The reception was opened with the Czech, Slovak and British anthems, followed by speeches from the Czech Ambassador, Libor Sečka, the Slovak Ambassador, Ĺubomír Rehák, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Lukáš Kaucký and the British Minister at the Department for Exiting the EU, Chris Heaton-Harris. All of them mentioned the importance of the 100th anniversary of the founding of Czechoslovakia and the 25th anniversary of modern Czech and Slovak statehoods, and expressed the belief that the excellent relations of all three countries will continue in the years ahead.

Ambassador Sečka took advantage of this opportunity to hand over the Jan Masaryk Silver Medal to 10 selected personalities who have significantly contributed to the development of Czech-British relations. You can find the list of the award-winning personalities and their brief resumés in this attachment (PDF, 90 KB)

During the pleasant sunny afternoon, more than 400 guests listened to the Sam Glaser jazz quartet and enjoyed the traditional Czech and Slovak dishes and drinks, including Pilsner Urquell and Moravian wines.

At the entrance to the Embassy, Škoda Auto ​​exhibited the renovated historic model of the 1963 Škoda Felicia Super and the latest version of the Škoda Superb with bulletproof bodywork.

The guests also had the opportunity to admire a large table in the shape of a map of Czechoslovakia, harmoniously composed of two separate tables with a ground plan of the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic, which was made by the company Bohemian Craft in cooperation with Dřevodílo Rousínov.

This spectacular event of Czechs and Slovaks living in the United Kingdom was the meeting point for the Embassy´s partners and friends in diplomacy, trade, culture, and associations. Above all, the reception was a wonderful celebration of the centenary of Czechoslovakia and the modern Czech statehood.

All photos by Mrs Jolly Thompson are available in this link:

https://jollythompson.dphoto.com/#/album/469cbo