The Miners’ Festival filled the streets and squares

Last weekend, the Miners’ Festival took place in Příbram. A three-day programme packed with traditions, culture and entertainment had been organised.

The Miners’ Festival, which is linked to the 30th Meeting of Mining Towns and Villages of the Czech Republic and, this year, also to the 19th European Day of Miners and Metallurgists, took place in Příbram for the fourth time. The Meeting of Mining Towns and Municipalities of the Czech Republic takes place in a different town every year and has always returned to Příbram for its anniversary editions – namely the 10th, 20th and now the 30th. 

“Preparing an event of this scale was by no means easy, and we must thank our colleagues from the town and municipal organisations, associations and individuals – in short, everyone who contributed to the preparations, which took almost a year. Judging by the feedback from participants and visitors alike, the event was a success, which gives us great pleasure,” says Mayor Jan Konvalinka. 

During the festivities, which began on Friday 12th and ended on Sunday 14th June, three miners’ parades took place through the town – Friday’s ‘Little Miners’ Parade’ (the ‘čepobití’), which set off from the Cultural Centre and ended at the Marie Mine in Březové Hory. The main procession – the Grand Miners’ Parade, featuring more than 1,200 participants – set off on Saturday 13 June after a miners’ church service from Svatá Hora to T. G. Masaryk Square, where the official programme took place. On stage, the mayor of Bílina (the town hosting the festivities in 2025) handed over the Meeting’s travelling banner and the travelling badge to Jan Konvalinka, the mayor of Příbram, for safekeeping. The mayor of Příbram then handed over the Light of St Barbara to the deputy mayor of Trutnov, where the festivities will take place in 2027. The official part of the ceremony included the presentation of ribbons to the banners of the individual towns and associations. 

The final procession led participants on Saturday afternoon from the Ševčinský Mine to the Anna Mine. The processions were attended by miners and steelworkers from Czech and major European mining towns, bands, children from Příbram’s nursery schools dressed as gnomes, and members of the public also joined in. “For me personally, the event was a new experience, and I was very surprised by how many people lined the streets along the parade routes, which really added to the atmosphere of the whole event. The participants in the individual parades themselves also commented positively on the public’s turnout,” adds Mayor Konvalinka. 

To add to the atmosphere, concerts were held at three different venues on Friday and Saturday. On 17 November Square, the line-up included Pokáč, Lenny, Mňága a Ždorp, Vojtaano and Špejbl’s Helprs. The stage on J. A. Alis Square was shared by Idol z lodi, Jazz Faces, Malibu, the Příbram Blues Band, Ginevra, the Michal Prokop Trio, Vanesa Harbek, with E!E bringing the concert programme to a close. Mining bands performed in the courtyard of Msgr. Korejs. The celebrations included activities for children, the chance to visit places not normally open to the public, the opening of a new exhibition at the Příbram Mining Museum, a medieval village and more. 

We must also mention the ceremonial presentation of the Český permon awards, at which, amongst others, two figures closely associated with our town received honours. In the Lifetime Achievement category, for his lifelong work at the Příbram Mining Museum and his promotion of mining traditions, the award was accepted by Josef Velfl, Director of the Mining Museum. The special ‘Český permon 2026’ prize was awarded to Emil Kuchař, Master of the Příbram Miners’ and Metallurgists’ Guild, for his lifelong support of mining traditions and for organising the 30th Meeting of Mining Towns and Villages of the Czech Republic and the 19th European Day of Miners and Metallurgists. 

“If I were to sum up the festivities, the demanding preparations culminated in an event which has received positive feedback from the general public. In 2027, the 31st Meeting of Mining Towns and Municipalities of the Czech Republic will take place from 25 to 27 June in Trutnov,” added Jan Konvalinka. 

During the recent miners’ festivities, 80 associations, towns and organisations were registered, with a total of around 1,200 participants. Thirty-six towns from the Czech Republic and 35 towns from Slovakia, Slovenia, Germany, Austria, Poland and Hungary registered to take part. 

Eva Švehlová, DiS.
, press officer
eva.svehlova@pribram.eu
Town of Příbram, Tyršova 108, 261 19, Příbram I
Tel.: 318 402 240
Mobile: 778 533 946 

Official Facebook page of the town of Příbram: https://www.facebook.com/mestskyuradpribram 

Published: 16. June 2026

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