Bratislavská lýra explained

Bratislavská lýra
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Awarded For:Song popularity
Location:Bratislava
Country:Czechoslovakia
Former Name:Medzinárodný festival tanečnej piesne Bratislavská lýra

Bratislavská lýra was a Czechoslovak festival of popular songs that took place every year from 1966 until 1990 and was held in Bratislava. It was renewed in 1997 but cancelled again in 1998.[1] [2]

History

The idea for the festival arose between 1964 and 1965 by composers Ján Siváček and Pavol Zelenay, who went on to organize it. The event was first held in 1966 in the Park kultúry a oddychu (PKO), under the name Medzinárodný festival tanečnej piesne Bratislavská lýra ("Bratislava Lýra International Dance Song Festival"), with sound provided by Slovenský rozhlas (later Česko-slovenský rozhlas). Winners received an award called Bratislavská lýra (Bratislava Lyre), which also became the festival's new name in 1968.[3]

In addition to Gold, Silver, and Bronze, other awards included the Zlatý kľúč ("Golden Key"), for international contestants. Categories consisted of the Critics' Award, Journalists' Award, Audience Award, Popular Award, and Lifetime Achievement Award.

Notable winners in the event's first year included famous Czech singer Karel Gott, together with composers Vieroslav Matušík and Eliška Jelínková, for the song "Mám rozprávkový dom".[4] Throughout its years of existence, the festival showcased the talent of some of the biggest musical stars in Czechoslovakia, as well as various international celebrities, including The Beach Boys (1969), Cliff Richard (1970, 1971), Boney M. (1977), Smokie (1983), Donovan (1983), and Joe Cocker (1998 – the last year of the event's revival).

In 1975, the festival won an award from the International Federation of Festival Organizations (FIDOF), being only the fourth festival worldwide to receive this honour, and the first in the Socialist Bloc.[5]

Bratislavská lýra was discontinued in 1990, after the Velvet Revolution. Conductor and music director Vladimír Valovič purchased the trademark in 1996 and revived the festival the following year. The 1997 edition was used to select the Slovak representative for the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest.[6] [7] It was canceled once more in 1998, due to a lack of financial support and sponsorships. As of 2006, Valovič still had plans to relaunch the event at a later date. On 19 October 2016, fifty years after the first edition, the gala concert Lýra 50 Mám rozprávkový dom was held in Bratislava, with the participation of former winners and festival participants.[8]

Controversy

In 1989, Joan Baez invited Ivan Hoffman, who had recorded the anti-communist song "Nech mi nehovoria" (Stop Telling Me), to take the stage. After about a minute, however, the organizers muted his microphone.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Malá spomienka na veľký festival . noveslovo.sk . 6 July 2005 . 25 April 2021 . sk . A Small Memory of a Big Festival.
  2. Web site: Bratislavská lýra -- festival všetkých režimov . dennik.hnonline.sk . 23 June 2006 . 25 April 2021 . sk. Bratislavská lýra—a Festival for All Regimes.
  3. Web site: Bratislavská lýra má dnes 50 rokov, pripomenie ju koncert aj séria dokumentov . hudba.zoznam.sk . 23 June 2016 . 25 April 2021 . sk . Today, Bratislavská lýra Is 50 Years Old; It Will Be Remembered with a Concert and a Series of Documentaries.
  4. Web site: Bratislavskou lyru nejdřív opanoval Karel Gott. Později ho vystřídal Elán a slovenský pop . plus.rozhlas.cz . 27 June 2020 . 25 April 2021 . cs . Bratislava Lýra Was First Dominated by Karel Gott. He Was Later Replaced by Elán and Slovak Pop.
  5. Web site: Zlatá lýra . rtvs.sk . 4 October 2016 . 25 April 2021 . sk . Gold Lyre.
  6. Web site: Bratislavská Lýra 1997 . .
  7. Web site: Absolútnou víťazkou Bratislavskej lýry '97 sa stala Katarína Hasprová a pôjde súťažiť aj na Eurovíziu. Katarína Hasprová became the absolute winner of Bratislava Lyra '97 and will also compete at Eurovision. sme.sk. 9 June 1997.
  8. Web site: Koncert Lýra 50 Mám rozprávkový dom bol poctou slávnym interpretom. The Lyra 50 I Have a Fairytale House concert was a tribute to famous performers. sk. 19 October 2016. TERAZ.sk. 11 December 2022.
  9. Web site: Ako Havel nosil Baezovej gitaru. A Hoffmanovi vypli mikrofón. Pred 20 rokmi . kultura.pravda.sk . 10 June 2009 . 25 April 2021 . sk . How 20 Years Ago, Havel Wore Baez's Guitar, and Hoffman Had His Microphone Turned Off..