Preparation of Bernard's Summer School 2010 is in full swing

16. 12. 2009 | 273 reads

As I mentioned elsewhere, the preparation of next year’s edition had started even before BSS 2009 finished. It is not so easy because not everyone of the invitees can keep up with our tempo. Nevertheless, we can already promise some successes.

We have composed a preliminary plan of lessons for 2010 and as usual, we will be able to present some novelty which will become part of the Summer School. So what will it be in 2010?

We would like to extend the musical repertoire by sean-nós singing lessons. We really enjoyed the presence of an Irish teacher who was present in the Czech Republic at the Irish Studies Centre of the Charles University last year, Maire Brid Ni Mhaoilchiarain . She responded to our invitation by a preliminary promise to participate and teach at the Summer School. Musical instruments are aspiring to be extended by an instrument most typical for Ireland: the harp. We have asked Sean Barry who lives in Prague and so far it seems he will respond to our offer.
For the other instruments, we have the confirmations of Roman Kozák (bodhrán), Martin Penič (whistles), Marek Zienert (banjo), Alastair Edwards (fiddle). We plan to complete the offer by agreeing with further teachers of musical instruments in the nearest future.Last but not least, the Irish lessons will again be in the hands of Radvan Markus.
For dance lessons we are clear about the participation of Gerard Butler who will again teach sean-nós dancing and Irish Set dancing. Step Dancing lessons including hard shoes are still being negotiated. We would like to avoid problems of some overcrowded and some insufficiently filled lessons. This also depends on the results of the discussion with An Coimisiún concerning the declaration of BSS 2010 as an open workshop.
We have also addressed the new Irish ambassador to Prague, H.E. Mr. Richard Ryan with a request for his auspices over this unique event. We hope that this matter will also be resolved at the beginning of next year after his return from holiday.
We have received further promises of cooperation on the Summer School organisation team from Katka Velanová and Martin Loužecký. Honestly I can hardly imagine the organisation without their help. I do believe you will meet many more familiar faces you are used to seeing at the Summer School as regular participants.
And that is not all yet – we still have the ace up our sleeve. As you well know, it will be a jubilee 10th edition of the Summer School. The passing into the second decade should be visible to all participants. And don’t worry, I don’t mean a double amount of the participation fee.
V.B.