For freedom and democracy: Czechia remembers November 17 in both 1989 and 1939
On November 17, Czechia commemorates the Velvet Revolution of 1989, which led to the fall of the Communist regime, as well as the persecution of students under the Nazi occupation 50 years before that. The traditional center of the events was Prague’s Wenceslas Square, which was filled with thousands of people during the morning despite cold and rainy weather. Other ceremonies and events continued throughout the day.
In Czechia’s capital, the holiday began with commemorations on Wenceslas Square. Among the first politicians to arrive at the square around 8:00 a.m. was ANO leader Andrej Babiš. Together with the movement’s vice-chairs Alena Schillerová and Karel Havlíček, he laid flowers at the memorial site commemorating the events of 17 November 1989.
Some people booed and shouted “shame” or “StB” at the politicians, who are negotiating a new government with SPD and the Motorists after winning the elections, referencing Babiš’s name in records as a collaborator with the communist secret police. From the crowd, however, there were also occasional calls of “Long live Babiš” or “Long live Andrej.”
Babiš told journalists at Wenceslas Square that the significance of 17 November lies in the country gaining freedom, democracy, and free elections. People can express their opinions freely, travel, or run businesses without fear. According to him, it is important to be grateful to those who contributed to this at the time.
"The most important thing has happened, and we must be grateful to those who contributed to it. We can talk about the state of our society at another time," he added.
Before 9:30 a.m., President Petr Pavel also came to Wenceslas Square to commemorate the events of 1989. As he arrived, people applauded and chanted “thank you” and “Long live Pavel,” though some shouted dissenting remarks. There were also calls of “about-face and leave” and occasional shouts of “shame.”
Critics of Pavel, who held high positions in the Czech army and NATO before being elected president, point to his pre‑1989 involvement in the army of normalization-era Czechoslovakia and his membership in the Communist Party. Pavel joined the KSČ at the age of 24 in 1985. He has repeatedly said it was a decision he is not proud of and has apologized for it.
“Prayer for Marta”
Across Czechia on Monday, Modlitba pro Martu (“Prayer for Marta”), a song inseparably linked with the holiday, will be performed. At the symbolic time of 17:11, it is sung this year by Jan Cina from the iconic balcony of the Metro Palace. Later, the song will also be performed at the Concert for the Future, held at Wenceslas Square, where singer Aneta Langerová will perform it.
Evening Concert
The evening Concert for Freedom and Democracy will celebrate spiritual strength and hope. The Czech Philharmonic and the Prague Philharmonic Choir will perform Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony, which Český rozhlas Vltava will broadcast live from the Rudolfinum at 8:00 p.m.
Young performers from Czechia and Slovakia will again appear on the stage next to the New Scene of the National Theatre, organized by Radio Wave. Audiences can look forward to familiar faces from the show Startér, including bands Meluzína and Atomy nevadí.
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Quiz: The Velvet Revolution & the fall of Communism
The Velvet Revolution of 1989 changed the course of Czechoslovak history. Take our quiz to test your knowledge about the fall of the communist regime.
