In the Pilsen Region, the largest festival of baroque culture in the Czech Republic begins

Nepomuk (Pilsen Region) - The Pilsen region will be the venue of the largest festival of Baroque culture in the Czech Republic during the summer. The event, titled 9 Weeks of Baroque, will start next Monday and will gradually present 63 locations. Every day, Pilsen - European Capital of Culture 2015 (EHMK) will unveil the riches of West Bohemian Baroque and allow visitors to experience the period atmosphere with all their senses, said Mirka Reifová from the Plzeň 2015 company, which organizes the showcase of 120 ensembles and artists with 50 regional partners.
    In the first week, the landscape south of Pilsen, the birthplace of St. John of Nepomuk, a saint of Central Europe and one of the patrons of the Czech lands, will be presented with programs at the Baroque castles Kozel and Žinkovy. The festival will begin on Monday in Spálené Poříčí, continuing in Nové Mitrovice and Žinkovy, in Nepomuk and at Kozel Castle. The grand opening will take place on Saturday at Zelená hora with tours of the otherwise inaccessible castle.
    According to the organizers, the program will cater to people of all generations and varying interests. "We are building on the experiences of last year's 6 Weeks of Baroque," said festival manager Kateřina Melenová.
    "The Pilsen region is the meeting place of architects Santini and Dientzenhofer, and the Baroque landscape has an unparalleled atmosphere, with churches, monasteries, and towns waiting for new visitors. The festival offers unique opportunities to meet both Baroque and contemporary culture in the surroundings of historical monuments. This opens up the chance to create a brand of West Bohemian Baroque, attracting visitors from all over Europe," said Minister of Culture Daniel Herman.
    In the second week, the festival will move to Klatovy, where the main themes will be the Jesuits and the miraculous Madonna of Klatovy. Chotěšov and Přeštice will represent the third area at the crossroads of pilgrimage paths near another miraculous Madonna - The Miracle-Maker of Přeštice. Tachov and Planá will invite visitors to the sources as well as to the Baroque pilgrimage. Domažlice is tied to the tradition of Chods, a still-vibrant folklore with Baroque roots. The areas of Stříbro and Kladruby are dominated by Kladruby Monastery and Baroque castles. "Santini's stars shine brightly in the area of Plasy, Mariánská Týnice, and Radnice. The landscape of Baroque sculptures, adorned with the pearl - Manětín Castle, will charm visitors around Nečtiny and Manětín. The festival will conclude in the Sušice area under the wings of the Guardian Angel," noted Reifová.
    Visitors can expect Baroque nights featuring period fireworks, musical performances, and dishes from Czech cuisine. The highlight of the program will be the renewed world premiere of the Baroque coronation opera Costanza e Fortezza in a faithful replica of a Baroque theater in Světce near Tachov on July 31 and August 1.