Performance by our scholarship holders at the Smetanova Litomyšl Festival

Created specifically for this year's Smetana's Litomyšl, the premiere of ČTVERÁCI offered the audience an unconventional, site‑specific experience centered on humanity's relationship to the transformations of nature across the four seasons. By transforming a castle riding hall into four thematic zones, the production invited the audience to step beyond passive viewing and become an active part of the artistic action.

This exeptional event brought together leading Czech performers, acting as mentors, onto a single stage alongside MenART's most talented students. Taking on the role of mentors were Jan Ostrý (flute), Jan Fišer (violin), Tomáš Jamník (cello), Irvin Venyš (clarinet), and Beata Hlavenková (composition, vocals, and piano), while renowned director and choreographer Jan Kodet unified the entire work through visual and movement design. Initiated by the MenART Academy, the production was commissioned directly by the festival itself, the Agency for the Development of the Broumov Region, and the PETROF company.

Foundation scholarship holders Vladimír Slavíček and Timofey Golev left a distinct mark on the project, working in the creative group led by Beata Hlavenková alongside Tadeáš Syrový. These talented young musicians were given the opportunity to imprint their own artistic signatures on the show, with each writing an original composition.

The performance itself in Litomyšl represented the culmination of several months of their hard work. In the joint finale, the young composers' original works were organically interwoven with the rest of the project, representing the theme of the four elements. Mentor Beata Hlavenková united all these musical motifs into a single dynamic whole that was enriched by Jan Kodet's choreography, giving it a striking visual form. The success of the performance thus confirmed not only the potential of the Foundation's scholarship holders, but also the value of connecting young artists with professionals from the field.

The performance itself marked the pinnacle of their months‑long preparation. In the final ensemble finale, the young composers' original works seamlessly intertwined with solo instrumental lines representing the four elements. Mentor Beata Hlavenková synthesized all these musical motifs into a single dynamic composition for the grand finale, while Jan Kodet’s direction of the dance section provided a visually striking backdrop. The show's success not only highlighted the immense potential of the supported scholars, but also underscored the true value of bringing rising talents together with professionals from the field.