Starting a new hobby in Brno: Where to begin
Were you thinking of starting a new hobby? Or maybe picking an old one up? Brno might be small, but its pool of possibilities is not. We prepared a list for you to browse.
Language
Let’s start with language courses. Correct language school, Multicultural Center Brusinka or Czech Courses extend Czech classes as well as many other languages. Besides that, check Centre for Foreigners and their free live or online classes. Nina English provides fun English courses tailored mainly for women. Lastly, Masaryk University offers Czech courses for foreigners (not only students) on the weekends and in the evenings. If you’d like to learn other languages, check our list of language schools offering courses this year.
Acting
Czech Theater stands as a multicultural amateur community theatre performing Czech plays in English and will be opening auditions in March. Or you can sign up for acting courses at Multicultural Center Brusinka. You can go even more carefree than that with improvisation groups, taking place directly in the BEC community room.
Art
Brno’s multitude of galleries, such as the Moravian Gallery, TIC Gallery, and Fait Gallery, remain open year-round. If you want to create your own art, consider the Lužánky Leisure Centre, offering pottery, knitting, fitness, dance and many more classes catering to all (you can filter out the English-friendly classes on their website).
Moreover, pottery enthusiasts can explore various centres, including Matilda (offering other crafts as well), Kera Studio, Studio Grohova and Ya Sama, each offering their own unique courses to fill your kitchen shelves with charmingly imperfect mugs. Apart from pottery, Moje Dílna also offers calligraphy, book binding, or drawing.
The Multicultural Centre Brusinka extends drawing and painting classes for students of all ages, for beginners and advanced, in English, Czech, Russian and Ukrainian.
For those drawn to the traditional art of embroidery, Zašívárna‘s courses provide a window into this time-honoured craft.
Lastly, studio Holubník offers many diverse courses, like linocut or plein air painting.
Music
Kohutek is something between music school, community and platform.
The central website hudebka.cz can connect you with a teacher for any musical instrument or interest you might have. Additionally, you can sign up for many Art schools in Brno through izus.cz. Last but not least, we already mentioned Multicultural Center Brusinka for painting, they also have a private music studio in Brno offering singing, piano, guitar, flute and violin classes.
Books
For those who find solace in the world of literature, we recommend many libraries, including Moravian Library, Jiří Mahen Library and those affiliated with Masaryk University.
Should you find other people who share your love of books, both Moravian and Jiří Mahen Library host Reading groups. Further, The Brno Book Club offers gatherings to discuss novels and short stories. Aspiring authors should join the Writers’ group yearly short-story writing contest.
Sport
We have many public pools in Brno, so you can find one that is close to your home. The Brno Reservoir presents a chance to realise water sports dreams through boat rentals. Furthermore, you can explore Where To Go For Sports website, which lets you browse through public and private venues by different sports.
Exploring Starez (the Official website of the integrated sports centres of Brno) reveals many different sports sites all over the city.
Kaskáda Golf Centre offers a haven for golf enthusiasts, while climbing enthusiasts can explore both indoor gyms and outdoor climbing sites through platforms like crag.com.
Should you aspire to combine physical activity with social interaction, the Facebook group Sports Brno International provides an avenue to meet fellow expats while prioritising your well-being. A very active sports group is Badminton people Brno, which welcomes new members. Lastly, check out our list of sports opportunities in Brno.
The easiest activity of all, walking, is offered by Czexploring or Call of the Woods. certainly a healthy option for everyone, in winter and at any other time.
Dancing
If you were thinking about moving your body more, we have curated a selection of dance courses that could interest you. Swing enthusiasts can embrace their passion in two dance groups that would love to have you: Swing Wings and Rug Cutters. Studio Stolárna offers Latino dance. Meanwhile, Dance Centre Brno boasts over twenty different dance courses, so you can find the perfect fit. For simple, easy going community dancing opportunities where no experience is required you can try balfolk (European folk dances) with Ton Simple or English dances.
Gardening
And if you have a green thumb but no garden, Brno extends its hospitality through community gardens where you can join other gardening enthusiasts and care for nature and your soul. For outside gardening (once winter passes), notable options include the expat-friendly Vicinis community garden, Přírodní zahrada u smrku, Zahrada v pytli and Otevřená zahrada Nadace partnerství. Also, Kvítka v bytě presents courses and subscriptions as well as plant sales for those eager to engage in indoor gardening. And in Kvítí z Lesa, you can learn all about plants and binding bouquets.
Lastly, for those in search of like-minded souls to share hobbies and interests, several Facebook groups offer possibilities to connect:
- Brno Expat Spouse Programme
- Foreigners in Brno
- Living in Brno
- BEC website and our events, where you can also browse through our Community room events organised by expats themselves
Photo courtesy of Zasivarna.eu, Swing Wings, City of Brno.
