Czech culture this week: A Spanish opera premiere and Shakespeare in the park

William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is performed (in Czech) at the Wallenstein Garden starting June 13 and running to June 27.

Czech-born composer Erwin Schulhoff was imprisoned by Nazis for his left-wing views and died of tuberculosis in 1942 at the age of 48, ending a promising career. His works fell into obscurity but are now being rediscovered. His opera Flammen, based on the Don Juan story, has not been performed since 1932. A new staging by Spanish director Calixto Bieito is at the State Opera on June 15, 18, and 24.

The ninth annual Australian and New Zealand film festival takes place at Kino Lucerna from June 14 to 20. The program has three recent films: the mystery “The Dry,” a post-apocalyptic thriller “Night Raiders,” and the documentary “My Name is Gulpilil.”

Many contemporary accounts of the tragedy of Lidice, like Heinrich Mann’s 1949 novel “Lidice” are all but impossible to find, especially in English. One rather obscure contemporary account, though, can now be downloaded for Kindle readers.

A Little Village Called Lidice: The Story of the Return of the Women and Children of Lidice was written in 1947 by Zdena Trinka, who was born in Bohemia but raised in North Dakota. She returned briefly after the war and looked firsthand into the fates of the women and children who survived the Lidice massacre (the men were all executed).

Say goodbye to hard rockers Whitesnake, who bring their farewell tour to O2 universum on June 14. Founding member David Coverdale and long-time drummer Tommy Aldridge are in the current ever-changing lineup. They will play their hits “Here I Go Again” and “Is This Love” plus selections from their 40-year catalog.  

Retro ensemble Postmodern Jukebox swings into Roxy on June 16 with classics and covers of modern pop tunes. Their videos on YouTube have over 1 billion views.

American art rock band Battles, on tour to support their 2019 album “Juice B Crypts,” stops at Lucerna Music Bar on June 17. Their genre is sometimes called “math rock” due to the complex rhythm structures.  

Take a peek Behind the Iron Kilt at The Fitzgerald on June 15. Prague comedy veterans Grant Gallacher and Kristýna Haklová share some of their humorous insights, with help from Karan Veer Khurana and Alan Anderson.

The multi-genre art festival What Day Will Not Give Us Will Give Us Night #2 brings modern art to the former monastery Gabriel Loci, from June 15 to 19. Works from over 30 resident artists are complemented by paintings, sculptures, and photographs by guest artists. Side events include an opening on June 15 with the Floex Ensemble, a rave party on June 17, and a brunch on June 19. There are also guided tours and workshops for children.  

Experience an eight-course dinner with wine pairings prepared by Ukrainian and Czech chefs at the Hopeful Dinner (Nadějná večeře) at UM Training Center, Národní 28, on June 14 and 15. The team is led by Oldřich Sahajdák, chef of the Michelin-starred restaurant La Degustation Bohême Bourgeoise. The entire proceeds will go to the Ukrainian Embassy.