Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Foraging for Fun
It has been estimated that Czechs pick more than 20 million kilograms of wild mush-
rooms each year. From May to October, foraging for fungi and wild berries is one of
Michelský Les woodlands (southeast of the city centre) are thronged with locals
clutching wicker baskets. Czechs learn young how to identify edible fungi, so unless
you've mastered the art of mushroom identification you'd better tag along with a local
expert; otherwise you can sample the fruits of the forest at a farmers market, or at res-
taurants advertising
hřiby
or
lesní houby
.
Celebration Days
Easter
Come Easter, the country celebrates with a joyful rite of spring. Czech boys swat their
favourite girls on the legs with braided willow switches (you'll see them on sale in
street markets) or splash them with water; the girls give them hand-painted eggs.
Afterwards, the whole family parties - it's the end of several days of serious spring-
cleaning, lots of cooking and paying visits to relatives and friends.
May Day
The May Day holiday
(Svátek práce)
on May 1 - once the communist 'holy' day,
marked by huge parades - is now just a chance for a picnic or a day in the country. To
celebrate the arrival of spring, many couples lay flowers at the statue of the 19th-cen-
tury poet Karel Hynek Mácha (author of
Máj
, a poem about unrequited love) on
Petřín.
Majáles
Prague students celebrate the first weekend of May as Majáles, a festival dating back
to at least the early 19th century, which was banned under communism but revived in
1997. It starts with a midday parade - with bands, students in fancy dress, and a float
bearing the Kral Majáles (King of Majáles) and Miss Majáles - from Wenceslas
Square to Stromovka park, and there is an open-air party including live bands, student
theatre and non-stop sausages and beer. For dates and details, check
www.majales.cz
(Czech only).
