Czech President Petr Pavel visits Nebraska to honor Czech-American ties

Czech President Petr Pavel visited the University of Nebraska–Lincoln on September 24, highlighting the deep historical, cultural, and educational ties between the Czech Republic and the state of Nebraska. During his visit, which coincided with his attendance at the U.N. General Assembly, Pavel addressed approximately 450 people at the university, praising its long-standing commitment to Czech language education and student exchanges.

Nebraska holds the highest percentage of residents claiming Czech ancestry per capita in the United States. As part of his itinerary, Pavel met with Governor Jim Pillen and toured Wilber, Nebraska, a town known as the “Czech capital of the U.S.” due to its significant Czech immigrant history and annual Czech festival. Pavel noted that the university and the local community serve as a vital bridge for understanding between Americans and Europeans.