Prague Celebrates 30 Years of Czech Statehood with Lights, Flags

January 1, 2023, will mark 30 years since the foundation of the Czech Republic, and its capital city will celebrate with lights, flags, and a special tram.

1 January 2023 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the independent Czech state.

As part of the celebrations, Prague will illuminate some buildings in the national colours from 4 p.m. on this day, specifically the New Town Hall on Mariánské náměstí, the Petřín Lookout Tower, the Rudolfinum, as it was here that My Country was sung on 1 January 1993, and the walls under the Metronome on Letná.

“The Czech Republic will celebrate this special anniversary on the first of January. We have therefore decided to commemorate it in a subtle way by lighting up the buildings and flying Czech flags in the streets of Prague. For all that it has faced over the last thirty years, it undoubtedly deserves it,” said Zdeněk Hřib, Prague Mayor.

“We have traditionally installed the flags on public lighting poles at historically significant places in the centre of the capital. A total of 59 of them already adorn Wenceslas Square and Na Příkopě and Národní streets. However, the tricolour colours will also appear in other important places. We have prepared the ceremonial lighting of the wall under the pendulum on Letná, the Rudolfinum building, the Prague City Hall and the Petřín Tower,” said Tomáš Jílek, Chairman of the Board of Directors

“The above mentioned places will shine in Czech colours until the morning hours of January 2nd. We believe that it will be a festive spectacle appropriate to the importance of the event,” he added.

On Sunday, 1 January 2023, from 8:00 to 20:00, the entire metro network will also be filled with announcements saying, “For 30 years we have been running our own line as an independent Czech Republic. Let us, therefore, wish ourselves a happy journey in the future. Your capital Prague.”

As on similar anniversaries or holidays, the trams will be decorated with flags of the Czech Republic.

“And on 26 January 2023, a special tram will take to the streets of Prague to mark the thirtieth anniversary of the election of Václav Havel as the first Czech president. It will also commemorate the greatest achievements of our republic over the last thirty years, such as joining NATO, the victory of the hockey players at the Nagano Olympics and joining the European Union,” added Adam Scheinherr, Deputy Mayor of Prague.