Ride of the Kings

[2] Until World War II, the Ride was an integral part of the Feast of Pentecost, but has since become largely a social event.

[2] They are preceded and followed by singers and an honor guard wearing unsheathed swords to protect the "King"; a young boy of 10 to 15 years old, whose face is partially covered, holding a rose in his mouth.

[1] After riding through the village for a few hours, sometimes exchanging witticisms with the crowd, the participants return home then, later in the evening, meet at the "King's House" for music and dancing.

[3] In the Czech Republic, it is associated with various tales from history, including one that involves Matthias Corvinus dressing as a woman to flee from a disastrous battle, and myths such as the search for the "King of Barley" in Haná.

The Ride of the Kings is a subject of the novel Žert (The Joke) by the Czech-French writer Milan Kundera (part 4, Jaroslav).

Kids enjoying the festival Jízda králů ("Ride of Kings") in Vlčnov
Kids enjoying the festival Jízda králů in Vlčnov