The Ride of the Kings (Jízda králů in Czech) is a festival celebrated in Moravia. you’ll know it when you see a young boy in female folkloric clothes and a rose in his mouth riding a decorated horse.
Ride of Kings evolved from royal ceremonies and Easter processions and used to be a part of the Pentecost. Nowadays, it’s an event on its own and one of the most popular and anticipated folkloric festivals in the country. Since 2011, it’s been on the list of Intangible Heritage of the UNESCO.
It’s traditionally performed in the region of Brno, Hanácko (Hanakia) and Slovácko (Moravian Slovakia), although the most popular one happens every year in Vlčnov. Other popular rides are held in Kunovice (biennial), Hluk (every three years) and Skoronice.
The most famous Ride of the Kings in Vlčnov is held on Whit Sunday and it has been registered in the list of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Being the King
Being selected to bear the title of the king is a great honor and it’s often the case that the father of the young boy was also a king at the age of 10 – 12. The fact that there’s a new king is announced in more just the local paper and sometimes, the future king’s court “kidnaps” the boy from class to celebrate.
The Ride
By their clothes you’ll recognize them…especially when it comes to the king. The boy rides dressed in girl’s clothing, his face covered in ribbons and, of course, the traditional flower in his mouth. The king’s court wears traditional folkloric kroj, the horses are adorned with ribbons, bows and flowers, everything is very colorful.
“Hýlom, hýlom!” is what you’ll hear at the beginning of the ride and there’s a whole series of small ceremonies like asking the mayor for a permission to perform the ride.
Over the years, as the ride became more and more famous outside of the borders of the town and region, it became a folkloric even accompanied by traditional craft exhibitions, markets and folkloric band performances.
Once every many years, there comes a very special year when the rides take place in all four most famous homes to the ride of the kings: Hluk, Kunovice, Vlčnov and Skoronice or at least the first three mentioned. Such an anniversary is traditionally celebrated with a royal summit where all the kings meet, sign a royal decree and attend a mass together.
