CZ PRES

JAN LIPAVSKÝ

Minister Of Foreign Affairs Of The Czech Republic

Dear Friends,

The last half year was marked by the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU which we assumed for the second time in history after thirteen years. I am proud of how much work we have done and how much we have contributed to the strong and united position of the EU in the world. I consider cultural diplomacy to be an integral and significant part of our international presentation. During the Presidency, cultural diplomacy was even more important.

The network of the Czech Centres presented 10 projects that resonated very well in Europe as well as overseas. In terms of content, they were based on three main pillars: “Art and Creativity”, “Science, Technology, Innovation”, “Sustainable Development and Human Rights”. I consider all of these areas to be highly topical. I would like to emphasize that our focus on values concerning the environment and fundamental human rights and freedoms is absolutely crucial for the general functioning of society. It was my great pleasure to participate in an international debate in Brussels entitled “The Václav Havel European Dialogues” organized by the Václav Havel Library together with the Czech Centres in European as well as non-European cities. Being one of the participants, I had the opportunity to join the “Visions for Europe” project, an electronic platform through which dozens of Czech as well as international personalities shared their visions of the future Europe.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues from the entire Czech Centres network for their active, outstanding and visible involvement in the presentation of our country at home and abroad. At the same time, I appreciate the cooperation with our diplomatic missions in the world and last but not least, I would like to thank our partners and institutions who were instrumental in the delivery of the attractive programme.

All the best for the next year!

Lucie Kuligov Director

During the Presidency, the Czech Centre Athens presented Czechia throughout Greece. We covered a wide range of thematic areas and are one of the most active cultural institutes in Greece. We participated in several major festivals, organized a number of interesting events and visited various cities and Greek islands. In all of these locations, Czechia was presented as a modern, dynamic and innovative country which prides itself on its traditions and is always open to international cooperation.

HOW DID YOU START THE CZECH PRESIDENCY IN ATHENS?

We had the honour to open a significant organ music festival on Syros Island with a concert consisting exclusively of works by Czech composers. The concert was a phenomenal success.

BUT THAT IS NOT EVERYTHING, IS IT?

Not at all! The Czech Centres also presented other projects in Greece on the occasion of the Czech Presidency. I would like to mention at least two of them: an interactive exhibition of sustainable development goals at the Greek Science Festival and the “Street Meets (Mural) Art” project – young Czech artists created two amazing murals in the Athens City Park.

WHICH TOPICS RESONATED MOST?

Regarding the fact that Czechia focuses on human rights, we presented documentaries made by students of the Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. It is a huge success that we were able to present this topic to the Greek audience. Their response was incredibly positive. However, other events should also be mentioned:

“Czech Graphic Arts” was admired by the Greek audience at an exhibition organized by the Hollar Association, outstanding Czech poets represented three generations of poetry at the International Poetry Festival, in the Museum of Greek Folk Art an exhibition about the Czech blueprint tradition was opened, Václav Havel’s bench played a major role in several cultural events and became a popular place in the centre of Athens.

HOW WOULD YOU ASSESS THE PAST SIX MONTHS?

These were an intense six months that we will never forget. I believe that we made an indelible mark and showed that our small country is a strong partner and an important place in the centre of Europe that has a lot to offer and can be a model in many respects.