About the festival

Festival Lughnasad

Preserves and presents to the public the Celtic roots and traditions as a significant historical heritage of our country
Develops the cultural life in the region and it is the largest cultural event of its kind in the country
Develops international cooperation and supports the creation of partnerships between Pardubice region and other parts of Europe.
Supports volunteer work and gives young people an opportunity for personal growth
Connects experts with lay public, enthusiasts and supporters of Celtic culture and history
Offers interesting and quality program aimed at families with children and young people

Organizer - Boii, z.s.

The festival is organized by a non-profit organization Boii, z.s. The organization was founded in 2002 with the goal of preserving and presenting to the public the Celtic roots in Nasavrky and the surrounding areas.

The activities of the organization have been extended since then, but the main goal stays the same – we strive for the preservation of historical traditions in the region and the Czech Republic as a whole, and for the development of volunteer work and civil society. Further information at www.boii.cz.

Our mission and vision

The Celtic culture festival in Nasavrky is an international event that preserves Celtic roots as an important part of the cultural heritage of modern Europe. Its varied program merges entertainment with knowledge and education, and it develops the values of volunteering and civil society.

The celebration of Lughnasad

Lughnasad is one of eight main Celtic celebrations. Its purpose is to worship Mother Earth and thank her for the crops she provided. It is the Celtic thanksgiving celebration.

According to the tradition, the festivities started around 1^st August and lasted a whole week. The celebration consisted not only of thanksgiving rituals but also of large fair which attracted visitors from distant surrounding areas. It was an opportunity to meet old acquaintances, but also to form new friendships.

The attendance was practically mandatory for the Celts. It was believed that those who celebrate Lughnasad will secure for themselves enough grain, milk, good crop of fruit, and comfort at home.

It was also believed that misfortune will follow those who don't participate in Lughnasad.

According to a legend, the celebration of Lughnasad had been begun by the god Lugh as a commemoration of his foster mother Taillte's death. Taillte was a goddess of fertility who died of exhaustion while cultivating the Irish soil.

Ritual traditions

The most important part of the celebration was the ritual of giving thanks for the harvest
A female figure was woven from the last sheaf of grain. If the harvest was good, she had the form of a virgin; if it was bad, she had the form of a crone. This sheaf was kept till spring and added to the new seeds.
Flour was made from the first grains and the cake made out of it was blessed by the druid and shared by everyone.
Lughnasad was a time of various tournaments, poetry competitions, cart races, promoting to higher ranks and awarding honors.
Marriages were entered – it was possible to enter a trial marriage for the duration of one year.
Any violence or animosity was banned for the duration of the festivities.