A Mid-March Night’s Dream at the Faculties of Arts and Education Annual Ball












            ******************************************************************************************

            * A Mid-March Night’s Dream at the Faculties of Arts and Education Annual Ball
            ******************************************************************************************
            The joint annual ball of the Faculties of Arts and Education took place on Wednesday 7th M

            Members of both the faculties all arrived in gorgeous dresses and suits for the evening st
            Not just students, but also professors, former teachers, and members of the public had sin
            looking forward to what was to become a magical event. This year’s theme was ‘A Midsummer 

            one of Shakespeare’s comedies, set in the woodlands by the light of the moon. This topic a
            sparkle to the evening with the atmosphere becoming complete with fairy-like creatures flo
            The faculty balls are held annually in a number of faculties of Charles University. The tr

            ballroom dancing is still very much alive and well in the Czech Republic today; certainly,
            young adults and students in their 20s stand out elegantly in the metro as they head to th

            perhaps classical dance classes. The Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Education ball this ye
            at the National House in Vinohrady, a perfect setting with its gorgeous ballroom, balcony 
            staircases. There was even a funky photo booth with props for guests to have entertaining 

            night, as well as professional and glamorous ones.
            For most, the first stop after entering the building and going up the stairs was gathering
            bar. A lavish array of bottles of Prosecco, Czech wine, of course Czech beers and other sp

            up every table that surrounded the staircase bars. Along with drinks there was an array of
            chlebíčky (‘garnished breads’) which are a traditional Czech snack. They had various toppi
            cheeses, all fashioned so that they looked like the twisting female dancers in the ballroo

            done with such taste and perfection, it matched all my dreams of what a ball would be like
            In every room there were tables and various groups of friends set around them. They were s
            the perimeter of the main ballroom so that everyone could have an excellent view of the in

            dancing. The Pirate Swing Band orchestra accompanied the dancing with famous ballroom and 
            ranging from ‘Hit that Jive’ and Peggy Suave to Palov Stelar. The Czechs certainly know ho
            dancing since they attended their dance classes (taneční) during their high school time an

            excellent show with their various partners throughout the night. There was waltz, foxtrot,
            step and cha-cha, with only a few breaks – clearly everyone had been saving up energy for 
            ages and members of the faculty danced; it did not matter whether you were a ‘stick of woo

            for someone who cannot dance) or you were the next Anna Pavlova because following the lead
            the music was just as enjoyable.
            A perfect dance floor for love and passion: watch out that you may be picked up by one of 

            dancers taking your hand and before you can say no, they will already be leading you aroun
            Certainly, for foreigners this kind of forward and very courtly way of asking a lady to da
            and may come as quite a surprise – a pleasant one (it did for me) but these traditions and

            confidence that beseeches dancing is what made the ballroom scene very attractive during t
            me it was like going back in time to when my grandparents first met, but for the Czechs, w
            every year! Even if you are not asked to dance, moving your hips with your girlfriends or 

            with the guys is worth it; a friend and I jived about the ballroom as finally we had a dan
            knew well.
            In another room, for the late night and less conventional dancers, ‘DJ Billy Hopp and Saxo

            playing funky swing songs which people were racing to dance to. The saxophonist sounded in
            beat of the DJ; the perfect place to pass the last hours of the night away. Everyone was t
            floor and there was great vibrancy coming from all the faces of the guests and their dance

            Everyone had an air of glamour that turned many a head and made many blush during the nigh
            and bow ties, even top hats found their way into the building! Ladies had their most swank
            dresses or ball gowns on; some silky, some long, some black, some lacey. The mixture made 

            colourful, a match for the Vogue fashion weeks with their glammed up celebrities prancing 
            with the theme of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ there were people with flower tiaras and gli
            – men with twig crowns as though all were guests attending the marriage of Theseus, the Du

            Hippolyta, the former Queen of the Amazons (the play’s main theme and setting).
            Safe to say that the Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Education ball was a place to feel imp
            impressed. All staff and guests were friendly and open minded – so much so that all ages, 

            will feel welcome in all respects: dancing, chatting, enjoying yourself!