'More than 400 participants have confirmed their attendance for this year's 149th anniversary; in addition to Czech groups, historical units from the USA, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Italy will also arrive,' said Radek Balcárek, director of the Königgrätz 1866 project. The traditional culmination of the commemorative events will take place on the Chlum 1866 battlefield on Saturday, 4 July 2015 at 2 p.m., when a dynamic battle demonstration entitled 'The Saxons at Hradec 1866' will take place below the Battery of the Dead memorial. This demonstration will recall the lesser-known participation of the Saxon army corps under the command of Crown Prince Albert of Saxony on the Austrian side.
Another attraction of this year's events will be the reconstruction of the Prussian attack on Chlum on Friday, 3 July 2015, carried out exactly according to the original military maps.
In Hradec Králové, visitors will also be able to enjoy an interactive programme for the whole family called 'A Rendezvous with the Year 1866', which will take place at Masaryk Square on Thursday, 2 July. Visitors can look forward to historical music, demonstrations of period clothing, uniforms, weaponry and also the riding skills of hussars, uhlans and cuirassiers.
Rides in a historical carriage for the public will also be part of the programme.
This year's events are completely free of charge thanks to the ongoing support of the City of Hradec Králové and the contribution of the Hradec Králové Region. The Museum of Eastern Bohemia, Committee 1866 and the municipality of Všestary are participating in the preparation of the programme.