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At the weekend a spirit of medieval times came back to life in the Czech republic. A two-day historical parade going through many Czech cities and villages is becoming a tradition. Here's more.

A royal parade from the Czech capital of Prague to Karlstejn Castle
with crown jewels is becoming an annual tradition.

[Debora Stolbova, Actress in the Role of Empress]:
"It is a valuable tradition and because we create it together it is all the more precious."

The parade commemorates Charles IV (PRON CHARLES THE FOURTH), a Czech king and emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.

[Vladimir Cech, Actor in the Role of Charles IV]:
"It is a reminder of a wonderful time when the Czech country, today a tiny republic, used to be the center of the Holy Roman Empire which stretched from one sea in the north to the other sea in the south."

During the rule of Charles IV, the Roman Crown Jewels were deposited at Carlstejn Castel. Once a year the emperor moved the Crown Jewels to Prague so that pilgrims from the whole of Europe could come to see them. After a certain period of time he took them back to the safety of Karlstejn Castle. The royal parade follows the return journey with Crown Jewels.

Every year the emperor is played by actor Vladimir Cech. (pron. Czech) This is the fifth time he's put a royal garment on.

[Vladimir Cech, "Charles IV"]:
"Of course, to interpret the emperor and king that the Czech people chose to be the greatest Czech person is a great honor. And since my surname is Cech, (pron. Czech) it is very interesting."

This year's novelty was a competition of women in carts representing individual villages. The carts however were not pulled by horses but by men. There was also a joust that had not been practiced in advance or staged.

NTD News, Carlstejn, Czech Republic.