Culture Minister Oto Klempíř said in an interview with iDNES.cz that in 2026 the ministry will not support with a subsidy the association Díky, že můžem, which organises the commemorative event Korzo Národní on Národní in Prague for the anniversary of the events of 17 November 1989. On 22 October 2026 the council of the South Bohemian Region decided to give the organisers 300,000 crowns.[1][2]
Ministry's decision
Klempíř justified the refusal by saying that the application does not meet the conditions of the subsidy programme, which in his words covers only anniversaries of whole decades, whereas in 2026 it was 37 years since 1989. According to him, the ministry assessed only whether the conditions of the call were met.[4]
The association asked for one million crowns. By its own account it submitted the application on 30 April and received the negative decision on 19 October, after repeated reminders, that is 29 days before the event. The association's executive director said that agreed meetings with the minister were repeatedly cancelled. The organisers took note of the decision and have reservations about the timing and manner of communication.[1][2] The association applied for state support every year and from 2023 received it in the hundreds of thousands of crowns, and up to 1.5 million for the 35th anniversary in 2024.[4]
Funding of the event
The budget of the event was planned at roughly 4.5 million crowns; the organisers now expect an additional million for stronger security and an expanded programme. The event is financed by a public collection, foundations, corporate partners and private donors. The programme is to have 160 items.[4]
Reaction of the South Bohemian Region
The head of the South Bohemian Region, Martin Kuba (Naše Česko), said that the event is of nationwide importance and called on other regions and towns to join in supporting it. He called the refusal of the subsidy petty in view of the planned state budget deficit of 380 billion crowns. He also criticised the minister's argument about concerts at Lucerna in Prague, saying that admission was charged there whereas the programme on Národní is free.[1][2][3]
Chronology
- — Culture Minister Oto Klempíř declined to provide funds for the 17 November celebrations on Národní in Prague; the South Bohemian Region is to give 300,000 crowns towards them. Seznam Zprávy ČTK / České noviny
Sources
- Seznam Zprávy — 22 October 2026
- ČTK / České noviny — 22 October 2026
- Blesk.cz — 22 October 2026
- Novinky.cz — 22 October 2026