Freedom must be protected: Leaders reflect on Prague Uprising anniversary
Politicians, veterans, and members of the public gathered outside Czech Radio’s Prague headquarters on Monday to mark the 80th anniversary of the Prague Uprising against Nazi rule. The uprising began on 5 May 1945, near the end of the Second World War, and the ceremony honoured those who fought and died in the final days of the occupation.
The Czech Radio building, a symbol of national resistance, was the epicentre of the uprising and the site of one of the fiercest battles against Nazi forces. More than 100 people lost their lives in the immediate vicinity, and hundreds more were killed across the city during the fighting.
Among those who addressed the crowd were the heads of both houses of Parliament—Senate Speaker Miloš Vystrčil and Chamber of Deputies Speaker Markéta Pekarová Adamová—along with Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda and witnesses to the events of May 1945. The ceremony was also attended by René Zavoral, Director General of Czech Radio.
Reflecting on the anniversary, Zavoral paid tribute to the courage of those who stood up for liberty and reminded the public that freedom is never guaranteed—it must be earned, protected, and never taken for granted.
Senate Speaker Vystrčil noted that the anniversary should prompt people to consider whether they can turn past experience into meaningful action in the present to secure a better future. He described patriotism as more than just love for one’s country and a willingness to defend it; it also means selflessness, tolerance, and respect for minorities living in Czechia.
Vystrčil also emphasized the importance of unity in the fight for freedom. He recalled that the struggle in 1945 was not carried out by Czechs alone but in alliance with Russians, Americans, Ukrainians, Kazakhs, Georgians, Romanians, and Belgians. “The only way to protect freedom and democracy is for the free world to stand together,” he said, adding that today’s threats are again shared and global.
Lower House Speaker Pekarová Adamová noted that the Prague Uprising was the peak of resistance in the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. The insurgents, she said, fought for a nation scarred by Nazi occupation, restoring self-respect and earning recognition from Western allies. She also drew a parallel to today, highlighting that Ukrainian soldiers are now defending the same values once fought for by the Czech insurgents.
