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5 December 202212:45
Last month with CZ PRES - November
A number of cultural and accompanying events took place again under the auspices of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU in November in both Prague and Brussels. There was a week of Presidency readings, informal meetings with journalists and a fashion show by Czech and Belgian designers. The first Czech Digital Week was also held on the occasion of the Czech Presidency - a week dedicated to cyber security, new technologies, the future of the internet and digital education.
Czech and Belgian designers presented their work in Brussels as part of a successful fashion show
A great show of the visions of the youngest generation of fashion designers from the Czech Republic, Belgium and other European states took place under the arch of the Gare Maritime former freight station in Brussels on Saturday, 5 November 2022. The WE'RE NEXT BRUSSELS fashion show presented models from 30 designers, including Jan Nový, Princ z Moravy, Silvy ten Broeke and Sander Bos. The show was part of a day-long programme dedicated to contemporary Czech culture.
A week with Czech literature
Czech literature has its place in the world and definitely has something to offer. The public will be able to see this for themselves during the “Presidency Reading Week” from 14 to 20 November 2022. Through a series of short videos, personalities linked to the Czech Presidency each presented a book by a Czech author that interested or inspired them. To mark the occasion, the Czech Presidency team created a limited edition of bookmarks available when borrowing or purchasing books at selected libraries and bookshops in the Czech Republic.
The first year of Czech Digital Week is over
What are the trends in the world of digitalisation? These were revealed in the first year of Czech Digital Week. It took us to a campus where a robot served coffee. It outlined how Europe sees the future of the internet, and summarised the cyber-security challenges ahead. Czech Digital Week brought together the state, non-profit and private sectors, and clearly showed that digital issues are not on the back burner in the Czech Republic. The highlight of the event was the unique two-day EU Secure and Innovative Digital Future international conference at which the cyber and digital resilience of the EU was discussed. Crucial topics such as securing supply chains and critical infrastructure were on the table.
Celebrating 17 November: Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day
The Czech Presidency joined the celebration of freedom at the unique Korzo národní street festival that commemorates the crucial historical events of 17 November 1989 in a playful cultural manner, with a positive atmosphere and an emphasis on healthy national pride. The Czech Presidency had a stand where people could learn more about the Presidency in an interactive way and win small prizes. The programme also included a debate entitled “Back to Europe?” at the New Stage of the National Theatre.
Celebrations of 17 November were also held in Brussels, where the Czech Presidency commemorated Václav Havel - the man who led the Velvet Revolution 33 years ago - by reading his speeches at his bench in Leopold Park.
Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský spoke at the Václav Havel European Dialogues
The tenth Václav Havel European Dialogues took place in Brussels on 14 November 2022 with the participation of Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavský, this time under the auspices of the Czech Presidency of the Council of the EU. The impact of the Russian aggression in Ukraine on European thinking was discussed, with particular emphasis on the protection of democracy, human rights and other European values. The conference highlighted the Presidency’s activities in support of Ukraine facing the Russian aggression, and to strengthen the resilience of democratic institutions, among its main priorities.
Informal meeting with journalists
Two informal meetings with the media were held in November with the aims of involving more Czech journalists in European affairs and improving contact with them during the Presidency. The first informal meeting on the topic of foreign policy took place with the participation of Deputy Minister for European Affairs Tomáš Pojar and Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the EU Political and Security Committee (PSC) Jitka Látal Znamenáčková. The second informal meeting with journalists focused on the energy sector. The meeting was attended by Deputy Head of the Czech Permanent Representation to the EU and Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to COREPER I Jaroslav Zajíček, and Adviser to the Minister of Industry and Trade on the European Agenda, Business Environment and Consumer Protection Tomáš Prouza.
Lectures continue at Czech schools
There have been 35 lectures at Czech grammar schools as part of the Czech Presidency since October. The lecturers are experienced experts from the staff of the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic directly involved in the development of Czech European policy, as well as in the performance of the Presidency itself. Students are thus offered a unique opportunity to meet the people closest to European affairs and who can provide an insight into the complex issues dealt with at European level on a daily basis.
Travelling exhibition
The travelling exhibition called “We have grown up in the EU” moved to the South Moravia, South Bohemia, Plzeň and Vysočina Regions in November. You can still see the exhibition at its final stops on Lannova třída Street in České Budějovice until 19 December 2022 and on Komenského náměstí Square in Pardubice until 20 December 2022.
