This day serves as a commemoration of two pivotal events in modern history. Firstly, the Velvet Revolution of 1989 brought a non-violent end to the repressive communist regime in the former Czechoslovakia. Concurrently, the events of 1939, when university students protested against Nazi repression, which led to the closure of universities and later to the establishment of International Students Day.

Our Embassy paid tribute to these historical events with an exhibition and concert on Thursday, 7 December 2023, held at the Fat Cat Jazz Club in Ulaanbaatar. The showcased photographs depicted the course of the Velvet Revolution, the formation of the Obcanske Forum (a new political party), and the prominent figures of the time, including the future President Václav Havel. Ambassador Jan Vytopil, who himself participated in these events as a student, shared his reflections on those revolutionary days in his opening speech. He emphasized the ongoing imperative to defend and protect democratic values in the contemporary world.

The Jazz Club was filled to capacity, hosting a diverse audience comprising ambassadors, diplomats, friends of the Czech Republic, and local public figures. The event successfully captured the essence of Freedom and Democracy Day, fostering a spirit of unity and remembrance.