Portál Pražana
Prague celebrates St. Patrick's Feast Day in style
Prague is preparing for greater St. Patrick's Day celebrations than ever before. The main attraction will be the festive parade on Sunday the 17th of March, which begins and ends in Campus Hybernská, where the other main celebrations will be held. According to the legend, Saint Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, converted the people of Ireland to Christianity in the fifth century.
The celebration of his feast has become a tradition almost all over the world. In recent years, this tradition has also found its place in the Czech Republic. This year’s celebrations in Prague will even be extended over two days. On the weekend of the 16th and the 17th of March, the Czech cultural scene will connect with Irish culture and typical art forms.
Three-leaved Shamrock
The symbol of St. Patrick is a three-leaved shamrock, which represents the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Irish people used to take a green shamrock from the fields, wash it and wear it in their jacket’s button hole all day. This tradition has survived to the present, however, today people often prefer to paint shamrocks on their faces, or wear clothes with shamrocks painted on them. The green colour representing the Emerald Isle dominates not only fashion, but also cuisine, on the day.
Sunday St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The Czech celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day will culminate on Sunday, with St. Patrick’s Day Parade through the streets of Prague. The starting point will be Hybernská Campus. From there, the procession of Irish people living in the Czech Republic, their friends and other supporters, will go to ‘Staroměstské náměstí’ (the Old Town Square), ‘Národní třída’ and Václavské Square, and return back to Hybernská Campus. This location is not chosen by chance. The Latin name for Ireland is Hibernia.
Programme in the Campus
You can also participate – either by joining the Parade or as a spectator. The Hybernská Campus will also host other activities on Sunday, such as crash courses in the Irish language, reading Irish literature, and a ‘Connemara Chaos’ concert, where traditional Irish music with modern twist will be played. Of course, there will also be Irish food and drinks. Don't miss the green beer, the catchy Irish music and the friendly jolliness typical of the Irish.
Campus Hybernská
This is a joint project of Charles University and Prague City Hall, which aims to enable the interaction between the University and the general public. There are exhibitions, gastronomic events, festivals, market stalls, meetings, workshops, parties and many other activities in the Campus. A part of the Campus is a cosy courtyard with a community garden, a cinema and the café ‘Hlína’.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE EVENT
16/03-17/03/2019 from 2PM
Venue: Campus Hybernská, Hybernská 4, Praha 1
And other locations in Prague
Admission Free