April 30 is Witches' Day
April 26, 2010 -The evening of April 30 is Witches' Eve in the Czech Republic - a celebration similar to the Walpurgis Night festivities found all over Europe (which itself grew out of the pre-Christian ritual of burning bonfires to keep aware eveil spirits). On this night, Czechs gather around bonfires to make merry. Often an effigy of a witch (or her broomstick) is thrown into the fire.
Prague's Ladronka park hosts one of the largest public gatherings. As everywhere in the Czech Republic, there will be a bonfire and children dress up as witches, all in order to welcome the warm days leading up to summer.
But Ladronka is by far not the only place where witches are "burnt" on Witches' Eve. There are thousands of public and private events all over the country. Another public event near Prague will take place in the village of Únětice, a 20-minute bus ride from the "Dejvická" metro station. The event, which takes place at an old barn (in Czech, "Kravín") that has been converted into a cultural center, starts at 3pm with grilled food and beer on tap. The bonfire is lit at 7pm and there will be live music (a band playing nothing but covers of songs by legendary Czech crooner Karel Gott). Admission is CZK 70.
