Prague lights up to celebrate 30 years of Czech statehood

The Czech Republic will turn 30 years old on January 1, 2023, and its capital city of Prague will celebrate with light installations on its landmark structures, Czech flags hung throughout the city, and even a special tram ride.

Formerly part of Czechoslovakia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia officially split on January 1, 1993. The 'Velvet Divorce', which took place three years after the Velvet Revolution and the fall of communism, was a controversial but peaceful affair.

"On the first of January, the Czech Republic will celebrate an incredible thirty years. We have decided to commemorate its anniversary decently by lighting up buildings and hanging Czech flags in the streets of Prague," Prague Mayor Zdeněk Hřib stated through a press release.

"For what she has faced in the last thirty years, she certainly deserves it. We wish her at least thirty more beautiful years."

On Sunday, January 1, 2023, locations across Prague will be lit up in the colors of the Czech flag to commemorate 30 years of the Czech Republic. These landmarks include New Town Hall on Mariánské náměstí, the area underneath the Metronome at Letná Park, and the Petřín Tower, Prague's tallest point that can be seen across the city.

The Rudolfinum concert hall at Jan Palach Square will also be lit up in Czech colors. This location has special ties to the formation of the Czech Republic: Bedřich Smetana's Má vlast, the unofficial Czech anthem, was played here as the country split from Slovakia on January 1, 1993.

In addition to the Prague landmarks lighting up in Czech colors, Czech flags will be hung across the city on January 1.

"We traditionally hang flags on lamp posts at historically important places in the center of the capital. A total of 59 of them now adorn Wenceslas Square and Na Příkopě and Národní streets," says Tomáš Jílek, Chairman of THMP, which is responsible for the lights throughout the capital city.

"The colors of the Czech flag will also appear in other important places. We have prepared a ceremonial lighting of the wall under the Metronome on Letná, the Rudolfinum building, the seat of the Prague City Hall, and also the Petřín lookout tower, which is used for these purposes several times a year.

"These places will shine in Czech colors until the morning hours of the second of January. We believe it will be a festive spectacle in line with the importance of the event."

Prague's trams will also note the anniversary. In addition to displaying a Czech flag on January 1, the trams will also play special announcement from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.: "For 30 years we have been traveling on our own line as an independent Czech Republic. Therefore, we wish you a happy journey in the future. Your capital city, Prague."

Later in the month, a special tram will also hit the streets of Prague to commemorate the election of Václav Havel as the very first President of the Czech Republic as well as other important events over the past 30 years.

"On January 26, 2023, a special tram will hit the streets of Prague on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the election of Václav Havel as the first Czech president," adds Prague Deputy Mayor Adam Scheinherr.

"At the same time, it will commemorate the greatest achievements of our republic in the last thirty years, such as joining NATO, the victory of our hockey players at the Olympic Games in Nagano, and joining the European Union."