Ratiboř

This event fell on 20 February 2020. In the morning at 10.00 a.m., all thirteen mayors and their wives were received by the Deputy Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Mr Vojtěch Pikal. The three winners of the state round, including us, were also awarded a commemorative silver coin of the Parliament of the Czech Republic. At 2 p.m. we moved to Prague Castle and were followed by a festive reception by the President of the Republic, Mr. Miloš Zeman. The President highlighted the Czech countryside, emphasized the current trend of people moving from cities to villages in droves and thanked all mayors for their work. The meeting was followed by a sitting in one of the ceremonial salons of the Prague Castle, an introduction of the individual municipalities and an interview with the President. Even though I am not a supporter of our President, I must honestly admit that this meeting was very pleasant, honest, in a friendly spirit, and we did not encounter any issue with which we disagreed with the President in relation to the Czech countryside. The mayors were received in the most solemn rooms of the castle, which are reserved only for the most distinguished visitors. It is the highest honour that can be shown to municipalities by the state.

Martin Žabčík
Mayor