Bahna 2003: Day of the Ground Forces to attract thousands of visitors
This Saturday, Bahna u Strasic - between the cities of Prague and Pilsen - will be turned into a massive military training base to celebrate Ground Forces' Day. All day long, the public will enjoy presentations of various military operations and technology from Czech and also French, Polish, Austrian, and German forces. As Dita Asiedu reports, this family-oriented event is expected to attract thousands, being a one of a kind in Europe.
Recent events have shown that the art of battle has developed significantly over the years with the introduction of modern technology. Immediate reaction, rapid reaction, main defence... For those who want to know the difference between these military terms, Bahna 2003 has all the answers. Mr Frantisek Koch is one of the organisers:
"This will be the fourteenth year that we celebrate Ground Forces' Day. Our first year was in 1990. It took so long for us to launch this event because the idea simply didn't cross our minds earlier. This year we expect to attract at least as many visitors as last year, when we recorded 35,000 spectators. Admission is free because it's not a commercial event. It's a non-profit event that allows us to show the public how the Czech Army has matured as well as present Military History Clubs. That is why we think it would not be suitable to ask people to give us money for this event."
On Saturday morning, a military music concert will start off the programme, gradually developing into a colourful show, which will be broadcast live on Czech Television. The most interesting parts of the programme include parachute jumps, L 159 plane and Mi-24 battle helicopter air shows, training sessions of rapid reaction forces and the anti-chemical unit that has just returned from Kuwait, WWII battle re-enactment's, and a presentation of the Castle Guard. It is an event that cannot be topped in Europe, according to General Jasek:
"As far as the Czech Army's presentation is concerned, visitors will see all the technology that's part of the ground forces. I do not think that any other country in Europe has an event such as this one. The British have a similar event that's on a smaller scale and doesn't involve the public as much as Bahna. Then, of course, you find even smaller military presentations that are mainly held in football stadiums. Ours, however, involves armies from several countries and many pieces of technology. It is therefore unique in Europe."
And tune into Radio Prague next week when Dita Asiedu reports from Bahna 2003 in Spotlight.
