TWENTY YEARS OF FESTIVALS IN LÍŠEŇ
We warmly invite both locals and visitors to the „Festival Líšeň sobě,“ in which we will celebrate a double jubilee this year – twenty years since the first Theater Festival Líšeň in 1999 and ten years of the Festival Líšeň sobě! We will celebrate with several afternoons and evenings in both the new and old Líšeň, in August and September, offering a diverse and exclusive cultural program from local and guest artists.
The festival serves as a space for gatherings and engaged shaping of the public sphere.
The tradition of festivals in Líšeň, which spans twenty years, was initiated by Theater Líšeň with a vision to cultivate and creatively develop the surrounding public space. The goal was to preserve and protect what is valuable, significant, and inspiring. The festival has become an open space for active people of all ages, a place of mutual inspiration and support, as well as a platform for addressing and resolving problematic issues in public life.
The first Theater Festival Líšeň took place in 1999, under the subtitle „Awakening from the Ruins,“ in response to the impending demolition of the Dělňák building in Líšeň. It sparked a debate about the building’s future and contributed to its preservation and revival for cultural and social purposes. Subsequent Theater Festivals Líšeň also brought other interesting places in Líšeň to the forefront. In addition to the theater’s own creations and local artists, the festival has presented performances from across the country and abroad, often in Czech premieres (productions by professional theaters from the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Slovakia). The festivals have been continuously documented by Czech Television, and the individual records are in the CT archives.
Over the years, the organization of the festivals by Theater Líšeň involved more and more friends and local organizations from Líšeň. This led to the establishment of the association „Líšeň sobě,“ which brought them together and began organizing the eponymous festival in 2010. The festival always presents interesting projects by local artists and high-quality creations from all over the Czech Republic. Theater Líšeň is one of the significant co-organizers, and the festival maintains its civically engaged dimension. In 2016, it highlighted the topic of the Orlovna municipal gardens, which faced the threat of cutting down century-old linden trees and urban development. Public interest sparked and culminated in a charity festival, which significantly contributed to saving the gardens and opening them to the public and community activities. This year, the festival aims to return to the topic of the former Orlovna and draw attention to its still unresolved situation.
This year’s Festival Líšeň sobě will take place over several days in August and September, not only in the Orlovna Gardens. It will also include the new Líšeň, where, in collaboration with the Traveling Café Éléphant, two performances will be presented – the revived play „Schovejte si slepice“ created in cooperation with Romani dancers and musicians, and the puppet „rakvičkárna“ performance for adults „Domovní requiem.“
The program focused on the use of the Gardens and Orlovna will include a lecture on the planned and unrealized Líšeň exhibition on Friday, August 23. Its concept will be presented by Professor Rostislav Brzobohatý. The program will also feature musical performances from the youngest and oldest generations – singer Adéla Václavová with her band and the group Stará Líšeň.
On the following day – Saturday, August 24, the Gardens will come alive with both local and internationally renowned guests (such as Bratři vtricku and Divadlo Víti Marčíka with an exclusive „Robinson“) and domestic offerings (such as the band Acha and the dance group Mystery). Workshops, exhibitions, and other accompanying events will be offered, along with good food, drinks, and communal singing by the campfire.
The festival will conclude on September 6 with „Singing at the End of Summer,“ featuring local newcomer Višně z Líšně, as well as a choir from Kuřim and a play by Theater Líšeň titled „Spoutaný trávou“ (Bound by Grass). If the weather permits, the singing will continue by the campfire, and participants are encouraged to bring their favorite musical instruments.
We thank the audience for supporting us for twenty years, and we look forward to celebrating this double jubilee – twenty years of festivals in Líšeň and the tenth year of the Festival Líšeň sobě – with you.
We would also like to express our gratitude to all those who make the festivals in Líšeň possible. This includes „Líšeň sobě,“ Theater Líšeň, Effeta daily care center, Hobbylab, TK Kamzíci, TS Mystery líšeňského Sokola, Kulturní centrum Líšeň, Ateliér Studánka, the Belcredi family, and other artists, organizations, and associations.
The festival is financially supported by the City of Brno and the ÚMČ Brno-Líšeň.
For up-to-date information, visit www.lisensobe.cz
