The International Music Festival Colours of Ostrava

Prague / Ostrava, February 15, 2012 – Björk, Bobby McFerrin, Animal Collective, The Flaming Lips, ZAZ, Antony and the Johnsons, Kronos Quartet and many others… These are the main stars of the 11th annual edition of the international music festival Colours of Ostrava, taking place from July 12-15, 2012 in Ostrava – the third largest city in the country, in the northeast of the Czech Republic. Taking place over four days on ten outdoor and indoor stages (one for example, is in a former gasometer) the festival offers over 150 bands, DJ’s, films, discussions, workshops and theater performances. The music is from the all over the world – world music, jazz, rock, electronica, folk. It will get under your skin – the joyful and peaceful atmosphere, perfect organization, the unique environment of the former ironworks and mines, where you will find everything you need for a summer event – trees, grass, a place for relaxation and dance, a children’s stage, a wide variety of foods, great Czech beer, and a secure tent city where you can lay your head. All this at a more than an inviting price, with everything done to European standards with all the facilities you are used to at the largest events. Enjoy the Colours of Ostrava, find out why thousands of Czechs come here every year (and gladly return again) and why journalists say that it’s one of the best cultural events in the Czech Republic! Get more information at www.colours.cz or at http://www.facebook.com/colours.of.ostrava.english. You can get the four day ticket (the price varies according to country and is approximately 80 EUR including VAT and fees till the end of March) on the Eventim network. And of course there are English speaking personnel onsite.

Other confirmed bands include for example – electric swing Parov Stelar Band; post-jazz Portico Quartet; Orquesta Típica Fernández Fierro the twelve member orchestra from Buenos Aires included among the greatest contemporary revolutionaries of tango; Celso Piña, the accordion rebel who is bringing a Mexican cumbia as hot as chili peppers, and of course also the explosive song Cubria Sobre El Rio from the film Babel; Shtetl Superstars, a joyful rhythmic ska and reggae with rocking klezmer with a brass section; surf guitars with a sizeable contribution of electric hip hop from Banco de Gaia aka London programmer, producer and multi-instrumentalist Toby Marks; Malaysian Tamikrest, who bring with them desert music of the nomadic Tuaregs; the brilliant Lebanese trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf; or Euzen, the Danish group with lead singer Maria Franz; Dánjal a Dadaist cabaret from the Faore Islands; or stars of African music – Amadou & Mariam, Hugh Masekela, Staff Benda Bilili či Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba. Aside from those there will also be important names from the Czech and Slovak music scenes. And of course that is not all… Expect to hear even more coming up soon!

The festival takes place in the European Historic Protected Landmark in Ostrava, the Mining area of Vítkovice and the Hlubina Mines, in the complex of the abandoned mines, ironworks and steelworks, in an area that holds within it industrial beauty, but also offers everything you could want for a great summer music event. The complex is slowly being transformed into a new cultural, educational, and community center open year-round. Some of the main benefits of the festival include, camping in the greenery, but also being close to the music stages, visitors have their own parking lot. There are also plenty of rest areas among the individual music production sites. What’s more you will also appreciate the easy access to the festival – the Vítkovice mine complex is just three tram stops from the center of the city of Ostrava. Increased public transport will be provided for festival visitors.