A bit of Bohemia will be coming to the Bluff City this spring. Since the mid-1970s, Memphis in May has celebrated cultural similarities and differences through the lens of exploring our city’s own heritage, and special events honoring the Czech Republic are at the forefront of this spring’s festivities.
Event programming varies from year to year depending on the country and culture being celebrated; through celebrations and education, the festival has always been focused on bringing the world closer to our own front door. In addition, it contributes to community growth by fostering civic pride and helping local residents discover something new about Memphis at the same time. This year, the array of things to see and do will kick off with the Beale Street Music Festival on May 4.
An international salute
Following the Beale Street Music Festival, it’s time to jump right into recognizing this year’s honored country! A full list of upcoming events can be found on the Memphis in May website, including the following:
- From May 7 to May 13, the International Salute to the Czech Republic will encompass Memphis schools, libraries, museums, art galleries and community centers.
- On May 10, the Orpheum combines Czech cuisine with a performance by Prague’s own Epoque Quartet.
- From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on May 12, renowned chef Zdenek Pohlreich is set to bring a taste of his home country to Chez Phillipe, located inside the Peabody Hotel.
- Throughout the month, the National Civil Rights Museum will feature a photography exhibit on the overthrow of communism in the Czech Republic in the late 1980s.
- Indie Memphis plans to screen a different film each week that highlights Czech cinema.
Educational opportunities
Memphis schools are gearing up to honor the Czech Republic with a host of creative activities. Middle- and high-schoolers will be preparing PowerPoint presentations for a competition to showcase their newly acquired knowledge, students in grades 4 through 12 can participate in a creative writing competition, while elementary students have the opportunity to express themselves by artistically depicting scenes from Czech history.
For more information on the special events set to take place throughout Memphis this May, keep an eye on the Memphis in May website.
