Czechia celebrates Victory Day, events held across country

May 8th is a public holiday in Czechia, and this year the country commemorates eighty years since the end of World War II in Europe. Known as ‘Victory Day’, Thursday saw special events taking place across the country.

A solemn ceremony at the National Monument at Vítkov was attended by politicians, soldiers and representatives of veterans' associations. Hundreds of spectators also watched the ceremony. In a speech, President Petr Pavel said that it is important to remember the events of World War II so that humanity can learn from the past, and noted that some of the elements that led to the war can still be observed today. The president said that it is right that Czechia stands up for the rights of Ukraine.

Activists with Palestinian flags attempted to disrupt the president's speech, and military police escorted them away from the monument. The roughly 35-minute ceremony began with the Czech national anthem, and ended with fighter jets and military helicopters flying over the monument.

Later, at a ceremony at Prague Castle, the president named new generals of the Czech army. He appointed Chief of the General Staff Karel Řehka to the rank of army general. He promoted Director of the Security Information Service Michal Koudelka to lieutenant general.

The Memory of the Nation organisation (Paměť národa) organised commemorations in more than a hundred places in Czechia to mark the anniversary. Politicians and representatives of human-rights organisations participated in the ‘Let Us Not Forget 80’ (Nezapomeňme 80) programme of events on Prague’s Wenceslas Square, running from midday into the evening. Among the speakers set to appear were Prime Minister Petr Fiala, President of the Senate Miloš Vystrčil, and military historian and director of the Lidice Memorial Eduard Stehlík.

The event’s programme included music and family-friendly activities. Attendees could not only learn about historical battles, but also see objects connected to the current conflict in Ukraine, such as first-aid kits paid for through Czech donations. The event culminated in a minute of silence for fallen heroes at 6:55 PM.

About 4,000 supporters of the Freedom and Direct Democracy party (SPD) gathered on Thursday afternoon on Prague's Old Town Square. At the beginning of the event, called ‘Czechia Against War’ (Česko proti válce), party leader Tomio Okamura called for a democratic change of government after the autumn elections. Representatives of SPD and other groups that will run on its candidate lists criticised the increase in defence spending and called for peace in Ukraine. Event organiser Jindřich Rajchl told the attendees that eighty years of peace is a clear imperative, and that peace must be fought for through diplomacy. Former President Miloš Zeman also sent a greeting to the demonstration.

Several opponents of the SPD party gathered on the sidelines of the demonstration with Ukrainian flags. The police had to resolve several minor conflicts, such as when demonstrators tore up a woman’s poster directed against Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, no major clashes occurred.

Victory Day is set to end with an evening concert at Prague Castle, with a performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 and 'Ode to Joy'.