News

The war in Ukraine still represents an immediate threat to Czechia, and people should be prepared for the possibility that the conflict could, in various forms, reach Czechia as well. President Petr Pavel said this today in an interview for Czech Television on Prague’s Národní Street, where he joined other politicians and citizens in commemorating the events of November 1989 that triggered the fall of Communism in the country. By supporting Ukraine, which has been defending itself against Russian aggression for more than three years, Czechia is protecting its own security and the system in which it lives and wishes to continue living, he stated.

On Monday’s memorial gathering at the Hlávka Dormitory in Prague, speakers emphasized the importance of education. They pointed out that educated people do not succumb to disinformation and are capable of critical thinking and engaging in dialogue. The event was also attended by the chairman of the SPD movement and the Chamber of Deputies, Tomio Okamura, who told reporters that, in his view, freedom is being restricted in the Czech Republic. Okamura had previously announced that he would not go to the memorial on Národní Street, but besides the one at the Hlávka Dormitory, he would also visit the memorial at the Ruzyně Barracks.

To commemorate the events of November 17, 1989, President Pavel also arrived today on Prague’s Národní třída just before 9:30. People applauded as he arrived, chanting “Thank you” and “Long live Pavel,” though there were also voices of dissent. Someone in the crowd urged Pavel in Russian to say what he did in 1989, addressing him as “comrade.” There were also calls of “About-face and leave” and occasional shouts of “Shame.”

On Národní třída in Prague, people have been gathering since early morning to commemorate the November events of 1989. The first candles are burning at the memorial plaque. Several people have also arrived to protest against the politicians of the incoming governing coalition. According to a ČTK reporter, the arrival of the chairman of the Svobodní party, Libor Vondráček, who was elected to the Chamber of Deputies on the SPD ticket, was accompanied by whistling. On Monday, in addition to remembering the fall of authoritarianism in 1989, Czechia is also commemorating the persecution of students during the Nazi occupation in 1939. Events are being held across the country.