The ninth largest city in the Czech Republic, Ústí nad labem, with a history going back more than 1.000 years, lies near the German border approximately 62 miles north of the Czech capital, Prague, and is situated in the beautiful Elbe river valley in the northern part of the Central Bohemian Highlands (České středohoří). To the north of Ústí extend the Ore Mountains (Krušné hory) and the Elbe Sandstone Region (Labské pískovce), which comprises the much-frequented tourist area, known as the Czech-Saxon Switzerland. The city is especially well-known for its industrial character, and is a large producer of chemicals and brown coal; its history and heritage are strongly linked to its position on a main water artery and the beauty of its surrounding landscape which has inspired many painters throughout the centuries. One of the city’s main points of interest is the Church of the Assumption of Our Lady, the Virgin Mary, with its bell tower leaning about two meters off its vertical axis.

Presently, Ústí nad Labem with a population of 100,000, is the regional administrative centre of North Bohemia, and functions as the seat of the borough council and ward authorities. It also seats a number of other bureaus, such as the agrarian and trade-licensing offices, and the financial board, thus setting a prime example in government administration.

The Ústí community is enriched by the flourishing of many cultural and artistic groups, which include three professional theatre ensembles (a ballet, an opera and a drama group), several fine choirs, a chamber orchestra and other cultural groups (associated primarily with young people) as well. Besides these, a number of brilliant dance groups are also based here. Ústí nad labem also hosts various national and international cultural events annually: for example, the private secondary school theatre ensemble festival, the young pianists’ competition, "Vituosi Per Musica Di Pianoforte", the "International Choir Festival", the folk-country and western music festival "Trampska Porta", and, above all, the "International Dance Festival". The city leaders, as well as great numbers of companies and institutions, recognize that money invested in promoting cultural events in Ústí nad Labem helps provide a forum for the personal expression of Ústí’s individual and collective spirit.