The film Eye Above Prague (Oko nad Prahou) is the personal and political biography of the ‘Octopus’, more formally known as the National Library in Prague, but it is also a biography of the architect of the project Jan Kaplický, especially of his final years, who included in his 1998 diary the words: win the competition and have one love!  

The annual festival of French culture ‘Bonjour Brno’ is once again visiting our city for the sixteenth time! Over the course of April pockets of French nonchalance and vitality will bubble up across the town in the form of concerts, theatrical performances, film presentations, exhibitions, lectures, French food tastings and competitions of the ever-popular pétanque.

Over the short winter break the Villa Mitrovsky has been preparing its new exhibition! Taking up residence for three months in the impressive spaces of the Brno landmark will be more than 15 famous fairy tales created by Czechoslovak and subsequently Czech Television. 

Continuing at the Pražák’s Palace until 23 May is an exhibition devoted to the artist Viktor Pivovarov, entitled Oni (They), which presents a cross section of his work from the 1980s through to the present.

We invite you to an exhibition of photographic works by Jan Lhotský, created during his eight-month travels around the contrasting landscapes of New Zealand. These traveller’s pictures capture the land of the native Maori and the small Kiwi birds, called Aotearoa by the original inhabitants – the land of long white cloud.

This year the chateau in Rájec nad Svitavou welcomes the return of the Camellia Exhibition, this time enlivened by an added element equally as delicate and rare as the beautiful shrub itself. The display areas of the chateau will not only be decorated with flowering camellias, but also bobbin lace and needlelace, which is being brought in on loan from the Vamberk Lace Museum and the Vamberk Lacemakers’ School.

Following up his Oscar-winning success with the musical Chicago, director Rob Marshall has unleashed himself on another magnificent extravaganza. Superb dance numbers and a cast of superstar actresses dominate this film adaptation of the famous Broadway musical Nine.

In terms of Czech performers, Brno is anticipating the musical event of the year! At the end of March, the hala Vodova venue will belong to legendary 60’s swing singer Eva Pilarová.

Many customs and superstitions are closely connected to Easter – the most important holiday of the Christian calendar. Some of these ancient beliefs have become such an integral part of our lives that they have survived in simplified form until the present, having been readily incorporated into Christian worship. For Christian believers, they represent celebrating the resurrection of Christ, for other Czechs, traditions such as giving eggs, spanking girls and women (being spanked by boys and men) with freshly woven switches, and bright spring decorations are rewards in themselves. 

Discussions, lectures and additional accompanying features will be offered by Brno museums, galleries and other institutions in the week from 8 - 14 March as part of Brno’s first ever Fine Art Week.