The celebration of wine harvest comes to Moravia with first Burčák (young, slightly fermented wine). The wine harvest of Pálava is one of the most famous ones. The people of Mikulov celebrate their rich harvest from their vineyards, the arrival of autumn but also the 600 year-old-tradition.

People had their first celebration in the square as far back as in 1403 when the lord of Mikulov, John of Lichtenstein, liberated the Czech king Wenceslas IV, the son of king Charles IV from his captivity in Vienna. The arrival of the king was then boisterously celebrated. And it is still celebrated today. The wine harvest of Pálava stands for three days of Burčák, wine, singing and happy crowds.

The entertainment for visitors is provided for three days and nights by a few hundreds of performers. It has become almost a tradition that clear, blue skies aid the organisers who put together an exhausting programme. Every year the square takes on its historical theme, chateau gardens serve as a temporary camp for the knights and chateau chambers become a wine market. Wine is poured even next to a giant wine barrel which is the largest wine barrel in Central Europe. It is 6.5 metres in length and 4.5 meters in height. The legend has it that when it was impossible to fill it up with wine after a bad harvest, the whole musical band hid inside during the chateau celebrations and kept on playing not being seen by the guests of the Chateau Lord.

Even today there are jugglers, historical music, fencing, fire show, tables full of food and mainly, plenty of wine, fizzy Burčák and gourmet dishes.
It is busy for three days in the square where a folklore band is playing and also at the amphitheatre under Turold, where more relaxed cimbalom music is taken over by vigorous rock.

All that is traditionally opened by a parade, led by the king Wenceslas, who officially gives permission for the celebrations to begin and also happily takes part. Being in good spirits he might even listen to his merry peasants when they shout at him to lower taxes as the nobility exploits them. “I can’t”, he says, “But I will get rid of the nobility”.

The merry, pagan god of wine Bakchus cannot be absent in the parade, accompanied by merry waitresses carrying jugs of Burčák and willingly toping up glasses of those that are watching.

The wine harvest has been celebrated on the second weekend of September for more than sixty years. Traditionally, more than one hundred people take part in the parade, wearing themed costumes. They are followed by a parade of people in folk costumes which shows a colourful display of traditional dresses and songs of the whole Pálava region.

The wine harvest is not just about history and wine though. It is also about modern music and film. Apart from musical performances during which current top bands take their turns on several stages, it is also the tradition that the premiere of one of the latest Czech films takes place.

Both Friday and Saturday have busy programmes. And for those that need to air their head after having drunk too much of the sweet but deceptive Burčák, there is a traditional hike to the top of the Holly Hill.

Saying you have missed out this year? Come and experience the wine harvest celebrations next year. The wine harvest of Pálava takes place again on the second weekend of September.