Jiráskův Hronov Festival Celebrates 96th Year in Hronov, Czech Republic

The Jiráskův Hronov amateur theatre festival begins its 96th edition on 31 July 2026 in the town of Hronov, northeastern Czech Republic. Running until 8 August, the programme includes nearly 150 theatrical performances, about 20 concerts and dozens of additional cultural events, with special days devoted to dance, folk traditions and living cultural heritage.

Organisers say around 80 amateur ensembles from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and three professional theatres will participate. The opening ceremony features the traditional flag‑raising, the lighting of the "Lucerna přátelství" and a concert by the Prima Jazz Band. The festival, first held in 1931 and named after writer Alois Jirásek, is recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage and is noted as the world’s oldest uninterrupted amateur‑theatre festival, having survived World War II, the communist era and the COVID‑19 pandemic.