Chaos unfolds at Prague festival amid refundable-cup fiasco

Police intervened during the one-day Majáles music festival at Letňany Airport in Prague following protests about the non-return of refundable deposits for plastic cups. In chaotic scenes, angry festivalgoers began storming a festival tent towards the end of the event, demanding refunds for their cups and calling organizers “thieves.”

People buying draft drinks at the bar during the festival needed to pay an extra CZK 70 for a plastic cup. They were then due to get this cash back upon returning the plastic cup. However, one of the stands that issued the cup-deposit refunds had run out of cash towards the end of the festival, leaving hundreds without their deposit returned.

Frustrated attendees crowded inside the tent, causing damage, and even hurled some plastic cups at festival workers. 

Michal Šamánek from Sherwood Digital is bemused as to why one of the stands ran out of money. “The festival had twice as many [cash] reserves as should be needed – it is possible that someone stole something or 'forgot' it somewhere. We are investigating this," said Šamánek.

Prague police spokesman Jan Rybanský told Czech media outlet Novinky.cz: "A special order unit and several policemen on horseback dealt with the situation on the spot." Three people were arrested for disobeying a police summons. "We have not yet resolved the problem with the unpaid deposits. We do not exclude the possibility of getting involved with the matter," said Rybanský.

Sherwood Digital said that around 500 people were unable to get their cup deposits, with some people coming to the tent with multiple cups in a bid to get their money back. 

Attendees criticized Sherwood Digital, the organizer, for allowing the return of cups at only two locations. They also complained about the festival's prohibition on bringing bottled water inside, which was only available for purchase on-site and quickly sold out.

"We feel sorry for the well-behaved visitors who may have been partially affected by the situation, and if we manage to identify these cases, their deposits will, of course, be returned," Šamánek added.

Originating in the 15th century, Majáles celebrates student life, traditionally welcoming May with parades, sports, and maypole construction. In May 1965, American beat poet Allen Ginsberg participated in Prague’s May Day festivities and was nominated as the students’ candidate for Kral Majáles (King of May).

Today, commercial agencies organize large-scale events with concerts and entertainment, deviating from Majáles’ original traditions. The modern form emerged in 2004 in Zlín, Brno, and Olomouc.