We Will Sing in Olomouc
In just a few days, we are looking forward to a performance at the International Festival of Choirs in Olomouc. The festival, titled "Svátky písní Olomouc," has a tradition and a rich history—it was established in 1972, making it one of the oldest choir festivals in Europe. It is also the largest international choir festival in our neighboring Czech Republic. Nearly a thousand singers from around the world are preparing to gather in Olomouc.
The artistic director of the festival is Milan Motl: "The impetus to invite the Bratislava Boys' Choir comes from my relationship with the conductor and choirmaster Gabriel Rovňák, whom I admire and have collaborated with for a long time, as he has been a member of our international jury multiple times. He has judged choirs across categories, by age and genres. This will be the case again now. He is a quality person in terms of character, as well as his expertise. Every meeting with him is enriching and inspiring for me."
The artistic director of the festival is Milan Motl: "The impetus to invite the Bratislava Boys' Choir comes from my relationship with the conductor and choirmaster Gabriel Rovňák, whom I admire and have collaborated with for a long time, as he has been a member of our international jury multiple times. He has judged choirs across categories, by age and genres. This will be the case again now. He is a quality person in terms of character, as well as his expertise. Every meeting with him is enriching and inspiring for me."
The city of Olomouc announces a "partner season" every year. Within this framework, cities have the opportunity to present their culture and country. The "City Festival" is annually the biggest celebration for Olomouc—and this year it coincidentally aligns perfectly with the "Svátky písní" festival.
"Last year we had an Austrian season here, and this year a Slovak season has been declared. The Bratislava Boys' Choir is a leading choir in Slovakia, so we decided that it would open this Slovak season in Olomouc. This year, the partner city for Olomouc is the city district of Staré Mesto Bratislava," Milan Motl explains.
On Friday, June 6, before our concert, a historical procession will pass through the city in honor of Saint Paulina, the patroness of the city. Significant dignitaries of Olomouc, as well as its residents, will partake in the procession. The program will culminate with a concert by the Bratislava Boys' Choir in the Church of St. Moritz.
The angelic voices of our boys, according to the festival director, will contribute to the unique atmosphere of the celebration:
"The Mayor of Olomouc is excited that the celebration will be opened by the Bratislava Boys' Choir. The performance of your boys will be a part of the ceremony in the main city church, the Church of St. Moritz."
According to the conductor of the Bratislava Boys' Choir, Gabriel Rovňák, the city of Olomouc and the Svátky písní festival have created a special synergy that will attract visitors to the historic center:
"It is extraordinary that our concert marks the beginning of the Slovak days there. Despite the long time since we were no longer one country, the friendship between us remains very strong. It is essential to remind ourselves of this fact that we are brotherly nations. This will be a beautiful opportunity."
The concert will be recorded by Czech Radio, which will broadcast it later. The program will feature soloists from the Bratislava Boys' Choir, accompanied by the excellent concert pianist Dana Hajóssy.
"Together with the founder of the choir, choirmaster Magdaléna Rovňáková, we have selected a repertoire made up of spiritual music pieces, as a service will also be part of the celebration. Boys’ choirs sound fantastic in churches by nature, so we are very pleased to have the opportunity to present our art in the most beautiful church in Olomouc," concludes Gabriel Rovňák.
"Last year we had an Austrian season here, and this year a Slovak season has been declared. The Bratislava Boys' Choir is a leading choir in Slovakia, so we decided that it would open this Slovak season in Olomouc. This year, the partner city for Olomouc is the city district of Staré Mesto Bratislava," Milan Motl explains.
On Friday, June 6, before our concert, a historical procession will pass through the city in honor of Saint Paulina, the patroness of the city. Significant dignitaries of Olomouc, as well as its residents, will partake in the procession. The program will culminate with a concert by the Bratislava Boys' Choir in the Church of St. Moritz.
The angelic voices of our boys, according to the festival director, will contribute to the unique atmosphere of the celebration:
"The Mayor of Olomouc is excited that the celebration will be opened by the Bratislava Boys' Choir. The performance of your boys will be a part of the ceremony in the main city church, the Church of St. Moritz."
According to the conductor of the Bratislava Boys' Choir, Gabriel Rovňák, the city of Olomouc and the Svátky písní festival have created a special synergy that will attract visitors to the historic center:
"It is extraordinary that our concert marks the beginning of the Slovak days there. Despite the long time since we were no longer one country, the friendship between us remains very strong. It is essential to remind ourselves of this fact that we are brotherly nations. This will be a beautiful opportunity."
The concert will be recorded by Czech Radio, which will broadcast it later. The program will feature soloists from the Bratislava Boys' Choir, accompanied by the excellent concert pianist Dana Hajóssy.
"Together with the founder of the choir, choirmaster Magdaléna Rovňáková, we have selected a repertoire made up of spiritual music pieces, as a service will also be part of the celebration. Boys’ choirs sound fantastic in churches by nature, so we are very pleased to have the opportunity to present our art in the most beautiful church in Olomouc," concludes Gabriel Rovňák.
