Events
FILM SCREENING: DARK BLUE WORLD
Manchester Central Library
80 Years of VE Day: Czechoslovak RAF Pilots on Screen and in Real Life
Please join us on Thursday 24 April 2025 at 5:30 p. m. at the Central Library on St Peter's Square in Manchester for a film screening of Dark Blue World, a 2001 film by Czech director Jan Svěrák, the Academy Award-winning director of Kolya, about Czech pilots who fought for the British Royal Air Force during the Second World War. The film screening will be followed by an informal talk with Jitka Režná, daughter of General František Fajtl, one of the Czech RAF pilots who fought in WW2 and inspired creators of the film.
Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Manchester and Czech School & Community Manchester have put together the event to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
Admission free. Please register at www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/st-peters-square/manchester-central-library/film-screening-dark-b...
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Reuniting the creative team responsible for Kolya, 1996 Oscar® winner for Best Foreign Film, under Czech director Jan Sverak, Dark Blue World tells the story of the friendship between two Czech pilots, the veteran Franta (Ondrej Vetchý) and fresh-faced young trainee Karel (Krystof Hádek). They escape Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia, make their way to Britain and join the Royal Air Force. When Karel’s plane is hit and he bails out in the countryside, he is taken in by Susan (Tara Fitzgerald), an Englishwoman whose husband is missing in action. In a moment of weakness, she makes love to Karel, relieving him of his virginity. But later, when Karel takes Franta to meet his “new love,” Franta and Susan are attracted to each other, leading to a situation that will put the two men’s friendship to the ultimate test. (official text)
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Language: Czech with English Subtitles
Free Entry
Location: Manchester Central Library, M2 5PD
Concert Iva Bittová & JeFis Duo
Didsbury Baptist Church
Singer and violinist Iva Bittová in a joint concert with violinist Pavel Fischer and accordionist Jakub Jedlinsky. A captivating world music combining influences of Moravian, Balkan, Jewish, Irish and Roma music.
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Zpěvačka a houslistka Iva Bittová ve společném koncertu s houslistou Pavlem Fischerem a akordeonistou Jakubem Jedlinským. Strhující world music spojující vlivy moravské, balkánské, židovské, irské i romské hudby.
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The work of the duo Jedlinský - Fischer combines traditional ethnic music with elements of classical, jazz and free improvisation. It is inspired by the truth of folk music, whose message is love, joy and the desire for harmony.
Iva Bittová creates her music in a similar way. When such creative souls as these three meet from time to time during their concerts, their musical testimony is even more instensified!
"In today's divided world full of uncertainty, discord, anger and stupidity, when we seek light and love, or just common human decency, music can be that beacon. It knows no boundaries, it doesn't judge, it just sounds, consoles and heals." Duo Jedlinský - Fischer
"My approach to music is based on contact with nature. What really inspires me is absolute silence and a completely positive atmosphere...." Iva Bittová
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Tvorba dua Jedlinský - Fischer přináší spojení tradiční etnické hudby s prvky klasiky, jazzu a volné improvizace. Inspiruje se pravdivostí lidové hudby, jejímž poselstvím je láska, radost a touha po souznění.
Iva Bittová tvoří svoji hudbu obdobně . Na své dlouhé cestě se při koncertování tyto osobnosti čas od času potkají a jejich hudební výpověď se tak umocní!
„V dnešním rozděleném světě plném nejistoty, nesvárů, zloby a hlouposti,
kdy hledáme světlo a lásku, či jen obyčejnou lidskou slušnost, může hudba tím světlonošem být. Nezná hranice, nesoudí, prostě jen zní, konejší a léčí.“ Duo Jedlinský - Fischer
„Můj přístup k hudbě je založen na kontaktu s přírodou.
Co mě opravdově inspiruje je absolutní ticho a zcela positivní atmosféra....“ Iva Bittová
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Vstupné/Tickets:
£20 | Early Bird (tickets price till 28/2)
£18 | Early Bird Student (tickets price till 28/2)
£25 | General
£20 | Student
Těšíme se na Vás!
