Pavel Trávníček: This is how the “Cinderella” star celebrates the anniversary

While fans are already looking forward to the broadcast of “Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella” during the Christmas season, “Prince” Pavel Trávníček (73) is preparing for a very special task: He will be the host at the Great Advent Concert in Dresden on December 21st. After a three-year break, the atmospheric event will take place again in the Rudolf Harbig Stadium. The main actors are various choirs as well as solo artists such as Angelo Kelly (41), René Kollo (86) and Sabrina Weckerlin (37). The focus is also on Trávníček and his successful film “Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella”. The Christmas classic is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. In an interview with the news agency spot on news, he revealed which scene the 73-year-old will never forget and why he only watches the fairy tale casually.

What are you particularly looking forward to during your visit to Dresden?

Pavel Trávníček: I’m really looking forward to the big Advent concert in Dresden. Also because I will be speaking in front of such a large audience. I’ve never experienced singing, speaking or playing in front of 20,000 people. I also really like Christmas. And it’s also the 50th anniversary of the fairytale film “Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella”.

Your successful film will play a special role that evening. Can you tell us something about that?

Trávníček: There will be various sounds from the film music in the concert, and images and scenes from the film will also be shown. The whole thing is connected to the anniversary. It is a joint event with the Advent concert.

The film will be broadcast often at Christmas again this year. Do you still watch it occasionally?

Trávníček: I know that the film is shown in Germany on all programs and channels almost simultaneously. This is not the case in the Czech Republic. It runs there on one or two channels. That means the film is much more popular in Germany. I don’t watch the film myself, but whenever we’re preparing for Christmas – we cook fish soup for Christmas – I casually look at the screen and think: That’s not really me.

Which scene do you remember particularly well from filming?

Trávníček: It’s really the last scene of the film. It so happened that we were in the carriage with Cinderella. We were supposed to go out and the director urged that we start. But suddenly the horse was gone. There was a dip and you could only see the horse’s ears.

Do you often think of your late film partner Libuše Šafránková?

Trávníček: I always think of her very fondly. We were very close friends. She was very talented and also very beautiful. I always say: Cinderella like that only comes into the world every 100 years.

You have been considered the “Cinderella” prince for 50 years. Is that a blessing or a curse for you?

Trávníček: It’s fate if you manage to make such a successful film. Then it’s part of being always connected to this role. It is also the case that the film reel has no name at all. It’s “just” the prince. So it is my fate that everyone addresses me as Prince.

Are you actually starting to think about retirement – or are you making further career plans?

Trávníček: Of course I’m quite old. For example, I no longer do theater. I ran a private theater for over 40 years. What I still do now is television productions or moderations, such as for the Advent concert.