Our journey from September 4th to 6th of 2026 led us to Chrudim in Czechia. With 29 dancers and musicians of the folklore dance ensemble “Thea Maass” of TU Dresden, we started the journey by bus to participate in the Chrudimské dožínky.
What lay before us were three intensive and diverse days full of music, dances, interactions, and Czech hospitality. And even though our time passed too soon, we’d remember this weekend dearly for quite some time.
From the very start we were received very warmly. The organization of our stay was fantastic. We were also provided with the best accommodations and mealtimes. What especially stuck to our memory was the delicious Czech cuisine, which we enjoyed during our stay. We were also particularly very pleased with the extraordinary hospitality.
During our stay, we could participate in various events and performances. A special highlight was the festive parade through the town of Chrudim, which we walked in together with other folklore groups, animated with music and dances.
On our performances we presented various dances from our Repertoire: “Ask the Oracle”, “The Old Polka”, “Dreisteyrer”, “Dance of the Winemakers” and the “Lower Sorbian Courtship”. There we could show our own dance tradition and at the same time experience the diversity of other folklore groups.
A special moment during our stay was the Sunday morning mass, in which we were allowed to accompany it with a song.
Outside the official performances there was another celebration: in a big party inside the gorgeous hall of the city museum we were dancing, singing, and playing games. These unconstrained moments offered the best chance for us to interact with each other and to experience both Czech and German folklore together. We met many amazing people and exchanged dances, music, and traditions. Despite the language barrier, the understanding through music, dances, and a celebration of togetherness was astonishingly easy to get.
Another special program was the reception ceremony from the mayor of Chrudim, František Pilný, who gave us the possibility, to learn about the town and its officials on a more personal level. A huge help during our stay was Lucia, who accompanied us as our guide. She speaks perfect German and was always there for us and supported us with everything that we needed.
We felt very welcomed everywhere in Chrudim and would like to offer our warmest thank you to all the organizers, as well as our hosts, for the amazing days.
Unfortunately our three days in Chrudim were too short. We’re very glad with the beautiful experiences, new acquaintances and impressions, which we could take back home to Dresden.
We’d like to say děkujeme for the warm reception, the amazing organization, and an unforgettable weekend in Chrudim!
We would definitely not hesitate to return. 🇨🇿❤️🇩🇪
Written by Anna Repina, a dancer and board member of the folklore dance ensemble „Thea Maass“ of TU Dresden