“Freedom is not a given”: Prague Uprising remembered at Czech Radio
Politicians, veterans and members of the public gathered outside Czech Radio’s Prague headquarters on Tuesday to mark the 81st 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 on Vinohradská Street, a symbol of national resistance, became the epicentre of the uprising and the site of some of the fiercest fighting against Nazi forces. Near its entrance, a plaque reads: “5 May 1945, 12:33 – Calling on all Czechs,” marking the moment when Czechoslovak Radio broadcast an appeal for citizens to rise up against the occupiers.
The public responded to the appeal and over 100 people died helping to defend the radio. Hundreds of others fell at the barricades that went up around Prague.
The legacy of these heroes was commemorated in front of the radio building. Among those who addressed the crowd was also the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Tomio Okamura. In his speech, Okamura highlighted the military significance of the Prague Uprising.
“The insurgents built more than 2,000 barricades, which blocked key transport routes in Prague. This prevented German units from moving efficiently westward to eventually surrender to the Americans. Around 30,000 fighters took part in the battles, from teenagers to the elderly, tying down German forces at a time when the Red Army was approaching. Their resistance helped speed up the end of the war in Europe.”
The Vice-President of the Czech Senate, Jiří Drahoš, drew a parallel between the past and present.
“Today we face different, yet no less important challenges than in 1945. Unlike some other European countries, we are not occupied by an army, but the world around us is once again showing how fragile democratic values can be. We see how easily fear and disinformation can spread, how quickly divisions can arise in society, and how dangerous it is when various extremists relativize the truth. Freedom is simply not a given, and democracy is not a permanent state. Each of us bears responsibility for maintaining them.”
Likewise, Czech Radio Director René Zavoral stressed the importance of the Prague Uprising in the present geo-political context.
“We are living in a restless time that many compare to the pre-war years. I hope it turns out to be a great mistake. In times of serious uncertainty and concern, those chapters of our history that strengthen our defensive instincts and our sense of collective self-preservation come to the forefront of national awareness.”
In his speech, Zavoral emphasized the importance of public media for democracy in the context of the ongoing debate on changing the funding of public service media in Czechia.
“For us, people working in radio, this remembrance carries a special weight. It was from here that the signal to launch the uprising was broadcast. Formally, it was a call for help, but its true meaning was different. Fighting for freedom is already underway in Czech Radio – for our freedom and yours. We are not afraid, and you should not be either. These words still resonate with us today as a reminder that radio was, and remains, a voice that can speak out at decisive moments.”
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