Page 133 - UNESCO_Zatec_2021_A4

Hop growing research began its development in this
region back in the inter-war period, in the period of the
First Czechoslovak Republic (1918–1938, see above).
The State Research Agricultural Station was founded
in Deštnice near Žatec in 1925 and since 1936, it was
The first Hop Harvest Festival - The Dočesná active as the Research Hop growing Station. After the
annexation of Sudetenland, it was relocated to Rakovník
The main and oldest traditional event is in 1939, and after World War II, in 1947, it returned to
undoubtedly the Žatec Dočesná. In its beginnings, Žatec. In 1950 it was renamed; the State Hop growing
the Dočesná was only a celebration in the Research and Cultivation Institute. Shortly after this, in
courtyards, at most in the villages or of individual 1952, the Hop growing Research Institute was founded
owners of hop fields. in Žatec, 1070 Studentská Street. Dr. Osvald, one of the
founders of hop growing research, worked in Žatec; he
The origin of the hop harvest festivities can be had been engaged in the cultivation of original Czech hop
traced back, according to the documentation of cultivars in Deštnice since 1927.
the current organiser, to the Middle Ages. It meant
saying goodbye to the hop harvest. Even when Other internationally recognised experts in the hop
growing field were also heads of this institute, such as
the hops were grown on poles, the most beautiful Ctibor Blatný, Lubomír Vent, Antonín Srp, and Robert
of the last remaining poles on the hop field was Kellner. In 1974 a new premises for the research institute
chosen and decorated with ribbons, a garland of on the western periphery of the town was built and
hops, and finally, a colorful scarf was fastened to it. equipped. It was also completed with experimental hop
fields on small plots, for the scientific verification of the
The decorated pole was placed on a carriage. procedures and results of hop cultivation. The area was
Gradually, the celebrations became more massive also equipped with a microbrewery for brewing tests of
and moved to the main centre-Žatec. the cultivated hops (Regarding its certain remoteness and
recent architectonical nature, it does not form any part of
the nominated property, however, it is part of the buffer
According to surviving depictions, a similar town zone and can be considered as an additional attribute).
celebration took place as early as 1833 during the
emperor’s visit. The Hop Dance for the Emperor 133
thus preceded the Žatec Dočesná. The first such
festival, after World War II, took place in 1946. In
1957, the Dočesná was recognised as a national
celebration.

The Žatec Hop Harvest Festival has been held
every year since then, and it has become one of
the most celebrated events in the Czech Republic,
with its importance spreading outside the
region’s borders. As it is tied firmly to the end of
the harvest, it is usually celebrated at the end of
August or the beginning of September. The festival
was only cancelled in 1968.

The Dočesná also got into artistic circles. Many
posters were illustrated by the well-known
painter of hop motifs, Oskar Brázda: such as in
1959, where under a drawing of a globe dressed
in a garland of hops, it says: "THE WHOLE WORLD
IS WAITING FOR OUR GREEN GOLD." More about
Žatec Dočesná is Chapters 2.a and 2.b.

Poster for the Dočesná, Hop Harvest Festival in Žatec,
author Oskar Brázda, 1958