On the occasion of the national holiday celebrating the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day, the Embassy hosted the screening of Waves at Cinemateket on 17 November 2025. Ambassador David Červenka, accompanied by the Deputy Defence Attaché Lt. Col. Kamil Hornyš, welcomed members of the diplomatic corps, Norwegian partners, human-rights organisations, academia, and  representatives of the Czech community.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Červenka emphasised that the legacy of 17 November lies not only in remembering the events of 1939 and 1989, but above all in the continuous care for freedom and democracy—values that remain highly relevant today. He also recalled the importance of civic courage during times when freedom was systematically suppressed. “Freedom and democracy are defended not only by politicians and soldiers, but also by journalists, filmmakers, teachers, and ordinary citizens,” the Ambassador noted, adding that “these values are today under pressure in Ukraine, where people are defending their sovereignty.” This was also one of the reasons why the Embassy chose to screen Waves, a film depicting the story of Czech Radio journalists and citizens during the Prague Spring and the subsequent Soviet occupation in 1968.

The screening of the acclaimed film also marked its Norwegian premiere. The strong interest from the audience—filling the theatre almost to capacity—confirmed the long-standing appreciation of Czech culture among the Norwegian public, as well as the shared values that connect the Czech Republic and Norway. Jan Langlo, Cinemateket’s Programme Director, addressed the full auditorium, praising the ongoing cooperation with the Embassy in promoting contemporary Czech cinema and inviting viewers to upcoming screenings of Czech films.

The event was held with the financial support of the construction company Metrostav Norge.