Letná's "Festival About Nothing" Brings Yoga and Meditation to a Water Tower — No Rush Required

In August, Prague's historic Water Tower on Letná will host an unusual event called the "Festival About Nothing" — organizers are deliberately doing away with the usual festival hustle and inviting guests simply to slow down, lie back, and stare at the ceiling or the sky. The event is organized by the non-profit MILA; all activities are free but require registration.

The idea grew out of last year's exhibition "Institute of Closeness," where visitors were asked what helps them get through difficult moments. Most people named the simplest things — a good cup of coffee, music, or just the chance to lie down. That's how the concept of a place to pause and recharge was born, says MILA representative Simona Bagárová.

Offline Zone and Creative Program

The festival's visual design is once again the work of renowned Czech scenographer Marek Cpin, a nominee for the Czech Grand Design award for last year's exhibition. The tower's space will be transformed into an offline zone, where visitors can put away their phones or sit in a "waiting room" — though no one there is actually waiting for anyone.

Each morning of the week will begin with yoga on the terrace led by Lucie Königová, while evenings will feature dance sessions with actor Jan Cina. Guests can settle onto futons and cushions to enjoy concerts by cellist Jiří Bárta, pianist Beata Hlavenková, and singer Lenka Nová. Poet Kateřina Pokorná, known as Svojost, will read her own work, while actress Marta Issová and her mother, actress Lenka Termerová, will read fairy tales to children.

Touch-Based Practices and Closing Program

Special attention will be given to body-based practices: visitors can try somatic dialogue sessions with Pavla Beretová or join movement workshops run by the Cirqeon circus school — both for families with children and in the intergenerational format "Circus of the Third Age," where older adults learn balancing skills together with their adult children.

On Sunday, the festival will close with a guided tour of the accompanying exhibition led by Simona Bagárová and an acoustic performance by Bára Poláková and Štěpán Urban. Registered participants will receive treats from Letná's Eska bakery, which will run a pop-up corner inside the tower throughout the festival, serving breakfasts and daytime snacks. The full program is available at festivalonicem.cz.

Around Prague, based on reporting by prazskypatriot.cz