After All, We Are Neighbors. For the sixth time this year, and right in the middle of a storm.

It’s become a tradition. At the end of June, we always meet at Na Pankráci park by Café Na půl cesty to enjoy a wonderful multicultural evening filled with music, dance, theater, and exotic food. This time, however, a wild thunderstorm threw a wrench in our plans, and everything went differently than intended. And that only made the event more magical.

Our program was scheduled to start on Thursday, June 27, at 5 p.m. After All, We Are Neighbors in Prague’s Pankrác district. That afternoon, however, a massive downpour headed toward Prague. In the words of Sara Sedláčková from Slovo 21, “at 4:30 p.m., we still didn’t know if the event would even take place. We had a covered stage and a sound booth, but when the heavy rain and wind started, it was clear that water was everywhere, including the equipment.”

It would have been a terrible shame to lose all the performances, so within an hour, the entire program was moved into Café Na půl cesty. We owe them a huge thank you for lending us their equipment and, most importantly, for saving the entire event. The concerts were held inside, workshops took place on the terrace, and the exotic food tastings were ultimately set up under the covered outdoor stage.

“An amazing atmosphere was created. The event was more intimate, of course, since not everyone wanted to head out to the park during a storm, but otherwise, it was a huge success,” describes Sara Sedláčková.

So, who performed on the improvised stage at Café Na půl cesty? For parents and children, there was a performance of Theseus by the international puppet theater DaFa. This year’s unique musical experience was provided by the band Rifoo, whose innovative style blends Middle Eastern traditions to create an original sound. Performer Papia das Bauk introduced the audience to a musical project featuring elements of Indian mysticism, drawing inspiration from her native India and representing this beautiful culture all over the world. And we couldn’t forget K-pop, specifically the dance group CKP Dance team, who prepared a dance performance for the audience.

This year’s program also stuck to established traditions. No performer from previous years was repeated, giving the audience a chance to experience an original program. Even though it ended up raining the whole time, we are all taking away wonderful memories from the event and look forward to next year.

We would also like to thank the Prague 4 Municipal District, specifically Anna Chválová, for allowing us to be a partner in the project again this year Living Together in District Four 2024.

After All, We Are Neighbors is an event organized as part of the Prague 4 project "Living Together in District Four 2024," supported by the UNHCR and the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic. Slovo 21 is a partner in this project.

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