President Pavel honors 48 prominent personalities on Czechoslovak Independence Day
At a ceremony marking Czechoslovak Independence Day on October 28, President Pavel handed out awards and high state distinctions to 48 leading personalities for outstanding services to the state.
Addressing an audience of 650 guests in the historic Vladislav Hall of Prague Castle, President Pavel emphasized the enduring values of freedom, security, and justice. He expressing gratitude for the country’s democratic and sovereign status, saying this was something to be cherished and defended at a time when many long-held certainties are fading.
The president reiterated the importance of the Czech Republic’s membership in the European Union and NATO, warning that the weakening of transatlantic ties is a worrying development. He also highlighted the need for sufficient defense spending in view of Russia's expansionism.
Pavel further stressed the need to protect the independence of key public institutions including the judiciary, security services, universities, and public media and said that “a confident, authentic, and evolving civil society” is vital to the nation’s future.
Among the 48 personalities awarded high state distinctions were Oscar-winning film director Zdeněk Svěrák, Czech-born tennis legend Martina Navrátilová and the internationally renowned Czech conductor Jakub Hrůša.
The Medal of Merit was awarded to Martin Dorazín, Czech Radio’s war correspondent in Ukraine; Olympic canoeing champion Josef Dostál, Zuzana Baudyšová, founder of the Our Child Foundation and co-founder of the Child Helpline, Šimon Pánek, head of the humanitarian organization People in Need and one of the country’s leading actresses Anna Geislerová.
A Medal for Bravery went to nine-year-old Šimon Malý, a fourth-grade pupil who saved his grandfather’s life by pulling him to the shore after the elderly man lost consciousness while swimming.
Among those awarded the country’s highest state distinction in memoriam were : former justice minister and Supreme Court president Otakar Motejl, the late Czech architect Jan Kaplicky, the late Dana Němcová, Charter 77 signatory and dissident, and the late Dana Drábová the country’s leading nuclear expert and former head of the State Office for Nuclear Safety.
