Prague Getting Ready to Become the “Capital of Europe”

Prague City is in active preparation for the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU which will start on 1 July and will last for six months

In a few days only, Czechia takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union – a high responsibility, that each member state takes in turns and that gives it the chance to set up the priorities of the EU agenda for the next six months. During this period, the country holding the Presidency welcomes high-ranking European politicians to meetings and events.

Naturally, the host cities become the centre stage of European policy, alongside Brussels and Strasbourg. Prague has just pledged its readiness to meet the challenge by announcing a jam-packed program of events under the slogan Prague Meets Europe.

The program centred around Prague’s hosting of the European presidency starts on Friday, 24 June, and will last until the beginning of July.

It is meant for the residents and visitors of the metropolis, while the goal, according to the city website, is to show that “the European Union is not just an institution, but that the European Union is first and foremost people”.

On 24, 25, 30 June, and 1 July, there will be a European music and dance parade with flags of EU member states and Prague. On top of this, the list of announced events includes:

• 24.06 – 01.07.2022 Prague: the heart of Europe, starts from the Rudolfinum;
• 24.06 – 26.06.2022 Mariánské náměstí meets Europe at Mariánské náměstí, Prague 1 – Old Town;
• 24.06 – 26.06.2022 CAMP meets Europe at Center for Architecture and Metropolitan Planning (Vyšehradská 51, Prague 2)
• 24.06 – 26.06.2022 Kampus Hybernska meets Europe (Hybernská 998/4)
• 24.06 – 27.06.2022 Summer cinema on Mariánské náměstí;
• 24.06 – 27.06.2022 French Markets on Marianske náměstí and many more.

The Czech capital regards this as an opportunity to bring a more European dimension to its development including through cooperation with other cities and has set out several priorities to maximize its role in the process. They include:

• To communicate the city priorities and promote Prague as a green, innovative and smart city;
• To share its know-how in the field of climate policy and motivate other cities to take action;
• To communicate what does the EU membership brings to Prague’s citizens and visitors;
• To introduce Prague internationally as a creative, modern city that has a lot to offer;
• To show Prague as a reliable partner and promote the importance of cities and municipalities.

To learn more about the event, check out the official website of Prague Meets Europe here.