O festivalu
The civil association YOUNG PRAGUE - THE INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL
has made it its aim to help promising young artists who are starting their career in classical music
...
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The civil association YOUNG PRAGUE - THE INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL
has made it its aim to help promising young artists who are starting their career in classical music
- such as instrumentalists, singers, chamber groups, conductors as well as composers.
By organizing concerts at the international level we want to make the beginning of their artistic
career easier for them and enable them to make friends with young musicians from all over the world.
That is why the idea of founding an international music festival was born. In 1990 the initiators,
the representatives of The International Music Society in Munich (IMGM - Internationale Musikgesellschaft Munchen)
decided to situate the festival in Czechoslovakia and gave it the name Young Prague. In 1992, from late August
to early September the first festival took place with participation of artists from 8 nationalities, ranging
from Peru to Japan. In the same year a Japanese committee of the Young Prague Festival was founded in Tokyo
and its task is to choose the most interesting young musicians from Asia.
Thanks to the constant sponsorshiop of the companies Panasonic, Kirin Beer, Toyota, Shiseido, Yamasha,
System Yamato and some others from the Czech Republic and Japan, whose support we really appreciate, it has
already been possible to hold the festival ten times. Over 320 young musicians from most European countries,
the USA, Peru, India, Mexico, China, Korea and Japan performed in 90 concerts. Besides them, many orchestras
and choirs took part in the festival (The Tokyo choir of the Young Prague Festival from Kunitachi Tokyo
university participates every year). Together more than 1160 musicians introduced themselves to the audience.
In 2000 the festival took place within the framework of the cultural project "Prague - the European
City of Culture 2000" and in 2001 the Foundation of Dagmar and Vaclav Havel VIZE 97 took over patronage
of the festival.
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This year the ”Young Prague“ International Music Festival is being held for the 29th time.
At the same time, this year we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the establishment
of diplomatic relations with Japan... More >>
This year the ”Young Prague“ International Music Festival is being held for the 29th time.
At the same time, this year we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the establishment
of diplomatic relations with Japan.
Once again, in keeping with what has already become a tradition, the Senate of the
Parliament of the Czech Republic will offer its seat as the location of one of the Festival‘s
concerts in Prague. I am confident that, once again, the tones of the masters will reverberate
in the Main Hall of the Valdštejn Palace as played by the talented young musicians
to which the Festival is dedicated.
I am happy that this year‘s Festival will present a number of young musicians from various
parts of the world, and that audiences will be able to listen to them in a number of other
cities.
In these times, when the whole world is facing lockdowns and other measures due to the
Covid 19 epidemy, it is much more difficult to put on the Festival: for the organizers, for
the performing artists, and of course for all the Festival‘s sponsors and partners as well.
Therefore, allow me to express my sincere thanks to the organizers, musicians, and
everyone else who does not forget about culture during this crisis. It is very encouraging
to be able to look forward to quality music even in this time of uncertainty.
I wish you all a beautiful musican experience!
Miloš Vystrčil Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic
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I am very pleased that the International Music Festival Young Prague is taking place in
2020, when Japan and the Czech Republic commemorate the 100th anniversary of their
mutual relations
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I am very pleased that the International Music Festival Young Prague is taking place in
2020, when Japan and the Czech Republic commemorate the 100th anniversary of their
mutual relations. Its origins date back to the period immediately after the so-called Velvet
Revolution, and this year the festival reaches its 29th year. The tradition of this festival
represents an important part of the long history of Czech-Japanese relations.
Young Prague is an excellent opportunity for young promising musicians from all over the
world to present the results of their daily diligence, but also to establish mutually encouraging
and beneficial international friendships with peers of the same profession in the
future. In the music metropolis of Prague, the festival is also perfectly located for gathering
of audience enthusiastic to watch young talents about to embark on their careers.
Every year at the festival, I also perceive moments of mental connection between the
artists on stage and between them and the listeners, and I am always deeply impressed
by how music really transcends borders and connects all the people in the world.
This year, when the whole world is struggling with the spread of a new type of coronavirus,
the preparations for this international music festival have been particularly challenging.
I would like to express my respect and sincere thanks to the members of the Japanese
and Czech festival committees and other people who participated in its organization
with unprecedented commitment. I would also like to thank the Senate of the Czech
Republic, the Embassy of Poland in the Czech Republic and all the sponsors for their
warm support and cooperation.
I would also like to ask the visitors of the International Music Festival Young Prague for
their cooperation in observing hygienic measures against the spread of the disease and
wish everyone a wonderful experience when listening to concerts performed by young
talented musicians.
Finally, I would like to express my sincere hope that this festival will help develop even
stronger friendly ties between Japan, Czech Republic and all other participating countries.
Kaoru Shimazaki
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Czech Republic
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Currently the whole world is grappling with a virus pandemic. Both the Czech Republic
and Japan have so far managed to deal with the situation, although we do face some
restrictions in our day-to-day lives.
... More >>
Currently the whole world is grappling with a virus pandemic. Both the Czech Republic
and Japan have so far managed to deal with the situation, although we do face some
restrictions in our day-to-day lives. .In such moments, we musicians have an imporant role: to help, through our performances,
to open hearts and encourage each and every one of us. The importance of this role is
not lost on the governments, foundations, and sponsors who, once again, supported the
“Young Prague” International Festival this year. We are deeply moved by their support.
Without them, it would not be possible to hold this festival. Together, we would like to
give the citizens of the Czech Republic hope that all will be well in the end.
This year’s 29th festival will take place from September 9–22 at 11 venues, most of them
in Prague. Musicians from six countries – the Czech Republic, Japan, Poland, Hungary,
Germany and USA – will create tones that will resonate in palaces and other spaces with
beautiful acoustics, such as the Suk Hall of the Rudolfinum, the Wallenstein Palace
(Valdštejnský palác), the Kolowrat Palace, the Nelahozeves Chateau or Synagogue in
Kolín.
For our young musicians, this will be an invaluable experience in starting their professional
careers. We very much look forward to their excellent performances.
Shuku Iwasaki
President of the Japanese Committee – pianist
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Dear listeners,
We prepared the 29th annual “Young Prague” International Music Festival in very difficult
conditions. We had been looking forward to once again welcoming dozens of talented
young musicians from all over the world to Prague and other cities of the Czech Republic,
and watching and listening to them share their talent
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Dear listeners,
We prepared the 29th annual “Young Prague” International Music Festival in very difficult
conditions. We had been looking forward to once again welcoming dozens of talented
young musicians from all over the world to Prague and other cities of the Czech Republic,
and watching and listening to them share their talent. However, the coronavirus epidemy
changed all of those plans. A number of performance competitions were canceled,
schools and even state borders were closed, and musicians were forced to prepare for
their performances under suboptimal conditions. For organizers of cultural events, it was
a very unpleasant situation. Up until the last moment it was not clear which of the guest
artists would make it, musicians from some countries had to cancel their performances,
and there were a number of challenges regarding hall capacity and ensuring the health
and safety of performers and listeners alike. In the end, we were forced to scale down the
festival: there will be fewer performers, fewer concerts, and smaller halls than in the past.
Despite all these challenges, we hope that this year’s festival will be a success, that the
concerts will take place as planned, that our young guest performers will arrive in the
Czech Republic full of enthusiasm and enable us to share with them the joy of wonderful
music and, for a moment, forget our cares. In conclusion, allow me to express special
gratitude to all those who financially support our festival in this difficult time. We appreciate
it very much and we are honored to be able to work with you!
I wish you an autumn full of beautiful musical experiences and firm health!
Tomáš Čistecký Chairman of the Czech Committee
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Dear Young Friends,
am very happy that we can celebrate the 29th year of the Young Prague festival. I am
convinced that no pandemic can prevent beautiful music from being played all over the
world
... More >>
Dear Young Friends,
I am very happy that we can celebrate the 29th year of the Young Prague festival. I am
convinced that no pandemic can prevent beautiful music from being played all over the
world. Friendship and love of the arts are stronger than any unfavorable circumstance or
obstacle. So send out the tones of your music to all quarters of the world: support your
international friends in this difficult time and share your musical performances. I am
confident that the ”Young Prague“ International Music Festival will bring joy and encouragment
to all its musicians, their supporters, and all lovers of beautiful music.
I sincerely wish you the best and only the best: good health and the joy of something so
beautiful as music.
JUDr. Dominika Kolowrat-Krakovská
The Endowment Fund Kolowratek of Maximilian, Francesca and Dominika Kolowrat-Krakowsky
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