Prague begins planning permanent memorial for Charles University shooting victims

Prague city officials have begun planning a permanent memorial in Jan Palach Square to honor the victims of the shooting at Charles University’s Faculty of Arts on December 21, 2023. The attack resulted in 14 deaths and 25 injuries.

City councilors approved the formation of a working group to develop the brief for a future architectural and artistic competition. This group will include representatives from Charles University’s rector’s office, the Faculty of Arts, the Spojeni nadějí association, Prague’s Institute of Planning and Development, City Hall, and the Prague City Gallery.

Bereaved families, survivors, and others directly affected by the tragedy will be involved in the preparations, with the city emphasizing respect for their privacy and dignity. The group is tasked with determining the memorial’s message, its relationship to the surrounding faculty building and square, and addressing practicalities such as accessibility, safety, and long-term sustainability. The memorial project will be integrated into the broader planned reconstruction of Jan Palach Square.