THE YEAR of Czech music, an event accompanying the EU enlargement by 10 new member states, was recently launched in Paris, opening with a remembrance of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Czech composer Leoš Janáček. On this occasion, a bust of Janáček was revealed at the building of the Czech Culture Centre in Paris and soloists of the Prague Opera held a concert, reported the TASR news agency.
Apart from Janáček, the anniversaries of Antonín Dvořák, Bedřich Smetana, and Bohuslav Martinů, who lived in France for some time, will also be celebrated this year. During the Year of Czech Music, the Czech Philharmonic will deliver over 700 concerts in France. The Czech Culture Centre will become the site of a concert marathon of contemporary music performed by ensembles from the 10 new EU member states on May 1.
