Culture

1. What "culture" means

• High culture: theatre, opera, ballet, classical music, fine arts, literature.
• Popular (pop) culture: films, pop / rock music, TV shows, computer games, social media.
• Folk culture: traditions, folk songs, customs, regional festivals.

2. Types of cultural events

• Performing arts: play, musical, ballet, opera, dance performance, comedy show.
• Music: rock / pop / jazz / classical / hip-hop concert, music festival, DJ set.
• Visual arts: art exhibition, gallery opening, light show.
• Film: premiere, screening, film festival.
• Literature: poetry reading, book launch, author lecture.

3. Venues

• Theatre (BrE) / theater (AmE) – stage with live actors.
• Cinema (BrE) / movie theater (AmE) – screens films.
• Concert hall / stadium / arena / festival grounds.
• Art gallery / museum / lecture hall / bookshop (BrE) / bookstore (AmE).

4. People in culture

• Performers: actor / actress, dancer, musician, singer, rapper, DJ, comedian, conductor, painter, sculptor, photographer.
• Creators / crew: director, choreographer, composer, screenwriter, costume / set / lighting designer, stagehand, producer.
• Audience: crowd, fans, audience, critics.

5. Czech culture

• Composers: Antonín Dvořák (New World Symphony), Bedřich Smetana (Má Vlast), Leoš Janáček.
• Writers: Karel Čapek (R.U.R. – coined "robot"), Milan Kundera, Bohumil Hrabal, Franz Kafka (German-speaking Prague Jew), Jaroslav Hašek.
• Film: Miloš Forman (Oscar winner – Amadeus, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest), Jiří Menzel.
• Art: Alfons Mucha (Art Nouveau), David Černý (provocative sculptures).
• Festivals: Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Prague Spring (music), Colours of Ostrava.

6. Anglo-American culture

• UK literature: Shakespeare, Dickens, Jane Austen, J.K. Rowling, Tolkien.
• UK music: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Queen, Adele, Ed Sheeran.
• US literature: Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Mark Twain, Stephen King.
• US film industry: Hollywood, Oscars, blockbusters, streaming (Netflix, Disney+).
• US music: jazz (New Orleans), rock & roll (Elvis), hip-hop, country.

7. My own habits

• I’m (not) a fan of… / I prefer… / About once a month I go to…
• My favourite cinema / venue is… / My favourite actor / director / musician is… because…
• I’ve seen all of their films / them perform live X times.

8. Making plans with someone

• Are you free on Friday? / Do you have plans tonight?
• Would you like to…? / How about going to…? / Why don’t we go to…?
• What time does it start? / How much does it cost? / What should I wear?
• Let’s meet at… / I’ll meet you at…

9. Culture in Liberec / your region

• Divadlo F. X. Šaldy – main theatre in Liberec.
• Severočeské muzeum – regional museum.
• Oblastní galerie Lázně – art gallery.
• Naivní divadlo – puppet theatre.
• Cinemas: CineStar, Kino Varšava (alternative).

10. Useful verbs

• to act, to play a part, to star (in / as), to perform, to direct, to compose, to paint, to sculpt, to take photos, to clap / applaud, to cheer, to give a standing ovation, to encore.

11. Speaking strategy

Define culture (high / pop / folk), give types of events and venues. Talk about your favourite area (films / music / books). Mention 1–2 Czech and 1–2 Anglo-American figures. Finish with the last event you attended and your impression.