Just as in Italy people sing from the balconies during quarantine, so does the whole Czech Republic play and sing in their living rooms. So, the saying "Each Czech is a musician" still holds true! After Zdeněk Svěrák's opening words, people sang the song Není nutno (transl. There's no need to be absolutely happy). The aim of this event was to express support for all those who help others in the fight against the pandemic, and also to create a sense of belonging that flooded throughout the whole country.
Exactly at 12.30pm the tones of the song flowed from the broadcasts of the Czech public Television, the Czech public Radio, Europe 2-radio, Frequency 1-radio and municipal and local radio stations. The song was also heard in supermarkets and petrol stations. People joined singing at home, at work, or when shopping. Some of them also added musical instruments.
In Italy, neighbors sang from the balconies, in Spain, police sings on the streets, there is applauding everywhere. Instead of symbolic three minutes of silence, people expressed their thanks and support to all the people in the front line that fight against the pandemic - doctors, nurses, pharmacists, drivers, firemen, journalists and others.
said to LP-life.cz the founder of the association Pianos on the street, Ondřej Kobza, revealing that at the very beginning of these reflections, on how to unite the nation, no one would have imagined how people will react to it.
Zdeněk Svěrák and Jan Uhlíř are icons of the Czech songwriting and film industry and all people know this song notoriously. It was therefore no problem for anyone to catch up with the tune.
“Originally it was supposed to be a one-time event, but thanks to such a response, so many encouraging reports and enthusiastic e-mails not only from ordinary people, but also mayors, we are considering repeating this nationwide happening for another two Wednesdays. Of course, with a different speech from a different personality and with a different song. Next time it could be Marta Kubišová,”
A number of towns and villages took part in the singing. Není nutno (transl. There's no need to be absolutely happy) was heard from municipal and local radio stations after noon.
“We have welcomed the event because we try to keep people in a positive mood. We welcome any activity through which we can get positive emotions to people through our local radio. I would like to thank the organizers and also Mr. Svěrák and Uhlíř,”
says Radim Rouče, secretary of the Municipal Office in Český Krumlov, in which the famous song for a better mood was heard.