Brno and folk culture have been intertwined – historically, emotionally, and territorially. Folk traditions arrived in the 19th century, partly through figures like Leoš Janáček, who lived in the city and shared his research on folk songs.

As Brno expanded and absorbed nearby villages rich in folk customs, these traditions became part of the city’s identity. In the 20th century, numerous folk ensembles, bands, and initiatives emerged, carried by students and newcomers from abroad.

This unique “folk melting pot” has long fascinated me. That is why I created the cultural and educational platform Folklor & City. The word City evokes the urban environment, but in Czech it also means “emotions.”

From my observations, many city residents are seeking ways to cope with anonymity, digital overload, superficiality, and other challenges of modern life – which are often intensified in urban settings. Everyone approaches this in their own way. In Brno, given the circumstances mentioned above, folk culture comes naturally to many people. It can help with grounding, authenticity, embodiment, and the search for identity – all within a supportive community.

Folk tradition thus becomes a means of fostering cultural and social resilience in the city. At Folklor & City, we consciously cultivate this through workshops, interviews, apartment concerts, communal singing, collaborative creative activities, and more. I would like to share in detail the connection between Brno and tradition, and how we actively engage with it through our platform