How a street party became a landmark event for Latin Americans in Prague

Once a local street fair, the upcoming Zažit Americkou Jinak festival has now become a landmark event for Latin American culture in Prague. Taking place on Oct. 5, the event is no longer just a neighborhood street party—it’s a riotous slice of Latin American life held on Americká and Záhrebská streets, complete with mariachi, piñata, and the call of El Grito.

Omri Goz, a longtime Prague resident and event organizer, is leading this transformation. Goz, who lives around the corner from the festival’s venue, recently spoke to Expats.cz about how the celebration, now put on together with Mint Market, came to be.

“I began organizing this event in 2011 after working with Auto-Mat on a similar initiative. When the idea for Zažit Americkou Jinak expanded, I thought Americká Street would be the perfect location,” he said.

“I partnered with local businesses like Las Adelitas, the Mexican restaurant, and Olive Point, a Balkan eatery, to give the event a try.”

Initially, the block party had only a few Mexican stalls. But thanks to the involvement of Las Adelitas and the proximity to Mexican Independence Day, it quickly grew into a significant event for Prague’s Latin American community.

“As the event gained popularity, the Latin community truly embraced it. Now, we have visitors from Mexico and beyond coming to Prague specifically for this day. In recent years, we’ve even cooperated with the Mexican embassy,” said Goz.

Originally scheduled for Sept. 14, the event was postponed following the heavy rains and flooding that battered the country last month. Goz says the event is going forward on the new date with the same enthusiasm. “We’re reworking the program, but it would be a shame to cancel altogether. We’ve received great support from our participants, and we can’t wait to see everyone on the new date,” he said.

The main stage, La Calle Mexicana, will host live performances from the city’s first Mexican mariachi band, Mariachi Azteca de Praga, along with Grupo Latinsky, Cumbia Cooperativa, and several DJs. The program will also include a dance workshop, antigravity yoga demonstrations, and a parade of drummers.

Social and cultural center Letohradská 10, run by Latin American and Czech artists, will participate, as will Divadlo D21, an independent theater celebrating its 21st anniversary. Visitors can view art installations, including a sculpture created by Mexican artists to honor Mexican Independence Day.

The festival will culminate in a traditional El Grito ceremony, commemorating Mexico’s independence, complete with a special Piñata made for the occasion.

El Grito is a significant event in Mexican culture, marking the beginning of Mexico’s fight for independence from Spanish rule. It commemorates the call to arms by Miguel Hidalgo on Sept. 16, 1810. This year, the Mexican Ambassador to the Czech Republic will perform the call.

The Zažit Americkou Jinak festival, which means Experience Americká Differently, doesn’t just showcase the Czech capital’s Latin American community; it genuinely reflects how increasingly diverse Prague’s neighborhoods have become, says Goz.

“We have over 100 sellers, and apart from the Latino community, we invite Bulgarian, Balkan, French, Italian, American, and African vendors,” adding that the street serves as a melting pot of different cultures and communities.

“When you come to this event, you can almost forget you’re in the Czech Republic.”