The Praga Cantat International Competition Festival has grown into one of Prague’s most important choral events over the course of its history. The first edition took place in 1987, when the festival was launched under the name "Prague Days of Choral Singing".
The festival was founded by the legendary Czech choirmaster Prof. Miroslav Košler. Under his leadership, Praga Cantat focused from the very beginning on promoting Czech choral music. This emphasis was most evident in the selection of compulsory works that choirs were required to prepare for performances in the individual competition categories. Since the inaugural edition, the required repertoire has been dominated by works of Bedřich Smetana (Věno in Category A – male choirs, Má hvězda in Category B – female choirs) and Antonín Dvořák (Napadly písně in Category C – mixed choirs). One of the key artistic aims behind this choice was to encourage choirs to keep these works in their repertoire long after the festival itself had ended.
Over the years, the festival has naturally evolved in many ways. The venue changed from the Municipal House, which hosted the earliest editions, to the magnificent National House Vinohrady, where the festival is held today. New categories were introduced, particularly Category D for youth choirs and Category E for sacred music. The Grand Prix competition was also established: a Saturday contest bringing together the festival’s top choirs, nominated by expert juries on the basis of Friday’s competition performances. Another major milestone came in 2003, when the festival adopted the name Praga Cantat, which it continues to use today.
Since its foundation, more than 900 choirs from over 40 countries have taken part in the festival, bringing approximately 40,000 singers to Prague.
Following Miroslav Košler’s passing in 2016, the artistic leadership of Praga Cantat was taken over by his student Jakub Zicha. Four further editions followed between 2016 and 2019, but the global Covid-19 pandemic unfortunately interrupted the festival’s promising development and forced a pause between 2020 and 2022.
Since 2023, Jakub Zicha has also assumed responsibility for the festival’s organisation and, together with another student of Prof. Miroslav Košler – conductor and educator Jiří Petrdlík – decided to relaunch the festival with a new production team. Together, they continue their teacher’s legacy while helping restore Praga Cantat to its former standing.
In 2023, the renewed festival returned with its 34th edition and a smaller number of participating choirs. In 2024, however, Praga Cantat came back in full strength with its milestone 35th anniversary edition.
The competition in its individual categories remains at the heart of Praga Cantat. At the same time, it is important to recognise that alongside outstanding ensembles, the festival also welcomes choirs at the beginning of their development — choirs eager to test themselves and experience the unique atmosphere of competition. The international jury not only provides expert assessments of each performance, but also offers valuable recommendations that can support choir conductors in their future work.
Yet competition is only one part of Praga Cantat. The festival also has a strong social dimension: it creates opportunities for choirs to meet, exchange experiences and form new connections, while giving singers the chance to discover the beauty of Prague. The ceremonial opening traditionally takes place in the prestigious surroundings of Prague City Hall, for example at the Old Town Hall. The programme also includes a highly popular guided walk through Prague city centre and Prague Castle, where experienced guides introduce participants to Prague, its history and the places they are visiting in an engaging and accessible way.
The combination of musical excellence and a rich social programme makes Praga Cantat a unique event with a long and distinguished tradition.