The leadership of the country should be filled with personalities who deal with real problems and have visions and plans, not those who build air castles and fight empty battles. President Petr Pavel said this in his speech before the awarding of state honours in the Vladislav Hall of Prague Castle today. Pursuant to Article 63, paragraph 1, letter h) of Constitutional Act No. 1/1993 Coll., the Constitution of the Czech Republic, and Section 7 of Act No. 157/1994 Coll. on State Honours of the Czech Republic, the President has decided to award or confer state honours on the occasion of the Ordinary Day of 28 October 2024 to honour the civic merits and achievements of the work of eminent personalities.
The President of the Republic conferred the Order of the White Lion on the 1st Class Military Group in memoriam Mr. Army Gen. Sergei Jan Ingro for outstanding leadership and combat performance.
The President of the Republic bestowed the Order of the White Lion on the 3rd Class Civic Group to Mr. Jiří Kyliánovand for particularly outstanding services to the state in the field of culture and the arts.
The President of the Republic conferred the Order of the White Lion on the 2nd Class Military Group in memoriam to Brig. Gen. František Moravec for outstanding leadership and combat performance.
The President of the Republic bestowed the Order of the White Lion on the 3rd Class Civic Group Mrs. prof. Ing. Eva Jiřičná, dr. h. c for particularly outstanding services to the state in the field of culture.
The President of the Republic conferred the Order of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk 3rd Class Mrs. Mgr. Anna Šabatová for outstanding contribution to the development of democracy, humanity and human rights.
The President of the Republic conferred the Order of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk 2nd Class to Mr. Karl Kovand for outstanding contribution to the development of democracy, humanity and human rights.
The President of the Republic conferred the Order of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk 3rd Class Mr. Mgr. Daniel Kroupa, Ph.D. for outstanding contribution to the development of democracy, humanity and human rights.
The President of the Republic conferred the Order of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk 3rd Class in memoriam Mr. Mgr. Pavel Pecháček for outstanding contribution to the development of democracy, humanity and human rights.
The President of the Republic conferred the Order of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, 4th Class Mons. Josef Suchár for outstanding contribution to the development of democracy, humanity and human rights.
The President of the Republic awarded the Order of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk 1st Class in memoriam His Holiness Pope John Paul II, civil name Karol Józef Wojtyla for outstanding contribution to the development of democracy, humanity and human rights.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal for Heroism Mr. Bc. Lukáš Dudík for heroism in saving lives.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal for Heroism to Mr. Prap. Lukáš Hirek for heroism in combat.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal for Heroism Mr. Roman Juřen for heroism in saving lives.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal for Heroism in memoriam to Colonel Josef Keprt for heroism in combat.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal for Heroism in memoriam to Mr. Karel Kučera for heroism in combat.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal for Heroism Mrs. Mgr. Kateřina Laluhová for heroism in saving lives.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal for Heroism in memoriam to mr. capt. i. m. Oldrich Pechal for heroism in combat.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st degree in memoriam Mr. Daniel Anýž for services to the state in the field of culture.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class Mr. Roman Červenka for services to the state in the field of sport.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class Mrs. PhDr. et Mgr. Radka Denemarková, Ph.D. for services to the state in the field of culture and the arts.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class Mr. Martin Doktor, PhD for services to the state in the field of sport.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class Mr. Ing. Petr Dvořák for services to the state in the field of culture.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class to Mr. Mustafa Dzhemilevand for services to the state in the field of state and citizen security.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class Mrs. RNDr. Yvonne Gaillyová, CSc. for services to the state in the field of science.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class Mr. Ing. Jan Gruntorád, CSc. for services to the state in the field of technology.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class Mrs. Štěpánka Hilgertová for services to the state in the field of sport.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st degree in memoriam Prof. Jana Hlaváčová for services to the state in the arts, education and training.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class to Mrs Agnieszka Holland for services to the state in the field of culture.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class Mrs. Dita Horochovská for services to the state in the field of culture.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class Mrs. Lucie Hyblerová for services to the state in the field of culture.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class Mr. Peter Janda for services to the state in the arts.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class Mrs. Daniela Kolářová for services to the state in the arts.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class Mr. Pavel Kosatik, JUDr. for services to the state in the field of culture.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class Prof. Ladislav Krištoufek, PhD. for services to the state in the field of science.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class Mrs. Karin Lednické for services to the state in the field of culture.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st degree in memoriam Mr. Luděk Munzar for services to the state in the arts.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class to Mr. Jiří Netíkovand for services to the state in the economic sphere.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class Mrs. Dagmar Peck for services to the state in the arts.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class Mrs. Zdeňka Prokopová for services to the state in the field of state and citizen security.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class Mr. Mark Rieder for services to the state in the field of state and citizen security.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class Mrs. Marie Rotter for services to the state in the arts.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class Mr. Mgr. Jaroslav Rudiš for services to the state in the field of culture and the arts.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class to Prof. MgA. Vladimír Smutný for services to the state in the arts.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class Mr. Academic Painter. Jiří Sozanský for services to the state in the arts.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class to Mr. Peter Sýkor for services to the state in the field of culture.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class Mrs. MUDr. Kateřina Šédová for services to the state in the field of science.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class Mr. Zdeněk Štybar for services to the state in the field of sport.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class Prof. Jan Švejnar, PhD., M. A., dr. h. c. mult. for services to the state in the field of science.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class Mr. Ivan Trojan for services to the state in the arts.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class Mrs. prof. MgA. Helena Třeštíková, dr. h. c.. for services to the state in the field of culture.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class Mrs. Emilia Vallová for services to the state in the field of culture.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class Mrs. Mgr. Radka Vernerová for services to the state in the field of culture.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class to Mr. Ondřej Vetchý for services to the state in the field of culture and the arts.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class Mr. Jaroslav Vildovand for services to the state in the field of state and citizen security.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class to Prof. Jaroslav Vostre for services to the state in the fields of culture, education and schooling.
The President of the Republic awarded the Medal of Merit 1st Class Mr. Alexander Wiegand for services to the state in the field of state and citizen security.
Speech by the President of the Republic at the awarding of state honours on 28 October 2024
Dear President Klaus, dear Mrs Klaus, dear Mrs Havel, dear constitutional officials, dear honoured persons, members of the diplomatic corps, dear guests, dear fellow citizens.
I am honoured to be able to celebrate with you once again in the premises of the Vladislav Hall one of the most auspicious turning points in the history of our country.
We perceive the establishment of the independent state as a happy event, as a great gift for all future generations. Therefore, 28 October should also be an occasion to remember what a gift, but also a responsibility, we have been given.
It is the privilege of one's own country, won through personal courage and persistent effort, but also through heroism and many sacrifices. This privilege was confirmed 35 years ago, when our society, bound by the era of totalitarianism, was able to assert its desire for freedom. It is also a gift that, unlike many other parts of the world, we are living in the longest period of freedom, security, peace and economic prosperity in history. At the same time, we are fortunate to be inspired and guided by the values of people whose actions, perseverance, philanthropy, artistic or sporting talents or life's work are recognised on this day.
The recognition of the merits of these people is a symbol of the continuing respect for the original ideals of Czech statehood and the continuation of its best traditions. It is also an assurance that a democratic republic is first and foremost a community of citizens, of specific people and their actions.
I would therefore like to make an appeal, surrounded by the personalities we appreciate today and whose stories are examples of an active and responsible attitude to life, to inspire ourselves, not to succumb to apathy. We should not become mere bystanders, commentators, or cheap critics of public events, but actors in them.
It's not the easiest way. It may not even be the most natural for a person. But just as we take a proactive and committed approach to our personal lives so that we and our children will be better off in the future, we should also take a proactive and committed approach to our society and country. To pass it on to future generations in a state of which we can be proud. Or at least of which we will not be ashamed.
We celebrate the establishment of a state that was built on the ideas of sovereignty, freedom, humanity, respect for the individual and international law. Many of us today, quite understandably, take such privileges for granted. Young people, and indeed middle-aged people, did not grow up behind the iron and information curtain of communism. I am not surprised, therefore, that for many of them democracy is not an object of gratitude or even of fear that we might lose it.
Therefore, we need to remind ourselves more, not only today, of how fragile democracy really is and that we need to take care of it. How difficult, long-lasting and often painful it has been to build and defend, and how easy - and at first sight unnoticeable - it can be to lose it again.
Today, unfortunately, we do not have to look far beyond our borders to realise the ease and speed with which the cornerstones of democracy can be eroded. Unfortunately, we do not even have to look hard for examples of aggressive violations of international law. Nor do we need to find examples of states whose leaderships threaten the future of their own country, often in the name of personal gain and prestige or face-saving.
It would be the saddest scenario for our country to go in the same direction.
So let us also celebrate the fact that we have our country and its future in our own hands. We shape it by how we act, by what values and criteria we decide, by what we aspire to and with what determination we pursue it.
Often, too often, in recent years, we hear that we want completely contradictory things. That our ideas about the world divide us into two irreconcilable camps.
And I still believe that's not true.
It is natural that there are topics that we do not all view in the same way. That we seek different solutions to the problems that trouble us. But it is also clear that it is not just black and white or that we have to take sides. Such a view of society is not just a simplification, it is a misleading distortion. In reality, there are few issues that divide Czech society in half. Personally, I will continue to strive to ensure that they do not proliferate in public debate. And above all, to avoid hatred, which has never brought anything good.
Hate and lies are not good for us.
Let me briefly return to our recent crisis experience with the floods. Six people lost their lives, many people lost their homes, all their personal possessions, their schools, their places to work or to enjoy. As in many previous crises, we have seen great solidarity. At that moment, no one was talking about the conflicts and disagreements of society, but about the help that each one of us is able to give.
Most did not even talk about a dysfunctional state in which they had lost confidence. Most of us listened to the recommendations of experts, emergency services, officials, even politicians. They trusted that decisions were made by people who were competent, responsible and prepared. Most of us relied on the traditional media, which, unlike social media, continuously delivered relevant, reliable and quality information.
This is an excellent calling card for our company.
On the other hand, at a time like this, I'm struck by the motivation of people going in the opposite direction. And who, without erudition and responsibility, spread lies or various half-truths. They undermine trust in institutions, in science, in facts. They make our society less resilient. Because trust, based on the experience that the system works, is crucial. And it is essential for all crises, even future ones.
Most of the time we don't know what difficulties await us. Crisis situations are critical precisely because they often come unexpectedly. But we can mitigate their potential impact now. Not only do we as citizens need to be better prepared for difficult situations, but all parts of our state, including the legislature, need to be prepared.
This is even more true of threats that we know exist. These are global threats. Climate, health, migration, energy, security or technology. Threats for which there are no simple solutions. Nevertheless, we should ask ourselves the uncomfortable questions of what and how we will do when they hit us harder and prepare for the possible scenarios.
I understand all those who view these complex problems of our world with concern or fear. No doubt they are complex, but almost every problem has a solution, and every step forward is better than standing still.
Therefore, let us look for personalities to lead our country who will not shy away from these issues. Let us watch who deals with real problems and who creates artificial battlefields over irrelevant, ephemeral matters. Such politicians only drain our attention.
Let's try to look for those who offer viable visions and have concrete, fact-based plans to implement them, not those who build air locks and fight empty battles. Let's try to finally define what is essential for our country. A strong society is one that is educated, economically sound, with a developed infrastructure, innovative, tolerant and one where everyone asserts their rights. One that cares for the weak and vulnerable.
Being such a company means performing a number of specific, demanding tasks.
We experienced this after 89, when changes were taking place that required deep reforms. They were not attractive. They were hard to enforce. Mistakes were made. But we wanted to lay the foundations for future prosperity and we saw a common goal that made sense. And for which we were willing to share the unpleasant costs of those changes. Today - as then - fundamental reforms are needed to respond to the new needs of the Czech Republic, to the new needs of the people. And that is where we must learn to find consensus. Political and social.
We need reform of pensions, we need real reforms in health, in justice, in education, in environmental protection, in digitalisation, in taxation or in public administration and the organisation of the country. All of these extremely complex tasks are a prerequisite for ensuring that the quality of life in the Czech Republic does not decline.
I will therefore not support politicians who offer easy solutions and take the path of least resistance. On the contrary, I can count on the support of those who will approach even unpopular issues with courage and responsibility. So let us appreciate political courage that is driven by the desire to tackle the pressing problems of our country. And let us trust that a responsible approach will ultimately prevail. And it should win for all of us.
Because mere luck is never enough.
The commitment we owe to our country should be no less than that felt just a few generations ago by those who helped to establish our independent state.
How we deal with it depends on what kind of society, with what kind of opportunities and with what kind of hope we and especially our children will live in.
Thank you for your attention.
Petr Pavel, President of the Republic, Prague Castle, 28 October 2024
castle.cz/ gnews - RoZ
Photo: Zuzana Bönisch
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