ZUŠ Open 2026

The 10th anniversary edition of the nationwide ZUŠ Open festival takes place under the motto "Cultivating Art" from May 13 to June 1, 2026, organized by the Magdalena Kožená Foundation in collaboration with the Association of Basic Art Schools. The festival opened on May 13 with a benefit concert "Knights of Talent" in the Spanish Hall of Prague Castle (from 20:15, live broadcast on ČT art), where conductor Jan Kučera led approximately 300 performers – students from sixty art schools across the country, together with opera singer Jan Martiník, the Clarinet Factory ensemble, musicians from the Czech Philharmonic and the Czech Radio Symphony Orchestra. The evening included an exhibition of works by scholarship holders of the Colorful Horizons program in the foyer of the Spanish Hall and the world premiere of a melodrama by sixteen-year-old student František Konečný. The concert proceeds supported foundation projects aimed at talented children and those growing up in difficult circumstances. The festival's rich program includes grand regional celebrations, chamber concerts, exhibitions, theatre and dance performances at hundreds of venues throughout the country – in castles, monasteries, churches, parks and town squares. The main program will be ceremonially closed on June 1 with a free Children's Day in the Wallenstein Garden of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, where approximately 800 young performers from all regions will perform. The festival collaborates with Prague Spring, the Czech Philharmonic, Smetana Litomyšl and other institutions.