Czech Republic celebrates Statehood Day and Saint Wenceslaus

Czech Republic celebrates Czech Statehood Day on September 28, honoring the legacy of Saint Wenceslaus. In Stará Boleslav, thousands gathered for a national pilgrimage and mass led by Prague Archbishop Stanislav Přibyl, who called for social reconciliation and warned against allowing disagreement to turn into hatred.

At the Vítkov National Monument, President Petr Pavel, Defense Minister Jaromír Zůna, and Chief of the General Staff Miroslav Hlaváč attended the opening of a new permanent exhibition titled ‘Symbols of Statehood.’ President Pavel emphasized that state symbols serve as a vital reminder of home and responsibility for soldiers serving abroad.

Other regional celebrations included festivities in Český Krumlov, featuring folklore festivals and museum openings, and the launch of a new television channel, České kino, on Magenta TV. Due to the public holiday, large retail stores remain closed under existing regulations, though exceptions apply to pharmacies, gas stations, and small shops at transport hubs.