On the last Saturday in August the choirs and half the village gather in front of the Derfla church. One choir sings after another, our wines are among the samples, and after a while it stops being clear who is a singer and who is a neighbour.
You don’t need to be able to sing, we’ll take care of that. Walk up the steps, settle into the singing, get talking and enjoy our Derfla atmosphere. That is the whole of it.
Where the singing actually happens
The event takes its name from the steps that climb up to the church. These days the singing is above them, in front of the Derfla church. The steps are mostly just the way up now, and even that is optional.
The choirs sing one after another with the church behind them. They aren’t all from Slovácko either; some travel a fair way, and now and then one comes over from Slovakia. Two are local: the men’s choir JMF Derfla and the women’s choir.
All around, people listen and drink. Anyone who feels like singing is welcome to join in. From up there you look out over the gardens and into the countryside, so the walk up is worth it even when nobody is singing.
What does JMF stand for?
The men’s choir JMF Derfla started on 28 December 2009, at a first gathering in the Pavelek family’s little cellar. Local winemakers set it up, and that connection has held ever since. So JMF stands either for Jinoši Místního Folkloru, the lads of the local folklore, or for Jablečno-Mléčná Fermentace, malolactic fermentation, depending on who you ask.
We co-host the event, and the samples up there include wines from our winemakers.
Common questions
- Do I need to be able to sing?
- No. It’s perfectly fine to just enjoy it. And anyone who feels like it is welcome to join in.
- Is there an entry fee?
- Entry is free and there are no tickets, you just turn up. A donation is welcome, and it helps us put on more events open to everyone.
- Who sings?
- Choirs from around here and from further afield, sometimes one from Slovakia. Two are local: the men’s choir JMF Derfla and the Derfla women’s choir. They sing folk songs.
- Can our choir come and sing?
- The line-up is put together by the host choir, Mužský sbor JMF Derfla. Drop them a line on Facebook.
- Will there be wine?
- There will, with samples from our own winemakers among them. Cash only.
- How late does it go on?
- The singing runs from 17:00 to 21:00.
- Where exactly does the singing happen?
- In front of the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, at the top of the steps. The church is visible from all over the village, so you can’t miss it. The exact spot on Google Maps or Mapy.cz. Trains, buses and bikes are covered on the home page.
- Can I get up there without climbing the steps?
- Yes, easily. From the church it is level all the way to the top of the Derfla steps, with asphalt underfoot. The street behind Alej rises only gently. Prams, bikes and scooters all have an easy time of it.
- Where can I park?
- The car park is right by the church.
- Is there anywhere to sit?
- There are benches up top and plenty of grass around them, so a blanket earns its place. Bring your own food, picnic-style. The wine is poured on site.
- Are children and dogs welcome?
- Very much so. It’s an afternoon thing in the open air, and nobody here minds either. When the children have had enough of listening, you can walk around the church. The singing is outdoors, so a look at the forecast before you set off is worth it.
- What if it rains?
- The singing goes ahead whatever the weather. If it rains we put tents up and the choirs sing under them. A raincoat or umbrella is still a good idea.
- Can I come if I’m not local?
- Of course. It’s a public event and everyone is welcome.
