What is National Theatre (Prague)?
[[File:Národní divadlo ze Střeleckého ostrova.jpg|thumb|250x250px|Prague, National Theatre]] The '''''Národní Divadlo''''' or the '''National Theatre''' in [[Prague]] is a very famous building which has been very important for more than 150 years for the culture of Czech history. In the middle of the 19th century there were a lot of [[politics|political]] changes in Europe. Prague had been part of the [[Austrian Empire]]. The official language was [[German language|German]]. [[Bohemia]] (which included Prague) and [[Moravia]] now form the area of the [[Czech Republic]]. In the 19th century the Czechs in these areas wanted to be able to put on plays and operas in the [[Czech language]]. The National Theatre was built at a time when this was starting to become possible. The National Theatre was built because the Czech people wanted their own [[national]] identity. The first stone was laid on [[May 16]], [[1868]]. It was opened on [[June 11]] [[1881]] to honour the visit of [[Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria]]. Another 11 performances were given after that. Then the theatre was closed down to finish the building. While people were working to finish it a fire broke out on [[August 12]] [[1881]] which destroyed most of it. However, a lot of money was found and it was built again and opened on [[November 18]] [[1883]] with a performance of [[Smetana|Smetana’s]] opera ''Libuše'' which he had composed for this occasion. The story of the opera is based on a [[mythological]] story about how Prague began. It was an excellent theatre, and it was not until [[1977]] that any more re-building was necessary. Then it was closed for six years, and opened again in time for the 100th anniversary of its opening: on [[November 18]] [[1983]]. On that day again there was a performance of Smetana’s ''Libuše''. Today the National Theatre has three ensembles (groups of people): [[opera]], [[ballet]] and [[drama]]. These ensembles all perform in the National Theatre, the [[Estates Theatre]] and the [[Theatre Kolowrat]]. They