One of the highlights of spring celebrations in the town is the traditional Olomouc Majáles of Palacký University, this year taking place from 6 to 8 May. Majáles offers more than music, film, and theatre programmes: it is also the largest showcase of student and non-profit organisations, accompanied with contests, workshops, and other events for all. This year its motto is Without Borders – to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Czech Republic’s accession to the European Union.
“On Monday 6 May, Majáles will occupy the premises of the Convictorium, where visitors can look forward to open art studios and workshops, an exhibition, a swing dance hall, slam poetry, theatrical performances, the popular impro show performed by O.LI.V.Y., and a talk show with singer and songwriter Michal Horák. The legendary circus tent will also host the announcement of the results of the university literary competition and an afterparty,” said Ondřej Martínek, the event coordinator and head of the UP Marketing Office. Visitors to the Convictorium will enjoy even buskers and a dulcimer band. Travel fans will be pleased by a series of travel talks in the theatre hall.
The Monday programme does not end there. Jazz Tibet Club will host a special Majáles episode of Pub Quiz on the theme Without Borders, and UPoint will host another talk from its Point series, this time on Europe and the European elections.
On the next day, the programme will move to the Armoury courtyard and Biskupské Square, and also to Republiky Square and Mariánská Street, where the university and the city will together commemorate 20 years since the Czech Republic joined the European Union. Republiky Square will belong mainly to Olomouc secondary schools and presentations by EU member countries, while Biskupské Square and Mariánská Street will be filled with six dozen stands of student clubs, non-profit organisations, and university departments, which will provide information about their activities along with thematic workshops and contests. “Visitors young and old will have the opportunity to get a Majáles passport, and after completing a given task at each stand, they’ll get stamps and compete for valuable prizes,” Martínek adds. The programme in the streets will be complemented by workshops in pole dancing, juggling, aerial silks, fencing, and an open-air tearoom. Lovers of street performers can look forward to a dozen buskers.
The main musical programme in the UP Armoury courtyard will feature artists such as Barbora Poláková and Pam Rabbit, both nominated for the Anděl Awards in the category of female singer of the year, singer and songwriter Michal Horák, and the Slovak DJ duo Malalata. “UP’s MedicBand and the Czech band Celest & Charles will take over the stage with their mix of funk and disco. We are also having light and acrobatic shows and, inevitably, the coronation of this year’s King or Queen of May,” Martínek explained. The ground floor of the library will host a Handmade Zone, an exhibition, and tattoo artists; local restaurants will try to appeal to gourmets with delicacies in their stands, while a swap library and exhibitions will please all art-loving souls.
On day three, Majáles will move a few hundred metres further to the premises of the Open-Air Cinema Olomouc (Letní kino), where smaller concerts by local bands, workshops, and a film screening will be held. “The open-air cinema belongs inseparably to student life in Olomouc, which is why we’ve decided to join forces with the university under the banner of Majáles and thus launch the summer season in our venue,” added Radka Rennerová, its production manager.
Since 2009, the Olomouc Majáles has been organised by Palacký University as one of the last traditional student May celebrations in the country. It is organised by the UP Marketing Office and two dozen students from across the faculties, for whom it is a unique opportunity to gain practical experience in organising a large cultural event. For more information, please visit www.olomouckymajales.cz.