The year of celebrations will start in Pilsen already in March
Pilsen has definitely something to celebrate this year. The year 2025 will bring several significant anniversaries – 10 years since it was awarded the prestigious European Capital of Culture title, 730 years since its foundation and 80 years since the liberation during the Second World War. The celebrations will be reflected in the culture programme throughout the year, starting already in March with a special show Pilsen 2025: OPEN UP! featuring giant light puppets, the first in a series of gastronomical and beer festivals, and also with the 10th anniversary year of the BLIK BLIK Festival of Light.
Pilsen 2025: OPEN UP!
Pilsen will launch celebrations of the 10th anniversary since being awarded the European Capital of Culture title with a grand performance with giant light puppets called DUNDU from Germany, Stuttgart, and a video mapping projected on the St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral. This breathtaking show Pilsen 2025: OPEN UP! will be presented for free on Saturday 8th March on the Republic Square.
BLIK BLIK Festival of Light
Fans of modern art can look forward to the popular BLIK BLIK Festival of Light that will transform the city into a unique gallery of light exhibits. During ten years, the festival, which was created within the European Capital of Culture project, has become an integral part of the Pilsen calendar of events and one of the most visited events every year. This year, on 21stand 22nd March, it will offer twenty installations by artists from all over the world along a route more than four kilometres long. Among them, there will be also the famous installation “FLUX” of the French studio Collectif Scale, which resembles a graceful robotic dancer thanks to a hundred kinetic light arms.
Beer, music and gastronomy
Beer and music lovers will be delighted by the Brūstok craft beer festival (7th – 8tth March), which will combine tastings of original beer specialties with a packed concert programme. At the same weekend, on Saturday 8th March, a traditional pig-slaughter will take place in the area of the Pilsner Urquell Brewery. Gourmet enthusiasts will be pleased by the first DEPO Street Food Market (15th March) edition of this year, where top street food chefs will gather and offer the best of modern gastronomy. Music fans shouldn’t miss the Žebřík music awards ceremony for the best Czech performers and bands (28th March).
