Prague launches Nothing Festival 2020 in support of struggling culture venues

Prague’s cultural offerings, once a world-class mix of operas, classical performance, and live concerts taking place year round, have fallen victim to the coronavirus outbreak — and it’s predicted that many of them could disappear from the Czech cultural map altogether.

But while people can’t frequent their favorite venues due to quarantine, they can now buy a symbolic ticket — for a non-existent show, according to Hana Třeštíková, Prague councillor for culture who has announced a new way to help culture fans save their favorite theaters and clubs during a difficult time.

“Artists across the Czech Republic are struggling with the coronavirus crisis every day. Many of them are actively helping their communities, although their own income has basically fallen to zero day by day: theaters are closed, concerts are not held, galleries are not allowed, and online survival alone is not guaranteed,” she said in a statement yesterday.

The NIC2020 (Nothing 2020) initiative is set up to support these venues. It launched yesterday in cooperation with GoOut. And, no, despite the April 1 kick off, it’s no joke:

“It’s a serious thing,” Třeštíková said in a press release. “The idea came just after President Milos Zeman’s recent speech in which he unfairly criticized Czech artists. I want to show him that we are behind our artists. They are now helping as much as we can, we will help them.”

Proceeds will also help “Stand up for all the artists, sound engineers, stage-makers, and dress-makers who, day after day, were out of work and without us spectators,” she said.

The symbolic event is set to take place on May 1, in cooperation with cultural entities from all over the Czech Republic (though Prague and Brno currently dominate the offerings). The current list of institutions can be seen on GoOut; prices range from first row VIP for 5,000 CZK to balcony for 20 CZK.

There are already dozens of participating cultural institutions. Prague venues include Futurum Music Bar, Cross Club, Jatka78, as well as KinoDlabačov and Divadlo Archa are asking for support. Venues such as Lucerna Music Bar, Kasarna Karlin, and MeetFactory which frequently host international acts are also on the list.

“Although the event originated in Prague, it is nationwide. We are glad that we already have, for example, Brno’s Sono Centrum and Cabaret des Peches,” said Lukáš Jandač, GoOut Sales Director. “At the end of the event, each cultural institution receives money for tickets sold,” he said.

The festival will take place on May 1, 2020. “It’s a holiday of lovers, so we will symbolically show that we love culture on this day,” added Hana Třeštíková. Tickets can be purchased until 12pm on May 1.