Czechia marks 35th anniversary of Velvet Revolution with events and protests

On Nov. 17, the Czech Republic celebrates the 35th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, a pivotal moment in its history that led to the end of communist rule.

The national holiday, also known as the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day, will feature commemorative events, concerts, parades, and protests. Alongside this, the day marks 85 years since the Nazi regime shut down Czech universities, a reminder of the country’s long struggle for democratic freedoms.

In Prague, the day’s commemorations will center on the Národní Street memorial, where the 1989 student protests were violently suppressed by communist forces, sparking the demonstrations that eventually led to the regime’s downfall. Politicians, families, and citizens will gather to lay flowers and light candles at the site.

At the Hlavka student dormitory, a morning event will honor the Czech students executed by the Nazis during their persecution in 1939. Later, at the Ruzyně Prison, a ceremony will pay tribute to the victims of Nazi oppression.

Across the country, university students and faculty will hold speeches and other events, especially in Brno, where the Brno University Students' Association will host its Brno 17th Festival with the theme of "Freedom and Responsibility." The day will culminate with a concert at Liberty Square.

In Prague, Národní Street will be closed to vehicles for the entire day as part of Korzo Národní, a celebration that transforms the street into a pedestrian zone. Restrictions will also impact trams and cars around Wenceslas Square and Národní Street, particularly in the afternoon when the Concert for the Future will take place.

At 5 p.m., the premiere of the film Freedom Connects Us will be shown on three screens along Národní Street, followed by the iconic song Prayer for Marta, which will be performed by actress Anna Fialová. See here for more info about the Prague celebrations.

Today's national holiday will also see several protests and marches through Prague, which may also result in traffic or travel disruptions in the city center.

The Universities for Climate initiative, which has organized multiple events throughout the country including climate strikes, will stage a protest march from Masarykovo nádraží at 11:30 a.m., which will be followed by a street festival on Magdaleny Rettigové Street. 

The Velvet Carnival, a satirical and politically-themed initiative from local student groups and NGOs that takes place annually on the Nov. 17 holiday, will see mask-wearing participants march over Charles Bridge, down the Smetana Embankment and through Národní Street to Můstek in the city center.

The Million Moments for Democracy organization, critics of former Czech PM and opposition leader Andrej Babiš, will stage a demonstration at Old Town Square to counter growing pro-Russian influence and populist rhetoric in Czech politics.

And anti-government protestors will also gather to stage their own demonstration at Prague's Wenceslas Square, which will be followed by a protest march from the National Museum to the seat of Czech Television and through Vyšehrad, culminating at Karlovo náměstí.