10 Things You Should Know about the Liberation Festival in Pilsen This Year

The Liberation Festival is coming up, and like every year, it will once again offer a combination of powerful stories, historical moments, and contemporary culture. The annual celebrations of the end of the Second World War have a unique atmosphere in Pilsen and a programme that is well worth the trip. What shouldn’t you miss this year from 1^st to 3^rd May, no matter where you’re travelling to western Bohemia from?

1) The Cultural Programme Moves from Republic Square to the Park behind the Plzeň Plaza Shopping Centre

This year, head to the amphitheatre behind the Plzeň Plaza shopping centre for the main music programme. The opening concert of the Liberation Festival will offer a truly exceptional musical experience. The Pilsen Philharmonic Orchestra will perform famous film melodies by John Williams, legendary marching music, and popular musical hits. Saturday will be dedicated to high-quality tribute bands, and Sunday to bluegrass and country music. More about the music programme…

2) Convoy of Liberty Will Take Place, of Course

One of the biggest highlights and main attraction of the entire programme will remain. The popular convoy of historical military vehicles will once again drive through the city this year and commemorate the arrival of the U.S. army to Pilsen in May 1945. Come and enjoy the atmosphere you won’t experience anywhere else. The convoy will set off on Sunday 3^rd May at 11 am from Sukova Street and will go along Klatovská Avenue, continuing to the sady Pětatřicátníků and Tyršova Street. Due to the reconstruction of Republic Square, the convoy will not finish there as usual.

3) Military Historical Camps Will Also Be Included

Authentic military camps belong to one of the most powerful experiences of the whole festival. You can expect period uniforms, equipment and daily life of soldiers during the Second World War. In the Křižíkovy Sady park, you can look forward to a camp of the 16^th Armored Division. Camp Raiders will be in Pobřežní Street, opposite the Patton Memorial Pilsen museum. In the park behind the Plzeň Plaza, you can visit the RAF camp and the Czechoslovak Independent Armored Brigade on Friday afternoon, all day Saturday, and on Sunday after the convoy.

4) Veteran Joseph Thurmond Will Arrive Too

This year’s edition will once again offer a unique chance to meet a contemporary witness of history in person. The 100-year-old veteran Joseph Thurmond is returning to places in south-western Bohemia where he served after the end of the Second World War nearly 80 years later. The Liberation festival is one of the stops on his commemerative journey he is making together with his son Michael. Their ten-day trip will guide them, in addition to Pilsen and Prague, to Český Krumlov, Rožmberk and Vltavou, Střelské Hoštice, Horažďovice, Rabí, Sušice, and Klatovy.

5) Run for Memory of Nations and Libé Rty Stage

The Run for Memory of Nations has become a traditional part of the Liberation Festival. This time, it will take place on Friday 1^st May. You can choose from 5-kilometre-long or 10-kilometre-long course. Besides, 1-kilometre-long run with veteran’s families and children’s runs are prepared. You can register here. The Memory of Nations (Paměť národa) is also planning a one-day, primarily music programme on its Libé Rty Stage, which will be located in the area in front of the Lokál Pod Divadlem.

6) Hurvínek’s Trail of Courage Will Delight Families with Children

Even the youngest visitors will have plenty of fun. Not only will they be able to see jeeps and other historical military vehicles, but they can also explore the Hurvínek Trail of Courage. Just pick up a game card at the Puppet Museum and follow the trail along Bedřich Smetana Street to Smetanovy Sady park. Along the way, you’ll find ten panels with quiz questions, and those who answer correctly can receive a reward at the Puppet Museum.

7) The Riverside Promenade Will Pulse with the Beats of Liberty

The diverse programme of the Liberation Festival caters for younger generation too. The Beats of Liberty event, held on Saturday afternoon and evening at the Radbuza riverside promenade, is tailored especially for them. During the eight-hour programme, nine local DJs will perform, creating a great atmosphere by one of Pilsen rivers.

8) Celebrations Are Held Outside Pilsen as Well

The Liberation Festival is not just about Pilsen. At the end of May, commemorative events are already planned in the whole region at the end of April. Moreover, don’t miss the opening of Hangár 3 museum on the Líně airport on Saturday 2^nd May. You can see airplanes that haven’t been on display until this moment, an exhibition about Pilsen pilots who served in RAF, and an exhibition of USAAF jeeps. For children, there will be a creative workshop on site with an aviation-themed surprise. Second invitation to the region is to Rokycany, where a varied programme in the Museum on the Demarcation Line is planned on Friday 8^th May, featuring not only military equipment, but also music and a fashion show.

9) Take Home a Themed Souvenir

You can purchase a special collection of souvenirs for the Liberation Festival at the Tourist Information Centres on Republic Square (daily from 9 am to 7 pm) and at Paluba Hamburk near the main train station (on Sundays only until 3 pm). There will also be an information centre stall at the amphitheatre behind Plzeň Plaza, open according to the programme on the main cultural stage.

10) Convertibles at DEPO2015

For the second time, the cultural zone DEPO2015 will host a gathering of American car enthusiasts during the Liberation Festival – this year, convertibles will be the main stars of the show. On Saturday 2^nd May, you can look forward to a relaxed atmosphere in the courtyard, the roar of V8 engines, music from vinyl records, and the aroma of burgers on the grill. Admission is free to the public.

And a few more tips to finish with

• Slow Market “U Branky“ on Friday 1^st May (9 am – 6 pm)
• Farmers’ Markets “U Branky” on Saturday 2^nd May (8 am – 12 am)
• Freedom Linden Tree at the U Matoušů farmhouse (Pilsen-Bolevec Open Air Museum) on Saturday 2^nd May (2 pm – 4 pm)
• “Brejlovec” Locomotive at the Liberation Festival (the timetable here)
• Guided tours through the city centre “Osvobození 1945” (held only in Czech, tickets here)

And to all that, of course, add a powerful atmosphere, tens of thousands of visitors, and a unique blend of history and the present. The Liberation Festival in Pilsen belongs to the biggest events of its kind in Europe, and it is definitely worth attending this year.