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Czech President Petr Pavel awards 51 personalities
On October 28, 2026, Czech President Petr Pavel held a ceremony at Prague Castle to present state decorations to 51 individuals in honor of the anniversary of the founding of independent Czechoslovakia.
The highest honor, the Order of the White Lion, was awarded to actress Iva Janžurová and in memoriam to gymnast Věra Čáslavská and director Miloš Forman. Other recipients of the Order of the White Lion included scientist Helena Illnerová.
Additional honors included the Order of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, awarded to figures such as Jiří Dienstbier and in memoriam to diplomat Vladimír Vochoč, who helped save thousands from Nazi persecution. Medals for Merit were presented to various professionals, including opera singer Adam Plachetka, paralympian Jiří Ježek, and shooter Kateřina Emmons.
During his speech, President Pavel called for greater civic responsibility and political courage, warning against social complacency and the tendency to ignore emerging crises.
Entities
Dana Drábová · Iva Janžurová · Markéta Pávová · Miloš Forman · Order of the White Lion · Petr Pavel · Prague Castle · State Office for Nuclear Safety · Věra Čáslavská