Czechia and Slovakia unveil friendship statue in Prague

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico unveiled a bronze and granite statue titled “Medzi nami” (Between Us) in the gardens of the Strakova Academy in Prague. The sculpture, created by Slovak academic sculptor Vladimír Durbák, was gifted to the Czech government by the Slovak Embassy to commemorate the 108th anniversary of the founding of Czechoslovakia.

The artwork depicts two separate forms that merge in the center through several pairs of shaking hands, symbolizing mutual dialogue, assistance, and the close relationship between the two nations. Prime Minister Babiš described the piece as a metaphor for the peaceful and warm relations between the countries, noting their shared history and cooperation in cultural, economic, and military sectors.

The ceremony took place on October 27, 2026, amidst efforts to restore bilateral relations following previous diplomatic tensions. The event was briefly interrupted by a small protest from individuals opposing the Slovak government's stance on Russia, who displayed Ukrainian flags and chanted slogans directed at Prime Minister Fico.