The sixth Czech Street Party attracts thousands despite rain
18.06.2012
The biggest Czech event in Brussels once again attracted thousands of people to the Permanent Representation with Czech music, specialties and presentations of regions and organisations.
This year, the Czech Street Party in Brussels entered its second "Five-year Culture Plan" confirming, despite an extremely bad weather, its permanent part of the Brussels’ cultural scene. Neither of the two heavy rain showers, which swept Caroly Street during the evening, could discourage its several thousand enthusiastic visitors.
Eleven different regions of the Czech Republic presented on their stands the best of what they can offer – from information and promotional materials of all kinds to special spa waffles, gingerbread, cookies, pretzels, different types of sausages, tasting of “therapeutic” liqueurs or stringing jewellery beads. And visitors were showing their appreciation by occupying information stands all the time and successfully juggling printed materials, drinks or regional delicacies in their hands.
On the stands of three Czech organizations, co-organisers of the event, people could watch chemical experiments being conducted in front of their eyes, taste Czech beers or try their luck in prize competitions for hotel accommodations in famous tourist areas of the Czech Republic.
The traditional presentation of Czech regions was supported by a competition organised by the Staropramen brewery, partner of the event, for a visit of its customer center and a stay in a hotel in Prague, by a special Czech Airlines promotion on the Brussels-Prague route and by an exposition of a "small car with great possibilities", the Škoda Citigo.
Undoubtedly, the biggest attraction was Czech popular music, from beatbox champion En.dru with singer Dan Bárta to bands Charlie Straight and Pub Animals. Dozens of new visitors came specifically for the performance of Nightwork with their front man Vojta Dyk in the last hour of the evening, and the whole street was dancing and singing along with the band.
What was special about this year’s 6th Czech Street Party? In her welcome address, Czech EU Ambassador Milena Vicenová appreciated the high number of visitors and their attention to the Czech culture, “although the weather is not favourable and we ‘compete’ with matches of the Euro 2012 Football Championship”. Besides the traditionally excellent presentation of Czech regions, organizations and Czech rock music, it was the realisation that the Czech Street Party, despite the heavy rain, has become a permanent feature in the Brussels’ cultural calendar.