After All, We Are Neighbors: Pankrác celebrates the friendly coexistence of different nationalities through music and dance
July 11, 2025
The "After All, We Are Neighbors" festival in Prague's Pankrác district returned for its seventh year, offering a program packed with music, dance, and activities for both children and adults. These neighborhood celebrations provide a space for everyone to express themselves and share a piece of their national identity. Through culture and shared time, the festival serves as a reminder that Prague is home not only to Czechs but also to many foreigners who are gradually becoming our friends and colleagues. What better way to foster mutual understanding than through culture, good food, and entertainment that appeals to everyone alike.
On Wednesday evening, the sun beats down on Pankrác Park, and the heat shows no sign of letting up. Clouds of cool mist drift from the sprinklers placed along the paths. People linger in them a little longer, enjoying a moment of relief. It’s lively here today. Children run between wooden fairground attractions, riding the carousel and fishing for colorful carved fish in tubs of water. Others seek refuge in the shade of trees and umbrellas. Music drifts from the stage, while the scent of food wafts from nearby tables. Once again, this intimate festival has succeeded in creating a safe space for everyone, offering an afternoon full of experiences and connection.
Foreigners make up about a quarter of Prague's population, and events like "After All, We Are Neighbors," organized by the Prague 4 district, are an excellent opportunity to promote a sense of belonging across cultures and nationalities. This year's program featured Nigerian soul and Indian rap, among other performances. The program went beyond music, with attendees enjoying side events such as yurt building, puppet theater, dance, and plenty of food.
As the afternoon drew to a close, the worst of the heat began to fade. Following a catchy set of jazz and soul by singer Lucky Sings, the audience was captivated by a performance of traditional Mongolian dances by girls in colorful national costumes. Children wandered between the tables, proudly carrying their own pieces of sushi—perhaps tasting it for the first time. Boys kicked a ball around near the stage, and people began joining a workshop on circle dances rooted in Jewish and Greek traditions. We slowly said goodbye to the afternoon to the sounds of folk and ethnic melodies. As the rhythm of a Romani lullaby played, the sun began to set.
The event was held as part of the Prague 4 project "Living Together in District 4 2025," aimed at the integration of foreigners and supported by the UNHCR and the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic.