Eighty years after the Prague Uprising, the city will mark the anniversary with a powerful mix of remembrance and celebration.
Prague 1 is organizing two days of events that will take over some of the city’s most iconic spots on May 5 and May 8.
“We’re not just marking a date—we’re remembering the bravery that stood firm when everything seemed lost,” said Terezie Radoměřská, mayor of Prague 1. “These moments shaped our identity. And they remind us that freedom isn’t something to take for granted—it was paid for with lives.”
May 5: Commemorating the Start of the Uprising
The commemorations begin at 10 a.m. on May 5 at the Old Town Hall, where officials and members of the Czechoslovak Legionary Community will gather by the memorial plaque to honor those who died during the 1945 uprising. A short ceremony will also be held in the nearby Cross Chapel and courtyard.
Later that afternoon, the Old Town Square will turn into a kind of living history experience. At 2 p.m., an event titled “Old Town Square in Flames” will bring the past to life through sound, visuals, and performance. Organized by Prague City Hall, Prague 1, Media Park, and the Museum of Memory of the 20th Century, the program includes:
- The bells of the Church of Our Lady before Týn ringing across the square
- A public reading of names of those who fell in the uprising
- An open-air exhibition with virtual reality elements
- Evening film screenings related to the final days of the war
At 7 p.m., the action shifts toward the riverfront. A symbolic barricade will be constructed between the National Theatre and Café Slavia, recreating the resistance effort that played out in this very area eight decades ago.
The project, called “To the Barricade! The National Theatre, Occupied and Resisting,” will feature a memorial procession, a live broadcast by Czech Television, a performance by the Kühn Children’s Choir, and a set of historical exhibits paying tribute to artists and performers who joined the armed resistance.
May 8: National Remembrance at Wenceslas Square
On May 8, the anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, Prague will once again become a stage for public remembrance.
The nationwide project “Let’s Not Forget 80”, organized by the non-profit Paměť národa (Memory of Nations), will unfold in the lower part of Wenceslas Square, with Prague 1 supporting the effort with a 100,000 CZK contribution.
From noon until the evening, the square will host a series of interactive events, including:
- Personal stories and memorial exhibitions
- Public talks and appearances by well-known Czech personalities
- Live concerts and performances across the square
At 7 p.m., the country will pause for a minute of silence—a symbolic gesture meant to unite people across Czechia in shared remembrance.