The main programme of Olomouc Majáles of Palacký University will take place for the first time this year at the Letňák Olomouc summer cinema complex. From Wednesday, May 6, to Thursday, May 7, this traditional student celebration of spring will feature concerts on two stages, a rich programme in the theatre tent, dozens of workshops, and presentations by more than seventy student and non-profit organisations. The coronation of the May Day King or Queen, a silent disco, and a sports programme will also be part of the festivities.
"The turn of April and May is traditionally marked by two of the largest university events in public spaces. Just a few days after the closing ceremony of the Academia Film Olomouc festival, Olomouc residents can look forward to the 14th annual student May Day festival Majáles, whose main programme will take over the entire Letňák grounds for the first time. Once again this year, the festival will offer a rich two-day schedule for visitors of all ages, spread across three stages," says Matěj Dostálek, Vice Rector for Communication and Social Responsibility at UP.
As part of the music programme, this year's Majáles festival will offer a taste of rock, pop, rap, and dance music. Bands such as Vypsaná fiXa, Elektrïck Mann, Mutanti hledaj východisko, and ATMO music will perform on two stages. Slavíček, one of the fastest-rising young artists in the Czech Republic, will be visiting Olomouc for the very first time, as will singer Kaya, the youngest Czech artist to appear on a billboard in Times Square, New York, as part of the Spotify Equal campaign. The musical lineup will also feature the popular Trocha klidu, as well as the bands Moře kuřat and Fly Tomorrow.
"This year's Majáles festival programme will again take place over two days. On Wednesday, May 6, we're traditionally putting together a more alternative programme. Visitors can look forward to slam poetry, the popular improv show by the group O.LI.V.Y., panel discussions, and an evening silent disco. All of this will be complemented by concerts and interactive presentations by some seventy student associations, university workplaces, and other non-profits," says Ondřej Martínek, the main coordinator of Majáles from the UP Marketing and University Events Office. The main day of the festival, on Thursday, will feature not only the festival's headliners but also performances by buskers and DJs, a handmade zone, workshops, and an outdoor programme. "We've long designed the festival as an event where everyone can find something to their liking. It's certainly not just an event for students, even though they are the main contributors to the programme. Families with children and seniors will also have a great time," adds Martínek.
The symbolic highlight of Majáles will be Thursday's coronation of this year's Majáles king or queen. The accompanying programme will also offer a varied culinary zone, a science show, a pub quiz, and outdoor activities.
As is tradition, admission to the event is free on the first day. UP students can purchase tickets for the second, main day on-site for 150 CZK; other visitors will pay 250 CZK. Starting Tuesday, April 7, a limited number of discounted tickets will be available for advance purchase at the university store and the UPoint information centre.
The UP Olomouc Majáles is organized by the university as one of the last remaining traditional student May festivals. It is organized by the university's Marketing and University Events Office and some forty students. In the past, Josef Jařab, Jindřich Štreit, Ivana Plíhalová, Marek Eben, David Koller, Erika Stárková, Petr Fiala, Michal Horák, and Miroslav Krobot have been crowned at the event.
Details and the programme can be found at www.olomouckymajales.cz and on Facebook.