On the afternoon of 8 October 2026, the courtyard of Palacký University's Zbrojnice Library came alive with flavours, aromas, music and vibrant colours from around the world. The third edition of International Haná, jointly organised by the Welcome Office of Palacký University Olomouc and Archdiocesan Caritas Olomouc, once again brought a unique celebration of cultural diversity and international friendship to the heart of Olomouc.
Throughout the afternoon, visitors had the opportunity to discover traditional cuisine, languages, customs and interactive activities representing more than 17 countries from across the globe, including the United States, Great Britain, India, Tanzania, Canada, France, Portugal, Spain, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Finland, Italy, Vietnam and China, among others. The festival also welcomed contributions from the Aurora European University Alliance (AURORA), the International School of Olomouc, Maple Bear School, the university's PEPA association and Palacký University Press, enriching the programme with educational and creative activities.
The festival's stage programme offered an exciting journey through international music, dance and cultural traditions. Visitors enjoyed energetic drumming performances by Ivo Batoušek, a Finnish hobby horsing competition, an impressive capoeira demonstration and a traditional dragon dance performed by the Vietnamese community. The programme also featured Czech folk dances by the Cholinka Folk Ensemble, Irish dancing by Fiach Bán, an oriental dance performance by Jahanara Tribe, and an African dance and drumming performance by Camara. Unfortunately, the planned live connection with Haiti had to be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.
Beyond the performances and cultural experiences, International Haná once again demonstrated the importance of bringing people from different backgrounds together. The festival was also honoured by the presence of H.E. Jouni Laaksonen, Ambassador of Finland to the Czech Republic, highlighting the event's international significance and the importance of fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding. The festival created a welcoming space for intercultural dialogue, new friendships and meaningful encounters between the university's international community and the wider public.
International Haná 2026 was organised with the support of the City of Olomouc and the Olomouc Region. The event was also held as part of the INSIGHT project, co-funded by the European Union.
The third edition reaffirmed the festival's mission: to discover the world without leaving Olomouc and to celebrate the diversity that brings our communities together.
