctic Monkeys or Scotland’s Franz Ferdinand. They engage the audience with their lively Britpop and rock, mixed with electronic music elements.
Starting from 8:00 p.m., the city center will host the French street theatre Picto Facto with their show Lampadophores, which features illuminated inflatable puppets in strange shapes, accompanied by live music and singing. Then, the Square of the Republic will turn into an exciting stage where music and movement come together, starting at 9:00 p.m. During these performances, artists from Voalá Station will defy gravity with stunning aerial choreography in the Muaré Experience. Acrobats will perform more than 30 meters above the audience, while rock music played by the band Duchamp Pilot fills the air. This performance uniquely blends art, sound, and movement, making the energy of the audience part of the experience. Original and intricate aerial acrobatics utilizing a crane have been showcased under the sky in over 30 countries since 2008. The two world-class artistic groups, Picto Facto and Voalá Station, will be performing in the Czech Republic for the very first time;
Sunday evening dedicated to theatre
Sunday evening will feature presentations from the J. K. Tyl Theatre. The program titled DJKT Live showcases theatre as a living, evolving entity that resonates with its community. Attendees can look forward to a blend of operatic arias, songs from popular musicals, ballet performances, and dramatic pieces that express strong emotions. The diverse energy and enthusiasm of the production will shine through, from experienced soloists to budding talent. Uniquely, both orchestras—the opera and musical—will perform live, their sound and visuals transmitted in real-time via video to the Square of the Republic, establishing an innovative link between the performing arts and the surrounding space. This creative approach will offer the audience an extraordinary experience that goes beyond traditional theatre formats. A special guest, the local novocirkusová company TUTOCirk, will also be part of the DJKT Live program.
