News: Sunday, November 17th, 2024

Czechia marks 35 years since Velvet Revolution

November 17th is the anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, the events of 1989 by which Czechoslovakia transitioned from a one-party communist state to a democratic and capitalist society. The day has been marked with memorials, concerts and demonstrations across the country, with a particular focus being Prague’s Národní Street, the central thoroughfare where a student protest on this day sparked the revolution. The day also commemorates 85 years since the Nazi closure of Czech universities, an event that inspired the protests of 1989 fifty years later.

People have been gathering on Národní Street since the early morning to remember the events of November 1989. President Pavel visited to pay his respects, as did Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský, Mayor of Prague Bohuslav Svoboda, and Andrej Babiš, leader of the opposition ANO party. The day has also involved an anti-government protest on Wenceslas Square, and a demonstration by the Million Moments for Democracy movement on Old Town Square. In the evening, the non-profit organisation Post Bellum will hand out its annual Memory of the Nation awards.

Czech leaders pay respects at Národní Street memorial

To honour the memory of those who took part in the events of November 1989, Czech political leaders have been laying wreaths at the memorial on Národní Street, including President Petr Pavel and Prime Minister Petr Fiala. The prime minister walked from Náměstí Republiky (Republic Square), accompanied by Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Markéta Pekarová Adamová and supporters of the SPOLU coalition. Andrej Babiš, leader of the opposition ANO party, arrived after midday.

The political leaders have been met with mixed reactions on Národní, with applause from some and shouts and whistles from others. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Vít Rakušan, also in attendance, commented that freedom includes the right to criticise and shout at politicians, and that Czechs must continue to fight for that freedom. PM Fiala stated that freedom "is not for free".

Opponents of aid to Ukraine gather in front of National Museum

At 1 pm, around two hundred people gathered in front of the National Museum in Prague, to show their disagreement with the Ukrainian flag displayed outside the building, and with the government's programme of support for the country currently under attack from Russia. The protest was called by activist Ladislav Vrabel, founder of the political party ‘Czech Republic in First Place!’. Vrabel announced to the assembled supporters that after the speeches he wanted to go to Národní Street, where today people are commemorating the thirty-fifth anniversary of the fall of the communist regime.

Communist Josef Skála and teacher Martina Bednářová, who faced charges of denying Russian war crimes in Ukraine, also spoke at the event. A pro-Ukrainian group also attended to voice their opposition. Police have been present and monitoring the situation. Five people have been detained for misdemeanors.

Million Moments for Democracy holds demonstration on Old Town Square, warns against rise of authoritarians

On November 17th, on Prague’s Old Town Square, several thousand people gathered in the afternoon for a demonstration organised by Million Moments for Democracy, called ‘Let’s Remain the Democratic Heart of Europe’. Ahead of next year’s parliamentary elections, the organisers and participants want to warn the general public about the rise of authoritarian politicians, pointing to the political developments that have taken place in Slovakia and Hungary.

Singer David Koller performed at the demonstration, and a video greeting was sent by the former Slovak president, Zuzana Čaputová. The Million Moments organisation was founded after the parliamentary elections in 2017, which were won by the ANO movement, led by later Prime Minister Andrej Babiš. During subsequent protests, the movement criticised Babiš for not keeping pre-election promises and for conflicts of interest, and demanded his resignation.

Foreign Minister Lipavský awards medals for services to diplomacy

Thirteen individuals and three institutions and organisations received awards from Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský in a ceremony at the Černín Palace on the 17th of November. Outgoing Vice-President of the European Commission Věra Jourová, President of the State Office for Nuclear Safety Dana Drábová, and the Financial Analysis Office were among the recipients.

Jourová, who will retire from the Commission this year after ten years, received the medal for her contribution to Czech and European diplomacy, and Drábová for her contribution to the support of Czech science on the international stage. The Financial Analysis Office was recognised for its role in the fight against money laundering, the prevention of the financing of terrorism, and the implementation of international sanctions. The Czech medals for services to diplomacy were awarded for the first time in March 2019.

Economic advisor to president does not recommend signing budget for 2025

The economist David Marek, an adviser to President Petr Pavel, has told Czech Television that there are unclear items in the draft budget for next year, and that he does not recommend that the president sign it yet. According to Marek, the essential criteria of a budget are trustworthiness and transparency, and there are aspects of the 2025 draft budget that are still unclear.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala stated on the political discussion show Václav Moravec’s Questions that the budget has been responsibly drawn up and is pro-growth. Deputies are set to discuss it on Wednesday, although its basic parameters were approved by the Chamber of Deputies at the end of October and can no longer be changed.

Mobis Automotive Czech, supplier to Hyundai, sees sales rise to 58.74 billion

Mobis Automotive Czech, a car-part manufacturer in Nošovice in the Frýdek-Místek District, which supplies modules to the Hyundai car company, saw sales of products and services increase by 15.33 billion crowns in 2023, to 58.74 billion crowns. The company's net profit increased year-on-year by 109.3 million, almost a fifth, to 681.9 million crowns.

CEO Sangwon Kang said that the company gradually reduced the cost of electricity, gas, fuel and certain raw materials last year. Mobis focuses on the assembly of complete automotive modules and battery systems, which it delivers to the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech plant in Nošovice. The company had an average of 1,485 employees in 2023. Mobis products are part of all cars manufactured in Nošovice. The company belongs to the Korean company Hyundai Mobis.

Singer Anna Fialová performs iconic Velvet Revolution song ‘Prayer for Marta’ on Národní Street

The song ‘Prayer for Marta’ (Modlitba pro Martu), originally sung by Marta Kubišová, was performed this year at the Velvet Revolution commemorations on Národní Street by Anna Fialová. The twenty-nine-year-old singer stepped out onto the balcony of Palác Metro, overlooking a packed street, and performed the song at the traditional time of 5:11 pm. Her powerful rendition was met with thunderous applause.

The song was first composed for Marta Kubišová and the television series Song for Rudolf III in 1968. This coincided with the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia, and it became a symbol of Czechoslovak resistance. After nineteen years of her being banned from public appearances, Marta Kubišová and Prayer for Marta became symbols of the Velvet Revolution in 1989.

Weather forecast

Cloudy to overcast, with occasional rain or showers in most areas, and mixed precipitation or snow above 600 m. Partly cloudy in the evening. Highest temperatures will be between 2 and 6°C, in the south of Moravia up to 9°C.