Czech folk music has deep roots that go back hundreds of years! In villages across the countryside, people would gather to sing and dance at festivals and celebrations. Traditional instruments include the violin (called "housle"), accordion, clarinet and a special stringed instrument called the "fujara" (a type of long flute). The most famous Czech folk dance is the polka, which is lively and bouncy – you might have heard polka music before! People also danced the "beseda", which is like a square dance. These folk songs often told stories about farming, love and daily life in the Czech countryside. Many Czechs still celebrate their folk traditions at festivals today, wearing beautiful embroidered costumes and keeping the old songs alive.
From 1948 to 1989, Czechoslovakia was ruled by a communist government that controlled many parts of people's lives, including music. The government wanted musicians to create songs that praised communism and followed strict rules. Some musicians followed these rules, but others found creative ways to express themselves anyway. Rock and roll music from America and Britain was especially popular with young people, even though the government tried to limit it.
