Burcak festival > Columbus day

So this past Monday while making a call into New York, I was shocked to find the offices were closed due to Columbus day. I normally wouldn't think much of the holiday back home, but it was still a small shock to think it had completely slipped under my radar. Missing out on the day just seemed like a little reminder of how disconnected my current life is from the current going-ons of people back home. 

However, while young students, government workers, and some bankers might have gotten the one day off in the U.S. the residents of Brno were treated to a week long harvest style festival in the city square. Free city entertainment is always a win in my book, and one of the reasons I really enjoy living here! 

With the start of Fall the wine growers of the region have a traditional drink, Burcak, that they make from newly harvested wine grapes that have just started fermenting. The concoction derived from said early wine making stage is a drink that tastes like grape juice and soda with the tiniest hint of alcohol.. It's the perfect way to combat the cold snap the region is experiencing, (my return from from Indonesia was marked by leaving +30C degree weather to having a high of 12C and low of 2C), without feeling like an alcoholic. I treated myself to a 1L bottle that should be able to provide me a nice glass with dinner for a week or so.

Acappella quartet, performed some Christmas Carols and pop hits like ABBA

Warm Honey Wine, perfect after dinner treat

$3 USD for BBQ meat and beer :D

There's actually chickens, rabbits, and geese in these cages, but it's too dark to see them in the photo

Another of Brno's new sculptures. This large black phallic object is actually supposed to be a functioning clock/calendar.

"Burcak is very young grape juice that is just starting fermenting. It is high in sugar and low in alcohol, but throughout fermentation the ratio between them is changing in favor of alcohol and wine is being born."
http://www.maniactourist.com/cool-places/prague-wine-harvesting-festival-tasting-the-burcak.html
I found this blog about a man visiting Prague who was enjoying the Burcak drinking festival there. However as he mentions the tradition originated in the Moravian region, where Brno lies, so I think it's inferred that the festival and Burcak I got was better ;)