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1958 2013Folklore Ensemble

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CZECH REPUBLIC

Horní Bř íza

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1958 - T h e B e g i n n i n g

It was the year 1958 and the

town of Horní Bříza in the North rural district of Pilsen (Czech Republic) had a new cultural event to be recorded in its chronicle – the folklore ensemble “Úsměv” was founded.

Zdeněk Bláha, a music journalist and folklorist,

was present at its birth and is still its artistic director. The great music and dance background of the areas of Horní Bříza, Dolní Bělá, Plasy, Kralovice and Pilsen became the source of the ensemble’s artistic activities.

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Gradually they developed their own style of

interpretation, whose background was evident. In the Czech language the word “úsměv (smile)” evokes joy; therefore the ensemble bearing the name endeavored to bring wit, joy and gentle humor to the stage. And it has been drawing on these traditional optimistic sources ever since.

g e T T i n g e x p e r i e n c e . . .

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Thanks to its great singers and musicians in the

band and the interpreting abilities of the dancers, the ensemble has found its place among the ranks of the best folklore collectives in our country.

S o l i d Fo u n d a T i o n S

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B e c o m i n g T h e B e S T

In the seventies and eighties when national

folklore festivals were held, it was the only ensemble to be awarded the main prize twice – in Poprad and Košice. It won awards in later years too – for its arrangement, music and choreography.

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co n q u e r i n g T h e Wo r l d

The ensemble has successfully presented

its distinguished style at many international festivals and tours all over Europe.

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e u r o p e a n Fe S T i v a l S

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n a T i o n a l Fe S T i v a l S

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Te l e v i S i o n

The ensemble has also had its own TV shows, there are several video-recordings, and group has appeared in several foreign studios.

1973 Píseň to je touha - TV film

1974 30th Anniversary of Liberation - concert in the J.K.Tyl theater

1974 Sunday in the Club - TV show

1974 From Šumava to Tatra Mountains - TV film with Karel Gott

1975 My Country - TV broadcasting from the J.K.Tyl theater

1975 Jede forman jede - TV show

1975 To se to tancuje - TV show

1975 Sunday in the Club - TV show fimled in Horní Bříza

1976 Postcard from Moravia- TV film with Karel Gott

1976 Den stavbařů - TV show

1979 Sunday in the Club - TV show

1983 Amadeus - TV film by Miloš Forman - won 8 Oscars

1986 Dneškem k zítřkům - TV show

1986 Respirium - TV Chrostmas show

1987 Roses from the Šumava Mountains - together with Lesanka

1988 Orbis Roots - TV show filmed in Horšovský Týn

1988 Television in Prague

1990 Proč dudáci tupají- TV show

1993 TV Show with Šťáhlavská šestka

1994 35 úsměvů - 35th anniversary of Úsměv

1995 45th Anniversary of Liberation of Pilsen

1998 Silvestr - TV show

1999 Koncert jubilantů from Stážnice

2001 Silvestr s Jožkou Šmukařem- TV show

2003 Kořeny (Roots) - TV show filmed at the chapel in Horní Bříza

2004 Christmas in Europe - TV show for German TV station

2007 Christmas in Europe - TV show for German TV station

2008 Putování za písničkou - TV show

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Film „Postcard From moravia“ with Karel Gott

Film „amadeus“ directed by miloš Forman

Te l e v i S i o n

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r e c o r d i n g S

The ensemble has recorded over 250 songs in the studio of Czech Radio

and record labels have made 5 LP and 12 CD recordings with it.

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21 S T ce n T u r y

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21 S T ce n T u r y

© Milan Pták

© Milan Pták

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21 S T ce n T u r y

© Milan Pták

© Milan Pták

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21 S T ce n T u r y

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In its artistic production the “Úsměv” ensemble tries to remain worthy of what professor Karel Plicka said of it: „Czech songs and dances have a

heritage of optimism, which your interpretation makes bloom.”

Published by Folklore Ensemble Úsměv Horní Bříza.Photos are taken from the ensemble archive, except those on pages 14 and 15.

© Úsměv 2013