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Most Czech state arts institutions are this year preparing events and projects commemorating the centenary of the foundation of Czechoslovakia, the Czech News Agency reported on Sunday. The government has earmarked CZK 322 million for a special programme that will also mark other significant anniversaries this year.

The greatest portion of that funding is going to the Ministry of Culture while the biggest single event will be a joint Czech-Slovak exhibition marking the 100th anniversary of the foundation of Czechoslovakia. After a stint in Bratislava the show will move to the Czech National Museum, which by then will have reopened after major renovations.

Around 170 events are marking the centenary, the 50th anniversary of the Soviet-led invasion of 1968 and the foundation of the independent Czech Republic in 1993.

President Miloš Zeman awarded high state distinctions to 39 Czech and foreign personalities on the occasion of Czechoslovak Independence Day. The gala ceremony at Prague Castle marked 99 years since the founding of Czechoslovakia.

Among the foreign laureates were the former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder, the former president of Slovenia Borut Pahor and the former mayor of Vienna Michael Häupl who all received the country’s highest state distinction, the Order of the White Lion.

Among the Czech personalities who received awards were speed-skater Martina Sábliková, singer Jaromír Nohavica and film director Zdenek Troška.

Czechs marked the 99th anniversary of the founding of Czechoslovakia at the end of the First World War on October 28, the country’s national day and holiday.

The Czech Foreign Minister Lubomír Zaorálek as well as key public figures such as the Academy of Sciences’ Pavel Baran or sociologist Tereza Stöckelová presented a new project on Thursday entitled “Česko na cestě”, marking key dates in the country’s history next year. It will be 100 years, for example, since the founding of Czechoslovakia and 50 since the Soviet-led invasion in 1968. The aim is to discuss key moments that changed the country, in good times and bad.

The Czech Republic and Slovakia will unite next year to celebrate two major anniversaries: 100 years since the foundation of Czechoslovakia and the 50th anniversary of the 1968 Prague Spring and its subsequent crushing by Soviet-led forces. The celebrations are set to be bigger than ever, with nearly 200 events scheduled to take place over the course of the year.

The government is set to earmark some 400 million crowns for next year’s celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the foundation of Czechoslovakia and the 50th anniversary of Prague Spring uprising. Some 172 events are scheduled to take place in 2018, with more than 50 carried out in cooperation with Slovak institutions. The key event will be an exhibition presenting Czechoslovakia since its establishment until its separation in 1993, which is set to take place in the renovated building of the National Museum in Prague.

Czech foreign minister offers Serbian participation in 1918 centenary celebrations Czech foreign minister Lubomír Zaorálek has completed a trip to the Serbian capital Belgrade where he met with his counterpart Ivica Dačić. The Czech minister stressed the importance of Serbia for overall peace in the Balkans and in Central Europe and offered help to pave the way for Serbia joining the European Union. Lubomír Zaorálek proposed that Serbia take part in the Czech celebrations of the 100 years since the creation of Czechoslovakia in 1918. 1918 is also the anniversary of the creation of Yugoslavia, which was an early ally and partner of Czechoslovakia.

Twelve stores violated the law by selling goods to customers on a public holiday, the Czech Inspection Office reported on Saturday following checks around the country on October 28. In line with a new law outlets bigger than 200 square meters must remain closed on eight public holidays, among them Czechoslovak Independence Day, Christmas, Easter Monday and May 8. Violation of the law can be fined by up to one million crowns (37,000 euros). Some stores in Prague stayed open for PR events on the day. According to a poll conducted by the Median agency the majority of Czechs do not have a problem with this, but some entrepreneurs have argued it could lead to lay-offs.

On the occasion of Czechoslovak Independence Day President Milos Zeman awarded high state distinctions to 30 personalities from different walks of life. Among those awarded the Order of the White Lion, the country’s highest state distinction, were WWII veteran general Jaroslav Klemeš, Archbishop of Prague, Cardinal Domink Duka and former EU commissioner Günter Verheugen. The Czech ambassador to Syria Eva Filipi, film director Juraj Jakubisko and singer Daniel Hůlka were among those who received a medal for merit.

The ceremony at Prague’s Castle’s historic Vladislav Hall was overshadowed by controversy. Many politicians, academics and cultural figures boycotted the ceremony in a show of solidarity with Holocaust survivor George Brady,who was reportedly crossed off the list of nominees after his nephew, Culture Minister Daniel Herman met with the Dalai Lama against the president’s wishes. The Office of the President has denied the allegations.

Several thousand people, among them two government ministers, members of right wing opposition parties, cultural and academic figures and church representatives attended a separate celebration of Czechoslovak Independence Day on Prague’s Old Town Square. Many of the speakers stressed the need to defend democracy in the country and not remain passive to developments such as the joint proclamation of the country’s senior officials with respect to China during a visit to Prague by the Dalai Lama. A guest of honour at the celebrations was Holocaust survivor George Brady who received an academic award from Palacký University in Olomouc in the course of the evening.