On the 57th anniversary of the 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia by Warsaw Pact troops, Prague’s Výstaviště will once again host NeverMore 68, a day-long festival dedicated to freedom, truth, and historical memory.

The event, held on August 21, invites the public to explore how governments, foreign media, and institutions on both sides of the Iron Curtain responded to one of the darkest moments in Czechoslovak history.

This year’s edition places a strong focus on the United Kingdom, where a large Czechoslovak exile community lived at the time.

Visitors can expect an exhibition of declassified British government documents, diplomatic cables, and media coverage from 1968, offering a new perspective on how the West viewed the Soviet-led invasion.

“Each year, in light of current global events, NeverMore 68 feels even more relevant. It reminds us how fragile democracy can be, and how vital it is to defend freedom and human dignity,” says Tomáš Hübl, head of Výstaviště Praha. “I’m particularly looking forward to the insights from the British Embassy and British Council, and to seeing Jiří Mádl’s Waves again — it never loses its emotional impact.”

British institutions are taking a leading role in this year’s programming, including a panel discussion on the UK’s political and public response to the 1968 invasion. Archival press articles, rare photos, and never-before-seen official records will be part of the exhibition.

What to Expect at NeverMore 68

The festival will include a full-day live podcast and debate stage, featuring interviews with historians, journalists, eyewitnesses, and diplomats. Discussions will reflect on key 20th-century moments and explore how the concept of free speech has evolved in modern society.

A major attraction will be the interactive installation “Maps of the Occupation,” which offers a bird’s-eye view of the August 1968 invasion and its impact on Czech society. Visitors will be guided through eight thematic sections tracing how quickly foreign troops overwhelmed the country and how the occupation shaped everyday life for decades.

Several civic and historical organizations — including gulag.cz, Političtívězni.cz, and Dekomunizace.cz — will also be present with exhibitions and archival materials.

In the evening, visitors can look forward to two film screenings. First is The Great Brotherhood Trip by Robert Kvaipl, followed by Jiří Mádl’s award-winning film Waves, which portrays the emotional and political tensions of the time through the eyes of Czech youth.

The independent stream Dárek pro Putina will broadcast live from the festival, focusing on the legacy of August 1968 in a broader geopolitical context. Visitors will even have the chance to try an F-18 flight simulator during the segment.

For those unable to attend in person, Czech Radio will broadcast live discussions, ensuring wider public access to the event’s reflections on freedom, resistance, and history.

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