Although born in Prague, she spent most of her childhood and professional life in Ostrava, a city that she would later help transform into one of Europe’s recognized cultural destinations. She studied Czech Language and History Teaching at the Faculty of Arts of Masaryk University in Brno and began her professional career as a secondary school teacher at a grammar school in Bílovec.

Alongside her teaching career, she worked for Czech Radio in Ostrava, where she hosted the popular music program Colours of Music (“Barvy hudby”), contributing to the promotion of contemporary music and cultural dialogue. The program later continued under the moderation of her daughter, reflecting a family tradition of cultural engagement.

Throughout her career, Holušová has been deeply involved in the music and cultural industries. She co-owned the renowned Boomerang Music Club on Ostrava’s famous Stodolní Street and organized numerous music and cultural events. One of her earliest projects, the festival Spirála, was planned for 1985 but was prohibited by the communist authorities just two days before its opening, illustrating the challenges faced by independent cultural initiatives during the final years of the former Czechoslovak regime.

She later participated in organizing the respected folk music festival Folkový kolotoč and, in 2002, founded the internationally acclaimed Colours of Ostrava Festival, serving as the head of its organizing committee and principal visionary. Under her leadership, Colours of Ostrava evolved from a regional event into one of Europe’s most respected multi-genre music and cultural festivals, welcoming world-renowned artists such as Sting, Imagine Dragons, Björk, The Cure, Lenny Kravitz, Robert Plant, Snow Patrol, Martin Garrix, and many others.

A unique part of the festival is the international discussion forum Meltingpot, created under her leadership, which brings together leading thinkers, scientists, innovators, writers, artists, and social leaders from around the world to discuss the most pressing issues facing humanity.

To curate the festival program, Holušová spent approximately four months each year travelling internationally, meeting artists, cultural leaders, and creative professionals, building relationships that helped establish Colours of Ostrava as a globally respected platform for cultural exchange.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, she faced one of the greatest challenges of her career when Colours of Ostrava was forced to cancel its annual edition. Instead of remaining inactive, she organized the innovative cultural project NeFestival, providing opportunities for artists and audiences during a difficult period. Although the event was eventually interrupted due to public health restrictions, it demonstrated her commitment to preserving cultural life even under extraordinary circumstances.

The final edition of Colours of Ostrava prepared under her leadership took place in 2025, concluding more than two decades of visionary leadership that profoundly shaped the cultural landscape of the Czech Republic and Central Europe.

In addition to Colours of Ostrava, Holušová and her team organize the annual Festival in the Streets (Festival v ulicích), a public cultural celebration bringing music, art, and creativity directly into urban spaces and communities.

In September 2025, she became Vice-Chairwoman of the Board and Program Director of the 1SIGN Foundation, founded by film producer and philanthropist Lubomír Haltmar. Through this role, she contributes her extensive experience in international event production, cultural diplomacy, education, and community engagement to initiatives focused on children, families, youth development, mental health awareness, and the prevention of violence against children.

The 1SIGN Foundation works to raise awareness about violence against children, support victims, and promote prevention through education, culture, film, art, and international cooperation. Holušová plays a key role in developing the foundation’s international programs, including the One World Family Summit, a global platform dedicated to strengthening families, supporting children and future generations, and fostering meaningful dialogue between East and West.

Over more than four decades of professional activity, Zlata Holušová has become one of the most respected cultural personalities in the Czech Republic. Her life’s work demonstrates the power of culture, education, and human connection to build bridges between communities, nations, and generations, leaving a lasting impact on the cultural and social development of Europe.