Jaromír Nohavica at Centennial Hall: a Czech bard, “Poruba” and Polish-Czech history

Jaromir Nohavica, the Czech Republic’s most popular bard, will sing on 23 October at Wrocław’s Centennial Hall!
The concert coincides with the 30th anniversary of the groundbreaking Festival of Independent Czech and Slovak Culture, held in Wrocław in 1989, which became a symbol of Polish-Czech cooperation and friendship. It was then that Jaromir Nohavica first performed in Poland, alongside the unforgettable Karel Kryl and other Czech bards whom Polish audiences came to love.

Jaromir Nohavica is as well known and loved in Poland as in his native Czech Republic. The Czech bard’s concerts fill venues seating thousands to the very last place.

Nohavica is one of those singers around whom an enchanting sense of mystery forms. Moving brilliantly between folk song and traditional folklore, he is a true bard of his region. He tells stories of life and death, but above all of what lies between: love, suffering, the doubts and fears of modern people, the beauty of the world around us, small pleasures and great passions. He knows Polish very well and presents his concerts in Poland in Polish. He has recorded over a dozen albums.

His latest is “Poruba”, named after the Ostrava district full of memories where everything began: first loves, friendships and acquaintances, but also arguments and harassment. Two songs, “Czarna dziura” and “Empire State”, were hugely popular with Radio Three listeners, reaching high chart positions. The concert includes the latest material alongside Jaromir’s best-known, most beloved songs.

The bard is accompanied on stage by Robert Kuśmierski on accordion and piano, and Pavel Planka on percussion.

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