Time marches forward swiftly and inexorably, and so appreciators of young talent from all over the world can look forward to the 22nd annual “Young Prague” International Music Festival in Prague.

That said, I am very happy to report that, each year, this top-notch festival manages to not only fulfill, but also improve on its goal of giving young artists from many countries, with varying musical traditions, a boost at the start of their careers – by enabling them to perform in concert at the international level. I am confident that the opportunity these young musicians receive here in Prague will serve them well when they return to their home countries and that later, when they are at the high point in their musical activities, the memories of this city and its festival for young performers will inspire them to return to our country and give more performances here.

Once again this year, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all the organizers of this musical event, as well as to their co-workers abroad. To the festival visitors, I wish plenty of excellent musical experiences. And to Prague I wish many further successful returns of this festive celebration of good music and young talent.

MUDr. Přemysl Sobotka
Vice-Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic

Dear listeners:
Allow me to extend you a very warm welcome to the 22st annual „Mladá Praha/Young Prague“ International Music festival. The past 21 years speak loudly and clearly to the significance of our festival and the sincerety of our efforts to support young musicians from both the Czech Republic and abroad. Another affirmation of the signifance of this international collaboration is a commendation received by the festival’s Czech-Japanese Committee last year from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

We strive to present talented young artists throughout the Czech Republic. Towards this end, we have organized concerts not just in Prague, but in other cities as well – cities where our festival has already been well-received in the past.

I wish you many beautiful musical moments as you meet with this year’s artists.

Tomáš Čistecký
Chairman of the Czech Committee

Dear friends:

Our family’s motto, FAITHFULLY ALWAYS, also applies to the Kolowrátek Foundation’s collaboration with the “Young Prague/Mladá Praha” international music festival. I am pleased that we can once again, and for the fourth time, associate our name with an event of such importance and reach. And I am happy that audiences in several cities of our Republic will have the chance to listen to talented young musicians from all over the world. These are rare moments for me: when I sit in the audience and listen to works of music performed with the unbelievable dedication that only young artists like these can bring.

then, I remain in the joyous hope that – one day – we will be able to look back nostalgically and say: “And that was his/her first big concert”...

JUDr. Dominika Kolowrat-Krakovská
The Endowment Fund Kolowratek of Maximilian, Francesca and Dominika Kolowrat-Krakovský