Over 500 visitors from more than 50 countries came together to meet, share and experience cultural activities, sample diverse cuisines, explore colourful cultural stands and celebrate the vibrant multicultural spirit of Palacký University Olomouc.
The beats of taiko drums blended with the aroma of Vietnamese cuisine, accompanied by children’s laughter and the rustling of Haná folk costumes. The International Haná Festival, jointly organized by the Archdiocesan Charity Olomouc and the Welcome Office at Palacký University Olomouc, became above all a lesson in closeness, in how to meet, listen and learn from one another.
Pavel Flekač, coordinator of the Welcome Office, added, “We wanted the international and domestic students at the university to feel welcome and not far from home, and I believe that this year, with the International Haná festival, we achieved that.”
On stage, European folklore alternated with rhythms and dances from distant lands, while the most engaging moments unfolded beyond the spotlight. At the calligraphy table, visitors patiently practiced their first strokes of Chinese characters; nearby, delicate origami figures took shape. Elsewhere, participants pieced together a map of the USA, guessed Italian regions and tried on traditional Asian garments. Between food stalls, language and children’s workshops thrived, while a photography exhibition quietly told stories of the charity’s projects abroad. Visitors could also mark their home countries on a world map, take pictures in a photo booth or leave a message on community boards.
“It’s great here. It’s a different country, different people, very calm. I’m really enjoying it. The beer is good; it tastes completely different from what I’m used to,” said a student from South Africa.
As the lights dimmed in the evening, one simple certainty remained. Olomouc has the strength to be a city of open exchange. The partnership between the academic and charitable worlds created a platform that connects art, education and civic engagement. Diversity here was a core value throughout the event. And the encounters, both small and large, became a dialogue that will resonate through the city’s streets for a long time to come.
“It is the moments when professional musicians from Czechia play African drums and students from Africa join them, dancing to the rhythms. This is why we do it, because these moments cannot be found anywhere else,” said Alena Vyskočilová, head of the Welcome Office.
