By Pietro Andrea Podda, pietro.podda@pragueforum.cz

The 28^th October is a Bank Holiday in the Czech Republic, the country celebrates the birth of Czechoslovakia after the dissolution of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. On this day, which is considered as a symbol of the independence of the country, traditionally the President of the Czech Republic delivers State Awards to those deserving them for their actions in various field. The President Zeman has presided at the Castle over his last Awards Ceremony, considering that , according to the Constitution of the country, he is supposed to leave his office next Spring after the Presidential elections.

This year, Zeman has awarded the distinction to 78 personalities, 32 Awards have been awarded in memoriam. It would be unfair to mention only a partial list of the persons having received the distinction.  Nonetheless, we feel mentioning two of them.  One is the President of Ukraine His Excellency Volodymir Zelensky, who has obviously not been able to participate in person.  The second is a Lady who was born as a Czechoslovak citizen, later became the wife of a future US President and recently passed away:  Ivana Trump, born Zelnickova. Her daughter, also named Ivana, has visited Prague on the occasion.

We are proud to announce that our Prague Forum President Hans Weber and the Deputy Director Milos Janu have also attended the ceremony.