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A unique diary belonging to a Czechoslovak legionary named František Krejčí was recently discovered and published by his ancestors. Filled with accomplished images, drawn by Krejčí himself, the diary provides a fascinating portrayal of a soldier’s experiences on the Eastern Front.

Wednesday marks 100 years since the establishment of the Czechoslovak branch of the International Red Cross, today known as the Czech Red Cross. It was founded and chaired by Alice Masaryková, the daughter of Czechoslovakia’s first president and a pioneer in the field of social care. Its establishment was officially approved by the president on February 6, 1919.

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš took part in the Armistice celebrations in France. On Saturday evening the prime minister attended a dinner for world leaders hosted by President Emmanuel Macron and on Sunday he joined heads of state at a commemorative ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Champs-Elysees.

The Czech prime minister presented his host with a gift which he said symbolized the need to work for understanding among nations – a painting by Czech artist Zděnek Janda depicting the burning Tower of Babel.

Public gatherings, masses and commemorative ceremonies were held around the Czech Republic in remembrance of the ten million soldiers who fell in WWI.

In Prague, political leaders, war veterans and church dignitaries attended a remembrance ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Vítkov Memorial. On the occasion, Defence Minister Lubomír Metnar presented awards of merit to 22 war veterans both from WWII and the country’s modern-day foreign missions. On Sunday evening a mass will be celebrated at St. Vitus Cathedral in memory of those who died in the war.

According to estimates some 1.4 million men from the territory of the former Czechoslovakia fought in the war, either with the Austro-Hungarian army or in the foreign legions. Approximately 140,000 of them died on the battlefield.

Public gatherings, masses and commemorative ceremonies are being held around the Czech Republic over the weekend in remembrance of the ten million soldiers who fell in WWI.

According to estimates some 1.4 million men from the territory of the former Czechoslovakia fought in the war, either with the Austro-Hungarian army or in the foreign legions. Approximately 140,000 of them died on the battlefield.

Bells will peal around the country on Sunday marking the centenary of the end of the war.

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš will join world leaders in France for celebrations commemorating the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice treaty that brought an end to World War One.

On Saturday evening the prime minister will attend a dinner hosted by President Emmanuel Macron. On Sunday he will join heads of state at a commemorative ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Champs-Elysees and later attend the opening of the three-day Paris Peace Forum.

On Monday, Mr. Babiš will fly to Palermo, Italy, to attend an international conference on Libya.

One hundred years ago the new state of Czechoslovakia was already establishing its institutions. While celebrations were still going on in Prague, about 70,000 Czechs and Slovaks were fighting thousands of kilometers from home in Siberia, attempting to gain control over the Trans-Siberian Railroad. Among them was my great-granduncle.

One of the new books out marking the anniversary of the end of WWI is a collection of soldiers´ letters, diaries and memoirs giving a personal account of life in the trenches and on the battlefield. The book’s title Zum Befehl, pane lajtnant (which translates as At your command, lieutenant) is taken from the satirical comedy The Good Soldier Svejk by Jaroslav Hašek. I spoke to one of the book’s co-authors, Pavla Horáková, and began by asking how the idea arose to put together such a collection.

Exactly 100 years ago, on October 28th 1918, the new sovereign state of Czechoslovakia declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire the Czech lands and Slovakia had been part of for centuries. Two weeks before the Armistice of Compiègne on November 11th which ended all fighting in WW1, the news of the new-born state spread from Prague to gradually reach Czech soldiers scattered around the world. In today’s programme dedicated to the centenary of the birth of Czechoslovakia we quote from the journals, memoirs and correspondence of Czech

Bells in Czech churches, town halls and other historic buildings will ring out on Friday evening from 6:00 to 6:15 on the occasion of the International Day of Peace.

In Europe, the Czech Republic and more than a dozen other countries will ring bells simultaneously to commemorate the end of World War I a century ago, and the start and end of the Thirty Years’ War in the year 1618.