The Golden Prague festival first appeared on the radar in the mid-sixties. By forging a tradition of delivering unique content over many years, it has gained a prestigious reputation. Thanks to this festival, visitors from the ranks of the general public and professionals from the worlds of television and theatre alike have the opportunity to gather in the historical centre of Prague once every year to sample the very best dance, drama, and music documentaries as well as recordings of concerts and stage productions, but also to meet in the flesh with directors, producers, and many of their well-loved actors, singers, and dancers.
In recent years, the guest list included director and dramatic advisor Petr Weigl, British TV director Brian Large, choreographer Jiří Kylián, French filmmaker, writer and violinist Bruno Monsaingeon, producers Gabrielle Babin Gugenheim of Arte France and Anca-Monica Pandelea of the German public-service channel ZDF, Spanish ballet dancer and choreographer Nacho Duato, French contemporary dance choreographer Angelin Preljocaj, Swedish choreographer Mats Ek, dancer Daria Klimentová, South African filmmaker Christopher Nupen, or dancer and choreographer twin brothers Otto and Jiří Bubeníček.
The focal point of the festival necessarily shifted over the years, but in the new millennium, it secured its status as an irreplaceable and unique showcase of television productions which are centered around music, dance, and theatre. Festive evening galas and a varied roster of complementary social events have been added to the mix, making the event highly popular not only among enthusiasts for live and televised culture but also among families. Alongside its sister events, the television festivals Prix Italia and Rose d’Or, Golden Prague has established itself as a regular port of call for professionals who descend on Prague from all over the world to debate and network with their colleagues in valuable exchanges during the day and to enjoy film premieres or live performances by top musicians in the evening. Last year, for instance, tenor Pavel Černoch and his guests graced the opening ceremony with their art.
Last but not least, an international jury convenes every year at the Golden Prague festival to choose the winners from among the submitted entries who get to take home the Czech Crystal award in three separate categories. They also vote on the winner of the main prize: the Grand Prix Golden Prague, and give special mention for extraordinary artistic achievement. Another two prizes are being awarded by Czech Television and the Dagmar and Václav Havel Foundation VIZE 97. A part of last year's incarnation of the festival – including the closing award ceremony – took place online, due to the global pandemic. In spite of the circumstances, a record number of films – a tidy one hundred entries, marking the high point in recent years – has been submitted for consideration.
This year’s 58th Golden Prague festival is set to take place at its traditional venue – the New Stage of the National Theatre – where it will present an extensive and diverse programme from 22 through 25 September 2021. At a time at which live culture has been put into forced hibernation in most countries and people are reduced to following events on the screens of their devices and television sets, the Golden Prague festival has taken on completely new significance.
