On 28 October, a Czech national holiday, President Petr Pavel, together with his wife, Eva Pavlová, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jan Lipavský, officially received the diplomatic corps at the presidential residence. The reception formed part of the celebrations marking the foundation of the independent Czechoslovak state on 28 October 1918.

Background of the Holiday

The 28 October national holiday commemorates the declaration of the independent Czechoslovak state after the collapse of the Austro‑Hungarian Empire in 1918. It is a day of national pride and historical reflection, celebrating democratic self‑determination and remembering the long and often turbulent path of the Czech and Slovak lands. At the same time, the day is observed through official ceremonies, flag‑raising, speeches, and receptions—among them the reception of the diplomatic corps.

Tradition of the Diplomatic Corps Reception

The reception of foreign ambassadors and the core diplomatic corps on this national day is an established tradition of the Czech Republic, serving both as a mark of respect for international relations and as a platform for high‑level diplomatic exchange. The host—namely the President together with the Foreign Minister—addresses the assembled diplomats, followed by formal greetings, networking, and cultural interplay.

The Event and Speeches

At this year’s reception, President Pavel welcomed the diplomatic corps representatives. Among the guests, he singled out the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, the Apostolic Nuncio Jude Thaddeus Okolo, whose role as Dean underscores the longstanding protocol tradition.

In his address, President Pavel emphasised the following key themes:
– He recalled that 28 October is “a day when we look back with gratitude and pride on the birth of an independent Czechoslovakia.”
– He stressed that freedom and democracy are by no means guaranteed – “freedom must be cherished, defended and renewed,” as he put it.
– He emphasised the importance of international cooperation in a time of global uncertainty: the past twelve months have shown that the principles of law, truth, and dialogue remain essential. He pointed explicitly to the war in Ukraine and the hybrid threats arising from Russia as evidence of a changed security environment.
– He underlined the role of diplomacy: listening carefully when tensions rise, maintaining channels of communication, and building coalitions where individual actors would struggle alone.
– In closing, he thanked the diplomatic corps for their service and noted the upcoming state‑honours ceremony at the Castle on the following day.

From the diplomatic corps side, the Apostolic Nuncio Jude Thaddeus Okolo offered a brief greeting, thanking the Czech Republic for the invitation and for the opportunity to build on strong bilateral and multilateral relations. He emphasised the value of stability, mutual engagement, and cooperation in Central Europe.

Significance and Outlook

The reception and the President’s address highlight two things: first, the commemoration of the country’s foundational democratic legacy, and second, the active role the Czech Republic plays today in European and trans‑Atlantic affairs. In his speech, President Pavel made clear that the country sees itself as a reliable partner in NATO and the European Union, while emphasising that external security must be underpinned by internal resilience. The address thus shifted from historical memory to forward‑looking responsibility.

For the foreign diplomats, the reception provides a prime opportunity to maintain high‑level contacts, exchange views, and reaffirm their ties to Prague—especially in a moment of global upheaval, such diplomatic forums are of heightened importance.