On Saturday, June 20, 2026, the town of Gârnic hosted a new edition of the Czech Church Choirs Festival, an event dedicated to promoting the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Czech communities in Banat. The event was organized by the Democratic Union of Czechs in Romania, with the aim of preserving the religious and musical traditions of the Czech ethnic community in this region.

The festival brought together numerous church choirs from the Czech Roman Catholic communities in the Mountainous Banat, offering participants and worshippers in Gârnic a program of religious songs performed in Czech. Such events serve as a bridge between generations and contribute to the preservation of the cultural and spiritual identity of the Czech communities in Romania.

Among the participants who impressed the audience with the sensitivity of their performance and their spirit of prayer was the choir from Caransebeș, led by Sister Lydia Fechetă and accompanied by the other Franciscan Sisters. The harmony of their voices and the performers’ dedication were appreciated by those in attendance, contributing to the beauty and solemnity of the event.

The event was not only a choral gathering but also a true celebration of the Czech faith, culture, and language, bringing together the faithful, priests, representatives of local communities, and lovers of sacred music.

By organizing this festival in Gârnic, one of the most important towns in Romania with a population of Czech origin, the organizers reaffirmed the importance of preserving the traditions and cultural heritage passed down by previous generations.

Written by Sr. Marie Therese Gabor FCJM