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Religious Education Under Taliban - Afghanistan

Boys study Quranic verses at a madrassa, or religious school, inside the Great Mosque of Herat in Herat, Afghanistan, on February 15, 2025. The expansion of madrassas under Taliban rule has drawn concern from education experts who say the focus on religious instruction is sidelining secular subjects. Photo by Mustafa Noori/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Religious Education Under Taliban - Afghanistan

Boys study Quranic verses at a madrassa, or religious school, inside the Great Mosque of Herat in Herat, Afghanistan, on February 15, 2025. The expansion of madrassas under Taliban rule has drawn concern from education experts who say the focus on religious instruction is sidelining secular subjects. Photo by Mustafa Noori/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Religious Education Under Taliban - Afghanistan

Boys study Quranic verses at a madrassa, or religious school, inside the Great Mosque of Herat in Herat, Afghanistan, on February 15, 2025. The expansion of madrassas under Taliban rule has drawn concern from education experts who say the focus on religious instruction is sidelining secular subjects. Photo by Mustafa Noori/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Oud Player And Singer Lost His Home - Idlib

Abu Safa plays the oud seated in his makeshift tent in Idlib, Syria on December 28, 2024. His verses mourn the years of displacement and the loss of his home’s roof and furniture, looted by the Assad regime forces. Photo by Bilal Alhammoud/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Oud Player And Singer Lost His Home - Idlib

Abu Safa plays the oud seated in his makeshift tent in Idlib, Syria on December 28, 2024. His verses mourn the years of displacement and the loss of his home’s roof and furniture, looted by the Assad regime forces. Photo by Bilal Alhammoud/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Oud Player And Singer Lost His Home - Idlib

Abu Safa plays the oud seated in his makeshift tent in Idlib, Syria on December 28, 2024. His verses mourn the years of displacement and the loss of his home’s roof and furniture, looted by the Assad regime forces. Photo by Bilal Alhammoud/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Cannes - Terrestrial Verses Photocall

Farzin Mohaddes attends the "Ayeh Haye Zamini (Terrestrial Verses)" photocall at the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 24, 2023 in Cannes, France. Photo by Shootpix/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Cannes - Terrestrial Verses Photocall

Majid Salehi attends the "Ayeh Haye Zamini (Terrestrial Verses)" photocall at the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 24, 2023 in Cannes, France. Photo by Shootpix/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Cannes - Terrestrial Verses Photocall

Hossein Soleimani Golijan attends the "Ayeh Haye Zamini (Terrestrial Verses)" photocall at the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 24, 2023 in Cannes, France Photo by Shootpix/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Cannes - Terrestrial Verses Photocall

Faezeh Rad attend the "Ayeh Haye Zamini (Terrestrial Verses)" photocall at the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 24, 2023 in Cannes, France. Photo by Shootpix/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Cannes - Terrestrial Verses Photocall

Sadaf Asgari attend the "Ayeh Haye Zamini (Terrestrial Verses)" photocall at the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 24, 2023 in Cannes, France. Photo by Shootpix/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Cannes - Terrestrial Verses Photocall

Sadaf Asgari attend the "Ayeh Haye Zamini (Terrestrial Verses)" photocall at the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 24, 2023 in Cannes, France. Photo by Shootpix/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Cannes - Terrestrial Verses Photocall

Faezeh Rad and Sadaf Asgari attend the "Ayeh Haye Zamini (Terrestrial Verses)" photocall at the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 24, 2023 in Cannes, France. Photo by Shootpix/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Cannes - Terrestrial Verses Photocall

Faezeh Rad and Sadaf Asgari attend the "Ayeh Haye Zamini (Terrestrial Verses)" photocall at the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 24, 2023 in Cannes, France. Photo by Shootpix/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Cannes - Terrestrial Verses Photocall

Alireza Khatami and Ali Asgari attend the "Ayeh Haye Zamini (Terrestrial Verses)" photocall at the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 24, 2023 in Cannes, France Photo by Shootpix/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Cannes - Terrestrial Verses Photocall

Alireza Khatami and Ali Asgari attend the "Ayeh Haye Zamini (Terrestrial Verses)" photocall at the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 24, 2023 in Cannes, France Photo by Shootpix/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Cannes - Terrestrial Verses Photocall

Farzin Mohaddes, Milad Khosravi, guest, Alireza Khatami, Ali Asgari, Hossein Soleimani Golijan, Faezeh Rad and Sadaf Asgari attend the "Ayeh Haye Zamini (Terrestrial Verses)" photocall at the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 24, 2023 in Cannes, France Photo by Shootpix/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Cannes - Terrestrial Verses Photocall

Farzin Mohaddes, Milad Khosravi, guest, Alireza Khatami, Ali Asgari, Hossein Soleimani Golijan, Faezeh Rad and Sadaf Asgari attend the "Ayeh Haye Zamini (Terrestrial Verses)" photocall at the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 24, 2023 in Cannes, France Photo by Shootpix/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Cannes - Terrestrial Verses Photocall

Alireza Khatami and Ali Asgari attend the "Ayeh Haye Zamini (Terrestrial Verses)" photocall at the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 24, 2023 in Cannes, France Photo by Shootpix/ABACAPRESS.COM

E

Cannes - Terrestrial Verses Photocall

Faezeh Rad and Sadaf Asgari attend the "Ayeh Haye Zamini (Terrestrial Verses)" photocall at the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 24, 2023 in Cannes, France. Photo by Shootpix/ABACAPRESS.COM

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European Council president presents 2nd volume of haiku

BRUSSELS, Belgium - European Council President Herman van Rompuy presents his second volume of haiku at the Japanese ambassador's residence in Brussels on Oct. 3, 2013. Published three years after his first volume, "Haiku 2" is not only accompanied by drawings but also Japanese translations of the original Dutch verses.

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Poet Mado issues new collection of verses on turning 100

TOKYO, Japan - Michio Mado, a poet also known for his children's songs, talks Nov. 5, 2009 about two new volumes containing 64 new poems he wrote on the occasion of his 100th birthday.

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Kuwait holds Arabic calligraphy art exhibition

STORY: Kuwait holds Arabic calligraphy art exhibition DATELINE: Sept. 13, 2022 LENGTH: 00:00:50 LOCATION: Kuwait City CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. various of people visiting the exhibition STORYLINE: An Arabic calligraphy exhibition is being held by Kuwaiti National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) at the Museum of Modern Art in Kuwait City. The works focus on different forms of Arabic calligraphy painted in various colors, and include some verses of the holy Quran and quotes of poets. The exhibition will last for a month. Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kuwait City. (XHTV)

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Statute of limitations to expire on 'Satanic Verses' murder

TSUKUBA, Japan - File photo shows Hitoshi Igarashi, a researcher of Islamic studies and an assistant professor at the University of Tsukuba, who translated British author Salman Rushdie's disputed novel ''The Satanic Verses'' into Japanese. He was found dead with multiple stab wounds in the university complex on July 12, 1991. The 15-year statute of limitations expires at midnight July 10. (Kyodo)

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Murdered Rushdie translator+

TOKYO, Japan, Aug. 16 Kyodo - Photo taken on July 30, 1990, at an unidentified location shows Hitoshi Igarashi, an assistant professor at Japan's state-run Tsukuba University. The Japanese translator of Salman Rushdie's controversial novel "The Satanic Verses," Igarashi was stabbed to death at the university campus in Tsukuba near Tokyo by an unidentified person on July 11, 1991. The statute of limitations in the case expired on July 11, 2006.

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Murdered Rushdie translator+

TOKYO, Japan, Aug. 16 Kyodo - Photo taken on May 22, 1986, at an unidentified location shows Hitoshi Igarashi, an assistant professor at Japan's state-run Tsukuba University. The Japanese translator of Salman Rushdie's controversial novel "The Satanic Verses," Igarashi was stabbed to death at the university campus in Tsukuba near Tokyo by an unidentified person on July 11, 1991. The statute of limitations in the case expired on July 11, 2006.

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Chinese playwright adds international elements to Shakespeare's hometown

STORY: Chinese playwright adds international elements to Shakespeare's hometown DATELINE: April 29, 2022 LENGTH: 00:03:28 LOCATION: London CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. STANDUP (English): DU JUAN, Xinhua correspondent 2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): PAUL EDMONDSON, Head of research for the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust 3. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): PAUL EDMONDSON, Head of research for the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust 4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): PAUL EDMONDSON, Head of research for the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust STORYLINE: STANDUP (English): DU JUAN, Xinhua correspondent "Around 400 years ago, when William Shakespeare was writing his sonnets with a quill, Tang Xianzu was recording verses with a brush. Tang Xianzu, a great Chinese playwright of the Ming Dynasty, and William Shakespeare were contemporaries and they both died in 1616. Dr. Paul Edmondson is the Head of Research for the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. Now let's hear his view about these two literature giants' connection and China-UK bilateral cultural exch

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Iranian Cultural Week held in Lebanon's capital

STORY: Iranian Cultural Week held in Lebanon's capital DATELINE: March 2, 2022 LENGTH: 00:03:36 LOCATION: Beirut CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: 1. shot of the Iranian exhibition 2. shot of an Iranian exhibitor writing Quran verses 3. shot for a calligrapher 4. shot of the exhibition 5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): ZAHRAA ALAWI, Visitor 6. various of the exhibition STORYLINE: Iranian Cultural Week kicked off on Monday in Lebanon's capital Beirut, aiming to expand cultural and artistic ties between the two countries. Dubbed "Fajr (dawn) Cultural Days," the Iranian Cultural Week covers several roundtables and symposiums, a large exhibition of Iranian handicrafts and artworks, screening of Iranian films and an Iranian music night, according to the National News Agency (NNA). SOUNDBITE (Arabic): ZAHRAA ALAWI, Visitor "As a visitor, I believe that this is an amazing cultural exchange between the Lebanese and Iranian people. The Lebanese can go to Iran to showcase their art work, and it goes the same for Iranians." Irania

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Statute of limitations to expire on 'Satanic Verses' murder

TSUKUBA, Japan - File photo shows Hitoshi Igarashi, a researcher of Islamic studies and an assistant professor at the University of Tsukuba, who translated British author Salman Rushdie's disputed novel ''The Satanic Verses'' into Japanese. He was found dead with multiple stab wounds in the university complex on July 12, 1991. The 15-year statute of limitations expires at midnight July 10. (Kyodo)

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Poet Mado issues new collection of verses on turning 100

TOKYO, Japan - Michio Mado, a poet also known for his children's songs, talks Nov. 5, 2009 about two new volumes containing 64 new poems he wrote on the occasion of his 100th birthday. (Kyodo)

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poetry-playing jukebox poeziomat

The poetry-playing jukebox poeziomat that offers verses by Egon Bondy, Magor Jirous, Jachym Topol and others, was installed five years ago on Namesti Miru Square in Prague, Czech Republic, on Sunday, May 24, 2020. (CTK Photo/Libor Sojka)

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Ride of the Kings

Traditional Ride of the Kings is performed on May 26, 2019, in Vlcnov (300 km east of Prague). Every year, on the last Sunday in May, this call can be heard in the South Moravian village of Vlcnov. The Ride of Kings, a message for joy, happiness and beauty. In the 19th century, the practice of this custom could be evidenced in nearly all of Moravia. Today, its annual tradition is further developed only in Vlcnov. The ride or parade consists of a group of horse riders centered around a king carried on a white horse. The king is a juvenile boy dressed up in an old-fashioned woman's folk costume, his hands proudly placed on his hips and his lips pressed together to firmly hold a rose and thus symbolize taciturnity. At his sides, two adjutants (pageboys) are on horseback and protect the king by holding unsheathed sabers in their hands. Riding horses decorated with ribbons, the boys go around the town and chant witty verses to celebrate their king and ask for gifts on his behalf. The parade is led by an announcer calling out the words of an ancient message. (CTK Photo/Dalibor Gluck)

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Ride of the Kings

Traditional Ride of the Kings is performed on May 26, 2019, in Vlcnov (300 km east of Prague). Every year, on the last Sunday in May, this call can be heard in the South Moravian village of Vlcnov. The Ride of Kings, a message for joy, happiness and beauty. In the 19th century, the practice of this custom could be evidenced in nearly all of Moravia. Today, its annual tradition is further developed only in Vlcnov. The ride or parade consists of a group of horse riders centered around a king carried on a white horse. The king is a juvenile boy dressed up in an old-fashioned woman's folk costume, his hands proudly placed on his hips and his lips pressed together to firmly hold a rose and thus symbolize taciturnity. At his sides, two adjutants (pageboys) are on horseback and protect the king by holding unsheathed sabers in their hands. Riding horses decorated with ribbons, the boys go around the town and chant witty verses to celebrate their king and ask for gifts on his behalf. The parade is led by an announcer calling out the words of an ancient message. (CTK Photo/Dalibor Gluck)

E

Ride of the Kings

Traditional Ride of the Kings is performed on May 26, 2019, in Vlcnov (300 km east of Prague). Every year, on the last Sunday in May, this call can be heard in the South Moravian village of Vlcnov. The Ride of Kings, a message for joy, happiness and beauty. In the 19th century, the practice of this custom could be evidenced in nearly all of Moravia. Today, its annual tradition is further developed only in Vlcnov. The ride or parade consists of a group of horse riders centered around a king carried on a white horse. The king is a juvenile boy dressed up in an old-fashioned woman's folk costume, his hands proudly placed on his hips and his lips pressed together to firmly hold a rose and thus symbolize taciturnity. At his sides, two adjutants (pageboys) are on horseback and protect the king by holding unsheathed sabers in their hands. Riding horses decorated with ribbons, the boys go around the town and chant witty verses to celebrate their king and ask for gifts on his behalf. The parade is led by an announcer calling out the words of an ancient message. (CTK Photo/Dalibor Gluck)

E

Ride of the Kings

Traditional Ride of the Kings is performed on May 26, 2019, in Vlcnov (300 km east of Prague). Every year, on the last Sunday in May, this call can be heard in the South Moravian village of Vlcnov. The Ride of Kings, a message for joy, happiness and beauty. In the 19th century, the practice of this custom could be evidenced in nearly all of Moravia. Today, its annual tradition is further developed only in Vlcnov. The ride or parade consists of a group of horse riders centered around a king carried on a white horse. The king is a juvenile boy dressed up in an old-fashioned woman's folk costume, his hands proudly placed on his hips and his lips pressed together to firmly hold a rose and thus symbolize taciturnity. At his sides, two adjutants (pageboys) are on horseback and protect the king by holding unsheathed sabers in their hands. Riding horses decorated with ribbons, the boys go around the town and chant witty verses to celebrate their king and ask for gifts on his behalf. The parade is led by an announcer calling out the words of an ancient message. (CTK Photo/Dalibor Gluck)

E

Ride of the Kings

Traditional Ride of the Kings is performed on May 26, 2019, in Vlcnov (300 km east of Prague). Every year, on the last Sunday in May, this call can be heard in the South Moravian village of Vlcnov. The Ride of Kings, a message for joy, happiness and beauty. In the 19th century, the practice of this custom could be evidenced in nearly all of Moravia. Today, its annual tradition is further developed only in Vlcnov. The ride or parade consists of a group of horse riders centered around a king carried on a white horse. The king is a juvenile boy dressed up in an old-fashioned woman's folk costume, his hands proudly placed on his hips and his lips pressed together to firmly hold a rose and thus symbolize taciturnity. At his sides, two adjutants (pageboys) are on horseback and protect the king by holding unsheathed sabers in their hands. Riding horses decorated with ribbons, the boys go around the town and chant witty verses to celebrate their king and ask for gifts on his behalf. The parade is led by an announcer calling out the words of an ancient message. (CTK Photo/Dalibor Gluck)

E

Ride of the Kings

Traditional Ride of the Kings is performed on May 26, 2019, in Vlcnov (300 km east of Prague). Every year, on the last Sunday in May, this call can be heard in the South Moravian village of Vlcnov. The Ride of Kings, a message for joy, happiness and beauty. In the 19th century, the practice of this custom could be evidenced in nearly all of Moravia. Today, its annual tradition is further developed only in Vlcnov. The ride or parade consists of a group of horse riders centered around a king carried on a white horse. The king is a juvenile boy dressed up in an old-fashioned woman's folk costume, his hands proudly placed on his hips and his lips pressed together to firmly hold a rose and thus symbolize taciturnity. At his sides, two adjutants (pageboys) are on horseback and protect the king by holding unsheathed sabers in their hands. Riding horses decorated with ribbons, the boys go around the town and chant witty verses to celebrate their king and ask for gifts on his behalf. The parade is led by an announcer calling out the words of an ancient message. (CTK Photo/Dalibor Gluck)

E

Ride of the Kings

Traditional Ride of the Kings is performed on May 26, 2019, in Vlcnov (300 km east of Prague). Every year, on the last Sunday in May, this call can be heard in the South Moravian village of Vlcnov. The Ride of Kings, a message for joy, happiness and beauty. In the 19th century, the practice of this custom could be evidenced in nearly all of Moravia. Today, its annual tradition is further developed only in Vlcnov. The ride or parade consists of a group of horse riders centered around a king carried on a white horse. The king is a juvenile boy dressed up in an old-fashioned woman's folk costume, his hands proudly placed on his hips and his lips pressed together to firmly hold a rose and thus symbolize taciturnity. At his sides, two adjutants (pageboys) are on horseback and protect the king by holding unsheathed sabers in their hands. Riding horses decorated with ribbons, the boys go around the town and chant witty verses to celebrate their king and ask for gifts on his behalf. The parade is led by an announcer calling out the words of an ancient message. (CTK Photo/Dalibor Gluck)

E

Ride of the Kings

Traditional Ride of the Kings is performed on May 26, 2019, in Vlcnov (300 km east of Prague). Every year, on the last Sunday in May, this call can be heard in the South Moravian village of Vlcnov. The Ride of Kings, a message for joy, happiness and beauty. In the 19th century, the practice of this custom could be evidenced in nearly all of Moravia. Today, its annual tradition is further developed only in Vlcnov. The ride or parade consists of a group of horse riders centered around a king carried on a white horse. The king is a juvenile boy dressed up in an old-fashioned woman's folk costume, his hands proudly placed on his hips and his lips pressed together to firmly hold a rose and thus symbolize taciturnity. At his sides, two adjutants (pageboys) are on horseback and protect the king by holding unsheathed sabers in their hands. Riding horses decorated with ribbons, the boys go around the town and chant witty verses to celebrate their king and ask for gifts on his behalf. The parade is led by an announcer calling out the words of an ancient message. (CTK Photo/Dalibor Gluck)

E

Ride of the Kings

Traditional Ride of the Kings is performed on May 26, 2019, in Vlcnov (300 km east of Prague). Every year, on the last Sunday in May, this call can be heard in the South Moravian village of Vlcnov. The Ride of Kings, a message for joy, happiness and beauty. In the 19th century, the practice of this custom could be evidenced in nearly all of Moravia. Today, its annual tradition is further developed only in Vlcnov. The ride or parade consists of a group of horse riders centered around a king carried on a white horse. The king is a juvenile boy dressed up in an old-fashioned woman's folk costume, his hands proudly placed on his hips and his lips pressed together to firmly hold a rose and thus symbolize taciturnity. At his sides, two adjutants (pageboys) are on horseback and protect the king by holding unsheathed sabers in their hands. Riding horses decorated with ribbons, the boys go around the town and chant witty verses to celebrate their king and ask for gifts on his behalf. The parade is led by an announcer calling out the words of an ancient message. (CTK Photo/Dalibor Gluck)

E

Ride of the Kings

Traditional Ride of the Kings is performed on May 26, 2019, in Vlcnov (300 km east of Prague). Every year, on the last Sunday in May, this call can be heard in the South Moravian village of Vlcnov. The Ride of Kings, a message for joy, happiness and beauty. In the 19th century, the practice of this custom could be evidenced in nearly all of Moravia. Today, its annual tradition is further developed only in Vlcnov. The ride or parade consists of a group of horse riders centered around a king carried on a white horse. The king is a juvenile boy dressed up in an old-fashioned woman's folk costume, his hands proudly placed on his hips and his lips pressed together to firmly hold a rose and thus symbolize taciturnity. At his sides, two adjutants (pageboys) are on horseback and protect the king by holding unsheathed sabers in their hands. Riding horses decorated with ribbons, the boys go around the town and chant witty verses to celebrate their king and ask for gifts on his behalf. The parade is led by an announcer calling out the words of an ancient message. (CTK Photo/Dalibor Gluck)

E

Ride of the Kings

Traditional Ride of the Kings is performed on May 26, 2019, in Vlcnov (300 km east of Prague). Every year, on the last Sunday in May, this call can be heard in the South Moravian village of Vlcnov. The Ride of Kings, a message for joy, happiness and beauty. In the 19th century, the practice of this custom could be evidenced in nearly all of Moravia. Today, its annual tradition is further developed only in Vlcnov. The ride or parade consists of a group of horse riders centered around a king carried on a white horse. The king is a juvenile boy dressed up in an old-fashioned woman's folk costume, his hands proudly placed on his hips and his lips pressed together to firmly hold a rose and thus symbolize taciturnity. At his sides, two adjutants (pageboys) are on horseback and protect the king by holding unsheathed sabers in their hands. Riding horses decorated with ribbons, the boys go around the town and chant witty verses to celebrate their king and ask for gifts on his behalf. The parade is led by an announcer calling out the words of an ancient message. (CTK Photo/Dalibor Gluck)

E

Ride of the Kings

Traditional Ride of the Kings is performed on May 26, 2019, in Vlcnov (300 km east of Prague). Every year, on the last Sunday in May, this call can be heard in the South Moravian village of Vlcnov. The Ride of Kings, a message for joy, happiness and beauty. In the 19th century, the practice of this custom could be evidenced in nearly all of Moravia. Today, its annual tradition is further developed only in Vlcnov. The ride or parade consists of a group of horse riders centered around a king carried on a white horse. The king is a juvenile boy dressed up in an old-fashioned woman's folk costume, his hands proudly placed on his hips and his lips pressed together to firmly hold a rose and thus symbolize taciturnity. At his sides, two adjutants (pageboys) are on horseback and protect the king by holding unsheathed sabers in their hands. Riding horses decorated with ribbons, the boys go around the town and chant witty verses to celebrate their king and ask for gifts on his behalf. The parade is led by an announcer calling out the words of an ancient message. (CTK Photo/Dalibor Gluck)

E

Ride of the Kings

Traditional Ride of the Kings is performed on May 26, 2019, in Vlcnov (300 km east of Prague). Every year, on the last Sunday in May, this call can be heard in the South Moravian village of Vlcnov. The Ride of Kings, a message for joy, happiness and beauty. In the 19th century, the practice of this custom could be evidenced in nearly all of Moravia. Today, its annual tradition is further developed only in Vlcnov. The ride or parade consists of a group of horse riders centered around a king carried on a white horse. The king is a juvenile boy dressed up in an old-fashioned woman's folk costume, his hands proudly placed on his hips and his lips pressed together to firmly hold a rose and thus symbolize taciturnity. At his sides, two adjutants (pageboys) are on horseback and protect the king by holding unsheathed sabers in their hands. Riding horses decorated with ribbons, the boys go around the town and chant witty verses to celebrate their king and ask for gifts on his behalf. The parade is led by an announcer calling out the words of an ancient message. (CTK Photo/Dalibor Gluck)

E

Ride of the Kings

Traditional Ride of the Kings is performed on May 26, 2019, in Vlcnov (300 km east of Prague). Every year, on the last Sunday in May, this call can be heard in the South Moravian village of Vlcnov. The Ride of Kings, a message for joy, happiness and beauty. In the 19th century, the practice of this custom could be evidenced in nearly all of Moravia. Today, its annual tradition is further developed only in Vlcnov. The ride or parade consists of a group of horse riders centered around a king carried on a white horse. The king is a juvenile boy dressed up in an old-fashioned woman's folk costume, his hands proudly placed on his hips and his lips pressed together to firmly hold a rose and thus symbolize taciturnity. At his sides, two adjutants (pageboys) are on horseback and protect the king by holding unsheathed sabers in their hands. Riding horses decorated with ribbons, the boys go around the town and chant witty verses to celebrate their king and ask for gifts on his behalf. The parade is led by an announcer calling out the words of an ancient message. (CTK Photo/Dalibor Gluck)