76th anniversary of Prague Uprising marked nationwide

Wednesday marks the 76th anniversary of the Prague Uprising, a turning point and in the Czech fight against the occupying Nazi forces, which took place in the final days of World War II.

As last year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, there will be no large commemorative events, such as the traditional wreath-laying outside the Czech Radio building – the site of heavy fighting. However, the radio will air a special programme about the uprising.

Politicians, soldiers and other public figures will honour the memory of the fallen in small groups or via online addresses. Flowers will be laid by government representatives, including the heads of both chambers of Parliament, at Czech Radio, Prague Castle and other sites.

At Na Smetance Primary School, representatives of the British Embassy will also ceremoniously unveil a memorial plaque to two of that country’s soldiers who took part in the Prague Uprising, helping to negotiate the surrender of a German unit at the site.

Those who manned barricades and took up arms against the German occupiers helped pave the way for the Red Army forces to liberate the Czech capital. The Prague Uprising was preceded by a series of uprisings throughout the Protectorate.