Ostrožská Lhota is the Czech Village of the Year

The Czech village Ostrožská Lhota from the Uherské Hradiště region has won the government’s Village of the Year award.

The second place was awarded to the village of Hrádek from Frýdek-Místek in the Moravian-Silesian Region, and the third place went to Dolní Poustevna from the Děčín Region in the Ústí nad Labem Region.

The committee assessed various factors, including social life, citizen engagement, entrepreneurship, civic amenities, energy conservation, and the maintenance of public spaces and green areas. A total of 175 municipalities participated in this year’s 27th edition.

“We are thrilled. This recognition is a testament to our hard work, our residents, and our beautiful village,” said the mayorRoman Tuháček.

He mentioned that the village is a vibrant place with approximately 20 associations. These include a men’s choir, children’s folklore groups, a dulcimer band, a brass band, a history enthusiasts’ club, a senior citizens’ club, a Red Cross branch, hunters, gardeners, firefighters, football players, hockey players, volleyball players, tennis players, bodybuilders, and tourists.

In recent years, the municipality has undertaken various beautification projects, including the restoration of a heritage house, the renovation of a building with apartments and a post office, as well as the restoration of the old falconry hall. An archaeological museum is also open to visitors.

The other finalists included Bílý Kostel nad Nisou from Liberec in the Liberec Region, Čechy pod Kosířem from Prostějov in the Olomouc Region, Chodová Planá from Tachov in the Pilsen Region, Doudleby from Českobudějovice in the South Bohemian Region, Ledčice from Mělník in the Central Bohemia Region, Suchá Lhota from Svitavsko in the Pardubice Region, Suchý Důl from Náchod in the Hradec Králové Region, and Sudoměřice from Hodonín in the South Moravia Region.

The winner, holding the title of Village of the Year 2023, will receive a financial reward in the form of a grant from the Ministry of Regional Development of up to CZK 2.6 million.

The competition has been held annually since 1995 and is organized by the Association for Rural Renewal of the Czech Republic, the Union of Towns and Municipalities of the Czech Republic, as well as the Ministries of Regional Development and Agriculture.

Last year, 176 villages competed for the title of Village of the Year, and Kostelní Lhota from Nymburk in the Central Bohemia Region emerged as the winner.