Culture

The town of Písek is synonymous with cultural life. Due to its unique genius loci, numerous artists – poets, writers, composers, visual artists, photographers, and filmmakers – have discovered the town as a source of inspiration for their creativity.

Cultural services and programs are offered by the Písek Municipal Cultural Center. This institution includes the Fráňa Šrámek Theater in Palackého Gardens, the Cultural House by the New Bridge, which underwent comprehensive renovation in 2005, the Portyč Cinema and Gallery located on the opposite river bank, the Open-Air Cinema in the Výstaviště sports area, and the Holy Trinity Church, which serves as a concert hall.

The Cultural Center annually organizes the city festival "Touch Písek" and other interesting events such as Jazz In Písek, Písek Cultural Summer, and International Summer Courses for Young Violinists.

Other event organizers include the Pod čarou Theater. The reconstructed Sladovna building and the Municipal Library have become new cultural spaces. Additionally, numerous outdoor events take place – on town center squares, in the Gothic moat, in Bakaláře areas, in Palackého Gardens, or near the Stone Bridge.

At Písek's most significant monument – the Stone Bridge – the Spring Festival opens the season. At the Otava River embankment, giant sand sculptures are built in early May, a sure sign of the approaching "Pískoviště", a festival of children's joy. The national amateur theater review Šrámkův Písek, with over 50 years of tradition, takes place at the end of May. The Rainbow Theater, a showcase of Waldorf schools, follows at the end of spring. The weekend after June 8th marks the revival of the Town festival "Touch Písek".

Summer brings various musical and entertainment events of the Písek's Cultural Summer like Courses for Young Violinists, Jazz in Písek and the International Folklore Festival in August. September in Písek is characterized by the "Cool v plotě" music festival, Puppet Theater festival or the Beer Festival. Autumn typically sees line dancing in Písek and one of the country's oldest running competitions – the Forest Run Around America. The St. Martin's celebration and the beginning of the ball season finally transition into Advent in Písek.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS IN PÍSEK (in Czech)